Volunteer Opportunities in the Indian Himalayas 

The local coordinator - Ankit Sood

Ankit, previously a lecturer of Sustainable Tourism in the local Government University, is now working as a environmental and eco-tourism consultant in the development of a new national park as well as running an ecotourism initiative, (www.sunshineadventure.com) leading treks in the Himalayas particularly the Great Himalayan National Park. 

After co-founding the project, he has agreed to remain the local coordinator for the project for future years as well.  He has many ideas for how the project could expand in future years .  Therefore he will assist new groups/individuals in setting up the project each year with his knowledge, experience and ideas.  I have also mentioned other people throughout the portfolio who might be able to offer support and advice for the project (the more people who know about it and help out the better), although nobody else other than Ankit and the group have authority in the way the project is conducted as a whole.  Although obviously headmasters of schools etc will want a say in how the project is conducted in their particular institution.

Previous volunteers and current Admin:

- Michael and Rebecca Tzovaras

By Bus The most popular way to come to the valley is the air conditioned Volvo bus . It stops for dinner en-route at about 9.30 p.m. and reaches Kullu about 7 a.m. The overnight journey can be quite painless if you slip into the spirit of things. Bus tickets cost approximately INRs. 600 each ( deluxe) , INR's 1000 ( semi sleeper Volvo) and you will be able to walk or take an auto from where the bus drops to the office.  Traveling back is much the same with the bus leaving  early evening and arriving to Delhi at about 7 a.m. the next morning.   By Air You could fly down to Bhuntar Airport, at 10 km from  the Kullu Valley. There are daily flights being operated by the Indian Airlines, Deaccan Airways ( 1 hour flight from Delhi). The tariff varies from Rs 3000- 7000 depending on the time you book. Once in Bhuntar you can hire a taxi from the union or ring us up to arrange your travel arrangements.  By Road To get to the Kullu (550 kms from Delhi) one must turn off on NH21 .  The roads are fine all the way. There are two ways to do this. Drive down in One day. An early morning departure at 5 a.m. from Delhi should have you in Chandigarh by 11 a.m., at Aut by 5 p.m. and at the Kullu Valley by 6.30 p.m. in time to freshen up, stretch your legs on a short walk, and sit around a bonfire before dinner. Another way to do it is to break journey at the Tourist Rest House in Bilaspur / Sawarghat along the way . You could leave Delhi at 11 a.m. to be in Bilaspur by 7 p.m. in time to book in. An early departure at 6 a.m. the next morning will have you in the valley by 11 a.m. with most of the day still ahead of you. By Rail If your catching a train from anywhere else in the country you might by pass Delhi and stop over at Ambala ( 8 hours by road from the Tirthan Valley) or even continue to the Railhead at Kiratpur ( 7 hours ). Taxis and buses are easily available for the remainder of the journey from just outside the railway station at Ambala. We also send local taxi’s to the railway stations from the valley for ease of access. A shatabadi down to Chandigrah and a taxi is a comfortable way to come up. Taxi charges from Chandigrah to Kullu valley Valley may vary from 3500 – 5000 depending on capacity.