Real Gap UK Brochure

01892 886 253 realgap.co.uk sales@realgap.co.uk

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Real Gap is your ticket to life-changing travel. To us, travel is about more than just a picture postcard or bragging rights. It’s about challenging yourself, broadening your horizons, learning something new and seeing the world in a new light. It’s the experience of doing something different, whether you’ve got a week, a year or a lifetime.

We open your eyes a little wider, show you things you never expected, and help you fall in love with places you may never have dreamed you’d ever visit. Your ideal Real Gap trip could be an intercontinental adventure, a road trip, overseas work experience, or maybe it’s volunteering. Your life could be changed by the beaming smile of a Ugandan child or the best friend you just met on a trek in Nepal. Whatever you embark on, you’ll see the world your way with Real Gap. And it’ll change you – for good.

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Contents Why Travel with Real Gap What’s Your Style?

Round the World Stay Connected Sustainable Travel

4 6 8 10 12

Africa

14

South Africa Botswana Swaziland Mozambique Namibia Tanzania Ghana Kenya Malawi

16 22 23 24 25 28 33 34 35

Asia

36

Thailand Cambodia Vietnam China India Sri Lanka Nepal Indonesia Malaysia

38 44 48 50 56 60 62 64 65

Australasia

66

Australia New Zealand

68 76

North America

80

USA Canada

82 86

Latin America

88

Costa Rica Guatemala Peru Ecuador

90 96 98 102

Real Gap Extras Terms and Conditions

104 106

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Why Travel with Real Gap Know-how We’ve sent over 50,000 travellers overseas and understand what makes an amazing experience because we’re passionate about travel. Our global team is made up of highly experienced travellers with first-hand knowledge to help you choose or design your ultimate trip and whose expertise you can count on before, during and after your adventure.

Take your pick!

With over 150 trips in 30 countries, from 2 weeks to 12 months, take your pick from adventure, volunteering, working abroad or round-the-world trips.

Meet new friends Flying solo? So are 75% of our travellers! With group departure dates and like-minded people, you’ll make friends in no time. We’ll even give you a buddy list that puts all group members in touch with each other a month before you go.

24/7 Support Ensuring you have a fantastic experience whilst you are travelling is very important to us, which is why we have a dedicated team in-country with 24/7 phone support on the ground as well as staff in the UK to guide you through every step of your adventure.

Personal online account As soon as you book you’ll be provided with a personalised online account that holds every vital piece of information you could need whilst abroad: flight details, visa and vaccination information, trip itinerary, local weather and information, cultural activities and other handy advice like kit lists and safety tips. Best of all, it’s all stored in cyberspace so it’ll follow you wherever you roam.

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What’s Your Style?

One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to travel. Real Gap knows that most of us have a unique to-do list, and that’s why we offer a little something for everyone.

Working holiday? Start here.

Volunteering? Got that too.

Adventure travel? Most definitely!

Round-the-world trip? Do it all!

Whatever you’re looking for, we’ve got it covered.

Real Adventures The thought of visiting far-flung places and taking part in once-in-a-lifetime activities is enough to get any thrill-seeker excited. The tricky part is deciding where to start! With loads of fantastic destinations and experiences to choose from, Real Gap is always on the lookout for ways to spice up your big overseas adventure. If it’s excitement you’re after, you will find it here.

EXPERIENCE: A Real Gap Experience trip is the ultimate, all-encompassing combination of adventure travel, volunteering and fun, through the must-see bits of a country in just two to four weeks. Local guides lead group departures of young travellers just like you, so expertise and a social life is all included.

The group dynamic of an Experience means that even if you book on your own, it won’t be long before you’re making memories with new friends.

What better way is there to see the world?

Why not try?

Thailand Experience (p. 38), South Africa Experience (p. 16) TOURS: Sightseeing junkie? Make sure you hit all the hot spots on a tour. Ancient temples, stunning scenery, modern masterpieces and natural phenomena in the countries you’ve dreamed about – they can all be discovered in a matter of weeks.

Why not try?

Australia East Coast Tour (p. 72), New Zealand North Island Tour (p. 77) LEARN A NEW SKILL: Travelling brings with it an unrivalled feeling of freedom, achievement and confidence – capitalise on it by learning a new skill whilst you’re treading new territories. Learn Spanish in South America, earn a scuba certification at the Great Barrier Reef, or train in the ancient discipline of martial arts in China.

Why not try?

China Martial Arts (p. 52), Australian Outback Ranch Training (p. 70)

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Real Work Experience

Real Volunteering

Get to know a favourite destination inside out by living and working overseas. Real Gap can help send you on your way with paid work and internship opportunities abroad, and we’ll even help take care of the intimidating stuff like visa applications, local bank accounts, job searches and finding accommodation.

Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding and life-changing experience – not only for you but for the lives you touch. Real Gap has plenty of projects to lend a hand at, depending on the type of work you want to get involved in, the experience or skills you have and what part of the world you want to visit.

WORKING HOLIDAYS Earn money to fund your trip, discover new horizons, and live like a local in Australia, New Zealand, North America or China. Rack up impressive new skills and watch how international work experience makes your CV shine.

Why not try?

Australia Paid Work (p. 68), Canada Paid Work (p. 86)

WORK WITH ANIMALS Meet some of the world’s most amazing animals and endangered species. Help by cleaning, feeding and caring for these fascinating creatures.

Why not try?

Mozambique Whale Shark Conservation (p. 24), Malaysia Orang-utan Conservation (p. 65)

INTERNSHIPS Gain valuable work experience with internships abroad. Develop practical skills in professional fields including architecture, medicine, teaching, and hospitality to earn course credits*or get ahead in an increasingly competitive job market.

Why not try?

Australia Internship (p. 71), China Internship (p. 55)

WORK WITH CHILDREN Discover how spending some time with kids in schools, orphanages or care centres in underprivileged countries can change lives – both theirs and yours.

Why not try?

Cambodia Childcare Volunteers (p. 46), Costa Rica Vulnerable Children Volunteers (p. 91)

*Course credits are at the discretion of your particular school or university.

WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES Help a struggling community by teaching HIV/AIDS awareness, sports coaching, small business entrepreneurship and more ways to help the community thrive. Or get your hands dirty and pitch in with building projects to provide family homes.

Why not try?

Guatemala House Building Volunteers (p. 96), Nepal Community Volunteers (p. 63) WORKING IN CONSERVATION It’s no secret that the planet needs protecting. Play your part with a conservation project! Monitor and track wildlife and native plant species, assist with erosion control and help maintain critical natural habitats for the world’s most endangered flora and fauna.

Why not try?

Australia Conservation Volunteers (p. 73), New Zealand Conservation (p. 79)

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Round the World Got time on your hands and an expanding list of global must-sees? A round-the-world trip is just the ticket! Real Gap can help organise even the most extensive travel wish list into a logical, practical and cost-effective round-the-world trip.

Include as many countries and programmes as you like, while factoring in time for independent travel. Make the most of an adventure abroad by seeing the world all in one go!

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Stay Connected Let’s be honest, nobody’s ever further away than a Facebook post or a Tweet these days! Real Gap’s making it easier than ever to keep your finger on the pulse of every tiny detail of your trip online.

Go online to get more Check out maps, watch videos, read essential country info and get inspired by all the ways you can travel at realgap.co.uk E-news Receive our e-newsletter to be first to find out what’s happening. We’ll keep you in the loop whenever we have a great deal, exclusive offers, brand spanking new itineraries, awesome competitions or flash giveaways.

Get social Keep up with Real Gap on social media for even more access to exclusive offers, daily news, inspiring photos and quirky travel fun.

Follow us!

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Sustainable Travel As one of the world’s leading gap year companies, we believe it’s important to do everything we can to be as responsible as possible. From the little things like recycling in the office to the bigger things like ensuring that our trips make a positive impact on the destinations we visit, we try to make being responsible an integral part of what we do.

Social/cultural Real Gap trips are designed to respect local traditions and cultures, encourage authentic travel and foster a greater understanding of local cultures.

Environment Our conservation projects help to preserve natural and human biodiversity across the globe.

Local projects, local business We work with locally run and organised projects that involve local transport, accommodation and facilities to boost the local economy and keep it sustainable.

Every project we work with is set up and driven by the community in which it sits, who have identified a need for support. Overseas volunteers work alongside locals to ensure that the project is driven by the local community, for the local community.

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Africa Rich local cultures, incredible wildlife and stunning natural scenery make Africa an unforgettable destination. Help protect and conserve the Big 5, spend time enriching a community with a teaching or care project, or just kick back and soak up the golden African sun on an adventure-filled tour, safari or trek.

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Ghana Uganda Kenya Tanzania

Zambia

Malawi

Zimbabwe Namibia Botswana

Mozambique Swaziland

South Africa

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15 days From £899

Real Adventure Experience

South Africa Experience Experience South Africa’s famous Garden Route Learn to surf in Jeffreys Bay! Volunteer on a Big 5 game reserve Spend time in beautiful Cape Town – the Mother City It’s the very best of South Africa – all in two weeks! Experience cities to coasts, animals to scenery and volunteering to adventure!

Days 1-7 Volunteer on our fantastic South Africa Big 5 conservation project. Spend a week getting involved in various animal activities, including caring for resident animals, game monitoring and general reserve maintenance.

Days 8-10 We’re off on the Garden Route! First stop, Port Elizabeth, with its long sandy beaches and fantastic nightlife. Visit the Red Location Museum and gain an insight into South Africa’s apartheid history. We’ll then head to Jeffreys Bay with its huge sandy beaches and rolling waves – an ideal spot to learn to surf, or go for a horse ride along the beach!

Days 11-12 Tsitsikamma National Park covers a huge area of coastline and ancient forests, and we’ll head into some of the forest trails as a group. Optional activities include waterfalls and a suspension bridge! Next up is the coastal town of Knysna, home to the Knysna Quays and picturesque lagoon. Enjoy a boat trip out to ‘The Heads’ where the Noatzie River meets the Indian Ocean. o Slotting right int yle st the local life in South Africa

Africa 16

Days 13-14 Welcome to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of the world! Visit Cango Caves or take a trip to the local wildlife ranch, home to some fascinating and endangered animals, before we head to Cape Town. The spectacular scenic drive will surely be a trip highlight! Once in Cape Town, take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain or take a boat trip to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years during the apartheid era.

Enjoy a farewell dinner for our last night as a group before hitting the town to soak up Cape Town’s nightlife!

Day 15 Our last day in Cape Town, make sure to swap contact details and say farewell to new friends.

Amazing, best 2 weeks of my life!�

Jenna Jones

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Arrival airport transfer Activities as stated in itinerary Support of local in-country team

Accommodation Type Accommodation is in multi-share dorms.

Option of internet access at an additional cost

Start Dates 2012: 13 Feb, 5 Mar, 9 Apr, 7 May, 27 May, 16 Jul, 27 Aug, 7 Oct, 28 Oct

Trip Code SAXP

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South Africa Work with Animals Wildlife fanatic? You’re in luck. There are plenty of incredible animals in Africa to marvel at on a safari or game drive, but Real Gap can get you even closer than that…

Make new friends in the form of adorable bundles of energy on the Lion Cub Experience or help behind the scenes on a game reserve with South Africa Big 5 Conservation. Wildlife enthusiasts will be in seventh heaven with ample opportunity to spend time with African animals and help them thrive.

Muck in, kick back, make new friends, and feel good about making a positive impact on African conservation efforts.

2-3 weeks From £1099

2-12 weeks From £899

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Animals

Work with Animals

Lion Cub Experience

Big 5 Conservation

Play with and look after cuddly cubs, assisting in the nursery, cleaning enclosures, preparing food, and helping to keep the park in top shape with general maintenance support.

Step out of the ordinary and take a walk on the wild side at a game reserve and sanctuary. From feedings to data collection to general upkeep of the grounds, volunteers are essential to keeping the reserve working like clockwork. Help monitor the behaviour of lions, tigers, elephants and many more African animals and help with a range of maintenance activities including repairing fences, rooting out alien plants and replacing them with indigenous species.

The cubs, in all their show-stopping cuteness, live at the park with other familiar African wildlife, including hyenas, cheetahs, giraffe, zebra, springbok and warthog. As an added bonus, volunteers on this project also have the unique opportunity to work with the extremely rare white lion. Meet this exquisite animal which is close to extinction in the wild.

Africa 18

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Making a difference Since 2009, volunteers at the South Africa Big 5 Conservation project have assisted in removing in excess of 4,000 alien tree species from the area and planted over 10,000 indigenous plant species in the reserve. Thanks to these efforts, the water level has benefited from a significant boost and the indigenous species are flourishing.

What’s included All accommodation Lion Cub Experience - Breakfast only Big 5 - 3 meals per day Lion Cub Experience - arrival transfer Big 5 - arrival and departure transfers Orientation Support of project co-ordinator throughout

Accommodation Type Lion Cub Experience Stay in multi-share safari style tents whilst on the project. Internet access is available at an additional cost.

Big 5 Conservation Stay in multi-share accommodation with a lounge and entertainment area.

Start Dates Lion Cub Experience 2012: 2 Feb, 16 Feb, 1 Mar, 15 Mar, 5 Apr, 19 Apr, 3 May, 17 May, 7Jun, 21 Jun, 5 Jul, 19 Jul, 2 Aug, 16 Aug, 6 Sep, 20 Sep, 4 Oct, 18 Oct, 1 Nov, 15 Nov, 6 Dec, 20 Dec Big 5 Conservation 2012: Every Monday

Trip Code Lion Cub Experience SALP Big 5 Conservation SABF

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South Africa Work with Children Volunteering with disadvantaged communities can bring a breath of fresh air to the youth in South Africa who just want to have fun! Donate your time, energy and enthusiasm during the week and explore the local area during weekends or time off! Spend time in beautiful Cape Town, see the famous Table Mountain, Robben Island, the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and vineyards galore!

2-8 weeks From £749

Africa 20

2-6 weeks From £789

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Children

Work with Children

Sports Volunteers

Child Development

As South Africa establishes itself as a world class sporting nation, it’s only fitting to help fuel the athletic fire of the country’s youth! Give kids a positive outlet for their excess energy by getting them involved in sports! Coach kids of all ages in their physical education classes and after school activities and help them learn the importance of teamwork and cooperation.

Help encourage the positive development of children in a local township near Cape Town. Read stories, play games and assist the teachers at the childcare centre with a range of fun activities for the kids! Volunteer support is critical to the full-time staff in helping with general organisation and maintenance including painting and gardening.

Coach athletics, netball or soccer, or introduce them to a new sport or game. They’re eager learners so bring along some supplies, equipment, and plenty of imagination and engage these kids in new adventures in sport!

Aged between three and six years old, these children just adore spending time with volunteers! During this incredibly formative time in their young lives, the personal attention they receive at the childcare centre is invaluable to their personal development.

Footie practice is h a real winner wit s! kid the

Wicked experience... made me wanna have a career change�

Jack Hodgeson

Making a difference Volunteering with the kids in these communities reinforces their positive development as they grow up and become fully-fledged members of the community. By organising proper activities and sports games for children, volunteers can instil a sense of community spirit and camaraderie, key skills for their success later in life.

What’s included All accommodation Welcome meal Arrival airport transfer Orientation Support of project co-ordinator throughout

Accommodation Type Sports Volunteers Stay in multi-share rooms in a house with other volunteers.

The volunteer house has a shared kitchen, bathroom and communal areas.

Child Development

Stay in a house with other volunteers, with shared rooms and a lounge.

Start Dates Sports Volunteers

2012: 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 5 Mar, 19 Mar, 16 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 4 Jun, 6 Aug, 20 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 15 Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov Child Development

2012: 16 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 5 Mar, 19 Mar, 2 Apr, 16 Apr, 7 May, 21 May, 4 Jun, 18 Jun,2 Jul, 16 Jul, 6 Aug, 20 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 5 Nov, 19 Nov

Trip Code Sports Volunteers SASV Child Development SACD

Keen to improve more lives while in Africa?

Why not try Uganda Community Volunteers?

See website for more details.

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4-6 weeks From £1999

Real Adventure Experience

Botswana Experience Safari in the Moremi Game Reserve Volunteer at a community project in Maun Experience the mighty Victoria Falls in Zambia See how the locals live in a family homestay Join an awe-inspiring journey through Botswana and Zambia; visit one of Africa’s best safari destinations, volunteer with communities, and round it all off with an action packed finale in Victoria Falls.

Week 1 After arrival and orientation in Maun, explore the Okavango Delta. One of the top wildlife destinations in the world, the Okavango Delta is home to thousands of animals, making it an ideal place to go on safari. Make sure the camera is handy! Moremi Game Reserve is right in the heart of the delta, and there awaits a true African wilderness adventure, with unlimited game drives and back-to-basics camping.

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What’s included

Week 2 Heading back to Maun, it’s time to make a positive contribution to the local community. Get completely immersed in the culture and way of life of the Tswana people by volunteering at a day care centre for children. With one of the highest HIV infection rates in Africa, Botswana’s youth of all ages and backgrounds, need positive influences and support across the board.

All accommodation

Week 3 Spend some more time volunteering with the local children, and use free time at the weekends to explore the amazing Okavango region.

With loads of optional activities including traditional mokoro (canoe) trips out into the delta, there’s never a dull moment.

River, visiting local craft markets and much more!

After fun-filled days in Livingstone, we’ll head back to Maun.

Week 4 After the volunteer project comes to a close, head to Livingstone, Zambia. Take advantage of all the excitement on offer at the mighty Victoria Falls – optional activities include white water rafting, jet boating, sunset cruises up the Zambezi

Most meals Arrival and departure airport transfers Orientation Services of a tour leader

Week 5-6 Those on the six week programme will return to a warm welcome from their host families in Maun, rejoining the community work project from earlier in the trip for another two weeks. On the final day of the trip, airport transfers will be arranged and it’s time to say goodbye.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a variety of multi-share accommodation in tents, a homestay, bush camping and backpackers’ lodge.

2012: 6 Feb, 2 Jul, 6 Aug

BWDV

4-6 weeks From £1969

Real Adventure Experience

Swaziland Kruger to Coast Experience Make a real difference to the lives of children in Swaziland Go on safari in world renowned Kruger National Park Experience the stunning beaches of Mozambique on the Indian Ocean Travel through 3 countries in 4 weeks!

Experience the variation of the African landscape on this adventure tour through Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique.

Safari in Kruger, volunteer in Swaziland and relax on the stunning beaches of Mozambique.

Week 1 Spend five days exploring Kruger National Park in South Africa. With guided game drives and a bush walk as part of the adventure, this week is all about spotting amazing wildlife. We even head out on a night drive to catch a rare nocturnal glimpse of the majestic animals in their natural habitat. Get back to basics with bush-style camping this week – that means dome tents and plenty of campfire banter!

Weeks 2-3 Volunteer with a community in Swaziland, getting involved in projects such as planting garden crops, organising creative games and craft classes, even orchestrating sports days to encourage fun, teamwork, and exercise in the community. For those on the six week itinerary, there’s an opportunity to get involved in teaching and day care for children aged 3-13 years old.

An unforgettable opportunity to get to know the people of Swaziland and make a difference.

Week 4 It’s time for a week of beach-side relaxation in tropical Tofo, Mozambique. On the Inhambane Peninsula, Tofo is a laid-back beach village nestled amongst coconut palms and set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Get acquainted with the local culture of this area, staying in reed huts and going on an ocean safari.

Laze on the beach, get active on an ocean kayak expedition or let loose at a few parties; this week

What’s included All accommodation All meals Arrival and departure airport transfers

I seriously loved every minute of it, I learnt so much. Walking around a Swazi village meeting all the children was the highlight. I saw the Big 5, twice, and saw a leopard eating it’s prey.

Swimming with a whale shark was also out of this world. If you’re thinking about doing it, GO!” Kate Robinson

Services of a tour leader Activities as per itinerary in Kruger and Mozambique

in Mozambique is a sure-fire winner. At the end of a sun-soaked week, it’s time to head back to Swaziland and say goodbye to those on the four week option.

Weeks 5-6 Return to a warm welcome at your volunteer project to spend two more weeks improving the lives of others. As these final weeks come to a close, there’s time for one last relaxing weekend in Swaziland before saying farewell to new friends.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Accommodation is multi-share with basic facilities. Stay in dorms in a backpackers’ lodge in Swaziland and Mozambique and two-man dome tents whilst bush camping in Kruger.

2012: 2 Jan, 6 Feb, 5 Mar, 2 Apr, 7 May, 4 Jun, 2 Jul, 6 Aug, 3 Sep, 1 Oct, 5 Nov, 3 Dec

SAKC

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2-12 weeks From £1299

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

Mozambique Whale Shark Conservation Swim with whale sharks Gain a basic PADI qualification (+3 weeks) Support a valuable scientific research programme Enjoy the idyllic Indian Ocean beaches of Mozambique Swim with whale sharks in the Indian Ocean.

Besides being an absurdly cool opportunity to tick off a massive life to-do, there’s also a scientifically beneficial purpose to this concept as well. By spending quality time with this enormous fish, volunteers are helping to conserve various species of marine life.

The whale shark is the world’s largest fish and a threatened species, so monitoring the behaviour and population of these beasts is critical to their survival. Conservation projects involve underwater photography, which means swimming with the whale sharks. Their name might sound intimidating, but unless you’re made of plankton, have no fear!

They’re not interested in eating anything larger than microscopic animals, plants and bacteria found in the ocean. However, in order to get up close and personal with this mammoth marine life, it’s important to gain confidence in the deep blue sea so the programme begins with a PADI open water scuba course (included in three week programmes and longer).

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In addition to the whale shark, volunteers on this project also monitor the nesting activity of turtles depending on the season and the general condition of the coral reef off the coast of Mozambique. This monitoring provides valuable data which allows marine biologists to know what kind of habitats they need to survive. Help to conduct this research on beach walks, boat trips and swims in and around the Tofo area. This is an incredible opportunity to play a unique role in conserving and improving marine biodiversity.

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers PADI diving course (min. 3 week programme) Support of project coordinator throughout

Making a difference Thanks to the volunteers who have already contributed their time and efforts, there have been notable developments with whale shark conservation in Mozambique. Data collected on research excursions so far has allowed the local foundation to establish a code of conduct, helping to protect whale sharks and other marine life in the area.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in convenient multi-share dorm style accommodation, a 5 minute walk from the beach.

2012: 2 Jan, 6 Feb, 5 Mar, 2 Apr, 7 May, 4 Jun, 2 Jul, 6 Aug, 3 Sep, 1 Oct, 5 Nov, 3 Dec

MOWS

8 or 12 weeks From £3499

Real Work Experience Internship

Namibia Medical Internship Get to know friendly Namibian locals while gaining valuable CV-enhancing work experience giving medical care to people in need.

Work in a health clinic in Namibia’s rural San Bushman community, and help support the people in this remote location while gaining CV-strengthening internship credentials.

CV

Some volunteer activities may include: • Recording blood pressure • Cleaning and dressing wounds • Assisting in the pharmacy • Weighing babies • Glucose testing and recording Further to helping with primary healthcare in the clinic, take part in a broader research project to help improve medical services for San Bushman. This could involve monitoring local patterns of disease, TB rates, mapping distances patients travel to visit the clinic, and patient awareness of diseases.

