Hands Up small group voluntourism trips 2013

Luxury travel with a transforming touch

2013 Collection

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Luxury travel with a transforming touch

Introduction "Welcome to our inaugural collection of fixed date adventures. The trips you will discover in this brochure are to meet the demand we have from clients who enjoy traveling with others, and want to make a positive impact as part of a group of like-minded travelers, and are happy to participate in a fixed itinerary.

For most of these trips, six participants is all we need to make the trip happen – so why not ask friends or work colleagues to join you?

I founded Hands Up Holidays to give you the opportunity to not only see amazing sights, but also to have authentic interaction with local people and give something back in a “hands on” way to local communities through a taste of volunteering. Now you can have these experiences as part of a small group!"

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Table of Contents 2013 Luxury Voluntourism Small Group Adventures

Americas 10 16

Guatemala Peru

Africa 28 40

Morocco South Africa

Asia 52 62 72 80

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Bali, Indonesia Cambodia India Nepal

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Tour Summaries Americas

GUATEMALA Start Dates: November 17 & December 7, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 8 Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Building a home Accommodation comfort level: 4/5* Activity level: 4/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$2,550 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$720

Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Guatemala, transfer to Antigua (D) Day 2 Morning Antigua tour & afternoon Pacaya volcano hike (B,L,D) Day 3-7 Volunteering - House building (B,L,D) Day 8 Transfer to Guatemala City airport (B)

PERU Start Dates: August 2 & December 10, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 6 Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Building a home Accommodation comfort level: 5/5* Activity level: 4/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$2,967 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$895

Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Lima, dinner & briefing (D) Day 2 Fly to Cusco, city tour (B) Day 3 Day trip to Machu Picchu (B,L) Day 4-7 Volunteering: Building a home (B,L) Day 8 Free day in Cusco (B) Day 9 Sacred Valley tour (B,L) Day 10 Transfer to the airport, flight home (B)

Africa

MOROCCO

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Start Dates: September 5 & December 22, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 6 Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Building a library at an impoverished school Accommodation comfort level: 4/5* Activity level: 5/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$3,479 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$1,650

Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Marrakesh, transfer to riad (D) Day 2 Marrakesh City tour (B,L) Day 3 Travel to High Atlas Mountains (B,L,D) Day 4-6 Volunteering: building a library (B,L,D) Day 7 Atlas Mountains, free day (B,L,D) Day 8 Travel to Essaouira, check-in (B) Day 9 Essaouira free day Day 10 Transfer to Marrakech Airport

SOUTH AFRICA Start Dates: August 18 & December 15, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 8 Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Renovations and teaching Accommodation comfort level: 4/5* Activity level: 4/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$3,985 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$1,190 Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Cape Town in morning, check-in, City & Table Mountain Tour Day 2 Wine tasting tour of Stellenbosch & Franschoek (B,L) Day 3 Cape Peninsula bike tour & penguins (B,L) Day 4-6 Volunteering: renovation & teaching (B,L) Day 7 Free day (B) Day 8 Fly to Jo'burg, transfer to Madikwe Game Reserve, check-in & afternoon safari (B,D) Day 9 Morning and afternoon game drives (B,L,D)

Asia BALI

Day 10 Morning game drive, transfer to Jo'burg, fly home (B) call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

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Start Dates: July 9 and November 3, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 6 Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Installing a bathroom for a disabled person Accommodation comfort level: 5/5* Activity level: 4/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$2,730 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$985

Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Bali, transfer to Ubud, check-in & welcome dinner (D) Day 2 Private guided tour of Bali (B,L) Day 3 Morning free, afternoon artisan workshop tour (B,L,D) Day 4-7 Giving back - installing a bathroom for a disabled person (B,L) Day 8 Morning free, transfer to Sanur (B) Day 9 Free day - choose from rafting, cooking class, mountain biking or spa treatment (included in the trip price) (B,L) Day 10 Free until transfer to the airport (B)

CAMBODIA Start Dates: October 20 & December 1, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 6 Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Building a home Accommodation comfort level: 5/5* Activity level: 4/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$2,498 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$920

Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Siem Reap, check-in (D) Day 2 Tour Angkor Temple Complex (B,L,D) Day 3 Tour temples and land-mine museum (B,L,D) Day 4-7 Build a house for a needy family (B,L,D) Day 9 Ton Le Sap Lake, floating villages & bird sanctuary (B,L,D) Day 10 Artisan tour then flight home (B,L)

Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Building a home Accommodation comfort level: 4/5* Activity level: 4/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$1,890 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$645 Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Delhi, check-in Day 2 Sightseeing tour in Delhi (B) Day 3-6 Volunteering - house building Day 7 Drive to Agra, Taj Mahal & Agra Fort tour, check-in (B) Day 8 Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri, checkin (B) Day 9 Jaipur City tour (B) Day 10 Drive to Delhi's international airport to connect with your flight home (B)

NEPAL Start Dates: October 10 & November 17, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 6 Maximum Number of Participants: 16 Giving back project: Building a house Accommodation comfort level: 3/5* (1/5* whilst trekking and volunteering) Activity level: 5/5 Price per person, excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person: US$2,185 Single Room Supplement (extra amount to pay if you would like a room on your own, instead of sharing): US$590

Day by day itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, check-in (D) Day 2 Kathmandu city tour (B) Day 3 Begin trekking, to Chisapani (B,L,D) Day 4 Trek to Nagarkot, check-in (B,L) Day 5 4WD drive to Gorkha (B,L,D) Day 6-9 Volunteering - house building (B,L,D) Day 10 Drive back to Kathmandu (B,L) Day 11 Free day in Kathmandu (B) Day 12 Transfer to the airport, flight home (B)

INDIA Start Dates: October 25 & December 29, 2013 Minimum Number of Participants: 6 info@handsupholidays.com

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Americas

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Your Guatemalan Adventure That Counts 8 days / 7 nights (17th November & 7th December, 2013) Price per person US$2,550*Â info@handsupholidays.com

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* (excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Day 1:

(-,-,D)

GUATEMALA CITY - ANTIGUA You are met at Guatemala City Airport and then transferred to Antigua, located 30 miles to the Southwest, on a scenic route that takes approximately 45 minutes. Both Guatemala City and Antigua are located at 5,000 feet above sea level, and at some points the road reaches 7,000 feet above sea level. So, you may notice some shortness of breath if you decide to exert yourself.

Overnight stay at the Hotel Antigua

Day 2:

(B,L,D)

ANTIGUA Morning City Tour of Antigua: Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which has managed to preserve the ambiance of the Spanish Colonial Empire of the 17th Century.

This former capital was badly damaged in the 1773 earthquake, and the Spanish Crown ordered the Capital moved to a new city, which is now called Guatemala City. As a result, in

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1776, Antigua (at that time called Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala) was ordered abandoned. Not everyone left, but overnight it was transformed from a bustling capital to a provincial town, filled with the ruins of former glory. It became known as "Antigua Guatemala", meaning "Old Guatemala".

Our visit includes the city´s beautiful plazas, convents, churches and historic highlights.

In the afternoon, we are transferred to the Pacaya Volcano National Park located 40 miles to the Southeast. The Pacaya is an active volcano; its summit is at 9,000 feet above sea

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level. The climb starts at about 6,800 feet and it takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach the peak.

The views are incredibly beautiful here.

homes become the foundation for building a community.

Overnight stay at the Hotel Antigua

Day 3-7:

(B,BL,D)

ANTIGUA

You get to meet and interact with the families that will benefit from your contribution and feel great about the difference you are able to make in their lives.

Overnight stay at the Hotel Antigua Today begins your local immersion, as you spend time making a difference to a local community. In the poorest areas of highland Guatemala, improper building materials, a lack of appropriate resources, and unsustainable architecture turn houses to foul rubble in the blink of an eye. Many families live in makeshift homes that are constructed of nothing more than cornstalk or cardboard walls with dirt floors. Decrepit housing quashes hope, fuels health problems, and destroys family unity.

Day 8:

(B,-,-)

ANTIGUA - GUATEMALA CITY Transfer from Antigua to Guatemala City Airport.

FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

In contrast, improving living conditions begin with flourishing homes and thriving communities. You have the opportunity to help the poorest of Guatemalan families to build houses making them strong, safe, culturally appropriate, and affordable to maintain. These

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Wishing you a wonderful Adventure That Counts!

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CONDITIONS Your trip price does not include: ✓ Accommodation 07 nights as specified ✓ Meals as indicated in itinerary (B =Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) ✓ Ground and boat (Lake Atitlan) transfers ✓ Tours as specified with professional bilingual guide ✓ All admissions ✓ A $500 per person donation to volunteer organization A.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

✓ Personal Expenses (telephone, laundry, etc.) ✓ Tips for guides, driver, hotel staff, etc. ✓ All flight tickets ✓ Beverages ✓ International flights ✓ Visas

B.

 Travel insurance is compulsory (we

recommend insurance with a medical evacuation clause); we can help you with this.  Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

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Your trip price does not include:

CONFIRMATIONS:

✓ No services are booked yet. We will not process reservation before receiving your reservation request. ✓ We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

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Your Peruvian Adventure That Counts 10 days / 9 nights (2nd August & 10th December, 2013) Price per person US$2,967* info@handsupholidays.com

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* (excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Day 1:

(-,-,-)

LIMA You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is spent at leisure.

Day 2:

(B,-,-)

LIMA - CUSCO After a buffet breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Here you will be met and taken to your hotel. The city is at an elevation of around 3,400m (11,200ft), which may cause you to experience some shortness of breath on exertion. Make sure you stay well hydrated to assist with the acclimatization process.

City tour & ruins Today, we visit the amazing colonial city built on the foundations of the Inca palaces.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores

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Cuzco was the capital of the Inca Empire (13th century-1532) and many believe that the city was planned as an effigy in the shape of a puma, a sacred animal. According to Inca legend, the city was built by Sapa Inca Pachacuti, the man who transformed the Kingdom of Cuzco from a sleepy city-state into the vast empire of Tahuantinsuyu.

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Visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, to appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodwork, altars and paintings.

the local artisans creating wonderful silver pieces, paintings and wood carvings.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 3:

(B,L,-)

CUSCO After a buffet breakfast you are taken to the train station for the scenic journey on the Vistadome train to the infamous city of Machu Picchu.

Then, you are driven to the Inca fortress of Sacsahuamán. Explore the underground cave and temple of Kenko which has fantastic panoramic views. Visit Tambomachay, known as the Baths of the Inca. Finally, we stop at the living art workshop “ Inka´s Expression”. Admire

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Arrive at the Aguas Calientes Station in MachuPicchu where you are transported by bus to the top of the mountain and citadel of MachuPicchu. This is one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture, surrounded by lush cloud forest. Lost in history, it was not rediscovered until 1911 by the American explorer Hiram Bingham.

After building up an appetite on a guided visit of the ruins, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before returning to Cusco by train.

opportunity to make a big difference and begin your immersion into the local culture.

Unfortunately in this community, many people are in great need of help with the means to provide education and at times even food for their children.

Meet the local representatives who will coordinate the volunteer activities and show you around the area to get you familiar with the location.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 4:

(B,L,-)

CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO After a delicious breakfast, you leave the hotel and travel 12Km (30 minutes) from Cusco to the village of Chocco. This is where you have an

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Assist at a local school where you will help to improve the educational environment for children. You will be organized into small teams and given time sensitive refurbishment tasks to perform.

After working alongside local people enjoy lunch in the community (lunch box).

In the afternoon, you return to Cusco to rest or explore at your leisure. Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 5:

In the afternoon, you return to Cusco to rest or explore at your leisure. Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 6:

(B,L,-)

CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO After repairing the leeks and painting the walls of the class rooms it is time to get to work in the kitchen and dining area. Your funds will help to provide stove, pots, mugs, etc, whilst your refurbishment efforts will go toward making it a more pleasant place to eat.

(B,L,-)

CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO Continue with your refurbishment activities such as painting or cleaning, while some can start changing the roof on some of the school rooms. Stopping the leaks and clean bright new walls will provide a far more congenial environment for studying!

You will have deserved your lunch (lunch box) and will no doubt have made new friends to share in the experience.

After lunch (lunch box), you will assist with the installation of gutters to collect the rain water to reduce the amount of mud the children must trudge through and assist with the sustainability of the structure.

