Volunteer at our organic orchard and farmstay in the lower Himalayas, North India!

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  • Last activity: 15 Mar 2024

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a ten acre certified organic fruit orchard and farmstay in a tiny and quiet village called Kangar which is hidden away on a remote hilltop in the lower Himalayan ranges in Northernmost Punjab, overlooking the Kangra valley and Dauladhar mountains and bordering the states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

    We are on Himalayan foothills and away from the main road that climbs up from the transit town of Pathankot (in Punjab) to the colonial hill station of Dalhousie and the spiritual centres of Dharamshala and McLeodganj (all in Himachal Pradesh).

    We overlook the Chakki river (a tributary of the Ravi river) which flows in the valley below and skirts the South, the snow clad Dauladhar range on the East, the Shivalik hills on the West and the majestic mountains of Jammu and Kashmir on the North.

    Given our location, we have five distinct seasons. The weather, food, mountain views, flower blooms, birds and our harvest change and vary according to the season.

    We bought this property in late 2008 and moved here from the hustle and bustle of the city in 2011. We grow about 42 types of seasonal and exotic fruits, a variety of vegetables and assortment of herbs. We produce our own pulses and wheat, milk our resident cows and process our oil and spices. All natural and all certified organic. We generate our own solar power and divert the surplus to the grid to power more homes. We make our own bio gas, organic manures and boosters with natural materials and ingredients found on our property. Our entire estate is environmentally friendly and we try to be as self-sustainable as possible.

    We welcome you to our quiet and peaceful orchard and to share and experience our simple laid back farm life in the interiors of rural North India and the foothills of the mighty Himalayas - where the air is clean, the pace slow and the people are warm and welcoming!

    EXPECTATIONS FROM VOLUNTEERS

    We have hosted 105 volunteers in the last 5 years and the experience has been great both ways! Almost all our volunteers have been a pleasure to host and the experience has been enriching! Some have returned and most have stayed in touch, even years after leaving.

    We need help with organic farming, gardening, taking care of our fruit tress and vegetables: planting, pruning, spraying, weeding, working the soil and basic farm work or other help like building projects (tree / mud and stone houses etc), rain water harvesting, landscaping, permaculture. Any help is appreciated!

    You may also come up with ideas or a project that you may like to work on while you are here. We are open to your inputs on areas where you have a skill or experience. Some volunteers have made videos, installations, art work or even built an entire structure! If your idea appeals to us, we are happy to give you a free hand.

    Long term stay is possible. Most volunteers stay with us between two / four weeks to six months!!!

    We have distinct seasons, great views and are easily accessible and reachable. We can send you more details, information and photographs upon request by email.

    As we are normally overbooked and have many volunteers per year, please let us know your dates as much in advance as possible. We can confirm subject to availability. If we invite or reach out to you, before you contact us then we see some value that you can add to our project!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Experience life in rural / interior north india, learn organic farming techniques while working on a sustainable, ecological and permaculture based farm.

  • Help

    Help

    Unfortunately, owing to local cultural sensitivities and traditions, we can only host men to help us on the orchard!

    Please send us a mail so we can send and attach a file with detailed information of our volunteer programme including volunteer timings and information on how to reach us.

    Please let us know about your travel plans as much as in advance as possible. We can sometimes accept last minute requests, based on the season and availability.

    We are looking to host happy, friendly and positive people. We suggest coming to us, if you are looking for natural settings, a peaceful, clean and quiet environment and are looking to unwind.

    We do not accept too many volunteers or large groups at a single time and confirmation is based strictly on availability. Owing to our project and location we are normally overbooked, weeks if not months in advance!

    There are a lot of places of interest to visit around us and we will be glad to assist you with local information upon request.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Hindi: Fluent
    Punjabi (Eastern): Fluent
    German: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    An independent room overlooking the citrus (orange & lemon) part of the orchard with a clean attached private bath and basic amenities, fresh bedding and linen. We provide breakfast and simple vegetarian meals (lunch and dinner) which are made mostly with farm fresh produce. A water filter, kettle, tea/coffee, milk / sugar etc are provided and setup in your room. We are also happy to provide kitchen basics if you want to make your own meals during your stay.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    During your time off you are free to do what you want, meet up for tea or a drink, read a book, listen or play some music, do some yoga, meditate, sit under or on the trees, soak in the hill and mountain views or simply take a walk, trek / hike around the area or just be by yourself, if you prefer that.

    We are well connected from all the major cities and to the many tourist places in North India. Our location can be accessed easily by air, train, bus and roads. We will be happy to provide travel information to our orchard / farm by email / whats app before you arrive.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day 5 days a week

Host ref number: 2592227954e2

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