The Sweven NeerVan · Volunteer Programme

Come for a month.
Leave your mark.

A work exchange programme for people who want to do something real with their hands, live somewhere beautiful, and be part of building something that matters — in the hills above Rishikesh.

What This Is

Work. Live.
Build something.


NeerVan is a boutique retreat venue on a hilltop above Rishikesh, and it is always a work in progress. There are gardens to grow, spaces to build, food to cook, stories to tell, and a community to nurture. We are looking for people who want to be part of that.

In exchange for 4-6 hours of meaningful work each day, you get a place to stay, three meals, and the rest of your time entirely your own, on a hilltop with the Ganga Valley below, surrounded by mountains, in a space that draws interesting people from all over the world.

This is not a job. It is not a holiday either. It is somewhere in between - the kind of experience that tends to show up at the right moment in a person's life.

The Exchange

What you give.
What you get.

A simple, honest exchange. No money changes hands. Your time and skills for a home in the hills.

You bring
⏱️ 4–6 hours of focused work per day, 5-6 days a week
🛠️ A skill you are genuinely good at and willing to apply with care
🤝 A minimum commitment of one month, up to three
🌱 A genuine interest in the place and the people around you
🙂 Flexibility, good humour, and comfort with the pace of mountain life
You receive
🏕️ Accommodation in a shared Swiss Tent, comfortable, with an ensuite, in the heart of the property
🍽️ Three wholesome vegetarian meals every day - the same food served to our staff
🏔️ Free time in one of the most beautiful places in Rishikesh - the valley, the waterfall trail, the mountains
🤲 The satisfaction of leaving a mark on a place - something you built, grew, made, or improved
🌐 A community - guests, facilitators, other volunteers, and the NeerVan team
What We're Looking For

Skills that build a place

🌿
Gardening & Landscaping

Growing food, tending the garden, designing green spaces. NeerVan has land that wants to be shaped by someone who knows plants.

🍳
Cooking & Kitchen

Sattvic vegetarian cooking for guests and residents. If food is your thing - the NeerVan kitchen is a good place to be.

🔨
Building & Carpentry

Furniture, structures, repairs, improvements. There is always something to be built at a property that is still becoming what it wants to be.

🏺
Sculpting & Art

Murals, sculptures, installations, ceramics. We want NeerVan to feel like a place where art lives - not decorates.

📷
Photography & Content

Capturing NeerVan honestly and beautifully. Reels, photography, storytelling. Help us show the world what this place actually feels like.

🧘
Yoga & Wellness

Teaching morning sessions, supporting retreats, bringing a practice to the space. Certified or deeply experienced practitioners welcome.

📱
Social Media & Marketing

Building NeerVan's presence online - content strategy, Instagram, writing. If you can tell stories, this place gives you plenty to work with.

🔧
Property Management

Handling guests & general upkeep. Keeping a hilltop property running requires hands that know how to run & fix things.

A Typical Day

What life looks like


8:00 am

Morning are yours

Breakfast available from 8 am. The terrace, the valley, the birds. Start however you need to.

9:00 am

Work begins

4-6 hours of focused work in your area. Some days are physical. Some are creative. Some are a bit of both.

1:00 pm

Lunch together

A shared meal with the team and whoever else is around. The best conversations at NeerVan happen at the table.

2:00 pm

Afternoon work or rest

Depending on the task and the heat. We are flexible about how the hours are structured.

Evening

Free time

The valley at sunset. A walk to the waterfall. Dinner with the team. The bonfire when it's lit. Whatever you need.

"Days here tend to feel longer — in the best way. There is time to work, to rest, and to think."
What to Expect

Honest about what this is


NeerVan is a working property on a hill above Rishikesh. It is beautiful, genuinely so. It is also a real place with real work to be done. Some of that work is physical. Some of it is patient and repetitive. Some of it will surprise you with how satisfying it is.

You will share a tent with other volunteers if there are any. You will eat vegetarian food every day. You will be far from the centre of Rishikesh - which is part of the point. You will have evenings and mornings that are entirely your own.

The people you meet here - guests, facilitators, the team tend to be interesting. Conversations happen naturally. Something about this place seems to draw people who are in the middle of figuring something out.

If you are looking for a paid job, this is not that. If you are looking for a resort experience, this is not that either. If you are looking for a month (or more) that feels genuinely different - this might be exactly right.

Who finds their way here

Gap year travellers looking for something more meaningful than sightseeing
Artists and makers who want space, time, and a project worth contributing to
People between chapters - jobs, countries, relationships, who need to slow down and do something real
Yoga teachers, wellness practitioners looking to deepen their practice in a natural setting
Digital nomads and content creators who want to base somewhere beautiful while working on something tangible
Anyone drawn to Rishikesh for more than a week's retreat - who wants to actually live here for a while but away from the crowds
The Commitment

Simple, clear terms

📅 1–3 Months minimum / maximum

Minimum one month commitment. Maximum three months per stint. Extensions considered case by case.

⏱️ 4–6 Hours of work per day

5–6 days a week. Structured but flexible around the season and the task at hand.

🌍 All Nationalities welcome

Open to Indian and international volunteers alike. You will need a valid visa to stay in India for the duration.

Apply

Tell us about yourself

We read every application carefully. We are not looking for a perfect CV, we are looking for the right person. Tell us who you are, what you are good at, and what draws you here.

If shortlisted, we will reach out within 5 days for a brief call. We want to make sure this is the right fit for both of us before anyone commits.

1
Fill the application (takes about 10 minutes)
2
We review and respond within 5 days
3
A short call to say hello and confirm the fit
4
Arrival date confirmed. You show up. We get to work.
Volunteer Application

We respond to every application. You will hear from us within 5 days.

Questions

What people ask

Is this paid?
No. This is a work exchange - your time and skills in exchange for accommodation and all meals. No money changes hands in either direction.
Can international volunteers apply?
Yes. We welcome volunteers from anywhere in the world. You will need to ensure you have a valid visa that permits you to stay in India for the duration of your volunteer period.
What does the accommodation look like?
Volunteers stay in a shared Swiss Tent - the same tent accommodation we offer to guests. It has an attached ensuite washroom and is comfortable. You will share with other volunteers if there are any at the same time.
What kind of food is served?
All meals are vegetarian - wholesome, freshly cooked, food. The same meals served to all our staff. Three meals a day, every day.
How far is NeerVan from Rishikesh town?
About 10 km from Tapovan, which is the main hub of Rishikesh. We are up in the hills - accessible but not central. A scooter or shared taxi is useful if you want to get into town on your free time.
Can I come with a specific project in mind?
Yes - in fact, this is ideal. If you have something specific you want to build, create, or improve at NeerVan, tell us in your application. The best volunteer stints tend to have a clear project at the centre.
What if I want to extend beyond 3 months?
Extensions beyond 3 months are considered on a case by case basis. If things are going well and the project warrants it, we are open to discussing longer arrangements.
I have more than one skill - can I contribute across areas?
Absolutely. Tell us everything you can do in your application. Most of our best volunteers end up contributing across several areas - that is usually when the most interesting work happens.
Ready to build something?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The sooner you apply, the better.
Sweven NeerVan

A boutique retreat space for artists, writers, meditators, and wandering souls. Perched above the Ganga Valley, Rishikesh — where time slows down and you remember who you are.

Location

  • NeerVan, near Neer Dangoo
  • Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
  • 249192, India
  • View on Maps →
© 2026 The Sweven NeerVan. All rights reserved. Made with care in Rishikesh 🏔️