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t prac Gain rience ll to a e expe r a e yc imar h-volum r p Give in a hig s age s c n i tern cl i t a p l loca itor e with n o M s ts isea ojec of d arch pr rese

The San Bushman Community in Namibia is one of the oldest cultures in the world, but many of its members live in extreme poverty. For years these people have been stigmatised and treated as third class citizens, making their unfortunate situation more difficult to break away from.

Working alongside a dedicated doctor and nurse, learn about common diseases and ailments affecting the community on a regular basis and their most effective treatments. Interns will help give care to clinic patients and hear their story, learning more about the challenges they face and getting a clearer perspective of life in a rural African village.

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What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Transfers to the clinic Support of in-country coordinator

knowledge, but they’ll also make a difference to a community in need.

This internship is an extremely rewarding option for anyone looking for a career in the medical field. Not only will interns develop useful skills and

The clinic The clinic is in a rural village in Eastern Namibia and is home to approximately 500 people from the San Bushman and Herero communities. The clinic treats around 3000 patients each year; approximately 40% of patients are children, of which 70% are younger than five years old.

The most common diagnoses amongst the child patients include malnutrition, infection

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Accomodation in a small house in the village, either private room or twin-share.

2012: 7 Jan, 21 Jan, 4 Feb, 18 Feb, 3 Mar, 17 Mar, 31 Mar, 14 Apr, 28 Apr, 12 May, 26 May, 9 Jun, 23 Jun, 7 Jul, 21 Jul, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 1 Sep, 15 Sep, 29 Sep, 13 Oct, 27 Oct, 10 Nov, 24 Nov

NAMI

and dehydration. Issues like these aren’t particularly severe but if left untreated can lead to complications, so clinic care is vital.

Health issues including TB, HIV and alcoholism are also prevalent in the community.

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Nambia Work with Animals Namibia may not be your first thought when it comes to African destinations, but those who have been there would argue that it should be! With its unique scenery, strong tribal traditions, and friendly people, it’s the Africa you never knew you’d love.

The varied landscapes here are awe-inspiring, with impressive orange sand dunes for miles, deserts, mountains, salt plains and intriguing coastlines full of mysterious history. And with giraffes, cheetahs, meerkats, lions, baboons, zebras and much more amazing wildlife, Namibia is anything but ordinary!

2-8 weeks From £899

Africa 26

2-12 weeks From £1099

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Animals

Work with Animals

Cheetah Conservation

Wildlife Sanctuary

Big cat fans unite! Assist at a reserve that’s dedicated to protecting Namibia’s cheetahs and leopards, while learning about the traditional way of life in this part of Africa.

Experience life at a wildlife sanctuary! With views of distant mountain ranges and a rugged natural savannah, you’ll fall in love with Namibia here!

Cattle farming in Namibia has created a compromised environment for cheetahs, thanks to fences cropping up where the cats used to roam free. This has led to a drastic decline in cheetah numbers in Namibia…but you can help! Assist with essential maintenance work to return the land to its former cheetah-friendly glory on the Cheetah Conservation programme. Go on exciting game drive activities including leopard and cheetah tracking, all in a stunning private reserve north of Windhoek.

The sanctuary provides a safe refuge for injured, orphaned or abandoned wildlife. Volunteers help feed, groom, clean out enclosures, maintain and build fences, and even dig new water holes. Are you the host with the most? You could assist guides with tourist visits too!

so fencing g cattle in ov e e m r e f R m s can roa cheetah

the

Orphaned baboons feature as a favourite resident at the sanctuary; take them for walks, bottle feed the babies, and even act as an overnight babysitter for infant baboons. Entirely unique, this experience is sure to be unforgettable.

bit Nothing beats a end e th at er of bant y of a volunteer da

The highlights were meeting new people and knowing I will be friends with them in the future.

Arriving somewhere and feeling totally at home was like a jigsaw piece slotting in to place. Seeing the amazing wildlife and learning so much more about them.�

Emily Manning

Making a difference Since the launch of the Cheetah Conservation project in 2008, it is estimated that volunteers have dismantled approximately 130km of cattle fencing and removed around 80 hectares of alien plant species, allowing cheetahs to return to their natural habitat.

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Orientation Full support and assistance from in-country team

Accommodation Type Cheetah Conservation Stay in large two-man dome tents under thatched shelters.

Rustic as you like!

Wildlife Sanctuary Stay in triple-share accommodation with shared facilities and a very popular swimming pool.

Start Dates Cheetah Conservation 2012: 28 Jan, 11 Feb, 25 Feb, 10 Mar, 24 Mar, 7 Apr, 21 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 16 Jun, 30 Jun, 14 Jul, 28 Jul, 11 Aug, 25 Aug, 8 Sep, 22 Sep, 6 Oct, 20 Oct, 3 Nov, 17 Nov. Wildlife Sanctuary 2012: 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month

Trip Code Cheetah Conservation NAEC Wildlife Sanctuary

NAWR

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29 days From £1599

Real Adventure Experience

Tanzania Experience Experience the best of Tanzania in just four weeks Safari in N’gorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara Trek in the foothills of mighty Mt Kilimanjaro Relax on the idyllic northern beaches of Zanzibar Explore the very best that Tanzania has to offer! Go on an exciting safari in N’gorongoro Crater, get to know the Maasai people, explore the foothills of Kilimanjaro, and relax on the stunning beaches of Zanzibar!

Days 1- 2 Meet new friends and settle in.

Day 3-6 Spend the next few days volunteering at the community projects in Moshi. Bring a smile to the faces of disadvantaged children, in nurseries and kindergartens.

Day 7 Visit the Maasai village of Mto wa Umb. Learn about the history of this fascinating nomadic culture on a guided walk with your local Masai guide. Stay in a traditional Maasai Boma (mud hut)!

Day 8 Head to N’gorongoro Crater for a full day of game viewing. A huge variety of wildlife calls the crater home, including lions, elephants and rhinos.

Challenge yourself to spot loads of other smaller game and bird life on this exhilarating safari.

Day 9 Take a short ride to Lake Manyara National Park and marvel at the huge flock of flamingos for a unique twist on the typical African game drive.

Day 10-14 Return to a very warm welcome from the children at the day care centres, rejoining the volunteer programmes in Moshi.

Day 15 Embark on the trekking adventure of a lifetime in the foothills of majestic Mt Kilimanjaro!

Enjoy stunning views over the Machame Waterfalls, and spend a night camping in the forest.

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Day 16 It’s back to base in Moshi before taking the bus to Dar Es Salaam. Sitting right on the brink of the Indian Ocean, this coastal town’s name means ‘harbour of peace’.

Day 17 Beach time! Well-deserved relaxation on one of the local sandy beaches after a couple of busy weeks on safari and volunteering.

Day 18 Cast away for the day on a boat trip to the idyllic Coral Islands off the coast of Dar Es Salaam.

Day 19-20 Learn the art of African drumming and dance! A fantastic lesson from some local experts will teach the basic steps and techniques. Spend the next day exploring and getting a feel for the local area.

Day 21 Zanzibar awaits! Take the ferry over to the famous spice island to get properly acquainted with this Indian Ocean gem.

Day 22 Enjoy a guided tour of Stone Town.

Explore the local secrets and exotic markets in this spectacular town that time forgot.

Day 23 Free time in Stone Town offers a chance to revisit some of the markets, or perhaps arrange an additional excursion like a dolphin tour or a visit to Prison Island, or popping by a turtle sanctuary.

Day 24 No trip to Zanzibar would be complete without a spice tour. Once home to over 90% of the world’s clove supply.

Day 25-28 We’re beach-bound! Today, head north to the beaches of Kendwa. Home to some of the island’s most picturesque beaches, Kendwa acts as a great base for our last lazy days in Zanzibar.

Day 29 After an epic four week adventure encompassing the very best of Tanzania, it’s time to say farewell as we head back to Stone Town and this journey comes to an end.

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Arrival airport transfer Support of the in-country team Activities as stated in itinerary

Accommodation Type Stay in various multi-share accommodation including a volunteer house, safari camp, traditional mud hut and backpackers’ hostel.

Start Dates 2012: 14 Jan, 4 Feb, 10 Mar, 7 Apr, 5 May, 16 Jun, 14 Jul, 11 Aug, 8 Sep, 13 Oct, 10 Nov.

Trip Code TAXP

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Tanzania/Zanzibar Work with Community World-class national parks, serene Zanzibar Island, exotic wildlife and awe-inspiring Kilimanjaro…Tanzania has many reasons to visit! Beneath the geographic highlights, this East African nation has got a brittle framework and its residents need a boost to live their lives rather than just exist.

2-12 weeks From £559

2-8 weeks From £699

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Community

Work with Children

Community Volunteers

Teaching Volunteers

When’s the last time you did something that impacted an entire community? Tanzania Community Volunteers aim to build community spirit from the foundation up, and the opportunities to help are virtually endless! This project lets volunteers capitalise on their own expertise and interests. Why not try sports coaching or engage the community’s creative side through music, crafts and photography? Get handson with a building project, or help build local business enterprise alongside community members. Each volunteer brings something special to the community, so no two experiences are exactly alike!

Spice things up with a teaching project in Zanzibar. Teach English, science and computer skills to children on the famous “Spice Island”, giving them the tools they need to expand their horizons. Create inventive and engaging lessons for these kids to learn new skills, and help coach sports or games to keep them busy with positive activities after school. Zanzibar is a beautiful island known for its pristine beaches and friendly locals – get out there and explore it in free time and on the weekends.

s the ABCs… Teaching the kid

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dliest One of the frien wn to in s ce fa

Making a difference Volunteers have perked up communities in Tanzania and Zanzibar by painting school buildings, building new desks and blackboards, and giving plenty of classroom support, which has helped to improve the level of English spoken among both kids and adults.

What’s included All accommodation Most meals Arrival airport transfer Services of a project coordinator

Accommodation Type Community Volunteers Stay in multi-share volunteer dorms within walking distance of the beach and Indian Ocean!

Teaching Volunteers Stay in hostel accommodation for volunteers, in multi-share rooms.

Start Dates Community Volunteers 2012: 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 4 Mar, 18 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 17 Jun, 1 Jul, 15 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 18 Nov, 2 Dec, 16 Dec Teaching Volunteers

2012: 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 12 Feb, 26 Feb, 11 Mar, 25 Mar, 8 Apr, 22 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 12 Aug, 26 Aug, 9 Sep, 23 Sep, 14 Oct, 28 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov, 9 Dec, 23 Dec

Trip Code Community Volunteers TACV Teaching Volunteers TAZE

Teach in Malawi and extend your African travels!

Go online to find out more details.

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7 days From £1179

Real Adventure Tour

Tanzania Kilimanjaro Climb Climb Africa’s tallest mountain Admire spectacular views of the African landscape Witness a breathtaking sunrise from the summit Stand up to the challenge, achieve an incredible goal!

Climb Mt Kilimanjaro and join the elite group of trekkers who can tick a continent’s tallest mountain off their bucket list! Hike through lush rainforest and open moorland to reach the summit of the highest mountain in Africa.

Stay fit! But also prepare your mind. The mind is the most important thing to prepare prior to climbing.Oh and take spare batteries!

Day 1 Kick off this adventure in either Nairobi, Kenya or Moshi, Tanzania. Get psyched up for the exciting challenge ahead at a pre-departure briefing. Ask any and all questions and replace any pre-hike butterflies with nerves of steel!

Day 2 After an early start, the trek begins in Kilimanjaro National Park; steamy rainforests make up the first section of the ascent. Spend the night at Mandara Hut – 2743m.

Day 3 The contrast in scenery is incredible, as the trek continues out of the rainforest and into the moorlands. Wrap up the day at Horombo Hut – 3760m.

Day 4 Hike an incredible route for the final stage of the climb; trekking between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, we take on ‘The Saddle’. Get a good rest at Kibo Hut before taking on the summit tomorrow – 4730m.

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Day 5 Summit day! We’re up before the sun to trek to Gilman’s Point and onto Uhuru Peak, just in time to witness a spectacular sunrise over Kenya and Tanzania from the Roof of Africa.

Reach the summit and soak up the amazing views from 5895m and bask in the glow of a huge achievement!

Rafaela Manna

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Return shuttle transfer from Nairobi to Moshi National Park fees Rescue fees Day 6 Descend Kilimanjaro and arrive back in Moshi for hot showers and some well-earned celebration.

Day 7 Now that the mission is complete, it’s time to go our separate ways. Finish the adventure in Moshi or catch the shuttle back to Nairobi.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay two nights in a budget hotel in shared rooms and four nights in shared mountain huts or camping.

2012: Every Monday

KEKC

3 weeks From £999

Real Adventure Experience

Ghana Experience Get to know one of Africa’s friendliest countries Experience a jungle canopy walk Visit Africa’s oldest slave forts and learn about Ghana’s tragic past Give something back; help out on fantastic community projects Experience the undiscovered Africa. Ghana has something for everyone and is just waiting to be explored!

Days 1-2 Welcome to Ghana! Explore the local area on a tour of Accra; check out the busy markets, visit a museum, and in the evening get a taste for some of the local nightlife.

Day 3 Play all day in the African sunshine! Head to the beach or pool for a bit of relaxation, and tonight indulge in a traditional Ghanaian welcome meal with the group.

Days 4-8 Volunteering can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences and is part of the morning itinerary for the next five days. Help out in a local school or coach sports for the children.

Afternoons are spent absorbing the local culture.

Take part in fascinating lessons including: drumming and dance, wood carving (carve a wooden elephant.) local language (Ga and Twi), cooking and African painting.

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Arrival airport transfer Services of a tour leader Activities as per itinerary and climb Ghana’s highest mountain, Mt Afadjato.

Days 9–11 We’re heading to intriguing Cape Coast, home to some lovely beaches as well as a breathtaking National Park. Experience an exhilarating canopy walk in the tree tops and learn about the unique importance of the native rainforest species. Cape Coast is also the location of Africa’s oldest slave forts. Discover Ghana’s turbulent past and learn about the country’s intense history .

Day 14 Hang out with some very mischievous monkeys at a sanctuary in the central region of Ghana. An incredible experience to play with these friendly, furry animals!

Day 16-19 Mole National Park is home to more than 90 different mammals, including elephant, buffalo, hippo and baboons, and is our home for the next few days. Go on game drives to discover the resident wildlife!

Day 12-13 Heading inland to Ghana’s famous Volta Region, take a refreshing swim in the Wli waterfalls

Day 15 Ghana’s second largest city, Kumasi, is most famous for hosting one of Africa’s oldest and biggest markets. Scope it out for everything from fresh fruit to wooden animals. Barter with the market traders to practice your newfound skills in Ga and Twi!

Day 20-22 Drive through the heart of Ghana, taking in stunning scenery, rural villages, and finally relaxing in the coastal town of Kokrobite.

Come night time, practice your new drumming and dancing skills while we enjoy some traditional entertainment. After a jam-packed few weeks, it’s time to say farewell.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in various types of multi-share accommodation, including a volunteer house, guest houses, and backpackers’ hostels.

2012: 6 Jan, 3 Feb, 2 Mar, 6 Apr, 4 May, 1 Jun, 6 Jul, 3 Aug, 7 Sep, 5 Oct, 2 Nov, 7 Dec

GHXP

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2-8 weeks From £899

Real Volunteering

Work with Communities

Kenya Medical & Community Provide valuable assistance in an orphanage Help to provide care for people affected by HIV/AIDS, unemployment and poverty Experience Kenya as part of the local community Put medical skills to good use, assisting the community Help improve the lives of people affected by poverty and HIV/AIDS. Spend most of the week working in community projects including orphanages, nursery schools and medical clinics. The residents of these local communities struggle to get the care that they need, and volunteer action significantly aids them in receiving good health care, child care, and general well-being.

Have a medical qualification (or studying for one)?

Assist with medical procedures under the guidance of local doctors. There’s also the option to assist with child care activities at the baby rescue centre and help out at a feeding programme for the local community every other Friday.

On weekends, explore the fascinating country of Kenya – whether experiencing the city life or setting off on safari, there is definitely no shortage of cool stuff to do!

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Transport to and from the projects each day Weekly laundry service

Making a difference The results of our volunteers’ efforts include a new fence, newly painted baby centre and orphanage, new chalkboards, desks and learning materials in local schools, and increased productivity in the outreach programme of a local HIV clinic and hospitals.

Africa

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Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a multi-share dorm room with shared facilities and internet access whilst helping on these projects.

2012: 1st and 3rd Monday of every month

KEMC

4-12 weeks From £1099

Real Volunteering Work with Communities

Malawi Medical Volunteers Live on the shores of Lake Malawi Use medical expertise to help those in need Sundowners overlooking Lake Malawi Help the children at the local orphanage The volunteering projects were amazing, so worthwhile and it really felt like we were helping to make a difference.”

Be a medical volunteer in one of Africa’s most beautiful yet deprived countries. Spend time volunteering in projects from clinics to local orphanages.

Volunteer roles available on this programme include: Home-based care Put together lessons on: HIV/AIDS, malaria prevention, personal hygiene, drug administration, first aid, infection prevention, sexual health awareness, nutrition and more.

Malaria project Assist with malaria prevention to help minimise the epidemic and protect local communities against the disease. Interact with the community by conducting malaria prevention research and giving lessons.

Orphan centre For those who want to provide aid but have little or no previous medical experience, take part in activities at the orphan centre, including: preschool teaching, feeding the orphans, teaching the importance of health, nutrition and well-being.

Engage the kids in sports activities and games too!

HIV/AIDS awareness Give health talks in the communities; show people the damaging effects of the disease through drama workshops on HIV/AIDS. Put together home-based care support programmes to try to curb the epidemic.

Local community hospital and clinic This option is suited to volunteers with previous medical experience; assist medics in providing primary health care to patients.

Liz Hall

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Orientation Support of project coordinator throughout

Making a difference Medical volunteers have helped to form mobile clinics and home-based care outreach programmes, ultimately helping to improve the productivity and positive effects of the understaffed government health centres.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a house with other volunteers, on a multi-share basis.

2012: Every Monday (except from December to midJanuary when the project is closed)

MAME

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Asia Bustling cities, pristine beaches, vibrant colours and delicious cuisine are only the start of Asia’s appeal. As diverse as it is vast, explore the cultures of India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and China to name a few. With more adventure than you can shake a chopstick at, Asia is bound to surprise and delight!

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$IJOB '?KJO HEGA PDA %NA=P 5=HH KB !DEJ= PDA $KN>E@@AJ !EPU 2ANN=?KPP= 5=NNEKNO =J@ =I=VEJC CE=JP L=J@=O =NA UKQNO PK @EO?KRAN EJ !DEJ= 5DU JKP HERA =J@ >NA=PDA PDEO B=O?EJ=PEJC ?QHPQNA SEPD =J EJPANJODEL *A=NJ +=J@=NEJ =J@ C=EJ LNKBAOOEKJ=H SKNG ATLANEAJ?A EJ PDA IKOP @UJ=IE? AIANCEJC I=NGAP KB PDAI =HH 1AA L

China

Nepal India

Thailand Vietnam Cambodia

Sri Lanka Malaysia

Indonesia

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4 weeks From £989

Real Adventure Experience

Thailand Experience Four adventurous weeks travelling in Thailand Splash & swim in waterfall pools in Erawan National Park Trek in the Thai hills with local guides Lend a hand in local schools & orphanages Discover the best of Thailand – from the local, rural culture of the hill tribe people to the carefree island lifestyle. Experience it all in just four weeks!

Days 1-2 Bangkok! It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s the perfect way to start this trip with a bang. Get to know the group as we explore the Thai capital with a guided tour, canal boat trip, and a big night out on the legendary Kho San Road.

Days 3-4 Trade in the madness of Bangkok for Kanchanaburi, a historical city on the famous River Kwai, and splash around in freshwater pools at the exquisite waterfalls of Erawan National Park.

Days 5-7 It’s time to get cultural! Learn to cook some delicious Thai cuisine from start to finish – everything from market haggling to kitchen techniques is included in this hands-on lesson.

Discover the serenity of meditation at Buddhist temples and spend a free day exploring.

Days 8-14 Welcome to Sangkhlaburi, a beautiful and unspoilt area of Thailand with stunning views, friendly locals and plenty to see and do! Spend Chilling with new rfall. friends in a wate As you do…

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five days lending a hand on one of two volunteer projects – working with children in the community or a hands-on building project!

Days 15-17 Visit Sangkhlaburi’s Mon village via a walk on the famous wooded bridge, try out some river rafting, and get back to basics with a two-day guided trek through the hills of Sangkhlaburi.

Days 18-20 After a few days of activity, enjoy a well-deserved day of rest, followed by more adventure with an elephant ride and a trip to some natural hot springs! Learn how the elephant mahouts control these massive animals, and spend time with a hill village to learn about their way of life.

Days 21-27 Here comes an entire week on the stunning island of Koh Pha Ngan – the perfect finale to our Thai adventure! Famous for its full moon parties, there’s no shortage of fun to be had on this island paradise, so enjoy it with a full week to play, sunbathe, snorkel, scuba… whatever you like!

Day 28 Today we head back to Bangkok – swap details with new friends and head home… or carry on travelling!

Did you know?

Thailand Experience travellers in 2011 built a 1km water pipe during their volunteering days that now supplies fresh water to a village of 400 people!

Beautiful country, amazing friends, unforgettable once-ina-lifetime experience, I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Charlotte Butterick

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Arrival airport transfer Services of a tour leader Guided tour of Bangkok All activities as included in itinerary

Accommodation Type Stay in twin or triple-share hostels, guesthouses, hotels and beach huts.

Start Dates 2012: 7 Jan, 21 Jan, 4 Feb, 11 Feb, 25 Feb, 10 Mar, 24 Mar, 7 Apr, 21 Apr, 28 Apr, 5 May, 19 May, 2 Jun, 9 Jun, 16 Jun, 23 Jun, 30 Jun, 7 Jul, 14 Jul, 21 Jul, 28 Jul, 4 Aug, 11 Aug, 18 Aug, 8 Sep, 22 Sep,6 Oct, 20 Oct, 3 Nov, 17 Nov, 1 Dec

Trip Code THDY

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10 days From £399

Real Adventure Tour

Thailand Bangkok to Beaches Find a bargain in the bustling night markets of Cha Am Trek soaring mountains in Sam Roi Yot National Park Snorkel in the clear waters off the coast of Koh Tao Relax on some of the world’s most stunning beaches It’s full steam ahead into the backpacking experience of a lifetime in Thailand! Join this exciting ten day tour for the perfect introduction to the Thai lifestyle and culture.

Day 1 Welcome to Thailand! Get a warm welcome from our friendly coordinators at Bangkok airport, followed by a welcome dinner this evening.

Day 2 Experience firsthand the infamous Bangkok buzz! See the Grand Palace, impressive temples, the Reclining Buddha, and the world famous Khao San Road on a walking tour of the Thai capital.

Day 3 Visit Thailand’s longest white sand beach as we head to Cha Am. Chill out on the pristine sand and later check out the resort’s busy night market which sells everything from noodles to puppies!

