Hot Deals

Hands-up Holidays highlights 5 environmental projects

Believing that every day should be Environment Day, Hands Up Holidays, the voluntourism specialist who blends holidays with worthwhile conservation activities, has highlighted five environmental projects around the world.
 
The Hands Up Holidays trips are:

-Penguin conservation in New Zealand’s South Island
-Rhino Monitoring in Borneo
-Plant Recording in Argentina
-Coastal clean up in Galapagos
-Seed planting in South Africa

SOUTHERN ENCOUNTER – 15 days – New Zealand – £1,950
Guests spend three days helping to maintain the habitat of the yellow-eyed penguins at the Catlins on the South Island that includes weeding, planting and pest control. The rest if the trip is spent sightseeing on New Zealand’s stunning South Island including a cruise of the Doubtful Sound, albatross, penguin and sealion viewing, taking part in adrenalin activities in the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown and visiting Lake Wanaka. The next set departure dates are 15 November and 20 December 2008.

SABAH DISCOVERER – 15 days – Borneo – £2,300
Assist SOS Rhino tracking and monitoring the movements of the elusive Sumatran rhino, a highly endangered species where there are estimated to be only 25-50 left alive, in Tabin Nature Reserve. Then explore the natural environment of Borneo including visiting the famous Seliplok orangutan rehabilitation centre, viewing the endemic proboscis monkeys, visiting mud volcano and walking in pristine rainforest, plus white water rafting, cruising the Garama river and visiting Tunku Abdul Rhaman Marine Park. The next trip set departure dates are 9 August, 20 September, 25 October, 15 November and 13 December 2008.

NORTHERN EXPLORER IN STYLE – 14 days – Argentina – £2,300
Spend three days monitoring birds, recording orchid flowers, studying amphibians and reptiles, as well as helping with reforestation work in a park close to the impressive Iguaçu Falls dividing Argentina and Brazil. Sightseeing highlights include visiting the Brazilian side of the falls, exploring the sultry capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, staying on a traditional ranch near Salta and visiting Iruya, a small village perched precariously on a mountain. The next set departure dates are 25 October, 15 November, 6 & 27 December 2008.

GALAPAGOS & VOLCANOES – 15 days – Ecuador – £2,200
Spend seven nights in the remote Galapagos Islands off the coast of Darwin with three days spent helping the local fisherman hired by the Galapagos Foundation to collect debris and waste from the coastal areas and beaches. Sightseeing highlights include four further days in the Galapagos on a yacht excursion visiting the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, visiting the Equatorial Line to stand half in the southern and northern hemispheres, travelling on the Chiva Express to Riobamba and shopping in the colourful market town of Otavalos. The next set departure dates are 16 August and 6 September 2008.

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY IN STYLE – 9 days – South Africa £3,350
Spend three days volunteering in one of Cape Town’s disadvantaged communities on a convservation project that includes trench digging and filling, planting of seeds and seedlings, building simple nurseries, plus making jams and chutneys using garden produce. Sightseeing highlights include visiting Table Mountain and staying in a luxury boutique hotel in Cape Town, visiting Cape of Good Hope and the Stellenbosch winelands plus a luxury ‘Big Five’ safari staying at a premier lodge. The next trip dates are 2 August, 13 September and 20 December 2008.

All prices for the set departure dates above include land based tour and volunteering projects as per itinerary, with bed and breakfast accommodation (luxury on ‘in style’ trips), all domestic transport, guide and entrance fees, and some lunches/dinners. International flights are not included.

Hands Up Holidays can also organise bespoke itineraries with flexible departure dates for which prices are available on request.

For further information visit www.handsupholidays.com