Vermont Ecovillage Tour
8 DAYS | Explore sustainable living across Vermont's vibrant ecovillages
Discover green living in the Green Mountains
Experience a timeless way of life rooted in community and the land. In a fast-paced world of isolation, an intentional way of life seems almost lost. But tucked within the rolling hills of Vermont, community spirit is still strong. From historic villages that haven’t lost their communal traditions, to new housing projects embodying ecological living at their core, Vermont has a culture that needs to be experienced to be understood. Journey with us to visit a variety of ecovillages, organic farms, local artisans, small-scale breweries, forward-thinking individuals, and colorful old-timers who know a thing or two about resiliency.
Vermont Ecovillage Tour
Save your spot with a $500 deposit
All meals, lodging, and tour transport included.
July 6-13, 2024
Early-bird sale now thru May 12
Apply for a tour scholarship: Ecovillage Explorer Exchange
Tour Highlights
What you can expect to experience during your time in Vermont.
Journey through 9 communities over 8 days: Large to small, urban to rural, secular to spiritual and everything in between. Vermont offers a rich tapestry of intentional communities, including some of the most innovative and established communities in the country. Many have openings for new members!
Explore Time-Honored and Innovative Communities: This brave little state is the pioneer of community living models, including a plethora of food coops, organic farms, national parks, and historic villages that have embodied ecological living for centuries.
Taste Vermont's Culinary Delights: Traverse the state's verdant fields to discover artisanal cheese makers, craft breweries, and farm-to-table eateries highlighting organic local produce.
Bask in Vermont's Natural Beauty: Unwind in the tranquil countryside, wander through quaint townships, hike to secluded waterfalls, relish serene river settings, and explore the rich forested landscapes of high summer.
Enjoy Community Within Our Traveling Group: Our tour will evolve into a mobile intentional community, fostering deep connections and a culture of cooperation among participants. Oftentimes what participants say is their favorite part of the experience — getting to connect with each other!
Featured Communities
Experience the below communities during the July ecovillage tour. Subject to change.
Cobb Hill Cohousing
Location: Hartland, Vermont
Land: 270 acre
Website: cobbhill.org
Cobb Hill, in Hartland, Vermont, is located in the Upper Valley region of the Connecticut River valley. It was formed through the purchase of two adjoining former dairy farms creating a total of 270 acres. The land includes barns and a silo, 15 acres of prime agricultural land, high pastures, a large regenerating forest (including a 1000-maple sugarbush), and a small stream and pond. Today the community is home to about 50 people in 28 homes designed for sustainability, plus about 50 cows and 50 chickens. There are multiple non-profits and small enterprises on the land including cheese making, maple syrup, raising sheep, beekeeping, and more. The guiding principles of Cobb Hill are: unity, community, equity, sustainability and synergy.
Headwaters Ecovillage
Location: Cabot, Vermont
Land: 14 acres
Website: headwatersvermont.org
Headwaters is a multi-generational community nestled into the wooded hills of Cabot, Vermont. The community began in 2011 and today consists of 8 households on 14 acres. They are situated at the headwaters of the Winooski River, hence the name. Most households have built their homes using natural or sustainable building techniques. Homes are clustered near each other to allow for greater shared open space. The design of our community is loosely based on permaculture principles. Goats, chickens, bees, dogs, cats, and many woodland critters share the community which is also well connected with neighboring homesteads and the village of Cabot (within walking distance from the land).
Living Tree Alliance
Location: Moretown, Vermont
Website: livingtreealliance.com
Land: 91 acres
Nurture your spirit, get your hands dirty, connect with like-minded people and enjoy the great outdoors at this 91-acre kibbutz-inspired village in the heart of the Mad River Valley. Living Tree Alliance is a multigenerational, ecologically driven community of individuals and families actively building a meaningful, integrated life experience based on authenticity, connection to land, spirituality, resiliency, communication and collaboration. Together they are redefining community, regenerating land, and revitalizing culture. Their approved plan is for seven residences, a common house, and workshop on three of the 91 acres of land. The village design is compact, accessible and ecologically oriented, balancing the dynamics of community engagement with the needs for personal space.
Burlington Cohousing
Location: Burlington, Vermont
Website: bcoho.org
Land: 1 acre
Burlington Cohousing is a vibrant multi-generational community located in downtown Burlington. The community is diverse in terms of cultural, educational, and occupational backgrounds, but they share some common beliefs. These include a commitment to actively pursuing a sustainable lifestyle, preserving environmental resources, and supporting the local community. The community comprises 12 townhouses, 2 single-family homes and 18 flats. Burlington is a fun, progressive small urban city with numerous shops, restaurants, services, and public events. We have an expansive community garden tended by our residents. Our home-grown vegetables are used seasonally as part of our community meals.
