India Ecovillage Tour
15 DAYS | Jan 28-Feb 11, 2025
Experience the most spectacular community in the world.
The largest ecovillage on earth is located on the tropical coast of south India.
Auroville, the City of Dawn, is home to over 3,000 people from all corners of the globe striving to realize human unity.
Join our small group tour to witness this incredible community in action. Get an insider perspective from local guides, meet with town leadership, and learn from sustainability experts across a diversity of disciplines.
Together we’ll visit Auroville’s many neighborhoods, permaculture farms, spiritual centers, schools, and local businesses, as well as surrounding intentional communities.
Looking for a new world? Welcome to Auroville.
India Ecovillage Tour
All-inclusive small group travel.
Jan 28-Feb 11, 2025
Tour is now SOLD OUT. Join the waiting list to be the first to know if a spot becomes available.
Apply for a tour scholarship:
Ecovillage Explorer Exchange
Tour Highlights
What you can expect to experience during your time in India.
Get a personal introduction to Auroville: Founded in 1968 with the intention of realizing human unity, Auroville is an international township, home to 3,200 individuals from over 60 nations.
Learn about deep sustainability: Striving to create a “city the Earth needs”, Auroville is a pioneer in fields such as reforestation, appropriate technology, alternative building, organic farming, free-progress education, engaged spirituality, and more.
Travel safely within a supportive group: From your arrival at the airport in Chennai to navigating the maze of Auroville, we’ll help ensure you have an enjoyable time in India and form deep companionship with fellow participants during facilitated group activities.
Immerse yourself in the culture of India and Auroville: Enjoy healthy cuisine, relax at local beaches, participate in holistic living practices (dance, yoga, meditation, massage, etc.) and take excursions to cultural sites beyond Auroville.
Featured Visits
Visits subject to group preferences. Daily itinerary available upon request.
The Matrimandir
The Matrimandir, at the heart of Auroville, is a striking golden sphere and spiritual center symbolizing the city's vision of human unity and inner realization. Surrounded by twelve gardens and the Peace Area, it serves as a space for quiet reflection and meditation, open to people of all backgrounds. Inside, a spiraling ramp leads to a serene, white marble chamber with a single crystal globe that reflects sunlight, creating a tranquil atmosphere intended to inspire inner peace and higher consciousness.
Learn more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrimandir
Sadhana Forest
Sadhana Forest, near Auroville in Tamil Nadu, is a reforestation and sustainable living project transforming 70 acres of degraded land into a self-sustaining forest using native tree species. Founded in 2003, it promotes an eco-friendly lifestyle with a focus on water conservation, waste reduction, and renewable energy. Volunteers from around the world participate in tree planting and community-building activities, contributing to its mission of environmental restoration while living in a donation-based community that offers free accommodation, meals, and educational programs.
Learn more: https://sadhanaforest.org/about-us/
Solar Kitchen
The Solar Kitchen in Auroville is a community dining facility powered by a large solar bowl that generates steam for cooking, reflecting the town's commitment to sustainability. It serves nutritious vegetarian meals sourced from local organic farms, providing a welcoming space for communal dining and social interaction. The Solar Kitchen embodies Auroville’s principles of conscious living and environmental responsibility, bringing people together to share food, ideas, and experiences.
Learn more: https://auroville.org/page/the-solar-kitchen-av
Solitude Farm
Solitude Farm and Café in Auroville is a vibrant community hub dedicated to permaculture and local food sovereignty. Established in 1996, the farm grows a diverse range of seasonal crops using natural methods, while the café serves nutritious meals made from the farm's produce. It also functions as an educational center, offering workshops and tours to promote sustainable agriculture and reconnecting with nature.
Earth Institute
The Auroville Earth Institute (AVEI), founded in 1989, is a renowned center for sustainable earthen architecture, specializing in techniques like compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB) and ferrocement. It offers training and workshops worldwide, promoting environmentally friendly, cost-effective building solutions using locally sourced materials. AVEI is actively involved in research, consultancy, and construction projects, advancing sustainable architecture globally.
Website: https://dev.earth-auroville.com/
Village Action
The Auroville Village Action Group (AVAG), founded in 1983, empowers the rural communities around Auroville through holistic initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, education, health, and sustainable livelihoods. AVAG fosters resilience and self-reliance through self-help groups, skill training, microcredit, and health programs, while promoting cooperation between Auroville and neighboring villages. It plays a crucial role in improving quality of life and embodying Auroville’s ethos of human unity and sustainable development.
Website: https://www.villageaction.in/
Tiruvannamalai
One of our excursions beyond Auroville will be to the nearby city of Tiruvannamalai. This city is a prominent pilgrimage destination with several sacred sites. We will visit the Sri Ramana Ashram, a spiritual sanctuary located at the base of the sacred Arunachala Hill. It was founded by the revered sage Sri Ramana Maharshi, who is known for his teachings on self-inquiry and non-duality. The ashram is a place of meditation, reflection, and spiritual learning.
