Frequently Asked Questions
What if the trip I want to go on has no scheduled departures on the date I want to travel?
No problem! Almost all of our trips enable you to set your own departure dates if there are two or more of you booking. What's more, even if there is just yourself booking, we can run a trip for you outside of our scheduled dates, although a supplement generally applies.
How far in advance do I have to book?
For most trips, booking 2-3 months in advance is sufficient, but a lot depends on the time of year and whether it is peak season in your chosen destination. We will do our utmost to ensure that you can get on a trip, and will even run a second trip if your group is full, but encourage you to book as far in advance as possible.
What are the ways to pay, and by when do I have to pay?
You can pay by credit card online or bank transfer (or by cheque if you live in the UK or New Zealand and there is more than 60 days before your trip is due to commence). Paying by credit card incurs a 3.5% surcharge. You can pay with a 20% deposit to secure your booking, with the balance due 60 days prior to your trip start-date.
What is the minimum number required to guarantee that a trip will depart?
For almost all our trips, we require just two people to book and then the trip is guaranteed. In fact, with two or more people, you can choose your own departure date! What's more, even if you are travelling on your own, and you are the first person to book a trip, you can choose to pay the 'single supplement' and guarantee that the trip will go ahead.
Can you tailor-make a trip for me?
Absolutely! We love to create trips that meet your exact requirements. You can read more about this by clicking here.
How are the Volunteer Projects selected?
Our Volunteer Projects have been sourced through consultation with the local communities to identify in which ways a small group of foreigners without necessarily any specific skills could be of benefit to them.
I live in a city, how on earth can I help people in disadvantaged communities in a hands-on way?
With a positive attitude, yes! If you are able bodied or can speak conversational English, you will be amazed at how much you can do to make a difference in the lives of others in a short period of time. And, as the following answer shows, even your urban professional skills are able to be utilised with certain Community Development organisations!
I do have expertise (such as medical, engineering, construction, teaching, and IT) – can I use these skills in the Volunteer components of the tour?
In your registration form, you will be asked if you have any specific skills, and wherever possible, we will strive to ensure that you can put these togood use if you so desire. On occasion, even marketing, accounting and IT skills can be of great benefit to certain organisations.
Are international flights included in the price?
No, but because we are ATOL licensed, we can arrange these for you as well. If your trip involves domestic flights, then these are generally included.
Is my payment protected after I book and before I leave?
Yes. If your trip contains a flight component (either international or domestic) you are covered by our ATOL bond. If your trip does not contain a flight element, then your funds are safe in a client trust account.
Will I be safe?
Your safety is a primary concern for us, and we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that you are safe. We only go to areas with excellent track records for safety. However, no trip can be guaranteed to be one hundred per cent safe, and each guest must recognise that travel to developing countries is, in general, less safe than travel to developed countries.
What if I get sick?
Our pre-trip information pack will provide you with how to minimise the risk of falling ill, and our guides will also brief you on hygiene. Additionally, we strongly encourage you to take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover the event that you fall ill. This coverage should certainly include all medical-related expenses, and emergency air lifts where required.
If I am building a house, will it get completed in the time I am there?
The time allocated to building a house on each trip is expected to be sufficient to build a house when its foundations are already laid.
However, delays can occur, which could result in the house not being completed during the Community Development component of the trip.
Will someone pick me up from the airport?
Yes. This is included in the price. You will be met on arrival by one of our staff, who will transfer you to your accommodation. You will also be transferred to the airport at the conclusion of your trip (this is also included in the price).
Can you arrange accommodation for me on the nights immediately prior to and after my tour?
Yes, gladly. Please indicate on your booking form that you would like this, and upon payment of the additional cost, this will be booked for you at the hotel where your tour begins or ends.
Where do I meet my tour guide and the rest of my group?
You will be given detailed information on exactly where your tour will commence. Generally this will be at a hotel. If you are arriving the day before your tour begins, the simplest option is to be transferred to the hotel from where your tour commences.
Wherever possible, we will arrange a welcome drink at a nearby bar the evening before your trip commences to meet your fellow travellers.
Do I have to share a room with another group member?
Yes, unless you pay for a single supplement, which is available on most trips. Sharing a room will be with someone of the same sex.
Are there special dietary allowances, e.g. for vegetarians?
We will strive to meet any dietary requirements you may have, and will ask you to declare these on your booking form.
However, please bear in mind that your choice of meals may be considerably lower than what you are accustomed to in your home country.
Can I assist at a project for an extended period after my tour finishes?
Should you wish to assist for, say, one month after your tour, we can assist you with this, however is it not always possible and ultimately is the decision of the Community Development project itself. Additionally, there may be legal and visa restrictions on Community Development for longer than the amount of time contained in our trips, and these are your responsibility to arrange, as are changes to flight and other bookings.
Why is a police report required for some Volunteer Projects?
The safety of the people in the communities in which we care doing Community Development work is of major importance to us. Where the project involves significant time with children, one way of minimising the risk to children is to the require a police report. If the police report reveals that there is a misconduct relating to children, the individual will not be permitted to participate in our tours.
Is there a minimum age?
People under 18 need to be accompanied by their parent or guardian.
Is there a maximum age?
No, but we do encourage you to be guided by the Activity Level rating, and for our more physical trips, you may be required to submit a medical certificate if you are over 60.
Are any tours suitable for families, and if so, which ones?
We agree with our customers that our tours are life changing experiences, and that whole families can be transformed on a Hands Up holiday. However, not all projects are suitable, nor are our more physically demanding tours (such as in Peru, Vietnam (cycling), Lombok, Borneo).
We feel that the most appropriate projects are environmental ones, and those that involve teaching in schools or repair and maintenance work of orphanages, because your children can benefit from the interaction with the local children.
Environmental Community Development Project Destinations:
- Vietnam 'Vietnamese Venture'
- Guatemala 'Mayans and Mountains'
- Argentina 'Northern Explorer - in Style'
- Brazil 'Soaking up Salvador'
- Mexico 'Yucatan Explorer'
- Turkey 'Turkish Delight'
- India - 'Sunderbans Smiles' - Named 'Ultimate Eco-Trip in The Observer'!
- Australia 'Remote Queensland'
- New Zealand 'Southern Encounter'
- China 'Home of the Giant Pandas'
Repair and Renovation Community Development Project Destinations:
- Fiji 'Homes of Hope'
- Vanuatu 'Big Island Explorer' and 'Islands and Volcanoes'
- China 'Eastern Explorer'
- Vietnam 'Vietnamese Venture'
- Mexico 'Yucatan Explorer'
- Morocco 'Taste of Morocco' and 'Minarets and Mountains'
- India 'Taste of India' and Ultimate India
- Ukraine 'Ukrainian Encounter'
- Romania 'A Touch of Dracula'
View an introduction to what Hands Up Holidays is all about.
A mini-documentary about a Hands Up Holiday in Fiji
Watch a TV news clip about the launch of Hands Up Holidays