Servas India is delighted to invite Servas members from around the world to participate in the Servas India Cultural Gathering 2026, a unique opportunity to experience one of India’s most vibrant cultural celebrations while strengthening international friendship and understanding.

This special gathering will take place in Maharashtra, India, during the joyful Ganesh Festival, from 21 September to 30 September 2026. Participation is limited to 20 international guests, and the participation fee is USD 500 per person.

According to the Hindu-American Association, “Ganesha is one of the most widely worshipped and recognizable deities in the Hindu pantheon. Easily identified by his elephant head, he is revered as the god of new beginnings, wisdom, and good fortune, and is famously known as the ultimate "Remover of Obstacles." The Ganesh Festival (Ganesh Chaturthi) is Maharashtra’s most celebrated cultural festival, bringing communities together in an atmosphere of joy, harmony, and togetherness. Through this thoughtfully planned 10-day program, participants will have the opportunity to experience Indian culture through homestays, local traditions, cultural exchanges, and meaningful interactions with Servas hosts and members.

The journey begins in Pune, where participants will enjoy a 4-night homestay, experiencing the heart of the Ganesh Festival celebrations with local families and Servas friends. The program then continues to Nashik for a 3-night homestay, offering opportunities to explore temples, vineyards, scenic landscapes, and flower gardens, as well as enjoy a special Indian Cultural Evening. Finally, the gathering concludes in Mumbai, with 2 nights in a hotel, where participants will discover India’s vibrant financial capital, along with its heritage landmarks, beaches, museums, and local markets.

The participation fee includes accommodation (homestays and hotel), breakfast and dinner, and internal transportation between Pune, Nashik, and Mumbai. It does not include international and domestic airfare, entry tickets, personal expenses, or travel insurance.

Registration opens on 5 June 2026 and closes on 30 June 2026. As places are limited, early registration is strongly recommended. 

More than a cultural tour, this gathering is an opportunity to build friendships, celebrate diversity, and strengthen the values of peace, understanding, and global solidarity that unite the Servas community. 

Servas India welcomes you to Maharashtra and looks forward to sharing this memorable experience together. 

The upcoming East Africa Regional Meeting in Arusha, Tanzania offers US Servas members a rare opportunity to combine cultural connection with unforgettable African exploration. Register today to secure your spot and start planning the safari of a lifetime for you, your family, and your friends! 

Inspiration from the 2024 Attendees 

To see what awaits you, look no further than the 2024 regional meeting. Nine Servas members from Nebraska and California—including summary author Joanne Ferguson Cavanaugh — attended the event and embarked on an incredible journey. 

During the trip, Servas Day Hosts Alice Marshall Malepu and Zephrine Rweyemamu spent a day showing the group the highlights of Arusha. 

Through Serengeti Wakanda Tours & Safari, the US attendees experienced a wonderful multiday safari to Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti National Parks. They capped off the trip with a day hike to the 70-meter Materuni Waterfalls on the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, which included a local Chagga community lunch and coffee-making demonstration. 

Two additional Servas members guided the group during the journey. David Kabambo (Mwanza, Tanzania) hosted the group on Lake Victoria and shared his community projects supporting local fishermen, girls' schools, and people with disabilities. Prossy Nampijja (Mermar Safaris) led the group on a safari through Lake Mburo National Park in Uganda. 

Apulia, N. Portugal, Aug. 17-23

Join Servas Portugal for an unforgettable week by the Atlantic Ocean, where nature, culture, and friendship come together in the spirit of peace! This a family vacation type of event.

Click this link to access the  REGISTRATION FORM

For more information email yf.peacecamp@portugal.servas.org

The 3rd Servas Peace School in Georgia is happening soon. They now have nine volunteers from Italy, Turkey and Belgium registered and are looking for two more volunteers. If you’ll be in Eastern Europe at the end of June, and are willing to volunteer at the Georgia Peace School, register below.

Servas Argentina invites you to volunteer at this year’s Servas Peace School in Argentina from August 26-30 in Lucio V. López.

The Servas Peace School is a space for learning, sharing, and building understanding across cultures. They welcome people who are willing to share their time, skills, and ideas—whether through facilitating activities, supporting the daily flow of the gathering, or simply being present and engaged.