Trip Details
Explore detailed trip information to prepare for your adventure.
Included
All tours and activities at intentional communities
All ground transportation from tour start and end point
All lodging in shared rooms (Single room upgrades available)
All meals, except when you choose to eat separately or purchase extra drinks
Not Included
Transportation to/from country
Insurance of any kind
Alcoholic beverages
Optional gratuities to guides
Laundry fees and items of a personal nature
*Click “book now” to see current trip pricing.
Travel Logistics
We recommend flying in and out of Chennai International Airport.
Our tour will begin at the Chennai International Airport, where we will meet with all participants before driving to Auroville. Participants are asked to plan their arrival at the airport to be before 3am local time on January 28. Participants already in country who wish to meet us at Auroville instead are welcome to do so.
The program officially ends on Tuesday, February 11 and we encourage you to find flights that leave in the early morning of the 12th. We will arrange group transportation to the Chennai airport on the evening of the 11th (or based on your unique schedules).
Please note that a visa is required to visit India from abroad. Recently a new one-month tourist e-visa has been made available. It can be booked online and obtained directly at the airport. You don’t even need to send off your passport. Get your e-visa here: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
Lodging
Lodging varies from shared dorm-style rooms to simple private rooms, depending on availability. Rooms will be shared with fellow travelers. We will separate male and female rooms, while couples and families are placed in private rooms whenever possible.
You can upgrade to a private room when booking (select the $800 single room supplement). Upgrades to private rooms are not always guaranteed due to the nature of some locations.
Whenever possible we arrange for overnight accommodations at the ecovillages and communities we visit. This allows for a more immersive experience of what it’s like to live in a community. When the community doesn't have enough accommodation space or a scheduling conflict, then we stay at nearby lodging. We strive to stay at accommodations that are values aligned, such as small family businesses or eco-lodges. Accommodations are often rustic, emphasizing sustainability over luxury. Some may include composting toilets, limited Wi-Fi, limited air conditioning, and communal facilities.
Meals
As much as possible our meals will be fresh, local and organic, with produce grown on-site. Most meals will be vegetarian. When eating out at restaurants, we will have a fixed menu with a few options of local specialties. One beverage is usually included with lunch and dinner. Extra dishes and drinks are on you. We can accommodate a range of dietary requirements, to a point, so please contact us to inform us about any food allergies and come prepared with your own specialty food or supplement needs. We will stop at grocery stores where you can purchase your own snacks.
Weather
During our time in Auroville at the end of January and beginning of February, you can expect warm and pleasant weather, perfect for outdoor activities. Daytime temperatures typically range from 26°C (79°F) to 30°C (86°F), while nights are cooler, averaging around 22°C (72°F). The humidity is moderate at around 62%, and there is a very low chance of rain. You can look forward to plenty of sunshine, with approximately 10 hours of sunlight each day.
Packing
A full packing list will be provided after booking the tour. Laundry service will be available at some of our locations. Due to the limited space in our vehicles, each passenger will only be allowed one suitcase and one day bag.
Plan to pack light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and comfortable under the sun. Don't forget swimwear and comfortable shoes for exploring the diverse landscapes.
Physical Requirements
This trip will include several day hikes and walks up hills and on uneven terrain. We will visit a few waterfalls and rivers with slippery footing. Some of our accommodations have narrow stairs and no elevators. You will be responsible to carry your luggage to and from your rooms, which will not always be paved surfaces.
Please consider your physical fitness before registering for the tour. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Unfortunately, due the nature of the tour we cannot accommodate anyone with mobility requirements, such as use of a wheelchair.
Traveling with Children
It is possible to bring children on this tour, however not all children and families may be suited to this adventure. For children 15 and under, please contact us to discuss suitability on your specific tour. We will supply you with a discount code to use to receive child discounts:
Ages 3 and under: Free
Ages 4-7: 50% off
Ages 8-15: 20% off
Families with children should note that tours generally include long periods of sitting for presentations, strenuous walking, uneven terrain, some long car rides, and moving among multiple locations for sleeping. Laundry services are limited. We want to encourage families to join, so long as they are prepared for these challenges.
Parents or guardians assume full responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of their children throughout the tour. Children must be supervised at all times. Children under 1.5 meters tall need a booster seat. Please be sure to bring a car seat if your child needs one, or you may rent one at cost.
Payment & Cancellation Policy
A refundable deposit of $500 is required at the time of booking to secure your space. Full payment is required 60 days before the departure date. At the time of booking you can choose to make your payment in full or pay the deposit and remaining payments in auto-payment installments.
Click the “book now” button to see current pricing. Contact us about discounts for larger groups.
Cancellation and Refunds
Your tour deposit is 100% refundable for 30 days from the date it is received unless noted otherwise. Deposits made 60–90 days before a tour departs become non-refundable on the final payment due date. If you book a tour less than 60 days before its departure date, the entire tour cost becomes non-refundable after 7 days but may be creditable in the event of a medical or family emergency. Once your deposit refund date has passed, your deposit will not be refunded under any circumstance. Please read our Tour Conditions for more information.
