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GYC3389 - India 5 week. Country: India Cost: £1750.00 Please note: 10 weeks, £2995, 7 weeks £2250, 4 weeks £1500 Cost Includes: The price includes insurance, accommodation, food, kit and pickup from airport but does not include flight or visas       Duration: 5 weeks (10, 7 and 4 week programmes also available ) Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7600 or

 

	This placement would suit... anyone aged 17-24 with an open mind and capacity for teamwork. You’ll be embarking on an exciting new expedition which will see you contributing to much needed community or environmental projects. You’ll also experience land and water-based adventure in some of the country’s diverse southern states. Raleigh International is a charity that provides adventure and challenge expeditions for people from all backgrounds, nationalities and ages, especially young people. Expedition life in India This is an exciting new destination for Raleigh and encompasses some of the world's most bio diverse regions with a multitude of traditions, culture and history. India is the 7th largest country in the world and the expedition will cover the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The first expedition starts in February 2008 and the projects will give you a chance to get involved with the local community or explore the amazing national parks and rise to the physical challenges of taking on mountainous terrain. .Our unique five week expedition begins with a full week’s in country induction. You have the choice of a three week community project contributing to projects for some of the country’s poorest communities communities or an environmental project in the depths of its National Park land. The adventure phase is a perfect finale: working with a team you have got to know well, it will challenge both mental and physical stamina and test leadership and teamwork skills amidst remarkable and varied scenery. Whether part of your summer vacation, career break or gap year, Raleigh’s five week programme is a worthwhile and unforgettable experience that allows you to make real strides in personal development. A taste of what’s ahead on the five week expedition Community: India has the world’s fastest growing population but also some of the sharpest inequalities, especially in rural areas where almost 80 percent of India’s poor live. The government, through NGOs, is focusing major efforts on health, education and agricultural land reform in marginalised communities. Our aim is to build long term partnerships with these NGOs to help improve the quality of life for rural communities through an integrated building programme for community health information centres and schools. You will live and work alongside families in the communities and gain a unique insight into the lives of people who live in this amazingly colourful and diverse country. Environment: In partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Forest, you will work within some of the country’s amazing National Parks to protect their diverse network of habitats. These are also hosts to wildlife sanctuaries including elephant and tiger reserves. The work will be renovation or construction- based and may also include scientific monitoring - all of which is essential for their conservation, allowing the Parks’ rangers to better protect the natural resources. You will find the work and environment challenging in the extreme but be rewarded by the unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most beautiful and rarely seen habitats and wildlife. Adventure: A trekking and canoeing exploration will take place in some of the last undisturbed tracts of the South Western Ghats in the west of Tamil Nadu, along the border with Kerala. The remote 19-day route covers the breath-taking scenery of the Nilgiris, which reach over 2,600m in altitude, and covers a range of terrain, including Montane rainforest, grasslands, tropical evergreen forest and shrublands interspersed with sholas and tea plantations. Kerala’s chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lie parallel to the Arabian Sea coast and includes five large lakes linked which extend across nearly half the length of the state. You will trek and canoe carrying all equipment and food and camp overnight in the wilderness. More time to spare? If you have longer than five weeks, why not participate in Raleigh’s full 10 week programme and experience the full rewards of our unique three phase programme of community, environmental and adventure projects. As well as India, Raleigh runs five and 10 week programmes in Malaysia and Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Four and seven week programmes are also available, so you can join any one or two phases of the full programme. Please see separate listings. Why choose Raleigh International? Worthwhile and sustainable projects : Our permanent field base in country enables us to build long-term partnerships with the government, NGOs and local communities and thus deliver projects that meet a genuine need and are sustainable. Access to remote areas: Thanks to our partnerships with host government ministries and communities we often work in national parks and areas where tourists don’t have access. Safety in everything we do: We have 23 years experience in running expeditions and have represented the industry in developing safety standards. A cross-cultural experience: Our young people are at different life stages and come from a range of backgrounds and nationalities, including the host country, so you’ll experience a unique exchange of cultures and develop social and global awareness. Valuable life skills to help you stand out from the crowd: test your teamwork, adaptability, planning and problem solving skills and increase your self confidence. Expedition costs Raleigh International is a registered charity, solely dependent on fundraising activities to cover the cost of its overseas programmes We ask venturers to make the contributions detailed above and fund their own international flight, vaccinations and personal kit Raleigh provides medical and travel insurance, pre departure support and training, all food and accommodation, specialist equipment and in country transport We offer support and advice on fundraising every step of the way. Visit our website for fundraising ideas and remember you can claim Gift Aid on any donation made. 0845 344 7600 Raleigh International – is a charity that provides adventure and challenge expeditions for people from all backgrounds, nationalities and ages, especially young people. In the past 23 years, over 30,000 young people and volunteer managers have participated in our unique overseas programmes of sustainable community and environmental projects combined with adventure. We currently operate all year round in Malaysia, Costa Rica and Nicaragua and India. A varied and challenging experience in remote destinations where you will be contributing to local communities, making new friends and developing life skills. Be part of something amazing!