N I S T H G I 21 N E H T & A L A KER E L G N A I R T GOLDEN KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 NIGHT ITINERARY
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CHINA PAKISTAN
DELHI GOLDEN TRIANGLE
NEPAL
AGRA
INDIA SEE THE WORLD Y! DIFFERENTL
KOCHI HARIPAD VARKALA
MUNNAR
SRI LANKA
We believe in the power of extraordinary experiences. They allow us to see ourselves, others and the world differently, and develop our confidence, independence and resilience.
21 NIGHT EXPEDITION KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE SAMPLE ONLY Conquer mountains, become part of a community and dive headfirst into the culture of Kerala and Rajasthan. With you and your team in charge of the budget and planning, this once-in-a-lifetime experience proves just how much you’re capable of. It could change the way you see yourself and the world, forever.
KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 NIGHT ITINERARY
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START HERE
DAYS 1-3 ARRIVE IN KOCHI Sleep: Hotel/hostel
Touch down in Kerala – you’ve made it to ‘God’s own country’. Here, in southern India, this serene world is far from the frenetic pace of the north. Feel the heat as you step off the aeroplane and jump straight into expedition life. Decide on some ground rules, allocate team roles, and change your money into Indian rupees – you’re all responsible for the budget now. Meet the ground team and pick up a few local customs, like the legendary
TRAVELLING RESPONSIBLY
DAYS 4-7 TREK THE MOUNTAINS IN MUNNAR Sleep: Camping Travel: Bus 5hrs to Munnar Trek: 3 days
Boots on, backpack loaded, time to go. Expect cars, mopeds, tuk tuks and even elephants all vying for space on the winding road to the Western Ghats. You’re about to journey deep into this mountain range, with forests, cardamom plantations and lakes. Hiking in a mountain wilderness isn’t easy – but you’ve trained for this, you’re ready. Volunteer as team leader and follow the trails past lush peaks dotted
KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 NIGHT ITINERARY
Indian head wobble where ‘no’ means ‘yes’ and ‘yes’ means ‘no’! These will be invaluable later on. Get your bearings on a stroll to Fort Kochi, the oldest European port in India. Navigate Kochi’s laid-back streets, smell the spices and discover an ancient mix of cultures. You’ll find fishing nets from China, a 400-yearold synagogue, Islamic mosques, Portuguese architecture and the remains of the British Raj. IN THESE FIRST FEW DAYS, YOU’LL TAKE PART IN A RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL WORKSHOP THAT HELPS YOU TO TRAVEL AND INTERACT IN AN ETHICAL WAY. APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN AND YOU’LL DEVELOP A RESPONSIBLE MINDSET THAT YOU CAN CARRY THROUGH LIFE.
with tea pickers. Head towards Anaerangal Lake, where elephants graze, and glimpse local life in remote communities – like the ancient Muduvans, or ‘back people’, who carry their children on their backs. Early one morning, climb to the top of ‘Phantom’s Head’ to watch the sun rise over the Papathy Shola (Butterfly Forest). Food and sleep are your fuel, so learn how to cook delicious curries from your chefs, and pitch your tents under starfilled skies.
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DAYS 8-10 CHILL TIME IN VARKALA Sleep: Hostel Travel: Bus/coach 5hrs to Varkala
Rest your legs on the journey to Varkala for some well-deserved chill out time. With 600km of Arabian Sea coastline and a network of palmfringed backwaters, you have some decisions to make: You could glide through the backwaters on a traditional ‘kettuvallam’ houseboat, stopping for coconuts and watching women wash their clothes in the canals. Or how about kayaking? Pedal power is another option for exploring this network of warerways that teem with kingfishers, frogs and other wildlife.
discover Ayurvedic oils or simply appreciate the waves crashing onto this holy beach. Discuss your options as a team. It’s up to you how you spend your days – this is your expedition, so you make the call.
