Why?

volunteerholidays India

"Many volunteer organisations advertise the difference you’ll make to “the people”. We prefer to turn that on its head and say they’ll make a difference to you. They may be poor in Rupees but they’re rich in culture and local knowledge so be prepared to learn more that you teach!

Village/Project Experience

Welcome. Are you looking for a more rewarding holiday? Would you like the chance to get off the beaten track, immerse yourself in local culture, and meet local people?

Our village/project experience can be be enjoyed as a stand-alone activity or as part of a wider tour. It offers an in-depth exploration of one of the most enchanting areas in India. The Nilgiris are a declared biodiversity hotspot with an amazing range of plant and animal life along with spectacular scenery and fascinating history and culture.

You'll have a rare opportunity to spend time with a small, friendly development project which has been working with indigenous communities in this magical corner of South India for over 30 years. Get a taste of the real India and see how a small, local organisation makes a difference

They'll introduce you to an India few tourists are lucky enough to see. You'll stay at the foot of the beautiful Nilgiri Mountains, enjoy the thrill of wildlife sightings and experience a unique culture quite different to that of mainstream India, with the chance to get involved in some of their valuable community development work. There’s no set age limit. All you need is a spirit of adventure and respect for other cultures and ways of doing things.
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Bespoke Tours

With its incredible diversity of landscape, culture, history and wildlife South India has so much to offer. To get the best of both worlds why not combine your stay in the Nilgiris with a tour tailor made to suit your interests and budget. See some of south India’s other highlights and hidden gems. Temples, tigers, tea plantations, any combination is possible. Just let us Know your preference and we’ll use our personal experience to help you plan an amazing trip. We can arrange a comfortable vehicle with your own personal driver to take care of you from the moment you step off the plane or we can help you to plan a more independent tour-the choice is yours.

Longer Stays

Do you have a little more time to spare? On a career break perhaps or recentlly retired? Why not escape the cold winter days and spend 2 or 3 months enjoying the clear mountain air and mild climate of this amazing region? With your food and accommodation taken care of your days can be as energetic or laid back as you choose: bracing mountain treks, gentle strolls amid the tea plantations, relaxing yoga classess and ayruvedic treatments (on arrangement) or just listening to the bird song and admiring the incredible views.

Nearby Ooty
(Queen of the Hill Stations)

Ooty, Queen of the Hill stations, offers a fascinating glimpse into India’s colonial past, with its famous Ooty club, picturesque golf course and charming mountain railway, The wildlife sanctuaries of Mudumalai and Bandipur are within easy reach and if you feel like exploring further afield, We can help you to arrange short excursions to historic Mysore or peraps the dreamy backwaters and beaches of kerala. To learn more please enquire

School, College and University programmes

We also arrange special programmes for students (school, college, university or gap year) to learn about and get involved with our work. We can promise you a unique experience of an amazing part of India with the chance to develop important life skills of your own. The Project is run entirely by the local community so you can be confident that anything you take part in will be relevant and sustainable. You’ll have a lot of fun too! to find out more and to discuss details please do get in touch.

What Makes Us Special?

  • Personal Attention
    We’re an independent organisation so we’re able to get to know our customers as individuals, We’ll look after you as a friend not just a client. The team in India will be there for you 24/7 and I’ll be just an email or a call away in the UK. We’ll always go above and beyond to make your stay as enjoyable as possible and to help you should any difficulties arise.

  • Flexiliblity
    The freedom to choose your own dates and itinerary with maximum flexibility when it comes to any unforeseen changes of plan.

  • Unrivalled Local Knowledge
    This is our area, we haven’t just visited, we know it inside out. I’ve experienced life there for more than 25 years. The rest of the team members are local, they’re the best people to take care of you and introduce you to an India you probably didn't know existed.

  • Local, Ethical, Responsible
    Finally, we’re sure you care about the impact of your stay and will be happy to know that this is a genuine, local initiative. The project was set up by and for the local people so their work is relevant and sustainable. All aspects of your stay are handled by people who truly care about the local environment.