Later in the afternoon, you return to Cusco to rest or explore at your leisure. Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 7:

(B,L,-)

CUSCO - CHOCCO - CUSCO Today, you finish your activities and hand over your work to the children in a special ceremony.

It is your opportunity for you to play with children and spend a wonderful day with the youths that will be benefiting from your generous assistance.

Following lunch (lunch box), return to the hotel, after having shared an unforgettable and memorable experience in this little part of the Peruvian Andes.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

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Day 8:

(B,-,-)

CUSCO Today is free at leisure. You may choose to go white-water rafting, do a day hike, go mountain biking, shopping, or explore some of Cusco’s fine museums.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 9:

(B,L,-)

CUSCO Early in the morning, following a buffet breakfast you are transferred to Ollantaytambo, an Inca vestige that was a military, religious and agricultural center.

At the top of the mountain you will discover a fortress designed to protect the valley from invaders. The view of Ollantaytambo from this location is overwhelming; narrow streets and water channels are still used by the locals.

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After lunch at a local restaurant, we continue on to Pisac, a beautiful town famous for its traditional handicraft market, full of color and tradition.

Overnight stay at Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco

Day 10:

(B,-,-)

CUSCO Buffet breakfast. At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to take the flight.

FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

Wishing you a wonderful Adventure That Counts!

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CONDITIONS Your trip price includes:

Your trip price does not include:

✓ All transfers and excursions are inclusive of local English speaking guide. ✓ Accommodation and meals mentioned in the tour description ✓ Drinks only if stated on the tour description ✓ Taxes ✓ Tourist tickets and entrance fees ✓ Service charge at the hotels as well luggage handling fee at the airports, stations and hotels based on one piece of luggage per passenger

✓ Airfares and airport-taxes which are quoted separately ✓ Personal expenses ✓ Extras at the hotels ✓ Drinks during meals (if not mentioned on the tour descriptions) ✓ Tips to the guides, drivers and waitress (if not specified on the tour description) ✓ Visas

VOLUNTEERING RECOMMENDATIONS VOLUNTEERING INCLUSIONS

✓ Volunteering donation $510 per person ✓ Escort in the required language and a local host (Not tour guide) ✓ Picnic or box lunch ✓ Tools, materials and components as required to complete the school improvements

A.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 Travel insurance is compulsory (we

recommend insurance with a medical evacuation clause); we can help you with this.  Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.  Luggage policy on train to Machu Picchu one 5 kg/ bag 11 lb B.

✓ Trainers or walking shoes ✓ Light clothing during the day when it is hot and a waterproof jacket in case of rain (especially between October and April) ✓ Camera, torch and binoculars. ✓ Water bottle, sunscreen and hat or cap (the sun is fierce at high altitude and we will spend a good part of the day in the sun). ✓ Gloves to work because the activity can be hard for your hands

62 inches/157 cm

(length, width and height)

CONFIRMATIONS:

✓ No services are booked yet. We will not process reservation before receiving your reservation request. ✓ We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

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ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS You can choose one or more of these alternatives to further help the school in Chocco (rates will be per group): Item for donation

Amount

Food (milk, rice, sugar, beans, etc)

US$ 100

School kits (notebook, pencil, crayons)

US$ 100

Furniture (book shelves, desks)

US$ 300

Note: You will receive a certificate for all donations

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Africa Africa

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Your Moroccan Adventure That Counts 10 days / 9 nights (5th September & 22nd December, 2013) Price per person US$3,479*

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* (Excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Day 1: (-,-,D)

Day 2: (B,-,D)

MARRAKECH Upon arrival at Marrakech airport you are met by your local English speaking guide and transferred to your riad Dar Silsila (a traditional Moroccan home that has been converted into a boutique hotel).

MARRAKECH After breakfast, you have a full day tour in this wonderful city. Known as the "Ochre City", Marrakech is the most important former imperial city in Morocco's history. Marrakech is the capital of the mid-southwestern economic region of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz, near the foothills of the snowcapped Atlas Mountains. It is also the fourth largest city in Morocco.

You have a welcome dinner in a restaurant near the Djeema el Fna, Marrakech’s magical main square that comes to life at night with snake charmers, musicians, and acrobats, filling it with a cacophony of drumbeats and excited shouts.

Scores of stalls sell a wide array of Moroccan fare, and the fresh orange juice is fantastic.

Enjoy the various shows, but be prepared to give some dirhams to watch.

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Like many Moroccan cities, the city of Marrakech comprises both an old fortified city (the médina) and modern neighborhoods.

Marrakech has the largest souk (traditional market) in Morocco. A fabulous place to while away the time and practice your bartering skills.

There is much to see and do in Marrakech. An entire day can be dedicated to wandering around

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all the different souks, seeking out the best bargains. The city also offers several historical and architectural sites as well as some interesting museums.

The souks just adjacent to Place Djemaa El-Fna, are where you can buy almost anything. From spices to shoes, jellabas to kaftans, tea pots to tagine dishes and much, much more.

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Undoubtedly, being a foreigner means you will end up paying higher prices than a native would, but be sure to bargain nonetheless. It is after all a a game designed so that everyone feels like they got a good deal and very much part of the fun.

If you happen to run out of dirhams, you will also find plenty of people in the souks who will eagerly exchange your dollars or euros (though

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a fair rate here is less likely than at an official exchange). All that said, the sellers here are much less aggressive than say, Egypt or Turkey, so enjoy!

Koutoubia Mosque, right besides Djemaa El-Fna, is named after the booksellers market that used to be located here. It is said that the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque is to Marrakech as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The minaret is visible from Gueliz which is connected to the MĂŠdina by Avenue Mohammed V. At night, the mosque is beautifully lit.

tombs of Jews and Christians; they are noted by their different markings and direction of the tomb.

The Majorelle Gardens provide an excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. The park boasts a collection of plants from across the globe, including what appears like every cactus species on the planet. The Museum of Islamic Art (additional entrance fee) is also situated in the gardens.

Saadian Tombs were not discovered until the beginning of the 20th century. They have been preserved just like they were during the glory days of the Saadian rulers. Unlike the El Badi Palace, they were not destroyed, probably for superstitious reasons. The entrance was blocked so they remained untouched for hundreds of years.

Dar Si SaĂŻd Museum, on Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid, is located 5 mins away from Djemaa El-Fna. Set in an old palace, it houses Moroccan artifacts, such as wood carvings, musical instruments, and weapons, along with carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics. These artifacts are all regional.

They come from Marrakech and the southern regions, especially common are objects from Tensift, High Atlas, Soussthe, Anti Atlas, Bani, and Tafilal.

Inside you will notice an abundance of Zelij (Moroccan tiles) and other beautiful decorations.

It doesn't take a lot of time to explore, but it is definitely worth the visit. While here, look for the

The Ben Youssef Madrassa is one of the largest madrassas in the North Africa. It is a school attached to the Ben Youssef Mosque and is home to beautiful art and architecture.

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The beautiful and ornate El Bahia Palace is popular with both guided tours and stray cats.

The palace gives a great impression of what it must have been like to be a 19th century nobleman in Morocco. There is a gorgeous garden with tranquil courtyards steeped in banana flowers, and other lovely plants.

The ruins of the El Badi Palace are now a refuge for storks and the ever present stray cats.

However, there are some fun underground passageways to explore and the view from the terrace is majestic.

The Menara gardens, located west of the city, consist of a mixture of orchards and olive groves surrounding a central pavilion. The pavilion was built during the 16th century Saadi dynasty, and renovated in 1869. It has a small café where you can enjoy some of the ubiquitous mint tea.

Overnight stay at your riad Dar Silsila

Day 3: (B,L,D)

MARRAKECH -ATLAS MOUNTAINS

You have the morning free, to enjoy a spa treatment, relax or go shopping in the souk.

After lunch we travel to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where you are welcomed by the local community, and check-in to your hotel.

Dinner is at your hotel Oliveraie de Marigha.

Day 4-6:

(B,L,D)

GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY The next three days promise to be the most rewarding, and will create memories that will endure long after the trip has finished – enjoy your time working alongside locals constructing the very first library for this small community school.

Books still play a vital role in the education of the children in this impoverished region, especially as they lack access to reliable internet connection, and a library will help to grow the prospects of these children. It is thanks to your donation (included in the trip price) and your time working hands-on

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that their thirst for more information can be realized.

It is a wonderful way to get to know the local inhabitants, share stories and laughs, gain insights into each others’ way if life, and experience the culture and bond together as a group, as you all pitch to get the library built.

Your giving back days run from 9am to 4pm each day, with a two hour lunch from 12pm to 2pm.

You have the late afternoons and evenings free to explore this gorgeous area.

Chamonix', set way up in the Western High Atlas Mountains.

Our route to Imlil takes us past the Berber villages of Tahmoute, with its traditional horse and donkey-drawn ploughs, Ougmadane, with its old kasbahs, and finally the road winds through the kasbahs of Tamadout.

At Imlil, we leave our vehicle to enjoy a welcome glass of mint tea or coffee on the river bank prior to setting out along rocky mule tracks, through the Berber village of Tamatert

Overnight stay at the hotel Oliveraie de Marigha.

Day 7:

(B,-,D)

ATLAS MOUNTAINS-MARRAKECH Today you get to explore the Atlas Mountains, with a day hike. We begin by driving along a breathtaking road to the Berber town of Imlil (1,740m, 5,220ft), called Morocco's 'Little

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(1,830m, 5,490ft) and up to Tizi n'Tamatert (2,262m, 6,786ft) (around 2 hours).

This is a great vantage spot and you can marvel at the splendid panorama of the peaks and valleys that surround Imlil.

From here we hike to the foot of Jebel Aksouâl and on to Ouanskhra (2,100m, 6,300ft). Continue along the beautiful Imenane Valley, in the upper foothills of Oukaïmeden, passing through the little Berber hamlets of Tamgisste, Tinerhourine and Ikiss (around 2 hours), where we shall picnic on a river bank surrounded by walnut trees.

After lunch we ascend to the Tizi n'Aguensiouâl (1,938m, 5,814ft) until we reach the Berber village of Aguensiouâl (1,600m, 4,800ft) where we shall rejoin our vehicle to take us back over the Tizi n'Techt to Marrakech by around 7 in the evening.

Overnight stay at your riad Dar Silsila

Day 8: (B,-,-)

MARRAKECH-ESSAOUIRA After breakfast we head to the coast, for a

Mohammed Ben Abdallah encouraged Moroccan Jews to settle in the town and handle the trade with Europe. Jews once comprised 40% of the population, and the Jewish quarter, or mellah, contain many old synagogues. The town also has a large Jewish cemetery. The city flourished until the caravan trade died, outmoded by direct European trade with sub-Saharan Africa.

The Medina of Essaouira (formerly "Mogador") is a UNESCO World Heritage listed city, as an example of a late 18th century fortified town.

The medina is home to many small arts and crafts businesses, notably cabinet making and 'thuya' woodcarving (using roots of the Tetraclinis tree), both of which have been practiced in Essaouira for centuries.

couple of days to enjoy the beach and the charming old town of Essaouira.

The white and blue city of Essaouira invites you to walk and discover the delights inside its walls, and along the harbor.

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The fishing harbor remains rather small, as a result of a long standing competition with Agadir and Safi. However, the coastal upwelling generated by the powerful trade winds means the catches (sardines, conger eels) are surprisingly abundant and Essaouira remains one of the major fishing harbors of Morocco.

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The strong winds that prevail in Essaouira make it ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing if that is your thing (not suited for beginners).

The nearby town of Diabat is at the other end of Essaouira's beach, and is allegedly where Jimi Hendrix once spent some time. Even if the stories aren't true, this long, windswept beach with its ruined fort is a fantastic walk. Diabat is an empty, concrete Berber village that is practically devoid of attractions except for the Hendrix ruin and a Hendrix Cafe. It's best visited in the early morning by taxi and then return to Essaouira via a short walk on the beach past the “castle in the sand” of Hendrix fame.

Overnight stay at Riad Watier.

Day 9:

(B,-,-)

ESSAOUIRA You have today to relax and explore this charming, perfect example of a late 18th century fortified town, with the original canons still in place.

