Frequently Asked Questions
Q - What is a VolunTour?
A - An El Camino VolunTour is a travel package with the main focus being on volunteering on a project in Community Development or Nature/Wildlife Preservation. This basic idea is to fit it into the average person's vacation time and budget. With 10 and 14-night tours, the volunteer will accomplish something very meaningful and helpful to the community in the country they choose to go. They will also have a lot of fun on our excursions which break up the work-week, and allow them to see some of the popular sites the country has to offer.
Q - What is included in the VolunTour?
A - All accommodation, Meals as indicated by B,L, and D (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner), All transportation, Bilingual tour leader, Fun excursions, A donation to the project (Approx 20% - 35% of tour cost). Also, all taxes are included in the tour price.
Q - What is not included in the VolunTour?
A - International airfare, mandatory travel medical insurance, optional activities, personal expenses, travel vaccinations are not always mandatory but strongly recommended for any travel outside the country.
Q - Do I need any work or construction experience to volunteer?
A - No, all you need to bring are good work boots, work gloves, work clothes, and the will to get dirty and make a real difference in the world. Your tour leader and project managers will direct the volunteers, so you will not need to have any prior experience at all. However, if you do have valuable experience in the area where you are volunteering, that may come in very handy to the project, so let us know!
Q - So you are saying that I need to pay to volunteer?
A - In a way, yes. However the donation that goes directly to the project pays for the materials used in construction, wages to local workers employed by the organizations, and a small amount for administration costs. The rest of the tour cost pays for accomodation, meals included, the tour leader's wages, transportation, and excursions included in the tour. We have worked hard to keep the tour cost affordable for anyone who wants to go make a difference in the world.
Q - What do I do when I arrive in my destination?
A - Your tour leader will be there to meet you at the airport arrivals area with a sign with your name on it. From that point on he/she will be with you and the rest of the group for the entire duration of your trip, except for leisure evenings and days you have on your own time.
Q - What are the accommodations like?
A - On most of our projects, accommodations are located right on the premises in the form of guest housing. These are usually dorm-style rooms. The point of the trips is not luxury, but rather getting the true experience of the country and culture. That being said, the accomodations will always clean and comfortable. Our standards for accommodation are strict when it comes to this. These accomodations are similar to the local hotels or hostels. In all cases the rooms meet our standards for our volunteers. As for the excursions outside the project, we use locally owned hotels or hostels that are also very clean and comfortable. Again, these are not luxury hotels, but always meet the standards we set. If your group would prefer a higher level of accommodation, we will work together with you to make it happen.
Q - How do meals work?
A - All meals indicated on the itinerary by B, L, and D (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) are included in the tour price. These meals are usually local cuisine and are nutricious and healthy. If you have any special requirements such as vegetarian, vegan, alergies to dairy, nuts, or anything else, please let us know ahead of time so we can make sure your requirements are met. For meals that are not included, you have the choice of any restaurant, or cafeteria you like, and in some cases, you are able to make your own food.
Q - How much spending money will I need to bring?
A - This depends on the individual, but most of the major costs are included in the tour. Other major expenses include: Meals not indicated, bottled water, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages, optional excursions, tips, and other personal expenses. Also if you are staying in the country for longer than the tour duration, account for all your expenses for this. Restaurants vary in price from very cheap to very expensive, even by North American standards. Bottles of water range from $1-$2 per 600ml, and are cheaper per ml if you buy 4L bottles, etc. Souvenirs also range from very cheap to very expensive. This all depends on the individual choices made by the volunteer.
Q - Do I qualify as a student for the discounted rate?
A - If you are currently registered at a reputable educational institution at the tme of booking, and are holding a valid student card, you qualify for the 10% student discount. This applies to the price of the VolunTour only, and does not include the international airfare or optional excursions.
Q - What do I need to bring on my VolunTour?
A - Each VolunTour has different requirements that will be specified at time of booking, but generally, work boots, work gloves, and work clothes are required for all VolunTours. Often the gloves and clothes are left behind for the local workers, but this is certainly not a requirement. Otherwise, not a lot is required for your trip. You may bring whatever you like with you, but keep in mind, you will likely not need your hair dryer, excess makeup, laptop, or many other luxury items.
Q - Can I bring gifts for the families and children?
A - Yes, gifts are greatly appreciated, but keep in mind many communities will not have electricty and/or not be able to afford things like batteries, etc. The best gifts are things from the heart. Toys for kids should be respectable and not have anything to do with war, or violence in any way. Cloth dolls, soccer balls, and similar items are greatly appreciated.
Q - What about tipping?
A - Accommodation staff, shuttle bus drivers, and local guides make very little in their wages. A dollar here or a couple dollars there does not make much a difference to you, but it literally means the difference between being able to feed their families or not. Please budget at least a little bit for tips for the local workers you encounter as they are likely doing their very best to serve you. As for your tour leader, an average $3 per day gratuity is a good guideline, but it is entirely descretionary to the traveller. If the tour leader goes above and beyond to make your experience a great one, let them know they did a great job by giving them a good tip.
If any of your questions have not been answered here, please contact us via email at chris@voluntours.ca and we will be happy to help you in any way we can.