Alternatively, you could kick back on Varkala’s golden sands. Embrace the backpacker vibes, try a yoga class,
THE ART OF KATHAKALI
DAYS 11-15 WORK WITH A LOCAL SCHOOL IN HARIPAD OR ALAPPUZHA Sleep: Hostel Travel: Bus 2hrs to Haripad/ Alappuzha
For the next week, you’ll be living and working alongside an authentic local community. In remote parts of India, a lack of toilet facilities and safety can be a barrier to education, so we work with locals to improve learning environments. You’ll travel to the project by bus or rickshaw each day (around 20 mins). Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. You could be learning to cook local meals, helping with a sports
KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 NIGHT ITINERARY
SAVE SOME RUPEES TO SEE A PERFORMANCE OF THE ANCIENT KERALAN ART OF KATHAKALI. PART-DANCE, PART-MIME, IT’S ENACTED PURELY BY THE MOVEMENTS OF THE HANDS (MUDRAS), FACIAL EXPRESSIONS (RASAS) AND BODY.
programme and playing games with local children. You’ll experience the genuine hospitality of India’s people but you’ll also be coping with a language barrier and cultural differences. Draw on your training, ask questions, and learn from the locals. You’ll leave with new friends and a rare insight into another way of life.
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KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 NIGHT ITINERARY
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DAYS 16-17 GET TO KNOW DELHI Sleep: Hostels Travel : Fly 3hrs to New Delhi
Fly to New Delhi, India’s chaotic capital. Raw, crazy and addictive – this is the India you’ve read about and researched. Expect a kaleidoscope of colours and a clash of horns as lorries, tuk tuks and cows jostle for space on the roads. The day is yours to uncover the city and recharge your batteries. Discover the legacy of the Mughal Empire at the Red Fort in Old Delhi, tasting ‘chole bhature’ (spicy bread and chickpea snacks) and lassi (yoghurt drink) in the markets.
THE RED FORT
DAYS 18-21 EXPLORE THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE Sleep: Hostels Travel: Delhi to Jaipur 4-5hrs train, Jaipur to Agra 4-5 hrs bus, Delhi to Udaipur 12hrs train, Delhi to Jodhpur 9hrs train, Agra to Delhi 3.5 hrs bus
Discover the Golden Triangle – a legendary tourist circuit, which connects the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. You’ll need to plan your own itinerary here, so do some research and check the train times. The Taj Mahal in Agra is an absolute must but the rest is up to you.
TRAVEL HOME FROM DELHI
CENTURY AS A PALACE. IT WAS ORIGINALLY WHITE IN COLOUR, BECAUSE IT WAS MADE WITH WHITE LIME PLASTER, BUT THE BRITISH PAINTED IT RED WHEN STONES STARTED CHIPPING OFF TWO CENTURIES LATER.
For a break from city sights, visit Wildlife SOS near Agra, which cares for rescued elephants and sloth bears. Here, you can help prepare meals for the animals and join staff as they take the elephants for a walk.
In Jaipur you could experience the Amber Fort, where the 17th and 18thCentury maharajas (kings) once lived. Nicknamed the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1876. You could also visit Jodhpur, with its clifftop fort. Or the palace at Udaipur is incredible.
THE MIGHTY TAJ MAHAL
DAY 22
THE MIGHTY RED FORT WAS BUILT IN THE 17TH
After the best three weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home. Cram everything into your backpack one last time and head to the airport. When the aeroplane takes off, look down on the cities you explored, the people you met and the mountains
KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 NIGHT ITINERARY
PLAN YOUR TAJ MAHAL VISIT CAREFULLY, AS THIS EPIC MAUSOLEUM GETS BUSY. ARRIVE AT SUNSET OR SUNRISE WHEN THERE ARE FEWER TOURISTS, AND THE MINARETS GLOW ORANGE.
you conquered. These experiences will shape who you are and change the way you see the world from now on. It doesn’t stop here. Share your story with challengers from around the globe and continue the story at @weworldchallenge
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COMMITTED TO
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL. We base our responsible travel initiatives upon the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We’re driven to create positive contributions in the world, but also humble enough to know the types of community initiatives our young travellers should and shouldn’t be involved with. We carefully select all community engagements to be appropriate for young people and after more than 30 years of overseas student travel we’ve established strong and long standing relationships
with our overseas community partners that are evaluated each year to ensure we’re truly serving both people and planet. This holistic approach means our young travellers work towards a community initiative while also coming home with greater humility and sense of place in their world. Below are a list of the UN Sustainable Development Goals we’re positively contributing towards.
THE RESULTS FROM CHALLENGERS KNOWLEDGE on issues around responsible travel
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KERALA AND THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE 21 NIGHT ITINERARY
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