Overnight stay at Riad Watier

Day 10: (B,-,-)

ESSAOUIRA-MARRAKECH Today we head back to Marrakech for your flight home (if your flight is before 2pm, please let us know so we can make alternative arrangements for you). If time permits before your flight, we can stop in at Argan oil vendors en route, and can also revisit the souk for some last minute purchases. info@handsupholidays.com

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CONDITIONS Your trip price does not include:

Your trip price includes: ✓ All accommodations in guesthouses (riads) & small hotels ✓ All breakfasts; lunches & dinners where indicated (excluding beverages) ✓ Airport pick up & drop off ✓ Private transport with English-speaking driver throughout ✓ Private tour of Fez ancient Medina (with lunch) ✓ Village visit and meals in local homes ✓ Mountain guides, translators, and project support ✓ Supplies, materials, and tools needed for volunteer project ($200 per person) ✓ Private tour of Marrakech ancient Medina (with lunch) ✓ Tips for guides & drivers ✓ Entrance fees IMPORTANT NOTES: ✓ We require the purchase of travel insurance

✓ Alcoholic drinks and drinks at mealtime in

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

restaurant, optional visits, spa treatments not mentioned in inclusions, personal expenses (telephone, laundry...)

Personal travel insurance.

Tips for hotel help or porters Any meals not included in the itinerary All flight tickets and departure taxes

CONFIRMATIONS: ✓ No services are booked yet. We will not process reservation before receiving your reservation request. ✓ We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

that covers the cost of emergency medical evacuation for this trip. We recommend World Nomads. Click here to obtain a quote. ✓ Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

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Your South African Adventure That Counts 10 days / 9 nights (18th August & December 15th, 2013) Price per person US$3,985* info@handsupholidays.com

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* (excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Day 1:

(-,-,-)

CAPE TOWN On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you are met by your guide and transferred to Cape Town.

After a panoramic tour of the city, we head to the foot of Table Mountain and travel to the top of the mountain by cable car (if weather permits). The five-minute ascent to the top of Table Mountain offers a 360° view of Cape Town, the ocean and the neighboring peaks.

Populations of Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis), commonly known as dassies, are plentiful on the mountain. You may also see porcupines, mongooses, girdled lizards, agamas, snakes and butterflies. Several indigenous bird species can also be seen, including Redwinged Starlings, Cape Verreaux’s Eagles, Rock Kestrels and

From the top enjoy spectacular views of the city below. Stroll along the paths and the viewing platforms and soak up the vistas.

Table Mountain National Park is a World Heritage Site and an important part of the Cape Floristic Region one of the richest floristic areas in the world, with over 1’460 different species of plants.

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Sunbirds.

After leaving Table Mountain you are transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight stay at the Cape Milner Hotel (Standard Rooms)

Day 2:

(B,L,-)

CAPE TOWN-WINELANDS-CAPE TOWN After a delectable breakfast, you are picked up by your guide for at tour of the Winelands. The valleys and the mountain slopes have the oldest vineyards in this beautiful region.

Visit picturesque towns like Stellenbosch and Franschoek, and enjoy wine tastings at four of the area’s renowned wine estates.

One of these is Boschendal which dates back to 1685. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawns under the ancient oak trees.

Return to Cape Town in the late afternoon and spend the evening exploring the town at your leisure.

Overnight stay Cape Milner Hotel (Standard Room)

Day 3:

(B,L,-)

CAPE TOWN-CAPE PENINSULA-CAPE TOWN After a delicious breakfast, depart for a full day tour of the Cape Peninsula. The day starts with an informative cycle ride through

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the Cape of Good Hope National Park, led by a qualified nature guide.

Stop at the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, before continuing to Simon’s Town and

Overnight stay Cape Milner Hotel (Standard Rooms)

Day 4-6:

(B,L,-)

CAPE TOWN - BLOEKOMBOS - CAPE TOWN After breakfast, you are transferred to your chosen volunteer project based in Bloekombos, about 45 minutes outside Cape Town.

This is your opportunity to get a closer look at the local culture by assisting on a variety of outreach projects that care for the deeply impoverished Bloekombos community. Spend 3 days volunteering your valuable skills and improve the lives of those less fortunate. The principal projects are:

Boulders Beach with its colony of African penguins.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

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Nourishment support The extreme poverty in this community means that you can be part of an effort that supplies over 100‘000 meals a month and is gradually moving towards providing 120’000 meals a month. The hope is that eventually everyone will be able to have a meal a day.

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This is a great opportunity to not only practice your cooking skills but also to be part of the effort to distribute these meals to the needy.

Rest hospice If you are more medically inclined you can help to ease the last days of patients of residents at a care facility for terminally ill cancer and HIV/ AIDS patients when they or their families are unable to do so. The facility provides not only for the immediate needs of the patients, it also gives support to their families and assist them in coping with their illnesses.

You can help to make the patients as comfortable as possible in the finals stages of their illness (Police check required).

Agricultural Development Project (farming) In order to become more sustainable the project has recently started its own agricultural development project. The fresh produce that is harvested is helping to meet the rapidly growing needs of the nourishment project.

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Exercise your green thumb by working in the gardens.

Substance abuse support This project also provides counseling and support to people who have been or are dependent on illegal drugs or alcohol.

You can help to teach life skills to recovering substance abusers ages 18 and over (Police check required).

Late afternoon, you are transferred back to the hotel where your evening is at leisure.

Overnight stay Cape Milner Hotel (Standard Rooms)

Day 7:

(B,-,-)

CAPE TOWN Day is at leisure. The vehicle and guide are at your disposal to take you to the city, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Camps Bay or any of central Cape Town’s attractions.

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Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Situated at the foot of Table Mountain, within a stone’s throw from the Cape Town Stadium and in the heart of Cape Town’s working harbor, the V&A Waterfront offers the visitor an abundance

of unforgettable experiences. Indoor shopping and entertainment venues seamlessly merge with ocean vistas and mountain views and the fresh sea breeze and warm African sun add zest to a cosmopolitan, vibrant atmosphere. More than 80 restaurants provide a fusion of international food, from rustic al fresco fish and chips to starched tablecloth cuisine.There is much to do and much to discover.

Camps Bay An affluent suburb of Cape Town, which is particularly popular in summer for its renowned white sandy beaches fringed by palm trees and its trendy nightlife.

The centre of Cape Town A mix of European and African cultures means this part of the city is a-buzz, day or night, with mix of culture, nature and history and an eclectic mix of people.

It is the business centre but it also offers you a chance to experience South Africa’s past - the South African Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, Company Gardens, Government Avenue and other museums and galleries lining the centre of town.

Long Street is a quirky, bohemian mix of African curios, antique shops, book shops and a bevy of coffee shops, restaurants and bistros. During peak season, market stalls line some of the avenues near Greenmarket Square and art exhibitions, some of them free of charge like the Michaelis Collection, mean you can spend hours here.

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Day 8:

(B,-,D)

CAPE TOWN-MADIKWE After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your scheduled flight to Johannesburg.

The city centre is compact and ideal for historical walks around town, like the Cape Spirit City Walk and the Footsteps to Freedom walk. These will help you gain insight into the rich history that contributed to the mix of cultures unique to Cape Town. The nightlife in the city centre is awash with theatre and restaurants offering anything from African to European, fusion to traditional, Eastern to Western delights.

Overnight stay Cape Milner Hotel (Standard Rooms)

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On arrival at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you are met by your guide and transferred to Madikwe Game Reserve (driving time approximately 5 hours).

The Madikwe Game Reserve, situated on the Botswana border, 90 km north of Zeerust, just three hours' drive from both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. The rich diversity of vegetation ensures a wide range of game and the topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities.

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Madikwe is home to 66 mammal species including the “Big Five” and approximately 300 resident and migrant bird species. It has the distinction of being one of the few game reserves in the world to be proclaimed purely on the grounds of being the most appropriate and sustainable land use for an area. Madikwe represents an extension to this philosophy in that it is run as a joint venture between the State, the private sector and local communities.

The success of this approach has made Madikwe the role model for similar ventures being started up elsewhere in South Africa.

Day 9:

The reserve consists of vast plains of open woodlands and grasslands, dissected by the rugged Rant van Tweedepoort, and bordered in the south by the Dwarsberg Mountains. The area is dotted with huge rocky hills or inselbergs.

The entire reserve has been enclosed in a 150km perimeter fence which has been electrified to prevent the escape of elephants and the larger predators.

Day 10:

After checking in at your lodge, depart on your first game drive, after which dinner is served at the lodge.

Overnight stay Thakadu River Camp (Standard Tents).

(B,L,D)

MADIKWE An early morning game drive in open 4x4 vehicles is followed by breakfast at the lodge.

You can relax by the pool or in the luxury of your room, before lunch and the evening game drive. This is followed by dinner – perhaps around an open fire under the stars.

Overnight stay Thakadu River Camp (Standard Tents) (B,-,-)

MADIKWE-JOHANNESBURG After your last game drive and breakfast, you check out and depart to Johannesburg.

Depending on the departure time of your flight, you will do a scenic tour of the city and explore the cosmopolitan neighborhood of Rosebank, before continuing to the airport.

FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

Wishing you a wonderful Adventure That Counts!

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CONDITIONS Your trip price includes:

Your trip price does not include:

 7 Nights’ accommodation at Cape Milner

Hotel including daily breakfast  2 Night’s accommodation at Thakadu River





   

   

Camp including all meals and 2 game drives daily An 8-seater air conditioned vehicle and luggage trailer (for 6-8 pax) or 13-seater air conditioned vehicle and luggage trailer (for 7-12 pax) for the transfers and excursions indicated in the itinerary Services of a qualified English speaking guide during transfers and excursions indicated in the itinerary, as well as during the volunteering days Table Mountain Aerial Cableway return tickets 4 Wine tastings Picnic lunch at Boschendal Wine Estate Full day Cape Peninsula tour including bicycle & helmet hire, services of a qualified guide, lunch, entrance into the Cape of Good Hope National Park and entrance to Boulders Beach Lunch packs on the 3 volunteering days Madikwe Game Reserve entrance fee Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge room levy Volunteering donation $50 per person

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 Flights  Volunteering costs (donations, coordinator

fees; if necessary)  Meals not indicated in the itinerary  Tours & excursions not indicated in the

itinerary  Tips & gratuities  Porterage / luggage service  Items of a personal nature A.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 Travel insurance is compulsory (we

recommend insurance with a medical evacuation clause); we can help you with this.  Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

B.

CONFIRMATIONS:

 No services are booked yet. We will not

process reservation before receiving your reservation request.  We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

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Asia

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Your Balinese Adventure That Counts 10 days / 9 nights (9th July & 3rd November, 2013) Price per person US$2,730*

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* (excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Day 1:

(-,-,-)

UBUD BALI Today, you arrive at Ngurah Rai Airport, Denpasar, capital of Bali Island, Indonesia. You are met on arrival by your personal tour guide, wearing traditional Balinese cyclamen pink sarong and headdress, and white safari shirt. He will be holding a placard just outside the arrival hall. You are transferred to your hotel, The Alila Ubud.

Traveling time to the hotel will be approximately one hour, more depending on traffic conditions, but time will pass quickly as you take in the fascinating sights of this unique island. Your guide will point out places and things of interest as you travel and ensure you are fully briefed on the days ahead.

Overnight stay at The Alila Ubud.

Day 2:

(B,L,-)

UBUD – PACUNG –JATILUWIH This morning, you are picked up by your guide and driver for a full day sightseeing tour, covering a wide area of the island, passing fascinating villages and hamlets and winding up in the highlands for superb views of cascading rice terraces.

commercial activities during which literally the whole of Bali comes to the city to present its offerings of dance, music and beauty. On display are forgotten or recently revived village dances, food and offering contests, classical palace dances, stars of Balinese stage, odd musical performances, "kreasi baru" (new creations) from the dance schools of Bali, as well as contemporary choreography and dance companies from other islands and from abroad.

The Bali Arts Festival is the cultural event of the year; it is a unique opportunity to see local village culture both "live" and at first hand. You are warmly welcomed.

On November trip: Stop at the Taman Ayun temple in Mengwi, known as the Water Temple, as it is surrounded by a moat. Formerly the private property of the Royal House of Mengwi, the temple is now taken care of by the local community.

From the temple, we move on to the cooler region of Pacung. Along the way we stop at a scenic spot for refreshments and to give you the opportunity to take photos of the gorgeous views.

Not far from Pacung is the Ulun Danu temple, a pagoda built on the shores at Lake Bratan, which stands harmoniously beside a Buddhist temple.

