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Extension Adventures
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Time To Get Excited … Trekking to the rooftop of the world and seeing Everest up close is incredible, the rest of Nepal is awesome too! Having trekked and reach Everest Base Camp and stood astride of Kala Patthar as the sun rises over Everest is an incredible moment, you’ll feel elated, excited and knackered! Just about the perfect adventure with some amazing pictures to show your friends and family the incredible achievement of standing astride the summit of KP and reaching Base Camp. However you’ve got 7 days after your trek to explore Nepal and have some unforgettable experiences that will turn a memorable adventure into an unforgettable one!
Our extension trips have been developed with you, a student, in mind, to ensure you maximise your free time doing the things you’d really want to do and see within a budget and without the hassle and worry of having to organise everything yourself. The extension trips also brings you and your team together after sharing the experience of Base Camp to round off the adventure. So what do you have to look forward to? How about:
• Behind the Wire – Gurkha Regiment Visit • White water rafting • Go wild on Jungle Safari Take a look through, everything you need to know is here and if you have any questions about anything get in touch on info@studentadventures.co.uk or call us on 0845 643 9801 and we will be happy to help.
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Extension Adventures … Why are they a good idea? Extension Adventures are an awesome way to round off your adventure and we know from experience that students that do take up the opportunity to do extension adventures love every second of their time! A few obvious reasons why you should get involved in an extension adventure:
1. Having made close bonds with your team whilst on your adventure it’s a great way to round off your trip together. (70 – 80% participants undertake an extension adventure)
2. Maximise the time you have in-country, extensions are organised to drain out every drop of time doing something cool.
3. Great value for money; your student budget has been thought about and the extensions are well priced.
4. Hassle free; we’ve done all the hard work so you don’t have to worry about travel plans or bookings, it’s all done for you, kick back and enjoy the ‘holiday’ part of your adventure.
5. Tried and tested; we have ‘tested’ your extension trips and we know they’re awesome – so you’re in no doubts that you’re going to love ‘em!
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Adventures Itinerary … Let’s take a look at your itinerary and give you an idea of how the adventure works and where your extension trips fit in!
DAY 1 Depart from the UK
DAY 5 Day 2 Trek Namache Bazaar
DAY 2 Arrive in Kathamandu Free evening
DAY 6 Day 3 - Acclimatisation Namache Bazaar
DAY 3 Guided Tour of Kathmandu
DAY 4 Fly to Lukla Day 1 Trek – Phak Ding
DAY 7 Day 4 Trek Dengboche
DAY 8 Day 5 Trek Periche 5
Adventures Itinerary ‌ DAY 9 Day 6 - Acclimatisation Periche
DAY 10 Day 7 Trek Lobouche
DAY 13 Day 11Trek Lukla
DAY 14 Day to explore Kathmandu
DAY 15 DAY 11 Day 8 Gorak Shep, EBC & Kala Patthar (night)
Day 12 Flight from Lukla to Kathmandu
DAY 16 DAY 12
Day to explore Kathmandu
Day 9 Gorak Shep to Periche
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But why let your adventure end there ...
Extensions Start ‌ DAY 17
Behind the wire! Gurkha Regiment Visit
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DAY 18
White Water Rafting
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DAY 19
Jungle Safari
DAY 20
Jungle Safari
DAY 21
Jungle Safari
DAY 22
Depart for UK - Arrive in UK After Day 16 you can choose to do extension trips on offer or if you prefer you can put on the rucksack, get out the lonely planet and begin exploring Nepal in general and undertake independent travel – see details about this option later on.
