Volunteering overseas: is it all work and no play?
by juliette capomolla
We know that you're choosing to volunteer abroad because you want to help make a difference and get involved in some rewarding, essential and cooperative volunteering activities. Whether you are teaching English in Cambodia, working with local first responders in Thailand or protecting the natural environment in Nepal, you will be contributing immensely to that community.
But there's no shame in admitting that you also want some playtime! You want to see Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Macchu Picchu in Peru – that’s probably why you're choosing a specific location. Luckily for you, our overseas volunteer programs have been set up to give you the perfect balance of work and play!
Each of our volunteer programs follow a loose itinerary that encompasses a jam-packed working day of about 5-6 hours with a lunch break in the middle. You'll usually start around 8am, and while this may sound super early, it means you have more free time in the afternoon and evening! Our volunteer locations are full of unique and amazing sites, so you'll need time to explore.
On top of this, your weekends are completely free for you to choose what you want to do and you can add on our organised extension trips to the end of your volunteer challenge to make the most of your travel opportunities. You're also in charge of booking your own return flights which allows you to extend your trip either before or after the volunteering to do your own travel!
There are so many options to choose from so we've compiled a list of our recommendations for the best way to spend your free time in each location.
Cambodia
In Cambodia, our volunteer challenges are located in Battambang in the North-West of the country. These are some of the activities you have to add to your list if you volunteer here!
In the afternoons or evenings, you might like to:
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Go for a ride on the Bamboo Train
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Visit 11th century Wat Ek Phnom pagoda
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See thousands of bats fly out of Battambang's Bat Cave at sunset
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Feast your eyes on the local circus, Phare Ponleu Selpak
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Trek to the mountain temple complex, Phnom Sampeau
Take a ride on the bamboo train!
During your weekends, we recommend visiting the party hub of Cambodia, Siem Reap. It is conveniently located only three hours from Battambang, so you can head there on Friday evening when you finish your volunteering for the day. On top of being the best place to party in Cambodia, you can also visit renowned temple complex Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments in the world!
Angkor Wat
India
In India you will be based in Palampur. This is in India’s northern state and is celebrated for its incredible tea gardens. Not to fret if you aren’t a tea-appreciator, there are also jaw-dropping mountain ranges and landscapes for you to appreciate!
Here, your afternoon and evening breaks are best spent immersing yourself in the remarkable sceneries surrounding you. There are so many great walks to go on, tea gardens to chill out in and temples to visit.
Your weekends in India are the perfect time to visit Dharamshala. About an hour out of Palampur on the edge of the Himalayas, you have the chance to see the Dalai Lama! The exiled Tibetan government resides in Dharamshala, which the Dalai Lama visits for a few months of the year. Dharamshala is a cultural melting pot and the fusion of Indian and Tibetan culture is an incredible attraction.
Particularly notable places to visit in Dharamshala are:
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Tsuglagkhang Complex, the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet
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Masrur, 8th century rock temple
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McLeod Gang, residence of the Dalai Lama
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Kangra Fort, previous residence of one of the oldest dynasties in the world
Kangra Fort
Nepal
In Nepal, our challenges are based in Dhulikhel which is located in the stunning Kathmandu Valley. There are 7 World Heritage Sites located throughout the valley, some of which are perfect for visiting during your afternoon and evening breaks (others are better suited to your free weekend because of their distance). They include:
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Patan and Bhaktapur
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Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath
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Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan
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Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu)
Dhulikhel is located only 30 kilometres southeast of Kathmandu, making it the perfect visit for your weekends! Kathmandu is Nepal’s capital city and filled with amazing food, people and culture. Unfortunately, many monuments here were destroyed in an earthquake in 2015, but there is still so much to see. You can visit the world heritage site of the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka, or the temple Swayambhunath. Check out the suburb of Thamel which boasts Kathmandu's nighlife and is a hub for great accommodation and local markets. We recommend taking a walking tour throughout this marvellous suburb! Some other great place to visit in Kathmandu are:
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Shahid Gate
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Freak Street for food
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Boudhanath
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Pashupatinath Temple
Some of Kathmandu's incredible monuments
Peru
In Peru, you are lucky enough to be located in the Sacred Valley in the town of Urubamba. Here, you will be immersed in the Andes and surrounded by Inca ruins.
During your free afternoons and evenings, you can explore the ancient culture of the Incas and the ruins they left behind. You are surrounded by them! Some of the best places to visit are:
- Ollantaytambo
- Moray
- Pisac
- The Salt Mines in Maras
- Sacsayhuamán
- Chinchera
Maras Salt Mines
Located only just north of Cusco, you can easily head into this world heritage city on your weekends. This was once the capital of the Inca Empire, and holds so much of their history. Just walking around this city is a wonder. You can see the Plaza de Armas, the main square of the city, with all of its arcades, architecture and ruins. Other interesting sites to see include:
- Santo Domingo Convent
- Qorikancha
- Puka Pukara
- Rainbow Mountain (2-hour drive from Cusco)
Rainbow Mountain
Tanzania
In Tanzania, we are based in Arusha. Here, you will be at the base of the volcano Mount Meru and only 100 kilometres from Mount Kilimanjaro!
On your afternoon and evening breaks, you might like to explore the volcano and take a trek. It is a dormant volcano, so it is safe! It is the second highest peak, second to Kilimanjaro, with some great views. You could also venture to Taranjire National Park to see some extraordinary wild African animals in their natural habitat.
During the weekends, you could go on an amazing, weekend-long African safari! Another amazing opportunity would be to go to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro (you'll need a week to trek to the summit). You are immersed in Africa and all it’s amazing landscapes in Arusha, so you may as well take advantage of it!
Thailand
Mae Sariang is where you will complete your Thailand challenge. Located in the north near the Mayanmar border, it's an area which should be celebrated for its landscapes, being along the Yuam River and surrounded by mountains.
To take full advantage of the scenery in Mae Sariang, your afternoons and evenings would be best spent walking along the river, climbing the mountains and taking short treks to nearby waterfalls. Some of the best places you could visit to immerse yourself in nature are Salawin National Park and Doi Phu Co.
Given that Mae Sariang is in the north, your free weekend could involve taking a trip to nearby city Chiang Mai, which is about three hours away. On top of incredible restaurants and bars, night markets and the Chiang Mai canyon water park, there are plenty of incredible temples to visit:
- Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple
- Wat Chedi Luang temple
- Wat Phra Singh temple
- Doi Suthep-Pui National Park
- Bhubing Palace
Another great way to spend your weekend is a trip to Elephant Nature Park, the sanctuary leading the world in terms of elephant welfare. At Elephant Nature Park you'll get to help look after elephants that have been rescued from the logging and tourism industries or are orphaned. You can visit for a half day, full day or do an overnight stay. You can feel comfortable you are doing the right thing and supporting responsible tourism by going to this sanctuary!
Extension Trips
For more fun and extra travel time, you can also add on an optional extension trip in each of our volunteering destinations. In Cambodia, India and Thailand, there is the option to venture on an overland tour of the best sites the country has to offer. In Tanzania you can go on an exciting 5-day safari, in Peru you can trek to Macchu Picchu or head into the Amazon Rainforest and in Nepal you can take the Poon Hill trek into the Annapurna ranges!
All in all, it should be pretty clear by now that there is plenty of time to play and explore when you volunteer abroad. There is so much time for you to choose what you want to do and make this the trip of a lifetime!
Not sure which volunteer program is the best for you? Check out our full list here!