World Expeditions Schools BlogTransforming Students into Global Citizens for over 35 yearshttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blogTrending & Emerging Destinations for Schools in 2024https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/5550/trending-emerging-destinations-for-schools-in-2024Destinations,School ProgramsTue, 31 Oct 2023 03:34:02 GMT<p>Our experienced team love talking to teachers about incredible travel opportunities. It is rewarding and exciting to know that the students who join our experiential journeys are loving the opportunity to #travelgivegrow. </p> <p>So, with 2024 just around the corner, where are schools travelling to, and where are some extraordinary gems waiting to be discovered again? </p> <h2><strong>NEPAL</strong></h2> <div><strong></strong> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><strong><img alt="Students enjoy the stunning scenery in Nepal | <i>Dominic Garner</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="2634779" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/Students-enjoy-the-stunning-scenery-in-Nepal-2634779-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/Students-enjoy-the-stunning-scenery-in-Nepal-2634779-###width###px.jpg" /></strong></div> <strong> </strong></div> <p><br /> Our Number #1 destination for Schools in 2024 is the Himalayan wonderland of <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/nepal" target="_blank">Nepal. </a></p> <p>Nepal offers a mesmerising blend of scenic beauty, rich heritage, physical challenge and warm hospitality. Trek, challenge, cultural immersion and service-learning opportunities abound as students immerse themselves in the unique traditions of this enchanting country. </p> <p>The Himalaya is where our company started way back in 1975 and remains one of our most popular areas for school groups thanks to our experience and variety of options. </p> <h2><strong>ASIA</strong></h2> <div><strong></strong> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><strong><img alt="Schoolies group at Angkor Wat | <i>John Nichol</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="2632156" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/Angkor-Wat_-Cambodia-2632156-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/Angkor-Wat_-Cambodia-2632156-###width###px.jpg" /></strong></div> <strong> </strong></div> <p><br /> Easily accessible from Australia, the rich tapestry of historical treasures and diverse culture has also been a very popular reason why <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/vietnam" target="_blank">Vietnam </a>and <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/cambodia" target="_blank">Cambodia</a> are a top choice. Students can discover the bustling streets of Hanoi and Phnom Penh, cruise through the stunning limestone pinnacles of Halong Bay, build a house for a family living in a remote village outside Siem Reap, complete a trek and service program in Vietnam’s hilltribe area and cycle around the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. </p> <p><a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/japan" target="_blank">Japan </a>with its blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology creates a fascinating tapestry of experiences for students. Walk through the dynamic streetscapes of Tokyo, witness the serene beauty of Kyoto's temples, come face to face with history in Hiroshima, soak in natural hot springs in Hakone all the while experiencing the mouthwatering cuisine that Japan is famous for. </p> <p>The tropical warmth of the Philippines is another Asia destination that has piqued some of our Schools’ interest. Visiting Manila for mega-cities, island hopping, regenerative service programs and exploring different landscapes has been top of the list. </p> <h2><strong>AUSTRALIA</strong></h2> <div><strong></strong> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><strong><img alt="Our groups join a multi day Indigenous immersion program at Pudakul | <i>Tourism NT/Nick Pincott</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="2632159" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools-2632159-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools-2632159-###width###px.jpg" /></strong></div> <strong> </strong></div> <p><br /> Exploring our own backyard continues to develop students’ understanding of the ancient wisdom and culture of Indigenous Australia. <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/countries/australia" target="_blank">Our Australian programs </a>travel to every state in the country and have a very unique mix of cultural immersions with local indigenous mobs, physical challenge, conservation and humanitarian service and importantly, loads of fun activities for students to experience. </p> <p>These destinations will continue to captivate our schools as they have done for decades with the safe and authentic programs we offer. </p> <p>But what are some emerging destinations that our Schools are looking into? </p> <h2><strong>MALAYSIAN BORNEO</strong></h2> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><img alt="Permaculture service in Borneo" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="2634780" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Asia/Borneo-_-Malaysia/Permaculture-service-in-Borneo-2634780-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Asia/Borneo-_-Malaysia/Permaculture-service-in-Borneo-2634780-###width###px.jpg" /></div>   <p><a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/malaysia" target="_blank">Borneo</a>, with it’s untamed wilderness including rainforest, mountain peaks and diverse wildlife is at the forefront of our new programs. Here students have the opportunity to gain unique insights into biodiversity and conservation, complete service programs with local tribes and world class conservation groups, trek through lush jungle, encounter orangutans in their natural habitat and witness breathtaking landscapes, a world away from the confines of the classroom and school yard. </p> <h2><strong>FURTHER AFIELD, PERHAPS?</strong></h2> <p>A little bit further afield, <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/tanzania" target="_blank">Tanzania </a>with it’s vast savannas and abundant wildlife paired with well-established community service learning programs provide the quintessential African school experience. </p> <p>One destination which was very popular going back a number of years is <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/where-we-go/south-america" target="_blank">South America.</a> <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/ecuador" target="_blank">Ecuador </a>is a fantastic destination for conservation service and has just been voted on the 2024 <em>Lonely Planet </em>Hot List or the best destinations to travel to next year. <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/peru" target="_blank">Peru </a>has long been a favourite amongst our schools with trekking along the many Inca Trails and the history of ancient civilisations being the main drawcards. </p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><img alt="School group exploring Machu Picchu in Peru | <i>Drew Collins</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="2632172" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/Eco-Adventure_-Peru-2632172-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Expeditions-Schools/Eco-Adventure_-Peru-2632172-###width###px.jpg" /></div>   <p>If it is more of a STEM program you are after then <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/where-we-go/europe" target="_blank">Europe</a> is now more popular than ever. History, the arts, culture, cuisine with more flight schedules now on offer, the cost for our Europe programs are more value for money than ever before. </p> <p>With so many opportunities, the important message is to take the time to discuss your learning requirements with <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/aboutus/our-youth-adventure-experts" target="_blank">our team.</a> With the hunger and passion for travel reignited across the world, we are seeing flights, accommodations and other services book out exceedingly far in advance. </p> <p><a href="mailto:scott@worldexpeditions.com.au?subject=2024%20Trending%20Destinations&body=Hello%20Scott%2C">Contact our team </a>now to discuss your next learning adventure to ensure the best possible price and overall experience for your School.</p> 5550What is the best destination for senior school students?https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/5431/what-is-the-best-destination-for-senior-school-studentsDestinationsThu, 27 Apr 2023 00:59:01 GMT<p>As many schools look to lock in their overseas educational journeys for the coming years, one of the questions we are often asked is “What is the best destination for senior school students to travel to from a service perspective as well as to encourage self-growth?” </p> <p>Our answer every time? <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/countries/nepal" target="_blank">Nepal.</a></p> <p>Nepal itself is a destination of immense beauty and diversity. Home to 8 of the world’s 14 – 8000m peaks, treks often start in lush rhododendron and magnolia forests and lead up along ridges to the very basecamps of the mountains themselves. </p> <p>Combine this with huge valleys kilometres deep from the top of the mountains to the thundering rivers below makes the trails in Nepal some of the best trekking trails in the world. </p> <p>Trekking in such wilderness areas encourages a real respect and deep appreciation for the environment students travel through as well as allowing young people to disconnect with screens and re-connect with the natural environment.</p> <p>But it’s not just the mountains and scenery that makes Nepal one of the truly great destinations in the world for people of all ages.</p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/PJpnn58cFQM?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <p> </p> <p>There are ancient, medieval villages, steeped in history, sacred sites and mystical temples just begging to be explored. </p> <p>From a cultural perspective there is a rich melting pot of cultures in Nepal, with many ethnic groups influenced both from Tibet to the north and India to the south.</p> <p>Groups trek through small remote mountainous villages along the old trade routes and pilgrimage trails locals have been walking and trading goods along for centuries.</p> <p>The real focus of many school programs to Nepal is the regenerative <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3083/tips-create-a-service-learning-trip-that-actually-helps" target="_blank">service project</a> element. To join with members of the local community and work side by side in locally identified projects that help improve the livelihoods and capacities of the local community in a sustainable, regenerative, and far-reaching way, is a transformative and often life-changing for many students.</p> <p>And, finally, it is the people of Nepal that often leave a lasting impact on a student’s journey. The strong, humble, resilient, and welcoming local people that you meet and interact with along the way enables students to learn and deepen their understanding of another’s culture and customs - a rare privilege. </p> <p>Nepal is also one of the most affordable destinations for school groups, compared to other destinations in Asia, and the world.</p> <p>When you weigh everything up, no other destination can quite compare to Nepal. It provides an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, face new challenges, and develop resilience, self-reliance, and confidence.</p> <hr /> <p><a href="mailto:schools@worldexpeditions.com.au?subject=Nepal%20Blog%20-%20School%20travel%20enquiry">Contact us now</a> to learn which part of Nepal is best for your school, or to arrange a meeting to discuss your schools’ international programs for next year.</p> 5431Canyoning in the Blue Mountains: A brief historyhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/5018/blue-mountains-adventures-a-quick-historyDestinationsTue, 29 Mar 2022 23:14:48 GMT<p>They may be blue, but they are not much more than a thousand metres high and they are not even mountains! </p> <p>In the language of science, the Blue Mountains are really a dissected uplifted plateau.</p> <p>It is this incredible dissection of deep valleys and gorges surrounding stubborn peaks that helps make the Blue Mountains the amazing World Heritage-listed place they are. The magic lies not in their heights but in their depths - the amazing places that have been carved into its sandstone soul. </p> <p>And there is no better way for young people to experience the magic of these depths than to go canyoning.</p> <p>To venture into the deep, dappled, cold, wet, narrow slot canyons like Serendipity, Whungee Wheengee, Butterbox, Claustral, Empress Falls or Rocky Creek is to not only experience an adrenaline-filled physical challenge full of breath-taking beauty and biodiversity but to travel in a time machine to a hidden and ancient world that helps you fully comprehend why UNESCO deemed this dissected plateau to possess universal values important for all of humanity when it granted it World Heritage status in 2000.</p> <p>It was only in 1994, for example, that an abseil into a Blue Mountains canyon led to the discovery of the famous Wollemi Pine, a tree from the time of the dinosaurs that was thought to have been extinct for millions of years. This “pinosaur with Jurrasic bark” made headlines around the world.