Rah Rah Village
Location: Weathersfield, Vermont
Website: rahrahcommunity.org
Land: 23 acres
This growing ecovillage and intentional community is located on 23 acres in beautiful southern Vermont since 2001. Their values are respect for nature and each other. “For us, living as stewards in Nature is important, respecting one another, and animals and all life, being respectful to the land and environment that sustains us, living with no oppressive debt, and being honest and credible-not being hypocrites, being of service to others, being empathetic to others' lived experiences. We value work ethic, but we don't expect an unreasonable amount of labor - just honest effort and showing up when it's time.” Rah Rah is welcoming new members at this time, especially young people and families with children.
White Pine Cohousing
Location: Montpelier, Vermon
Land: 41 acres
White Pine Cohousing is a six unit community on 41 acres of meadow and forest land located in rural central Vermont, just outside of Montpelier. The houses are clustered on the south side of the seven acre meadow to enhance solar exposure and maintain the open fields for gardens, wildlife and activities. We aim to create and maintain a residential community that both respects individual needs and expects member participation in managing the social and physical requirements of the community. We have village-like informal connections and use a consensus decision-making process. Our individually owned homes were built with environmentally sound construction, are super insulated, share a common heating system and have small ecological footprints.
Monastic Academy (MAPLE)
Location: Lowell, Vermont
Website: monasticacademy.com
Land: 123 acres
The Monastic Academy is an unusual and groundbreaking organization that brings the power of education and non-profit skills together with the wisdom and compassion of a Buddhist monastery. MAPLE is the physical location in Vermont, a residential, non-profit, contemplative training center. Each day is a mixture of dedicated contemplative practice, non-profit work, buildings and grounds maintenance, and community involvement. MAPLE is also a community of practitioners exploring the intersection of AI and wisdom. As the world becomes increasingly dominated by algorithms and data processing, we bring our practice into the heart of this critical planetary moment. Rooted in wisdom and love, we are striving to build trustworthy systems for human and artificial intelligence.
Bristol Village Cohousing
Location: Bristol, Vermont
Website: bristolcohousing.com
Land: 3 acres
Bristol Village Cohousing is a community of 14 households, located downtown in the village of Bristol, Vermont, on the edge of the Green Mountains. They are a group of 27 adults and eight kids that have come together to build an extraordinary life together. Some came to enjoy a low-key, walkable lifestyle in a vibrant small town. Some came to live with a low-carbon footprint in homes built to the highest energy-performance standards. And some came for a community designed to promote casual interaction and easy sociability, where kids play in safety and neighbors lend each other a hand.
Itinerary
Get a taste for what awaits you on the tour. Itinerary subject to updates.
Overview
For such a small state, Vermont is home to an impressive number of ecovillages and intentional communities. The back to the land movement of the 60s was met in Vermont by salt of the earth locals who often extended mutual support to the newcomers. That same openness prevails in the culture to this day.
During our tour, we will travel from Burlington, the only “semi” city of Vermont, through the winding backcountry roads to visit intentional communities in both rural and town settings. Get ready to experience Vermont as few ever get to, through the minds and hearts of its most community-oriented residents.
Day 1: Setting Off
Our tour will begin in Burlington, where we will start with a visit to Burlington Cohousing. This community is known for making inroads in the affordable housing crisis, through its structure as a Community Land Trust and energy efficient townhouse design. From here we’ll travel out of the city further south to Bristol Cohousing, another retrofit residential community with a focus on sustainability. The evening will be spent at an eco-lodge nearby.
Day 2: Tour Living Tree Alliance
The second day of our tour will be spent at Living Tree Alliance, a growing intentional community based on ecology and Jewish spiritual traditions. Get your hands dirty in a group activity, connect with the residents, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Day 3: Visit with White Pine
Next we will travel up to the state capital of Montpelier to visit a nearby community called White Pine Cohousing. This well established community is home to friends and family who lovingly tend their gardens and enjoy each other’s company as supportive neighbors.
Day 4: Explore Rah Rah Village
Today we explore a community in southern Vermont, a growing ecovillage with openings for new members, called Rah Rah Village. We’ll have lunch with the community followed by an afternoon hike or dip in the local swimming hole.
Day 5: Get to Know Cobb Hill
Vermont’s largest intentional community is our stop on this day. Cobb Hill is home to 50 or so people on 270 acres. They have a working farm, vast maple sugar bush, community-made cheese, abundant gardens, and so much more to experience. Enjoy a tour and lunch with residents, including sampling their own cheese. We’ll spend the evening at a retreat center nearby.
Day 6: Welcome to Headwaters
Home to our tour guide, you’ll get an intimate tour of this intentional community of 8 households on 14 acres in Central Vermont. Get to see your guide’s naturally built home, as well as many others on the land. Enjoy a garden-to-table lunch with residents. And experience the thriving town of Cabot, known as the birthplace of one of America’s oldest cooperatives, Cabot Creamery.
Day 7: Visit with Monastic Academy
Take the morning to relax on the peaceful grounds of the retreat center, before heading north to visit with our final community on the tour. Monastic Academy is a buddhist-inspired community for digital nomads and activists. This innovative community is re-imagining the ancient monastery for today’s world. All activities are optional of course. 4am meditation anyone?
Day 8: Wrap Up!