For July trip, we visit the Bali Arts Festival: this consists of daily performances, handicraft exhibitions and other related cultural and

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tour guide. Return to your hotel late afternoon, and use the remainder of the evening to explore the area at your leisure or to take advantage of the Spa in the Resort (at your own additional expense).

Day 3:

(B,L,D)

UBUD–MAS–BATUAN–SINGAPADU-JIMBARAN BAY Spend the morning relaxing, swimming, sunbathing, enjoying a Spa treatment or exploring.

Next we will show you the beautiful rice fields of Jatiluwih. Stop for lunch and walk through the rice fields as the guide explains the local methods for planting, cultivating and harvesting rice. Learn about the relationship between these precious grains of rice and the spiritual side of the island. Depending on the season you may observe planting, harvesting or plowing by buffalo.

Later, we travel up Mt Batukaru and stop at a temple, which is small but rather important to the Balinese populace. The temple serves the residents of the surrounding area, and has an important history, that will be revealed by your

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Later, you are picked up by your guide for an interesting afternoon and evening, starting with lunch in a local restaurant in Ubud, the cultural centre of the island. Here almost everyone is an artist of some kind.

Follow lunch with a visit to the workshop and gallery of a master woodcarver, known for his skill in making superb pieces of art. Observe the artisans in his workshop, seated cross legged on the floor, as they lovingly and painstakingly carve intricate sculptures from carefully selected wood. Observe the sanding and polishing process, and listen to the artists tell the stories of the different pieces. You have

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a chance to purchase, should you wish. (Ask your guide for instructions on haggling; it is all part of the fun and a chance to interact).

From here, proceed to an interesting and beautifully decorated village temple which is of great importance to the Hindu-Dharma people.

The elaborate architecture, intricate sandstone carvings and fascinating brick decorations date back many centuries.

Visit a nearby traditional style house compound, consisting of a number of separate pavilions, each with its own specific purpose, such as sleeping pavilions, cooking pavilion, guest pavilion, ceremonial pavilion, etc. No selfrespecting Hindu-Dharma family home would be without its private house temple; a small but integral part of the compound and family life.

Further south, we pop in on a cottage industry of silver workers, where delicate silver jewelry is made entirely by hand. The motto of one owner is “Learning by Doing”. He takes in one or two young children and pays for their education and then trains them in the art of silver jewelry making after school.

Observe simplistic methods of beating pieces of silver to thin strips, melting silver using a Bunsen burner, the pulling of silver through tiny holes to produce silver threads and the gluing of minute little silver dots, using glue from castor oil seeds.

Next, we head for the outskirts of the city of

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Denpasar on route to Jimbaran Bay, for a seafood BBQ dinner on the sandy beach (indoors if it is raining). The dinner includes crab, King Prawns, squid, scallops and snapper along with delicious Balinese condiments.

Fresh cucumber slices and tomatoes and Kangkung (a type of water spinach) are served, along with rice. For non seafood lovers, we can arrange an alternative meal.

Before dinner, enjoy the sunset; perhaps a short paddle on the ocean and as darkness falls, the lights on the fishing boats on the horizon and the glinting of the moon on the water, make for a wonderful ambience.

During dinner, a group of Batak singers from Sumatra will move around the tables, singing.

Have your song requests ready and tuck a few thousand rupiahs in their guitars when finished.

A traditional Balinese dance performance will also be performed on the restaurant’s stage.

Return to your hotel (The Alila Ubud) around 10pm.

Day 4-6:

(B,L,-)

UBUD – KARANGASEM - UBUD After an early breakfast at the hotel, we set off for one of the isolated villages in East Bali.

Here, in the home of an impoverished family, you will assist with the building and installation of a simple bathroom for a paraplegic member of the family.

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Before work begins, small offerings of flowers and rice are made by the family, to ensure all goes well. Work will be completely manually.

Digging and pouring foundations, laying concrete blocks, mixing cement and sand, pouring cement, plastering, etc.

At the same time you gain insights into the simple lives of these warm and hospitable families and the challenges they face every day.

Some of the paraplegic clients, which are being assisted by a local Foundation, have lain in their beds for years without having a bath or shower.

This is not because the families don’t care about their paralyzed sibling or child, it may simply be impossible for them to be carried to the nearest river to bathe.

Providing these families with a bathroom and toilet will completely revolutionize their lives and add comfort to the disabled member of the household. Your guide will remain with you to interpret daily and there will be staff from the Foundation for disabled who will be there to work alongside you, oversee progress and ensure materials are available, etc. This will be hard work, in a hot climate (possibly even a wet climate) and cold drinking water and snacks will be provided during work. Lunch boxes will be provided; return to the hotel (The Alila Ubud) late afternoon.

Day 7:

(B,L,-)

UBUD – KARANGASEM – UBUD On your last day of volunteering, there will be a small farewell as the family gives thanks (quite probably tear filled), and the project Manager of the foundation will be there to bid you farewell.

Each day enroute to the village you will pass through beautiful scenery, small villages, rice fields, hills and drive by the ocean.

On your way back to the hotel (if time permits), stop at the KertaGosa, the ancient Court of Justice, also known as Floating Pavilion (due to its surrounding pond). In ancient times, Kings sat here in judgment and meted out punishment for various crimes.

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The ceiling of one pavilion is decorated with paintings of punishments to be expected in the afterlife for various sins, while the other pavilion ceiling is decorated with one of the ancient Hindu epics.

Return to your hotel The Alila Ubud, arriving early evening.

Day 8:

(B,-,-)

UBUD - SANUR Relax in the morning before leaving for Sanur to check into the Sudamala Suites and Villas.

Sudamala is situated a short distance from the beach and has a private area for their guests on the beach. You can use cycles to get there.

Arrive in Sanur early afternoon and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Go swimming in the hotel pool, cycle to the beach, explore the shops and stalls or try one of the numerous restaurants which abound not far from the property.

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Day 9:

(B,-,-)

SANUR You are free to go shopping, exploring, swimming or trying one of the options below.

Note that these options should be booked the day before. For those electing not to take these options, only the hotel breakfast is included.

Rafting (B,L,-) Early breakfast at hotel and early pick up for trip to rafting start point. Rafting on Grade 4 river; includes raft, safety equipment (such as jacket and helmet, oars, insurance), experienced river guide and waterproof camera bags available on the rafts. Eat lunch and have a hot shower at the end of the rafting trip, then return to the hotel late afternoon.

Note: There are a huge number of steps leading down to the river; hence this activity is not recommended for people with back, knee or hip problems.

Take along: towel, swimsuit, spare clothing, camera, sturdy walking shoes, sunscreen, and peaked cap.

Cooking Class (B,L,-) Early morning pick up for transfer to cooking class. Simple breakfast on arrival, introduction

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and instructions, with explanation and translation of the various herbs and spices, hands on cooking preparation of a number of local traditional dishes and then enjoy the fruits of your labours over lunch. Transfer back to the hotel mid afternoon.

Recommend: bring along a notebook to make notes and take plenty of pictures of the process.

Mountain biking (B,L,-) Very early morning pick up for transfer to Mt Batur, in the central northern part of Bali, where breakfast is served before you begin the downhill ride. Equipped with good quality mountain bikes, helmets, drinking water and led by experienced cycling guide, pass through quiet hamlets, rice fields, farm lets, coffee plantations etc, see fascinating roadside sights en route.

Cycle as far as the Ubud area; lunch provided here and transport by van back to the hotel arriving late afternoon.

Recommended: wear comfortable light clothing, sturdy shoes, plenty of sunscreen, peaked cap, long sleeves and trousers for anyone with skin sensitive to sun. We recommend you to take along extra drinking water.

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Day 10:

(B,L,-)

SANUR – AIRPORT – DEPART BALI After breakfast at the hotel, you are free until it’s time to depart for the airport. Checkout is at 12 noon.

Check-in time at the airport is 2 hours prior flight departure, travel time from hotel to airport will be 1.5 hours in case of traffic. In case of a night flight, baggage can be kept at the hotel as you enjoy one of their Spa treatments or go exploring.

FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

Wishing you a wonderful Adventure That Counts!

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CONDITIONS Your trip price includes:

Your trip price does not include:

✓ 9 nights 10 days tour itinerary ✓ Accommodation based on double/twin room including 21% service & tax and daily breakfast ✓ Transfer and sightseeing by AC vehicle ✓ Floral greeting on arrival ✓ Luggage van on transfers ✓ Top English speaking Guide ✓ Entrance Fee to temples and objects of interest, parking fees, etc. ✓ Local Fruit/snacks, drinking water and cold refresher towel on day trips ✓ Meals as indicated in itinerary (B =Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) ✓ Assistance with translation during building ✓ International flight reconfirmation ✓ Volunteering donation $330 per person A.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

✓ Travel insurance is compulsory (we recommend insurance with a medical evacuation clause); we can help you with this. ✓ Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

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✓ All flight tickets ✓ I nternational Airport tax on departure

✓ ✓

(currently Rp.150.000/person) subject to change without notice.

Project materials and logistics associated with it Donation for bathroom building Visa on arrival (currently USD 25 up to 30 days) Personal travel insurance (strongly recommend health evacuation insurance) Meals not mentioned in itinerary Alcoholic drinks and drinks at mealtime in restaurant Personal Expenses (telephone, laundry, etc.)

Tips for guides, driver, hotel staff, etc.

B.

CONFIRMATIONS:

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

✓ No services are booked yet. We will not process reservation before receiving your reservation request. ✓ We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

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+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

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call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

Your Cambodian Adventure That Counts 9 days / 8 nights (20th October & 1st December, 2013) Price per person US$2,498* info@handsupholidays.com

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* (excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Day 1: (-,-,D)

SIEM REAP You arrive in Siem Reap in the north of Cambodia and are transferred to your hotel. In the evening you are given a briefing on your fabulous week ahead by your local guides.

Your welcome dinner tonight is at the Funan Restaurant.

Your hotel for the next 8 nights is the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap. You have a deluxe room (share twin).

Day 2: (B,L,D)

SIEM REAP -ANGKOR COMPLEX-SIEM REAP This morning, we begin our exploration, of the amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor ("Holy City"). Between the years 900 and 1200, the Khmer Empire produced some of the world's most magnificent architectural masterpieces in this area.

Dotted with numerous temple complexes, the urban sprawl of this mighty economic centre, once stretched for more than 1,000 km2 (390 sq mi), making it by far he largest city of the preindustrial age and 90% larger than any other city at that time.

The complex of Angkor Thom is surrounded by a 24 foot (8 meter) high wall, which forms a perfect square. We will enter through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces.

On each side of the entrance path a row of

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54 gods and 54 demons hold the sacred Naga snake.

We continue from Angkor Thom to the Bayon Temple, which sits in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is renowned for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.

Another must-see are the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, known for their intricate bas-reliefs.

Then it is time to switch to a cycle to see one of the most illustrious of all temples, Ta Prohm.

Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. We enjoy a guided tour of the intricate complex before sitting down to have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of Mount Meru, the temple mountain and home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

After a fascinating day of temple exploration, you are transferred back to your hotel. In the evening, you sample delicious Khmer Cuisine at Viroth’s, a stylish and comfortable restaurant set in a quiet garden.

Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap. info@handsupholidays.com

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Day 3:

(B,L,D)

SIEM REAP-BANTEAY SREY-ROLUS GROUP Early this morning, before breakfast, you join your guide for an excursion to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat. On a clear day, this is a spectacular sight.

You return to your hotel for breakfast and then we are off again on an absorbing tour to Banteay Srey, traveling via the back roads. You will pass many local villages and schools and encounter people going about their day to day business. You will begin to get a feel for life in Cambodia. Stop at local communities along the way and your guide will help you communicate with the local community and teach you about the way of life here.

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Depending on the season you may get to see how rice paper is produced, or taste palm wine and palm sugar, which are popular local products.

We visit the Land-mine Museum which promotes mine awareness, a huge issue even decades after the end of the war. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was trained as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is working today as a de-miner. The museum also serves as a rescue center for a number of land-mine amputee children that Aki Ra has brought from Phnom Penh’s streets or from impoverished rural communities.

Next, we arrive at the “gem” of the Angkor area, the lovely temple of Banteay Srey. The so-called “Citadel of the Women” remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art.

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This small temple is also known for its remarkably fine bas-reliefs.