</p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><carouselsource aspectratio="4x3" data-plugin-options="{'items': 3, 'margin': 10, 'nav': true, 'dots': false}"><img alt="The eye-catching Hat Hill Canyon | <i>Andrew Pope</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="560192" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/The-eye-catching-Hat-Hill-Canyon-560192-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/The-eye-catching-Hat-Hill-Canyon-560192-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Grand Canyon is an ideal canyon adventure for school groups | <i>Ken Anderson</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1191556" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Grand-Canyon-Blue-Mountains-1191556-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Grand-Canyon-Blue-Mountains-1191556-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="The impressive Juggler Canyon | <i>David Hill</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="560195" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Juggler-Canyon_-David-Hill_--10-560195-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Juggler-Canyon_-David-Hill_--10-560195-###width###px.jpg" /> </carouselsource> The ancient canyons have been known to the Aboriginal people of the Blue Mountains for thousands of years, but canyoning can trace its modern beginnings back to the early attempts by white settlers to find a way across the Blue Mountains. It was explorer George Caley who, in 1804, stumbled into what is now Claustral Canyon in the Blue Mountains and named it Dismal Dingle as he became one of the many to be defeated as he sought a way across this dissected labyrinth that compensates for a lack of height with an outrageously rugged landscape. <p>But it was bushwalking clubs looking for fresh challenges after World War II that really pioneered canyoning as a recreation.</p> <p>What Caley called “dismal”, modern visitors call enchanting, breathtaking and unforgettable.</p> <p>World Youth Adventures can assist schools with experiencing the magic of the Blue Mountains' canyon. Talk to our team to learn more.</p> <hr /> <p>Adapted from an original blog written by Dan Lewis for the Blue Mountains Adventure Company.</p> <p><em></em></p> </div> 5018Australian Educational Trips: 6 things to considerhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3447/5-things-to-consider-australian-educational-tripsDestinations,School ProgramsTue, 26 May 2020 23:32:00 GMT<p>International school trips won’t be going ahead as planned for the foreseeable future, but that’s ok because there is a plethora of diverse learning outside of the classroom experiences to be had right here in Australia.</p> If you’ve never planned an active or educational school trip longer than a week at home, then you may want to get ready for a few key differences. Australia provides high quality, safe experiences, but they do come with extra costs and often, regulations. <h3><strong>PRICE</strong></h3> <p>A two-week trip in Nepal for AUD$4k with flights is very possible. Getting the same length of trip for the same price in Australia, at the same level of quality, will be harder. Internal flights are already on the higher end when compared with cheaper flights to Asia. Wages for experienced Australian guides and staff are much higher than in developing countries. As can be National Park fees and permits, accommodations and the cost of nearly everything to operate a trip, from the muesli in the morning to fuel in the tank. </p> <p>It costs more to operate quality wilderness programs in Australia. Your existing budgets are likely to go a lot longer if you can reduce the length of trip.</p> <h3><strong>GROUP SIZES</strong></h3> <p>The Cradle Mountain Lake St Clair National Park in Tasmania only permits 10 paying walkers per group. That’s a little awkward when you have a group of 25-35 kids you want to take away. </p> <p>Many of our National Parks or places worth protecting do come with some rules and regulations that you may not see abroad; however, they are in place to minimise the impact of popular places so they can be enjoyed by everyone. Before you get too excited about a destination, check the National Park commercial group size allowance.</p> <h3><strong>SEASONALITY</strong></h3> <p>As good as the weather is in Australia it certainly pays to choose the right season when choosing to take students into our wilderness. Many schools get the advantage of the warmer weather in the northern hemisphere with mid-year trips however that is the Aussie winter, which is ideal if you're headed out to the desert.</p> <p>Here's a quick glance at the best times to visit some of our most popular places. </p> <ul> <li><strong>Tasmania:</strong> ideal for October to March, the warmer summer months with typically less rain. It can rain and temperatures can drop at anytime during summer.</li> <li><strong>Darwin and Kakadu:</strong> Outside the wet season, June to August is coolest with least humidity</li> <li><strong>Alice Springs and Larapinta</strong>: May to September are the coolest months, winter nights can be freezing</li> <li><strong>Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island</strong>: The winter months June to August are the coolest times, however it is also rainy season on Kangaroo Island</li> <li><strong>Ningaloo Reef and Karijiji National Park: </strong>Between May and September, the milder, drier months. Average winter temperatures can still be warm, mid 20C.</li> <li><strong>South West Australia: </strong>Most of the year really. Cooler to walk during winter although swimming might not be in the itinerary.</li> <li><strong>Daintree Rainforrest and Cape Tribulation: </strong></li> <li><strong>New Zealand: </strong>Late September it begins to warm up for a typically mild summer before autumn brings the changing of the leaves and the lower temperatures again. It can rain and temperatures can drop at anytime during summer.</li> </ul> <h3><strong>SERVICE LEARNING </strong></h3> <p>Our wilderness is iconic and helping to clean and protect it is of valuable need and instils a long-standing ethos of respect between the student and our native landscapes. There are some wonderful and highly beneficial conservation service learning programs all around Australia and New Zealand. You can join a hands on project studying species, helping with landcare management, caring for bushfire affected areas or perhaps studying the impact of microplastics in our river systems.</p> <p>Australia offers a robust network of social programs to help support those in need. Unlike developing countries, where there is essentially little to no government or third-party assistance for the poor, the government and many charities have programs in place at home assisting where required. While they are more limited here than you would find abroad, humanitarian service-learning programs are still possible within Australia. </p> <h3><strong>EXPERIENCE IS EVERYTHING</strong></h3> <p>Australia is a vast, remote land. Our landscapes are beautiful but can be dangerous is you are not experienced with the terrain. During this time many school group operators will scramble to provide product in Australia, except us. Our parent company, World Expeditions, has pioneered many classic Australian adventures and has been rewarded for our sustainability initiative. Before swapping your international student trip to a domestic one, ensure your local operator has the ‘runs on the board’ and can offer a high quality, safe educational learning experience in Australia.</p> <h3><strong>USING KNOWLEDEABLE GUIDES</strong></h3> <p>While using a local guide is obviously going to be more expensive than leading a local tour yourself, don't be tempted too quickly by the saving. For a world class, safe experience only a guide can bring stories of local history and flora, be familiar with the weather patterns and add an extra element of comfort, knowledge and safety into your school tour. It's tempting to lead a trip even with experienced outdoor staff but to truly get the most out of an experience you spend time organising why not get the most out of it.</p>  3447Best in Adventure Travelhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3223/best-in-adventure-travelDestinations,Gear,General,School Programs,Schoolies Adventures,Service LearningWed, 04 Dec 2019 05:22:49 GMT<p>World Expeditions Schools are proud to be part of the World Expeditions Travel Group. Every school that travels with us benefits from the decades of logistical experience of our parent company, World Expeditions, who are unmatched in their ability to draw on their four decades of expertise both in the field and in the planning stages of all school trips we operate.</p> <p>In recognition of World Expeditions' sustained “Big Adventures, Small Footprint” travel philosophy we are absolutely thrilled to announce that they won the top gong in the Adventure Travel category at The Travel Awards in Sydney, receiving the Adventure Travel Wholesaler of the Year for 2019.</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>"We dedicate this award to all the porters, trip leaders, sirdars, cooks, office staff, consultants and every single member of our global team who work tirelessly to ensure that our travellers receive the high-quality adventure travel holiday’s that we promise to them."</strong></p> </blockquote> <p>The timing of this award is serendipitous as the company celebrates their 45th year of pioneering adventure next year and the recent announcement that all trips across the group, including our school adventures, are now 100% carbon offset.</p> <p><img alt="World Expeditions wins Adventure Travel Wholesaler of the Year for 2019 at The Travel Awards in Sydney" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="574808" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Adventure-Travel-Wholesaler-of-the-Year-2019---The-Travel-Awards-574808-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Adventure-Travel-Wholesaler-of-the-Year-2019---The-Travel-Awards-574808-###width###px.jpg"></p> <p>World Expeditions' Operations Manager, Sarah Higgins, who accepted the Award, said the culture of pioneering new adventures remained a focus at the group:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Since 1975, when we became the first Australian company to offer commercial trekking holidays in Nepal, we have continued pioneering adventure holidays all over the world.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p>"World Expeditions was the first company to offer walking holidays in Japan and Tibet and cycling in China, India and then Vietnam,” she said.</p> <p>“In Australia, we pioneered rafting the Franklin River and trekking the Larapinta Trail, and our pioneering philosophy continues today with our constantly evolving range of remote treks in places like Pakistan and India and with our most challenging trip – the 150-day, 1600km Great Himalaya Trail across Nepal, departing next year for the 10th consecutive year.”</p> <p>They were also one of the first to operate student adventures to Nepal back in the 1980's, long before experiential travel became a buzz word in the overseas school travel market.</p> <p>The Adventure Travel Wholesaler category recognises travel companies that package together unique adventure travel holidays to remote or exotic locations and/or taking part in physically challenging outdoor activities while on holiday and was judged by more than 50 of Australia’s most experienced travel industry alumni. </p> <p><img alt="World Expeditions crowned Best in Adventure Travel at Industry Awards" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="574806" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Adventure-Travel-Wholesaler-of-the-Year-2019---The-Travel-Awards-574806-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Adventure-Travel-Wholesaler-of-the-Year-2019---The-Travel-Awards-574806-###width###px.jpg"></p> <p>Among the companies many <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel/Awards-and-Achievements" target="_blank">achievements and awards in the past 44 years</a>, we are all particularly proud of their:</p> <p>   • <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel" target="_blank">Responsible Travel policies</a>, including pioneering <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel/Porter-Welfare" target="_blank">porter welfare</a> policies which help to raise the working standards of porters in Nepal; the development of a <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel/Child-Safe-Tourism" target="_blank">child safe travel</a> policy; and their industry-leading <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel/Animal-Welfare" target="_blank">Animal Welfare Code of Conduct</a>, all of which are also followed by World Expeditions Schools.</p> <p>   • <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/thoughtful-travel/carbon-offset-positive-impact-projects" target="_blank">100% carbon offset</a> adventures, all of which support renewable energy and reforestation projects across the world.</p> <p>   • Progression to eliminate single use plastic from trips across the group</p> <p>   • <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel/Community-Project-Travel" target="_blank">Community Project Travel</a> programs giving travellers the opportunity to give back, the genesis of Service Learning school trips in Australia.</p> <p>   • Charity brand, <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Charity/Huma-Charity-Challenge" target="_blank">Huma Charity Challenge</a>, raising over $6 million for Australian charities.</p> <p>   • Youth brand, <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/" target="_blank">World Expeditions Schools</a>, giving thousands of students the opportunity to help underprivileged communities all over the world, following UN Sustainable Development Goals as guiding principles.</p> <p>   • <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/World-Expeditions-Foundation" target="_blank">World Expeditions Foundation</a> fundraising $70,000 towards delivered project works in Nepal.</p> <p>Awards such as this provide a wonderful reminder to our whole team, and to those who choose to travel with us, that the path less travelled is, for us, the right path.</p> 3223School travel to Chinahttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3065/school-travel-to-chinaDestinationsFri, 18 Oct 2019 02:43:00 GMTFor centuries the country was a closed book to the world beyond her borders. Outsiders had yearned to visit this mysterious civilisation however little was known by most about this extraordinary land and its people and only the truly adventurous, like Marco Polo, even considered attempting to navigate their way around this nation.