- Price =
£1530 - £1071 Add to cart
Stay carefree and stop fussing about your safety. We got this. Right from adequate food and accommodation to your overall well-being, our priority is providing you with the best. So mate, leave all your worries to us and plan your kickass trip!
Stop having second doubts. With a £49 LIFETIME DEPOSIT, you can access options ranging from FREE DATE CHANGES to flexible payment plans. Even in case of a government travel ban, you’ll get 100% REFUND. View our full policy details and gear up!
Farming is one of the backbones of Hampi’s rural economy. This practice had a huge responsibility, employing thousands under its care. Nevertheless, there is a huge room for improvement! We are looking for individuals who have a penchant for organic farming. You will be responsible for equipping local farmers with apt agricultural skills, promoting awareness for ecological farming, and encouraging other sustainable living practices. You will, therefore, take a lead in promoting welfare among the farming community and their family. Your valuable transferable skills will help bring a long-lasting effect to this already mesmerizing landscape and its people, filled with a lush green cover, and it’s inhabitants.
Your host family will help you learn something new about their culture every day, while you make this godly community your home. Hampi and all its mysteries are bound to keep surprising you. A new adventure awaits you and your new friends on the weekends.
Experience is not a problem here. We are focused on building a team of like-minded individuals, and would be glad to see what value you bring or how you can learn!
Time to put your education, experience or hobby to the test. Get involved in a real-life scenario, as you help the farming community of Hampi. Analyse local conditions, recommend various types of crops, and suitable methods and technologies to facilitate the local farmers with improved agricultural productivity.
Agriculture in Hampi, can change for the better. All it needs from your side, is making sure that all of our initiatives are constantly developing with time. Things will change, slowly but surely.
A lack of basic skills lead to the farmers underutilizing their potential. Let us make them self-sustainable, and hone them in their expertise. Creating a change that lasts.
We do not believe that start-up ventures can only be for urban life. Agriculture can open several doors to entreprenuership and rural business ventures. Provide the tools to the people, in order to create newer business.
Farming, besides having an important role in Hampi’s economy, can be also used as an insightful tool. Employment is one such issue that can be taken care of with the same. Assist in the creation and conversion of employment opportunities.
At every step, we are there to help. We provide enough support so that you can make an impact in this community. From the host families to the project leaders, everyone is extremely experienced and would be glad to assist you in any problems you face
Look forward to what the day has to offer. Wake up in the ancient habitat of Hampi as you are served breakfast at 8:30. Freshen up, and get ready. By 9:30, join your fellow voluntourists for an exciting day. Get greeted by Novoto executives, as they take you to the common site for the work.
Discover better-suited farming techniques for the Hampi soil, improve crop yield and gradually work towards increasing the average farmer’s income.
At noon, we make a stop for lunch and refreshments. After lunch, we continue with going ahead with the work on all specific projects. Enjoy your day.
After 5 PM, the evening is kept free for a range of independent activities with fellow voluntourists. Occasionally, there shall be organised social events in the evening.
Finally, dinner is provided by the homestay. Rest and think about the fond memories created.
At Novoto, we aim to transform the perspective of voluntourism from one of humanitarian relief to one of cultural exchange. We believe that the impact of cultural exchange is more powerful than simple humanitarian relief
International flights booked for arrival/ departure have not been included in our travel fee. It must be purchased separately.
However, in case of any inquiries, you can contact us.
There are multiple international flights landing in Bangalore. We will be picking you up from the Bangalore airport.
During departure, you can catch a train to Bangalore or transportation to the airport can be arranged on request.
You will be required to obtain either an Indian E-Visa (you can check your eligibility here – httpss://www.visahq.co.uk/) or apply in person at your nearest Indian Embassy prior to your travels.
The project has been curated with the most observant prior due diligence. Any additional expenses individuals incurred during the tour are at their own discretion, such as any shopping and souvenirs they might wish to purchase, additional meals and activities not not provided by your host family and weekend getaways.
For the volunteering project of two weeks, you would be better off with a light packing. Carry comfortable footwear and light clothes. Make sure you carry the essentials- your passport, VISA, flashlights, and Indian currency.
Oh also, leave some room in your suitcases. You never know what you might like to buy here!
No, tipping has not been included in your travel plan. It’s up to you to decide the amount for the same. We totally respect your discretion.
We very much believe in privacy. Hence, we are sorry that we cannot reveal their names. However, we have a wide range of travellers from all over the world who you will meet on your first day.
