Himalaya experience - Himalayas, India

From £2105 per person

Tour Code: SUP_LEAP_ India

India – Himalaya experience

The Himalayas never disappoint! They charge all the senses so venture out with a team of Leapers deep into these great mountains to actually live with local families from the local Almora community. Help organise low altitude and high altitude treks whilst completing simple but life changing community and conservation projects.

Our placement is based at Almora, a stunning village set in a verdant mountain valley at the foothills of the Himalayas. The foothills are a mass of terraced fields, interspersed with pine and rhododendron forests. It was the first British hill station in 1815 chosen because of its cool climate, exceptional views and charming people.

You will live amongst the local community of Almora helping the local team from Shakti who are responsible for organising trekking holidays, whilst implementing life changing local conservation and community projects which greatly need your help. Through this exciting and diverse mix of eco-lodge, conservation and community projects you will experience the many different faces of India. The placement gives three contrasting working and indeed life experiences to broaden your horizons and surpass your expectations.

Projects are sustainable giving long-term benefits to both the community and environment.

helping who?
Almora village community.

helping how?
leap 1: Shakti Lodge www.shaktihimalaya.com• Escort clients on 3 or 4-day valley walks from Almora or Leti campsite. This usually consists of walking about 4 – 5 hours a day and staying at various villages on the way.
• Join in high altitude treks above the snow line from Johar, weather dependent and mountain experience required.
• Help set up the luxury camp at Leti, when they have guests, acting as host, more than guide. Leti is about 5 hours from Almora. The walks are around the beautiful valleys, with their steep gorges, dramatic snow covered peaks and fresh water mountain streams. It really is a stunning environment.

leap 2: conservation
Help the local villages to implement various conservation and eco–projects.
• Rubbish/Litter ‘clear up’ programmes.
• Deforestation initiative: Volunteers will study through our research programmes how much deforestation is going on in the area, and what alternatives can be implemented to help the locals.

leap 3: community
Volunteers will be living in Almora, but for stretches of time (approx 2/3 days) will live with the locals in the surrounding villages.
• Help local families develop fresh water supplies, irrigation systems and community farming.
• Help communities understand the importance of hygiene and helping improve their standard of living.
• Build and develop community medical facilities.
• Teach English and other subjects of interest, art, music, sport etc to schoolchildren. We also help a school for disadvantaged children.
• Assist the Self Help Group to implement the loans donated by the Indian government and Leap volunteers, e.g. building irrigation systems, purchasing seeds, tools and water buffalo.

Adventure travel
Trekking in the Himalayas, fishing in the mighty rivers, tiger safaris, horse riding safaris, visiting ancient Hindu and Buddhist relics.

Placement Management
The friendly and professional team from Shakti, in tandem with the UK team, will ensure you are extremely well looked after. On arrival they will provide an induction and orientation programme covering issues of safety, responsibilities, projects, health, culture, politics, conservation and community issues.

Outline Itinerary
Those choosing a 6-week placement will fly out with those who have chosen the 10 week option.
6 week programme: 12 days respectively on each phase. 10-week programme: 3 weeks on each phase. Weekends free to travel.

Includes:
Selection and briefing on all aspects of the scheme.
24 hour emergency back-up, management and support by UK team and in-country Placement Manager, with reliable communications and infrastructure.
Safety and induction course on arrival.
Airport pick up and transfer to and from the placement.
Food and accommodation throughout.
Donation to the project communities, currently £80 per person and you can choose how it’s spent.

Not included:
International flights, internal flights (if applicable), visas, travel insurance, medical expenses (reclaimable through travel insurance), soft drinks/beer etc. any park fees. Volunteers will be responsible for any independent/weekend travel expenses e.g. food and accommodation whilst away from the placement location and any excursions not listed above. We are happy to contact Key Travel on your behalf, who are well known for offering good value.

Weather
January is very chilly at night, but lovely clear days. April is beginning to get pretty warm, but definitely cooler than the plains of India. September the rains will be ending, but is a wonderful time for the walks and treks.

Wildlife
Blue sheep, mountain goats, snow leopard, nilgai and the famous Bhotiya dogs. The bird life is a myriad of eagles, hawks, falcons, drongos, minivets, owls and many other species. Uttranchal has excellent fishing in the Ramganga River for mahseer.

Group Size
Maximum of 6 volunteers per departure. Please note this programme has a minimum group size of 2 volunteers. The programme cannot run with less than this. Three months prior to departure, if the group size is less than, or drops below this figure, volunteers will be offered an alternative on a similar placement, depending on availability and preference. Anyone aged over 18 can participate.

Accommodation and Meals
Volunteers will be staying in local houses, which will have been rented on their behalf. The accommodation will be simple and most will have to share a bedroom (normally 2 per room), with a locked door and Indian bathrooms to share. Breakfast will be eggs, fruits, breads, jams. Lunch will be Indian or mezze style. Dinner will be local Kumaoni Indian food – rice, dahl, vegetables, chicken/lamb curry sometimes.

Click here to visit the Himalaya experience page at The Leap