From the moment that l looked at your website, to the day l arrived home at Melbourne Airport, my passion for life has been ‘rejuvenated’ thanks to you all. Accommodation was again perfect for the type of holiday we were having. We were so well fed and looked after, even the beds were comfortable in each Hotel we stayed in!!
Congratulations for the amazing effort that you have all put in. Everything was so finely tuned, so that we could enjoy a wild and wonderful time in a foreign country.
Community Project Travel
World Expeditions has a vision – to make the world a better place for people in need. Voluntourism; Eco Tourism - no matter what you call it, we would like to invite you to share in this vision.
Community Project Travel is a unique “philanthropy” program that we have operated since 2005, functioning entirely as a ‘not-for profit’ division of our company. The program offers purposeful voluntourism style adventures for everyday travellers, where the main objective is to improve the lives of other people or the environment in a meaningful and sustainable way.
In consultation with our local operators from around the world - together with community leaders - we've identified a long list of very worthwhile community projects & eco tourism initiatives. The projects included in this brochure are our immediate priorities for 2010/11. In each case, the affected community receives little or no government funding, and coupled with the dire economic predicament of these areas, makes our assistance so essential. It is important to us that the projects are sustainable, in that the work is started and then completed by the time you leave the community, which results in both an immediate and longer-term tangible benefit.
Yet the gift of giving is a two way street. Your participation in one of our projects is returned two-fold. First, when you return home, you’ll do so with a sense of having made a real and positive contribution to the lives of others. Secondly, you'll also gain a inimitable understanding of the culture of the community you visit, having worked side by side with local people for consecutive days to achieve a common goal.
No skills are required to join our Community Projects; you just need to pack an open mind and a keenness to commit to physical work in a team environment.
History has shown that our combined effort can make a real and tangible difference to the lives of the people of some of the world's most remote communities. So join us soon on a community project trip and enjoy a life experience like no other.
Our 2010/11 Community Project Travel program includes the following projects:
- Thubten Chholing Monastery
- Takshindu Monastery Project
- Nepal Chiwang Monastery
- Arhnem Land Marine Rescue Project
- Franklin River Rafting River Care Project
- Tastayoq Village Project
- Magara Village School Project
- Rajasthan Dhingsiri Village School Project
- Kushudebu Public Health Mission Project - Completed
NEPAL
Thubten Chholing Monastery
Departs: Kathmandu: 10 October 2010
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
For many travellers, a monastery visit is the closest they'll get to Buddhism. But imagine yourself in the heart of the Himalaya working with Buddhist monks and trades people on a ground breaking environmental project at the Thubten Chholing Monastery; a rare and thought provoking opportunity to assist the Himalayan environment and its people. All across the villages of the Solu-Khumbu district, there is a need for better management of waste. Head monks from the Thubten Chholing Monastery, which is located 2 hours north of Junbesi, have been rousing discussion about this need and now an exciting project is in motion. The simple construction of incinerators will alleviate the dumping of clothing, plastic and other forms of waste in rivers and over mountainsides. The Thubten Chholing Monastery, where there are 500 practicing monks and nuns, will commence and invigorative a wide spread incinerator development project in the Junbesi Valley. Our members have been invited to work with this most special community to build the first incinerator for the monastery followed by a visually exciting trek up into the Everest region proper to experience the fine Sherpa culture and the world's highest mountains.
Click here for more information on our NEPAL Thubten Chholing Monastery Project
Our waste management plan in the Solu Region has expanded and we are now offering another project in the region in 2011 ~ Nepal Chiwang Monastery
This project is kindly sponsored by CHANNEL NINE'S GETAWAY
"Some of the most extraordinary images broadcast on Getaway over the past 18 years have come out of Nepal and the Everest area, particularly those captured during the 50th anniversary of the Hillary- Tenzing climb. So, we are only too happy to support the Thubten Chholing Monastery project."
Nepal
Takshindu Monastery Project
Departs: Kathmandu: 15 November 2010
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
Continuing our waste management plan in the Solu Region, this project provides an opportunity to immerse with a Buddhist community and trek the world's most famous mountain region. For many travellers, a monastery visit is the closest they'll get to Buddhism. But imagine yourself in the heart of the Himalaya working with Buddhist monks and trades people on a ground breaking environmental project. A rare and thought provoking opportunity to assist the Himalayan environment and its people. All across the villages of the Solu-Khumbu district, there is a need for better management of waste. The simple construction of incinerators will alleviate the dumping of clothing, plastic and other forms of waste in rivers and over mountainsides. Having already completed 2 projects in this region, we will continue the construction of incinerators at the Takshindu Monastery in the Junbesi Valley. Our members have been invited to work with this most special community to continue building incinerators for the monasteries followed by a visually exciting trek up into the Everest region proper to experience the fine Sherpa culture and the world's highest mountains.