<br> <br> It’s only since 1976 that tourism really started and today China is a must-see destination for everyone. China has been modernising at a rapid pace, with cities such as Shanghai a testament to their evolution. With its young middle class population the Chinese are also quickly developing a taste for consumerism culture that at one point in time no one could ever have imagined.<br> <br> As much as China is keen to display its stunning scenery, historical sites and impressive cities, it is also dedicated to conveying something about how its society works. This contrast between the old world and the new is what makes China such an alluring travel destination. Although its political system has set it apart from the west, China is now moving forward in leaps and bounds, especially in the areas of trade and commerce. The major cities are indicative of the burgeoning economy of modern China.<br> <br> Within the almost four million square miles of China's vast territory live more than 1.3 billion people, which makes China the most populated nation on earth. Initially, foreign visitors were only allowed to see a fraction of what the country had to offer, however, today it is possible to visit as many as 60 different areas. An increasing number of historical sites are also being restored and opened up to viewing for foreign tourists.<br> <br> China never fails to conjure up a myriad of feelings, images and a sense of mystery. Its history cannot be summed up in a few paragraphs in this article. To fully appreciate the events that have shaped the country and its people, students should take the time to read at least one of the many excellent books available on China and be prepared to be drawn into tales of adventure, betrayal, love, life and absolute amazement.<br> <br> <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/index.php?section=world_youth_adventures&id=464016" target="_blank" title="School group and student travel in China">School group travel in Chin with World Expeditions Schools</a>.<br> <br> <b>TRAVELLING IN CHINA</b><br> <br> As in the days of Marco Polo, travellers are still regarded as honoured guests and the locals delight in watching you watching them. Within the relatively short time that China's doors have been open to the West, few tourists have visited the rural parts of the country, including the remote region of Yunnan, which is famously home to Zhongdian, the city which gave the inspiration to the mystical Shangri –La.<br> <br> So where should one visit in China? From Beijing in the east to the lands of the Uyghur people in the far west, there are a million and one places to consider in between. The following are the most popular places right now.<br> <br> <b>The Great Wall of China:</b> China's Great Wall needs little introduction. What you need to know about it is the best way to experience it. Get away from the restored sections and the large crowds to trek along a remote section of the Great Wall outside Beijing in Hebei Province to truly appreciate this monument. The scenery is vast and diverse as you trek your way through swaying corn cropped fields to distant green river valleys with one of the great wonders of the world as your backdrop. While there are opportunities to stay in designated accommodations, camping near to the villages will provide you with true rural hospitality in the 'real China' and allow a rare interaction with the local people. The opportunity to visit a number of sections of the Wall will make your school adventure even more special.<br> <br> <b>Discover the ancient Silk Road cities and history:</b> The Romans, it is thought, first encountered silk in 53 B.C during their campaigns against the Parthians. Learning from Parthian prisoners that the silk came from a mysterious tribe in the east they sent agents to explore the route, which became one of early history’s most prized trading routes between the East and West. The birth of the Silk Road in China came as the Warring States period was brought to an end with the consolidation of the Qin Dynasty. This saw the unification of language, the standardisation of systems and the birth of Xi’an as the capital, as well as the joining of the sections of the Great Wall.<br> <br> Perhaps the most significant commodity to be carried along the route was religion. Buddhism came to China from India along the northern branch of the Silk Road. Various emperors sent missions to India to learn more about this mysterious religion. Slowly, as merchants, pilgrims and missionaries came into contact with Buddhism it spread along the route and stampas, monasteries and grottos bearing murals and Buddhist artwork, began to appear, with some of the finest examples in China found near Dunhuang. For students of history, the Silk Road is a fascinating project.<br> <br> <b>Beijing; Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square:</b> Beijing is an extraordinary city with a wealth of iconic attractions, where local knowledge is essential if you want to get the most out of limited time. Highlights include Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace and everyone must do a walking tour of ancient Hutong District to get a real vibe of this amazing city.<br> <br> <b>Xian and the Terracotta Warriors:</b>  Xian is the traditional starting point of the Silk Road. This old walled city, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is a vivid example of old and new China as the modernised new city bustles around the quaint, winding lanes of the Old Quarter.<br> <br> The Wild Goose Pagoda is a classic example of Chinese temple architecture. Built in 652 AD it houses Buddhist Scriptures brought back from India along the Silk Road.  The Shaanxi History Museum, built in huge classical-Chinese style, houses a collection of chronologically arranged items and includes material previously housed in the Provincial Museum, with many objects that have never been on permanent display before The Muslim quarter of Xian provides a different feel to the city with its elaborate markets and the Great Mosque.<br> <br> The real attraction of the city however is a discovery by local farmers in 1974 of the tomb of Qin Shihuang with its army of terracotta warriors.  Each warrior stands over 6 feet tall and has different features and characteristics.  Some stand in a vanguard with crossbow and longbow bearers; others hold spears, daggers and axes at the ready. They are accompanied by dozens of horse-drawn carriages and enormous terracotta horses. The sight of the warriors arising from their muddy grave, some intact, others still submerged in the ground, is an extraordinary one.<br> <br> <b>Cruise the Yangtze and Three Gorges:</b> The Yangtze River is the longest river in China and the third longest waterway in the world. Over millions of years it has carved its way through the surrounding mountains creating the uniquely beautiful gorges now known as the Three Gorges. A cruise along the Yangtze is a must if time allows.<br> <br> <b>See Pandas in Chengdu:</b> A recognised symbol of China, the Giant Panda is also an endangered animal. With fewer than 1000 left in the wild a visit to the Panda Breeding Research Centre in Chengdu is a unique opportunity to see these animals in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. This centre leads the world in research into the rearing and breeding of Pandas and your visit supports this ongoing work.<br> <br> <b>Explore Shangrila (Zhongdian)</b> <b>& the mountains of the Yunnan region:</b> Wedged between the upper tributaries of the Mekong and Yangtze Rivers, and the vast Tibetan Plateau, Northern Yunnan is one of the most spectacular regions of China and contains approximately one third of all China’s minority groups. One can create a superb itinerary in this region alone. Visit the stone forest outside of Kunming before heading to the ancient city of Lijiang set beneath the Snow Dragon Mountain. After the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge visit lush Tibetan villages and travel on to the high plateau that defines the borderlands of Tibet. It is here that you can view the sacred peak of Kawakarpo in the spectacular Meili Snow Mountains - an important place for pilgrims from Tibet.<br> <br> <b>Kashgar Markets:</b> You wouldn’t know you were in China, or the 21<sup>st</sup> century for that matter, at the Sunday markets in Kashgar. Kashgar is in Uyghur territory on the far west side of China and was an important city during the ‘Great Game’, a strategic rivalry staged between Britain and Russia in their attempts to secure the Central Asian states.<br> <br> This article really only touches on what you can do in China. Diversity in landscape and depth in history are two things that are abundant in China and to truly appreciate these natural and cultural wonders using an experienced organisation that can provide quality local guides will ensure that your students have a memorable experience of China.<br> <br>  3065When Phones Are Down, Eyes Are Uphttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3159/school-trip-mobile-phone-adviceDestinations,General,Service LearningWed, 02 Oct 2019 11:53:00 GMT<h2>Advice regarding mobile phone use on school trips</h2> <p><br> Taking a break from online communication is a rare privilege in this day and age. Many young people have not known a time without the pressure of constant online communication.<br> Allowing them to <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/blog/disconnect-to-connect-school-trip-abroad" target="_blank">disconnect</a> from devices and connect to the world around them – and to themselves – is a gift.<br> <br> To maximize the benefits of their school trip abroad, students need to be free to be fully in the moment, engaging in the activities on offer and focusing on the people they are travelling with. For this reason, </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong>World Expeditions Schools strongly advises against the use of mobile phones during<br> all school trips abroad.</strong></p> <p><br> Below, we would like to list the reasons why we think students should refrain from using their mobile phone while on an experiential learning experience.  </p> <ul style="list-style-type:none;"> <li> <h3>1 | Opportunities</h3> </li> </ul> <p>Students embarking on a travel experience with World Expeditions Schools are being given the opportunity to learn important values of teamwork, to build their self-confidence and to develop an understanding of other cultures and ways of doing things.<br> In the majority of cases, your students are travelling to a destination they have not travelled to before and are taking part in new and different activities. It’s an incredible opportunity to make long-lasting friendships with travel companions, learn new skills and understand themselves a little better. It’s no wonder that the experience often has profound, life-changing effects on students.</p> <ul style="list-style-type:none;"> <li> <h3>2 | Full Engagement</h3> </li> </ul> <p>When phones are down, eyes are up, freeing students to look around and notice things. Without mobile phones, students are open to receive information from all their senses. This allows them to fully engage in the travel experience, to maximize the potential for learning and growth. At the same time, it gives them the chance to top up their creative fuel by being in tune to their own thoughts and responses in a way that is not possible when they are beholden to the phone.</p> <p><img alt="Students enjoying life in Morocco | <i>Paul Edmunds</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="544956" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/Students-in-Morocco-544956-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/Students-in-Morocco-544956-###width###px.jpg"></p> <p><img alt="Students at Machu Picchu | <i>Eva Moon</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="545190" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Youth-Adventures/Machu-Picchu_-Peru-545190-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Charities-_-Schools/World-Youth-Adventures/Machu-Picchu_-Peru-545190-###width###px.jpg"></p> <ul style="list-style-type:none;"> <li> <h3>3 | A Step Away from Online Communication</h3> </li> </ul> <p>Being reliant on themselves and overcoming challenges they encounter during the school trip will help build resilience. By encouraging your student to step away from online communication, you are giving them the space to grow their confidence and build independence.</p> <ul style="list-style-type:none;"> <li> <h3>4 | Find Alternative Ways to Connect without Mobile Phones</h3> </li> </ul> <p>Your school may wish to make arrangements to keep parents and friends in touch with how the journey is going. Alternative, more structured ways to do this are via blogs on your school’s website or via Facebook groups. This information can be updated on rest days in major towns or cities, where access to the internet is commonplace. The added benefit is that this allows for very clear lines of communication between the group, school and parents.<br> <br> <br> Do you agree with our advice against the use of mobile phones on educational travel experiences? Please feel free to <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/Contact-Us">get in touch</a> and chat with our team on how we can <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/Design-Your-Program">organise your next student trip</a>.</p>   <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/Design-Your-Program"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">Design Your Trip<em class="icon-arrow-right-thin"></em></button></a></p> 3159#SaveTheAmazon: Amazon Rainforest Appealhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3142/save-amazon-rainforest-appealDestinationsMon, 09 Sep 2019 00:09:14 GMT<p><big><strong>We all need the Amazon. Now it needs you. Donate to the World Expeditions Foundation's appeal to protect the forest, its wildlife and local communities affected.</strong></big></p> <p>Fires are raging through the Amazon rainforest, primarily in the Brazilian Amazon, gripped by its most vigorous fire season since 2010. The media images we are seeing are devastating, showing the extent of the fires and the subsequent smoke which is impacting Brazil and its neighbours.