Had an amazing week in Jaipur!
From start to finish, the team took great care of me and answered all my questions along the way. I joined the Elephant Program and had the unforgettable experience of seeing and feeding the elephants every other day.

Our private driver was always punctual and also took us to some great local spots in the area. The stay at the guesthouse was a lovely, authentic experience — the host women cooked delicious meals every day and kept us informed about the program schedule.

I’d also highly recommend adding a yoga session and cooking class to your time here — they made the trip even more enriching!

We just had a memorable trip in India with VWI!
Sukret was incredibly responsive both before and during the trip, which made everything smooth and stress-free.

Yes, we visited during the summer season, and while it was hot, it was absolutely manageable — and completely worth it. Not a single moment felt wasted!

The guides and drivers were excellent, and we had a great balance of activities. We spent quality time with the elephants, did some amazing sightseeing, and truly enjoyed the relaxed pace of the program — it felt great to have the freedom to be our own boss.

Communication among the team was solid, and the overall experience was one of the best we’ve ever had.

Working with elephants has always been a dream of mine — something I could never do back home in the UK. This opportunity has truly been special.

As a solo female traveler, safety was a top priority for me. Sukret’s communication right from the beginning was reassuring and put my mind at ease. Throughout my time in Jaipur, everyone has been incredibly kind and supportive, helping me make the most of this amazing experience.

One person who made a huge difference in my journey was Pradeep. He went above and beyond — taking me wherever I needed to go, guiding me through many of Jaipur’s attractions, and ensuring I felt comfortable and cared for the entire time. My experience simply wouldn’t have been as meaningful without his support.

Thank you so much, Pradeep! And thank you to the entire team for making this dream come true.

A Truly Memorable Elephant Experience!

This was such a fun and fulfilling project — a rare opportunity to see and interact with elephants up close! The communication prior to our arrival was clear and helpful, and having a pickup arranged from the train station made the start of our trip smooth and stress-free.

Our guesthouse was in a great location, very clean, and the food served was absolutely delicious — a real bonus!

During the program, we had hands-on experiences with the elephants — feeding, bathing, and cleaning their space. The mahouts were incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and clearly had a deep bond with the elephants, which made the experience even more meaningful.

Our weekend sightseeing around Jaipur was also well-organized. With many attractions spread across the city, having our own driver for the day was a huge convenience and made exploring stress-free and enjoyable.

Highly recommend this program for anyone looking for a unique and rewarding volunteer adventure in India!

A Heartwarming and Unforgettable Experience with Elephants and Indian Culture

It was an amazing and truly heart-filling experience to be so closely connected with the magnificent elephants, their dedicated caretakers, and the warm local family at Prity Guesthouse. From day one, the guidance and communication were excellent — I felt supported and safe throughout the entire stay.

Caring for the elephants was incredibly rewarding. Being up close with these gentle giants, helping with their daily routines, and sharing countless cups of chai made the experience even more special. The caretakers were so enthusiastic and welcoming, and even introduced me to other animals on site — making me feel like part of the team.

Staying with the host family was a highlight in itself. They were incredibly kind and made me feel completely at home. They even took me to local places and events, including dancing at the vibrant Navratri festival — an amazing way to immerse myself in Indian culture! The food was absolutely delicious, and every day felt like a new adventure.

I enjoyed it so much that I even extended my stay — I didn’t want it to end!

Ane:
Our pick-up service was good. Before joining the program, we were traveling around India and were driven to the VWI office by our own driver. Then, a VWI team member picked us up from there. The accommodation was nice — a very welcoming family, especially their daughters. The food was okay, though during our stay there was a wedding at the host family’s home, which made the meals a bit irregular for a couple of days.

Our transportation service was good. The taxi driver was very kind and took great care of us. Our program coordinator was great — spoke good English and always had a happy face. I decided to volunteer with VWI because I wanted to work with elephants in India and found their website online. The information on the site was clear, and it seemed like a well-organized organization. Other volunteers had also written great reviews about the project.

I would give VWI 10 out of 9 marks — I deducted 1 mark because our breakfast was irregular for 2 days 🙂.