Banteay Srey is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor.

Before you explore the temple, enjoy a picnic lunch in a relaxed setting at Banteay Srey Pagoda.

From here, we are taken to the Rolous group of temples. Rolous was the first town created by the kings of Cambodia. The first edifice to be built was the temple of Preah Ko. This temple is composed of 6 brick towers still partly covered by stucco and was dedicated to Jayavarman II. The second temple of the Rolous group is the Bakong temple, built in 881 AD. This was the state temple and also the largest temple in the city.

Next our journey continues, by ox cart through the country side (this is the traditional form of transportation in Cambodia). This ride will take about 30 minutes and will allow you to view beautiful landscapes and gain further insight into the lives of the Cambodian people.

On the way back to Siem Reap, we will take a small detour off the main road to visit the community where we will spend the coming days building a house. We then return to Siem Reap with the rest of the afternoon free.

Tonight, we enjoy a traditional style Khmer dinner at Champey, an elegant yet comfortable restaurant.

You may also like to visit the nearby night market, which has good quality souvenirs.

Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap.

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Day 4:

(B,L,D)

GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY This morning, after breakfast we start with a full briefing on how our house building project will be run. We then have a 30 minute transfer to the district of Puok where our house building takes place.

Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap.

Day 5:

(B,L,D) GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY

After meeting the family whose houses we will be building there is a full safety briefing before we split into our teams to start work on the project. Our house building project will take four days. Each day you will be provided with water, snacks, fruit and a tasty Cambodian lunch.

Your house building project continues. We enjoy lunch at the project site.

In the afternoon we finish building at around 5pm and are transferred back to our hotel.

Tonight our a well deserved dinner will be at the Bopha Angkor restaurant.

Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap

Day 6:

(B,L,D)

GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY Your house building project continues. We enjoy lunch at the project site.

In the afternoon we finish building at around 5.00pm and are transferred back to our hotel.

Later enjoy a well deserved dinner at the trendy Nest restaurant.

With another wonderful day of giving back behind us, it is time to be transferred back to our hotel. Tonight our a well deserved dinner will be at the Madame Butterfly restaurant.

Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap

Day 7:

(B,L,D)

GIVING BACK IN THE COMMUNITY Today is a special day for our house building project. We keep working in the morning and enjoy lunch at the project site.

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However, on our last afternoon at the project, local Buddhist Monks will perform a blessing ceremony to officially hand the home over to the family. There will then be a chance to visit the local school before we say goodbye to the whole community and then transfer back to Siem Reap.

Tonight, will be a very special dinner at the Cassia restaurant. We can reminisce fondly about the warm people we met and feel gratified that we have provided a home for a family in need.

Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap

Day 8:

(B,L,D)

SIEM REAP-FLOATING VILLAGE-SIEM REAP This morning, after breakfast we are transferred in direction of Tonlé Sap the great lake. Tonlé Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia - its size varies greatly depending on the season, as it is swells to about four times its

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size during the wet season. You board a local boat and visit Chung Chnas, a village where you will see houses on stilts as you learn about life on the lake.

A delicious picnic lunch will be served in one of the floating houses.

Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from June to March, but in April/May we can organize an overland visit to Kampong Pluck that is an equally interesting experience, as you can walk among the stilted houses.

We then proceed to visit a 'bird sanctuary'. Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve has been called "the single most important breeding ground in Southeast Asia for globally threatened large water-birds." The reserve covers 31,282 hectares at the northwest tip of the Tonle Sap Lake and plays host to species including Greater and Lesser Adjuncts, Black-headed Ibis, Painted Stork, Milky Stork, Spot-billed Pelican, GreyHeaded Fish Eagle and many more species.

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crafts and to help young people find work in their local villages by continuing the practice of traditional arts. Among the workshops available for visit are wood and stone carving, wood and stone lacquering, gilding, and silk processing.

You then have lunch at Asian Square restaurant.

In the late afternoon, you are taken to Siem Reap International airport in time for your departure flight.

We transfer back to town and enjoy some free time until our farewell dinner, which is at The Square 24 restaurant.

Overnight at the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap

Day 9:

(B,L,-)

SIEM REAP-DEPARTURE This morning is your chance to shop, as you are transferred to the Central Market. We also visit Artisans d’Angkor, which was established in 1992 in order to support Cambodian arts and

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FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

Wishing you a wonderful Adventure That Counts!

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

CONDITIONS Your trip price includes:

Your trip price does not include:

✓ 9 days 8 nights tour itinerary. ✓ Accommodation based on Double/Twin Room with breakfast in a Deluxe Room at Victoria Angkor ✓ Transfer by private A/C vehicles & back up truck ✓ Oxcart ride ✓ Boat trip to floating village & Bird Watching ✓ Local fruits, snacks, soft drink, drinking water and cool towel during day trip & project ✓ Logistical coordination ✓ Meals as indicated in itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). ✓ 01 English Speaking guide for the Angkor visit and house building ✓ All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary ✓ International flight reconfirmation (if needed) ✓ Donation for house building and logistics ($375)

 Alcoholic drinks and drinks at mealtime in

     

restaurant + Optional visits + Personal expenses (telephone, laundry...).

Visa on Arrival for Cambodia (US$20) International airport tax Personal travel insurance (must include helicopter evacuation for Cambodia).

Tips for guides, driver, boat crew and hotel’s porters.

Any meals not included in the itinerary.

All flight tickets and departure taxes

A. IMPORTANT NOTES:  We require the purchase of travel insurance

that covers the cost of emergency medical evacuation for this trip. We recommend World Nomads. Click here to obtain a quote.  Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

B. CONFIRMATIONS:  No services are booked yet. We will not

process reservation before receiving your reservation request.  We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

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+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

Your Indian Adventure That Counts 10 days / 9 nights (25th October & 29th December, 2013) Price per person US$1,890*

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* (excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Delhi, the capital of India, was rebuilt seven times by different dynasties and is the third largest city in India, with a population of over 16 million. Ruled by many empires, its strategic location along the north-south and east-west trading routes gave it a prominent position in Indian history. It is an intriguing city where old meets new. Around 1300 historic monuments and ruins, sit cheek by jowl with modern structures and high-rise towers.

Day 1:

(-,-,-)

DELHI On arrival at Delhi international airport you are met by our representative for transfer to your hotel. Spend rest of day at your leisure.

Overnight stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Day 2:

(B,-, -)

DELHI After breakfast, we proceed on a full day city tour of Old & New Delhi.

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Start your day by exploring the Qutab Minar Complex. Visit a myriad of monuments that combine both Islamic calligraphy and Hindu motifs that commemorate the onset of Islamic rule in India.

Then we, proceed to “Lutyen’s” New Delhi.

Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhawan, (President’s Palace), Secretariat Buildings, Parliament House and the India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honor of the soldiers who died in the Afghan Wars and World War I. Then, visit the Humayun’s Tomb, an example of Mughal architecture and a prototype for the famous Taj Mahal of Agra.

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Later, we head to Old Delhi - built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who shifted the Mughal capital here from Agra in the 17th century. Drive along the river, Yamuna, past the magnificent ‘Red Fort’ to one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world: the Jama Masjid.

Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi, past jewelers, spice merchants, food vendors, shopping arcades, workshops as well as residences. On your way back to your hotel, pay homage to the memorial of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat.

Overnight stay at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Day 3-6:

(-,-,-)

DELHI Today you begin your immersion in to the local community by making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Your time here benefits a school established to assist underprivileged children aged 3 to 12. Before joining the school most of these children were found begging or roaming around aimlessly on the Delhi streets in harsh climatic conditions.

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Many of these street children were destitute and forced to eat garbage from stinking waste dumps. The remainder of the children came from parents living below the poverty line without the ability to provide even one square meal a day. Fortunately, in some cases we have even managed to obtain jobs for these parents in different localities so that their children can study.

The objective of the school is to provide an environment which can make these children self-confident to ensure their bright and successful future.

During these inspiring days, you get to assist with the construction of temporary classrooms made of bamboo and corrugated iron sheets to enable the school to cater for its growing numbers. You can also help the students practice their conversational English skills as you get to know them.

After breakfast, we drive (204 km/4 hours) to Agra & check-in at your hotel. Next, we proceed on a city tour of Agra visiting ‘The Taj Mahal’ and ‘The Agra Fort’.

Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is an epitome of love. It was built by the Mughal Emperor, Shahjehan, for his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal, with a love poem inscribed on the marble walls. The Taj Mahal is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. Different types of precious and semiprecious stones were used in the intricate inlay work of the interiors. This magnificent monument is set around a Charbagh or 'four garden' plan, which is split by watercourses: a reflection of the Persian style.

Overnight stay at the Hilton Garden Inn

Day 7:

(B,-,-)

DELHI - AGRA

Built by Emperor ‘Akbar’ on the west bank of the river Yamuna and beautified with palaces and gardens by Jehangir, Agra Fort dominates the center of the city. Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience) and Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience) were built by Shahjehan for the purpose of receiving audiences. Other places of interest include the Khas Mahal and Sheesh Mahal.

Overnight stay at the Radisson Hotel.

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Day 8:

(B,-,-)

AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI-JAIPUR After a delicious buffet breakfast at your hotel, we drive (260 km/5 hours) to Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route.

Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Constructed in a uniform architectural style, the complex includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid. Despite a meteoric rise to prominence the city was abandoned quite abruptly, due to paucity of water and its proximity with the Rajputana areas in the Northwest, which were increasingly in turmoil .

The finest monuments within the area are the Diwan-i-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti.

Following the visit, we continue the drive to Jaipur.

Overnight stay at the Four Points by Sheraton. info@handsupholidays.com

Day 9:

(B,-,-)

JAIPUR After breakfast, we drive 11 km to the outskirts of the city to visit the Amer Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728, which is perched on a hill. It has halls for both Public and Private Audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) and various marble palaces which are marvelous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family, is at the entrance to the palace. Ride an elephant to ascend the Fort situated on hilltop. Visit the Temple of Kali, the Hall of Victory or Jai Mahal and Jagmandir.

Later in the afternoon, we begin the tour of Jaipur, the pink city. We visit the City Palace the former royal residence, built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles, housing a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory of the Mughals and Rajputs, including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornate handles. It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.

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Day 10:

(B,-,-)

JAIPUR - DELHI After breakfast, we drive (256 km/5 Hours) to Delhi and upon arrival in Delhi you are transferred to the International airport to board your onward flight.

We then visit the Jantar Mantar, an astrological and astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even now. Lastly, stop at the Palace-Of-Winds to take pictures and spend some time in the crowded lanes, haggling and souvenir hunting.

Overnight stay at the Four Points by Sheraton.

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FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

Wishing you a wonderful Adventure That Counts!

call: +1 201 984 5372 (from USA)

+44 207 193 1062 (R.o.W)

CONDITIONS Your trip price includes:

Your trip price does not include:

 Accommodation for 09 nights on double/

     

twin occupancy Daily buffet breakfast at hotel of stay All land transportation using A/C Tempo traveler for 06/07 pax; A/C mini coach for 08-14 Pax & A/C large coach for 15/16 pax Services of English speaking escort cum guide Entrance fees Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi Elephant/Jeep ride at Amer Fort, Jaipur All currently applicable taxes The costs of building the classrooms Volunteering donation $500 per person

A.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 



Snacks, mineral water etc unless specified  Camera/Video fees at monuments  Expenses of a personal nature such as tips,

gratuities, telephone calls, laundry, table drinks etc  Any additional expenses incurred during the volunteering project in Delhi  Any other services which are not mentioned in the above tour inclusions

B.

 Travel insurance is compulsory (we

recommend insurance with a medical evacuation clause); we can help you with this.  Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

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 International flights or Visa fee  Any beverage, soft or hard drink, tea coffee,

CONFIRMATIONS:

✓ No services are booked yet. We will not process reservation before receiving your reservation request. ✓ We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

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Your Nepalese Adventure That Counts 12 days / 11 nights (10th October & 17th November, 2013) Price per person US$2,185* info@handsupholidays.com

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* (excluding flights, based on sharing a room with one other person)

Day 1:

(-,-,D)

KATHMANDU You are met at the Tribhuwan International Airport and transferred to the Tibet International Hotel in Kathmandu. You have a Heritage room.