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://amazonforestappeal.gofundraise.com.au" target="_blank"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">Donate now<em class="icon-arrow-right-thin"></em></button></a></p> <p>NASA reports that, “while drought has played a large role in exacerbating fires in the past, the timing and location of fire detections early in the 2019 dry season are more consistent with land clearing than with regional drought.” Studies show that the rainforest is at tipping point, with large fragmented sections at risk of transforming into a drier ecosystem which could result in the severe loss of species, the acceleration of climate change and spell disaster for the indigenous populations who call the forest home.</p> <p><em><strong>Home to a million people and three times as many wildlife, the Amazon is also the largest piece of rainforest in the world.</strong></em></p> <p>Often referred to as ‘the lungs of the earth’, scientists warn that the extent of this year’s Amazon forest fires will make the Paris climate target more difficult to achieve as tree cover loss from forests is estimated to account for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions, while trees are also said to provide more than 20% of climate solutions. Trees not only absorb carbon dioxide, they also then lock carbon away.</p> <h2>How you can help</h2> <p>Want to support those working to arrest the damage? Donate to the World Expeditions Foundation’s <a href="https://amazonforestappeal.gofundraise.com.au" target="_blank">Amazon Forest Appeal</a> and 100% of your donation will be directed to Earth Alliance to be distributed to local partners and indigenous communities working to protect the forest and its wildlife and to mitigate fire and its effects on local communities.</p> <p>Earth Alliance is an environmental foundation created by climate change crusader Leonardo DiCaprio and his philanthropic friends.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://amazonforestappeal.gofundraise.com.au" target="_blank"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">Make a donation<em class="icon-arrow-right-thin"></em></button></a></p> <h2>Travel advisory information</h2> <p>The scale of the region is so large that the areas where we operate our jungle trips are not affected by the fires and there is no risk to our travellers or our traveller’s experience on any of our trips in <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Peru" target="_blank">Peru</a> or <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Ecuador" target="_blank">Ecuador</a>. We will continue to monitor the situation and contingency plans will be enacted if required.</p> <p>As always, the safety of our travellers is our foremost priority and one we will not compromise on. We will continue to support the preservation of this vital wilderness and those who live and work in it.</p> <p><em>First published on worldexpeditions.com on 30 August 2019.</em></p> 31429 reasons active outdoor travel is good for studentshttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3126/9-reasons-active-travel-is-good-for-studentsDestinationsFri, 16 Aug 2019 00:38:00 GMT<p>There’s something special about embarking on a trip into the unknown and really experiencing the world. Whether it’s a trek into the mountains or cycling along rural back roads, an active school adventure can benefit a students physical, mental and emotional state.</p> <p>However our community is changing. The evolving trend for more comfortable travel supports the headlines about our growing sedentary lifestyle. Most alarmingly, many of these reports point towards today’s youth. Increases in child weight gain, depression and an addiction to an electronic umbilical cord which pumps out advertisements heralding the benefits of manufactured foods and even more computer activity has seemingly caused a rapid decline in the time spent outdoors by children. </p> <p>With all the advances in modern living through an increased urban lifestyle, we’re worried that the next generation will be passed on the concept that nature is not our friend and that it offers little benefit.</p> <p>It’s concerning that concepts that helped to inspire terms such as ‘<a href="http://richardlouv.com/blog/what-is-nature-deficit-disorder" target="_blank">Nature Deficit Disorder</a>’ and ‘Protective House Arrest’ - both coined by American author Richard Louv – have sprung into mainstream thinking. The idea that it has been a removal from nature that could be causing the health problem within kids, as well as the idea that this removal is being encouraged by parents who believe that the outdoors is a dangerous place, is something that worries many of us who have learned the exact opposite during our formative years.</p> <p>While there are many types of educational travel experiences on offer for students, here's 9 reasons why we believe combining active travel elements in your school trip is a wise option.<span class="black"><span class="black"></span></span></p> <p><strong>1. Spending time outdoors reduces stress</strong></p> <p>There’s a reason why there’s a smile on everyone’s face after they’ve come back from an active adventure. </p> <p>Australians are some of the most stressed out people in the world, with a <a href="https://www.psychology.org.au/news/media_releases/8Nov2015-pw/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">recent report</a> reporting that stress levels have been rising around the country for the past five years. Thankfully, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/06/29/fixating-or-brooding-on-things-take-a-walk-in-the-woods-for-real/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">research suggests</a> that nature walks can reduce stress, as well as boost levels of attention, which is very relevant for students.</p> <p>Gregory Bratman, the lead author of the study, said that 'nature experiences, even of a short duration, can decrease this pattern of thinking that is associated with the onset, in some cases depression.'</p> <p><strong>2. Nature makes exercise easier</strong></p> <p>Some kids have tdifficulty motivating themselves to get fit. So, make it fun and give them a goal to aim towards.</p> <p><a href="http://www.greenexercise.org/Research_Findings.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Research</a> conducted at the University of Essex suggests that exercise feels easier when you are viewing the colour green, such as on trees, grass and other plants in nature.</p> <p>The study conducted tested cyclists pedalling in front of green, red and grey images. Those who pedalled in front of the green screen reported that they felt lower exertion during their cycling, as well as displayed less mood disturbances than the other participants.</p> <p><strong>3. Nature can rejuvenates your soul</strong></p> <p>One of the best reasons to spend time outdoors trekking and cycling is that it can reinvigorate your mental state. Studies have shown that viewing natural beauty can elicit feelings of awe, which can release endorphins and trigger a mental boost.</p> <p>An interview by HuffingtonPost with a Seattle-based environmental psychologist states: <em>'In addition to helping decrease stress levels, spending more time with nature shows a shift toward more positive moods... the theory is that we respond positively to things that are good for us. Trees offer shade, protection and often have fruits and nuts, so they are a source of food as well as protection and comfort.' </em></p> <p>Ultimately, we tend to be drawn and attracted to things that are beneficial to our survival, which is one of the reasons why trees and other natural elements can help lift our moods.</p> <p><strong>4. Gain a sense of accomplishment</strong></p> <p>Regardless of age and size, taking on an overseas adventure can create feelings associated with personal achievement. The greater the challenge, the more sense of achievement we feel when we accomplish those goals.</p> <p><strong>5. Travel increases your self-awareness</strong></p> <p>A bi-product of travel is raising your self-awareness and it’s one of the most beneficial parts of taking on an adventurous school trip overseas.</p> <p>Adventure travel brings you closer to your “inner self”, giving you the chance to examine and challenge yourself in ways you didn’t think were possible.</p> <p>Stepping into the unknown and taking a risk demands our increased attention and can bring an intense state of self awareness – one of the reasons that people, such as mountain climbers, engage in adventure activities.</p> <p><strong>6. The outdoors can make you smarter</strong></p> <p>Immersing a child in the outdoors can increase their higher order cognition in more ways than one. <a href="http://goodnature.nathab.com/take-a-hike-get-a-bigger-brain/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">This study</a> found that brain scans taken after exercise showed that the participants had greater and more focused activity in the prefrontal cortex than they did before.</p> <p>What’s more, active adventures help increase activity in your hippocampus, the brain’s main “storage unit”.</p> <p><strong>7. Forge new friendships</strong></p> <p>After an adventure it's not uncommon to see bonds form between students who prior to the trip perhaps weren't as close. The common goals shared of achieving a physical challenge can bring kids together.</p> <p>Embarking on a challenge with other people can bring them closer together; sharing the trials and the triumphs gives them something to bond over and forms relationships that'll embed deep in their memories for many years to come.</p> <p><strong>8. Learn new life skills</strong></p> <p>Travel develops a child in any ways. From problem solving to growing confidence and building, resilience, the experiences gained from entering new surroundings and immersing yourself in a different culture creates exciting challenges that can enable students to expand their skill set.</p> <p>Taking part in a <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/our-programs/service-learning">Service Learning Project</a> only enhances the opportunity to grow as you work alongside local people to achieve a common goal for the benefit of both the host communities and visiting students.</p> <p><strong>9. Know that you're making a difference when you travel ethically</strong></p> <p>There’s more to travel than just experiencing nature’s finest spaces. Embarking on a trip to some of the world’s most remote and untouched corners puts money into the local economy and helps preserve these pristine landscapes.</p> <p>As many of these far-flung destinations are located in some of the world’s poorest countries, eco tourism helps these countries in their efforts to save and preserve their land through organisations that ultimately aim to save the planet.</p> <p>Adventure travellers are needed throughout the world to support these initiatives with their tourism dollars. Also, travelling with eco-friendly and responsible travel companies can have positive changes on animal welfare, waste management, porter protection, communities in need and sustainable development – <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/responsible-travel/thoughtful-travel-charter" rel="noopener" target="_blank">check out our Thoughtful Traveller guidebook for more information.</a></p> <p>If you would like to talk to our team about tailoring an active outdoor educational trip for your school, <a href="https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/Design-Your-Program">start designing your journey here</a>.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> 3126Tanzania's Plastic Ban: What Students Need To Knowhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3144/tanzanias-plastic-ban-what-need-to-knowDestinations,Thoughtful TravelSat, 01 Jun 2019 00:28:00 GMT<p>As of June 2019, plastic bags were no longer allowed into Tanzania, as the country stepped up in the global movement against single plastic use.</p> <p>Special desks will be designated at border posts and airports for travellers entering the country to surrender their plastic bags. The strict government initiative hopes to cut down on plastic waste in the country and to help preserve the natural beauty of Tanzania.</p> <p>The United Republic of Tanzania released a notice for travellers wishing to visit the country that "all plastic carriers, regardless of their thickness, will be prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in Mainland Tanzania."</p> <p><em><strong><span style="color:#949e17;">Visitors must avoid carrying or using plastic carrier bags for items in their suitcase or in their hand luggage. However, ziplock bags specifically used to carry toiletries are permitted as they are expected to remain the permanent possession of visitors and to not be disposed of in Tanzania.</span></strong></em></p> <p>When you arrive into Tanzania carrying items in a plastic bag, customs and immigration will confiscate the bag. We suggest bringing a few cloth carry bags or stuff sacks (which pack down to nothing) from home to store your personal items and laundry.</p> <p>Tanzania is not the first African country to take a step towards removing plastic bags. It follows Kenya, Mali, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Morocco, South Africa, Rwanda and Botswana, all of which have already either banned plastic bags completely or now charge a tax on them.</p> <p>The plastic waste issue for African countries is serious.  At one stage, it was suggested South Africa had named the plastic bag its national flower, since there were so many bags littering their landscape.</p> <p>This situation is not new and many countries across the globe are slowly following suit. So far, 65 countries have imposed bans and another 31 countries impose a tax per bag.</p> <p><em><strong><span style="color:#949e17;">The </span><u><a href="http://www.earth-policy.org/images/uploads/press_room/Plastic_Bags.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="color:#949e17;">Earth Policy Institute</span></a></u><span style="color:#949e17;"> estimates that a trillion plastic bags are used throughout the world each year. </span></strong></em></p> <div style="background:#eeeeee;border:1px solid #cccccc;padding:5px 10px;"> <h4>Fast facts: the plastic issue</h4> <p>Plastic bags are made from polyethylene, which almost always comes from some form of fossil fuel.  