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Behind The Wire – Gurkha Regiment Visit A unique opportunity for you to visit the Gurkha Regiment and see a British Army Base behind the wire. As a supporter of Help for Heroes you will enjoy the opportunity to gain an insight into the history of the Gurkha Regiment, it’s incredibly rich history and it’s super tough selection process. Enjoy a tour of the base and opportunity to buy an authentic and traditional Khukri knife that the Gurkhas are famous for – just remember and pack the knife in your main luggage if you are bringing one home! What’s Included:
What’s Not Included:
• Transport to and from the regiment’s
• Soft drinks and alcohol • Tips and gratuities
base
• Accommodation in Kathmandu • Tour of the Gurkha Regiment Base
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White Water Rafting There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of the big wave crashing into the front of your boat as you and the team navigate that first big rapid – welcome to the river! Not far from Kathmandu the Trishuli River awaits. The river has impressive gorges and scenic valleys in between the crashing rapids to keep you on a high the whole way down the river! You’ll experience class III+ rapids that will keep you exhilarated all the way to the bottom of the take out point. You’ll be buzzing and then you’ll be able to talk about how your mate ‘went in’ over lunch whilst at the side of the river before travelling back to Kathmandu – a class day! What’s Included: When you sign up to this extension the following is included: •
Travel to and from the river
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White water rafting on the Trishuli river under qualified instruction
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Wetsuits and equipment
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Outdoor lunch and drinks
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Hostel accommodation on the evening of Day 9
What’s Not Included: •
Clothes you don’t mind getting wet
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Spare change of clothes and towel
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Tips and Gratuities
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Go wild on Jungle Safari! You have experienced the impressive and somewhat cold sights of the everreaching Himalayas and the snow peaks now it’s time to get some heat in your bones as you head to the jungle for a safari you are not going to forget! Three days on safari will give you an incredible opportunity to spot a host of animals ranging from one horned Rhinos, sloth bears, wild boar, deers, crocs and if you’re really lucky Royal Bengal Tigers! Enjoy safari on foot, by dugout canoe and on the back of elephants. A real highlight is going on safari by elephant back and after a jaunt through 18 – 20ft tall grass with the perfect view of animals in the brush you’ll get the opportunity to get up close as the elephants go for a bath! In the afternoon you can choose to relax around the camp or take a dugout canoe down the Narayani River to view gharial and the marsh mugger crocodiles. We even have tales of teams seeing a rhino up close on the river bank and cross in front of their canoes as the laze down the river!
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On the final morning before leaving for Kathmandu you will enjoy a spot of bird watching where there are over 400 species to spot – a great three days!
What’s Included: When you sign up to this extension the following is included:
• Travel to and from the national park • Entry to Chitwan national park • Guided wildlife safari activities like elephant ride, bird watching, nature walk etc
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner during stay in Chitwan What’s Not Included:
• Meals not stated, soft drinks and alcohol
• Change of clothes, swimming outfit and towel
• Tips and Gratuities
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Paying for your Extensions … The extension trips have been created with a keen eye on budget to ensure not just an awesome time, but to provide you hassle free and value for money experiences that you’ll be able to take on with your new found trekking friends!
Deadline for signing up to extension trips is:
If you book on multiple extension trips then you’ll save money on them to ensure your free time is awesome – see the savings you can make below.
To book your extension trips you have two ways of doing it:
We also know you need the ability to pay in instalments and save up for your extensions, or give you enough time to convince family that this is what you want for your birthday! So there is a schedule of payments that you can follow or if you want you can pay for your extensions in one payment. See the information on page 17 » for details. 16
Friday 28th February Don’t Miss OUT!!! How to Book
1. Log-on to My Adventures and book online
2. Give us a call on 0845 643 9801 and we can book you in a few minutes on the phone
Price
By 28th Feb Deposit
Behind the Wire - Gurkha Visit
£70
£35
£35
White Water Rafting
£95
£45
£50
Chitwan Jungle Safari
£325
£125
Extension Options
Combined Extensions
Save
On 28th April
On 23rd June
£100
£100
Price
By 28th Feb Deposit
On 28th April
On 23rd June
Gurkha visit, rafting and £70 safari
£420
£160
£130
£130
Rafting and Safari
£360
£160
£100
£100
Save up to
£70 by combining extension trips!
£60
Easy ways to pay
Key Dates:
You can choose to pay for your extension trips in one payment or alternatively in three separate instalments.
