You should have want to visit stunning but remote, off-the tourist destinations that few people have visited. You’ll need a willingness to volunteer for part of the trip in the local community on projects that benefit the community or the environment they live in. You should be open to new experiences and cultures and have an enthusiasm for interacting with the locals and their communities. You’ll also need to be moderately fit (able to walk a minimum of 3 miles a day over uneven terrain).

If the answer to the questions above is yes, then volun-tourism will be one of the most satisfying, rewarding and memorable experiences of your life.

Our projects revolve around these three themes

Conservation of natural environments

Teaching and traininng within local communities

Protection of wildlife and their habitats

 

Tasks within these projects will vary as we supplement the work that the local NGOs are already doing. So our specific activities may change depending on the season and their current needs. You’ll find more up-to-date information in your trip packet, but some examples of volunteer activities include:

• Basic English tutoring.
• Conversational English
• Basic photography education
• Basic computer and internet training
• Natural conservation surveys, such as with the Olive Ridley sea turtle in the Andaman Islands
• Base camp support

Our groups are a mixture of like-minded solo travelers, couples and small groups from diverse cultures all over the world. They are quite active and social and generally range between 25-55 years old.

Groups typically consist of between 6-16 people, with a maximum of 12 on select departures like the Lakshadweep Islands. These small groups allow us more flexibility, keep our environmental impact low and allow us to be single-traveler friendly.
 

We hate rigidity! We design itineraries that allow several days when you can opt out of activities an also have mornings or afternoons that are set aside for your own exploration. We also offer optional extra activities for those who want to do more. Some days, we offer two options from which to choose. For example, taking a camel safari and learning about organic farming or taking a full day hike in the mountains.

 

Of course our travel route, hotel stays, and any internal flights are planned in advance and can’t be changed unless we encounter unforeseen circumstances.

Our tours are designed for anyone in good health and of moderate fitness. However, some activities could potentially be more physically demanding than others. The minimum fitness level required is to be able to walk 2-3 miles over some uneven terrain.

Certain (optional) activities like day hikes in the Himalayas, scuba diving and sea/lagoon kayaking require a higher fitness level. Depending on your fitness level and interest, you can choose to participate in or skip such activities. You should consult with your physician and discuss the activities before departing on your trip.

They are 503c(i) equivalent Government Recognized & Registered entities that have been established in their communities for a long time and been nationally and internationally recognized for their efforts. They need help with advanced, non-labor skills, such as:

 

If you have a longer vacation, we can add pre-trip and post-trip extensions that can be added at the starting/ending points or in some cases at the destination where we will be located. Please contact us with questions here Contact Us page.

Yes we do for most of our locations. To request a private/custom departure please do the following:

Depending on the dates, number of days and group size we will craft an itinerary that makes sense given our knowledge of the region. If you’re bringing a private group that is 6 people or larger, it may not be any more expensive than one of our regular departures.

Unless otherwise noted, all internal transportation, including any air travel, is included in the trip price. For internal airfare, we fly economy class. Upgrades are possible, with extra payment and subject to availability.

Online – Go to the trip in which you’re interested, click on the Availability Tab and select a date.
Offline – Send us an email or call us at toll-free at 855-VOLUNTOUR (855-865-8686)

Unless otherwise noted, we currently require 6 travelers for a guaranteed departure.
 

Please book your flight only after we have guaranteed a departure. We will send you an email, soon as your trip is guaranteed to depart.

An initial deposit is needed to hold a confirmed spot
50% is due 60 days before the trip
The remainder is due 30 days before the trip departs

60+ Days Prior to departure

30-59 Days Prior to departure

0-29 Days prior

Trip Start

We support community/locally owned hotels rather than large chain hotels wherever possible. All accommodations are clean, safe and comfortable. Where possible, rooms with private bathrooms are reserved. Standards may vary, and we may not be able to provide amenities like constant, running hot water or private bathrooms. In remote areas, we may not have much of a choice regarding accommodation. However, we will strive to keep you informed on the trip and through our pre-trip orientation.

We try to avoid charging any single supplement fees, as we consider ourselves a solo-traveler friendly company.  For trip sizes larger than 6, we will not charge a single supplement fee. For trip sizes smaller than 6, we will charge a nominal single supplement fee which will depend on the trip and the final group size. We usually end up matching you with travelers of the same sex.

Depending on the location and season, it is possible, but please request this as far in advance as you can. In certain island accomodations, like the Agatti Island resort, which only has 20 bungalows, we may not be able to honor your request. Let us know which trip you’re interested in and we’ll get back to you with specifics. Please do note that a single supplement charge will apply to get your own room.

We take your safety very seriously. We are in constant touch with our guides and escorts throughout our trips. We encourage solo travelers, as it’s a great way to meet people and step outside of your comfort zone. Rest assured, you will be travelling with people like you who are looking for the same experiences. If you desire, we can match you up with a group as well.

Our volunteering activities help you make friends, not only with the other travelers but also folks from the local community – you might return home with new lifelong friends.

We’ll ensure that you get proper care as quickly as possible. In most cases, illnesses are restricted to small fevers, mild food poisoning or stomach upset. More severe infections are very rare. In countries like India, there are internationally accredited hospitals in major metros and even secondary towns, should your illness be more serious than the ones outlined above.

As a precautionary measure, we require International travel insurance (with helicopter evacuation) for participation on our trips.

Your trip packet contains guidance on travel insurance and necessary travel/ medical documentation. Please note it is your responsibility to arrange trip medical insurance, travel visas and medical consultations (including any vaccines). Your trip packet contains information on these topics. We are happy to answer specific questions on these topics, but can’t arrange any of these for you.
 

Voluntourism is the core of our company. Our entire focus is on community tourism, giving back to the communities we visit by volunteering on short-term projects with respected NGOs. We also support these amazing communities by choosing local businesses and sustainable suppliers whenever possible.

Our once in a lifetime trips to exceptional, off-the-tourist-track destinations go through our unique 26-step trip vetting process, which means we do all of the hard work so that you have an incredible experience effortlessly. We’re so confident in our trips that each is backed by our Extraordinary Trip Experience guarantee.

Our small group size ensures that we minimize our footprint while maximizing engagement and allows us to create flexible itineraries with many extraordinary options and unusual experiences unavailable to larger groups.

Our background, as natives of South Asia now living in the US, means we know the local languages and have the local relationships that can make all the difference when things don’t go as planned and improvisation is necessary.

We adhere to a small group size to minimize our footprint, but we also educate our suppliers on sustainability, which impacts the community in a positive way long after we have gone. We support and select locally owned and operated businesses within the communities we visit, encouraging sustainable practices and small business ventures, rather than supporting commercial development and corporate chains.

We engage in valuable community projects that preserve the natural beauty and resources of the amazing places we visit, rather than just adding to the drain on both. We not only immerse ourselves in what these incredible destinations have to offer, we help preserve it for the future.

If you live in Asia and have experience guiding trips, we would love to hear from you. Please email us a resume, including references and details on trips that you have guided (guiding with international travel companies and clients is required).