Day 2:

(B,-,-)

KATHMANDU At around 8.00am, after your breakfast, there will be a pre-trip meeting with the guide. You can use this opportunity to ask questions about your trip. For the meeting, please bring your passport, three passportsize photos, and a copy of your travel insurance policy.

tree), the Shiva Parvati temple, the great bell and drum, Seto Bhairab, Kal Bhairav and Taleju Temple.

Swoyambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley, west of Kathmandu city. It is also known as the Monkey Temple as there are holy monkeys living in the northwest aspect of the t e m p l e . F o r t h e B u d d h i s t N e w a r s , Swayambhunath occupies a central position and is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. For Tibetans and followers of Tibetan Buddhism, it is second only to Boudhanath.

After the meeting, your sightseeing tour will start at around 9:45 am. You will have a private vehicle and a professional tour guide at your disposal.

Explore the 17th Century Durbar complex and Hanuman Dhoka, temple of the living goddess, Narayan Mandir, Maiju Dewal, and Kasthmandap (a wooden temple built from a single

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The Swoyambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, a Tibetan monastery, museum and a library. The stupa has Buddha's eyes and eyebrows painted on it. Between them, you will notice a marking which looks like the nose - however, this is the Nepali symbol of 'unity'. Much of Swayambhunath's iconography comes from the Vajrayana tradition of Newar Buddhism.

However, the complex is also an important site for Buddhists of many schools, and revered by Hindus as well.

Afternoon visit: sightseeing tour of Patan and Boudhanath.

Patan City – we visit the old Newar City and the historic Durbar Square, the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Taleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla, Krishna Mandir, Sati Temple, Hiranya Varna Mahabir (the golden temple), and Mahabouddha with its old carved wooden windows, curio shops and bazaars. Later, we visit a Tibetan handicraft center (including crafts such as weaving and carpet making) and a Tibetan refugee settlement.

We then visit Boudhanath, a 2,500 year old Buddhist stupa built in the 5th century in the valley displaying the four pairs of eyes of Buddha in the four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings.

You will notice Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims circumambulating the stupa and spinning their prayer wheels.

Overnight stay at the Tibet International Hotel.

Day 3:

(B,L,D)

TREK TO CHISAPANI Today, we have an early morning start as our trek will take about 5 or 6 hours. A one hour drive (23 kilometers) away from Kathmandu, Kakani (1,082 meters), is a village in the foothills of the Himalaya. It provides excellent mountain views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang and Annapurna. A fabulous backdrop to begin your trek.

The first hour of our trek is on a reasonably flat trail, after which we will gradually gain more altitude. When we reach the top of the hill, the sights are spectacular. This is where we stop to have lunch. From here a 3 hour hike along a level forest trail takes us to Chisapani.

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You have dinner and spend the night at a local guesthouse.

Day 4:

(B,L,D)

TREK TO NAGARKOT In the morning, we start our trek to Chauki Bhanjyang, which takes about 2.5 hours. We stop in the village of Chauki Bhanjyang for lunch, after which we continue our hike for another 3 hours through charming trails until we reach Nagarkot. Our total hiking time for today is around 5 to 6 hours.

Nagarkot (2,175 meters) is by far the most popular hill station in the Kathmandu valley. In clear weather you will be greeted by a magnificent view. The Himalayan mountain range stretching from Dhaulagiri in the West all

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the way (past Mount Everest) to Kanchenjunga in the East, greets you with its awe inspiring majesty and beauty.

Overnight stay at the Bhangeri Durbar Resort in Nagarkot. You have a deluxe room.

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Day 5:

(B,L,D)

NAGARKOT – GORKHA A morning drive by 4WD takes us to Gorkha.

Located on the Northern-central part of Nepal, the Gorkha district has significant historical and political importance. Gorkha Bazaar, is about 140 kilometers west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1,135 meters. Gorkha's centerpiece is a magnificent Gorkha Durbar which comprises of a fort, a palace and a temple with excellent views of the surrounding valleys and the Manasalu mountain range.

market town is Arughat, along the banks of the Budi Gandaki River, a strenuous 45 minutes hike from the nearest Arupokhari village. The makeshift dirt road is unusable most months of the year due to landslides and erosion. The villages were only connected to the electricity grid in early 2011, a change which has brought new prospects of growth and progress to the region.

In the evening, we walk around the village and interact with the locals.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a local house.

Perched on a chain of hills, Arupokhari is comprised of 9 isolated villages. The nearest

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Day 6 - 8:

(B,L,D)

GORKHA It is in the village of Gorkha where you have the opportunity to make a difference. The topology of the village offers stunning views of the mountains and the surrounding regions.

Terraced farming using traditional methods, is very common. Children are often seen herding cattle and goats in the day time and evenings.

Almost all the food consumed in the village is grown locally, making each meal fresh and organic.

concern that the quality of living in the region of Arupokhari is well below the national average.

The lack of developmental infrastructure is pervasive, rendering the use of technology, as a tool for development, useless.

There are no centrally located medical facilities or personnel in the region. A fact that has at times negatively impacted the health of the community.

Decaying school structures and a lack of teachers means that the existing state-run schools are unable to perform at the level of city schools.

Literacy rates are abysmal, owing to this lack of quality schools.

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The project you will work on aims to ameliorate these conditions over the last few years and is beginning to demonstrate success in filling the void in the education and the housing needs of the poorest families.

There is an immediate need to provide adequate housing for the very poorest families and also renovate the existing schools. This also includes the funding of resources, such as books and writing materials, to ensure a conducive study environment.

Meet the locals, improve the lives of the poorest children and help to give them better options in life. Work alongside the local labourers as you are immersed into village life.

On your second last day you will organise the handover ceremony scheduled to take place the following day. This is done in cooperation with the villagers and is another great opportunity for you to interact with the local community.

Dinner and Overnight stay at a local house.

Day 10:

(B,L,-)

GORKHA - KATHMANDU Today you are transferred to Kathmandu by 4WD. You have the rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight stay at the Tibet International Hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 11:

(B,-,D)

KATHMANDU Today, you have the day to stroll along the streets of Kathmandu for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping. If you would like to go mountain biking, or do a scenic flight to see Mt Everest, we can arrange this, at extra cost. We have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant with cultural performances.

Dinner and overnight stay at a local house.

Overnight stay at the Tibet International Hotel.

Day 9:

(B,L,D)

GORKHA On your last day of making a difference in Gorkha you will hand over the structure you helped build. During the ceremony, enjoy your time with the local villagers and spend some time playing with the children that will benefit most from your input.

If you are interested in having a look at the surroundings, please let us know and this can be organised for the following morning as there will be a little time before the departure for Kathmandu. info@handsupholidays.com

Day 12:

(B,-,-)

KATHMANDU Today you are transferred to Kathmandu International airport on time for your departure flight.

FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOOKING THIS TRIP PLEASE SEE PAGE 91

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Wishing you a wonderful Adventure That Counts!

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CONDITIONS Your trip price includes:

Your trip price does not Include:

 Four star double occupancy accommodation

in Kathmandu and Nagarkot.  Twin or triple sharing accommodation in

  

 

   

tourist class lodges and guesthouses during the trek (1 night) and local house (home stay) whilst in Gorkha.

Breakfast at hotels in Kathmandu and Nagarkot.

All standard meals during the trek and while in Gorkha.

Transfer by air-conditioned vehicles (airport transfers, sightseeing, excursions as per itinerary) Transfers by air-conditioned Land Cruiser to and from Gorkha.

Assistance on arrival and departure.

English speaking guides throughout ( English speaking trekking guide during the trek and house building).

01 porter per 02 guests during trek to Chisapani and in Gorkha if needed.

Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all local staff.

House building cost through volunteering donation of $200 per person Water during volunteering

   

International flights International Airport taxes Mandatory health insurance Personal expenses (telephone, laundry, drinks, camera/video-camera fee at monuments , etc.)

A.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

 Travel insurance is compulsory (we

recommend insurance with a medical evacuation clause); we can help you with this.  Volunteer activities may change from those noted above, depending on the needs of the project.

B.

CONFIRMATIONS:

 No services are booked yet. We will not

process reservation before receiving your reservation request.  We reserve the right to reserve alternative options if the proposed service is not available at the time of booking.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Accommodation in Gorkha Traditional Nepalese houses (home stay) – Up to four participants can stay in each house. You will be provided with a simple bed and a mattress along with a quilt or a blanket. We suggest you bring along a sleeping bag.

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In Chisapani, we offer clean tourist class “Tea House” (hiker’s lodges) lodges on a double occupancy basis.

Meals in Gorkha Typically, you will be served Nepali food twice a day by your host family (at around 9am and at 7pm) but they will usually be flexible to suit your needs. The staple diet of Nepal’s population is dal (lentils), bhat (rice), and tarkari (curried vegetables). Beef is not eaten in Nepal for religious reasons since the cow is a revered religious animal in Hinduism. Tea is served in the morning and in the afternoon, either black or with cow or buffalo milk; popcorn, wheat, millet or corn breads offered in the afternoon. You can also request to cook in the Nepali kitchen of your host family. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Meals While Trekking During the trek most teahouses (lodges) cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian dishes.

Pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, dhal bhat, bread, soups, fresh vegetables and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes and some interesting attempts at custard! You can always get hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps.

Each day dinner and breakfast are served in the lodge where you are spending the night. Lunch is taken on the way to your destination.

Toilet Facilities Most village families in Nepal do not have a flushing toilet and there is no sewage system.

All toilets are squat toilets made of either a few planks precariously positioned over a hole in the ground or a stone pot with a bucket or tap.

There usually is water supply next to the toilet, which is used for flushing the toilet. You need to take your own stock of sufficient toilet paper with you as it is not available for purchase in village markets.

Toilet facilities during the trek - common toilet facilities are available at the Tea House Lodges.

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Bathing In village areas there are no private facilities for bathing. There are spring water creeks, rivers and communal water sources available for bathing and other tasks used by all locals. It is ok to use soap in the water streams when bathing. Bathing can be done at any time, but it is strongly recommended that you wear attire that is not very revealing, even if it is in a secluded area. Nudity is taken very seriously and is totally unacceptable.

In Chisapani, there is running water in your guesthouse.

Laundry Options in Gorkha and Chisapani Laundry facilities are the same as for bathing, but you can do your laundry in the nearby rivers. There usually is a clothesline on your host family’s lawn.

In Kathmandu and Nagarkot you can use your hotel’s laundry service.

Wireless Communication in Gorkha and Chisapani The village you will be staying at has recently been supplied with electricity. This means you are now able to charge and use your mobile phone. Do bear in mind that there is no internet in the village and the only possible internet access (CDMA technology – wireless internet via phone carrier) does not yield a high speed connection. Please inform us in advance if you would like to book a wireless CDMA SIM card and a USB modem.

Your Kathmandu and Nagarkot hotels provide free Wi-Fi Internet in the lobby.

Adventure activities in Gorkha and Chisapani Since the house building activities take up no more than 6 hours daily, you have plenty of time in your hands for recreation and adventure activities. Some great options are mountain biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, walking in the jungle and rafting (if there is a sufficiently large group). Some of these activities, especially mountain biking, are seasonal and not possible during the monsoon season. Our field staff will be at your disposal if you need any information regarding any of these activities.

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Booking your Adventure that Counts TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT: Email bookings@handsupholidays.com with these details: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Trip Destination: Trip date: Number of people booking: Participant name(s) and email address: Phone number:

You can reserve your trip with payment of 20% deposit, with the balance paid at least 60 days prior to the start of your trip. You can pay your deposit by bank transfer (in US$ or GBP) or by credit card (in GBP only, and a 2% handling fee applies). Please indicate which option you prefer.

All bookings are subject to our usual Terms and Conditions except that any payments you make are fully refundable should we fail to reach the minimum number of participants for your trip within 60 days of your trip start date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Email: info@handsupholidays.com Call: USA & Canada: +1 201 984 5372 Rest of World: +44 207 193 1062

Responsible Tourism Policy Economic Responsibility: Use of Local Guides: Hands Up Holidays is committed to using local guides, and we are committed to the training and mentoring of local people with the potential to become guides. Our guides are trained in responsible tourism and will help our travelers to be both culturally and environmentally sensitive.

Retention of trip costs in local communities: Hands Up Holidays is committed to investing in local communities, and we aim to retain a significant portion of our travelers’ trip cost in the destination country. We contract with tour operators that use, wherever possible, locally owned and operated hotels and restaurants. We info@handsupholidays.com

offer opportunities for travelers to purchase local crafts and food, and our guides will provide guidance on appropriate places to shop for these.