• By 28th February – Pay your deposits for your extension trips
• On 28th April – Pay your second instalment
• On 23rd June – Pay your final instalment
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Questions You Might Have …
Q. How many people do extension trips, am I going to be on my own? A. No, you won’t be on your own, between 70% - 80% of participants undertake an extension trip because they are a great way to travel together on a budget seeing awesome things, without the hassle and worry of doing it yourself.
There are some key questions that you will undoubtedly have – we’ve tried to answer them here. Anything that isn’t please just get in, drop us a line at info@studentadventures. co.uk or call us on 0845 643 9801 and we’ll be happy to help.
Q. Having booked my extensions, how much spending money will I need? A. Depends! Are you a massive souvenir shopper, do you have expensive tastes? It depends, but for your 6 days on our extension trips we would estimate £100 £150 will be more than enough to have an awesome time, including good food and more than a few beers!
Q. If I book extension trips do I have to sort out my own accommodation? A. No, all extension trips have accommodation included in them, so you don’t have to worry about organising a place to sleep.
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Q. If I book all the extension trips will there be any gaps in the itinerary and will I have to arrange something myself? A. No, if you book all the extension trips then every day will have some awesome planned for you to do.
Q. Are the extension trips really value for money? A. Yes, absolutely, if you look at a true likefor-like comparison for what is provided, such as transfers to and from the airport and the tiny things in the detail, you’ll be hard pressed to match us when you add up all your spending – plus you save on the hassle of figuring out travelling and you’ll be with the rest of your team too!
Q. What if I don’t want to do all the extension trips you offer? A. No worries, pick and choose from the extension trips and combine it with some independent travel. The extensions have been planned for this flexibility of choice. Q. What if I buy an extension trip and I end up cancelling or rolling my place over to next year? A. If you cancel your place on your adventure then the money for your extension trips are non-refundable as we have to make advance bookings. If however, you, roll your place over then we are able to roll your bookings over to next year and you wouldn’t lose anything. Q. I am not sure about staying out in-country after the adventure, can I come home early? A. If you cancel your place on your adventure then the money for your extension trips are non-refundable as we have to make advance bookings. If however, you, roll your place over then we are able to roll your bookings over to next year and you wouldn’t lose anything. With Everest Base Camp trek we have this extra period as a cushion. If the weather is bad then flights cease departing from Lukla
until the weather clears. This can create a backlog of flights which in extreme cases (fortunately we’ve never experienced it) can mean being stuck waiting in Lukla for several days. It is for this reason we won’t reduce the period of travel down to ensure we make the flight home. Q. I am interested in staying out in the country longer, either by going out early or staying on after, can I do this? A. Absolutely, you sound like you’re up for an adventure! Again this just requires a flight change request, which we can arrange for you. Do note that you can only change either your outbound or inbound date, not both. Q. So how do I change my flight dates and are there any costs involved? A. Email us info@studentadventures.co.uk or give us a call on 0845 6439801 to talk about changing your flights. There will be a cost to do this, because we have group flights booked for you. The cost of this will vary depending on dates, availability and when you ask to change. Often the cost of changing your flights coupled with meeting the cost of getting to the airport on your changed itinerary is similar in the cost you would spend in-country after your adventure. 19
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Independent Travel … So you’re a free spirit and you want to do a bit of nomadic travelling with your LP tucked in your back pocket? No worries, you have from Day 9 to Day 16 to discover Tanzania. A few thoughts from us if you are going to do independent travel:
• Independent Travel is just that, independent. So it means if you are going to undertake this option you should be confident in travelling on your own.
• You will be responsible for getting yourself back to the airport to catch your flight back home to the UK.
• We highly recommend that you develop a travel plan before you leave and submit this plan to a loved one and Student Adventures, just in case.
• All the costs of independent travel are yours to be met.
• We strongly recommend that you travel with access to emergency funds for unknown events and costs.
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You Adventure is going to be great, make it unforgettable with incredible extension trips! Book today online at:
www.studentadventures.co.uk/login or call to book on 0845 643 9801