Volunteering is an opportunity to experience intercultural living in practice, build connections and friendships across borders, learn from others in a spirit of equality and mutual respect, and contribute to peace through personal encounters.

You do not need to be a specialist. What matters most is your willingness to participate, listen, and share.

Here is a link for more INFORMATION

Getting ready to travel? Discover events hosted by Servas groups around the world. There may be one perfectly timed for your journey. Check out the Servas International Events page to see most of the events below.

Note: You will need to log in to your https://servas.org account to view the individual international events.

Pathways Together France - June 26 to July
Organized by Servas France, this trekking gathering in the French Alps will bring together Servas members from around the world. Registration is now open. Find the details about the program and registration on their Sentierinsieme 2026 web page. 

Servas by Bike in Poland – July 2 to 5
Visit Krakow with its UNESCO World Heritage sites, Old Town, and Schindler’s Enamel Factory. Then mount up to explore some of the natural wonders of Poland. For more information, visit the Bike Poland webpage. This popular event has a wait list for registration.  

Peace School in Türkiye – July 4 to 14
Servas Peace School is an alternative educational program held in the village of Ekinci in Antakya, Hatay, Türkiye. Since its founding in 2009, it has taken place every July, bringing together volunteers from around the world who share a vision of building a more peaceful future. For full details and registration information, please visit the Türkiye Peace School 2026 webpage.

UK & Ireland Camp for Younger Members - Sept. 4 to 7
Organized by Servas Britain and Ireland, this gathering is open to younger Servas members aged 18 to 30. For more details, visit the UK Youth Camp website.

International Creative and Collaborative Meeting, Spain – Sept. 21 to 26
Servas Spain is pleased to invite you to participate in a creative and collaborative gathering in Murcia, Spain.  To find out more, go to the Creativity Meeting event page.

East Africa Regional Meeting, Tanzania - October 5 to 10
This meeting is a high level gathering of Servas members from across the region to strategize ways to promote regional cooperation, hospitality growth, and our collective impact in Africa. Check out the East Africa Meeting webpage for more information.

June 26 to July 2, 2026

This meeting in the Alps brings together Servas members from different countries. Italy, Germany, Switzerland and France have taken turns every year – since 1985 – in the organization of this event which aims to meet and discover other environments, in accordance with the values of Servas.

The organizing team will welcome you in Lanslebourg Val Cenis, in the heart of Haute Maurienne, between the Vanoise National Park and the Grée Alps. 108 places have been reserved for the "CIS Ethic Etap" (International Stay Center), plus 16 places for those who could only free themselves on the Weekend.

As in previous years, day hikes will be offered on Saturday and Sunday for 7 different level groups ('Hard', 'Medium 1"  at 'Medium 4', 'EasyTrek' and 'EasyCool') The Hard and Medium groups will go on Trek from Monday to Wednesday, the Easy Trek group from Monday to Tuesday. The EasyCool group will stay at CIS with 3 days of walks and discovery.

Neuhausen am Rheinfall • May 23-25, 2026 

Grüezi mitenand! Why not join us at our annual meeting May 23-25, 2026? If waterfalls are on your bucket list, it’s definitely a must! The Rheinfall is the largest waterfall in Europe. We will meet in Neuhausen am Rheinfall. In addition to meeting Servas members from around the world, there will be ample opportunities to explore the falls, hike along the Rhine, and visit 11^th century Old Town Schauffhausen known for its painted house facades and its 171 bay windows.  

For more information about the program and how to register, click this link: Servas Switzerland's Annual Meeting. 

May 16-21, 2026

The Peace Ride is a unique opportunity to share Servas values while riding through some of Korea’s most beautiful landscapes from Mt. Odaesan National Park to Hwajinpo Beach and other points in between. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the journey and the destinations.

To Register please download the Program and Registration Form (PDF)

July 2-5, 2026

Visit Krakow with its UNESCO Heritage site, Old Town, and Schindler’s Enamel Factory. Then mount-up to explore some of the natural wonders of Poland. Ride along the Vistula River. Circumnavigate the Sahara of Poland. Enjoy sharing conversations with Servas members from all over. Daily rides will be 40 kilometers or less – some of them will be hilly, some off-road. Bikes should be available for rent. Alternatively, walking tours will be available on Friday and/or Saturday.

Register here by March 31 2026

For more information  download Servas by Bike 2026 (PDF)