Although shopping bags are recyclable in the short term, many pollute our landscapes and waterways, blocking drains and sewerage pipes and killing marine animals. Longer term, plastic bags never break down fully, remaining micro plastics, which release toxins into the environment, to be ingested by animals and entering the human food chain. </p> </div> <h2><br /> How to reduce plastic use when you travel</h2> <p>Countries around the world vary in their commitment to ban plastic bags, but you can make a difference to the war on plastic bags when you travel. Travel with reusable bags, so when you are offered a plastic bag you can politely refuse. Consumer sentiment cannot be underestimated in the drive to minimize plastic. </p> <p>Another action that can make a difference is to collect plastic bags that blemish the natural landscape and end up in waterways, removing them from the environment and finding a responsible method of disposal, such as a recycling plant.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/responsible-travel/10-pieces-litter-collection-for-schools">10 Pieces program</a> has been encouraging trekkers in many destinations to collect paper and plastic litter from trails.  Since February 2018, on Mount Kilimanjaro, for example, more than 110 trekkers have volunteered to participate in the program with plastic bags being the number one item collected.</p> <p>Litter that is collected by trekkers is carried off the mountain by porters and handed over to National Park Rangers for proper disposal. The initiative has even encouraged other people on treks to follow suit in picking up rubbish.</p> <p>A small effort can collectively make a huge difference by placing the issue at hand in the spotlight by helping educate mountain communities on the negative consequences of litter for the benefit  and the health of their animals and people.</p> <p><em>Written by Donna Lawrence, the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel">Responsible Travel</a> Manager at World Expeditions.</em></p> 3144Doing My Schoolies Differently in Nepalhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3102/doing-my-schoolies-differently-in-nepalDestinations,Schoolies AdventuresThu, 14 Mar 2019 06:17:59 GMTIn December 2018, I was lucky enough to journey on one of the most amazing alternative schoolies adventures to Nepal run by World Expeditions Schools.<br> <br> There was no better way to conclude a year of hard assessments and exams that entailed my final year of schooling than getting out into the world, experiencing something entirely new and completely different - like trekking in the Himalayas and visiting rural communities - which made this trip so special and unique.<br> <br> <img alt="Trekking in the Himalayas" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/trekking-in-the-himalayas-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/trekking-in-the-himalayas-###width###px.jpg" width="3024"><br> <br> During the 13 day Alternative Schoolies program, we trekked a small section of the beautiful Annapurna mountain range and helped repair a remote high school. This expedition allowed me to gain a richer understanding of the Nepali - in the cities and in the villages - its dynamic culture, diverse society, religions and its history.<br> <br> <img alt="School Leavers Having Fun with the Nepali Locals" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-having-fun-with-the-nepali-locals-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-having-fun-with-the-nepali-locals-###width###px.jpg" width="3264"><br> <br> A day of sightseeing in the capital city of Kathmandu launched our journey where we acclimatised to the atmosphere of Nepal and its physical, spiritual and social climate. The great contrast of Nepal’s two main religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, is illustrated when visiting their temples - the major Hindu shrine, Pashupatinath, and the Buddhist stupa at Bodhinath.<br> <br> A large element of the Hindu religion lays in its belief of an afterlife and performing an appropriate send off for their deceased so that they may be reincarnated. At the Pashupatinath, we experienced an extremely moving and overwhelmingly powerful funeral proceedings. While feeling dualy fortunate yet out of place to view the funeral processions, it was an experience hard to forget. Contrastingly so, the Buddhist Stupa provided a more enlightened understanding of its peaceful relationship with each other and our world.<br> <br> Flying to Pokhara was another adventure in itself. The small, jet propelled plane was no surprise but the awesome mountain peaks took my breath away. The city of Pokhara is on a beautiful lakeside which we got a paddle boat across to climb the World Peace Stupa, revealing extensive views of the densely populated city.<br> <br> <img alt="Pokhara in Nepal" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/pokhara-in-nepal-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/pokhara-in-nepal-###width###px.jpg" width="3024"><br> <br> Himalayan peaks provide the most spectacular views for a wholesome schoolies trip that will leave you feeling refreshed after a tiresome year and invigorated to explore the world further. In the Annapurna region, 360 degree views include infamous mountains including Fishtail, Annapurna South and Machapuchare. Around every corner were dramatic views of vast mountain ranges and opportunities to engage with the people of the villages we passed through.<br> <br> <img alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/above_namche_bazaar-_everest_region-_nepal-original-19608-1-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/above_namche_bazaar-_everest_region-_nepal-original-19608-1-###width###px.jpg" width="4434"><br> <br> The trek took us from the lakeside city of Pokhara to Dhampus, Pothana, Tolka, Landruk, Ghandruk and finally to Jhobang where we completed our community service project. The trekking itself was actually very pleasant as it was only an introductory grade and supported by porters and sirdars, camping bases and the most delicious meals - ranging from traditional cuisine to westernised foods when you were feeling a bit homesick - prepared by cooks that travel with you. You only need to carry a day bag on your trek and you won’t go hungry; it’s my promise.<br> <br> <img alt="School Leavers Trekking in Annapurna Nepal" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-trekking-in-annapurna-nepal-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-trekking-in-annapurna-nepal-###width###px.jpg" width="3024"><br> <br> It was the perfect trip to ease into a future of more worldly explorations as heavy, but essential gear such as tents, sleeping bags and beds were provided and already set up for your arrival at the World Ex Eco lodges. With breakfast, lunch and dinner provided while hiking, it gave us the ability to indulge in the beautiful surroundings and wholly experience the nature of the trek - authentic mountain culture.<br> <br> <img alt="Eco Lodge in Annapurna Region in Nepal" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/eco-lodge-in-annapurna-region-in-nepal-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/eco-lodge-in-annapurna-region-in-nepal-###width###px.jpg" width="5760"><br> <br> The volunteer work that we did in Jhobang Secondary School in the final days of trek was so memorable and meaningful. Many schools in the remotes villages of Nepal are in desperate need of renovations so it was an incredibly poignant part of our trip. Working with the locals to repair and re-paint the buildings of the school, playing and practicing English with the students, observing and immersing ourselves in village life was a powerful experience that words have trouble describing. You’ll definitely be left wanting to do more.<br> <br> <img alt="School Leavers Repairing School in Nepal" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-repairing-school-in-nepal-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-repairing-school-in-nepal-###width###px.jpg" width="3264"><br> <br> <img alt="Helping a Remote School in Nepal" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/helping-a-remote-school-in-nepal-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/helping-a-remote-school-in-nepal-###width###px.jpg" width="2592"><br> <br> Back in Pokhara, we had a day to further explore the town by shopping or doing some of the adventure activities offered in the city - such as paragliding and zip lining. After which we then flew back to Kathmandu for our last day in the capital city. We visited the Monkey Temple early in the morning which I highly recommend as the morning views are remarkable and the monkeys are cute, but extremely cheeky. The best place for shopping was Thamel which is a relaxing 15 minute stroll from where we were staying. The commercial neighbourhood is the centre of the tourist industry in Nepal and was bustlingly busy with people, cultures and art.<br> <br> Overall it was a transformational trip of a lifetime that I whole heartedly recommend to all.<br> <br> <img alt="School Leavers and Nepali Kids in Nepal" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-and-nepali-kids-in-nepal-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/school-leavers-and-nepali-kids-in-nepal-###width###px.jpg" width="3264"><br> <br> <em>This article was submitted by Indigo Axford, who travelled on our Alternative Schoolies in Nepal. Check out our Alternative Schoolies to <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/School-Leavers-Schoolies-Adventures/Nepal/Explore-Nepal-Alternative-Schoolies-Community-Project">Nepal</a>, <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/Alternative-Schoolies/Japan/Snow-Ski-Japan-Alternative-Schoolies">Japan</a>, <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/School-Leavers-Schoolies-Adventures/Cambodia/Uncover-Cambodia-Alternative-Schoolies-Community-Project">Cambodia</a> and <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/School-Leavers-Schoolies-Adventures/Vietnam/Discover-Vietnam-Alternative-Schoolies-Community-Project">Vietnam</a>.</em>31028 Hacks for Your First Trek in Nepalhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3099/8-hacks-for-your-first-trek-in-nepalDestinations,School Programs,Service LearningWed, 05 Dec 2018 04:59:00 GMTIt’s tricky to decide on a destination for your overseas school program or your Schoolies, especially when you have so many options out there. Why not venture to the destinations less travelled such as Nepal and support communities in need? You’ll be surprised to discover you can easily find all sorts of info about Nepal on Google.<br /> <br /> To help you get started, here are some travel hacks from our frequent adventurers to make your first trek in Nepal easier.<br /> <br /> <strong>1. Down boots are your friend.</strong><br /> The year before I went to Nepal, I hiked the Overland Track in Tasmania. It was full pack trekking, so anything deemed unnecessary for survival was culled. The first evening at camp, one of our seemingly tough group members donned a pair of down booties. It took all of three seconds for me to mentally place these wacky Michelin Man looking shoes on the ‘unnecessary’ list. As it later turned out, this person had been on treks all over the world and knew what he was doing. Fast forward one year and I’m sitting in Gorak Shep with, you guessed it, a pair of down booties on my weary feet. Do not underestimate the power of the weird and wonderful footwear.<br /> <br /> <strong>2. And so is a hot water bottle.</strong><br /> Hydration is crucial, especially at altitude, so you’re going to have an assortment of water drinking contraptions that adorn your backpack. Fill your bottles with boiled water at night and make use of these steamy bottles of goodness by putting them in your sleeping bag before you settle in. Just make sure the bottles are unbreakable and sealed very tightly.<br /> <br /> <strong>3. Keep your batteries warm.</strong><br /> Battery life suffers in cold temperatures and you most likely won’t be able to recharge it. Keep them in a sock at the bottom of your sleeping bag each night to help prolong the inevitable.<br /> <br /> <strong>4. Take it slooooow.</strong><br /> Acclimatisation is serious business and it can be life threatening if not treated with care. While on the trek, drink lots of water, continue to eat even if you lose your appetite and go slow. If you feel unwell at any point in time, don’t hesitate to let your guide know. In the words of the Nepalese, ‘slowly-slowly’ wins the race.<br /> <br /> <strong>5. You need to train for the trek.</strong><br /> Hiking in the Himalaya requires endurance and fitness. You’ll want to do a mix of day walks with and without a full pack, cycling and cardio workouts for at least 3 months prior to your trek. You wouldn’t want to give up halfway on your trek and miss out on the full experience.<br /> <br /> <strong>6. Always have two towels handy.</strong><br /> When you wash up in the morning, have 2 towels at hand - one to soak in the water to clean yourself with, and one to dry yourself with because it’s always cold. Tie them to the straps of your backpack during the day and they’ll be dry and ready for use when you’re back in camp.<br /> <br /> <strong>7. Walk on the mountain side of the trail.</strong><br /> Always walk on the inner edge of the trial (the mountain side). You’ll frequently come across yaks that are sharing the trail with you, which gives living on the edge a whole new meaning, and you need to step aside to let them pass. Keep an ear out for the sound of their bells up ahead.<br /> <br /> <img alt="" class="responsiveImage" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/nepal-mountain-side-yak-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/nepal-mountain-side-yak-###width###px.jpg" width="470" /><br /> <br /> <strong>8. Act on the urge to get up at night.</strong><br /> Yes, it’s warm in your sleeping bag and cold outside. Yes, it’s dark and you need to navigate to the toilet set up by torch light. Once you get past that, you will be a happy person because the crisp, starry Himalaya night sky is a sight to be seen and a memory to capture.