Hands-on community development work: All of our trips involve a component of community development work, and as such, travelers have an opportunity to contribute directly to the local communities they visit.

Our development projects are carefully selected in conjunction with local charities to ensure that our travelers’ work will be of maximum benefit to the local community but are also ones that involve travelers working side-by-side with the local people to improve their circumstances – part of our philosophy that our help should be a “hand up” and not a “hand out.”

Hands Up Foundation: Hands Up Holidays has established a charitable trust to support our community partners on an ongoing, sustainable basis; we hope that this will provide our travelers with an opportunity to maintain a vital link with the community development projects in which they participated. Hands Up Holidays is committed to investing a portion of our profits into this charity, and we cover 100% of the administrative expenses associated with the charity so that donations from our travelers go directly towards the projects.

Environmental Responsibility: Sustainable travel: Hands Up Holidays is committed to sustainability, in the communities in which we operate and in the ecosystems we encounter. We seek to minimize the impact of our trips by minimizing and properly disposing of waste created, by conserving energy and water, and by ensuring that endangered wildlife and environmentally compromised areas are treated with respect.

Environmentally-focused community development projects: In a number of destination countries, the community development aspect of our trip is directly focused on improving the natural environment. These projects include gardening, planting trees, harvesting crops, or helping preserve endangered animals.

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Small group size: Our independent travel options and small group sizes help us to tread lightly and to use more environmentally sound forms of transport, minimizing impact, and ideally enriching the environment.

Carbon Neutral: A way we seek to conserve the environment is by including an “ecocontribution” costing the price of our tours.

Hands Up Holidays pays for this on behalf of you, our guests. The amount of this ecocontribution is based on a calculation of the carbon dioxide emissions from the flights required to participate in our tour and will pay for the planting of the equivalent number of native trees that will soak up the carbon dioxide emissions – where practical, travelers will even have the option of planting the tree/s themselves.

Environmental training: Many of our guides are trained in principles of environmental sustainability and will offer travelers tips on how to conserve water, reduce waste, and otherwise minimize the environmental impact of their trip. We hope that our travelers will be able to take some of the conservation tips they learn from our guides home with them.

Corporate recycling/energy policy: Wherever possible, Hands Up Holidays employees use recycled paper and recycle waste created in the office, as well as attempting to minimize waste created and be a “paper less” office. We also work to minimize energy and water consumption in our offices, and we encourage our partners to follow similar waste management and energy philosophies.

Social Responsibility: Pre-Trip Information: We send each traveller a pre-departure pack, describing the destination country, its history, cultural norms, and general health and visa requirements. We also provide important practical information such as how to pack and dress appropriately, what to expect when encountering the local populations, how much money they will need to bring, etc. We encourage travelers to try to learn a few phrases in the local language(s) before they arrive. Most importantly, we encourage all of our travelers to arrive with an open mind and to

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be prepared to have their world-views gently challenged by the new cultures they will encounter.

Cultural Sensitivity: An important benefit of using local guides during our trips is the training they can provide to travelers in cultural sensitivity.

Our guides will coach our travelers in general best practices (e.g. how to avoid encouraging a “begging” mentality, how to be sensitive in photographing local people, etc.) as well as specific tips on how to avoid running afoul of local customs. Wherever possible, we schedule the community development component of our tours in the middle of the trip, so that travelers will have a chance to acclimate to their new environment and learn how to behave in a culturally sensitive manner prior to this part of the trip, where the interaction with the local community is particular intense.

Protection of Child Welfare: For those community development projects that involve interaction with children, we require a police check to be carried out by the traveller, in order to project the children from physical, emotional, or sexual harm.

Community Development: In addition to the community development component of each of our trips, Hands Up Holidays also encourages its employees to volunteer in their own communities and we offer each employee 5 days per year to participate in such projects. In addition, we encourage our staff to participate in our community development projects through partially subsidized holidays for staff and their families.

Volunteering where you live: Part of our vision at Hands Up Holidays is to enable our guests to experience how fulfilling and rewarding volunteering is, and to inspire our guests to volunteer for longer periods of time, and to volunteer where they live. We have information on suitable volunteer projects in the UK, such as teaching English to refugees, which we make available to all our guests.

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Booking Conditions The vacations featured are operated by Hands Up Holidays Ltd, hereinafter also referred to as the ‘Company’ or ‘Hands Up’, which is registered in the United Kingdom under company number 5092684. It is essential that you read and understand the conditions of booking below and the ‘Inclusions’ and ‘FAQ’ sections on the website (together the “Booking Conditions”) when you make your booking, as these will all form part of your contract with the Company. These Booking Conditions constitute the entire agreement of the parties about its subject matter and supersede all previous agreements, understandings and negotiations on that matter.

1. Definitions In these Booking Conditions the following terms where the context admits shall have the following meanings: “Agent” means an authorized representative of the Company.

“Booking Form” means a form or document developed by the Company for completion by the Traveller to secure a booking on a Hands Up trip.

“Confirmation Receipt” means a Receipt issued by the Company to signify that a booking made by the Traveller has been confirmed.

“Commencement Date” means the definition contained in clause 3(f) of the Booking Conditions.

“Community Development” means the time spent either volunteering or visiting a community for philanthropic purposes. Wildlife conservation and environmental conservation are included in this definition.

“Company” means Hands Up Holidays Limited.

“Force Majeure” means unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond the Company’s control, the consequence of which neither the Company nor its suppliers could avoid, including, but not limited to, war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, terrorist activity (actual or threatened), industrial dispute, technical problems with transport, machinery or equipment, power failure, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, flood, drought, adverse weather conditions and level of water in rivers

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“Hands Up” means the Company.

“Low Bookings” means that the stated minimum number of bookings per trip has not been reached 60 days prior to the trip Commencement Date.

“Participation Form” means the form described in Clause 21 Booking Conditions.

“Third Party Contractor” means an inbound tour operator that the Company has contracted with to provide the tour services in the destination, including but not limited to the provision of transport, accommodation, activities and meals.

The Company as a matter of course contracts out the provision of its tour services to Third Party Contractors, who are typically based in the destination.

“Traveller” means a person who has made a booking with Hands Up and Hands Up has issued a Confirmation Receipt in respect thereof.

“Trip Price” means the most recent price quoted to the Traveller by the Company at the time a booking is made. It relates principally to the cost of the tour being booked, and also includes any supplements, extension trips, or any optional extras. The trip price is a “land only” price and does not include the cost of flights to and from the chosen destination.

2. Interpretation (a) The headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation hereof. (b) Words importing the singular number include the plural and vice versa and the masculine gender includes the feminine and neuter genders and vice versa. (c) This contract is governed by English (UK) law and both parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of the English (UK) courts at all times.

3. Your contract with Hands Up (a) To secure a booking, Hands Up or its agent requires a non-refundable deposit of 20% of the Trip Price as quoted by Hands Up to the Traveller at the time of booking (including any optional activities or supplements that an individual selects) per person per tour, or full payment if a trip is due to commence in less than 60 days. This payment is also deemed to be confirmation that you have read and accept the Booking Conditions. Clients booking by

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telephone, facsimile, email or over the internet are deemed to have read the Booking Conditions and accepted them. (b) A booking is accepted and becomes a contract only from the date when Hands Up has confirmed acceptance by issuing a written Confirmation Receipt. The Company can issue this Confirmation Receipt by email. (c) If you arrange your holiday directly with the Company all correspondence and other communications will be sent to the address of the first person named on the Booking Form unless you specify otherwise. If you request correspondence through a business address, a residential address will also be required for emergency and security reasons. (d) If your booking is made through a travel agent, the Company will address all communications to that travel agent. All monies paid by you to a travel agent under or in contemplation of this contract will be held by the travel agent for the Company until such monies are forwarded to the Company. (e) Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure. (f) A trip is deemed to commence (“Commencement Date”) upon arrival in the destination country.

4. Validity (a) The prices listed are based on the prevailing costs and exchange rates at the time of printing.

Hands Up reserves the right to alter these prices at any time. Prices are indicative only, and the Company reserves the right to notify you of an increase in the website or advertised price before accepting your booking. (b) All information in the website is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing, but please note that changes to our trips (which may be substantial) can and do occur. Hands Up will make every effort to keep you briefed of any changes, but cannot be held liable for any alterations to the published itineraries. Please refer to our website for any updates to any trip.

5. Cancellation by the Traveller (a) A Traveller can cancel a tour, but this will entail the loss of a percentage of monies paid as set out below. This percentage depends on the number of days before the commencement of the booked tour that Hands Up receives written

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cancellation. The loss of monies paid is as follows, per person: 60 days or more prior to trip departure: 20% of total Trip Price Between 30 and 59 days prior to trip commencement: Loss of 50% of total Trip Price Less than 30 days prior to trip commencement: Loss of 100% of total Trip Price (b) All cancellations must be advised in writing, signed by the signatory of the Booking Form and sent to the Company, at 61 Parkstead Rd, London SW15 5AN, England, or prior to. Cancellations are effective on the day they are received by the Company. Recorded delivery is strongly recommended. (c) No refunds will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason after the trip has commenced. Refunds will be given at Hands Up’s discretion if you are involuntarily forced to leave a trip for any reason. Leaving the trip due to illness is deemed to be voluntary, but Hands Up may, in its discretion, give a refund in this instance. (d) Hands Up reserves the right to eject a passenger from a trip if they have not signed the Participation Form (see paragraph 21(a)), if they are found to have breached any local laws or customs, any explicit instructions from the tour guide, or if they do not have the requisite visas, or immunizations. No refund will be given in such a situation. (e) Please note that these conditions relating to cancellation apply to the “in country” portion of the trip only. Different cancellation fees may apply to airline tickets.

6. Re-booking following a cancellation Should you wish to cancel a holiday and re-book an alternative holiday this will be subject to the cancellation terms within these Booking Conditions. Hands Up may, in its absolute discretion, transfer some or all of any monies already paid by you to the alternative booking. If the alternative booking requires a greater deposit than has already been paid then the balance between what is required as a deposit and any deposits already paid shall be paid when the alternative booking is made.

7. Cancellation by Hands Up (a) Hands Up reserves the right to cancel any trip before it is guaranteed to run. A trip is

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guaranteed to run once it has reached the minimum number of fully paid customers as stated for each tour. Hands Up will advise you in writing (or by email if an email address is provided) if a trip has been cancelled. (b) Hands Up reserves the right to cancel any trip, including a guaranteed trip, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability, war or other external events which, in Hands Up’s opinion, make it unsafe or otherwise unviable for Hands Up to operate our planned schedule, including Force Majeure. In such a case, Hands Up will, in its sole discretion, refund the Trip Price only (and will not refund any other costs incurred). (c) If you fail to pay the balance of the holiday price at least 60 days before departure, the Company may treat your booking as cancelled and levy the cancellation charges set out in paragraph 5(a) above. If the Company cancels your holiday in any other circumstances prior to departure and when a trip is guaranteed to run as per paragraph 7(a) above, the Company will use reasonable endeavors to offer alternative arrangements of a comparable standard or will give you a full and prompt refund. In addition, unless the cancellation has been caused by Force Majeure or Low Bookings, the Company will pay you compensation as set out in paragraph 9(d).

8. Booking Amendments by the Customer (a) Amendments are generally possible, and Hands Up will make every effort to assist you if you wish to alter your arrangements. It may not always be possible to make any amendments to your booking, especially within 10 days of the commencement of your trip. Requests for an amendment must be in writing or by email, signed by the signatory of the Booking Form. If you do wish to change your booking in any way, the following fees will apply: i Changes to tour bookings If the booking amendment request is received by Hands Up 60 days or more prior to your original tour’s commencement date – GBP50 per person per change; If the booking amendment request is received by Hands Up within 59 days of your original tour’s commencement date – charges as per cancellation fees (see paragraph 5(a)).

If there has been any change in the price of the

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tour that you change your booking to since the time of your original reservation, the new tour price will apply to the new reservation.

These fees are in addition to any charges levied by hotels, ground operators or airlines.

Changes to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your tour booking (e.g. hotels, transfers, etc): Amendments to any other arrangements made in conjunction with your tour reservation will incur a GBP20 administration fee per booking per change. This fee is in addition to any charges applied by hotels, ground operators or airlines.