Day 4 Get ready for an active day in Khao Sam Roi Yot, one of Thailand’s National Parks, scenically located on the coast. Trek through forests and caves, take a boat trip to see the picturesque mountains from the sea, and maybe even spot some dolphins.

Day 5 We’re off to beautiful Koh Tao, or “Turtle Island” in Thai. We’re staying on Sairee Beach, a long stretch of soft white sand and shallow turquoise water – beach bliss!

All accommodation Arrival airport transfer Services of a tour leader Sam Roi Yot tour Bangkok walking tour Days 7-9 Free time on Koh Tao. Enjoy this stunning island paradise however you like. Explore a shipwreck in a rocky cove, coral and tropical fish while snorkelling or stay on dry land and discover hiking trails and yoga classes galore.

Day 6 Take a snorkelling trip around Koh Tao. This boat tour will make frequent stops to hop in the clear waters and get amongst the marine life.

Day 10 The independent backpacking adventure begins as it’s time to go our separate ways. Choose to stay on Koh Tao or travel on to discover other beautiful Thai islands. Or head back to Bangkok and see where else your journey takes you.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in twin-share rooms in hotels and guesthouses.

2012: 6 Jan, 11 Feb, 10 Mar, 7 Apr, 12 May, 9 Jun, 14 Jul, 11 Aug, 8 Sep, 13 Oct, 10 Nov, 8 Dec

THIN

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What’s included

The fun doesn’t stop here!

Carry on with Thailand Island Hopping! Check online for dates and prices.

1-2 weeks From £499

Real Volunteering Work with Communities

Thailand Elephants & Community Make friends with the largest living land animal in Asia Work on volunteer projects that help keep elephants away from cruelty Live with Thai villagers

Get up close to colossal elephants! Volunteer in Thailand and experience more than just the tourist trail.

Here’s an outstanding opportunity to absorb the local culture and lifestyle of the typical Thai villager, while helping the community too. Live with a village elder and his family and experience real Thai life firsthand. Learn to cook the country’s delicious cuisine, learn some basic Thai language and create some incredible memories.

Help plant crops, bamboo and wild grass to give the villagers an affordable and readily available supply of elephant food to use in the dry season.

Some volunteers will also support community development projects by giving assistance in local schools.

Learn traditional Thai fishing methods, kayak on the local river and relish the chance to learn how to control and ride an elephant. Under the expert supervision of the mahouts (handlers), soak up as much knowledge as possible on these amazing creatures and how to work with them.

Spend the weekends in the town of Surin, a great base from which to explore the rest of the local area.

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Arrival airport transfer Supervision of experienced mahouts (handlers) Support of project coordinator throughout

entually s that will ev Planting crop isine cu ai Th licious be used in de

Making a difference If elephants and community are your thing, Sri Lanka is another must-see! Check website for more info.

After the ban of logging, domesticated elephants have become a financial burden on the families that keep them. Cruelly, these elephants are often sent to cities to be a tourist attraction. Taking part in this project helps to generate income for these families to ensure that the elephants can remain in their rural habitats, allowing them the space they need to graze and survive.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a multi-share room with a host family in the village and twin-share rooms in Surin and Bangkok.

2012: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 10 Feb, 9 Mar, 6 Apr, 11 May, 8 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug, 14 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 7 Dec

THCE

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Thailand Work with Children Ask anyone who’s explored the whole country of Thailand what their favourite part was, and the answer might surprise you. Rather than ‘full moon party’, ‘Bangkok’, or ‘scuba diving’, more often than not we hear ‘volunteering with the kids!’

Whether teaching English in a school or helping in a childcare centre, there’s something about the children of Thailand that seems to absolutely steal the heart of Real Gap volunteers. The kids’ sheer enthusiasm is a force to be reckoned with, and their eagerness to learn, interact, and engage provides volunteers with an enormous buzz that leaves them saying ‘it was the highlight of my trip!’

2-12 weeks From £649

2-12 weeks From £599

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Children

Work with Children

Childcare Volunteers

Teaching Volunteers

With about 50 kids under the age of five, there is rarely a dull moment for these volunteers! The childcare centre acts as a safe haven for pre-school aged children while their parents go off to work.

It is an essential service to the community. Sadly though, these types of facilities lack government funding and are often short staffed.

Volunteer help, whether long or short term, keeps them ticking along.

Even just spending time playing with these kids does more good than you know… and those smiles will keep you energised all day long!

The most eager learners you may ever encounter, these Thai kids are hungry to learn English at every opportunity! Prepare to be smothered with attention as these enthusiastic youngsters scramble to practice their English skills with a native speaker. Not only is tourism a dominant industry in Thailand, but most international companies based there expect a competence in both written and spoken English. So by spending some time imparting knowledge to minds desperate to soak it up, you’ll offer these kids a much better chance of finding gainful employment when they are older.

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Waiting for school to start

Making a difference In the last year our volunteer teachers in the border region of Sangkhlaburi have helped over 500 children improve their level of English.

What’s included All accommodation Arrival airport transfer Transfer from Bangkok to Sangkhlaburi Transfers from accommodation to project location Services of a local co-ordinator

Accommodation Type Childcare Volunteers and Teaching Volunteers Stay in twin-share rooms in a house with other volunteers in Sangkhlaburi and a hotel in Bangkok.

Start Dates Childcare Volunteers 2012: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 10 Feb, 9 Mar, 6 Apr, 11 May, 8 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug, 14 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 7 Dec Teaching Volunteers

2012: 6 Jan, 13 Jan, 10 Feb, 9 Mar, 6 Apr, 11 May, 8 Jun, 13 Jul, 10 Aug, 14 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 7 Dec

Trip Code Childcare Volunteers THCV Teaching Volunteers THEV

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2 weeks From £749

Real Adventure Experience

Cambodia Experience Visit extraordinary temples & discover ancient Cambodia in Siem Reap Travel by ox cart & see the rice fields surrounding Khmer village Visit the impressive Royal Palace in Phnom Penh Volunteer with orphans in Phnom Penh Discover this country’s beautiful scenery and turbulent past and volunteer in the orphanages of Phnom Penh… it’s all part of the Cambodia Experience!

Days 1-3 Spend your first night in Bangkok, then travel to Cambodia to experience the local hospitality, staying in a traditional Khmer stilted house. Get a feel for daily village life with a visit to rice fields and a bee-keeper, before we head for Siem Reap.

Days 4-5 Get a temple taster today – visit four of Siem Reap’s enchanting temples as a warm-up to the incredible Angkor Wat! Cycle through jungles, villages and World Heritage sites while soaking up the history of ancient Cambodia.

Day 8 A day to reflect on the chilling historical events of Cambodia’s recent past. Visit the Royal Palace and the Tuol Sleng prison also known as S-21. After a thought-provoking visit to the Genocide Museum, visit the infamous Killing Fields.

Days WE 9-13 Bring joy toTHIS some friendly faces as you DO HAVE IMAGE volunteer in a childcare centre in Phnom Penh.

ANY HIGHER RES? Days 14-15 Pay a visit to the picturesque temple of Ta Prohm before saying farewell to new friends as this unforgettable experience comes to an end in Phnom Penh!

Days 6-7 Meet friendly locals in the Khmer Village and enjoy a leisurely boat ride, cruising past fascinating floating villages – complete with schools, restaurants and hospitals. Next, hop on the express bus as we head toward Phnom Penh and all the mystique and history that awaits there.

ation Local transport here looks different

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Planking?

Nope, tak ing a well-ea rned res t

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Airport transfers Services of a tour leader Tours and transport between sites as per itinerary

Accommodation Type Stay in various types of twin and multi-share accommodation including hotels, homestays and a guest house.

Start Dates 2012: 1 Jan, 5 Feb, 4 Mar, 1 Apr, 6 May, 3 Jun, 1 Jul, 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 7 Oct, 4 Nov, 2 Dec

Trip Code CMXP

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Cambodia Work with Children A spellbinding country that’s overcome a gloomy past to emerge as a favourite destination for travellers, Cambodia is captivating and its people maintain an undeniable warmth and zest for life. Get to know the real Cambodia while giving support to its lively youth with a volunteering programme!

2-8 weeks From £599

2-8 weeks From £649

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Children

Work with Children

Work with Children

Childcare Volunteers

Floating School

Orphanage Volunteers

Spend time with these adorable children, teaching them English, music, sports and much more while giving them plenty of energy and attention. The school is near a pagoda (temple) and is also in close proximity to the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat.

Work with school aged kids between 6 and 12 years old at both a traditional pagoda school and a unique floating school, which accommodates the children who live in the floating village. This unique community floats atop Tonle Sap Lake, working with rather than fighting against the impact of the rainy season.

Work at this Cambodian orphanage set up by local people and provide kids with the vital care they need, and the attention they crave. Help educate these children by teaching English, art, performing arts and sports, giving the kids a rich foundation of learning! This rewarding experience also provides the opportunity to see firsthand how Cambodia’s people are moving forward and building upon their cultural heritage.

Hanging with the cool kids

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2-8 weeks From £599

floating THIS is what a e lik ks school loo

They just love making new friends

Making a difference A tangible result of volunteers’ efforts in Cambodia to date is a three-room school house that’s been built near the orphanage. Not only that, but their time and efforts have helped to raise the standard of English that’s spoken amongst the children at the childcare and education projects. These projects are also on the cusp of implementing a proper curriculum, something that’s not previously existed in Cambodia.

What’s included All accommodation All breakfasts Arrival airport transfer Tuk tuk transportation to and from the project English speaking local co-ordinator

Accommodation Type Childcare Volunteers Stay in air-conditioned, twin-share accommodation throughout the project, with a swimming pool!

Floating School Stay in air-conditioned, twin-share accommodation in a hotel with swimming pool.

Orphanage Volunteers Stay in a guesthouse in twin-share rooms.

Start Dates Childcare Volunteers 2012: 1st and 3rd Saturday each month Floating School 2012: 1 Jan, 3 Jan, 1 Feb, 3 Feb, 1 Mar, 3 Mar, 1 Apr, 3 Apr, 1 May, 3 May, 1 Jun, 3 Jun, 1 Jul, 3 Jul, 1 Oct, 3 Oct, 1 Nov, 3 Nov, 1 Dec, 3 Dec Orphanage Volunteers 2012: Every Saturday

Trip Code Childcare Volunteers CMOV Floating School CMFS Orphanage Volunteers CMCV

If you like this trip, you’d probably love Peru Youth Outreach too. See website for details.

Want to volunteer in Africa too? You’ll love Ghana Community Volunteers. Check website for more details.

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28 days From £879

Real Adventure Experience

Vietnam Experience Four adventure-packed weeks in northern Vietnam Discover the complex history of this culturally rich country Trek for five days or teach English in a local school Spend a week lazing on the beach & cruising the islands!

Dive into a month of spectacular scenery, enchanting culture, and community involvement in northern Vietnam.

Days 1-3 Kick off this trip in Hanoi, the pre-war capital of Vietnam and get introduced to Vietnamese culture straightaway with a visit to the Temple of Literature and the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh.

Days 4-5 Embrace the Vietnamese lifestyle with some basic language and cooking lessons.

Put it all into practice by bartering at the local market for ingredients!

Days 6-8 Take a boat trip through towering limestone islets and past miles of paddy fields.

Visit a local village on a cycle ride, and then spend some free time exploring the local area.

Days 9-10 It’s time to get Zen with an introduction to Buddhism and meditation, followed by a visit to the biggest pagoda in South East Asia. Enjoy natural hot streams in a traditional village and quality time in Vietnam’s largest national park.

Chillin’ with new friends

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Days 11-13 Trek this expansive national park and enjoy the natural beauty before we head to the Vietnamese towns of Ninh Ninh and Hoa Lu, where we’ll see the country’s largest church.

Days 14-15 Explore the local area for yourself; discover your favourite bits about this part of Vietnam. On day 15, we’re catching the train to Lao Cai where the group divides.

Days 16-22 Choose to trek through scenic landscapes and meet hilltribes on the Adventure itinerary or teach English to young children and live with a local family on the Community itinerary.

Days 23-28 Prepare for jaw-dropping scenery as we head to Halong Bay, our naturally beautiful base for the next few days. Enjoy island day trips, laze in the sunshine and splash in the jade green waters before saying farewell as this trip comes to an end. y

Amazing scener in Halong Bay

Amazing experience, beautiful country, awesome new life long friends.

INCREDIBLE.�

Tom Porter

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Airport transfer on arrival Dedicated tour leader Vietnamese language lessons

Accommodation Type All accommodation is multi-share (up to four people) and varies based on trip option.

Start Dates 2012: 8 Jan, 5 Feb, 4 Mar, 1 Apr, 29 Apr, 27 May, 24 Jun, 22 Jul, 19 Aug, 16 Sep, 14 Oct, 11 Nov, 9 Dec

Trip Code VIXP

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4 weeks From £1399

Real Adventure Experience

China Experience Visit some of China’s most iconic sights Spend quality time with endangered giant pandas Learn kung fu from the masters in Shaolin Appreciate the incredible scenery of Guilin Get set for an incredible journey through intriguing China! Travel from the impressive capital of Beijing to Shanghai, seeing the Great Wall Of China, Terracotta Warriors and much more along the way.

Week 1 Arrive and get acquainted with mighty Beijing – visit notorious Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, an imperial palace from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Visit the Great Wall on a day trip, explore the incredible Summer Palace and take advantage of free time in this huge hub of activity.

Week 2 Start this busy week with a cultural introduction to Qufu: discover the Confucius Temple and Kong Family Mansion on a tour before we head to Zhengzhou where we’ll learn the ancient art of kung fu. Next, get acquainted with the fascinating Longmen Grottoes and then we’re off to Xi’an, where we’ll spend time volunteering.

Explore the ancient elements of Xi’an city on a tour and enjoy the unforgettable sight of the famous Terracotta Warriors.

Week 3 Seize the unique opportunity to work at a conservation project for the endangered Chinese giant panda, before assisting with some muchneeded community work in Xi’an. Whether teaching or helping with childcare, extra help is always appreciated and will give a different dimension to your adventure.

Week 4 A picturesque boat cruise awaits! Take in the spectacular scenery of Guilin and Yangshuo from the Li River. Take excursions to some other impressive Chinese sites in Guilin including Elephant Trunk Hill, before we head for the bright lights and big city of Shanghai. Get to grips with the most modern city in China with a visit to the Oriental Pearl TV tower – the spire in the Shanghai skyline!

From local fruit markets…

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…to Shanghai’s ing skyline. Someth ! ne yo er ev r fo

The trip just kept getting better and better. The panda experience was incredible, working with the children was my ultimate highlight - it was impossible not to enjoy it!”

Emily-Jane Sparks

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Arrival airport transfer Trip to the Great Wall of China Volunteering with giant pandas

Accommodation Type Stay in multi-share accommodation ranging from backpackers’ hostels to guesthouses to sleeper trains.

Start Dates 2012: 5 Feb, 4 Mar, 1 Apr, 6 May, 3 Jun, 1 Jul, 5 Aug, 2 Sep, 7 Oct, 4 Nov

Trip Code CHXP

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4-12 weeks From £899

Real Adventure Learn a new skill

China Martial Arts Academy Train with the experts to learn kung fu Take Mandarin language lessons Develop your skills on a training programme Practice martial arts in the stunning scenery of Fujian Province Set in the beautiful Fujian province in South East China, the academy is the perfect setting to practice kung fu.

It’s not the same as seeing it on TV! During my time there I got to meet and see some of the best martial artists I’ve ever seen!”

Train in the ancient Chinese art of kung fu, learning from some of China’s best martial arts masters.

It’s hard work but hugely rewarding! Everyone from novices to experts are welcome.

The forms of martial arts taught at the academy include: Shaolin, Wushu, Sanda, Taiji, Xingyi, Bagua, Baji and White Crane. (White Crane is a local Fujian style and quite rare.)

Martial arts training is renowned for focus, hard work, and especially discipline. So it should come as no surprise that days at the academy start bright and early with some early morning circuit training, running and qi gong meditation before breakfast.

This is typically followed by a three-hour morning training session, then lunch, and afternoon training.

The rest of the day is free to rest and recuperate ready for the next day. Energy to spare? Why not take a lesson in Mandarin or take a trip into Taining, the closest major town.

Adrian Woodley-Cooper

What’s included All accommodation All meals Arrival airport transfer Training from kung fu masters five days a week Mandarin lessons while at the academy

Learn all the historical, physical and mental aspects of martial arts and take the opportunity to practice Mandarin. In a series of informal lessons the academy’s translators will teach the basics, giving students a well-rounded introduction to Chinese culture and martial arts.

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Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Accommodation at the academy is on a twin-share basis with TV.

2012: 1st Saturday of each month

CHMA

2-4 weeks From £749

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

China Giant Panda Conservation Help save the endangered giant panda from extinction Become immersed in the Chinese way of life Help staff and local school children to develop their English skills Explore nearby Xi’an and its world famous Terracotta Warriors One of the most endangered animals in the world, the giant panda is one of China’s national treasures and one of the most iconic images of this amazing country. Help to protect this special animal.

Work alongside keepers at the panda centre on this conservation project – a great way to get close to the pandas and feel totally immersed in the Chinese way of life!

Volunteer activities may include: • Assisting the panda keepers in their daily duties • Providing care and attention for the pandas • Cleaning the enclosures of the animals • Preparing food and feeding the pandas and other animals • General maintenance at the centre including fencing and planting • Helping staff at the centre develop their English skills Volunteers at this project also have the chance to help out at a local school in nearby Lou Guan Tai, helping children learn basic English. Help by passing on valuable communication skills and increasing the number of Chinese people that can get the panda conservation message across.

Spend weekends enjoying the incredible local area of Xi’an – visit the Terracotta Army Museum, Tang Theme Park and the Goose Pagodas, just to name a few local attractions!

What’s included All accommodation All meals Arrival airport transfer Orientation Transfer from Xi’an to the project after orientation

Making a difference Thanks to volunteer support, there are four new panda cubs at the centre, increasing the number of pandas at the centre to 25 – another great step forward in the survival of the species.

Happin es care f s is helping t or gian t pand o as

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in twin or triple-share accommodation

2012: 1st and 3rd Saturday every month

CHGP

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6 months From £2249

Real Work Experience Working Holiday

China Paid Teaching with TEFL Teach English in China and take on an exciting new challenge in a totally different environment while boosting your CV! Teaching English in China is a superb opportunity for an exciting new challenge in a totally different environment.

Taking time out from study or embarking on a career break can be a daunting prospect, so the chance to travel and earn money abroad can be the ideal balance. As part of the teaching English in China programme, receive TEFL training in Beijing to help make the most of this teaching experience abroad.

In addition to TEFL training, learn a bit of Mandarin to help adapt to Chinese culture and customs and make the most of this overseas adventure!

The emphasis of this placement is teaching English.

Get involved in the full challenge of teaching – plan lessons, keep attendance records, correct homework and assist in the administration of the school.

Take advantage of incredible travel opportunities in China outside of term time – discover its famed cities, ancient sites, and enchanting culture. There’s no better way to get to know a country than to live it like a local!

At the end of the training month, receive a teaching placement. This could be anywhere in China, and the exact location and age of your pupils will be determined during training weeks.

Asia

Programme Requirements • Age - 19 yrs minimum with a mature attitude • Completed education to at least A-Levels (or equivalent) • Good English grades at school • Appropriate personal qualities (maturity, flexibility, ability to cope with challenges, good communication skills)

Accommodation Type 54

Stay in a shared apartment with up to four people during training. Placement accommodation will vary depending on the school.

What’s included Most meals Four weeks of orientation and teaching training TEFL course Paid teaching placement and TEFL certificate upon successful course completion

• Travel experience • A range of hobbies and interests • Provide copies of academic qualifications • Good health • No police record • Understanding of cultural sensitivity • Some work experience - either paid or voluntary • Experience of working with children, such as babysitting, teaching, coaching etc.

Start Dates

2012: 13 Jan, 1 Aug

he of t s c i as he b guage t n r n Lea darin la k n a l wor er M a n o i at ach tern as a te n i n Gai rience expe tally a to re – an n i ltu ive Thr rent cu at to e e diff ssive f ! e r r e imp mploy e any

CV

All accommodation

Trip Code CHPT

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3-6 months From £3499

Real Work Experience Internship

China Internships Gain international work experience, learn Mandarin and broaden cultural, social and professional horizons with an internship placement in China!

CV

Boost your CV in a dynamic and fast-paced economy, learn Mandarin and become immersed in one of the most interesting countries in the world. China’s rich history, combined with its recent modernisation and massive business potential makes it one of the most exciting places in the world to discover right now.

This China Internship programme places interns in over 150 companies across highly sought after industry sectors. Choose a role from an extensive list of internships that includes marketing, international business, environmental interests, engineering, events management, finance, law, etc.

Get orientated with China’s most iconic sites upon arrival, staying in Beijing and taking excursions to the Forbidden City and Great Wall of China. Learn the basics of Tai Chi and calligraphy and engage in a professional development workshop which will cover topics like CV writing, interview skills, current market trends and challenges, salary surveys, personality profiling and job hunting advice.

Two weeks of Mandarin lessons (20 classes per week) are included in the programme, to help prepare for communication on the job. Once the internship is underway, there’s a further two lessons per week included.

Those who stay with a host family will give five hours a week of English conversation to the family, creating a unique cultural exchange.

This internship is not only a career kick start, but could also provide permanent employment opportunities after the programme is completed.

Accommodation Type Accommodation for most interns will be with a host family.

Interns that are on a hospitality placement will have accommodation provided by the company they work for.

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c Che

and n arin inese o d n h a in C rn M Lea unicate m com ob ial j l soc a the n o ati rks tern s netwo n i d Buil usines b d ng an ergi m e an k in nd gain r o W a al ket mar ble glob ght i a valu ess ins n busi

What’s included All accommodation Most meals (dependent on accommodation) Arrival airport transfer Orientation and activities as per itinerary Workdays stipend - typically 50-100RMB Your company may wish to hire you full time, or our partnership with the biggest HR recruiter in China, may be able to provide job opportunities for those who wish to stay.

Additional to work experience, interns will have numerous opportunities to build social and business networks. China draws business from all over the globe, and with access to networking events and social activities, this presents an unrivalled opportunity to meet friends and international business contacts.

Start Dates

2012: 9 Feb, 1 Mar, 29 Mar, 3 May, 14 Jun, 2 Aug, 30 Aug, 27 Sep, 1 Nov, 29 Nov

Trip Code CHIN

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28 days From £1099

Real Adventure Experience

India Experience See the stunning Taj Mahal Take a rickshaw ride in Jaipur and a camel safari Take part in a yoga workshop Experiment with Indian cooking lessons Join in the bustling streets and markets of New Delhi, ride a camel through the Thar Desert, learn yoga from a yogi and visit the world famous Taj Mahal!

Week 1 The term ‘sightseeing’ only scratches the surface! Visit the Gandhi memorial, stand in the splendour of the Taj Mahal, see the intriguing Amber Fort, go for a rickshaw ride and explore the busy markets in Jaipur. Throw in a camel safari and this might just be the most eclectic seven days ever. Enjoy a guided tour of Pushkar before hopping on an overnight train to Himachal.

