1-Day Volunteering Itinerary in Varkala

  1. 9:00AM: Sivagiri Mutt
    Located 7 km from Varkala, this ashram is a spiritual and cultural center. Volunteers can help with the maintenance of the ashram or participate in programs conducted here, including organic farming and yoga classes.
  2. 11:30AM: Varkala Beach Cleanup
    Join the local community at Varkala Beach to take part in a beach cleanup. Volunteers will work to keep the beach clean and educate visitors about responsible tourism. The activity usually lasts for an hour.
    Estimated travel time: 20 minutes (7 km)
  3. 1:00PM: Lunch at Darjeeling Cafe
    A cozy cafe with plenty of vegetarian options, Darjeeling Cafe offers great food and excellent service. The restaurant uses fresh and organic ingredients grown at a nearby farm, and supports local women's self-help groups.
    Estimated travel time: 16 minutes (5 km)
    Estimated Cost: ₹300 ($4)
  4. 2:30PM: Varkala Art Village
    A community-driven art and cultural center located near the Papanasam beach, the Varkala Art Village provides an outlet for local artists to showcase their works. Volunteers can help with daily maintenance tasks or join hands with artists to work on art installations.
    Estimated travel time: 11 minutes (3.5 km)
  5. 4:00PM: Sivagiri Summit
    A cliff-top shrine that celebrates the teachings of Sri Narayana Guru, Sivagiri Hill is located 3 km from Varkala. After a hike to the summit, volunteers can help out at the temple or the nearby charity hospital.
    Estimated travel time: 12 minutes (3 km)

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Sivagiri Mutt Volunteer Work (2 hours, free)
  • Varkala Beach Cleanup (1 hour, free)
  • Darjeeling Cafe Lunch (1.5 hours, ₹300/$4)
  • Varkala Art Village Volunteer Work (2 hours, free)
  • Sivagiri Summit Volunteer Work (2.5 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₹300 ($4)
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Useful Tips

Varkala is a beautiful beach town with plenty of opportunities for volunteering. If you have more time, consider helping out at the nearby orphanage or old-age home. If you're interested in surfing, take a lesson at the Varkala Surf School. If you have less time, you can choose to skip either the Darjeeling Cafe lunch or the Varkala Art Village depending on your interests.

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Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed