ELSEWHERE DESTINATIONS GUIDE by isabelle.eaton

DESTINATIONS GUIDE ELSEWHERE

www.elsewhere.co.uk

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The story of ELSEWHERE

Our company goals

Why see the world with ELSEWHERE

Costa Rica

South Africa

India

UK breaks

Booking process

Kind scheme

Booking terms and conditions

The story of ELSEWHERE

ELSEWHERE was founded in 2020, it is an ecotourism platform that is built on the principles of soulful hospitality which include creating sanctuaries where individuals can learn, grow and evolve as well as recognising the humanity in each other and where travellers will leave destinations with stories to tell, enduring memories and new friendships. ELSEWHERE encourages consumers to be mindful about their travel habits. This includes everything from the way they travel to the country they are visiting, places they are staying as well as tours and activities they complete while on their holiday. Travellers are also encouraged to connect with and give back to the communities they are visiting through short term volunteering activities and supporting local organisations and family run businesses.

OUR GOALS

To improve ecosystems through the ELSEWHERE volunteering scheme, treading carefully, so as to minimise as much as possible, the impact of our travel.

To educate consumers on ethical travel and encourage volunteering on vacation in order to strengthen emotional connections to places as well as giving back to communities.

To inspire a new ethical traveller in young millennials who want to travel and have a positive impact on the world, supporting the communities who graciously share their homes with us.

Why see the world with ELSEWHERE?

WE ARE HONEST: At ELSEWHERE we are honest and transparent about our business practices. We clearly show policies such as how we judge sustainability of tours and how we judge other operators to see if they match the ELSEWHERE ethics.

WE ARE HUMANS: We recognise the humanity in each other and ourselves, in order to learn, grow and evolve we accept that perfection does not exist, we are all vulnerable, no one has a monopoly on good ideas.

WE ARE RESPONSIBLE: We endeavour to offer tours and experiences that are as responsible as possible and are constantly reviewing tours to make sure they still fit ELSEWHERE standards. We are determined that future generations continue to enjoy exploring the world as we do.

WE ARE FAIR: We pay fair wages to our staff and tour operators all over the world.

WE ARE LOCAL: We want guests to experience trips as locals, our guides and representatives are excited to introduce you to their home country and share their stories and sights as locals.

COSTA RICA 14 day Ultimate Tour Prices from Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Costa Rica at a glance

Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested destination in Central America with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific Seas. Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of the area is made up of protected jungle which is teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and birds. The country has also become a pioneer in ecotourism, in the lengths that it has gone in order to create national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation projects. It is where travellers can enjoy lovely tropical beaches, grand adventures, the wonders of nature and scintillating culture. Even though Costa Rica only covers 0.03 percent of the surface of the globe, it proudly shelters 5 percent of the existing biodiversity in the entire world, with twenty six percent of the country composed of conservation and natural protected territory including over 30 national parks.

Itinerary | Day by day 01. Start in San Jose 02. Travel to Tortuguero National Park 03. Boat tour around Tortuguero waterways, turtle volunteering, or teaching English at The Word Adventure 04. Travel to La Fortuna, near Arenal Volcano 05. La Fortuna waterfall hike; visit Arenal Volcano 06. Travel to Guiones 07. Volunteering in Guiones - Grassroots recycling or tree planting 08. Travel to Manuel Antonio 09. Volunteering helping rescued animals at Manuel Antonio National Park 10. Travel to Piedras Blancas National Park 11. Hike on the trails or turtle volunteering 12. Travel to Savegre Cloud Forest 13. Free day to explore the walking trails 14. Visit the village of Copey; travel to San José 15. End San José

MONTHS OF DEPARTURE M

Best time to travel

Deciding the best time to visit Costa Rica depends on what you want to get out of your trip. The dry season is from mid-December to April, however this is the most popular time to visit, which means busy coastal resorts and roads and higher prices. If you don’t mind getting a little wet, visit Costa Rica between May and November. June and July are good months to visit as rain showers seem to pause. We do not offer the tour during September and October as this is when the rain is at its heaviest and remote areas can become inaccessible by road.

COSTA RICA 14 day Ultimate Tour Destinations Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

San José

Tortuguero National Park

Costa Rica’s capital is a bustling city in the centre of the country. Sadly due to earthquakes, very few of the original colonial buildings remain but the city does have many interesting museums.

A protected area which can only be reached by plane or boat, Tortuguero National Park is situated on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Its jungle-lined waterways have an abundance of wildlife including caimans, Howler monkeys, blue morpho butterflies, toucans and kingfishers. The park takes its name from the turtles (Tortuga in Spanish) which nest on the beaches between July and September every year.

Arenal

Guanacaste Coast and Nicoya Peninsula

Now dormant, but once one of the most active volcanos in Central America, the sight of the volcano rising up from the lush forest below is awe-inspiring. As well as the volcano, there is plenty to see and do in the area. Hiking in the national park or relaxing in the natural hot springs are popular activities.

Playa Guiones and Tamarindo are popular resorts on this coast which boasts stunning tropical sands and amazing sunsets. The area is popular with surfers and has an altogether more relaxed feel. Many of the beaches here are also an important nesting group for turtles and there are several wildlife reserves.

COSTA RICA 14 day Ultimate Tour Destinations Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Manuel Antonio National Park

Piedras Blancas National Park

It is easy to see why this is one of Costa Rica’s most popular national parks. Lush rainforest meets stunning beaches and the Pacific Ocean. Spend some time exploring the trails throught the national park and relaxing on one of the tropical beaches.

Spanning over 14,000 hectares, this national park is among the last remaining homes of the jaguar in Costa Rica. With its lush tropical forests and plethora of indigenous plants and wildlife, the Piedras Blancas National Park also protects the northern Golfo Dulce beaches and bays. Due to its humid and hot climate, this park gets plenty of rain keeping it lush and verdant all year long. There are hundreds of rare plant, animal, and insect species found here, as well as a large number of snakes and other reptiles.

Savegre Cloud Forest The cool climate and lush cloud forest which surrounds the small town of San Gerardo do Dota is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The region is home to over 170 species of birds including hummingbirds, hawk eagles and the striking quetzal. Ancient trees covered with mosses, orchids and bromeliads, and majestic tree ferns grow surprisingly tall – classic cloud forest habitat. Long walks can be enjoyed along forest trails to hidden waterfalls and beyond.

COSTA RICA 14 day Ultimate Tour Hotels Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Adventure Inn, San José - 1 night This small and friendly hotel offers a relaxing base to start your adventure. Midway between the Airport and downtown San José, the hotel has a GreenLeaders silver certificate which has been awarded for its many sustainable practices such as energy efficiency room appliances, a solar heated swimming pool, biodegradable toiletries, water efficient showerheads and rainwater collection to water the gardens. They also donate leftover materials, such as toiletries, to local charities.

Tortuga Lodge and Gardens, Tortuga National Park - 2 nights Experience rustic elegance in the jungle. The hotel prides itself on its quiet, laid-back, tranquil atmosphere. The service style is personalised, informal and caring. There are no televisions or background music to distract you from really connecting with your surroundings and experience the serenity of nature around you whilst creating incredible memories to last a lifetime.

Heliconias Nature Lodge, La Fortuna - 2 nights This family owned and operated eco-lodge is built amongst thick jungle forest. Home-cooked Costa Rican food just like grandma made is on offer in our beautiful open air restaurant. The owner of the lodge often passes through the restaurant at night telling the story of Heliconias and letting guests try his secret honeymoonshine. When you stay here you truly feel like a part of the family.

Green Sanctuary Hotel, Playa Guiones - 2 nights Find a place lost in time.... a hotel where the recycling architecture blends with nature creating a sense of well-being. This is the first hotel to be built entirely out of containers. The beaches are one of the best places in the world to surf and are consistently awarded the Ecological Blue Flag.

COSTA RICA 14 day Ultimate Tour Hotels Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) ÂŁ5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) ÂŁ3500

Costa Verde Hotel, Manuel Antonio National Park - 2 nights This hotel is an experience unlike any you have imagined taking recycling to a whole new level. Things destined for the scrap heap have been turned into beautiful and useful attractions. Bottles from our restaurants and other local ones have been turned into lighting fixtures and integrated into walls as design elements. They also plant 10,000 plants and trees every year creating diverse eco-systems for the native wildlife.

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, Piedras Blancas National Park - 2 nights Hidden in the remote jungle and surrounded by untouched wilderness, a stay here is the perfect way to experience the sighrs and sounds of a tropical rainforest in an undisturbed atmosphere. This lodge is one of the few in Costa Rica which are 100% carbon neutral due to the reforestation of thousands of rainforest trees in nearby La Gamba. The pool is fed by a natural stream and no chemicals are used in it.

Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge, Savegre - 2 nights This eco-boutique forest lodge is situated in the valley of San Gerardo de Dota, at the heart of the Los Santos Forest reserve. The hotel offers personalised attention to detail as well as giving guests the opportunity to harmonise with nature. They have been awarded for their sustainable practices such as heating the pools using solar power, biodigradable shampoo, detergents and cleaning materials, as well as buying local ingredients and reforesting the rainforest.

COSTA RICA 14 day Ultimate Tour Volunteering Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) ÂŁ5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) ÂŁ3500

Day 3 - Tortuguero National Park

Day 3 - Tortuguero

Turtle volunteering, you will be able to play a crucial part in helping to monitor and maintain the natural resources in the park as well as ensuring that endangered sea turtles are monitored and provided with a safe place to lay their eggs.

Words Adventure was founded as a way to involve guests who stay at Tortuga Lodge to teach English to children in the local community. Many children pick up languages quickly from listening and practising words.

Day 7 - Guiones

Grassroots recycling at the Nosara Recycling Centre. The centre collects recyclables from homes and businesses and consolidates them for transport to a facility that can repurpose them for raw materials. Help the staff to sort out the and condense the recyclables. You will also have the opportunity to put your creativity to work helping staff make craft projects out of recyclables that are sold to fundraise for the centre.

Tree planting at Costas Verdes a project that has planted over 6500 trees of 30 different native species. Volunteers have the opportunity to work with staff on large scale reforestation projects. This work can include tending to seedlings in the nursery, collecting native seeds and saplings from the nearby forest and digging holes and planting trees.

COSTA RICA 14 day Ultimate Tour Volunteering Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) ÂŁ5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) ÂŁ3500

Day 9 - Manuel Antonio National Park

Day 11 - Osa Peninsula

Work behind the scenes assisting park rangers. You will be working to create and maintain visitor trails and other park infrastructure, as well as helping out with the rescued animals who live at the park.

Only a one hour drive from the hotel is the beautiful Osa Peninsula. This is the base for LAST (Latin American Sea Turtles Association). Their primary activity is to collect data about the turtle population in order to build the knowledge base and research. You will join in with the staff on boating expeditions to trap and tag turtles and study their behaviour patterns, as well as helping with the mangrove restoration project.

South Africa 14 day Garden Route and Cape Town Tour Couple flights inclusive £5500

Solo traveller flights inclusive £3500

MONTHS OF DEPARTURE M

South Africa at a glance

Best time to travel

The Garden Route is undeniably one of the most stunning coastal roads in the world. High on the must-see lists of most visitors to South Africa, you cannot fail to be seduced by the glorious natural beauty of this coastline which is dotted with spotless beaches and pretty bays with crashing waves. It is the lush greenness of the countryside which gives the Garden Route its name, and taking the back roads through the forests, across picture-perfect stone bridges that date back over a hundred year and past picturesque lagoons and lakes is a great way to get off-the-beaten track here. In short, the Garden Route is all about nature and the huge variety of ways to get close to it and enjoy it. In contrast, the busy metropolis of Cape Town, is rightfully recognised as one of the most iconic cities in the world and will undoubtedly also prove to be a real highlight of your holiday in South Africa.

The Garden Route has an all-year-round temperate climate that is perfectly suited to being outdoors. Temperatures are highest in the summer months (November to April), although this stretch of coastline does get very busy over the Christmas school holidays. To enjoy a holiday without the crowds, the best time to visit is from February to April but remember that unlike Cape Town, you can experience rain at any time of year on the Garden Route. Temperatures rarely fall below 16°C, even in winter, so your decision as to when to go should also depend on your interests: whale watching season runs from July to October (peaking in September) and hiking is also good in winter.

Itinerary | Day by day 01. Start in Port Elizabeth; transfer to Sundays River Valley 02. Volunteering at African Horizon or Jeffrey’s Bay Kindergarten 03. Game Drives in Addo National Park 04. Drive to Storms River; explore Tsitsikamma 05. Volunteering in Plettenberg Bay at a Wine Farm or Ocean Conservation 06. Morning visit to Knysna Heads; afternoon to Oudtshroom 07. Visit Cango Caves and Meiringspoort Waterfall 08. Travel to Hermanus via Mossel Bay 09. Whale watching 10. Travel to wine region; afternoon wine tour and on to Cape Town 11. Free day to explore Cape Town 12. Cape Town visit to Table mountain 13. Visit Cape Peninsula and Simonstown penguin colony 14. Volunteering at SANCOB or Oude Molen Eco Village 15. End Cape Town

South Africa 14 day Garden Route and Cape Town Tour Destinations Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Addo National Park

Tsitsikamma National Park

Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is one of the country’s 20 national parks. Now South Africa’s third largest national reserve, Addo Elephant National Park lies in the malaria-free Sundays River valley in the Eastern Cape. Addo is home to one of the densest African Elephant populations on earth, roughly 550 of them.

Bordered by the Tsitsikamma Mountains to the north and sweeping down towards the dramatic Indian Ocean shoreline, the Tsitsikamma National Park covers 50 miles of stunning coastline and indigenous forest and is a haven for birds and marine life. There are many walking trails to explore or for the more adventurous, ziplining through the canopy from Storms River Village.

Knysna

Oudtshroom

This lively coastal fishing town is renowned for its oysters. It also boasts a wide variety of shopping opportunities, delicious cuisine and a rich cultural heritage to explore. From Knysna we will take a boat trip to the sheltered Knysna Lagoon.

This desert-like place is famed as being the ostrich capital of the world. Visit a working ostrich farm and learn about these fascinating creatures, before meeting and feeding the resident ostriches. Then head to CP New Museum to learn about how the ostrich trade shaped this town’s history.

South Africa 14 day Garden Route and Cape Town Tour Destinations Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Cango Caves

Cape Town

Venture underground into one of South Africa’s foremost natural wonders. See spectacular limestone formations that developed over hundreds of thousands of years as you descend though narrow tunnels into cavernous halls which were once used as a concert hall.

Cape Town is a port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the busy harbour and boats heading for Robben Island, the notorious prison that once held Nelson Mandela, which is now a living museum. Cultivated areas, such as the historic Company’s Garden, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden and Green Point Urban Park, also make exploring the city a pleasure.

Hermanus The pretty town of Hermanus is particularly popular from July to November when southern right whales settle in Walker Bay to breed. This town is the best land-based whale watching place in the world, where the majestic creatures can be seen from the rocky shore as they break the water, often only metres away. Dolphins, seals, penguins and great white sharks can also be seen in this area.

South Africa 14 day Garden Route Tour Hotels Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Addo Dung Beetle Guest Farm, Sundays River Valley – 3 nights This beautiful Guest Farm is on a working citrus farm only 4km from the main gate of the Addo Elephant National Park. The citrus part of the farm covers an area of around 350ha and has an estimated 151,000 individual trees. All of our rooms are different, the bush cabins being situated on different levels of the hillside in the 140ha safari area. Furniture in the bedrooms is made from local woods found in the area, such as Yellow Wood, Oak, Sneeze Wood and Black Wood. You will experience a real escape from everyday life at this friendly, welcoming guest farm.

Teniqua Treetops, Knysna Forest, Sedgefield – 4 nights Nature loving adventurers will love this unique and quirky lodge which is off the beaten track and partially off the grid. All of the suites are built into a gorge with access from the ground level. The front of the suite is built on stilts ranging from two to six metres above ground giving amazing views of the Karatara Gorge or the magnificent Knysna Forest. Some of the suites are fitted with dry compost toilets, other suites are connected to septic tanks and soak-away pits which avoid damage to the root bed of the forest floor. All household and laundry detergents are bio-degradable and eco-friendly. Where possible we only use glass bottles and where there is no alternative, we only use multiuse, recycled plastic. Water is drawn from the Karatara River and no chemicals are used in our filtration system.