No need to worry! We have our on-ground team for your assistance. Besides that, you can get in touch with us through our social media handles on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also call us directly on our helpline.
As much as we would LOVE you to join us, it will be difficult for us to accommodate you in an already on-going trip.
Good news? You are more than welcome to extend your stay, but the expenses for the same have to be taken by you.
Unfortunately, no. We leave that to your discretion to book travel insurance of your choice.
Definitely! Your entire experience would be well-documented in the form of videos, and also in other means as approved by the group.
April to September is summer in Hampi where temperatures are generally pleasant around 40 C. From October onwards the temperatures start going down averaging around 25 C during the day.
Hampi, also called the Group of Monuments at Hampi, is a beautiful, ancient village located in the South Indian state of Karnataka near the modern-era city of Hospet. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that describes it as a “highly evolved multi-religious and multi-ethnic society”. Once a capital of the Vijaynaga Empire, it was the second richest city in the world after Beijing.
Hampi has repeatedly been declared as a must visit destination. In fact it was ranked second on Lonely Planet’s ‘Must Visit Destinations’ in 2019. However, it has not been able to realise its huge tourism potential due to lack of long term
policies at the grassroots. Moreover, human development indices such as healthcare, sanitation and education do not meet the optimal standards.
Novoto has created a multiple stakeholder approach with local organisations and the village governing body to formulate a project – rural development based on sustainable tourism in addition to development variables such as education,
healthcare, women’s empowerment and job creation. The mechanism we use to achieve this goal is skill based volunteering and cultural exchange, wherein
students with a background in arts, design, architecture business, education and engineering can use their explicit knowledge to create a sustainable future for Hampi and its residents.
Under this project, we have created eight different initiatives focusing on
entrepreneurship, job creation, education, renewable energy, hospitality, tourism infrastructure, sanitation and agriculture. These initiatives are relevant to various skills mentioned above.
Advertising and online marketing, School outreach, University outreach for presentations and preparation talks
Site visits, Community preparation, Risk assessments, Project reporting, project leaders, Staff training, Systems Development, Research & New initiatives, partnership building, local community and staff upskilling.
Regulatory permits, equipment and first aid, project leader, ground help, Staff recruitment & Training. Staffing, Equipment, Print, Postage, Office resources, IT, database management, Software Systems, Phone management.
Transport, food, accommodation,project expenses, trainingmaterials, emergency support,briefings and workshops.
Project development fund to be
used for sustainability and used for various initiatives’ raw materials, equipments and other needs.
Professions provided:
A lot of exciting work awaits! You will be required to study the local culture and traditions of Hampi. Using your new-found knowledge of local architecture, you will get to redesign existing houses and other facilities to convert them into homestays and cafes!
With your skills and unique viewpoints, you will be able to assist locals realise their visions for their properties. You will be beautifying their establishments, thus making businesses more appealing from a hospitality and tourism perspective.
A huge opportunity for business-related fields! Individuals will help homestay owners by assisting in their daily business operations in addition to formulating sustainable business models. Think of it as your own startup
The entire project is primarily based on developing the tourism industry, which hospitality skills are at the core of. You will provide training in this field to the locals. Not to mention, personal development.
Roles provided:
Individuals with business-related backgrounds will create case studies, and provide solutions to existing businesses with slow growth, in addition to developing new grassroots level micro-enterprises.
Unleash your creative side in order to help local artisan businesses develop diverse product offerings. Create authentic products, train the locals, set up the working process, and ultimately help these creative businesses with a range of offerings.
Professions provided:
While the objective is to tackle the shortage of electrical supply, it is important that the current electricity is substituted by the adoption of renewable energy. The opportunity to mix traditional core engineering and emerging technologies is huge!
Professions provided:
Responsible for adding the finishing touches to the vehicles! Use your imagination to increase the face value of these ‘fun rides’; take your most creative ideas and turn them into reality.
Time to put your skills to the test! Follow appropriate engineering techniques to design, assemble and build electric autos and their charging units. You will also use your technical knowledge to train the drivers to charge and maintain these units.
Professions provided:
Travel back in time, as you witness an outdated sanitation map which was designed back in 2006 by the United Nations. Implement the plan, and upgrade if required. Become a part of a widespread plan to repaint the village walls and raise awareness for better sanitation.
Apply what you learned at college and from your various mentors as you work towards improving the sanitation system. Implement new ideas or improve conventional ones like waste composting, biogas power generation, reducing vehicle emissions.
Individuals with a background in education and teaching will be responsible for leading outreach campaigns for health and hygiene awareness. You will need to do this through unique educational methodologies so that there is a lasting impact amongst the local community.
