On some tours, you’ll find yourself in a cramped bus filled with photo-snapping tourists, but if you’re looking for a more meaningful experience, try something called a reality tour.

The company Global Exchange offers a tour in India that’s actually led by Gandhi’s grandson.

The “Gandhian Legacy” tour visits Gandhi’s home, as well as development cooperatives and grass-roots projects throughout the country.

The Brazilian company Favela Tour gives tourists a glimpse of Rio de Janeiro’s Rocinha district, a slum located near one of the city’s richest areas.

The tour operators hope to change the negative perception of Brazilian slums by putting tourists in contact with the district’s unique way of life.

Lastly, Reality Tours & Travel offers guided tours of the Dharavi district in Mumbai, India, an area known as one of the biggest slum in Asia.

The company is allied with an NGO which provides job training to local residents.

Check out more travel ideas on our Voluntourism page.

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