<br /> <br /> Interested in bringing your students to Nepal? <a href="mailto:enquiries@worldyouthadventures.com" style="color:#afa200;text-decoration:none;">Get in touch</a> and we can customise a program to suit your school's learning objectives and budget.<br /> <br /> If you are a student and want to explore Nepal for your Schoolies, you can now register for our <a href="https://www.worldyouthadventures.com/School-Leavers-Schoolies-Adventures/Nepal/Explore-Nepal-Alternative-Schoolies-Community-Project" style="color:#afa200;text-decoration:none;">2019 alternative Schoolies</a>, where you can meet like-minded people, help repair a remote school and make a difference in this world.3099What It's Like Climbing Kilimanjaro - A Student's Perspectivehttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3097/climbing-kilimanjaro-a-students-perspectiveDestinationsSun, 18 Feb 2018 03:32:39 GMTThe roof of Africa, the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, should not be underestimated. Rising almost 6000m above sea level, you need much more than excellent physical fitness. You also need a determined state of mind.<br><br>There are plenty of articles out there written by experienced adventurers, but what about from a student's perspective. We asked Annabelle Grimes, who climbed it with classmates from Nepal High School in Ottawa, Canada, what it takes to get to the top.<br><br><div class='blogImageWithCaptionWrapper'><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mt-kilimanjaro-summit-student-expedition-200px.jpg" alt="Students making a push to the summit of Mt Kilmanjaro" width="800" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mt-kilimanjaro-summit-student-expedition-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"><span class='blogImageCaption'>Students making a push to the summit of Mt Kilmanjaro</span></div><br><h3><strong>Before leaving Ottawa what were you most looking forward to about the Mount Kilimanjaro climb?</strong></h3><br>Besides the obvious prospect of successfully summiting Mount Kilimanjaro with all the members of my group, there were an endless number of things that culminated to my anticipation as the trip approached. I looked forward to experiencing African culture for the first time, and observing the animals I’d only ever watched on National Geographic. I also looked forward to bonding with my climbing-mates and seeing the vast and stark beauty of the mountain first-hand. I was overwhelmed by all the new experiences I would encounter, and I could hardly contain my excitement.<br><h3><strong>Can you outline the training you and your fellow students did pre-trip in order to make it to the summit?</strong></h3><br>Mostly, we trained individually for <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/School-Group-Adventures/Tanzania/Kilimanjaro-School-Expedition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this trip;</a> everyone took it seriously and prepared according to their own abilities. For example, I had an endurance and strength regiment that spanned for months in preparation. Before leaving, many of us did multi-day hiking trips in the Adirondack Mountain Range in New York State - a few hours’ drive from Ottawa. Being part of our schools’ Outdoor Education program, we already had strong backgrounds in camping and hiking, so no strenuous training was necessary.<br><blockquote>Kilimanjaro is not a technically demanding climb, so nearly anyone with reasonable physical health and determination can hope to summit.</blockquote><br><div class='blogImageWithCaptionWrapper'><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/student-mount_kilimanjaro_summit_trek_camp-200px.jpg" alt="Students enjoying a meal on Mt Kilimanjaro" width="470" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/student-mount_kilimanjaro_summit_trek_camp-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"><span class='blogImageCaption'>Students enjoying a meal on Mt Kilimanjaro</span></div><br><h3><strong>What was the most overwhelming feeling you experience on the trip?</strong></h3><br><blockquote>I was overwhelmed by the outstanding work of guides, porters, and cooks during our trip. They contributed so much, not only physically and logistically, but also in helping maintain exceptional morale throughout.</blockquote><br>As we climbed, many of us had the opportunity to get to know the women and men who accompanied us, and this offered a glimpse into a rich, welcoming culture. The incredible amount of work and effort that went into making our experience comfortable was astonishing, and for that we are so grateful.<br><h3><strong>What life skills did the Kilimanjaro expedition develop?</strong></h3><br>As it would be, a few of our group’s bags, including mine, were lost on our flight from Doha, Qatar. Unsure as to whether or when these bags would arrive, our group opted to rent necessities at the base of the mountain and continue on schedule.<br><blockquote>With little more than the shirt on my back and a sleeping bag, I relied on my resourcefulness and the generosity of my fellow-climbers for dry clothes.</blockquote><br>Our bags arrived on our third day on Kilimanjaro by some amazing feat of human coordination, but in the days leading up, I came to realize how little I can make do with. This realization translated to a new appreciation for all the luxuries I enjoy daily, and to a heightened perspective of my own materialism.<br><br><div class='blogImageWithCaptionWrapper'><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/students-on-kilimanjaro-summit-tanzania-200px.jpg" alt="Success! WYA student expedition on the roof of Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro" width="470" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/students-on-kilimanjaro-summit-tanzania-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"><span class='blogImageCaption'>Success! WES student expedition on the roof of Africa, Mt Kilimanjaro</span></div><br><h3><strong>Was the trip or reaching the summit tougher than you expected?</strong></h3><br>I think all of us went knowing that summiting would be tough. Coming from Ottawa, our bodies were all unaccustomed to low oxygen environments.<br><blockquote>Altitude sickness affects some far more than others, though because of its unpredictable nature, there was no way to know who would suffer. Though our route aimed to maximize acclimatization, everyone suffered to some degree.</blockquote><br>Throughout, we remained wary of worsening symptoms, and our guides carried supplemental oxygen for emergencies. I personally struggled summit night with nausea and dizziness, but I went on the trip accepting that I might be forced to turn back and descend at any time.<br><br>That being said, we were all ecstatic to be able to summit alongside all of our friends, knowing that our suffering was entirely outweighed by the beauty and splendor of the journey itself.<br><h3><strong>Now you have returned home, having been part of a team that had 100% success on summit day, what are your most treasured moments from the trip?</strong></h3><br>I remember the day after summiting, how we were all ecstatic to have made it, and equally as excited to have plummeted down the mountain the thicker air. That morning, the sky was a clear blue, and as the sun rose up to meet us, we stood before all of our guides and porters who sang to us as a final goodbye. With the snows of the mountain as a backdrop, we all eventually erupted into song and dance together. Looking at everyone’s faces - those I had met just a short week before, but seemed to have known for far longer - I saw nothing but joy, laughter, and elation.<br><br>It was incredible; I’ll never forget my last morning on Kilimanjaro.<br><br><div class='blogImageWithCaptionWrapper'><img class="responsiveImage" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mount_kilimanjaro_student-expedition-campsite-200px.jpg" alt="Campsite on Mt Kilimanjaro" width="470" dynamiccroppedimage="1" variablesrc="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/mount_kilimanjaro_student-expedition-campsite-###width###px.jpg" largestloadedsize="200"><span class='blogImageCaption'>Campsite on Mt Kilimanjaro.</span></div><br><h3><strong>Did this trip instill a thirst for adventure and travel?</strong></h3><br>Absolutely - and I know I’m not alone. It may sound cliché, but there is nothing more liberating than stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something wildly daring and new. I’m hearing that Kilimanjaro is just the first of the Seven Summits many of my teammates plan on ticking off their lists. I’m moving to British Columbia for university in the fall and I’ve started planning climbs in the Rockies and West Coast Trail backpacking next year.<br><br>Having climbed Kilimanjaro at the ages of 16 and 17, the bar has been set high for the many adventures that are sure to follow. I know for a fact that Kilimanjaro will not be the highest summit many of us will climb; even greater endeavors lie ahead.<br><h3><strong>Do you have advice for other students considering an international school trip?</strong></h3><br>I’d tell them that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is the stuff of life, and there’s no better time to venture into the unknown than if you haven’t before.<br><h3><strong>Find out More About a Kilimanjaro School Expedition</strong></h3><br>World Expeditions Schools (WES) specialise in custom school group adventures & youth adventure travel experiences to some of the world’s most captivating destinations, including mount Kilimanjaro. Find Out More >>> <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/School-Group-Adventures/Tanzania/Kilimanjaro-School-Expedition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kilimanjaro School Expedition </a>3097Trying a Scorpion in Beijinghttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3094/trying-street-food-beijingDestinationsMon, 07 Sep 2015 00:28:00 GMTAs I read through my guidebook about the different things to do in Beijing, the thing that kept on coming up was to visit the different markets across this city.<br /> <br /> These markets sell all sorts of items -  from pearls to selfie sticks - you name it, at least one market will sell the item you're looking for!<br /> <br /> However there was only one market that I was really interested in visiting, and that was the food market; Wangfujing night market. This market dates back to the Ming Dynasty.<br /> <br /> As I turned down into one of the Hutong’s (side alleys), the variety of different smells, sounds and food’s available immersed me in a multitude of scents and sensations. <blockquote>Starfish on skewers, people crunching fried silk worms and dumpling’s bubbling in water; everything was strange, new and eye popping!</blockquote> <br /> Starfish on skewers, people crunching fried silk worms and dumpling’s bubbling in water; everything was strange, new and eye popping!<br /> <br /> As I walked around Wangfujing, I saw food that I didn't even know was possible to eat such as scorpions, sea horses and spiders!<br />   <div class="lightbox mb-lg" data-plugin-options="{ 'delegate': 'a', 'type': 'image', 'gallery': { 'enabled': true} }"><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640548-1920px.jpg"><img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640548-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640488-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640488-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640410-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640410-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640570-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640570-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640586-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640586-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640571-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640571-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> While I certainly could not bring myself to eat a spider, I decided to try a fried scorpion. As I was handed this scorpion on a stick I was unsure what to make of it… was it even safe to eat these creatures? Weren’t the stings poisonous? The woman cooking the scorpion reassured me, telling me that they were not poisonous when exposed to heat.<br /> <br /> So I put my trust in this woman and bit into the scorpion... The taste was like a really fried salty chip.<br /> <br /> While I didn't get poisoned from the scorpion, I would certainly not rush to eating them again and I think it is fair to say that I will be sticking to dumplings and duck next time I order a Chinese!<br /> <br /> This is just one adventure that can be had in Beijing – I thoroughly recommend a visit! <div> </div> <div> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QNQ_8PE4cG8?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <br /> <br /> <em>William Shears</em><br /> <br /> View our <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/Countries/China" target="_blank">China destination page </a>for ideas of what your school could do in China.</div> 3094A Journey Through The Khmer Empirehttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3093/a-journey-through-the-khmer-empireDestinationsTue, 07 Jul 2015 07:32:57 GMTThe realisation of just how fascinating the rule of the Khmer Empire was did not really sink in until I was on my flight out of South East Asia and thinking back over all I’d seen.<br /> <br /> The Khmer Empire was pretty small in contrast to some of the others that dominated the world at that time. The Mongol empire, for example, covered 33 million square miles whilst Angkor was only 1.2 million.<br /> <br /> My journey around the Khmer Empire started with a trek in the northern hills of Thailand.  I spent two nights with two different hill tribes. The intriguing thing for me about these hill tribes was the fact that each had a different dialect. In some instances the language was so different that one group of villagers would be unable to communicate with another tribe that was only 10 kilometres away.