Time to pack up, say our farewells, and get in one last mountain hike, before hitting the road to return to Burlington where the tour began. Be sure to stash some maple syrup in your suitcase before you head off!
Trip Details
Explore detailed trip information to prepare for your adventure.
Included
All ground transportation from tour start and end point
All lodging in shared rooms (Private surcharge for single room upgrade)
All meals, except when you choose to eat separately or purchase extra drinks
All entrance and tour fees
Not Included
Transportation to/from country
Insurance of any kind
Alcoholic beverages
Optional gratuities to guides
Laundry fees and items of a personal nature
Flights & Pick-up
You are responsible for booking your own flight, which we recommend you book as far in advance as possible to get the best price.
We recommend flying into Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport (BTV) located in Burlington, Vermont.
Alternatively, you can fly into these larger airports and take a bus to Burlington. Greyhound offers low cost bus transport between these airports and Burlington. Approximately a 4 hour journey:
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
If you are driving, Burlington Airport offers overnight parking for $12/day.
Pick Up
Our tour will begin at 11am local time on the tour start date.Our meet up point will be the first community we visit, Burlington Cohousing East Village, located at 29 E Village Dr, Burlington, VT.
Please plan to be present at Burlington Cohousing by 11am or earlier that morning.
We can pick you up at the Burlington Airport or another nearby location anytime between 9-10:30am that morning. Be sure to let us know your travel plans so we can coordinate to pick you up. Alternatively, you can take an Uber/taxi to enjoy the city that morning and meet us at Burlington Cohousing at 11am.
Drop Off
Our formal programming will end in Burlington, back where the tour began on the last day of the tour at 3pm, shortly after lunch. We are able to provide transport to the airport or another location in Burlington if needed.
Please be in touch with any questions regarding your travel planning. We’re happy to help!
Lodging
Lodging will be rustic and often in a beautiful rural setting. We ask you to be respectful and open to new experiences, such as using a composting toilet and sharing bathroom facilities. Some accommodations may have limited to no wifi, or wifi in only common areas. Air conditioning may be limited.
Whenever possible, we stay overnight in the intentional communities we visit. If they don’t have enough accommodation, we look first for lodging options that align with our values, such as retreat centers, eco-lodges, and the like.
Rooms will be shared with fellow travelers. If possible, couples can have their private double room. We will separate male and female rooms, unless your preferences are to stay together.
Private Room Upgrades
Please note that while we offer the option to upgrade to a private room for accommodations, it's important to understand that this upgrade is not guaranteed. Given the nature and locations of our tours, many of the accommodations we utilize may be unable to provide private room upgrades. However, when available, we will make every effort to assign you to a private room. Please be aware that refunds for unfulfilled room upgrade requests are not provided, as this upgrade is subject to availability and the discretion of the accommodation providers. Your comfort and satisfaction are our priorities, and we strive to accommodate all requests to the best of our ability.
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
In Vermont, July is characterized by its warm and pleasant climate. Daytime temperatures across the state usually vary from 60°F to 85°F, though they can occasionally rise to 90°F, especially in more open, sun-exposed areas. While sunny days are common, the mountainous regions may welcome visitors with brief afternoon showers. In the evenings, temperatures in these higher altitudes can cool down to around 50°F or even lower, providing a refreshing contrast to the daytime warmth. Considering the potential for a mix of weather, visitors in July should be prepared with basic rain gear and sun protection, as well as a warm layer for cooler evenings.
Packing
A full packing list will be provided after booking the tour. Laundry service will be available at some of our locations. We ask that you only bring a day pack and one carry-on sized luggage due to limited space in our vehicle.
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.
Traveling with Children
It is possible to bring children on this tour, however not all children and families may be suited to this adventure. Kindly contact us if you are thinking of bringing any children under the age of 12 years old.
This tour includes 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. We look forward to speaking with you about if your family is a good fit for the opportunity.
If we decide that this tour is a fit for your family, please know that we have limited reduced rate tickets for children under 12 years of age. Parents or guardians assume full responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of their children throughout the tour.
Children 4-6 years old need a booster seat if they are under 1.5 meters tall. 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, just pay the deposit, or pay the deposit and make your remaining payments in three auto-payment installments.
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 to make informed decisions about your journey.
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 Guide
Embark on your journey with confidence – get to know your experienced guide.
Cynthia Tina
Cynthia founded Ecovillage Tours because she wanted more people to travel with her to ecovillages, experiencing ways of living that are both sustainable and fun! She has visited more than 150 intentional communities around the world, including the Vermont ecovillage where she lives in her self-built passive solar home.
When not global-trotting to ecovillages with interesting groups of people, Cynthia works as the “community matchmaker” and director of CommunityFinders, offering programs to help people join and start intentional communities.
Formerly the co-director, Cynthia is now a spokesperson and educator with the Foundation for Intentional Community. She's a former trustee of the Global Ecovillage Network and former director of the youth ecovillage network, NextGEN North America. She holds a degree in Sustainability from Goddard College, as well as certificates in Permaculture and Ecovillage Design, and Yoga Teacher Training.
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 the country 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.