Weeks 2-3 Welcome to Northern India! Spend two weeks in Himachal Pradesh on the Volunteer or Adventure option: Volunteer Quiet mind and body with daily yoga lessons from a professional Indian yogi before jumping in to assist with childcare, community development or renovation projects. In the evenings, learn to cook delicious Indian cuisine to really feel immersed in the culture!

The unbelievable Taj Mahal

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Adventure We’re heading to the home of the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala. Explore the city and visit the temple before taking the adventure up a notch with a 13km trek. Hike with super knowledgeable local Tibetan guides in this breathtakingly beautiful part of the world.

The group rejoins in Dharamsala to enjoy a day of rest and relaxation before hitting the train tracks again for an overnight journey to Delhi, and then further south to Goa. Week 4 Choose to spend your final week in Goa volunteering with local communities or on an adventurous tour of this area. Volunteers will help with painting or renovation work, while those on the adventure option will explore Goa’s famous scenery, beaches, waterfalls and wildlife.

The group rejoins for two days of beach fun on Goa’s pristine beaches before saying farewell as this Indian escapade comes to an end.

Just nosing in to say hello

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Airport transfer on arrival English speaking local guide All activities as stated in itinerary

Accommodation Type All accommodation is twin or multi-share, in hotels, guesthouses, camps and overnight trains.

Start Dates 2012: 6 Jan, 3 Feb, 2 Mar, 30 Mar, 27 Apr, 25 May, 22 Jun, 20 Jul, 17 Aug, 14 Sep, 12 Oct, 9 Nov, 7 Dec

Trip Code INXP

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India Work with Community From the chaos of Delhi to chilled out Himalayan mountain villages and the splendour of the Taj Mahal, India is certain to inspire! Vibrant colours, tongue-tingling curries, jaw-dropping scenery and rich cultural traditions abound in India – for a sensory overload, there’s nowhere else like it!

To make the absolute most of a trip to India, spend time exploring the beautiful surroundings and rich cultural heritage and get to know the local people through volunteering initiatives.

2-3 weeks From £749 Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Communities

Work with Communities

Community Development

Goa Community Volunteers

Choose from either the Rajasthan or Himachal regions and get involved in a social development or labour work project to benefit the local community.

Head to Goa, on India’s west coast, for stunning beach landscapes, spice plantations and beautiful scenery. Explore the local area and spend time helping to boost the morale of the Goan people with a community volunteer project. This programme will vary based on community needs at the time of volunteering, but activities could include teaching at a local school, caring for young children, or helping adults with computer education to name a few.

Social development work will see you helping to increase awareness about health and hygiene including deficiency disorders and precautions against HIV infection. Labour work projects will be hands on, helping with renovations, planting and sports projects in the community.

Explore the local area during free time with inclusive excursions like a tiger or camel safari, seeing temples, and visiting the home of the Dalai Lama!

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2-8 weeks From £469

truly A country with ns beautiful traditio

The best way to spend a day…

Making a difference Local families in Goa are faced with limited resources when it comes to education. In light of this, our volunteers have started a school for the local children. Pinka, 11, attends this school and has made drastic improvements in her English and maths thanks to the hard work of the volunteers.

Thanks to this programme, Pinka’s future looks brighter with a better chance of securing a stable and lucrative job.

What’s included All accommodation Most meals Arrival airport transfer Orientation On-site assistance from English speaking guide

Accommodation Type Community Development Stay in a basic local accommodation with no more than one other volunteer.

Goa Community Volunteers Stay in multi-share accommodation with a social area.

Start Dates Community Development 2012: (Both regions) 19 Jan, 16 Feb, 15 Mar, 12 Apr, 2 Aug, 30 Aug, 27 Sep, 25 Oct, 22 Nov, 20 Dec Goa Community Volunteers 2012: 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 5 Mar, 19 Mar, 2 Apr, 16 Apr, 30 Apr, 14 May, 28 May, 11 Jun, 25 Jun, 9 Jul, 23 Jul, 6 Aug, 20 Aug, 3 Sep, 17 Sep, 1 Oct, 15 Oct, 29 Oct, 12 Nov, 26 Nov, 10 Dec, 24 Dec

Trip Code Community Development INCD Goa Community Volunteers INGV

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25 days From £1799

Real Adventure Experience

Sri Lanka Experience Explore the “Tear drop of India” Trek to the spectacular Sigiriya Fort Chill out on the amazing beaches in Mirissa Help with research into primates and elephants Sri Lanka is coming into its own as an intrepid Asian destination. Check out what all the buzz is about before everyone else does!

Days 1-3 Meet the group in Negombo and head to the central cultural area of Sri Lanka – Pelwehera.

Admire its stunning temples, enjoy a nature walk, and observe the local lifestyle here. Check out the impressive Rock Fortress of Sigiriya and set out on a scenic cycle ride through the villages and paddy fields of Pelwehera.

Days 4-8 Venture to the primate research camp to learn about the monkeys that inhabit the local area and take part in some meaningful research into the wellbeing and needs of these fascinating primates.

Days 9-10 Wave goodbye to the monkeys, we’re off to Dambulla and Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, Anuradhapura. There’s no shortage of culture here, as it was also the centre of Sri Lanka’s Buddhist civilisation.

Days 11-15 Wasgamuwa National Park is our next destination, where we’ll gain an insightful glimpse into the conflict that exists between the local people and the wild elephants of Sri Lanka. Learn about these issues and help contribute to studies that will help to find solutions for the future of both species.

Days 16-18 We’re off to explore Kandy, the hill-capital of Sri Lanka. Make a visit to a temple of the Lord Buddha, and visit a unique Kandy village renowned for its local craftspeople.

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Days 19-21 Take a walk to see ‘Worlds End’ and the breathtaking Bakers Falls. Sri Lanka’s highest

What’s included All

accommodation

Most meals Airport transfers Two safaris in Wasgomuwa National Park Entrance fees as per itinerary plateau, it sits at 7200 ft above sea level. We then make a visit to the Elephant Transit Home, where injured or orphaned elephants from around the island are given treatment and care.

Days 22-25 The cherry on top of this amazing Sri Lanka Experience, it’s time for a few days of pure relaxation in a blissful beach resort. Enjoy the pristine beaches of Mirissa, explore the local area, and soak up the last few days in Sri Lanka before we head back to the airport.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share accommodation on this trip.

2012: 7 Jan, 4 Feb, 3 Mar, 7 Apr, 5 May, 2 Jun, 7 Jul, 4 Aug, 1 Sep, 6 Oct, 3 Nov, 1 Dec

SLXP

2-3 weeks From £699

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

Sri Lanka Sea Turtles & Community Help to ensure the preservation of endangered sea turtles Live like a local, with the locals!

Help to give the community a better understanding of English Explore the natural beauty of Sri Lanka including its stunning coastline!

Conserve and protect the incredible sea turtle!

Give this animal a better chance of survival, whilst getting to know the culture and lifestyle of the Sri Lankan people.

Here’s a chance to spend quality time with one of the world’s most fascinating and loveable reptiles – the sea turtle. Get involved in a variety of activities and play a part in the conservation of this animal.

Activities may include: • Cleaning the project area and beach • Burying eggs • Cleaning the hatcheries to remove roots and waste • Moving turtles to the feeding tank • Changing water and cleaning tanks • Brush and clean all the turtles individually Use newfound turtle education to be a resident expert and give explanations and tours to visitor groups who come to the project!

Spend time with the local community also, helping them speak more conversational English. Keen to impart some knowledge yourself? Take the opportunity to teach English to local children and help them with drawing, painting, music, singing and dancing.

Making a difference

What’s included All accommodation Most meals Arrival airport transfer Orientation Support of project coordinator throughout

A truly amazing time, tried new things and made new friends!

Jennifer Turner

In 2010, thanks to the help of volunteers, the project released 13,000 baby turtles into the wild.

In 2011 up to June the project had released 9,114 more turtles. By assisting at this project and bolstering the number of sea turtles in the wild, volunteers are helping to conserve the life of this endangered species.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a volunteer house next to the project in multishare dorm rooms.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday every month

SLTC

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28 days From £1199

Real Adventure Experience

Nepal Experience Go on a white water rafting adventure Experience a jungle safari in Chitwan Trek the legendary Annapurna in the Himalaya mountains Volunteer in the community of Pokhara Days 1-4 Welcome to Nepal! Get a proper orientation and spend some time learning the language in Kathmandu as we get prepared for some adrenaline pumping activity!

Days 5-6 It’s time for some serious adventure!

We’re in for two days of white water rafting and camping under the stars before starting a jungle adventure in Chitwan, concluding with an evening of Tharu cultural dance.

Days 7-9 Rise and shine with an elephant ride!

Visit the breeding centre and enjoy a jungle walk before travelling to Pokhara.

Days 10-14 It’s Nepali adventure to the max for the next four days as we hike to 3200m on the famous Annapurna trail!

Day 15 Enjoy a well-deserved day of rest in Pokhara and make the most of some free time in town.

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Airport transfers Services of a tour leader Activities as specified in itinerary

Days 16-25 Lend a hand to the local community of Pokhara at either a childcare centre, teaching English at a school or assisting with renovation work.

Days 26-28 Spend a free day in Pokhara followed by a journey to Kathmandu. Say farewell with a group dinner before this Nepal Experience comes to an end at the airport on day 28.

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Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a variety of twin and multi-share accommodation including dorms and tents.

2012: 1st Saturday each month (October to April)

NEXP

2-12 weeks From £699

Real Volunteering Work with Communities

Nepal Community Volunteers Teach children in a local school, children’s resource centre or childcare centre Teach English to monks in a Buddhist monastery Explore the beauty of Nepal, home to some of the highest mountains in the world Visit beautiful Chitwan National Park Teach kids in the community or monks in a monastery! Or choose to help with building and construction work. Explore Nepali culture with jungle safaris, elephant rides and dance lessons!

Teach enthusiastic, friendly kids in one of Nepal’s local communities! Teach English, basic science, maths, and get involved in sports and games.

No previous teaching experience is required, but patience, creativity and energy are must-haves!

Want a totally unique teaching experience?

Take the opportunity to teach English to monks in a Buddhist monastery. Live at the monastery and get completely immersed in Buddhist culture whilst imparting knowledge on these intelligent and disciplined adults. Good written and verbal English are a necessity!

Fancy a more hands-on approach? Participate in a building project to provide necessary renovations and repairs to community buildings and facilities in one of the local towns.

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Transport to and from the project Three day trip to Chitwan style.

Parking, Nepali-

Volunteers on this project also have the chance to visit Chitwan National Park – ride an elephant, see the rhinoceros and hope to marvel at the magnificent Bengal tigers!

Making a difference Why not see India too? Book a Delhi to Kathmandu trip before volunteering in Nepal!

See website for details.

Not only have volunteers given their time and skills, but some of the money goes towards helping with school fees for the children and delivering electricity and water locally.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay with a family in a Nepali village for an authentic experience!

2012: 1st and 3rd Monday each month

NECV

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14 days From ÂŁ1025

Real Adventure Tour

Indonesia Jakarta to Ubud Blend adventure and relaxation in beautiful Indonesia Spot exotic wildlife and soak up the cultural atmosphere Climb to the top of Mt Bromo Discover the hidden secrets of the East Indies Get acquainted with the rich blend of active adventure and relaxation that makes up this exciting trip through the diverse Indonesian archipelago.

Days 1-2 After arriving in Jakarta, climb aboard a train to the bustling city of Bandung.

Enjoy a relaxing lake cruise and a traditional Sundanese dance performance.

Days 3-4 Travel south-east through lush tea, coffee and fruit plantations towards the sparkling Indonesian coast. Glide between the impressive caves of the Green Canyon and take a dip in the turquoise water before heading to Pangandaran.

Days 5-7 Travel inland to Yogyakarta, a fascinating place that still embodies many practices of traditional culture, despite becoming increasingly modernised.

Spend sunrise and sunset at two of its temples.

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Services of a tour leader 24 hour emergency support

Days 8-10 Learn about the sustainable living practices of local people on the slopes of a volcano and discover secrets of traditional Javanese medicine. Let the fresh natural perks of authentic Java coffee fuel you for a trek up Mt Bromo.

Days 11-12 Make tracks to the beautiful coast of Bali and soak up a peaceful sunset on the steps of Tanah Lot temple. Get into beach mode on the sandy shore or strap on a snorkel and hit the ocean.

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Days 13-14 Arrive in the quaint, leafy paradise of Ubud. With a vibrant local arts scene, bustling market place, cheeky monkey forest and lush rice paddies dotted among villages, Ubud is the ideal place to wrap up this Indonesian adventure.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in twin-share accommodation in hotels and guesthouses on this trip.

2012: 28 Jan, 12 Feb, 18 Mar, 15 Apr, 29 Apr, 13 May, 27 May, 10 Jun, 24 Jun, 8 Jul, 15 Jul, 22 Jul, 29 Jul, 5 Aug, 12 Aug, 19 Aug, 26 Aug, 2 Sep, 9 Sep, 16 Sep, 23 Sep, 30 Sep, 7 Oct, 14 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov, 25 Nov, 2 Dec, 9 Dec, 16 Dec, 23 Dec, 30 Dec

IDJU

28 days From £1749

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

Malaysia Orang-utan Conservation Work with animals in the Malaysian National Zoo Help local tribes make orang-utans an integral part of the local economy Travel through the tropical rainforest of Borneo to a wildlife sanctuary Visit an orang-utan rehabilitation centre Getting up close and personal with the orang-utans was amazing and being present for the birth of an orang-utan was a definate highlight!

A brilliant opportunity to work with an increasingly rare ape. A threatened species, there are probably no more than 20,000 orang-utans left in the wild in Asia.

Jump in and lend a hand at Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur, taking care of orang-utans, chimps and other apes as well. This is real hands-on stuff – cleaning, feeding and maintenance – and will give an insight into the lives of these amazing animals.

Help to keep the animals happy and stimulated, and even get to know them individually. Not many things in life compare to being recognised as an individual by a wild animal!

Live within a wildlife sanctuary among the locals, a gentle tribe called the Orang Sungai, and assist with restoration work there to help the habitat of orang-utans, elephants and other wildlife. Compile data for important research which will aid in future conservation efforts.

Making a difference Previous volunteers have not only gotten time with the orang-utans, but have also helped plant more than 1000 trees through a tree planting and maintenance project to help with reforestation.

Located along the riverbank, this area is vital for the formation of wildlife corridor and river buffers which help provide a secure habitat for the orang-utans and other animals.

Claire Adby

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Local guides and specialists Access Permits

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Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share accommodation, ranging from a volunteer house to a hostel to a traditional longhouse.

2012: 5 Jan, 5 Feb, 5 Mar, 5 Apr, 5 May, 5 Jun, 5 Jul, 5 Aug, 5 Sep, 5 Oct, 5 Nov, 5 Dec

MYRE

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Australasia More than just amazing beaches, great weather and friendly locals, Australasia should be at the top of any traveller’s hit list! The Gold Coast of Australia and New Zealand’s Bay of Islands certainly raise the scenery stakes, while the buzz of adventure sports and the chance to get paid work make this region a sure fire favourite.

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Australia

New Zealand

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Australia Paid Work + Sydney Intro Settle into Aussie life in cosmopolitan Sydney and get 12 months of work and travel opportunities. Travel the land down under to see Uluru, the Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne & more!

Up to 12 months From £299

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7 days From £499

Real Work Experience

Real Adventure

Working Holiday

Tour

Australia Paid Work

Sydney Intro

Are you looking for a full time working holiday in Australia? Travelling with some ad hoc work along the way? Or perhaps something in between? Then look no further, because this ultimate Aussie package is just what you’re looking for!

Fancy some fun down under? This fun filled package allows you to ease into Aussie life with your fellow travellers, meet people to party and continue your Aussie adventure with. It’s the perfect package if you are travelling alone, or for the first time.

First off, we’ll get you settled into Oz with a whole bunch of like-minded, young travellers so you can kick off your trip having fun and partying in Sydney.

Paid work packages include either three or five nights in a backpackers’ hostel in Sydney, the ultimate place to feel the Aussie vibes. Once you’ve sorted out your social circle, we’ll then help you find some work. You’ll be living like a local in no time!

This exciting package provides you with a memorable first week staying in a fantastic hostel in the centre of Sydney. You’ll enjoy pub crawls, tickle your taste buds whilst wine tasting, board a harbour cruise and experience some surfing lessons (during the summer months). You’ll even get a contact list of everyone leaving on your flight so you can arrange to meet at the airport and get to know each another before you arrive!

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Living and working in Sydney for 4.5 months was amazing. A new way of life with new people and new experiences.

James Timothy Hillier

What’s included 7 nights accommodation (Sydney Intro) Arrival airport transfer 12 months access to jobs (Paid Work) Bank account set up prior to arrival (Paid Work) 3 or 5 nights accommodation (Paid Work)

Accommodation Type Stay in a dorm in a backpackers hostel in central Sydney for the duration of your arrival package while getting set up for life in Oz.

Start Dates Australia Paid Work 2012: Every Monday Sydney Intro 2012: 9 Jan, 6 Feb, 5 Mar, 9 Apr, 7 May, 3 Sep, 8 Oct, 5 Nov, 3 Dec

Trip Code Australia Paid Work OZUA Sydney Intro OZFF

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10 days From £1049

Real Work Experience Working Holiday

Australia Outback Ranch Training Saddle up and earn money on outback work placements following six days of farm training to experience the real Australian outback!

Spend a few days getting to know the city sights in Sydney before heading into the outback!

Learn the basic skills of ranch work and get a solid foundation for what ranch life is really like.

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Day 4 It’s off to the training ranch! The ranch is a good day’s drive from Sydney so admire the changing scenery on the way, taking in the famous Hunter Valley vineyards. Arrive to a warm welcome at the ranch, meet the team and get a preview for what’s in store this week.

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Days 5-10 Head to the local town to get sorted with some basic supplies like boots, belts, hats, sunscreen and other ranch essentials. Now’s a good time to set up a bank account in preparation for the work that comes after the training. Work hard over the next six days to learn everything required to work happily, successfully and above all, safely on an Australian ranch. From horse riding to cattle mustering, tractor riding to general maintenance, motorbike and quad work to fencing and 4 x 4 vehicle driving, this is the time to soak up all the information you can about life on a real outback ranch in Australia.

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Whether picking grapes, driving cattle, driving tractors, or helping with general farm chores, the right attitude is key. For those who are willing to muck in, get dirty, and get the job done, the experience will be incredibly rewarding!

Days 1-3 Welcome to Sydney! Stay in a hostel right in the middle of town and enjoy free time to explore this cosmopolitan city. From the Opera House to the Rocks to Bondi Beach, there’s loads to see and do in the Emerald City.

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What’s included All accommodation during training course All meals at the ranch Training and job matching Airport transfer on arrival, transport from Sydney to ranch Work for up to 12 months in Australia

Once successfully completing the training course, it’s time to start your job placement or head off and enjoy your independent travels in Australia. You will receive a certificate upon completing the training and the team will help find you a job on one of the many ranches.

$10/$12 per hour). An added bonus is that accommodation and meals are usually included which means wages can be saved for independent travel to explore Oz!

Trainees generally work at any one ranch for two to three months. Wages will meet the national minimum wage in Australia (which is around

And don’t forget, a hard day’s work usually ends with a beer, great food and a chat by the campfire... pure Aussie style!

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

All accommodation during the training is included; shared dorms in a central Sydney hostel are followed by a shared room at the training ranch. Note: accommodation is also usually included with work placement job offers.

2012: Every Thursday

OZOR

8-12 weeks From £1399

Real Work Experience Internship

Australia Internship Get a career kick-start! Gain practical work experience in Australia and watch how it positively impacts future job prospects in a competitive market.

Get ahead of the competitive job market while living it up Down Under!

Our host organisation will help get you set up and ready to work alongside Australian professionals. The internship programme can be tailored to individual needs, taking into account each individual’s educational background and career goals/aspirations. Interns will get a specially developed training plan and each participant will be allocated a mentor in Australia to ensure you get the most from your experience.

This programme covers all the bases, and each intern has full support from start to finish!

Internship opportunities include: • Engineering • Accountancy and finance • IT • Media and journalism • Marketing • Business

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Despite global economic doom and gloom, Australia remains a shining beacon of prosperity!

A strong labour market Down Under means jobs are easier to come by, and as a result, Australia is an ideal destination for graduates and students looking to gain practical work experience and professional workplace training. Our internships will help to get your foot in the door by offering the chance to work in highly regarded businesses across Australia.

What’s included

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Internship placement Arrival airport transfer One day orientation in Australia Visa assistance Personal mentor both in the UK and in Australia employment reference that will give an edge in a competitive job market. What’s more, many graduates gain employment within a matter of weeks of completing their internship. Should you choose to stay in Australia, our support is available from our coordinators to help find a job in your field.

Upon completion of this placement, interns will not only have a wealth of experience in their specific field, but also a glittering CV and the all-important

Participants are asked to apply no less than three months before departing for Australia. Help is available to obtain any visas required to work in Australia and once booked, we’ll ensure that you are fully prepared for the programme before departing.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Accommodation is not included. However we can source this for you. Please contact us for further details.

2012: 5 Jul, 20 Sep OZIN 2013: 10 Jan, 4 Apr, 18 Jul

Trip Code

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14 days From £1549

Real Adventure Tour

Australia East Coast Tour Learn to surf with professional instructors Sail the beautiful Whitsunday Islands Go on a two-day 4X4 safari on Fraser Island Experience the real Australian outback at a cattle ranch station Journey from Sydney to Cairns for the ultimate East Coast Experience. Learn to surf, soak up the sun, snorkel, swim, party and live the Aussie lifestyle.

Day 1 From Sydney we head to surf camp on the Central Coast! Enjoy the included surf lesson with professional surf instructors.

Days 2-3 We’re off to beautiful Byron Bay – Australia’s easternmost point! On arrival we’ll check out the Byron Bay lighthouse for amazing views of the East Coast and then get comfy as we enjoy one of Australia’s best beaches for the next two days!

Days 4-5 After breakfast, we head north to Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast. Take the option to visit Steve Irwin’s famous Australia Zoo, explore one of the Gold Coast’s many theme parks or relax on a patch of sand on one of the region’s endless beaches. Nightlife in Surfer’s Paradise is pumping every night of the week, so get ready to party!

Days 6-7 Say a quick hello to Brisbane before heading to Fraser Island and a locally guided 4X4 safari! Stay in comfort overnight at a wilderness lodge on the island. Cruise down Seventy-Five Mile Beach and explore Lake Wabby, Lake Mackenzie, Eli Creek, Indian Head and the picturesque Maheno Wreck.

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Day 8 Say farewell to Fraser as we make tracks to Kroombit Cattle Station for the real outback experience! Enjoy campfire banter and even have a go on a mechanical bull!

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Surf lesson Two nights sailing in the Whitsundays Two-day 4X4 Fraser Island group tour

lunch! Then we’re heading back to the coast to a beach resort for the evening.

Days 10-11 We’re off to Airlie Beach to board our private chartered yacht as we embark on two magical days and nights sailing the finest waters in the world – the Whitsunday Islands! Sunbathe, snorkel and swim in this lush Australian paradise.

