Short-Haul Destinations
Iceland
The land of ice and fire provides wonderful opportunities for cultural and
trekking phases. The expedition could encompass a trek to Mount Hekla and
the 4-day route to Landmannalaugar and there are a huge variety of geysers
and glaciers to explore en route. The fascinating culture and diversity
of the geography found in Iceland make this a really different destination.
Project based expeditions could include some work with local conservation organisations. Iceland is very active in preserving its wilderness areas and teams could work in National Parks doing some trail maintenance and geographical work.
Morocco
A 12-day expedition to Morocco could encompass climbing Mt Toubkal (the
highest peak in North Africa), a short project phase working in a local
village or some time spent exploring the culture of this fascinating country.
This destination is attractive in that it is affordable and close to the
UK but provides total immersion in an entirely different culture.
Click here to download
an expedition report
Project teams visiting Morocco could work with our project host two hours outside Marrakech. An organisation there is working with communities to combat illiteracy, build better schools and facilities for young people and preserve the environment. Four teams worked on this project in 2006 helping to build a schoolroom to house donated computers. They also taught the local children and took part in cultural activities.
Romania
This destination will give any team a really different cultural experience
within a short travelling distance from the UK. The team could travel to
Bucharest and complete 4 or 5 days of project work there before moving on
to Fagaras for a 4-day trek to the summit of Moldoveanu. Following the trek
you could fit in several days of cultural exploration taking in monasteries
and Dracula's Castle before moving back to Bucharest.
Project teams could work alongside one of the number of orphanages in Romania. Working here is hard work, and often quite harrowing as there are so many orphans here. Teams could help improve their living facilities by building play areas, planting gardens, painting rooms and doing some games with the children.
Ukraine
The Ukraine is opening up much more to tourism now and offers a great variety
of activities. Project work could be with an orphanage helping their needy
children of Chernobyl. Trekking takes the team through the forested slopes
of the Carpathian Mountains before perhaps embarking on cultural visits
to Odessa or the wonderful city of Kyiv.
Click
here to download an expedition report
Project teams here can again work with orphanages and rural community schools, doing similar activities to those carried out in Romania. Work will be along the lines of improving living facilities for the local children and communities.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a real gem - only a few hours from the UK and yet relatively
untouched by mass tourism. Teams here will see fascinating culture in Sofia
or Plovdiv, be able to explore monasteries on mountain sides and in forests, and
will trek through stunning mountain ranges.
Project teams will probably be working alongside Habitat for Humanity helping communities to build houses and improve their living conditions. You will spend lots of time with local people and their children learning about their lives and culture.
Click here to read an information sheet on Bulgaria.
India
India is one of our long-haul destinations, but given that it doesn't take
too long to travel there from the UK, we are now opening it up to teams
who want to visit for a shorter period of time. Teams going to India will
start in Delhi, and make their way up to Manali for their project phase
with a mountain village. There may be time to complete a 1 or 2 day trek,
before heading back to Delhi and travelling off to the Taj Mahal and some
of India's other temples and palaces for some cultural exploration.