Testimonials

Amanda, Norfolk, UK.

April, 2018

Wild Haven was everything I hoped it would be and more. As this was my first trip to India and being a woman travelling alone, I was quite nervous on arrival but John and the team made me so welcome that any fears I had soon disappeared. The location, accommodation and food were superb.

I will never forget my first sighting of a wild elephant just outside the reserve, along with spotted deer, wild-boar, monkeys, wild-dogs, peacocks and some of the most beautiful bird-life I have ever seen. I even had the privilege of seeing a wild tiger in one of the nearby wildlife sanctuaries. The staff are always on hand to escort you on a day trip, or simply just a drive to the local village for provisions. For me, the highlights were the treks in the Nilgiri Mountains with a Wild Haven local guide.

I stayed at Wild Haven for 4 weeks and found it to be a unique and special way of experiencing India, quite different from the normal tourist experience. My advice would be to plan your volunteering schedule in advance so that arrangements can be made. Just let Jill know what you’d like to do during your stay, everything is flexible and nothing is too much trouble. I really cannot wait to go back. Thank you Jill, John, and all the team.

Lester Purdue

January , 2015

I can thoroughly recommend this experience to anyone wanting a taste of the real India. Wild Haven is a great place to stay especially if you enjoy peace, fantastic views and wildlife. It also has the benefit of being very well connected with local people and has their needs very much in mind whenever an activity is to be discussed and or planned.

Tony Truscott, Mid Kent College UK

August, 2016

I like to think that I am an experienced traveller to India but it wasn’t until I visited Wild Haven in South India that I could confirm this statement. Wild Haven really opened my eyes on what this area has to offer. A beautiful tranquil place full of Indian culture.

The reason for my visit was to establish opportunities for Colleges and Universities to visit and to ensure all was in place for students to gain a safe and life enhancing experience.

I found so much more than I was expecting from this exceptional establishment. Along with excellent food, accommodation and customer service, I was able to build a programme of activities including hill walking and safaris with exciting wild animal and bird sightings (Elephants, Spotted Deer, Monkeys, large Cats, wild Boar to name a few). I was also able to visit the local village schools and join in with their school days, as well as experiencing the fascinating culture of the village areas. Altogether, a wonderful opportunity not to be missed.

My message for anyone contemplating or planning a visit to this fantastic area is to Do It. You will not regret a visit to Wild Haven and you will gain a lifelong lasting experience of beautiful memories.

Thank you Wild Haven.
Highly Recommended.

QUICK FACTS

CURRENCY

Indian Rupee:

Please note - Cannot be Pre-purchased outside of India

LOCAL LANGUAGES

LOCAL LANGUAGES

Tamil and Kannada with English widely spoken

LOCAL FACILITIES

LOCAL FACILITIES

Nearest Pharmacy, Doctor,
Post Offic and ATM at
Masinagudi 7 Kms.

HOSPITAL

HOSPITAL

Ooty 22km
Mysore 106 Kms

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Main Holidy April/May
Shorter breaks Mid December to Christmas
and one week in September

NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:

Bangalore(Bengalur), 250 Kms from Project

Flight times 9 - 10 hours direct to Bangalore.

Other international airports for south India include Chennai and Cochin.

VISA

VISA

As of 2015 Tourist e visas may be obtained by UK citizens. Valid maximum 60 days. Cost approximately GBP 60. Up to date details available via the website of the High Commission of India, London https://indianvisaonline.gov.in
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your due return date. If you prefer, there are a number of companies providing assistance with visa applications including visa genie at visagenie.co.uk who we have always found very efficient and helpful.

HEALTH

At the time of writing there are no mandatory vaccinations required but it is advisable that you consult your GP in plenty of time to check whether your inoculations for polio, diphtheria, tetanus and possibly hepatitis A, are up to date. MASTA at www.masta-travel-health.com are also a good source of information and Boots pharmacies are generally helpful.

Have a question or need some more information?

Please call us: +01634 813519 or email us :[email protected]

+01634 813519

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