South Africa 14 day Garden Route Tour Hotels Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, Hermanus – 2 nights Owned by the Lutzeyer family since 1991, this luxury hotel situated between mountains, forest and sea has won countless eco-tourism awards for its innovative new ways of doing things and its pioneering support of the eco-system and local community. The Grootbos Foundation works tirelessly to conserve the critically endangered fynbos as well as transforming the lives of community members by offering them employment and training opportunities. This is a truly luxurious reserve where you will be welcomed as a guest but will leave as a friend.

Hotel Verde, Cape Town – 5 nights This modern hotel offers a 100% offset carbon-neutral stay with its holistic approach to sustainability. It boasts a greywater plant which recycles water from showers and baths for use in its toilets, saving 6000 litres of drinking water a day, has energy-generating gym equipment and a zero waste-to-landfill goal. The hotel restaurant’s menu features ingredients which are locally produced, responsibly sourced and seasonal. Hotel Verde is extremely proud of its 6-Star “Green Star SA Existing Building Performance (EBP)” which was awarded by The Green Building Council of South Africa and is considered to be Africa’s greenest hotel.

South Africa 14 day Garden Route Tour Volunteering Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Day 2 - Sundays River Valley

African Horizon Sanctuary is a centre primarily set up for animals who are either infants or seriously injured adults. Your role at the sanctuary will be preparing food for the animals as well as maintaining and cleaning enclosures.

Jeffrey’s Bay Kindergarten, a nursery for disadvantaged children. The nursery provides education and stimulation to provide educational experiences to the children. Your responsibilities will be assisting children with educational activities, and playing with them to keep them occupied.

Day 5 - Plettenberg Bay

The Wine farm experience is a family run boutique wine estate that has successfully grown since its founding in 2008. You will learn about the processes on how wine is made and can volunteer in roles such as harvesting grapes, pruning and wine maturation.

Learn about and practice ocean conservation techniques together with biologists. Some of the activities you could be involved in are humpback dolphin photo-identification, beach surveys and clean ups as well as alien vegetation clearing and new tree planting.

South Africa 14 day Garden Route Tour Volunteering Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) ÂŁ5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) ÂŁ3500

Day 14 - Cape Town

Oude Molen Eco Village is a vibrant multi-purpose village. Home to a range of respected social enterprises that provide valuable services to benefit the local communities. Volunteers can help with a variety of roles which include looking after the organic farm and stables.

South Africa is home to amazing varieties of coastal wildlife, much of which has come under threat from pollution and human activities and habitation. Volunteering at SANCOB gives you the opportunity to work alongside the team and accompany them on seabird release trips.

India 14 day Golden Triangle and Beyond Tour Couple flights inclusive £5500

Solo traveller flights inclusive £3500

MONTHS OF DEPARTURE M

India at a glance Rajasthan, or the ‘Land of the Kings’ which it translates to in English, is the jewel in India’s crown. It is a land of maharajas and medieval forts, palaces and tigers and colourful festivals celebrating the rich heritage and culture of the state. From grand palaces to ancient temples, mouth-watering delicacies to desert sand dunes – Rajasthan simply has it all. The rich Indian cuisine, a delicious blend of vegetables, buttermilk and natural homemade spices not to mention the delectable sweet desserts will be a delight to most palates. Rajasthan also has a history of folklore and traditional art forms that date back centuries. Puppetry is considered one of the most important art forms in Rajasthan and puppetry artists enchant audiences with their exceptional story telling and mastery. The region is also famous for its traditional dance forms.

Best time to travel

The best time to visit Rajasthan is from October to April. Avoid the months in between when temperatures can get close to 50°C. Daytimes are warm, even in winter, though nights are chilly in the desert. December is the most popular time of year to go.

Itinerary | Day by day 01. Start in Delhi, half day city tour 02. Volunteer day Robin Hood Army or Friendicoes 03. Travel to to Agra, afternoon visit to the Red Fort 04. Sunrise at the Taj Mahal followed by volunteering at Agra Elephant or Bear sanctuary 05. Drive to Ranthambore National Park, evening game drive 06. Morning game drive travel to Bundi in the Aravalli Hills, visit Bundi Fort 07. Travel to to Jodhpur 08. Volunteering at Mandore Project 09. Day to explore Jodhpur 10. Drive to Jaipur 11. Volunteering at an orphanage or school for street children 12. Sightseeing in Jaipur - Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, Royal Observatory and City Palace 13. Fast train to Delhi, optional afternoon sightseeing tour 14. End Delhi

India 14 day Golden Triangle and beyond Tour destinations Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Delhi

Agra

The cosmopolitan capital of India is a frenetic introduction to the world’s largest democracy. Explore the grand colonial architecture of New Delhi and the narrow, hectic streets and bazaars of the old city. Enjoy delicious Indian food in traditional establishments or the growing range of stylish restaurants and bars that are becoming a big part of modern Delhi’s nightlife.

The highlight of a visit to Agra is the magnificent Taj Mahal, built as a symbol of one man’s devotion to the woman he loved and lost. It is without a doubt India’s most iconic landmark. The experience of just being there is magical and is sure to be a highlight of any trip to India. Its shimmering white marble clad domes are a sight to behold at sunrise. The city is also home to the impressive Agra Fort from where you can enjoy the views of the Taj Mahal and over the Yamuna River.

Ranthambore National Park

Bundi

A former maharaja’s hunting ground, this national park covers over 300,000 acres of dry, deciduous bush land and is best known for its tigers. The park is also home to marsh crocodiles, sambar deer and many different types of birds. Game drives take place early morning and late afternoon when the tigers and other wildlife are at their most active. The welfare of the tigers is priority and even if tigers are spotted elsewhere in the reserve, you may not see them as routes are set in advance and are strictly enforced.

Bundi is a captivating town of narrow lanes of Brahminblue houses with a temple on virtually every corner. Looking down over Bundi is a fantastical palace of faded cupolas and loggias rising from the hills behind the town. Though an increasingly popular traveller destination, Bundi attracts nothing like the tourist crowds of places such as Jaipur or Agra. Few places in Rajasthan retain so much of the magical atmosphere of centuries past. A visit here is a must on a trip to India.

India 14 day Golden Triangle and beyond Tour destinations Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

Jodhpur

Jaipur

The so-called “Blue City” of Jodhpur is situated in the Thar Desert in the northwest of Rajasthan. Its 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort which towers over the walled city is a former palace which is now a museum. Inside the 16th Century city walls are a mass of medieval streets where you can lose yourself in amongst the hundreds of shops, guesthouses and eating establishments. Jodhpur is a lively, bustling city, especially in the area around the landmark clock tower and Sardar Market.

The capital of India’s Rajasthan state and known as the “Pink City” because of the colour of its buildings, Jaipur has many historic sites dating back to the 18th Century, including the Amber Fort which is 7 miles from the city. In the centre of the city stands the City Palace complex with its gardens, courtyards and museums. We will also visit another palace called Hawa Mahal and the Royal Observatory. The city offers great shopping and was once considered the world’s gemstone capital. It is particularly well known for its beautiful jewellery and its many handicrafts.

India 14 day Golden Triangle and beyond Tour Hotels Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

The Park Hotel, New Delhi – 1 night Centrally situated in New Delhi, The Park Hotel is a luxury hotel which has succeeded in integrating contemporary design with local crafts. Accessories provided in the rooms are all well-designed and ecofriendly, for example unbleached cotton laundry and newspaper bags, wood free pencils and jute slippers. The clothing boutique, the Box, in the hotel lobby only stocks eco-compatible products. In the restaurant only organic ingredients and traditional cooking processes are used. Excess food is distributed to local food banks and food leftovers are given to animal shelters. All rubbish bags used in the hotel are biodegradable.

The Gateway Hotel, Agra – 2 nights The magnificent views of the Taj Mahal are what makes this hotel stand out. It is also proud to be the most ecofriendly hotel in the area. Organic fruit and vegetables are grown in its own gardens and only eco-friendly products are used for pest and mosquito control. Any leftover produce is sent to a nearby Mother Teresa home. Due to the frequent power outtages in India, most hotels have diesel-fueled generators, The Gateway is currently converting its generator to compressed natural gas. Rainwater is reused for irrigating the grounds of the hotel as is waste water which is treated in the hotel’s own plant.