Our daily routine was good. We got up at 4:30 a.m., got dressed, and met the driver at 5:00 a.m. Then we drove to the elephant village. The first meeting with the elephants was exciting. They were sleeping when we arrived and lying down. When they got up, we realized how big they are — truly magnificent creatures. They have the kindest eyes and almost seem like people. They understand what you say to them.

After sorting out sugarcane and cleaning their areas, we washed them. Then they went to the fort, and we enjoyed chai 🙂. We reached home around 9 a.m., breakfast was at 9:15, and then the rest of the day was free. Lunch was around 1 p.m., and dinner at about 8 p.m. Two days a week, we returned to the elephants at 1 p.m. to prepare food and chapattis for them.

All the mahouts are funny and loud; a few speak English, but our program coordinator was always there to help. On weekends, we got to go sightseeing — the City Palace, Monkey Temple, forts, etc.

The other volunteers become your best friends, and there’s a great feeling of being at home! I would highly recommend the project, but make sure to stay longer than one week — it’s not enough time to fully enjoy being with these amazing animals.

Elise:
We were driven to the VWI office by our own driver, then picked up by a VWI team member. Throughout the week, our taxi driver Totaram was always on time. The food was good, and the host family was very nice. The project staff members were very helpful, and I had no complaints.

I decided to volunteer because I wanted to visit India and work with, and get to know, the beautiful elephants.

I give VWI 10 out of 8 marks. This is a great way to experience India from inside — living with an Indian family, contributing to Indian society, and making friends from all over the world.

Gail:
It was so comforting to find someone waiting for us at the airport with our names on a card. It completely eliminated any worries. Our host family was lovely, and getting to know them was a special part of our stay. The food was delicious.

The tuk-tuk rides gave us a unique chance to see the city waking up in the morning — sights we could never have experienced otherwise. Our driver was always prompt and had a smile on his face. The project staff members were great, and it felt very secure having someone with us at the worksite to explain and interpret things.

We chose to volunteer with VWI because we wanted to be part of the country, not just a tourist. We picked the elephant project because we love animals. I would give the experience a full 10 out of 10.

Stanley:
Our arrival pick-up service was great! Accommodation and food were excellent. They did a great job accommodating my special diet, and the host family was very helpful. Our driver was always punctual, and the project staff members were friendly and supportive.

We chose VWI because it sounded like a well-run organization with great programs. I would give 10 out of 10+++ for the experience. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I would recommend this program to everyone.

Brenda:
Excellent pick-up service. The host family was lovely, and the food was very good. Our transportation service was excellent, and the project staff members were very friendly.

I decided to join the program based on a recommendation from my friend Gail. I would also give 10 out of 10 for the experience. It was very interesting and rewarding to see and share in the care of the elephants alongside the hardworking mahouts.

The project coordinator, Mr. Raj Soni, was very attentive and ensured we were well taken care of. It was a pleasure working with this organization, and yes, I would recommend this program to everyone.

I spent 4 wonderful weeks working on the elephant project. My start was a bit tough due to some baggage problems at Delhi airport, but Sukret was incredibly helpful throughout the whole situation. No matter what happens, just take it easy—you’re in safe hands with VWI.

I’ll admit there were times when everything felt new and overwhelming because of the big cultural differences. Since I was here for 4 weeks, I used my first days to learn how to get around the city. Transportation in India is very affordable, and I managed to visit many tourist spots on weekend sightseeing tours and did a lot of shopping.

The staff members were very kind—they introduced me to their families and took me to various places, which made the experience even more special.

Working with the elephants was truly amazing. On a typical day, I was picked up from the host family at 5:00 a.m. and returned around 8:30 a.m. Most days, I cleaned the elephants’ area, washed and scrubbed the elephants, and prepared food for them. I also had the unique experience of bathing an elephant in the lake. The program coordinator was always with us at the project site, so I never felt alone and always had someone to talk to and answer my questions. This made me feel safe and comfortable.

Overall, I had an amazing time volunteering and would definitely love to visit again. It was hard work, but the elephants are incredible. Everyone I met was very welcoming and sweet.

I would give VWI a big 9 out of 10. The project staff members were fantastic—I couldn’t have wished for better support. It was great communicating with Sukret, who always responded quickly. I’m quite picky with food and don’t like spicy dishes, but the host family was very thoughtful and always made sure there was something I could eat.