Day 9 Get involved in a little ‘goat mustering’, try trapshooting and be part of a mini-rodeo all before

Day 12 We set sail for the mainland and, once back on dry land, continue heading north until we get to colourful Cairns.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share accommodation varying from hostels to motels, cattle stations and wilderness lodges!

2012: Every Sunday

OZET

Day 13 Located on the edge of a reef and a rainforest, Cairns is the perfect base for exciting optional activities including snorkelling or scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 14 Spend the day in the rainforest! Meet wombats, crocodile and kangaroos up close, and cuddle a koala! After a day in the rainforest, we wind our way back down along the coastline to Cairns where this adventure ends.

2-8 weeks From £599

Real Volunteering Working in Conservation

Australia Conservation Volunteers Plant trees, protect endangered species and look after the environment Witness incredible natural beauty and wildlife Make great friends to continue travelling Australia with A choice of locations to give flexibility Play a part in conserving Australia’s precious natural environment on this worthwhile volunteer programme.

Experience the country’s diverse landscapes and unique wildlife.

Projects normally run for five days per week, with one or two days free for relaxing or sightseeing.

Volunteers generally work a full day, helping out with a range of activities including: • Tree planting • Endangered species protection • Environmental monitoring • Erosion and salinity control • Seed collection • Construction and maintenance of walking tracks • Planting of native species • Habitat restoration Often, volunteers will travel to a different project location every week or two, offering the chance to take part in a variety of projects in different areas. Projects will vary according to seasonal conditions and conservation priorities, so flexibility is key! In-country coordinators will do their best to provide a variety of projects or locations for volunteers, but what’s needed for conservation always remains the priority.

What’s included All accommodation All meals Orientation Conservation Volunteers membership Wildlife guidebook

Making a difference

like There’s nothing making a positive net impact on the pla

Recent projects that have reflected the needs at the time have included essential flood recovery work in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. To help reduce the ongoing environmental impact of natural disasters such as floods, dedicated volunteers have helped with the clean up of affected areas.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in shared accommodation, varying between caravans, hostels, bunkhouses and camping. Where camping, tents will be supplied but volunteers should bring a sleeping bag and sleeping mat.

2012: Every Friday

OZCV

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Australia Work with Animals Australia! Famous for many things, it has to be said that one of the most notable is its unique and iconic wildlife. Kangaroos, koalas, emus, wombats, wallabies… any of the above are sure to make you think of the land Down Under. Go behind the scenes at wildlife sanctuaries to really get to know these animals, while doing your part to help with conservation efforts.

2-4 weeks From £699

2-5 weeks From £549

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Animals

Work with Animals

Kangaroo Island

Koala Sanctuary

Help to conserve the natural environment on this appropriately named island! Organise food for local wild kangaroos and wallabies, help fix fencing, marshal nocturnal tours, maintain and water the Tree Factory, assist with re-vegetation and much more! Interact with the sanctuary’s many visitors and take advantage of this unique opportunity to become an expert on the local wildlife that used to seem so exotic!

Koala lover? Look no further for an exciting programme that allows volunteers to engage with them on a daily basis! Whether feeding, cleaning out enclosures, data collecting in the kangaroo reserve, or helping the keepers with basic grounds maintenance, volunteer support is what keeps the sanctuary running smoothly. Staying in Brisbane, you’ll get animal interaction by day, and the chance to experience one of Australia’s best cities with your free time.

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Dream come true

Australasia

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Every day of my trip seemed better than the one before! I bottle-fed orphaned animals, helped plant trees, tended to the land, and met some amazing new friends.

Laura Morello

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Making a difference Recently, volunteers have played a key role in the completion of a 1.6km fence for a new re-vegetation site at the Wildlife Sanctuary on Kangaroo Island. The fence was created to prevent kangaroos and wallabies from eating young trees and took a total of 30 volunteers around five months to complete. Since its completion, 25 volunteers have helped plant over 3,000 trees and native flowering plants.

What’s included All accommodation Most meals Arrival airport transfer Orientation Certificate of achievement

Accommodation Type Kangaroo Island Stay in shared accommodation in the Old Shearer’s Quarters, complete with kitchen facilities and a lounge area.

Koala Sanctuary Stay in air conditioned dorm rooms at a backpackers’ hostel in the heart of Brisbane.

Start Dates Kangaroo Island 2012: Every Thursday Koala Sanctuary 2012: Every Saturday

Trip Code Kangaroo Island OZKI Koala Sanctuary OZKS

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12 months From £329

Real Work Experience Working Holiday

New Zealand Paid Work Spend up to 12 months living in one of the world’s most amazing countries while earning cash to fund onward travels!

Gain work experience and spend a year living overseas in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful countries.

Get settled into life in New Zealand in Auckland, meet a bunch of other travellers and say Kia Ora to a new beginning and a fabulous experience!

Utilise our in-country team, on hand to help sort out work for up to 12 months – the perfect way to earn some cash to fund further travels around the incredible North and South Islands. Our Kiwi team helps with finding accommodation, offers access to loads of jobs and has the scoop on the latest and best travel offers.

There are stacks of opportunities available to those on a working holiday visa, and the in-country team will try its very best to match working holidaymakers to their perfect jobs. Whether helping with labour and construction, temping, bar/café work, working in travel and tourism, trade positions, health sector work, clerical/office admin work, accountancy and much more, there is plenty to do!

There are jobs all over the country, so there’s no limit to just the big cities.

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What’s included 7 nights bed and breakfast Airport transfer in Auckland 12 months access to jobs Orientation

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Country support team

Another part of our jobs service is assistance with sorting out the important stuff like a bank account, getting a tax number, preparing a CV and arranging interviews. There will be on average between 60 and 120 jobs to choose from (though this does depend on the season). Due to a shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand there is currently work available in the skilled fields, from IT to healthcare and from forestry to accounting.

Working holiday? Cut loose on the New Zealand Ultimate Explorer! See website for details.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in shared dorms in a centrally located hostel in Auckland for 7 nights.

2012: Every Monday

NZKE

9 days From £599

Real Adventure Tour

New Zealand North Island Tour Spot playful dolphins in the Bay of Islands Experience the rural landscapes and the bustling cities Admire the majestic Huka Falls Enjoy a traditional Maori meal and learn about New Zealand’s indigenous culture Experience the culture, scenery, and lifestyle of New Zealand’s North Island on this nine day adventure tour.

Day 1 Heading north from Auckland, the adventure begins! See giant kauri trees and snorkel at Goat Island marine reserve on the way to the beautiful Bay of Islands where we visit the historic Waitangi Treaty grounds.

Day 2 Tonight we stay on Urupukapuka Island, the largest island in the bay. Enjoy a wildlife cruise to explore the 144 islands dotting the Bay of Islands.

Day 3 Explore Urupukapuka, go swimming, kayaking, fishing or just relax on one of the golden sand beaches!

Day 4 We head south east to the Coromandel region.

Hike to the stunning Cathedral Cove and splash around in the natural hot pools of Hot Water Beach (tide dependent).

Day 5 Travelling along the stunning Coromandel Coast we head to the Maori village of Whakarewarewa.

Experience a cultural show and a Hangi lunch traditionally cooked in steam from natural hot pools!

Spend the afternoon exploring Rotorua and try optional white water rafting!

Day 6 Enjoy a swim in a natural hot spring and then we’re onto the impressive Huka Falls. Kayak, hike, or even take part in a hunt for dinner! Enjoy a traditional bush dinner over a wood-fire using local produce.

Day 7 Tongariro National Park awaits! Hike the Tongariro Crossing, or for less-enthusiastic hikers,

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Traditional Maori Hangi meal and cultural experience Wildlife boat cruise Whanganui National Park eco-wilderness tour

enjoy shorter walks and a visit to the Volcanic Centre Museum.

Day 8 Next stop Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.

Explore New Zealand’s national museum, walk along Oriental Parade and/or up Mount Victoria to get the best view of the city.

Day 9 Journey from Wellington back to Auckland via Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Our adventure comes to an end as we arrive back in Auckland.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Share rooms in wilderness lodges, cabins, tented camps and small motels.

2012: Every Saturday (April to October). Every Wednesday and Saturday (November to March).

NZNI

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20 days From £1569

Real Adventure Experience

New Zealand Experience Visit a Maori village, learn the Haka and how to do Poi! Bathe in natural hot pools at Cathedral Cove Marvel at the World Heritage Franz Josef glacier Bask in the peace and tranquility of Doubtful Sound New Zealand is a naturally beautiful island nation with a friendly reputation and neverending opportunity for adventure!

This trip had so much jammed in that it’s hard to pick a highlight as everyday we moved to another spectacular location with loads to do and see - it was truly amazing.”

Day 1 Roll out of Auckland and splash down into the natural hot pools of Hot Water beach at Cathedral Cove. This evening get to know the group with a beach BBQ! Days 2-3 Get cultural! Learn the Haka and Poi from the Maori people. See Huka Falls and spend the night in a wilderness lodge on the edge of Whanganui National Park.

Days 4-5 Hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and sightsee in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington!

Walk up Mount Victoria and get the best view of this notoriously windy city.

Days 6-8 Catch the ferry to the South Island. Enjoy a wine tour in one of the world’s best wine regions and then head to the picturesque beaches and bays of Abel Tasman National Park. Get active with sea kayaking or sailing!

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Days 9-11 Explore the marine life of Kaikoura as we head toward Christchurch and then the World Heritage Franz Josef glacier, miraculously located in the middle of a rainforest! Go for a nature walk at the foot of the glacier or opt to take a guided trek on the glacier for a once in a lifetime experience!

Day 12 Explore Mount Aspiring National Park and take part in some of the optional activities on offer there, including scenic flights and jet boating.

Alison Dowsett

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Ferry crossing Some activities Experienced guide Days 13-15 Welcome to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world! From bungy jumping to zorbing and just about every extreme sport in between, there’s an adrenaline fix for everyone in this town!

Days 16-20 Bring the heart rate down a few notches and bask in the tranquility of Doubtful Sound. Spot fur seals, penguins and dolphins in this natural utopia. Once back on dry land, discover relics of the gold rush in Otago and perhaps enjoy some mountain biking. Then it’s time to head north again to wrap up this adventure in Auckland.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a range of accommodation including backpackers’ hostels , cabins, tented camps and wilderness lodges!

2012: Every Tuesday from April to October. Every Tuesday and Saturday from November to March

NZTZ

2-10 weeks From £579

Real Volunteering Working in Conservation

New Zealand Conservation Volunteers Play a role in New Zealand conservation amongst breathtaking scenery Witness sunrises & sunsets like you’ve never seen before Gain new skills & learn about the flora & fauna of New Zealand Get involved in worthwhile & hands-on environmental projects Breathtakingly beautiful scenery is the backdrop to this amazing opportunity to really contribute to some beneficial conservation in New Zealand.

Spend a couple of days settling into Kiwi life in Auckland or Christchurch before meeting the project team leader to receive a health and safety briefing and details about the projects. Once briefed, it’s off to the project locations to get involved!

Volunteers are placed in projects in urban, regional and remote locations but will usually travel to a different project location every week or two – a great way to take part in different activities and see different parts of the country!

What’s included All accommodation

Volunteer activities may include: • Tree planting • Erosion control • Seed collection • Trail construction • Endangered flora and fauna surveys • Weed control • Habitat restoration • Heritage restoration

All meals

Volunteers will work a full day and five days per week, making the absolute most of their time at the projects.

Help ensure the protection of New Zealand’s delicate natural environment for years to come. Projects are arranged to meet conservation priorities, and recent projects have had volunteers involved with habitat restoration of coastal land on the west coast of the South Island, to help with erosion control.

Taking part in this project is a great way to meet people from all corners of the globe. A responsible team leader will also look after you - they are experts in conservation and extremely knowledgeable, so round up your questions and fire away!

Conservation Volunteers membership Wildlife guidebook Expert project leaders

Making a difference

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Volunteers’ accommodation varies depending on project or location. All are multi-share and can include: caravans, hostels, bunkhouses or camping.

2012: Every Friday

NZCV

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North America American icons like the Rocky Mountains, Statue of Liberty, Route 66, Niagara Falls and Sin City are all yours to discover! Take an epic road trip, spend time with a Canadian community or live the American dream with a work placement. A trip to North America is bound to be a super sized adventure!

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Canada

USA

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21 days From £1199

Real Adventure Experience

USA Experience Evening illumination visit to Washington DC Monuments National Parks and famous monuments including Monument Valley and Zion Sunrise or sunset at the Grand Canyon Limousine ride along the Las Vegas strip The USA Experience is a favourite year after year, blending the high-octane energy of the Eastern seaboard, with a sprinkling of Southern hospitality and a generous dose of Western America’s rugged beauty.

Days 1-2 From New York to Washington, DC – what better introduction to the USA than two of its most iconic cities?! Take an evening illuminations tour of America’s capital city, seeing the White House, Capitol Hill and the Washington Monument.

Days 3-4 From monuments to mountains, we head out of cosmopolitan DC and into the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Admire the scenic drive through Virginia and North Carolina to get to Tennessee, and maybe even have a go at white water rafting!

Day 5 Journey into the ‘Deep South’ to Alabama and Mississippi for a taste of true Southern hospitality! Opt to hop on board an old-fashioned steamboat to discover North America’s largest river, the Mississippi.

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Days 6-7 We’re off to New Orleans and all that jazz!

Head to the French Quarter to hear the real deal at the famous Preservation Hall dedicated to protect and honour New Orleans Jazz. Up for a big night out?

Bourbon Street awaits!

Day 8 Venture further into Louisiana for a spot of gator watching in the swamps (optional).

Days 9-10 Say howdy to Texas! Stroll down the Paseo del Rio (river walk) in San Antonio - bursting with cafes, boutiques and greenery.

Day 11 Get a real taste for the mighty state of Texas and tuck into its famous ‘Tex-Mex’ cuisine of fajitas, tacos, nachos, margaritas and more – olé!

Day 12 Don a head torch and check out the stalactites and stalagmites that exist in the fabulous Carlsbad Caverns, which boasts over 100 limestone caves.

Day 13 Alien spotting anyone? Next visit Roswell’s UFO Museum in New Mexico before setting up camp under the vast blanket of stars in the desert!

Day 14 From aliens to ancient legends, we’re off to the sacred Navajo land in Monument Valley; witness the backdrop to countless Hollywood Western scenes!

Days 15-16 No trip to the Wild West is complete without experiencing the grandeur of the aweinspiring Grand Canyon. Be sure to catch sunrise or sunset over one of the Earth’s natural wonders.

Days 17-18 Wash off that canyon dust and take a dip in Lake Powell’s clear blue waters before trekking through Zion National Park’s sandstone trails. Trek up to Angel’s Landing for a 360-degree view.

Days 19-20 From sandstone trails to neon lights, we’re heading to Sin City… Las Vegas is next!

Cruise the infamous ‘strip’ in style in a superstretch limo and sample the notorious nightlife of this desert oasis!

Day 21 We’re heading for some sweet Californian sun. Over the desert and into the ‘City of Angels’, Los Angeles, where this epic cross-country adventure comes to an end.

An awesome group, beautiful and versatile country.

Best tour ever... unforgettable!�

Dana Loew

What’s included Camping equipment All transport Limousine ride in Las Vegas Admission to all National Parks and monument attractions Experienced tour guide

Accommodation Type Stay primarily in camping accommodation. An additional four nights of hostel/hotel accommodation will need to be paid for locally.

Start Dates 2012: Every Wednesday (March to October)

Trip Code USSS Note - this trip also runs in reverse. See website for details.

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19 days From £1549

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

USA Rocky Mountain Ranch Hands Be a part of a real working ranch – learn to lasso, muster cattle & more!

Ride a horse through exposed sagebrush valleys See amazing American wildlife and hear those coyotes howl every night Explore Yellowstone with its canyons, geysers and waterfalls Fantastic experience, will never ever forget it! I definitely want to return some day, made many good friends from all over the world. Incredibly delicious food, good fun, heartwarming memories, epic western landscapes and adventurous terrain which helps conquer your fears. Overall... brilliant time of my life!

Experience life as a real life ranch hand, volunteering in the wild west – the American Rocky Mountains!

Get hands-on at this working ranch, participating in trail riding, horse wrangling, cattle mustering, cattle drives and more. All volunteers will be accurately matched with a horse based on riding experience and personal goals for the project. The volunteer activities will be tailored to riding ability and interests where possible.

Tasks and activities for volunteers may include: • Getting involved in daily ranch life • Feeding, watering and cleaning the horses and equipment • Checking the cattle herd’s health, mustering cattle and fixing fences • Short trail rides • Long trail rides (2-3 days) with overnight camping • Wrangling between 40 and 80 horses • Barrel racing • Team penning (cattle work) • Basic roping lessons (lassos!)

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What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Orientation on arrival Use of the horses

Harriet Gwilt

Occasionally, the ranch plays host to groups of young children to teach them about horses and ranch life. Volunteers are welcome to get involved in these sessions – the kids love to meet new people.

During free time, volunteers are welcome to visit local attractions including Yellowstone National park, nearby hot springs, historical centres and – oh yes – rodeos!

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a rustic log cabin on a multi-share basis, with facilities nearby.

2012: Monthly departures June, July and August

USRV

4-6 weeks From £999

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

USA Wildlife Sanctuary Florida Get up close to a range of animals, from leopards to American wolves Help the sanctuary provide a safe refuge for injured and abused animals Take the opportunity to explore the best of Florida Catch the rays in the USA’s ‘Sunshine State’!

Help care for exotic animals such as leopards, tigers, bears, cougars and wolves, that have been abused, neglected or orphaned in this Florida sanctuary.

With a wide variety of volunteer duties, there’s never a dull moment at the sanctuary! Get involved and make the most of this opportunity to make a difference!

Duties include but are not limited to: • Feeding • Food preparation • Cleaning enclosures • Animal enrichment • Gardening/landscaping • Maintenance tasks • Sorting fresh produce and rotating food supplies • Maintaining animal husbandry notes in the journal • Assisting with veterinary care as needed • Administrative duties

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfers Full support from the co-ordinator

Mechanics, landscaping, carpentry or maintenance you will have the chance to apply these skills, helping to improve the sanctuary.

Worked with such amazing animals, especially the tigers. Getting to know them was something I will remember forever. I made great friends during my month volunteering and met some truly inspirational people.

The experience has really changed my life for the better and I hope to go back to the ranch some day.

Lucy Allen

Educational groups visit the sanctuary from time to time, providing a fantastic opportunity for you to help educate the public on wild animals, animal endangerment and extinction.

He’s n ot exa c stand ard ho tly your use ca t…

Making a difference

In 2010, 108 volunteers contributed a total of 12,626 hours to help the animals. Together, the team has provided the highest quality of care to almost 175 wild animals in need. To those animals, the dedication of the sanctuary’s volunteers and staff is the most important thing in the world.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in comfortable shared accommodation either in a house or stationary caravan, with air conditioning.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of every month

USWF

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12 months From £599

Real Work Experience Working Holiday

Canada Paid Work Gain international work experience and earn money living in Canada for up to a year!

Always wanted to venture to the land of Grizzly bears and maple syrup? Now’s the perfect time! Settle in with a night in a hostel and then dive right in to your job search with full access to a job database and constant support and advice from our onsite staff.

Popular locations to work include Vancouver, Whistler, Jasper, Banff, Vancouver Island and Ontario. But Canada is huge, so the possibilities are virtually endless!

Typical jobs for working holidaymakers include: • Hospitality/guest services • Wait staff & kitchen work • Housekeeping • Food & beverage • Retail • Rentals • Maintenance/groundskeepers & many more!

What’s included Hostel accommodation in Vancouver Orientation Advice and job-seeking assistance from our onsite co-ordinator Exclusive access to job and accommodation listings for 12 months Assistance in banking, taxes and other logistics

This programme also provides assistance in setting up a Canadian bank account and sorting out any tax-related paperwork – basically, we help you with the boring bits!

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Expect to earn between CAD$8 -$12 per hour, depending on location and job, which will be plenty enough to cover living expenses.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a centrally located hostel in Vancouver during orientation.

Some jobs include accommodation, but for those that don’t, use our accommodation list to find a friendly house-share!

2012: Every Thursday

CAPW

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This programme is perfect for those who already have a working holiday visa and would like support in finding a job in Canada.

4-12 weeks From £1249

Real Volunteering Work with Community

Canada Community & Wildlife Volunteers Become fully immersed in a Canadian community Spend time in beautiful British Columbia Lend a hand to volunteer projects in need Explore Victoria, Vancouver and the surrounding areas Spend quality time making a difference in the lives of others by working with various community initiatives in Western Canada.

With four different project areas to choose from, there’s something to suit every volunteer’s style!

Option 1: Community A great choice for those possessing excellent social skills and a passion for people. Get involved at a grass-roots level and be part of a governmentsponsored programme assisting those in need. Help the community to flourish by participating in shelter and housing projects, recreational programmes and health and therapy projects.

Option 2: Arts & Culture A fantastic opportunity for those interested in the arts! Work at a gallery, greet visitors, answer questions, work in gift shops and possibly help with tours for children.

Option 3: Children & Youth Looking to share the enthusiasm of Canada’s youth?

Look no further. Take people with disabilities on horseback riding lessons or sailing trips, or help to rehabilitate at-risk youths. There are plenty of kids who could use volunteer help!

animals native to this part of Canada and help to feed, prepare food, clean enclosures, take care of injured animals and host groups of visitors.

What’s included All accommodation All meals Orientation Placement in a volunteer project Arrival airport transfer

Making a difference

Option 4: Nature Sanctuaries and Wildlife Rehabilitation Perfect for nature lovers and the outdoorsy-types!

Work on a nature conservation site or wildlife sanctuary in one of the most exceptional places on earth! Nature volunteers can help with trail maintenance, work with native plants, help with gardening and contribute to public education initiatives and fundraising. Wildlife volunteers will work with

Volunteers are matched with registered Canadian charities which rely greatly on the support of local and international volunteers.

Project volunteers have contributed approximately 55,000 hours towards Canadian projects since 2002.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay with a Canadian host family – a fantastic way to experience real Canadian life! Volunteers have their own room and share the facilities with the family.

2012: First Sunday of every month

CACW

Like this? Why not try South Africa Big 5 wildlife and community! See p. 18

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Latin America From the lush Amazon rainforest and the mystical intrigue of Machu Picchu to the ecological dreamscape of the Galapagos to the urban jungle of Buenos Aires, Latin America captivates! A continent with boatloads of adventure and volunteer opportunities, there’s plenty to discover here.

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Guatemala Costa Rica

Galapagos

Ecuador

Peru

Argentina

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4 weeks From £1549

Real Adventure Experience

Costa Rica Experience Experience Pura Vida in Costa Rica!

Enjoy surfing, beaches, rainforests, volcanoes, white water rafting and much more Help build homes for local families in need Duck into Panama and see gorgeous Bocas del Toro Days 1-2 Get settled into Costa Rican life with a welcome dinner and full orientation before we’re off up the Caribbean coast in the direction of a turtle conservation project.

Everything on this trip was exceptionally planned and put together.

Totally unforgettable, exciting and awesome, loved every bit.

