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Voluntourism or volunteer tourism has been around for over six decades. As a volunteer, you work without pay to help people in the places you visit. It's a win-win!
Voluntourism is one of the fastest-growing trends in modern travel. It can be organised by non-profit as well as for-profit organisations. Voluntourism aims to help communities in various aspects, including education, healthcare, farming, working with animal shelters, and environmental conservation. To make voluntourism successful, it is important to delegate tasks by age, skill, experience, and interests of the participants. Nowadays, numerous hotels, homestays, resorts and other tourist set-ups offer voluntourism during the peak season to fulfil their seasonal demands. This allows them to keep up with the fast pace of the ever-evolving tourism industry. As a volunteer, your compensation covers food and stay (mostly shared) provided by the host. However, in certain remote locations, where there is a genuine lack of infrastructure, organisers might expect you to take care of these basic expenses.
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I have always wondered how western travellers seamlessly adapted to voluntourism to fulfil their long-term travel plans across continents. Eager to get hands-on experience, I started searching for viable options online. Nothing looked substantial enough until an opportunity came through an acquaintance. Before I knew it, I was heading to the small village of Gangori in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Located 6 km from Uttarkashi, this village lies on the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Assi Ganga rivers. The sight of the majestic Gangori and Dodital ranges embracing this Sangam is nothing short of awe-inspiring. My first volunteer project involved being part of the Hill Dew Homestay, a local homestay in the serene Himalayan foothills. This beautiful homestay stood predominantly, towering over its neighbouring cluster of Pahadi homes. It was well equipped with basic amenities yet exuded a genuine local charm. The prospect of experiencing a wholesome mountain life for two months filled me with great joy. The perks of complimentary food and accommodation without denting my pocket were hard to believe. Due to low occupancy, I was fortunate to have an entire room—its doors opening to a world beyond words. With the river and the lofty mountains as my view, what more could I have asked for?
Hill Dew Homestay offers a slow-paced, peaceful environment. The work here did not typically demand excessive energy or strenuous efforts. Even if it did, the surroundings seemed to dissipate any stress or strain. My host was kind enough to let me decide my area of contribution and savour the experience. After acclimatising to the freezing winter during the initial few days, I established a routine. Here’s what a typical day in my life as a volunteer looked like.
My hostess, whom I called Meena Aunty, served as the principal of the local government primary school in Rawada. Without hesitation, I eagerly offered to contribute my time there. Every morning, after a hearty brunch, I would walk about 5 km to 6 km to reach the school. It would take about an hour to reach the school and I would be greeted by picturesque views and smiling faces on the way. The school demanded a daily engagement of four to five hours on weekdays. Rather than confining the sessions to classrooms, most of the activities took place in the open. My role was to keep the children engaged in activities beyond their textbooks. Their energy was contagious enough to keep me on my toes all day! I would spend the late-night hours chalking out a plan for the next day, which included preparing stories, poems, small roleplays, games, quizzes and art sessions. We often had small celebrations, and if time permitted, the children would request a movie screening on my laptop. After the school day ended, I would be accompanied by a group of local children who would walk with me as far as they could, excitedly waving goodbye.
As a novice at farming, I worked closely with the caretaker of the homestay—a hardworking local gentleman. Soon, I was able to differentiate between lentils, and learn about their origin and the favourable climatic conditions for their growth. I took a keen interest in learning about the local farming methods of millets, as well as the fruits and vegetables that thrived in the hills. I focused on understanding sustainable farming methods that are not detrimental to the environment. It was quite an experience to learn about the source of the food on my table. The spacious garden and blooming flowers also needed considerable attention. I became a hands-on help to our caretaker, who guided me to become proficient at this work. Once, I was even prompted by an old lady to try milking a cow—an uphill task that I never dared to try again!
Dinner at the homestay was an elaborate affair. I would assist my hostess with preparing dinner. I even took a special interest in explaining the details of Garhwali cuisine to the guests and tried my hand at making a few local dishes. In another situation, I would have to spend money to indulge in such experiential activities. And here I was, reaping the benefits for free.
The early days of December are typically considered off-season in such hilly terrains. On weekends, the homestay would accommodate adventure seekers or tourists who came here to see the snowfall. This arrangement aligned with my schedule, since the school remained closed on weekends. It helped me with opportunities to interact, expand my network, and gain a new perspective on life. My role included assistance with preparing the rooms, welcoming guests, addressing their queries, and ensuring they have a pleasant holiday. In the late evenings, I found myself engaged in endless conversations with individuals from diverse backgrounds. These interactions have been valuable to me, both personally and professionally.
During my two-month stay in Gangori, I had the opportunity to attend family ceremonies, such as birthdays, marriages and even a funeral. The finale was witnessing the week-long, annual Magh Mela—a local fair. When the school closed for winter vacation, there was plenty of time to indulge in other activities on my list. I embarked on explorations of nearby villages, visited numerous ashrams, accompanied my host on a guided tour of local temples, went on short hikes, and even organised a weekend snow trek with a local operator—all this came at no cost to me! By this point, I was as much a native as the residents of Gangori. People were more than willing to invite me to their homes, eager to tell their stories and extend their hospitality. As my volunteering term drew to a close, I felt a great sense of satisfaction. Not only was my self-esteem and sense of purpose elevated but I also gained practical knowledge.
A vacation where you volunteer can help you learn new skills, enhance your resume, improve your well-being, and build a sense of community. If you are interested in volunteering without spending money, it may be best to explore local opportunities. However, before you take this leap, carefully weigh the long-term pros and cons with regards to your time, energy, and effort. Voluntourism is not just a vacation, but also an opportunity for personal and professional growth. In the following years, I took subsequent volunteer projects across different states in different roles—as a guest relations manager, a local tour operator, a primary teacher in remote locations, learning to build sustainable bamboo homes, and so on. True to its meaning, voluntourism has let me travel for free—not only monetarily, but also with a free mind and a free spirit. I experienced a priceless way of living, something I never knew existed.
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