Click here for more information on our NEPAL Takshindu Monastery Project
See Channel 9's Getaway crew exploring the Kushudebu and Thubten Chholing Monastery projects here
NEPAL
Nepal Chiwang Monastery
Departs: Kathmandu: 10 April 2011
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
For many travellers, a monastery visit is the closest they'll get to Buddhism. But imagine yourself in the heart of the Himalaya working with Buddhist monks and trades people on a ground breaking environmental project. A rare and thought provoking opportunity to assist the Himalayan environment and its people. All across the villages of the Solu-Khumbu district, there is a need for better management of waste. Head monks from the Thubten Chholing Monastery, which is located 2 hours north of Junbesi, have been rousing discussion about this need and now an exciting project is in motion. The simple construction of incinerators will alleviate the dumping of clothing, plastic and other forms of waste in rivers and over mountainsides. Having already completed 3 projects in this region, we will continue the construction of incinerators at the Chiwang Monastery in the Junbesi Valley. Our members have been invited to work with this most special community to continue building incinerators for the monasteries followed by a visually exciting trek up into the Everest region proper to experience the fine Sherpa culture and the world's highest mountains.
Learn more about our NEPAL Chiwang Monastery Project in 2011 here
See Channel 9's Getaway crew exploring the Kushudebu and Thubten Chholing Monastery projects here
AUSTRALIA
Arhnem Land Marine Rescue Project
Departs: Gove: 04 September and 15 September 2010
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
One of Australia's most beautiful coastlines, North East Arnhem Land enjoys the custodianship of its traditional owners, the Yolngu Aboriginal people. While it is virtually free from development, this coastline faces a real environmental threat from marine debris. Discarded fishing nets, rubber footwear, empty bottles and plastic bags are all carried in by the currents and deposited on the Arnhem Land coast. This waste is generated elsewhere but is a major threat to local wildlife, with animals choking on plastic rubbish and snared in discarded fishing nets.
Alongside local Yolngu Aboriginal Rangers of Dhimurru and Laynhapuy Land Management, we will traverse the coast on foot and by 4WD to collect, catalogue and dispose of this rubbish. We will scout for turtles and other marine wildlife entangled in nets, freeing the animals where possible. This project combats a modern problem using high-tech techniques combined with traditional Yolngu Aboriginal knowledge and understanding of the land, sea and wildlife.
Click here for more information on our Arnhem Land Community Project
This project is kindly sponsored by responsibletravel.com
I congratulate World Expeditions on their decision to partner with the traditional land owners, the Yolngu Aboriginal people. Only through partnerships of this kind can truly authentic travel experiences that bring real local benefits be created.
AUSTRALIA
Franklin River Rafting River Care Project
Departs: Hobart: 14th March 2010 and 13th March 2011
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
The Franklin River is renowned for its pristine wilderness as well as its world class white-water rafting. World Expeditions pioneered commercial rafting on the Franklin in 1978 and ever since has contributed to every campaign to protect this magnificent river. Whilst the river environment is close to pristine, in recent years our local guides have spotted isolated outbreaks of noxious weeds, such as blackberry, on the riverbanks. This project works with Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife to remove these weeds and ensure the integrity of the wilderness values of the Franklin River. Of course the safest way to travel the river is guided in a white-water raft, so this is both a classic rafting expedition and a positive way to contribute to the care and custodianship for one of the worlds greatest wilderness rivers.
Click here for more information on our Franklin River Rafting
This project is kindly sponsored by THE WILDERNESS SOCIETY 
"The battle to save the iconic Franklin river from destruction in 1976 inspired the creation of The Wilderness Society – and showed that we can all make a difference in caring for our precious environment. That’s why The Wilderness Society is proud to support World Expeditions Community Project Travel as they contribute to the ongoing work of safeguarding our wild places for future generations." Alec Marr. Executive Director. The Wilderness Society Inc
PERU
Tastayoq Village Project
Departs: 17 July 2010
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
Following four highly successful projects in the villages of Tastayoq and Qelqanqa, this year we revisit Tastayoq to undertake another much needed community project. Our aim is to provide a water supply to each house in the village. We will spend four days working alongside the villagers to make Tastayoq a better and safer village. The village is situated in the Urubamba mountain range standing between the great Urubamba River and the vast rain forests to the north of Cusco. Beautiful hanging valleys, high pampas, small patches of woodland and paths less trodden are the setting for this project and trek. The region is famous for its weavings, as well as its striking mountainous landscapes and rich culture and is home to the Andean equivalent of the Himalayan Sherpa. On completion of the project we shall continue onto the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu.
Click here for more information on our Peru - Tastayoq Village Project
This project is kindly sponsored by FLIGHT CENTRE
"Flight Centre is delighted to be involved with World Expeditions Community Projects again in 2010. Promoting responsible travel, supporting sustainable developments and helping travellers protect the cultures and environments they visit is important to Flight Centre. We look forward to contributing to this important project in the Peru's Andes mountains and seeing through the genuine tangible benefits that it will deliver to the community at Tastayoq." Carl Cross, Adventure And Youth. Travel Manager
TANZANIA
Magara Village School Project
Departs: Arusha: 7th September 2010
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
Magara Village is spectacularly located in the Great Rift Valley. We set out to help the Magara community restore the Soko Primary School which is in desperate need of repair. Over four days participants will build new desks for the school, assist with the general refurbishment of the classroom facilities and install a water tank and guttering system allowing the school to harness rainwater. Water is a scarce resource in this dry region. Part of the trip participant cost includes the contribution toward the materials, local foreman and transportation of the materials to the project site
Following our project we continue to the magnificent game parks of Lake Manyara and Tarangire. No trip to Tanzania would be complete without a visit to the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the finest wildlife reserves on earth.
Click here for more information on our Tanzania - Magara Village School Project
This project is kindly sponsored by the Australian Geographic Society
"The Australian Geographic Society is proud to support the Magara Village project. The project will give travellers the opportunity to make a difference in the global community by creating sustainable sources of drinking water and assisting education opportunities for children in the spectacular Great Rift Valley" Gregg Haythorpe, Trustee of the AG Society
INDIA
Rajasthan Dhingsiri Village School Project
Departs: Delhi: 17 October 2010
Costs: Visit trip page for cost
The vast Thar Desert in India's north west is home to the colourful Rajasthani people. Communities in this area are steeped in cultural traditions that date back thousands of years. While a rich culture endures, the communities live a difficult existence as a result of isolation and access to amenities that urban India enjoys. Yet, there is a vigor for educating the young to garner a better future. Before commencing our school refurbishment project, we'll follow Northern India's most significant sites including the Taj Mahal and Red Fort in Agra, the magnificent pink city of Jaipur, the ancient Rajput city of Jodhpur and finally the UNESCO listed town of Jaisalmer. Our project site is located in the desert near Bikaner where for consecutive days we'll upgrade the Dhingsiri Secondary School. The facility supports 338 students from the outlying desert areas of which 50% are females, providing an inspiring immersion into the school life of these young people. Repairs, painting and some minor construction work will fill the agenda for the days at Dhingsiri.
Click here for more information on our Dhingsiri Village School Project
This project is kindly sponsored by PADDY PALLIN
Education is about the future and projects that encourage communities to 
sustain their own efforts to educate their children are highly effective. It is commendable that the isolated desert communities of Rajasthan are motivated to do so and with the help of everyone we can make a difference. Paddy Pallin is excited to be working with World Expeditions on this school project.
NEPAL
Kushudebu Public Health Mission Project - Completed
Departs: Pending 2011 Departure Date
Costs: Pending 2011 Cost
The Kushudebu Public Health Mission Nepal, was established three years ago in the beautiful Sherpa Village of Junbesi in the Solukhumbu. The Junbesi Clinic has become a vital service for the surrounding rural community, with our groups having completed various projects. The key objective of the facility is to improve the health of the orphaned and disadvantaged in the surrounding remote villages, and to promote a better understanding of good health practices in order to reduce the rate of premature and preventable death. Participants will spend three days constructing the staff quarters which will result in the facility offering a much needed 24 hour service. On completion of the project work, participants will take a fully supported camping based trek into the Everest region to Namche Bazaar and Thyangboche to experience the most stunning mountain scenery on earth.
This project is kindly sponsored by The Travel Doctor, one of the largest individual suppliers of travel medicine services in the world. The funds required to purchase the materials for this project, pay the wages for the local foreman as well as the transportation of the materials to the site, were all provided by The Travel Doctor. For more information on The Travel Doctor, please visit The Travel Doctor
"Travel can be an enriching and transformative experience for both guests and host communities. World Expeditions Community Project Travel exemplifies this concept. The Travel Doctor-TMVC is proud to be working with World Expeditions on the Kushudebu Public Health Mission project to deliver positive outcomes to the host community via tourism." Brock Cambourne, Executive General Manager, Travel Doctor-TVMC