Days 3-6 Make a meaningful contribution to the conservation of sea turtles! Take part in beach patrols and release baby turtles back into the ocean.

Days 7-8 Today is sure to get pulses racing as we take a white water rafting trip towards the laid back town of Puerto Viejo. Explore, hire a bike or kick back in a hammock – whatever you please!

Days 9-13 Say adios to Costa Rica and hola to the beautiful islands of Bocas del Toro in Panama.

Explore by kayak, under the surface with a snorkel, from the decks of a boat, from the barrel of a wave or from the shores of a breathtaking beach.

Days 14-15 Back in Costa Rica, we’ll enjoy an adrenaline-pumping zipline canopy tour en route to San Ramon. Get your thrills, Tarzan-style!

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Days 16-20 We’re getting our hands dirty with a building project! Help provide families in need with stable, secure housing. Beginners are welcome and project coordinators will give training on-site.

Days 21-24 Discover old lava flows from past eruptions and wade in natural thermal pools at the bottom of this active, smouldering volcano – a surreal experience!

Aske Lokken Andersen

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Return airport transfers All tours and activities as per itinerary 24 hour emergency help and support spend time horseback riding through the lush jungle and Volcan Tenorio National Park.

Days 26-27 Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise, so an adventure here wouldn’t be complete without some time spent enjoying the surf lifestyle. Learn how to hang ten from a pro!

Day 25 Saddle up! We’re off to pick up a steed and

Days 28-29 After a month of adventure, we’re back to San Jose for a farewell dinner. Swap contact details with new friends before saying goodbye to Costa Rica.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share accommodation, from hostels to beach cabins to a lodge in the rainforest!

2012: 8 Jan, 4 Mar, 29 Apr, 29 Jul, 2 Sep, 21 Note: Itinerary varies between Sept and Nov. See website for details.

CRXP & CRXC

4-12 weeks From £799

Real Volunteering Work with Children

Costa Rica Vulnerable Children Volunteers Live with a local Tico family Spend quality time with children from difficult backgrounds Explore beautiful Costa Rica in your free time Practice Spanish with the locals!

Get off the beaten track in Costa Rica to help teach and care for disadvantaged children in the warm and friendly villages of San Ramon or Palmares.

Assist overworked staff at adoption homes and care centres to look after underprivileged children in and around San Ramón, Costa Rica. Funding for such centres is limited and children have often been abused, neglected or orphaned.

The homes and centres help children up to age 12.

Even just spending time with the kids is helpful and makes them feel special and loved.

Activities involve: • Taking care of the children • Helping to organise recreational/teaching

activities • Playing games and activities with the children • Helping them with school duties • Teaching English • Feeding the children

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfer on arrival Detailed orientation and support throughout Laundry once a week

Volunteers generally help out during the weekdays, with evenings and weekends free to explore beautiful Costa Rica! Get to know the local culture while improving your Spanish. fun Face painting is e ag gu lan y in an

Making a difference

”Volunteer support makes a huge difference in our day to day routine. Without them, I am alone with 25 children from 2 to 5 years old. If one needs personal assistance with something (changing a diaper, bathroom run) then I have to leave the other 24 children alone. When we have the help of a volunteer, it means there is always an adult there, looking after their well being!” - Gaby, Teacher.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a private room in a homestay with a typical Costa Rican family.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

CRVC

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Costa Rica Work with Animals With a coastline on the Pacific and one on the Caribbean, Costa Rica has no shortage of beaches, spectacular scenery, adventure sports or laidback lifestyle. However, it does play host to sea turtles and sloths, two of the world’s endangered species and some of the most fascinating animals to inhabit Central America. Spend some time helping to preserve the future of these animals while exploring Costa Rica and give your travels a helpful injection of volunteering.

1-4 weeks From £599

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3 or 4 weeks From £799

Real Volunteering

Real Volunteering

Work with Animals

Work with Animals

Sea Turtle Conservation

Sloth Rescue

Many turtle species on Costa Rica’s coastline are in danger of extinction as a result of human activities such as development, pollution, fishing nets and boats. Help conserve the nesting sites that are crucial to the continued existence of these amazing creatures with hands-on activities including collecting eggs, monitoring nesting turtles, constructing hatcheries and gathering data for research. Live it up on some world renowned beaches while giving something back!

Help maintain a safe haven for over 100 injured and orphaned sloths from around Costa Rica. The sloth rescue centre tries to send as many sloths as possible back into the wild, and needs volunteers to help with daily activities like feeding, exercising, monitoring and recording observations. The rescue centre receives no funding, so is heavily reliant on volunteer support for round the clock care of the injured sloths it houses. Help to sustain the good work of the rescue centre while learning loads about this exotic and rare creature!

rtles Welcome baby tu to the world

There’s nothing quite like a sloth

Unforgettable once in a lifetime experience, made new friends and enjoyed every moment!

Highlight was definitely releasing the baby sea turtles into the ocean and watching the sunrise during my hatchery watch!�

Jocelyn Lu

Making a difference The sloth rescue centre has saved hundreds of sloths from all over Costa Rica over the past 20 years. Its aim is to ensure that every sloth that is admitted has a good quality of life, and to raise awareness to ensure the survival of this endangered species. Relatively little is known about these animals, so the centre also undertakes vital research through monitoring behaviour, lifestyle, physiology and pathology of the sloths.

What’s included All accommodation All meals Arrival airport transfer Orientation Support of project coordinator throughout

Accommodation Type Sea Turtle Conservation Stay in basic multi-share dorms with other volunteers on the beach.

Sloth Rescue Stay in twin-share accommodation with other volunteers a short walk from the sloth centre.

Start Dates Sea Turtle Conservation 2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month Sloth Rescue

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

Trip Code Sea Turtle Conservation CRST Sloth Rescue CRSR

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2-8 weeks From £599

Real Volunteering Work with Communities

Costa Rica House Building Volunteers Work with friendly local builders Help improve the lives of disadvantaged families in Costa Rica Living the Costa Rican lifestyle - Pura Vida!

Practice and develop Spanish skills Roll up those sleeves and get ready to help build new homes for people living in some of the poorest rural communities of Costa Rica.

A unique and rewarding opportunity to improve the living conditions for poor families in Costa Rica. Play a key role in building new houses in the exceptionally friendly and hospitable communities of San Ramon and Palmares. Spend time making a tangible difference to someone’s life, and no doubt make some lifelong friends in the process!

Volunteer work will be dependent on what stage the building work is at, but could include: • Laying floors • Mixing concrete • Digging trenches for foundations • Carrying materials to the building site • Putting roofs on houses • Building septic tanks No previous building experience is required to participate in this programme and there will be plenty of people that will be able to show you the ropes!

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What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfer on arrival Detailed orientation and support throughout Building materials and instruction

Pitch in on a ct worthwhile proje

Making a difference The project is run in conjunction with the Costa Rican and Canadian Rural Housing programme which funds the re-development of homes in some of the poorest rural communities of Costa Rica.

Over the years our volunteers have helped build 23 houses which now house 127 people. We look forward to helping to house more families in 2012!

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a private room in a homestay.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

CRHB

Love the look of this trip? Check out Thailand Building Volunteers too! See online for more.

8-12 weeks From £1299

Real Work Experience Internship

Costa Rica Architecture Internship Work alongside experienced engineers and architects – gain practical work experience and give shelter to families in need in Costa Rica!

An internship programme specially designed for those wanting to gain practical experience in building and architecture, with guidance from experienced professionals in Costa Rica.

Architecture students will jump at the chance to have a hand in the entire life cycle of a building project, from project planning through to completion. This internship programme offers the opportunity to do just that, giving a hands-on experience to learn the fundamentals of the building process and the challenges and considerations surrounding a build.

Within the space of eight to twelve weeks, work with a crew to build houses for families in need in Costa Rica. Be a critical cog in the building process, which will not only sharpen architecture skills of participants, but simultaneously provide social housing for some of Costa Rica’s poorest rural communities.

The internship programme is overseen by a local architect who will visit participants on a placement once a month to give insight into the local planning laws and regulations, building designs and blueprints, and monitor how the building is progressing to ensure the build is carried out according to plans. These meetings with the resident architect are a valuable part of the programme and designed to give architecture students and graduates an opportunity to communicate and discuss planning fundamentals with a mentor.

he om t sh r f riti ition cogn te of B e r u Gain l Instit a e y Ro itectur h of c Ar iples c n i ile e pr ctic ure wh a r t P itec s arch g other n i tor help men a th k wi Wor

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What’s included All accommodation All meals Arrival airport transfer Full support and guidance throughout placement

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Opportunities to travel in Costa Rica at weekends

This hands-on placement is a unique opportunity to gain an insight into the construction methods used in social housing in tropical countries. Interns can expect to be involved with all aspects of the build, working alongside professional builders throughout this CVbuilding experience.

Accommodation Type Stay in a private room in a homestay with a local Costa Rican family.

Start Dates

2012: 1st Sunday of each month

Trip Code CRAI

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2-8 weeks From £589

Real Volunteering Work with Communities

Guatemala House Building Volunteers Lend Hand Make Live

a hand on a meaningful and tangible outreach programme over the keys of a new home to a very grateful family friends with the building group the Guatemalan life in the pretty and lively town of Antigua

Build a house in just five days and change the lives of families in some of the poorest areas of Guatemala.

The gratitude the families and staff showed towards the volunteers makes you appreciate how worthwhile it is being a volunteer, more than I could ever imagine.

Absolutely no regrets.

Thank you Real Gap!

In highland Guatemala, many families live in makeshift homes, constructed of nothing more than cornstalk or cardboard walls with dirt floors.

Working in teams with volunteers from around the world, be a crucial part of this building project, providing sturdy and secure concrete block houses for families that need it most. Each house takes just five days to be built from start to finish, so volunteers see the completion of the project and the most rewarding of final results – handing the keys over to a very grateful family in need. It’s a totally satisfying chance to help change lives.

This project is hands-on from start to finish, including digging the footings and getting the foundations in place. Coordinators will gladly offer guidance; no previous building experience is required - just a positive attitude and a pair of hands!

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Over the following three days the house develops block-by-block, level-by-level, day-by-day. Each house is built with a window, a door and a concrete floor. It is then furnished and painted whatever colour the family chooses. After all the building and painting is complete comes the most satisfying part of the project - showing the family the finished results!

This is an extremely rewarding project which allows volunteers to see the final results of the building work being completed, the keys being handed over, the families moving in and seeing their lives changing forever.

What’s included

Jeanette Farrow

All accommodation Some meals Arrival airport transfer All project-related transport Building materials and instruction

Making a difference Since January 1, 2005, volunteers have constructed 469 new homes providing housing for 2,741 people. 18 homes have been repaired, making them liveable and providing housing for 85 people. Thanks to volunteer donations, safe and efficient stoves have been provided to 55 families.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in a private room with a Guatemalan host family.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

GUHB

2-8 weeks From £799

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

Guatemala Wildlife Rescue Get familiar with a huge range of tropical wildlife Live in the Guatemalan rainforest Visit the world famous Mayan ruins at Tikal Work with endangered wildlife Rescue and rehabilitate some of the world’s most exotic species in the stunning Guatemalan rainforest, one of the most biologically diverse places in the world.

The rescue centre, situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Flores, cares for and rehabilitates hundreds of injured and orphaned animals seized from the black market.

Work alongside a team of international volunteers and staff at the centre to care for the animals including jaguars, parrots, macaws, spider and howler monkeys, margays, ocelots, coatimundis, taras and kinkajous.

Some volunteer activities include: • Monitoring behaviour • Cleaning out enclosures • Feeding animals • Assisting with medical treatment • Data collection for research purposes Enjoy excursions during free time to visit one of the most impressive sights in Central America, the Mayan ruins of Tikal, deep in the heart of the Guatemalan rainforest!

What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfer on arrival Trip to Tikal Mayan ruins Internal flight from Guatemala City to Flores of many Polly – just one als im rescued an

Making a difference Last year volunteers contributed a total of over 7000 days of their time to help care for these animals. Over the same period a total of 208 animals were rescued and brought to the centre, which is expanding constantly to house more animals.

While in Central America, why not help rescue animals in Costa Rica too? See online for details.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share dorm rooms in a volunteer house at the centre with up to six people sharing.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

GUWR

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7 days From £715

Real Adventure Tour

Peru Inca Trail Trek the trail of the once magnificent Inca Empire Watch the sun rise over the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu Discover Cusco’s historic past Witness Peru’s colonial and Inca architecture Trek the legendary Inca Trail to the world famous and mystical ruins of Machu Picchu. An absolute must for any visit to South America!

Day 1 Arrive into the historic city of Cusco, high in the Andes mountains. Cusco is the heart and soul of Peru and an ideal place to start this journey of a lifetime. The trip kicks off with a walking tour of Cusco to acclimatise to the altitude (Cusco sits at 3,350m) and get a first taste of Inca/ Peruvian culture.

Day 2 Today we journey by bus deep into the Andes mountains through the stunning Sacred Valley to visit a traditional Quetchuan village. We journey deeper into the valley to a stunning fortress that kept the Incas safe from Spanish invasion for decades where we rest for the night before we begin the almighty trek!

Day 3 We meet the crew of local porters, a cook and our guide, and away we go! Day one is a fairly relaxed trek, a good warm-up for the steep mountain passes and deep valleys ahead of us!

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Day 4 Today is the most physically challenging day, as we ascend a long steep path to reach the highest point, Dead Woman’s Pass. From here we enter the second pass with snow-capped views before descending to the ruins of Sayacmarca.

Day 5 We continue over the third pass to the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the ‘Town Above the Clouds’. Here we start descending Inca steps to reach our final night’s camp by the ‘Forever Young’ ruins, with panoramic views of the valley below.

What’s included All accommodation Some meals All transport 4 day Inca Trail trek with porters Sacred Valley community visit Day 6 Today we’re up before the sun! Complete the climb to the Sun Gate to watch the ruins of Machu Picchu emerge from the mist below at sunrise. After completing the gruelling journey the Incas made centuries ago, this is a definite highlight of the trip and humbling to even the most hardened of travellers. There will be plenty of time to explore the ruins and take photos before returning back to Cusco in the late afternoon.

Day 7 A day of well-earned relaxation! Rest weary limbs in one of the many restaurants and cafes that surround the city centre.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in twin and multi-share accommodation in a hotel and camping.

2012: Sundays and Tuesdays year-round (except February when the trail is closed for maintenance)

PEIT

4 weeks From £1489

Real Adventure Experience

Peru Experience Live in the town of Cusco high in the Andes Mountains Visit the ancient Machu Picchu Inca ruins Take a trip to stunning Lake Titicaca Help deprived children living in Cusco Week 1 This adventure begins in Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. Live with a friendly local family, and find out what the culture and lifestyle is really like in Peru! Learn Spanish at one of South America’s best language schools in preparation for the excursions and journey ahead.

Evenings are free to sample Cusco’s awesome nightlife, and practice that Spanish on the locals.

Venture into the heart of the Sacred Valley, visit Pisac market and get a first taste of Peru’s famous ancient Inca ruins.

I couldn’t possibly say the highlight because it was all perfect....Machu Picchu was pretty awesome though... The best thing I’ve ever done!

Anne- Marie Mc Donagh

Weeks 2-3 After a week of getting familiar with Cusco, lend a hand at a local school, orphanage or centre for street children. This is a fantastic way to see a side of Peru that typical tourists don’t get to experience.

At the end of the second week and in between volunteering, we take a trip to one of the great wonders of the world, the lost city of Machu Picchu!

Choose between the grueling four day trek through the mountain passes, or the more leisurely train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes. Either way, the experience is unforgettable and this is sure to be a highlight!

What’s included All accommodation Some meals All Transport Spanish tuition at a top rated language school All activities stated in the itinerary are Peruvian people iles generous with sm

Week 4 Hit another Peruvian hot spot - Lake Titicaca! The highest navigable lake in the world, Titicaca is situated way up in the Andes Mountains close to the Bolivian border. Set out on a boat trip around the lake, stopping at some of the islands including those made entirely of reeds where indigenous tribes have lived for decades! Stay with villagers on an island for an eye-opening experience before toasting the end of this tour with a chilled bottle of Inca Cola.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in various multi-share accommodation including homestays, hotels and camping.

2012: 1st Sunday of each month

PEXP

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2-8 weeks From £499

Real Volunteering Work with Children

Peru Youth Outreach Volunteers Reach out to some of the poorest children in Cusco Choose from several meaningful volunteer projects Live in the heart of the Peruvian Andes Spend weekends exploring the ancient city of Machu Picchu This is a fantastic opportunity to see the Cusco that few tourists know and to help young children from a variety of difficult backgrounds. A truly rewarding project and an unforgettable experience.

Be a positive influence in these Andean childrens’ lives at schools, orphanages and daycare centres to keep children off the streets. These kids come from difficult backgrounds and could use adult attention and interaction – get involved with various activities, depending on your personal skills and interests.

Orphanages: Work with children that have been abandoned or abused by their parents and have come to this orphanage to live. Dive in and help teach English, maths, drama, arts and crafts, or simply play with the children and help build their confidence.

Day-care centre: This free service helps some of the poorest families in Cusco, offering places to between 25 and 40 young children. Work alongside professional carers and other volunteers. Play with the kids, give them some informal education and help to give them the love and attention they crave.

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Teaching in a school: Addressing basic education needs in deprived districts is a really valuable part of being a volunteer. The school has been running since 2007 and has around 50 children between the age of 3 and 13 in four different classes.

What’s included All accommodation Airport transfer on arrival Orientation Detailed information pack prior to departure 24-hour emergency contact in the UK and Peru

Making a difference Cusco is one of the best known places in South America and has thousands of tourists visiting each year. But very few people see the real Cusco, away from the centre. Teachers and carers are limited and there is little government funding available to sustain these organizations, so volunteer support is both necessary and much appreciated.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Live in multi-share accommodation in a volunteer house.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

PEYO

Extend your travels to Central America with the Guatemala Community Outreach programme!

See website for details.

3 weeks From £2329

Real Adventure Experience

Galapagos Experience Assist with conservation projects to safeguard the future of native species See Giant Galapagos Tortoises in the wild Visit the beautiful islands of Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz Included return flights from Quito Week 1 This week, explore the main island of Santa Cruz. Visit the world famous Charles Darwin Station and tortoise breeding centre and take a trip to the mile long white sandy beach, and hidden coves of Tortuga Bay. Catch a glimpse of wild Galapagos Giant Tortoises while living and working in the community of Santa Rosa. Play a part in safeguarding the future of the island ecology through well-established conservation initiatives.

Week 2 We’re off to the island of San Cristobal where we stay on a biological station in the highlands. Totally different from the standard tourist trail, we’ll be helping to restore the natural habitat and getting involved with environmental, community and social volunteer work.

Activities include: • Reforestation of native species • Environmental education with local people and schools • Organic agricultural activities to help maintain sustainable food production for the station • Guided hike to learn about biodiversity, natural history and ecology

A truly once in a lifetime experience - The Galapagos Islands are nothing short of incredible!”

Katarina Dittlau

What’s included All accommodation Some meals Airport transfer on arrival Domestic flight from Quito to Santa Cruz Transportation between islands loved Charles Darwin

Week 3 Isabela is the largest island in the Galapagos it here, you will too! archipelago and home to more wild giant tortoises than any of the other islands, making it a perfect place to get up close with this huge reptile! Isabela’s rich animal, bird and marine wildlife is beyond compare. Spend time at the giant tortoise breeding centre, see the Wall of Tears, visit the world’s second largest volcano crater, and head to the Tintoreras Islets to see penguins, sharks, pelicans and more!

Finally, snorkel with sea lions at Concha Perla – a once in a lifetime experience.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share accommodation including hostels and volunteer houses.

2012: 1st Sunday of each month

EGGE

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2-8 weeks From £619

Real Volunteering Work with Children

Ecuador Amazon Teaching Volunteers Live and work in the Amazon rainforest Get to know the locals in these friendly communities Practice your teaching skills Work with children to enhance their English Teach English to the children of Amazon communities to give them a better future, while getting a first-hand experience of life in the rainforest!

Term time Native English speakers volunteering alongside local teachers provide school kids in the Amazon with a more well-rounded education. Teach English using structured lesson plans, and also teach arts, music and sports to engage the kids’ creativity and cooperation.

Between teaching the kids and planning lessons with other volunteers and project coordinators, these are very full but satisfying days spent in the Amazon.

Summer School Ecuadorian school terms run from January to May and September until mid-December, but volunteer opportunities don’t stop with the holidays. As the children often have very little to do during their school holidays, there is a summer school that gives them a creative outlet. The summer school will focus on arts, sports and music, and gives volunteers the opportunity to try out a few of their own ideas too!

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What’s included All accommodation All meals Airport transfer on arrival Orientation on arrival Regular trips organised at weekends

Arts and crafts fun in the jungle

Making a difference With the help that volunteers give, we can continue to supply essential educational and sporting equipment, and give the children a more exciting learning experience, using activities, art and music to teach. Since the project started four years ago, volunteers have given over 10,000 hours teaching time to children in seven schools in the Amazon basin.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share dorm rooms in a volunteer house in Puyo.

2012: 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month

ECAT

After making a difference, why not explore further with the Peru and Ecuador Adventure?

See website.

2-6 weeks From £799

Real Volunteering Work with Animals

Ecuador Animal Rescue Help improve the lives of sick, injured and abused animals Get up close to parrots, coatis, caiman, monkeys and more!

Take the weekend to trek through the Amazon jungle!

Brush up on your Spanish skills Learn about some of the weird and wonderful animals from all corners of Ecuador whilst living and working on the edge of the awe-inspiring Amazon rainforest.

Help the welfare of sick and injured animals who have been captured and entered into the black market by giving time and effort to this worthwhile project.

Get involved with the daily care of loads of South American animals at this rescue centre. Work with caimans, charapa turtles, parakeets, parrots, tucans, coatis, kinkajous, tayras, squirrel monkeys, tamarinds, tigrillos, boas and more.

Become a resident expert when school kids come to visit, hosting tours around the centre and educating the local community. These efforts aim to prevent the illegal trafficking of animals and protect their rights, in the hope that such practices will be diminished.

Volunteer duties include: • Preparing food and feeding the animals • Cleaning, repairing and building animal enclosures • Monitoring animal behaviour • Identifying plants in the rainforest and mangroves • Assisting with wildlife healthcare

What’s included All accommodation Airport transfers Orientation Detailed information pack prior to departure 24-hour emergency contact in the UK and Ecuador Some volunteers may be fortunate enough to assist in the captive breeding programme of the Guayaquil macaws, spider monkeys and crocodiles. A fantastic location with friendly outgoing staff, volunteering at the Ecuador rescue centre is a fantastic opportunity!

Other more specialised duties may include getting involved in rescue missions in co-operation with the Ecuadorian authorities, and helping with the liberation of animals as they are returned to their natural habitat.

No trip to Ecuador is complete without checking out the Galapagos! Check out the Galapagos Experience. See p. 101.

Accommodation Type

Start Dates

Trip Code

Stay in multi-share dorms with other volunteers in on-site cabins.

