Travel Agents: Send Your Clients Away for Good

Volunteer Vacations Offer Adventure, Service, Excursions, Immersion

What is a Volunteer Vacation?

It's a chance for travelers to see what it's really like to work and live in a community -- and to have an impact on a community in need. It's about sharing a cup of tea in a dusty market, laughing with a family over a bowl of rice, getting a hug from an orphan.

A Volunteer Vacation is about so much more than a sterile hotel room and a luxury bus. It's about giving of oneself, learning about the lives of others, and getting back a huge amount in return.

People all over the world are finding the biggest adventure they've ever had is living and working in local, sustainable, wonderful projects that provide real help.

What Does a Volunteer Vacation Involve?

The traveler chooses how long to stay (1 - 12 weeks).
The traveler chooses which country: Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Tanzania, Tibet, USA
The traveler chooses the project: Work with orphans and street children; teach English; contribute to environmental preservation; and more!
The traveler chooses the type of accommodation: We encourage everyone to enjoy the type of connection that is only possible in a home stay; but we also offer the opportunity to stay in a hotel, a hostel, or a guest house.

But the trip isn't all work! The traveler also takes part in wonderful cultural activities (such as salsa dance lessons, language class, cooking class); and goes on excursions to significant sites (such as Petra, Machu Picchu, Dracula's Castle).

And the traveler can add on major excursions (such as The Galapagos, Inca Trail, Crocodile Park, and more!).

We invite individuals to take part in: Short-term Quests or groups to take part in customized Group Quests.

"I don't believe international travel should be about seeing the sights while your tour group is herded around like cattle. Living and laughing with a local family while almost experiencing what the locals experience is the only way to travel. We look forward to showing pictures, but what we really enjoy is sharing what we learned, what we talked about, telling all the wonderful stories. Travel for us is about making friends that we'll stay in touch with - and the Quest succeeded."

--Mrs. and Mr. Noke, a retired couple who volunteered in Chile

Flyers for Agents and Travelers

Program Costs

Cost depends on location of the project, and duration. Cost per volunteer starts at $945.

This fee includes the following:

Accommodations/Meals
(Please note that prices listed are for home stays; we can arrange for hotels or hostels and restaurants, but the price will change.)
Excursions

Cultural activities (such as dancing or cooking classes)
Optional excursions and activities as requested

Full orientation upon arrival by United Planet in-country coordinator
Full Coordination on the ground by United Planet in-country coordinator
Round-trip airport transfers
Language lessons (in some destinations)
Travel Insurance
Extensive pre-departure training from United Planet Quest Team

Special Volunteer Vacation Packages

The traveler spends at least a week volunteering in the project, and enjoying the regular activities and excursions. Then she or he has the option to add on special excursions afterwards.

Peru Package

1 week Volunteering (Includes Machu Picchu Excursion)
Plus 4-Day Inca Trail Excursion - Total $1755

Traveler lives in Cusco, and works in a social project (such as an orphanage) for a week. Then heads out to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail Excursion.

The Inca Trail, the best-known and most popular hike in all of South America, is surrounded by magnificent landscape, spanning across the Andes mountain range and sections of the Amazon rainforest. Read more about the excursion.

Ecuador Package

1 Week Volunteering (Includes Excursion to Equator Museum (Mitad del Mundo) and Tour of Old Town)
Plus 5-Day Galapagos Excursion (including airfare)
Total $2910

Traveler may live in Quito and work on a social project (such as a center for street kids). (Traveler may opt to stay in the cloud forest doing environmental work, but only with a minimum of ten days, at a slightly higher cost.)

Then heads to the Galapagos islands, famous for wide array of wildlife. The islands and surrounding waters form an Ecuadorian province, a national park, and a biological marine reserve all in one. Read more about the excursion.

Ghana Package

2 Weeks Volunteering
Plus 5-Day Crocodile Excursion - Total $2365

Traveler lives in a village and works in a social project (such as a school). Excursions included.