Roles provided:
You will conduct historical case studies of the farming industry as a whole, and learn about the slowdown in the local industry. Draw up new models, routes to market and sustainable supply chains.
Responsibilities will involve building a variety of different agricultural technologies. Anything from soil composition systems, to water conservation structures for farmers such as grassed waterways, grade stabilisation structures, flood prevention dams, terraces, animal waste and housing facilities.
Individuals with experience in agricultural science are essential for this project to succeed. You will introduce newer and more efficient methods of organic farming which will ensure sustenance farming in addition to boosting income from agriculture.
Roles provided:
We need artists and designers to provide students with lessons on art and design in the form of workshops and after school lessons. Additionally, you will also be beautifying school premises to encourage creativity and holistic development.
With your experience, training and passion for education, you will be responsible for equipping the local teachers with new teaching and monitoring techniques to improve their proficiency. You will also encourage the students to take up extra curricular activities and promote wellness through various ‘‘outside the classroom’’ programs and activities.
Professions provided:
Whether you are an economist, a banker, a consultant, or a student, use your analytical, marketing, and business development skills to create a model for this initiative, all while making sure that the participating businesses reap the benefits.
Architecture fanatics will be responsible for consulting with the local community based on their business interests and sustainably design food, crafts and other stalls and kiosks items that showcase local heritage and culture.
A great opportunity to show your creative flair! Through this initiative, you will help the participating creative businesses by developing a wide variety of authentic products, in addition to designing their stalls and kiosks.
Lock Your Price and Book Before 31st January 2023 and save 30%
with just a £49 LIFETIME DEPOSIT
Lock Your Price and Book Before 31st January 2023 and save 30%
with just a £49 LIFETIME DEPOSIT
Lock Your Price and Book Before 31st January 2023 and save 30%
with just a £49 LIFETIME DEPOSIT
Lock Your Price and Book Before 31st January 2023 and save 30%
with just a £49 LIFETIME DEPOSIT
Lock Your Price and Book Before 31st January 2023 and save 30%
with just a £49 LIFETIME DEPOSIT
I have always been a sustainability champion and always make sure my travels matter. Thank god Novoto’s Annapurna Base Camp tour ticked all the boxes for what I wanted on a tour!
Ask for advice
I will definitely recommend Novoto to anyone who is travelling to Sri Lanka! I will be doing their Sri Lanka uncovered tour in 2023 and to say the least, I was blown away by their expertise and values. Aniket seems like a passionate founder; his vision behind Novoto is quite inspiring.
Ask for advice
Doing the Sri Lanka tour in 2023 with my girlfriend. I have always preferred travelling in groups and meeting people from different corners of the world. However, finding like minded co-travelers is not so easy. So when I found out about Novoto’s group tours for young travelers like me, it did not take me long to book their Sri Lanka Uncovered tour. I am excited to travel across this amazing island with new mates next year 😀
Ask for advice
Before doing the 12 days Sri Lanka uncovered trip, I had never travelled outside Europe. So obviously the thought of travelling solo to a new country with a completely different culture was very overwhelming. I had no idea what to expect. Thanks to Novoto, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. Aniket is one of the friendliest guys around and helped me with planning the entire trip – the booking process (it’s too simple anyway), finding the right flights, sorting out the visa and all covid related travel formalities. Donnie was our group leader and he made the cultural immersion easy for me and I felt minimal cultural shock. I fell in love with Sri Lanka and I cannot thank Novoto enough for this out of the world experience. I am going on their India trip next! For anyone getting cold feet for travelling solo for the first time, the guys will make you want more 😀
Ask for advice
To sum up in a few words, my Sri Lanka trip with Novoto was out of the world! I had been on group tours before, but Novoto’s personalised approach blew me away. Donnie is one of the funniest guys I know and he made sure the entire trip was seamless. Although we travelled around the country during the economic turmoil, he made sure we did not miss out on any of the highlights. They really impressed me with their values which emphasise on regenerative travel and sustainability. They strive to make sure that their tours give back to the host communities you visit. We visited Sri Sudarshi School for special needs and it was genuinely one of the most heart warming experiences yet. I love what they stand for. I am convinced they will become a leader in the regenerative travel movement! 10/10 and recommended them to anyone who advocates for social change!
Ask for advice
Despite being a start-up, Novoto’s amazing customer services really impressed me. Once I spoke to Aniket, I was sure about doing the south India tour. They helped me with the entire booking process and even helped me find the right flights. For anyone who finds travelling abroad overwhelming, I highly recommend team Novoto. They are friendly and genuine and will answer all your queries.