2012: 1st and 3rd Monday each month

ECAR

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RealGap extras Flights

Insurance

Travel Advice

For passengers leaving from a UK airport, Real Gap would be pleased to arrange your flights in conjunction with your trip. We have preferred contracts with many carriers and being part of TUI Travel PLC, have secured some of the most competitive prices in the industry.

We’re also ATOL protected and IATA licensed, providing you with financial security and peace of mind.

Travel insurance is an indispensable part of your overseas trip. We are an appointed representative of Fogg travel insurance and we can offer three comprehensive travel insurance policies. Please note, a high percentage of annual multi-trip and single trip policies on the market are NOT suitable for Real Gap trips due to either limitation of number of days you can travel, or restrictions in the activities they cover. Please visit the insurance pages online at realgap.co.uk/travel-insurance for more detail on what’s included in our policies or contact one of our travel advisors who can help you select the best package for your trip.

We believe prevention is better than the cure, and highly endorse a one day course specifically designed to prepare young travellers for a safe trip and feel prepared to handle whatever comes your way while you’re abroad. Professional safety instructors teach you to think on your feet and cover everything from medical issues to personal protection to financial security. For more information, visit realgap.co.uk/safety-course.

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Keeping in Touch Sim card Real Gap has partnered with e-kit to provide some of the cheapest ways to call or text home. With internet access often limited or unavailable in some of our more remote locations, e-kit gives you the added security and convenience of being able to keep in touch with family and friends while abroad.

Every Real Gap passenger receives a free sim card, so keeping in touch is a breeze.

Group Travel What do you get when you combine a group of friends with an unforgettable overseas adventure? Your trip for FREE! Book a group of nine or more people on the same tour and the tenth person goes for free. We’ll also tailor the itinerary of the trip to suit your group’s needs. Call our advisors for more information.

Terms and Conditions All programmes advertised in our brochures and on our website are operated by Real Travel Limited trading as Real Gap Experience and Inspired Breaks with company number 3977046 whose registered office is at TUI Travel House, Crawley Business Quarter, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 9QL (hereinafter called ‘the Company’ or ‘we’) and is a member of the TUI Travel PLC group of companies and a member of ABTA. All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions (“Booking Conditions”): 1. Insurance.

Please Note: Adequate and valid travel insurance is compulsory for all customers and it is a condition of the Company accepting your booking that you agree you will have obtained adequate and valid travel insurance for your booking by the date of departure.

You are strongly advised to insure yourself against any possible risk that may occur and in particular to ensure that you have sufficient insurance in respect of expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment and dependent relatives. You are required to carry proof of insurance with you and produce it if reasonably requested by Company employees or suppliers. You should ensure that you are covered for the complete duration of your travels and that there are no exclusion clauses which limit cover for the type of activities included, or the altitudes attained, in your travel arrangements.

2. Financial Security.

When you buy an ATOL protected air package or flight from us you will receive a confirmation invoice from us (or via our authorised agent through whom you booked) confirming your arrangements and your protection under our Air Travel Organiser’s Licence number 6527. In the unlikely event of our insolvency, the CAA will ensure that you are not stranded abroad and will arrange to refund the flight costs you have paid to us for an advance booking.

For further information, visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk.

The price of your programme includes the amount of £2.50 per person as part of the ATOL Protection Contribution (APC) we pay to the CAA. This charge is included in our advertised prices.

The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 (“Package Travel Regulations”) require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the package programmes booked from our quotations and for your repatriation in the event of our insolvency.

For package bookings that do not include travel by air we provide this security by way of a bond held by ABTA. If you book arrangements other than a package the financial protection referred to above does not apply.

We are a member of ABTA, membership number Y255X. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

3. Booking.

To make a booking you can contact us in several ways; directly over the telephone, via our Website, or through an approved Travel Agent. The person making the booking (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Lead Name’) must be 18 years old or over and possess the legal capacity and authority to make the booking and accepts these booking conditions on behalf of everyone in their party.

You will need to pay a deposit (which includes an administration charge) at the time of booking which for the majority of our programmes is 10% of the booking value or £199 / 235 € / $US 329 / $AUS 395 / $CAD 329 /$NZ395 (whichever is greater). If your chosen programme requires a different amount of deposit to be paid the programme information will contain the relevant details. Please see the section on ‘Payment and Credit Card Charges’ below for further details regarding payments and payment dates. Please note that depending on when you book, you may be required to pay the full balance of the travel arrangements at the time of booking, please see further below.

Upon receipt of your deposit/full payment, we will start to process your application.

However, if you withdraw your application at any stage, as we will have already incurred costs in processing your application and looking for a placement, we regret that we cannot refund your deposit, as we need to cover our costs incurred on your behalf. We will, however, refund your deposit and any other fees paid to date, less the costs of any pre-placement training you have received, if we cannot locate a placement for you.

If we accept your booking, we will issue a confirmation invoice. A contract will exist between us from the date we issue the confirmation invoice or if you book within 7 days of departure the contract will exist when we accept your full payment. When you receive the confirmation invoice please check the details carefully and inform us immediately if anything is incorrect. Names on travel documents must exactly match those in your passports. Unless we are responsible for the mistake, we will not accept liability if an airline or other supplier refuses boarding because the name(s) shown in your passport differ from those on your ticket.

Your personal safety is of paramount importance to us and therefore it is imperative that you advise us at the time of booking of any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people’s enjoyment of your placement or booking.

We will also provide you with access to an on-line account which will include (where applicable) written confirmation of your programme, a financial schedule which sets out the details of the amounts that you have paid us and informs you of the deadline for the balance of any outstanding payments in respect of your travel arrangements. With regards to programmes involving voluntary and/or paid work placements, we will inform you of the provisional location of your placement on booking. Dependent on which booking you have made, you may also be sent further forms to complete and return to us.

We reserve the right to cancel or postpone your booking if you have not returned all the necessary completed forms to process your application within the required timeframes or do not make payment by the due dates. The final deadline for receipt of completed forms is 28 days before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier, where information is required earlier for any programme you will be notified at the time of confirmation.

Please note that by confirming your booking both parties recognise that you are not an employee of Real Travel Limited.

We believe that all statements made in our brochure, website and other marketing materials are factual and correct at the time they are made. Every reasonable effort has been made to describe the booking accurately and to provide the amenities described.

We will advise you of any material changes known to us prior to your departure providing there is sufficient time to do so and we can contact you.

4. Payment and Credit Card Charges With the exception of round the world or multi centre gap programmes, if you book 90 days or more before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier, you will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking as detailed above. We will invoice you for the remainder of the cost of your travel arrangements due before you travel and your confirmation invoice and online account will contain details of the due dates for further payments.

You must pay 100% of the costs of your travel arrangements at least 90 days before the start date of your programmes or departure whichever is the earlier. In respect of paid work and Internship programmes at the point that you accept your placement/ job offer we require full payment (which is non refundable) in order to complete your application.

Please note: With regards to round the world or multi centre gap programmes (a) If you book 141 days or more before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier you will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking as detailed above. We will then invoice you for the remainder of the cost of your travel arrangements due before you travel and your confirmation invoice and online account will contain details of the due dates for further payments. (b) You must pay 50% of the cost of your travel arrangements at least 140 days before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier and then 100% of the cost of your travel arrangements at least 60 days before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier. (c) If you book less than 90 days before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier you must pay 100% of the cost of your travel arrangements at the time of booking.

All payments made on a credit card (whether deposits, part payments or final balances) will be subject to a levy of 3% (inc VAT).

If the deposit and/or balance are not paid in time we will cancel your travel arrangements.

If the balance is not paid in time, we shall retain your deposit.

5. Prices, Surcharging and Air Passenger Duty.

All prices we advertise are accurate at the date published, but we reserve the right to change any of those prices. Prices on our website are updated regularly. Before you make a booking we will give you the up-to-date price of your chosen programme including the cost of any peak-season supplements, upgrades or additional facilities which you have requested. Prices quoted are valid at the time of publication on 1st February 2012.

Changes in transportation costs, including the cost of fuel, dues, taxes or fees chargeable for services such as landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports and exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked. However, there will be no change within 30 days of your departure.

Any changes in taxes, entry fees and/or charges that we collect at net cost on behalf of local and government bodies will be passed on to you in full or refunded to you in full (Net Cost Charges). We will absorb and you will not be charged for any increase equivalent to 2% of the price of your travel arrangements, which excludes insurance premiums, Net Cost Charges and any amendment charges. You will be charged for the amount over and above that, plus an administration charge of £1.00 per person together with an amount to cover agents’ commission. If this means that you have to pay an increase of more than 10% of the price of your travel arrangements, you will have the option of accepting a change to another programme if we are able to offer one (if this is of equivalent or higher quality you will not have to pay more but if it is of lower quality you will be refunded the difference in price), or cancelling and receiving a full refund, except for any amendment charges.

We will consider an appropriate refund of insurance premiums paid if you can show that you are unable to transfer or reuse your policy. Should you decide to cancel for this reason, you must exercise your right to do so within 14 days from the issue date detailed in your online account. Should the price of your travel arrangements go down due to the changes mentioned above by more than 2% of the travel arrangements, then any refund due will be paid to you. However, please note that travel arrangements are not always purchased in local currency and some apparent changes have no impact on the price of

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your travel due to contractual and other protection in place.

Dates and itineraries shown for tours are indicative only and subject to change Air Passenger Duty “APD” is included in the price of your booking/flight ticket. In view of the current volatility of world oil prices, a fuel supplement may be added to the price of the booking at the time the booking is made.

6. If you change or cancel your Booking If, after our Confirmation Invoice has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example change to another programme or change departure date, we will try to make the change subject to availability but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the Lead Name and received by us 90 days or more before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier. You will be required to pay an amendment fee of £50 / 60 € / $US 80 / $CAD 80 / $AUS 100 / $NZ100 per booking (£100 for round the world or multi centre gap programmes) for each change and any further costs we incur in making this alteration (including without limitation to cover our administration costs and any costs imposed by any of our suppliers providing the component parts of the booking).

If the booking to which you transfer is more expensive than the one you originally booked, a further deposit may also be payable. Any alteration requested by you and received by us less than 90 days prior to the start date of your programme or departure date (whichever is the earlier) will be treated as a cancellation of the original booking and will be subject to cancellation charges.

Where you are unable to travel you can transfer your booking to another person provided you; a. notify us in writing at least 90 days before departure and; b. submit all original travel documents which you have received and the full name and address of the transferee; c. the transferee must fulfil any conditions that apply to the booking; and d. payment by you of an administrative charge of a minimum of £50 / 60 € / $US 80 / $CAD 80 / $AUS 100 / $NZ100 per person (£100 for round the world or multi centre gap programmes) plus payment of all costs charged or levied by those supplying your travel arrangements.

Both the transferor and transferee will be jointly and severally liable for payment of the price of the travel arrangements and other associated expenses. Some airline carriers treat name changes as cancellations. Accordingly you may be required to pay for the cost of a new ticket. NB You are not permitted to exchange your programme for another once it has started.

You, or any member of your party, may cancel your booking at any time providing that the cancellation is made by the Lead Name in writing. Notice of cancellation will be effective upon receipt of your written communication. As we start to incur costs from the time the contract is confirmed we will retain your deposit and in addition will apply other cancellation charges as shown below. Where written notification of the cancellation is received: • 90 days or more prior to the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier: loss of deposit plus a charge of 10% of the total value of the holiday cost, 100% of flight costs and any additional costs we have incurred • less than 90 days prior to the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier (or failure to join the programme): 100% of the cost of your travel arrangements(including without limitation 100% of flight costs).

The cancellation charges for paid work and internship programmes will be 100% of the programme cost once you have accepted your placement or job offer and paid the full balance.

Where you have booked a combination of two or more programmes under one booking, cancellation of your booking will be deemed to be cancellation of all programmes under that booking and cancellation fees will be charged against the total booking cost. Please note that in cases where you have already made changes or deferred the start date of your programme or departure date, cancellation fees will be applied with regard to the original start date of your programme or departure date as applicable.

Please note that for certain travel arrangements e.g. many scheduled transport providers, the cancellation charge may be higher than those shown. In certain cases travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the travel arrangements. Please ask for full details of cancellation charges at time of booking. We strongly recommend you to take out insurance that includes cover against irrecoverable cancellation costs as if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim cancellation charges.

Additionally, you will remain responsible for the full amount of your insurance premium and this will not be refunded in the event of your cancellation. You may however be able to transfer this cover to another programme. If you are travelling on a scheduled flight, we cannot give you any refund (if applicable) until we have received your old travel documents, including tickets.

All communications relating to this contract (in particular any requests to cancel or amend your programme arrangements) must be from the Lead Name in writing and in English and delivered by hand, fax, email or sent by recorded delivery post to Real Travel Limited, 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2YG. If once you have started your project you elect to leave, the cancellation charges set out in these Booking Conditions will apply and you will be required to complete a release form which confirms you are cancelling your contract with the company and are not entitled to claim a refund for any unused services.

7. If we change or cancel your Booking.

We reserve the right to cancel your booking or make changes to your booking (including without limitation to any of the facilities, services or prices described in our brochures or website). We will endeavour to advise you of any changes known at the time of booking.

Where you have booked a combination of two or more programmes under one booking, cancellation of your booking will be deemed to be cancellation of all programmes under that booking. Please note that in cases where you have already made changes or deferred the start date of your placement, cancellation fees will be applied with regard to the original start date of your placement.

We plan the arrangements for your booking many months in advance and may occasionally have to make changes, most of which are minor and we will advise you of them at the earliest possible date. Flight timings and carriers shown in the brochure are subject to change. A change of carrier will not be considered a major change. If a major change becomes necessary, we will advise you of the change as soon as reasonably possible if there is time before your programme start date or departure date whichever is earlier. Whether a change is ‘major’ depends on the nature of the trip and may include: alteration to the scheduled departure or return time of your flight by more than 12 hours (but not a flight delay); a change to a lower standard of accommodation; or a change of departure airport (excluding a change between London airports).

If we make a major change to your travel arrangements, you will have the choice of either: (a) accepting the change; or (b) accepting an offer of an alternative programme from us of equivalent or closely similar standard in the same destination or programme category if available (where the programme is sold as a package within the meaning of the Package Travel Regulations, we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value, however where the programme is not sold as a package within the meaning of the Package Travel Regulations, we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value and you will pay the price difference if the alternative is of a higher value); or (c) Cancelling your programme, in which case you will receive a full refund of all monies paid.

We may also have to cancel your travel arrangements, if for example the operation of the programme is dependent on a minimum number of persons booking and that number is not achieved, we reserve the right to cancel the programme. However in no circumstances will we cancel your booking less than 4 weeks before the start date of your programme or departure date whichever is earlier except for reasons of consolidation due to minimum numbers not being attained, force majeure (as defined below), failure on your part to pay the final balance or complete all necessary forms, or for any other reason beyond our control.

We strongly recommend that you make no travel arrangements to your point of departure, make any connecting travel that is non-refundable or non-changeable or incurs penalties or incur any costs in respect of visas or vaccinations until such time as your travel itinerary has been confirmed. If you make such arrangements which you are then unable to use due to a change in your itinerary we shall not be liable to you for the cost of those arrangements. If we are forced to cancel your holiday after departure we will, wherever possible, make suitable alternative arrangements. If we are unable to make such alternative arrangements or you reject these for good reason then we will return you to your point of departure and refund you for any unused services, if appropriate.

With regards to programmes sold as a package within the meaning of the Package Travel Regulations only, if we are forced to cancel your programme after departure we will, wherever possible, make suitable alternative arrangements. If we are unable to make such alternative arrangements, or you reject these for good reason then we will return you to your point of departure and refund you for any unused services, if appropriate.

With regards to programmes sold as a package within the meaning of the Package Travel Regulations only, where your travel arrangements are cancelled or are subject to a major change, except where such cancellation or major change arises from circumstances amounting to consolidation due to minimum numbers not being attained, force majeure or failure on your part to pay the final balance or complete all necessary forms, we will pay you, as a minimum, compensation as detailed below.

Period before departure when we notify you of a major change Compensation per person More than 55 days Nil Between 55 and 43 days before travel £10.00 Between 42 and 28 days before travel £20.00 Between 27 and 15 days before travel £30.00 Between 14 days and the date of travel £40.00 Circumstances amounting to “force majeure” including any event which is beyond our reasonable control or the reasonable control of the supplier of the service(s) in question, including without limitation war, threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, actual or threatened terrorist activity and its consequences, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, acts

of God, adverse weather conditions, flood, epidemic or pandemic illness and all similar events.

Where you have made a booking involving a volunteering schedule, there may be holidays, festivals and closures that can affect your volunteering schedule. These are often announced at the last minute and we will ensure that a suitable alternative is offered, where possible. If you have had no volunteering work for over one month (and this excludes time for holidays both at the placement and your own personal travel), and you have not been offered any alternative volunteering work, then we will refund a maximum of £250 / 290 € / $US 400 / $CAD 400 / $AUS 400/ $NZ500 per month you don’t have work. If your placement is 28 days or under and you have had no volunteering work for one week (excluding time for holidays and personal travel), we will refund you at our standard weekly rate of £75 / 90 € / $US 125 / $CAD 125 / $AUS125 / $NZ150 up to a maximum of £250 / 290 € / $US 400/$CAD 400 / $AUS 400 / $NZ500.

Volunteering work is offered and arranged as part of a placement in good faith but cannot be guaranteed due to circumstances outside the control of ourselves and your In Country Co-ordinator. Please note that any payment will take account of the proportion of your placement, which is reasonably affected by any problem for which we are responsible.

Where you have made a booking involving a paid work option, it should be noted that this does not guarantee a job. If you have not received an offer of a job placement within one month having met the criteria of our partners in country and been available for interview if required (this excludes time for holidays both at the placement and your own personal travel) then we will refund a maximum one off payment of £200 / 230 € / $US 350 / $CAD 350 /$AUS330 / $NZ400. Job placements are offered and arranged based on your skill level as part of a placement in good faith but cannot be guaranteed due to circumstances outside the control of ourselves and your In Country Co-ordinator.

8. Our liability, conditions of carriage and limitations Our obligations, and those of our suppliers providing any service or facility included in your programme, are to take reasonable skill and care to arrange for the provision of such services and facilities. You must show that reasonable skill and care has not been used if you wish to make any claim. Standards of, for example, safety, hygiene and quality vary throughout the transport and destinations that your programme may involve. Sometimes these standards will be lower than those which would be expected in the UK. The services and facilities included in your booking will be deemed to be provided with reasonable skill and care if they comply with any local regulations which apply.

Our liability, except in cases involving death, injury or illness, shall be limited to a maximum of 3 times the cost of your travel arrangements. Our liability in all cases will be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to; (a) the contractual terms of the companies that provide the transportation for your travel arrangements. These terms are incorporated into this contract; and (b) any relevant international convention as detailed below. We are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitation of compensation contained in these or any conventions.

You can ask for copies of the transport companies’ contractual terms, or the international conventions, from our offices Real Travel Limited, 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2YG. We shall have no liability where the cause of the failure to provide, or failure in, your travel arrangements or any death or personal injury you may suffer is not due to any fault on our part or that of our agents or suppliers, because it is either attributable to you, or attributable to someone unconnected with your programme and is unforeseeable or unavoidable, or is due to a force majeure event or unusual or unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised, or an event which neither we, nor our agents or suppliers could have foreseen or forestalled.

If any international convention applies to, or governs, any of the services or facilities included in the booking arranged or provided by us, or provided by any of our suppliers, and you make a claim against us of any nature arising out of death, injury, loss or damage suffered during or as a result of the provision of those services or facilities, our liability to pay you compensation and/or the amount (if any) of compensation payable to you by us will be limited in accordance with and/or in an identical manner to that provided for by the international convention concerned (in each case including in respect of the conditions of liability, the time for bringing any claim and the type and amount of any damages that can be awarded). International conventions which may apply include, without limitation: in respect of international air travel, the Warsaw Convention 1929 (as amended) or the Montreal Convention 1999; in respect of rail travel, the Berne Convention 1961; in respect of carriage by sea, the Athens Convention 1974; in respect of carriage by road, the Geneva Convention 1973; and, in respect of hotels, the Paris Convention 1962.

For the avoidance of doubt, this means that we are to be regarded as having all benefit of any limitations of compensation contained in any of these conventions or any other international conventions applicable to your travel arrangements. Other than as set out above, and as is detailed elsewhere in these Booking Conditions, we shall have no legal liability whatsoever to you for any loss or damage.

Under EU law, Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, you have rights in some circumstances to refunds and/or compensation from your airline in cases of denied boarding, cancellation or delay to flights. Full details of these rights will be publicised at EU airports and will also be available from airlines. However reimbursement in such cases will not automatically entitle you to a refund of your travel arrangement costs from us. Your right to a refund and/or compensation from us is set out in these Booking Conditions. If any payments to you are due from us, any payment made to you by the airline will be deducted from this amount. If your airline does not comply with these rules you should complain to the Aviation Consumer Advocacy Panel on 020 7240 6061 www.caa.co.uk.

With regards to programmes sold as a package within the meaning of the Package Travel Regulations only, if the contract we have with you is not performed or is improperly performed as a result of failures attributable to a third party unconnected with the provision of the services, or as a result of failures due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised, or an event which we or our suppliers, even with all due care, could not foresee or forestall, and you suffer injury or other material loss, we will offer you such prompt assistance as is reasonable in the circumstances.

If you purchase any optional activities that are not part of your pre-booked itinerary, the contract for the provision of that activity will be between you and the activity provider and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of such activities or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the activity provider. The decision to partake in any such activity is entirely at your own discretion and risk. If you do have any complaint about, or problem with, any optional activity purchased locally your claim should be directed to the activity provider and not to us.

We may offer travel arrangements in regions where standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, medical facilities and other infrastructure may, at times, be lower than those you normally expect. Your booking is accepted on the understanding that you realise the hazards involved in this kind of programme, including injury, disease, loss or damage to property, inconvenience and discomfort. The whole philosophy of this type of travel is one that allows alternatives and a substantial degree of on-trip flexibility.

Changes in itinerary may be caused by local political conditions, flight cancellations, mechanical breakdown, weather, border restrictions, sickness, or other unforeseeable circumstances.

Please note that the timings of air, sea, road or rail departures are estimates only. These timings may be affected by operational difficulties, weather conditions or failure of passengers to check in on time.

9. Air Carrier Liability for Passengers and their Baggage.

Flight Notice, Flight Information and EU Blacklist. This is a notice required by European Community Regulation (EC) No. 889/2002. This notice cannot be used as a basis for a claim for compensation, nor to interpret the provisions of European Community legislation or the Montreal Convention, and it does not form part of the contract between the air carrier(s), us and you. No representation is made by the air carrier(s) or us as to the accuracy of the contents of this notice.

This information notice summarises the liability rules applied by European Community air carriers as required by European Community legislation and the Montreal Convention.

Compensation in the case of death or injury. There are no financial limits to the liability for passenger injury or death. For damages up to approximately 113,100 Special Drawing Rights (“SDRs”) (approximately £112,100) the air carrier cannot contest claims for compensation. Above that amount, the air carrier can defend itself against a claim by proving that it was not negligent or otherwise at fault.