<br />   <div class="lightbox mb-lg" data-plugin-options="{ 'delegate': 'a', 'type': 'image', 'gallery': { 'enabled': true} }"><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/4000-islands-1920px.jpg"><img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/4000-islands-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600939-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600939-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/trekking-in-a-cave-thailand-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/trekking-in-a-cave-thailand-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600987-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600987-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/tribe-in-thaliand-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/tribe-in-thaliand-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600980-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600980-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> If this is the case in the 21st century where we have internet and telephones, imagine the struggles for the Khmer Empire 4000 years ago!<br /> <br /> My fascination with the Khmer Empire was strengthened when I travelled down the Mekong River. The Mekong goes through all four countries that the Khmer Empire once controlled; Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.<br /> <br /> As I travelled down this incredible waterway I learnt that The Mekong enabled the Khmer Empire to produce enough food for themselves and also enough crops to be able to export to other countries, allowing the empire to have dominance over its neighbours. The river was also used as the main form of transport throughout the empire, allowing the city of Angkor to be able to exert the authority it had throughout the land.<br /> <br /> My journey around South East Asia finished with a trip to the islands off the coast of Cambodia. Not only did these islands have incredible beaches but my visit also reinforced the fact that the empire had three different seas to worry about, carrying with them as they did the twin threats of colonisation and invasion.<br /> <br /> It’s incredible that the Khmer Empire remained in power for such a long period, considering the factors Angkor had to compete with, and for me that is what makes the Khmer Empire so special in contrast to others, like the Mongols. <div> </div> <div> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DBluobmJKTI?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <br /> <br /> <em>William Shears </em></div> 3093The art of slow travel in Chinahttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3092/the-art-of-slow-travel-in-chinaDestinationsTue, 23 Jun 2015 23:12:46 GMT<em>Williiam Shears meets people who have never heard of Gmail or Facebook on his train journey from Hong Kong to Xian.</em><br> <br> As I looked at my itinerary for my overland journey from Hong Kong to Beijing, and saw that there was a 25 hour train journey planned, I paused and asked myself, why was I putting myself through this?<br> <br> In a world of cheap air travel and bullet trains which can take you directly from Hong Kong to Beijing in just 8 hours, why waste your  time on an apparently pointless and lengthy train journey?<br> <br> The answer I found was that those 25 hours sat in that train were some of the most fascinating  I have ever experienced.<br> <br> I boarded the night train at 7:30 pm from Guilin.  As the train slowly moved out of the station I was introduced to my fellow bunk mates, a family of three, who lived close to Beijing.<br> <br> At first it seemed impossible to speak to them and only sign language could be really used, due to the language barrier. Their major concern was whether I had enough food supplies to last me the journey. Every time the train stopped at a station, they would rush out and re stock their supplies of dumplings; it seemed they cared more about feeding me than themselves.<br>   <div class="lightbox mb-lg" data-plugin-options="{ 'delegate': 'a', 'type': 'image', 'gallery': { 'enabled': true} }"><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640249-1920px.jpg"><img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640249-350px.jpg" width="110"></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640159-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640159-350px.jpg" width="110"></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640309-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640309-350px.jpg" width="110"></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640277-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640277-350px.jpg" width="110"></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640139-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640139-350px.jpg" width="110"></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640263-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1640263-350px.jpg" width="110"></a></div> <br> <br> Soon it was time to go to sleep and the lights in the carriage were turned off. Next thing it was 9 am in the morning and we were going through a beautiful limestone pinnacle landscape.<br> <br> As I peered down from my bunk, a keen eyed woman was looking at me, and asking where I was from. She was ecstatic to find that I was English and could also speak the language. The news of a white person being on the sleeper train had spread across all the carriages and apparently they were all trying to remember the english expressions they had learnt at school, hoping to try them out on me.<br> <br> She was excited to practice her English and so we spoke for hours; while I told her about life in the UK she taught me about modern day China. She was fascinated by the fact that squatter loos are pretty alien to anyone who lives in the UK, while I was more amazed by the fact that she had never heard of Gmail or Facebook.<br> <br> She also started to act as a translator with the family below getting all the questions answered they had been wondering about such as: why can he not understand us and why on earth can he not use chop sticks properly?<br> <br> The day rolled on; various people brought their children to see a white person for the first time, and I enjoyed the different landscapes China had to offer. Sometimes we travelled  past massive cities , sometimes we crossed  flat plains that appeared to go on for ever.<br> <br> As we approached Xian, I understood why I had gone on a 25 hour train journey. Slow travel is one of the best ways to see a country, meet people and have time to really think.<br> <br> World Expeditions Schools provides itineraries that allow you to use the sleeper trains within China without having to worry about the issues around the language barrier. Travelling on a slow train in China is certainly an experience not to be missed out on! <div> </div> <div> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bLs6-tYnx0M?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <br> <em>William Shears</em></div> 3092The Killing Fields, Cambodiahttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3091/the-killing-fields-cambodiaDestinationsThu, 18 Jun 2015 23:59:15 GMT<em>Our vlogger William Shears visits Cambodia's Killing Fields and reports back on his experience.</em><br /> <br /> When I was asked to visit the Killing Fields, I was unsure how was best to cover such an issue. I had watched a few other You Tube videos which had shown the bones and skulls you will see if you visit the fields, for me this did not seem right to display the graphic sights and quote the horrendous statistics about what had happened on these fields. Instead I wanted to focus on the reason of why you should visit the Killing Fields.<br /> <br /> Once I had visited the site, I made my way to Battambang to go on the famous Bamboo Train, six hours outside of Phnom Penh. I was left bewildered while travelling to Battambang on how to script this video. It was not until I went on the train, that I met a 75 year old Khmer who had war wounds on his body, that I drew up the reason for me, why you must visit the killing fields.<br /> <br /> The old man spoke to me in fluent English, once I quizzed him about his ability to speak fluently. He told me that he had spent seven years of his life studying at Oxford University in the UK when he was 21.<br /> <br /> I was quite amazed to find this out, considering all he seemed to own now was a small wooden shack selling bamboo train t-shirts, loop warm fizzy drinks and pot noodles to the tourist who would stop there for ten minutes before returning back to Battambang on the train. It was not quite the life style you would have expected from one of the few privileged Cambodians who gets the chance to go and study at Oxford.<br />   <div class="lightbox mb-lg" data-plugin-options="{ 'delegate': 'a', 'type': 'image', 'gallery': { 'enabled': true} }"><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600687-1920px.jpg"><img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600687-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600707-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600707-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600676-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600676-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600686-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600686-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600682-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600682-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a><a class="lightboxThumbnail img-thumbnail d-inline-block mb-xs mr-xs" href="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600675-1920px.jpg"> <img class="img-fluid" height="110" src="/Portals/World Youth Adventures 2/LiveBlog/WP-Images/p1600675-350px.jpg" width="110" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> He told me that he had come from a privileged family and his father had loved him a lot so sent him to London before being forced to come back and fight in 1965.<br /> <br /> It is clear that since his time at Oxford till today he has had a very rough journey. For me it does not matter what side he was on during the Khmer rouge, what is clear that the fighting had a major effect on his life.<br /> <br /> As I said in the video this is so true for all of the Khmer over the age of 40 weather they have lost family, been a guard or be losing your family status as is so true for the 75 year old Khmer. The Khmer rouge had a clear impact on their lives; however they are still so friendly. As was the 75 year old Khmer I met.<br /> <br /> For me this video was why you should visit the site and not what you will see at the sight. I hope I got my view across and managed to do it in a respectful manner. <div> </div> <div> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="embed-responsive-item" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DBluobmJKTI?rel=0&controls=1"></iframe></div> </div> <br /> <br /> <em>William Shears</em><br />  </div> 3091Nepal Update: Returning to normalhttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3090/nepal-update-returning-to-normalDestinationsWed, 17 Jun 2015 02:20:43 GMT<strong>NEPAL TREKS TO RUN AS NORMAL FROM SEPTEMBER</strong><br />   <div class="blogImageWithCaptionWrapper">We are very pleased to announce that we will be operating all of our scheduled treks in <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/Countries/Nepal" target="_blank">Nepal's Annapurna and Everest regions</a> from September. A further final review will be conducted after the monsoon however no changes to this position are foreseen. We also wish to update those with bookings on treks in other regions.</div> <br /> As you may know from our previous updates, we have had staff out in the field reviewing the state of some of our main trekking regions following the earthquake. During these reviews we have focused on trail conditions, bridges, our private campsite infrastructure and the general state of community villages. We’ve also been keen to establish that the entry and departure points for our treks, being road access and air strips, are reliable. The international airport is fully functional and the Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu has received an official ‘green sticker’ which confirms it as structurally sound. <blockquote>The Nepal government has also been undertaking its own surveillance and we are advised there was an official function in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square by the Tourism Minister where he announced that Nepal is safe for travel.</blockquote> <br /> About 90% of Nepal’s 28 million people live in the foothills and mountain areas. Over centuries, they have established trade routes which in more recent history are the trails used by trekkers also. These trail networks are fundamentally important for trade, movement of goods, health and education and we know that any key mountain trails that have experienced damage will be repaired very quickly due to the complete reliance on them.<br /> <br /> We are fortunate that in the Everest and Annapurna regions we have our private campsites which are all in good condition, with only minor repairs that are currently underway in two of our Everest camps.  That work will be completed well before the season recommences. Otherwise, with our full service camping treks in all other regions we can continue to be as flexible as we need to be and not reliant on any private accommodation.<br /> <br /> <strong>The Annapurna region:</strong> This area sustained very little affect from the earthquake, other than some damage to the village of Jomsom (on the Annapurna Circuit route) on the north western side of the Annapurna range.  The area up around Manang is also reported to be mostly unaffected. Most of our treks in the region take place south of the Annapurna massif where all conditions are stable and in good condition for trekkers.