Then heads out to Mole National Park, situated in the heart of the pristine Guinea Savannah Woodland ecosystem. The park features a wide range of wildlife, including 93 species of mammals (elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and more), 344 of birds, and 33 of reptiles. Paga Crocodile Farm is filled with some of the biggest, and tamest, crocodiles in the world. Read more about this excursion.

Quest Program Briefs

Frequently Asked Questions

Does United Planet pay commissions to travel agents?

Yes. United Planet commissions are generous by travel industry standards. Please contact us for full information: 1-800-292-2316 or quest@unitedplanet.org.

All you need to do is inform us that you directed the traveler to us, and we will take care of the commission.

How do I book a trip for my client?

Enrolling in a United Planet program is simple, but different than signing up for a traditional vacation. We need to ask for specific information, and interview the volunteer to make sure it's the best fit for the individual and for the project.

Once your client has decided to engage in one of our programs, please refer them to our enrollment form; or have them get in touch directly: 1-800-292-2316 or quest@unitedplanet.org.

All you need to do is inform us that you directed the traveler to us, and we will take care of the commission.

Does my client need insurance?

All United Planet programs include emergency insurance for the traveler.

What is included with the program price?

Short-term programs (1-12 weeks) include: Preparation and training before departure, food and lodging in the host country, airport transfers in country, emergency medical insurance, on-going support in country and language lessons, cultural activities, and excursions (varies by country).

Is airfare included?

The program fee does not include airfare.

Do volunteers travel individually or with a group?

United Planet encourages travelers to get the most out of the experience by immersing in the country and the culture. Most volunteers travel on their own, and live with a host family; and report that living and working this way is enormously rewarding (and challenging). (More about home stays.)

United Planet does accommodate other arrangements. We can arrange for people traveling as friends, couples, families -- and groups of any size. We have facilitated trips for groups from high schools, colleges, corporations, and more.

What are the age restrictions?

Ages 18 and up may participate in any program.
Ages 16 and up may participate in the following countries: Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Romania.
Age requirement does not apply to families or groups with an adult over 18.

Does the traveler have to be a U.S citizen?

A citizen of any country can participate in our Short-term programs. (To participate in a Long-term program (6 or 12 months), the traveler must be a citizen of the U.S. or Canada.)

How will the volunteer travel within the country?

Upon arrival, the volunteer will be picked up at the airport and brought to accommodations directly. At the end of the trip, the volunteer will be transported back to the airport. The country coordinator arranges transportation to and from excursions as well.

During the work week, the volunteer is responsible for getting to and from the project. The host family will assist the volunteers on their first day to show them the route. Each work site is easily accessible from the host family's home.

Is the cost of the program tax deductible?

Yes, for U.S. citizens.

United Planet is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in the United States, and the entire program fee is tax-deductible. This may also include airfare.

What insurance is used?

United Planet uses Seven Corners Insurance. The traveler is provided with emergency medical insurance, which includes evacuation and repatriation services. If the traveler needs to be treated at a hospital or clinic in-country, they will pay at the time at the time and treatment, and then call the 24-hour number to report the incident. The traveler then has 60 days to send a claim form and receipt for reimbursement.

What are the accommodations like?

United Planet tries to keep prices as reasonable as possible, while still accommodating needs for security and sanitation. Most accommodations are clean, safe, and relatively modern -- but the traveler will need to keep an open mind and a patient disposition.

Home stays allow for a single room, usually with a shared bathroom. Travelers often eat with the family. Most homes have hot and cold running water, electricity, internet access. (This varies by country and city.)
If the traveler does not want to stay with a family, we can arrange for a stay in a hostel or a hotel (with a price adjustment). Hostels usually have single rooms, often with private bathrooms; and sometimes include breakfast.
If the traveler wants to stay in a nicer hotel, we can make that arrangement and adjust the price accordingly.

What does a typical week look like?

Many volunteers work at their projects during the day (4-8 hours), and then enjoy the culture and community in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Some of the possibilities: salsa lessons, language classes, bike rides, mountain climbing, treks, markets, and much more!

A sample itinerary for Peru.

Three Easy Steps to Apply

Call or email us today. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Contact us at any time for help! Email or call 1-800-292-2316.

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