Advance payments. If a passenger is killed or injured, the air carrier must make an advanced payment, to cover immediate economic needs, within 15 days from the identification of the person entitled to compensation. In the event of death, this advance payment shall not be less than 16,000 SDRs (approximately £15,900).

Passenger delays. In case of passenger delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for passenger delay is limited to 4,694 SDRs (approximately £4,700).

Baggage delays. In case of baggage delay, the air carrier is liable for damage unless it took all reasonable measures to avoid the damage or it was impossible to take such measures. The liability for baggage delay is limited to 1131 SDRs (approximately £1,100).

Destruction, loss or damage to baggage. The air carrier is liable for destruction, loss or damage to baggage up to 1131 SDRs (approximately £1,100). In the case of checked baggage, it is liable even if not at fault, unless the baggage was defective. In the case of unchecked baggage, the carrier is liable only if at fault.

Higher limits for baggage. A passenger can benefit from a higher liability limit by making a special declaration at the latest at check-in and by paying a supplementary fee.

Complaints on baggage. If the baggage is damaged, delayed, lost or destroyed, the passenger must write and complain to the air carrier as soon as possible. In the case of damage to checked baggage, the passenger must write and complain within seven days, and in the case of delay within 21 days, in both cases from the date on which the baggage was placed at the passenger’s disposal.

Liability of contracting and actual carriers. If the air carrier actually performing the flight is not the same as the contracting air carrier, the passenger has the right to address a complaint or to make a claim for damages against either. If the name or code of an air carrier is indicated on the ticket, that air carrier is the contracting air carrier.

Time limit for action. Any action in court to claim damages must be brought within two years from the date of arrival of the aircraft, or from the date on which the aircraft ought to have arrived.

Basis for the information. The basis for the rules described above is the Montreal Convention of 28 May 1999, which is implemented in the European Community by Regulation (EC) No. 2027/97 (as amended by Regulation (EC) No. 889/2002) and national legislation of the Member States.

In accordance with EU Regulation (EC) No. 2111/2005, Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a ‘Community list’ which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the European Community. The Community list is available for inspection at www.air-ban.europa.eu In accordance with EU Regulation (EC) No. 2111/2005 we are required to advise you of the actual carrier operating your flight/connecting flight/transfer if your booking includes flight(s). We do this by listing carriers to be used or likely to be used below.

• Adria Airways • Aeroflot • Aerolineas SOSA • AeroSur • Air China • Air Europa • Air France • Air India • Air Namibia • Alitalia • All Nippon • American Airlines • Austrian • Avianca • BA • BMI • Brussels Airlines • Cathay Pacific • China Eastern Airlines • Continental • Czech Airlines

• Delta • Egypt Air • Emirates • Ethiopian Airlines • Etihad • Eva Airways • Gulf Air • Iberia • Icelandair • JAL • Jet Airways • Kenya Airways • Kingfisher • KLM • Korean Air • Lan Airlines • LOT Polish Airlines • Lufthansa • Malaysia Airlines • Malev

• Mexicana • Northwest Airlines • Olympic Airways • Precision Air • Qantas • Qatar Airways • Royal Air Maroc • Royal Jordanian • SAS • Singapore Airlines • South African Airways • Sri Lanka Airways • Swiss • TACA • Tam Airlines • Tap Portugal • Thai Airways • Thompson (charters) • Turkish Airlines • Uzbekistan Airways • Virgin Atlantic

The airline may use wide and narrow-body jets. Any changes to the actual airline after you have received your tickets will be notified to you as soon as possible and in all cases at check-in or at the boarding gate. Such a change is deemed to be a minor change. Other examples of minor changes include alteration of your outward/return flights by less than 12 hours, changes to aircraft type, change of accommodation to another of the same standard. Some flights may need to stop en route. If we know about this in advance we will tell you. Flight times shown in the brochure, on the website and on your booking confirmation are not guaranteed. Actual flight times are shown on your tickets. Flight times are local times based on the 24-hr system.

Please check with the airline regarding luggage allowance limits and the maximum allowable single item baggage weight. If you have a medical condition, serious illness, recently undergone surgery, or have suffered a recent accident, you must advise us and your airline and you may need to be cleared for travel by the airline which will involve obtaining a Fitness to Fly Certificate from your GP. 10. Complaints process.

We work with receiving partners in each of the destinations that we offer travel arrangements. They are responsible for representing us and offering you in-country support while you are on your programme. Please see the ‘Buddy List and In-Country Support’ section below and on your online account for further information.

If you have any complaint during your programme you must inform our in-country support team and the relevant supplier of the service immediately. If you are not satisfied with their action please contact our UK customer support team who will aim to resolve your complaint with our partners on your behalf. Failure on your part to notify us and our in-country partners will deprive us of the opportunity to investigate your complaint and to take appropriate action to put things right whilst you are on your programme and may affect your legal rights.

If you are not happy with the actions taken in response please follow this up with us within 28 days of the programme end date by writing to us at Real Travel Limited, 1 Meadow Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2YG, giving your booking reference and all other relevant information. We will acknowledge your written notification within 7 days and aim to provide a full response within 28 days.

We can usually sort out any complaints you may have, but if we cannot agree we can offer you an arbitration scheme for the resolution of disputes arising out of or in connection with this contract. The arbitration scheme is arranged by ABTA and administered independently. It provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on you in respect of costs. The scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims which are solely in respect of personal injury or illness or their consequences. The scheme can however deal with compensation claims which include an element of minor injury or illness subject to a limit of £1,000 on the amount the arbitrator can award per person in respect of this element.

Your request for arbitration must be received by ABTA within twelve months of the date of return from your programme. Outside this time limit arbitration under the scheme may still be available if we agree but the ABTA Code of Conduct does not require such agreement.

For injury and illness claims, you can request the ABTA mediation procedure and we have the option to agree to mediation. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found on www.abta.com. Information regarding complaints may be shared with other tour operators.

11. Visa, Health, Passport, Travel Documentation.

Whilst we are able to provide basic advice to customers regarding passports and visa requirements, you should check with the appropriate Embassy, Consulate or British Foreign Office for the exact requirements for your chosen programme and date of travel. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct passport and visas to gain access to any country/region included in the travel arrangements which you purchase from us. If you fail to do so, we have no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you suffer, nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements. In some cases, countries will refuse entry to customers who have criminal records. Should you be concerned about this, please check with the Embassy or Consulate of the countries to which you are travelling. The Lead Name is entirely responsible for ensuring that all members of the group have the correct and valid documentation for travel. We cannot accept responsibility for any failure to comply resulting in any costs or fines being incurred and we advise you to check with your passport office or the Consulate in question if you have any queries. Customers travelling overland to certain destinations may need to also pass through controls of other countries en-route so this should be allowed for with any passport/visa applications. When travelling to the US you must have the correct passport to travel on the Visa Waiver Programme or have obtained the correct visa, valid for your stay. Each person wishing to visit the US must have either; i) an e-passport (if your passport is issued after 26 October 2006), or a machine readable passport (containing a digital photograph) if your passport is issued after the 26 October 2005 and a Visa Waiver Form or ii) a valid passport and a valid visa which must be obtained before travel from the US authorities. If you are travelling to the USA the US authorities require for passengers travelling under the Visa Waiver Programme to register for Electronic Travel Authority. For additional specifics about the VWP please consult the VWP information on the U.S. Embassy London websitewww. usembassy.org.uk. We recommend that you carry your ESTA approval with you when you travel and recommend you register at least 72 hours before departure. Please note: when you register for ESTA you must have a valid passport at the time of registration.

If you have applied for a post dated passport (for example to reflect a change in name) this passport will not be valid until the effective date noted in the passport. Children and minors wanting to travel with a Visa Waiver form must hold their own Machine Readable Passport or e-passport.

Please note that the nationals of some countries can only travel to the US if they have a valid visa as they are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme. There is a $14 fee per person charge which is payable by credit or debit card when applying. As announce by the US Customs and Border Protection, this fee will recover the costs incurred by the US Customs and Border Protection of providing and administering the ESTA system and is in addition to the mandatory $10 travel promotion fee established by the Travel Promotion Act 2009. This is subject to change.

Many countries do not issue visas specifically for volunteers and where you are not undertaking paid work and are entering as a volunteer you will generally be advised to enter on a tourist visa. Please note that you must check with the relevant embassy prior to travel of the current requirements.

If you undertake any paid work and do not have the correct work visa you may be asked to leave the country as a result. In these circumstances you will not be entitled to any refund or alternative placement from us.

We are able to offer advice on mandatory health requirements; however, we are not medical experts. It is your responsibility to ensure that you obtain proper and detailed medical advice at least two months prior to travel for the latest health requirements, recommendations for your destination and any costs. Where you do not do so and either are not allowed to enter any country, or suffer personal injury or death as a result, we have no liability to you for any cost, loss or damage which you suffer nor will we refund you the cost of any unused portion of your travel arrangements. Customers with existing medical problems, pregnant women and anyone who has recently visited other countries should check requirements with their general practitioner.

When assessing whether a booking will go ahead we use information from our local offices in conjunction with advice from the British Foreign Office and other UK relevant government bodies, irrespective of your nationality. It is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with the travel advice provided by these government bodies.

12. Privacy Policy.

The Company’s Privacy Policy sets out what information we collect, how we collect it, and

what we do with it.

Your information refers to information such as your name, contact details, travel preferences and special needs/disabilities/dietary requirements that you supply us or is supplied to us, including any information about other persons on your booking (“your information”). Your information is collected when you request information from us, contact us (and vice versa) or make a booking. You are responsible for ensuring that other members of your party are aware of the content of our Privacy Policy and consent to your acting on their behalf in all your dealings with us. We will update your information whenever we can to keep it current, accurate and complete. For the purpose of providing you with our services, including your flight, programme or insurance, etc., we may disclose your information outside the UK/EEA. In order for you to travel abroad, it may be mandatory (as required by government authorities at the point(s) of departure and/or destination) to disclose and process your information for immigration, border control, security and anti-terrorism purposes, or any other purposes which they determine appropriate. These requirements may differ depending on your destination and you are advised to check. Even if not mandatory, we may exercise our discretion to assist where appropriate. We may collect and use your information for the purposes set out in our registration with the Office of the Information Commissioner, and disclose the same to: our group companies for business purposes, and also to companies who act as “data processors” on our behalf, or to our service providers operating systems or business functions on our behalf, some of whom are outside the UK/EEA. These business purposes include administration, providing services (and contacting you where necessary), customer care, service quality, business management and operation, re-organisation/ structuring/sale of our business (or our group companies), risk assessment, security, fraud and crime prevention/detection, research and analysis, marketing, monitoring, measuring and assessing customer purchasing preferences and trends, dispute resolution, credit checking and debt collection. Information (such as health or religion) may be considered “sensitive personal data” under the Data Protection Act 1998. We collect it to cater to your needs or act in your interest, and we are only prepared to accept sensitive personal data from you on the condition that we have your positive consent. By booking with us you also agree for your insurers, their agents and medical staff to disclose relevant information and sensitive personal data to us in circumstances where we need to act on your behalf or in the interest of everyone in the group you are travelling with, or in an emergency. By booking with us you also consent that we may provide the email address that you have supplied to us to other participants travelling on the same programme as you on the same dates.

If you do not agree to our use of your information as above, we cannot do business with you or accept your booking.

We may from time to time contact you with information on offers of goods and services, brochures, new products, forthcoming events or competitions from our holiday divisions and our group companies. Our websites will assume you agree to e-communications when you make a booking. You may indicate your preference regarding receiving third party direct marketing material. If do not wish to receive such information or would like to change your preference, please see below.

On completing our Data Subject Access Request form, you are entitled to a copy of the information we hold about you (for a £10 fee) and to correct any inaccuracies. You have the right to ask in writing not to receive direct marketing material from us. If available, you can amend your previous preference on our website(s), using our “unsubscribe e-mail” or refer to our literature containing instructions. Once properly notified by you, we will take steps to stop using your information in this way. For a list of our group companies or brands, please send us your request.

Please write to: Real Travel Limited, Legal Department, TUI Travel House, Crawley Business Quarter, Fleming Way, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 9QL. Outside the European Economic Area (EEA), please note that controls on data protection in such countries may not be as strong as the legal requirements in this country.

If our contact and dealing with you is via our website(s), we may use “cookies”. Cookies allow us to identify your computer but not you personally. You can set your web browser to refuse cookies. However, you may not be able to enjoy all the facilities or book via our website if you do so.

However, if you also receive our email marketing, we will tailor the information we send you unless to tell us not to. This means we may use information we hold and cookies to identify your individual web site search behaviour and preferences. This will enable us to send you more personalised and relevant communications. You will be given the opportunity on every communication to opt-out of this personalisation.

We collect information relating to customer trends and patterns and use cookies and software tools to measure site usage and related information. If you are making a purchase, we may also use cookies to keep track of the transaction from one web page to another.

Our website(s) may contain links to other sites not controlled by us. It is your responsibility to check the status of these sites.

To ensure that we carry out your instructions accurately, improve our service and for security, we may monitor and/or record: (1) telephone calls; (2) activities using CCTV in and around our premises; and (3) transactions and activities on our website. All recordings are and shall remain our sole property.We have taken all reasonable steps to have in place appropriate security measures to protect your information. Any changes to this Privacy Policy will be either posted on our website, brochure and/or made available on request.

Any likeness or image of you secured or taken on any of our travel arrangements, or any comments (written or verbal) you make during or in connection with your booking may be used by the Company without charge in all media (whether now existing or in the future invented) for bona fide promotional or marketing purposes, including without limitation promotional materials of any kind, such as brochures, slides, video shows and the internet. Such use may include mentioning your name, age and town / city / area of residence.

13. Behaviour.

A booking is accepted on the strict understanding that you undertake to comply with the laws, customs, foreign exchange, drug and all other regulations of any countries visited during the programme, as well as all hygiene, safety and security rules. In addition, many of our programmes have their own rules and behaviour guidelines, which are intended to ensure your safety and enjoyment of the programme. You will be advised of any specific programme rules either in your pre-departure information, or during your orientation.

If you commit any illegal act when on the programme or if in the reasonable opinion of the programme leader or our In Country Co-ordinator your behaviour is disruptive, threatening or abusive or is causing or likely to cause danger, upset distress or annoyance to others or damage property we may terminate your travel arrangements at any time without any liability on our part. Full cancellation charges will apply.

If the Captain of your flight or ferry or our In-Country Coordinator or representative believes that you could be disruptive, they can also refuse to let you proceed with your travel arrangements. If this means you are not allowed to board the flight outbound from the UK, we will treat your booking as cancelled by you from that moment, and you will have to pay full cancellation charges. If this occurs overseas then you will have to pay full cancellation charges and you will become responsible for your own return home and any other members of your group who cannot or will not travel without you.

In any of these circumstances no refunds or compensation will be paid to you and we will not meet any costs or expenses you may incur as a result of your programme being terminated. We may make a claim against you for any costs and expenses incurred as a result of your behaviour e.g. the cost of diverting an aircraft or ferry to remove you.

Criminal proceedings may also be instigated.

If you are affected by any condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect your or other people’s enjoyment of the booking, you must advise us of this at the time of booking.

All volunteers are expected to adhere to our volunteer code of conduct found at section 21 and by agreeing to these Booking Conditions you also agree to adhere to our volunteer Code of Conduct. This covers, but is not limited to, respecting others’ cultures and beliefs, working responsibly at your project, respecting the accommodation and avoiding drugs and illegal activities. In particular without limitation, the accommodation we arrange for you must only be used by those people named on your confirmation invoice.

You are not allowed to share the accommodation or let anyone else stay there. You are responsible for the cost of any damage caused to your accommodation or its contents during your stay, except damage caused by persons not known to you. These charges must be met by you and may have to be paid locally.

14. Trip Notes and online account If we issue detailed trip notes and an online account for your booking, all information contained therein will be deemed to be part of the contract. Trip notes available from our website and your online account, contain up-to-date definitive information about the itinerary and travel arrangements. Should there be a discrepancy between the information in the brochure or website and the trip notes/online account, the information in the trip notes/online account supersedes that in the brochure or on the website and will be considered the most up-to-date and accurate.

15. Special Requests We will consider special requests such as vegetarian meals, high or low floor preferences in the accommodation, when you book. We will tell you whether there is a charge for the request. We can only guarantee requests for which there is a charge, or those that are confirmed in writing.

16. Police/Criminal Record Check When signing up to any project involving work with children, or vulnerable adults, you are agreeing to undergo an enhanced Police/Criminal Record Check to ensure your suitability for the placement and will be asked to complete a CRB disclosure application form (full details of this process and the application form will be provided to you). We reserve the right to delay, or postpone, your programme until the Police/Criminal Records check has been completed. Should you fail the Police/Criminal Records check for any reason, you must either amend your placement to a project that does not require a Police/Criminal Record Check or cancel your placement and the charges contained within the “if you change or cancel your booking” will apply.

17. Buddy Lists and In-Country Support.

By agreeing to our terms and conditions you consent that we may provide the email address that you have supplied to us to other participants travelling on the same programme as you on the same dates. Providing you with a buddy list enables you to

communicate with other members of your group before departure should you wish to. We will remove your email address from the list only if we receive written instruction (by post or email) from you to do so. Please note, you will only be sent a Buddy List for specific group programmes.

We will offer you support in all countries in which we operate. A national In Country Co-ordinator or representative leads a team of support staff or works independently, depending on the country. You will receive their contact details no later than 7 days before your programme start date. In Country Co-ordinators are responsible for your in-country orientation, arranging and placing you at your project and arranging language lessons where included. They are there as a source of advice, support, to resolve any issues you may have with your programme and as a point of contact in the event of an emergency. They can help you to solve problems during your placement and if you need to return home, give you any assistance. They will be available during business hours under normal circumstances. In an emergency, they are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week and you will be provided with an emergency contact number to be used for genuine emergency purposes only.

NB: If you are unable to attend your orientation for any reason, we are not obliged to arrange further orientation for any that you missed.

18. Participation requirements All customers are expected to satisfy themselves prior to booking that they are fit and able to complete the itinerary of their chosen programme as described in this brochure.

Anyone suffering from mobility impairment, 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 medication or other treatment which may be required during the booking. Customers aged 17 or under will be required to provided a written parental consent form before a booking will be confirmed.

Failure to make such disclosure will constitute a breach of these booking conditions and result in such persons being excluded from the booking in which case all monies paid will be forfeit.

19. Flights & transfers Unless you are booked onto one of our round the world or multi centre gap programmes, where flights are included, or unless otherwise specified in your programme information, it is your responsibility to arrange and pay for any flights, including any internal flights. We cannot be held responsible for any action, negligence, or event relating to the purchase, or operation of such flight tickets, or flights that you purchase. Furthermore, we will not be responsible for any costs, or refunds, due to changes, or delays in such flights.

Some programmes include a meet and greet /transfer service upon arrival. In the event this is not included in your chosen booking, you will have to cover the costs of making your way to the programme joining point.

20. Programme specifics Where you are responsible for purchasing your own flights and transport you agree to advise us of flight arrival details and of any changes that may be made to your arrival details at the earliest possible opportunity. Should you arrive outside the agreed start date/ time for your programme, or do not advise us of your correct arrival details including in the event of a flight delay whilst you are en-route, you may have to cover transfer costs.

The accommodation and board basis will be contained within individual programme details. It is your responsibility to advise us of any special dietary requirements. Please be aware that accommodation, food and facilities that you will be provided with will be of a local standard. Please note that you may be required to share a bathroom and/or bedroom.

21. Law & Jurisdiction If you made your booking in any jurisdiction other than in Scotland or Northern Ireland (including any booking via the Internet), this contract, and any other claim or dispute arising from or related to this contract, will be governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising out of it. If you made your booking in Scotland, this contract, and any claim or dispute arising from or related to this contract, will be governed by Scottish law and the courts of Scotland shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising out of it. If you made your booking in Northern Ireland, this contract, and any claim or dispute arising from or related to this contract, will be governed by Northern Irish law and the courts of Northern Ireland shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any claim arising out of it.

22. Volunteer Code of Conduct This code of conduct sets out the standards of behaviour that is expected of volunteers, not only by the Company as a volunteer placement organisation, but also by the InCountry Coordinators, the homestay families and providers of accommodation and, most importantly, the projects that we work with.

The Company is fully committed to responsible volunteer travel and sustainable tourism.

This code of conduct is designed to help you achieve the most out of your placement in a safe manner. It also ensures that the organisations and people we work with are treated with respect and that consideration is given to other cultural aspects during your placement.

Please note that breaches of the code of conduct may result in your placement being terminated without compensation.

General You must: • Listen to, and follow the advice or requests of your In-Country Coordinator; • Understand that you are a representative of not only the Company but also your country of origin and act accordingly; • Agree to a zero tolerance policy towards the possession and use of illegal substances.

If you are found in possession of, or are under the influence of such substances, you will have your placement contract terminated immediately; • Respect, and seek to understand, the culture of the country you are placed in.

This involves being tolerant of the customs and behaviours of the local people (your coordinator can explain the cultural norms and advise you.); • Follow your project rules; respect your family and local community regarding consumption of alcohol; • Be aware of potentially different attitudes towards sexual relationships in the country which you are volunteering and understand the effect that any such relationship may have on individuals and the local community; • Treat all people with respect and dignity; • Dress appropriately at all times with regard to the culture you are living in; • Not engage in political demonstrations or illegal activities; • Understand that the project and accommodation booked and provided is nonchangeable in country without the prior approval of both the In-Country Coordinator and the Company’s UK office; • Keep your In-Country Coordinator informed of your plans about trips and weekends; • Consult your In-Country Coordinator outside normal working hours only for an emergency; • Never call or text the UK Duty Officer Emergency Phone unless it is an emergency.

At the project You must: • Endeavour to maintain a positive mental attitude throughout your placement; • Act as a conscientious member of the project team. You are relied on as a dedicated member of the team; • Abide by all the rules of the project at which you are volunteering and respect other members of staff and your peers; • Not accept payment of any kind for the volunteering work that you are doing; • Work hard to achieve not only your own personal goals but also those of the project and the people and / or organisation that you are helping; • Listen to, and follow, the instructions of your supervisor / contact at the project in addition to those of your In-Country Coordinator; • Inform your supervisor / contact at the project if you are at any time unable to fulfill the duties to which you have committed; • Treat with care all of the materials that you use during your placement; • Contact the UK customer support team if you wish to extend your placement, which will include without limitation, arranging payment for additional accommodation costs and extension of the travel insurance policy that you have. It is not possible to extend your stay without official confirmation.

Accommodation You must: • Respect local custom and abide by the rules of the accommodation in which you are staying; • Check with either the homestay family or owner of accommodation before inviting anybody to your room; • Be aware that overnight visitors are not allowed; • Respect the accommodation you are using and pay for any damage you may cause to the property; • Keep your room clean and tidy; • Not smoke in your accommodation unless the owner allows; • Stay at the accommodation allocated to you; • Settle any outstanding bills before leaving the accommodation; • Pay your food/accommodation as soon as you arrive in country (where applicable); • Be aware that there will be no refunds for food/accommodation if you decide to go on trips or leave early.

01892 886 253 realgap.co.uk sales@realgap.co.uk