Israel – Desert Eco-Village

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Israel or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

 

Help maintain an eco-village in the stunning desert! Volunteers will help care for resort guests and have a unique eco-experience.

Program Highlights:

  • Gain experience in the hospitality field
  • Learn how to live in an eco-friendly way in a desert
  • Enjoy the serenity and uniqueness of the desert
  • Tour and sightseeing in Tel Aviv provided upon arrival
  • Add on trips to the Dead Sea, the Old City in Jerusalem and more

 

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum two-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV). Volunteers will make their own way to their hostel accommodations in Tel Aviv. Orientation, including a walking tour of Tel Aviv, is provided on this day.

Day 2, Monday: Volunteers will travel by bus from Tel Aviv to the eco-village (bus ticket included in program cost). Volunteers will be picked up and taken to the reserve for an introduction and orientation to the village and program.

Days 3-4, Wednesday-Thursday: Rewarding volunteer work at the eco-village. Volunteer tasks include preparing guest cabins, gardening, assisting with preparation of meals and renovating mud structures, when needed.

Days 5-6, Friday-Saturday: All volunteers have Fridays and Saturdays off to rest or explore.

Day 7, Sunday: Continuation of volunteer work at the eco-village.

Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of working Sunday-Thursday and having Fridays and Saturdays free. Departures are on a Monday.

Check out what our past volunteers had to say!

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Tzukim 1.5 hours north of Eilat, Israel

Project length Project length: Minimum 2 weeks – Maximum 10 weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Tel Aviv (TLV)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work:  Hospitality work with opportunity to assist with mud construction, as needed.

Age Age:  18 – 35

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Up to 2 international volunteers

Important Note Important Note: The conditions in the desert are extreme, so volunteers must be prepared for the harsh climate.

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Beduin style tents and mud huts

Food Food: Provisions for cooking (only breakfast is included on orientation day)

Orientation Orientation: Orientation, including a walking tour of Tel Aviv, is provided upon arrival.

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

Flights, travel health insurance, round trip airport transfer to Tel Aviv and back from the project (budget around $40), personal expenses, visa (if applicable).

Located in the heart of the Negev desert is this eco-friendly village. The resort has an uninterrupted view of the Arava desert landscape: to the west is Wadi Tzofar with its overhanging cliffs and to the east are the red mountains of Edom, Jordan. The landscape of the region was formed by earth movements along the great Syrian-African rift valley and then by the effects of sun, wind, and water over millions of years. Nature has a powerful presence here, radiating both strength and tranquility. Comfortable transportation by bus on the Arava road will take you to Eilat, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

 

This unique eco-lodge resort is built completely by hand and from mud and local materials. The resort was created by a young family to fulfill the principles of simplistic living and close contact to the earth. Guests from around the world and within Israel, enjoy this stunning place while learning about and experiencing sustainable living.

After 10 years of hard work to build the resort, help is now needed with the hospitality aspect of caring for the guests. There is a team of three, young Israelis who would love to have your company and help, mostly with cleaning and cooking for our guests. From time to time, there is also mud work to be done, such as creating decorative sculptures, renovating existing structures or building new benches, etc.

Orientation (included): Orientation will take place in Tel Aviv on Sunday upon arrival.

  • Volunteer preparation and travel directions to the program
  • Expert advice for traveling in Israel during and after your volunteer placement
  • Walking tour of Tel Aviv

 

During your time in the eco-village, you will work closely with staff to care for resort guests. You work may include:

  • Preparing clean guest cabins
  • Gardening
  • Assisting with preparation of meals
  • Renovation of mud structures, as needed

 

A typical day: Volunteers are expected to work 6-7 hours per day / 5 days per week. Work usually finishes around 7pm. You will be able to gaze at the stars during the evening and chat around the campfire.

Holidays: Please note that the months of September and October contain several holidays that may affect your trip. Please speak with your placement coordinator for details.

Internet icon Internet: There is free WifFi available onsite.

Laundry icon Laundry: Washing machines are available for your use.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: The volunteers and permanent staff have their own “little resort,” built from wood and rugs, where they can relax. You will stay in rustic, Bedouin-style huts for 1 – 2 people, furnished with mattresses, linens, wood burning heaters and fans (no AC). Facilities include a communal living room, equipped kitchen, shared bathrooms with Western-style toilets and hot showers, and an outdoor fireplace. During non-working hours, you can relax by the pool, which is cold in summer time and heated during winter time.

Food icon Food: Groceries are provided for cooking. There is a gas station about a 15-minute walk from the resort if you wish to purchase snacks.

 

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

  • Minimum age 18, maximum age 35
  • Conversational English
  • Good physical fitness
  • Strong work ethic
  • Motivation to do physically demanding work
  • Able to work in harsh desert climate
  • Highly independent

 

You should note that the project is located in an isolated part of the desert, so most contact is with other volunteers and a few travelers in the area. You should be an independent person who enjoys the quiet and beauty of nature.

Additionally, please note that the desert climate is very extreme and you will need to cope with wind, dust and heat. During the summer months, the temperature and environment can get quite harsh.

After work hours, volunteers can enjoy this unique desert region, relax by the eco-pool, and just chill out under the stars.
You can also join yoga lessons once a week at the resort.
You will have two days off per week to explore other regions of Israel. Hiking in the desert nearby is beautiful, and comfortable transportation by bus will take you to the Red Sea in Eilat, the Dead Sea and Ramon Crator, all within 1-2 hours.

Check out a list of tours you can join for an additional fee, here.

Volunteer Experiences

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