Anxious about your financial security while booking and well-being during your adventure? Worry no more! From low LIFETIME DEPOSIT & free date change to small group of 12, flexible payment plan to taking taking all necessary health safety measures, we are doing it all for you! Not just that, in case of government travel ban, get 100% of your money back! VIEW THE FULL POLICY FOR COMPLETE SATISFACTION!
Attention all business enthusiasts! Does entrepreneurship fascinate you? Want to build a business from the ground up or help existing businesses improve on their performance? Want to learn how grassroots economics work? Look no further and join us in Hampi! You have the opportunity to create new and support existing micro-enterprises, cooperative societies, and more. Use your research, numerical and analytical skills to build a sustainable grassroots business ecosystem which will create jobs, and promote a sense of pride within the community. Who knows the next big star-up comes out of Hampi!
You will be looked after by your amazing new (host) family and get to acquaint with a vibrant new culture! You will find plenty of adventures both locally in Hampi, amidst the most beautiful landscape, and over the weekends with your fellow volunteers.
Whether you are a student, a professional with corporate experience, or just a novice looking to learn, you are more than welcome to join us. Because we believe in sustainable growth for both of our participants and the community. .
You will be providing business development workshops and skills to the women of Hampi, setting up their hospitality businesses and ensuring operations run smoothly. Join us, learn something new, and teach us what you know.
Build a microenterprise from scratch. It can be a women’s co-operation, a local social enterprise, tourism related businesses, introducing community currencies or even setting up an ecommerce business.
Also known as ‘The evening market’, you will be responsible for monitoring each business’s operation, designing their business plans and creating a marketing strategy for the market itself, to attract more visitors.
This project gives you an opportunity to create a case study on the overall farming industry and establishing farming cooperatives. Troubleshoot the ideas, minimise problems, and improve your analytical skills in a real-life scenario.
The main objective of any business is not just profitability. It is also self-sufficiency and sustainability. Through our projects, we drive this community towards sustainable development.
Every business professional has some tricks up his sleeve, which can help businesses to survive this competitive market. Teach the local businessmen your perspective. Equip them with the necessary tools.
Unfortunately, women are not completely free of unfair prejudices. This hampers their ability to do business. We are here to change that.
Even though the business is a trade that is influenced by real-time events, there are several postulations that one should know before venturing into one.
There is a huge potential for a business revolution in this city. All we have to do is work towards realizing it. Assist local business owners and entrepreneurs and do justice to their efforts.
Newer businesses lead to opening up of new jobs. Maximise employment opportunities for the locals. A small step towards improving the economy.
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.
Make regular progress in uplifting local businesses and farm cooperatives, or in monitoring the operations of a market stall.
At noon, we make a stop for lunch and refreshments. After lunch, we continue with project-specific work. 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.
The project has been curated with the most observant prior to 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 provided by your host family and weekend getaways.
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.
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 wider 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 stabilization 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.
COVID-19 FACTS –
[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]