Reviews
Read authentic reviews from past tour participants.
One of the greatest experiences I have ever had. A completely unique journey to some wondrous ecovillage projects, full of inspirational humans. To share the tours with others with similar visions was enriching and a real privilige. I left feeling fulfilled and educated.
— Adam Bates
Best summer camp ever! A must see!! People, food and lodging were more than I could have hoped for in a travel experience like this!! Definitely will be back.
—Megan Zimmerman
It is an experience worth paying for. You get to know places and people who are on the real hands on effort for bringing change and make local ecosystems more resilient.
— Edward Bryce
Ecovillage Tours has put something really special together. The amount of research and care they have put into this trip is impressive in and of itself and have helped facilitate meaningful connections both within the tour group and with the communities hosting us. This eye opening experience has the potential to change your life by exploring more unique paradigms.
— Nathan Oxenfeld
Meet Your Guides
Embark on your journey with confidence – get to know your experienced guides.
Daniel Greenberg Ph.D.
Daniel Greenberg is the Co-Executive Director of the Foundation for Intentional Community. Back in 1998, following his Ph.D. dissertation on Growing up in Intentional Communities, Daniel founded Living Routes, which ran study abroad programs in ecovillages around the world. In 2012, he started Earth Deeds, which offers online tools to account for our unavoidable CO2 emissions. Over the years, Daniel visited over 100 communities and lived in many, including Sirius in Massachusetts, the Findhorn Foundation in Scotland, and Auroville in south India. Daniel is co-founder and past Board Member of Gaia Education and served as President of the Global Ecovillage Network from 2015-2019. Daniel’s passion is to support the development of whole people, living well and lightly together.
Monique Gauthier M.Ed.
Monique has led Living Routes programs since 1996, taking people to ecovillages such as Findhorn (Scotland), Auroville (India), and Thich Nhat Hanh’s Plum Village (France). A graduate of the University of Minnesota and Lesley University, she has been a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and has led many workshops on mindfulness, conscious families, non-duality and other spiritual topics.
Monique has been a midwife for 30 years, and more broadly considers herself to be a “cultural midwife” tending to the birth of a holistic culture at this time of transition.
She is currently Aurovillian, that is an official resident of Auroville.
Jessica O'Brien Falla
Jess is Director of Tour Operations at Ecovillage Tours. With almost 20 years of experience in international education, including 10 years of guiding cross-cultural service-learning projects for college students across Latin America with Peacework, Jess brings a wealth of expertise to the team.
Prior to Peacework she worked at Manna Project International in Guatemala and The School for Field Studies in Costa Rica overseeing student and volunteer-driven community development initiatives. Jess holds a Master's in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management and has worked with various grassroots organizations across Latin America. Presently based in Mexico with her partner and daughter, she frequently travels to India to visit with family.
Is this tour right for me?
On the fence? Discover if this tour is meant for you.
Choosing to embark on an ecovillage tour is an investment in your journey into intentional community living. Thanks to years of relationship building with community founders, we’re able to give you an experience that’s simply not available to the regular traveler.
Still unsure?
Explore if this tour is right for you…
This tour ideal for those who want to:
Join intentional communities: Engage directly in projects that focus on environmental and social regeneration, creating vibrant, sustainable spaces for communal living.
Explore sustainable living: Dive into the world of ecovillages as a lifestyle choice, integrating principles of ecological balance and community harmony into your daily life.
Network with regeneration leaders: Forge deep connections with key figures in the regenerative movement, gaining inspiration and momentum to advance your life's purpose.
Get a true eco-vacation: Embark on adventure travels that support ecovillages, choosing experiences that contribute positively to the planet and align with your values.
Learn from successful projects: Observe and study the approaches of others, applying their strategies and innovations to develop your own land or community initiative effectively.
Why choose this tour?
Knowledgeable guides: Led by experts in ecovillages and intentional communities.
Authentic experience: We partner with local communities for a genuine and unfiltered experience.
All-inclusive: From eco-friendly lodging to local cuisine, we've got you covered.
Small group size: We limit the number of participants to ensure a personalized and intimate experience.
Hassle free travel: We cover all the logistics, so you can get the most out of the experience.
What’s the alternative?
You could try visiting intentional communities on your own, except that…
Many communities are not open to the public and, if they are, the founders will not give you their undivided attention as a just normal passer-through.
Figuring out the logistics of getting yourself around is a headache and you’ll have no immediate support if something goes awry.
Traveling alone isn’t as nourishing or nearly as fun journeying with a small group in an intentionally held container for connection.
It’ll take years of relationship building and financial investment to even come close to the experience that Ecovillage Tours is able to offer… because we’ve done all that work for you already!
Still have questions?
We are happy to help! Sign up below to book a discovery call with one of our team members.
Ready to go?
The communities are excited to welcome you.
Let your adventure begin.