<br /> <br /> <strong>Everest region:</strong> There were two small landslips on the trails north of Lukla which have already been addressed by government appointed workers. Any danger has been removed and we have reports of trekkers and the normal stream of local people using these and all other trail networks in the region. There are some lodges, monasteries and schools that have been damaged throughout the area, but, we have assessed that they will not pose any risk to our operations. The Everest Base Camp is intact and we would like to highlight that the landslide that did occur post earthquake was at the base camp used by climbing expeditions, several hours hike above Gorak Shep, the highest village in which our trekkers sleep. With our guides up there last week we don’t see any issues visiting base camp or Kala Patar going forward. The Cho La pass that links the Everest and Gokyo valley is unaffected, as is the Renjo La pass linking the Gokyo and Thame Valleys. The Kongma La, being the pass between the Chukung Valley and Lobuche is also fine as per our Everest High Passes trek. The trails to Ama Dablam Base Camp are reported to be in good trekking condition.<br /> <br /> <strong>Dolpo:</strong> This remote region in western Nepal has not been affected by the earthquake.<br /> <br /> <strong>Api Himal:</strong> This region in the far west of Nepal has not been affected by the earthquake.<br /> <br /> <strong>Mustang:</strong> The trails conditions are good but there were some monasteries that have sustained damage. We have been advised that there is work planned for their restoration but we again wish to advise that our treks in the region are camping based and we are therefore totally self sufficient to camp in places that are without risk.<br /> <br /> <strong>Manaslu:</strong> We have had pieces of information back in about Manaslu. In some parts we know the area has sustained damage and we are awaiting the outcome of the army survey which we understand will be underway before the end of the month before sending in our own staff toward the end of August, when the monsoon should start to subside. We are asking any of our travellers with bookings for Manaslu to wait for these reports to be forthcoming.<br /> <br /> <strong>Kanchenjunga:</strong> There was a mud slide in the region last week following the onset of the monsoon which typically starts in the east and moves west. Two rivers became engorged with unprecedented rainfall that triggered the slide. This is unrelated to the earthquake. We expect that there will be no problems operating our treks in the region after the monsoon.<br /> <br /> If you have any questions or concerns please contact your nearest <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/Contact-About/Our-Youth-Adventure-Experts#*" target="_blank">Youth Adventure Expert.</a>3090Nepal: The best way you can helphttps://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3089/nepal-earthquake-how-can-you-helpDestinationsTue, 12 May 2015 03:02:17 GMT<strong>WHY NEPAL TOURISM NEEDS YOU MORE THAN EVER</strong><br>   <div class="blogImageWithCaptionWrapper">Nepal is special. Its home to the world’s highest peak, clusters of Himalayan ranges and the hard working people who live amongst them. Collectively, they have inspired, challenged and brought positive change for travellers from around the globe who seek to experience Nepal’s majesty and the warmth of the mountain villagers, but now, more than ever, they need something back from us.</div> <br> Tourism is the single largest industry in Nepal. From employees of its busy airline industry to the small Sherpa trader selling handicrafts alongside a trekking trail, almost every Nepalese benefits from tourism. An earthquake is something that the country will and can recover from. However, if there were to be a sizeable decline in tourism numbers to the country post monsoon (from September onwards) the knock on effect of a major economic crisis would have an even greater catastrophic effect for the nation.<br> <br> <strong>WILL IT BE SAFE TO TRAVEL TO NEPAL POST MONSOON?</strong><br> <br> We are confident that trekking and travel in Nepal will be safe when the tourism season resumes in September. The safety of our travellers and staff is our number one concern and an ongoing review of all trekking regions leading up to the season opening will focus solely on that.<br> <br> Immediately after the earthquakes of 25 April and 12 May, trips about to depart could not be operated because workers across the country temporarily left their workplaces to be with and assist their families in their mountain villages. Internal flights had few pilots or crew, hotels were seriously short staffed and many who were unaffected were assisting with the relief effort.  Emergency services were deployed for surveillance and rescue operations. These are characteristic of the first wave of response to a natural disaster of this scale.<br> <br> That phase has passed.  The focus now turns to rebuilding damaged infrastructure and people getting back to their lives. All the international hotels in Kathmandu and in the larger cities are now functional and operating normally. Large numbers of people who left Kathmandu after the earthquake have returned to their work places. Schools and universities are generally now all open.  The international and domestic airports are functioning normally.<br> <br> The large hospitals in Kathmandu which were initially overwhelmed with patients have worked through the emergency response and have now recommenced regular out-patient services while all the general surgical units have become functional.<br> <br> The CIWEC Medical Clinics in Kathmandu and Pokhara are open and running as usual.<br> <br> Various mountain regions across Nepal have been affected quite badly with heavy human casualties, destruction of homes and schools and decimation of crops. The lower Langtang and Helambu were possibly the worst hit regions.  Others have escaped the impact of the earthquake with very little major damage. The majority of the World Expeditions Schools treks take place in the Everest (Khumbu) and Annapurna regions, both of which escaped major damage. The Solu Khumbu (in the lower Khumbu Everest region south of Lukla) was affected but it is important to know that the Upper Khumbu which is from Lukla and north was not.  All of our treks into the Everest region commence from Lukla and head north.<br> <br> The main trails in the Annapurna and Everest regions are continually in use by local people as well as the end of season trekkers since the earthquakes. Bridges on the main trails in these two regions are all intact. Some lodges in the Everest region have been damaged but building materials are already being flown in and local labour organized to restore them.  All our permanent campsites in both regions, with exception of two of the Everest camps, were not affected. The two that were damaged have repair work scheduled in the next few weeks.<br> <br> Our  guides are in the field now conducting a complete audit of all the trail conditions, bridges and infrastructure in these two specific regions, also checking the arterial areas. Thereafter, all other trekking areas in which our company conducts treks will also be carefully assessed including Manaslu, Makalu, Mustang, Dolpo, Kanchenjunga, Rolwaling, Upper Langtang and others. We will provide updates as soon as we have completed our surveys.<br> <br> Between now and September, we’ll also be consulting with a range of organisations, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and expert seismologists to establish the country is safe.<br> <br> <strong>HOW CAN I HELP?</strong><br> <br> <strong>Donate -</strong> There are numerous charities you can donate to. WES encourages those wishing to make a tax deductable donation can do so through the <a href="http://www.worldexpeditions.com/au/index.php?section=adventure_news&id=3251720" target="_blank">World Expeditions Foundation and its Earthquake Appeal Fund</a>. The Foundation responded quickly with the deployment of food drops to the hardest hit villages north of Kathmandu in the two weeks following the earthquake. This included 1000s of kgs of rice, lentils, cooking oil, sugar and salt for over 4500 households thanks to initial donations. With its strong focus on supporting education, it’s mid to longer term plans will be to help restored badly damaged schools so that young people living in mountain villages can return to receiving their education.<br> <br> <strong>Travel there next season –</strong><br> <br> – The earthquakes that struck Nepal on 25 April and 12 May occurred at a time when the major trekking season was nearing an end in the lead up to the monsoon.  It is expected that the rebuild over the coming 5 months will restore essential infrastructure so that travellers can be confident that Nepal will be ready once again to welcome trekkers when the new season gets underway in mid September.  Nepal’s economy is intrinsically reliant on tourism and we appeal to travellers to continue supporting the country by travelling to this wonderful Himalayan destination when the new season resumes.<br> <br> Our advocacy for supporting a return to Nepal is without commercial bias. We are committed to doing all we can to ensure that Nepal does not suffer a further crisis caused by an economic downturn that ha the potential to affect millions of people.<br> <br> <strong>Help a community project –</strong> one of the most selfless donations you can give is a day of your time. If your school is already travelling, consider swapping a day of the trail or sightseeing with an extra day helping repair a school in need.  We have been in contact with most of the schools we have conducted projects in throughout the Annapurna region and fortunately they have only had minor damage.  We are looking at schools in Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Kavre and Sindhupalchok where there is heavy damage to the schools.<br> <br> <strong>WILL I BE A BURDEN?</strong><br> <br> Quite to the contrary.  Many Nepalese rely upon tourism to supplement the income they earn through subsistence farming while others are wholly reliant on tourism income. The people of Nepal need tourism employment.<br> <br> The roads to and from India are open and supplies to Nepal, as is the norm, mean that the supermarkets in Nepal are fully stocked.  There are currently no shortages, nor is it considered there will be leading up to the new season. Nepal’s tourism infrastructure will be ready for the typically busiest trekking time of the year.<br> <br> World Expeditions Schools treks run in a self sufficient manner. We stock up on supplies for the trekking days from the city. Our private permanent and wilderness camps are not taking away shelter from others. The staff we employ are well looked after. Learn more about our <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/Contact-About/Responsible-Travel" target="_blank">Responsible Travel policies in Nepal</a>.<br> <br> Please stay in touch and contact your consultant if you have any concerns or would like to ask specific questions about the recovery process, safety matters or preparing for your trek ahead.3089Why Schoolies in Cambodia?https://worldexpeditionsschools.com/blog/postid/3087/why-schoolies-week-in-cambodiaDestinations,Schoolies AdventuresMon, 10 Nov 2014 01:12:00 GMT<strong>John Nichol is a teacher at Mooroolbark College who contacted us to organise a private Schoolies Adventure for the Year 12's at this school. Here, he explains why. </strong><br>   <div class="blogImageWithCaptionWrapper"><span class="blogImageCaption">See Angkor Wat on a Schoolies adventure in Cambodia</span></div> <br> <br> Finishing 13 years of school is a fantastic moment in a young person’s life and should be celebrated.  At Mooroolbark College we believe the schoolies experience has great potential to be more than a week long party and can instead be an experience that develops and grows a young person and provides a rights of passage into adulthood.<br> <br> At the College we aim to provide an educational experience that moulds our students into quality young people who can go out and have a positive impact on the world. The “Schoolies in Cambodia” trip aims to build on that personal growth and take it a significant step further.<br> <br> This trip will give participants a greater sense of: <ul> <li>who they are,</li> <li>who they want to be,</li> <li>their place in the wider world and</li> <li>give them a stronger sense that they can impact and change the world in a positive way.</li> </ul> <br> It will be a life changing experience,  an experience of far more value and enjoyment than the traditional schoolies holiday.<br> <br> We have put together the “Schoolies in Cambodia” trip in partnership with World Expeditions Schools who have over thirty years experience planning trips exclusively for students and school groups. They have developed a terrific itinerary for us (including a full risk assessment of all activities) to ensure a memorable and safe experience at a competitive cost.<br> <br> Cambodia is a small country with ancient monuments, many natural attractions, safe and easy travelling and warm and friendly people. This trip offers 15 days  seeing world famous monuments like Angkor Wat as well as some Indiana Jones styles temples overgrown with jungle, exploring village life including lake villages built on 7 metre high stilts, working in an orphanage for 3 days (as well as fundraising some $2000 for the orphanage before leaving) and some time to unwind on a tropical beach.  We will also visit the very sad and moving museums in the capital Phnom Penh dedicated to the Killing Fields genocide of the 1970s.<br> <br> Travelling with the group and looking after the students will be a Mooroolbark College staff member to ensure that personal growth opportunities are maximized and to assist students to debrief about their experience. World Expeditions Schools will also provide a tour guide to ensure that the party is being well looked after, participants are adhering to expected behaviours and that all arrangements are running smoothly.<br> <br> It will run during the traditional schoolies period<br> <br> In my 20 years of teaching this is the most exciting and worthwhile experience that I have been involved with and we feel it will have long term positive benefits for those involved. It will be a life changing experience.<br> <br> John Nichol<br> <br> View World Expeditions Schools' <a href="http://worldyouthadventures.com/index.php?section=world_youth_adventures&id=464001" target="_blank" title="Alternative Schoolies Adventures">Alternative Schoolies Adventures.</a>3087