Ask for advice
I have always wanted to travel solo, but the thought of doing so scared me. Then I came across Novoto and found out about their small group tours. I will be doing the South India tour next summer and I cannot wait to meet people from different walks of life while exploring this part of the Indian subcontinent.
Ask for advice
When I went through the itineraries, what caught my eyes were the responsible activities and experiences which promoted responsible travel. The south India itinerary stood out for me. Staying in local homestays, visiting women cooperatives and visiting schools caught my eyes. I cannot wait to join their tour!
Ask for advice
I travelled to India back in 2018 and have always wanted to go back to explore the underrated southern bits. Once I came across their brilliant 15 days South India itinerary, I knew this was my calling. I understand many people will have their inhibitions as Novoto is a start-up. I say, if you want it, go get it!
Ask for advice
Whenever someone thinks of India, they think of the Taj Mahal and the forts of Rajasthan. Thanks to Novoto, now I have explored southern India. From the backwaters of Kerala to the ruins of Hampi, we saw a side of India they do not show you on the news. If you guys are thinking of exploring south India, you guys should trust Novoto with your eyes closed. Their in-depth knowledge takes you to off-beat locations you have never heard of and explores cultures which will light up your soul.
Ask for advice
The perfect India tour. Aniket made sure we spent a good amount of time in each place and covered all the highlights while doing off-beat activities as well. He was quite knowledgeable and gave the group amazing insights about the country. I am doing their Nepal tour next year!
Ask for advice
Junaid and Aniket are extremely helpful. The way they led the tour was both educational and fun. I can vouch for Novoto and recommend you to do this tour. I had the best time doing the North India tour. From meeting new people, trying out street food, the amazing crew bonding nights and the authentic stays will always have a place in my heart. Thanks to Novoto for this amazing trip!
Ask for advice
I did the 15 days colours of North India tour in 2019 as part of a longer trip to India. It was an amazing way to pack in loads of activities and see a different side of the country, immersing myself more than I could have done alone. I loved our cooking class with a family in Udaipur and hearing stories from all the friends we made along the way – like Himanshu, an auto driver who was kind enough to introduce us to his family and show us new places in pushkar. I loved every minute of the trip – Novoto made everything easy and tailored the experience to our tastes as much as possible. I’m so excited to do the Sri Lanka tour next year!!
Ask for advice
I found the perfect balance on Novoto’s Colours of North India tour. It had it all! From having local experiences to travelling in a way that gives back to the local communities, it was a well crafted 15 days once in a lifetime adventure. Not to mention the amazing people I met on the tour. We are all now surely friends for life! Novoto has given me a new approach on how to discover a place and now I cannot go back!
Ask for advice
I travelled to India with Novoto and for their 15 days Colours of North India tour and I cannot get over it! From the seamless booking process to the end of the tour, Novoto’s team was incredibly helpful with every step. Northern India is on everyone’s bucket list and I am buzzed to have finally crossed it off my list. You get to roll around a vibrant new culture, delicious street foods and the fun tuk-tuk rides. Thank you Novoto for making it possible. I will be back again for sure 🙂
Ask for advice
Wildlife, culture, adventure and people! There is nothing else I would want on a tour and the 14 days Annapurna Base Camp trek with Chitwan just fits the bill. Moreover, I am glad that a start-up like Novoto is taking a lead in the social impact sphere – YOU WILL LOVE IT!
Ask for advice
Trekking through the Annapurna range in Nepal has always been high on my bucket list – the terrain, the views, the fresh mountain air, what more could you ask for? Novoto offers one of the most exciting itineraries I’ve seen, and I cannot wait to travel with them to Nepal in 2023!!
Ask for advice
Novoto being a start-up, I initially had doubts. However, once I spoke to their super friendly experts and discussed the tour, it did not take me much long to book their Nepal tour. See you in Nepal in Feb 2023!
Ask for advice
Novoto’s friendliness and expertise in Nepal super impressed me. Moreover, I have known Aniket for years and I know how passionate he is about Novoto. So when he told me about the Annapurna Base Camp trek, which has been on my bucket list for far too long, I did not think twice. The itinerary is more than trekking. The safari, culture and social impact that such a tour can create is outstanding. They had amazing customer service too. I am super excited to travel to Nepal and experience the majestic Himalayas next year. See you there?
Ask for advice
Project Begins Summer 2022
COVID-19 FACTS –