9. Amendments by the Company (a) Great care is taken to ensure that the descriptions and prices given in this website are accurate at the time of publication. Changes can occur, though, and the Company reserves the right to change any of the details in this website, including the order that places will be visited in the itinerary, and prices, in which case the Company will advise you of any such change before accepting your booking. After a Confirmation Receipt has been issued and the trip is guaranteed to run, the Company makes every effort to operate holidays as advertised. It is not always possible for the Company to control all elements of the holiday whereby advertised facilities can sometimes become unavailable at short notice due to inclement weather conditions, lack of demand, emergency repair works, etc. Additionally, the nature of the Community Development work is subject to change, and you will be advised as soon as possible after any such change occurs. (b)Your trip may be varied at short notice, even after its commencement. Changes may occur because of Force Majeure, poor road conditions, weather, the availability of tickets, vehicle breakdowns, changes in transport schedules, the availability of Community Development projects, or other circumstances beyond Hands Up’s control. Hands Up does not accept any responsibility for loss of enjoyment, delays or compensation resulting from changes due to Force Majeure or any reasons beyond Hands Up’s control. Group sizes may also vary. No refunds will be made in any of these situations. (c) In very rare circumstances, the Company may have to modify a holiday before the trip commences. If we have to change to a lower

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standard of accommodation (in terms of grade of hotel) for more than 20% of the trip length, the Company will contact you as soon as practicably possible and offer you three choices: You may accept the modification; You may change your booking to another available holiday; or You may cancel and receive a full refund.

If you choose another holiday which is more expensive you must pay the difference, but if it is cheaper, the Company will make the appropriate refund. (d) If you cancel and receive a full refund, other than for Force Majeure or Low Bookings you will receive the following compensation, calculated according to the number of days prior to the commencement of the trip that you are notified of the change.

undertake any other dangerous or sports activity. (b) You may be required to complete and sign an indemnity form absolving Hands Up (and if applicable the travel agent) of all possible liabilities which may arise due to the failure to take out adequate insurance cover. (c) Clients should ensure that in any insurance cover they arrange there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities offered in their tour (including the Community Development volunteer project) and for the country/countries that they going to as part of their trip. The travel insurance cover provided automatically with various credit cards MAY NOT provide adequate cover as standard. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the necessary level of cover suitable for the trip you are doing and the cover you want.

Days prior to commencement date when notification of change is sent More than 42 days 29-42 days prior 15-28 days prior

11. Price Policy (a) All trips are payable in Pounds Sterling (ÂŁ/ GBP), US$, CAN$, European Currency Units, NZ $ and A$, but US$ is the reference price, and all other currencies are indicative only. The conversion rate of currencies into US$ is based on exchange rates determined by Hands Up from time to time. (b) The Company reserves the right to notify you of an increase or decrease in the website or advertised price before accepting your booking. (c) After a Confirmation Receipt has been issued, the price of your holiday is subject to the possibility of surcharges in certain limited circumstances. However, a surcharge will be levied solely to allow for variations in transportation costs, including costs of fuel, the exchange rate applied to the particular package, or if a relevant government or regulatory body introduce or increase taxes. This increase or decrease in price will be calculated by directly passing on the above increase or decrease, save for the first 2%, which will not be passed on.

Surcharges will be notified by a revised Confirmation Receipt sent to you (or your travel agent). (d) If a surcharge would increase the total holiday price shown on your original Confirmation Receipt by 15% or more, you may cancel your booking within 7 days of the date of issue of the revised Receipt and obtain a full refund of all payments made to the Company. (e) Alternatively, you may choose to pay for

Compensation per person GBP10 GBP20 GBP40

(e) If there is any other modification before the trip commences (that is, other than a change to a lower standard of accommodation for more than 20% of the trip length), the Company will endeavor to notify you, although it is not obliged to do so. (f) If the Company becomes unable to provide a significant proportion of your holiday after it has commenced, suitable alternative arrangements will be made for you at no extra charge to you or, alternatively, you will be transferred to your point of departure and given a pro-rata refund for ground arrangements not received.

10. Insurance (a) Insurance is highly recommended on all tours. You should ensure that you are fully covered against personal accident, death, medical expenses, emergency repatriation, personal liability and the nature of the Community Development project that is part of your trip. We also recommend it covers delay, cancellation, curtailment, missed departure, legal expenses and loss of luggage and personal effects. Note that special insurance may be required if you intend to scuba dive or

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your holiday in full at the time of booking, in which case your holiday price will be fixed at the cost quoted by the Company at that time. To qualify for this benefit you should send notice of intention to pay in full to the Company by post to 61 Parkstead Road, London SW15 5AN, England, or by email to within 7 days of the date when the Confirmation Receipt was first posted to you.

12. Passports, Visas and Vaccinations (a) You must carry a valid passport and have obtained the correct visas when traveling with Hands Up. Please ensure your passport is valid for 6 months beyond the duration of the trip, and has at least two blank pages. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of the correct visas for your holiday.

Hands Up cannot accept responsibility if you are refused entry to a country because you lack the correct visa documentation, or for any other reason. (b) It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of all vaccinations and medical certificates as may be required for the whole of the tour.

13. Responsibilities (a) The Company contracts with a network of companies, inbound tour operators, government agencies, charities, Non-Governmental Organizations and individuals (“Third Parties”) to assist in the running of its tours. The Company does not own, manage, control or operate any transportation vehicle, any hotel, or any supplier of services. All coupons, receipts and tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by the suppliers and all services are subject to the laws of the country where the services are provided.

The Company may act as an agent for these Third Parties and will not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behavior of these Third Parties. These Third Parties are also absolved of liability for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur. (b) The Company will not accept liability or responsibility for any traveller who contravenes a law or regulation of any country visited or for any other action or inaction of a traveller. (c) No employee, servant or agent of the Company has authority to vary these Booking

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Conditions. (d) The descriptions, information and opinions given in this website by the Company in respect of the hotels and other suppliers whose services are used are given in good faith, based on the latest information available at the time of printing. (e) You are responsible for booking and paying for your flights to and from your destination (Hands Up offers “lands only” packages and you are free to book your own inbound and outbound flights). You are also responsible for checkingin for flights at the correct time and for presenting yourself to take up all pre-booked components of your holiday. The Company cannot accept responsibility for clients missing flights as a result of late check-ins and no credit or refunds will be given if you fail to take up any component of your holiday. No credit or refunds will be given for lost, mislaid or destroyed travel documents. (f) To the maximum extent permitted by law, the liability of the Company, if any, in respect of all costs, losses, damages and liabilities incurred by a traveller is limited to a refund of the amount actually paid by the traveller.

14. Excursions (a) Please note that when you book an excursion locally you contract with the local organization providing the excursion and not the Company.

The Company has no legal liability for anything that goes wrong on such an excursion and any claim which you might have arising out of the excursion will be against the relevant local company and subject to the local company’s terms and conditions.

15. Police check (a) If the Community Development project pertaining to your trip involves assisting children, such as teaching English in a school or helping in an orphanage, Hands Up requires you to have a police check completed, from your home country. You will be advised if a police check is required. If the police check reveals a previous conviction for a sex offense, you will not be permitted to book that trip with Hands Up. Any other previous criminal conviction may not necessarily prevent you from booking with Hands Up, but in any event, any criminal conviction may prevent you entering the foreign

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country of your tour (or any countries en route).

It is your responsibility to ascertain if you can legally enter a country, and Hand Up’s acceptance of a booking does not mean that you will legally be granted permission to enter the countries involved in your trip.

16. Data Protection and Privacy Where the Company receives any personal data (as defined by the Data Protection Act 1998) (“the Act”)) from you, it shall ensure that it fully complies with the provisions of the Act and only deals with the data to fulfill its obligations under the contract.

The company shall indemnify you for any breach of the Act which renders you liable for any costs, claims or expenses.

In fulfillment of its obligations under the Act the Company shall each have such systems in place to ensure: a) Full compliance with the Act b) In particular, compliance with the Seventh Data Protection Principle which deals with the security of personal data c) The reliability of all its employees who may be involved in processing the personal data.

The Company shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that all its partners, contractors and agents comply with this clause where they are processing any of your personal data on your behalf. The company shall allow you reasonable access to such information as is necessary to ensure that it is complying with the above provisions and the Act as a whole. (d) We may use information provided by you, including contact details, to give you details of new trips/ special deals, etc, that Hands Up may offer from time to time. If you do not wish to receive such information you should make this known at the time of booking. We will never divulge your personal details to a third party for marketing purposes.

17. If you have a problem (a) In the event of any dispute or difference arising between the parties as to any matter or thing in connection with the Agreement, such dispute or difference shall first be attempted to be resolved by the parties through discussions held in good faith, but failing resolution within 14 days of one party notifying the other in writing invoking this clause, such dispute or difference shall be referred to a single arbitrator (if the

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parties can agree upon one) and otherwise by two arbitrators, one to be appointed by the Traveller and one to be appointed by the Company, or to their umpire (such umpire to be appointed by the selected Arbitrators) and in either in accordance with the provisions of the Arbitration Act 1996 or any statutory modification or amendment thereto for the time being in force.

18. Illness or disability (a) Anyone suffering from illness or disability or undergoing treatment for any physical or medical condition must declare the true nature of such condition at the time of booking and make arrangements for the provision of any such medication or other treatment which may be required during the tour. Failure to make such a disclosure will constitute a breach of these Booking Conditions and result in such persons being excluded from the tour in which case all monies paid will be forfeited. (b) If the chosen holiday includes a cruise or swimming activity or excursion or transfer by boat of any sort, you must make it known at the time of booking if you are unable to swim. This will not prevent you from participating in the tour but will enable Hands Up to take additional precautions for your safety at such times as may be appropriate.

19. Age, Fitness and Participation (a) You are expected to satisfy yourself prior to booking that you are fit and able to complete the itinerary of your chosen tour as described in this website. Most of our tours are designed for people aged 18-60 and may contain activities appropriate to this age range. Persons over 60 years of age may be required to provide medical evidence of fitness to travel on certain itineraries. No people under the age of 18 years can be accepted on Hands Up’s tours unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian who accepts full responsibility for them. Hands Up reserves the absolute right to decline a booking at its discretion. (b) You agree to accept the authority and decisions of Hands Up’s tour leaders, employees, and agents whilst on tour with Hands Up. If in the opinion of such person, your health or conduct before or after the trip begins appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable

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or happy progress of a tour, you may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund. In the case of ill-health, Hands Up may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs from you.

20. Photography Rights and Maps and Photographs Contained in Website (a) You must be aware that our authorized tour leaders and representatives may take photographs and films of our clients whilst on any of our tours and the Company reserves the right to use such material for any advertising or brochure production without obtaining further consent. The Company also reserves the right to use any comments clients make regarding the tours on any questionnaires or letters in future promotional literature. (b) Maps and photographs are included in the website for general information and may not necessarily reflect actual routings, locations or services.

22. Severability Where any provision of these Booking Conditions is rendered void, unenforceable, or otherwise ineffective by operation of law, that shall not affect the enforceability or effectiveness of any other provision in these Booking Conditions.

23. Non-Waiver If at any time the Company or Hands Up does not enforce any of these Booking Conditions or grants the Traveller time or other indulgence, the Company or Hands Up shall not be construed as having waived that term or condition or its right to later enforce that or any other term or condition.

21. Participation Form (a)You must sign a Participation Form on or prior to Commencement Date. Please note that signing the Participation Form is a pre-requisite of traveling with Hands Up. The wording of this form is as follows: “I understand that traveling with Hands Up Holidays may involve risks above and beyond those encountered on a more conventional holiday, and that I am undertaking an adventure trip with inherent dangers. I understand that I am traveling to geographical areas where, amongst other things, the standard of accommodation, transport, hygiene, cleanliness, medical facilities, safety, telecommunications and infrastructure development may not be of the standard I am used to at home or would find on a conventional holiday. I have read and understood the description of the trip I am undertaking and have provided details of any pre-existing medical conditions that I have to Hands Up’s representatives. I accept these risks and obligations and I fully assume the risks of travel. I release Hands Up Holidays and its representatives from any liabilities connected to these risks to the maximum extent permitted by law.�

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Luxury travel with a transforming touch

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