What If?

you could go on an active sightseeing vacation in a spectacular destination?
you could volunteer to help conserve that environment or preserve its local community?

you could do this all in one trip?

Voluntours: Adventure, sightseeing and a few days of focused volunteering…..This is what we do.

Why Voluntour?

When Voluntouring, you visit exotic, little-known destinations that haven’t yet been overdeveloped.  You interact with communities in authentic, not made-for-tourists settings.

However, most of these incredible places exist in a precarious balance between local communities and their environment which has existed for centuries, if not longer.

If not managed properly, tourism can disrupt this precarious balance. Tourism-related development and pollution can quickly degrade natural habitats. Local artisans abandon their traditional lifestyles and crafts for selling tchotchkes and trinkets. Entire communities can quickly move from being self-sustaining to becoming dependent on tourism.

In Voluntouring, we limit the impact of our tourism in many ways, by:

• Visiting communities and environments where we can control our footprint through our small group sizes.
• Volunteering with respected local NGOs that are engaged in conservation of environments and/or community cultures.
• Educating the communities we visit about the importance of preserving their environments and their way of life.
• Utilizing local guides and locally-owned homestays, markets, restaurants and hotels
• Shopping with traditional artists, rather than tourist malls.
• We work with organizations in a way that ensures that we will not be a burden to them and that your contribution will not be wasted.
• Our sole focus is Voluntouring. Read more in About us

What Project Types Do We Undertake?

We have a rigorous vetting process through which we select each destination and every project. In essence, we work on two main types of projects:

Environmental conservation projects

We help with preservation of natural habitats, and wildlife conservation. Examples include:

• Underwater coral and kelp surveys
• Habitat surveys and data collection
• Assisting scientific researchers
• Photo and Video documentation
• Base camp support
• Special skills driven projects

Community and teaching projects

• Teaching and conversational English
• Basic computer & internet training
• Photography & Film teaching & training
• Special skills driven projects*

How Your Volunteering Helps?

• Your help preserves valuable and ancient community traditions
• You supplement the transformational work NGOs/non-Profits are already doing in protecting natural environments and communities
• Your Voluntouring provides valuable, hard to find manpower to NGOs
• With teaching and training projects, you give the people of these incredible communities the tools they need to navigate the rapidly changing environment around them
• You give back DIRECTLY to the community, in a way that will be as lasting as the amazing memories you receive
• By sharing your experiences, you help others travel responsibly and so preserving these environments for future generations
• Mentions of the NGO/Non-Profits in your shared stories helps them get volunteers, funds, international recognition and renewed optimism

What You Get From Always Outbound Voluntours?

• Knowing that you, as an individual, made a difference to the life of someone in a culture very different from your own.
• A chance to engage an amazing culture through real interactions with real people.
• To learn and ask questions without offending someone or breaching local etiquette.
• The camaraderie of working with fellow travelers on a shared cause of community preservation and/or environmental conservation.
• Sharing laughter, stories and experiences with locals, non-profit staff members and fellow volunteers from all walks of life.
• Coming back refreshed, renewed and annoyingly happy.

Why Voluntour with us?

1. Our sole focus is Voluntouring. What this means is that we:
2. Choose destinations that provide authentic and immersive travel experiences
3. Travel in a manner where we can control our collective footprint
4. Volunteer on existing community projects with locally respected and nationally recognized NGOs (aka Non-Profits). In doing so we supplement the work they are already doing.
5. Use our understanding and relationships to NOT to be a burden on an NGO’s resources.
6. Ensure that your work creates a positive impact long after you’ve left

There will never be a better time to visit these incredible places. There has never been a more crucial time to help preserve them. Visit the Always Outbound voluntours page to start your adventure now.