About the program
Immerse yourself in the misty coffee hills of Coorg, Karnataka’s celebrated eco-tourism heartland, while gaining hands-on hospitality experience at a working eco-lodge. Volunteers support housekeeping and property management, learning how sustainable resorts maintain guest experience without compromising nature. You’ll assist with property upkeep, green infrastructure maintenance, and daily lodge operations, gaining practical skills valued across the hospitality and eco-tourism industry. Surrounded by coffee and cardamom estates, waterfalls, and Kodava tribal culture, this program pairs meaningful skill-building with an authentic, slow-paced retreat into one of India’s most beautiful and biodiverse landscapes.
Locale
hill_station, high_altitude
Stipend
no
Open To
Everyone
Nationality
Open for All
No. of Working Days
6
Program Outcome
Certificate, Skills exchange, Professional experience, Personal growth
7:00 AM – Wake up, breakfast with fresh Coorg coffee
8:00 AM – Morning briefing and task allocation
8:30 – 11:30 AM – Housekeeping rounds and property preparation
12:00 PM – Lunch break
1:00 – 3:30 PM – Property and estate maintenance tasks
3:30 – 4:30 PM – Learning session with lodge manager on hospitality operations
4:30 PM onward – Free time: plantation walks, local exploration, or rest
7:30 PM – Group dinner featuring Kodava cuisine
Evenings – Optional bonfire, cultural storytelling, or quiet time amid the coffee hills
Support daily housekeeping — room turnovers, cleaning standards, linen and supply management.
Assist with property inventory tracking and stock management.
Help maintain guest-facing spaces to eco-lodge hospitality standards.
Support basic property maintenance — minor repairs, garden and estate pathway upkeep.
Assist with sustainable systems maintenance (composting, rainwater harvesting, waste segregation).
Support guest coordination or front-desk tasks during peak season, if trained.
Help maintain plantation trails, signage, and outdoor guest areas.
- Hours per Day:
- 5 Hours
- Days per Week:
- 6 Days
- No. of Days Off:
- 1 Day
- Schedule Flexibility:
- Varies
Abbey Falls, Talacauvery, Coffee, cardamom, and pepper estates, Namdroling Monastery, Tadiandamol, Kodava cuisine, Dubare Elephant Camp, Madikeri's hill town
Upcoming Batches
Select Month
Available Slots
Available Slot
12 - 26 August 2026
Available Slot
31 August 2026 - 14 September 2026
Available Slot
19 October 2026 - 2 November 2026
Available Slot
15 - 29 November 2026
Available Slot
20 December 2026 - 3 January 2027
Experience Highlights
- Practical training in housekeeping and eco-property management at a working lodge.
- Learn sustainable property maintenance — rainwater systems, composting, green landscaping.
- Understand eco-lodge operations amid one of India's top coffee-growing regions.
- Immersive stay amid coffee, cardamom, and pepper plantations.
- Learn from lodge managers about running a nature-based hospitality business sustainably.
- Explore Kodava (Coorg) tribal culture, cuisine, and traditions.
Location
Nearest Railway Station: Mysuru (Mysore) Junction
Nearest Airport: Kannur International Airport, Kerala
Nearest Bus Stand: Madikeri (Mercara) KSRTC Bus Stand
Pick Up and Drop: Not Available
Here's what your stay covers - from where you sleep to what's on your plate. The host provides these at no cost to you.
-
Accommodation - Dormitory
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Bathroom - Attached
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Meal - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Dietary Provisions - Veg, Non-Veg
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Programme Outcome - Certificate, Skills Exchange, Professional Experience, Personal Growth
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Programme Fee - Rs.0 (Fully Funded)
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Local Transport - Not provided
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Equipment - Not provided
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Travel to the programme site
-
Personal travel
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Personal expenses and leisure costs
Who Should Apply?
Basic Requirements
These are the basics to check before applying - age, commitment, fitness, and language. Make sure you fit, so the experience fits you.
- Age
- 25 - 50 Years
- Commitment
- 15 Days
- Physical Fitness
- Not Required
- Language
- English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telegu
- Nationality
- Open for All
Skills
What helps you thrive here - from the essential to the nice-to-have. Every programme is different, so take a gentle look and see if it feels like a match.
Required Skill
These are essential for this programme - please check that you meet them before applying.
Housekeeping and property management
Preferred Skill
Not required - but if you bring these, your contribution and experience will be richer.
Property maintenance
If you don't have the preferred skill - don't worry. The host provides full training.
Top Qualities
These are the traits you must possess to be able to perform well in the program.
- Comfortable with early mornings and physically demanding daily routines
- Humble learner — takes direction well and asks good questions
- Physically active — comfortable with sustained outdoor or physical work
- Strong communicator — builds trust across language and cultural differences
- Works well independently with minimal supervision
Health and Safety
What to know before you arrive - medical access, insurance, and anything specific to this location. Read this carefully.
- Vaccinations Recommended
- Not Provided
- Health Considerations
- No specific concerns
- Volunteer Insurance
- Not Covered
- Medical Facility
- District Hospital, Madikeri — Stuart Hill, GT Road
- Safety Gear
- Not Applicable
- First Aid Onsite
- Available
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