Hotel Juna Mahal, Ranthambore National Park 1 night This newly-built boutique property in the Ranthambore National Park is the only one which conceptualises the “Green Building Model” and is eco-friendly in nature. The material used in the construction of the hotel is made of recycled goods. Rooms are decorated with classic and comfortable furnishings. Outside, you can relax by the pool or in the gardens of the hotel. Another advantage of this property is being located only minutes from the gates of the National Park.

India 14 day Golden Triangle and beyond Tour Hotels Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) £5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) £3500

The Hadoti Palace, Bundi – 1 night The Hadoti Palace Hotel has introduced many environmentally friendly features over recent years. Water used in the hotel is heated by solar power, all lighting in the property uses CFL lightbulbs and energy saving key cards for hotel room doors. The hotel also harvests rain water to water the hotel grounds along with using local produce in its restaurant. For the car enthusiast, this hotel also has a vintage and classic car museum. After your busy day travelling and exploring Bundi, relax by the pool with a drink and enjoy a delicious meal in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant.

Ranbanka Palace, Jodhpur – 3 nights The Ranbanka Palace Hotel is another hotel which thrives on sustainability. Its boutique sells only merchandise which is manufactured by local craftsmen and women, for example silver jewellery, blankets, Rajasthani puppets, exquisitely embroidered Kashmiri shawls and many other locally produced items. Guests can also take advantage of in-room shopping where some of the city’s best artisans, for example famous bangle craftsmen, tie and dye artists and earthenware potters, will visit your room with their wares. Three of Jodhpur’s best yoga instructors are also available and provide a variety of classes either in a group or private session. We also have a bakery which uses only organic ingredients which come from the hotel’s own orchards and farms.

Rambagh Palace, Jaipur – 3 nights Whilst in Jaipur, we will experience our most luxurious stay of the tour at the fabulous Rambagh Palace Heritage Hotel. Originally built in 1835 for the Queen of Jaipur’s favourite handmaiden but was converted into a palace in 1925. It generates a portion of the electricity it uses from solar energy and has installed energy efficient lighting throughout the property. Rainwater is stored and used to water the beautiful lawns and grounds of the hotel. After a busy day volunteering or sightseeing, enjoy a swim in the fabulous pool or stroll the grounds of this magnificent hotel. Who would have thought that you could minimise your carbon footprint whilst

staying in a palace like this.

India 14 day Golden Triangle and beyond Tour Volunteering Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) ÂŁ5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) ÂŁ3500

Day 2 - Delhi

Robin Hood Army a zero funds volunteer organisation working to distribute surplus foods from restaurants and communities to the less fortunate, which include homeless families and orphanages. Volunteers will be teamed up with another Robin Hood Army volunteer to collect food from restaurants.

Spend the day at Friendicoes, the oldest animal shelter in Delhi having been founded over 35 years ago. Volunteers can get involved in walking the dogs, cleaning out cages and playing with puppies and kittens to keep them stimulated.

Day 4 - Agra

Day 8 - Jodhpur

Wildlife SOS is actively working to protect Indian wildlife which is under severe threat. The sanctuary is committed to taking action against animal cruelty, rescuing wildlife in distress, working to resolve man-animal conflicts as well as educating the public. Volunteering at either the Bear or Elephant Sanctuary will be making a major contribution to the lives of these animals. Volunteer activities include food preparation, feeding animals, making enrichment activities for the animals and maintaining enclosures.

The Mandore Project is an initiative aimed at improving the lives of the disadvantaged people of Rajasthan as well as focusing on improving the basic infrastructure in schools with the belief that education is a critical requisite for socio-economic change. Volunteers can get involved with many initiatives such as planting vegetables, community development and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s empowerment.

India 14 day Golden Triangle and beyond Tour Volunteering Prices from: Couple (flights inclusive) ÂŁ5500

Solo traveller (flights inclusive) ÂŁ3500

Day 11 - Jaipur

Volunteering at the local orphanage, here ypu will need to be able to give love, care, affection and attention to the kids in need. Volunteers here will work alongside staff to run a morning routine, assisting with feeding and bathing the children, and creating and implementing fun activities for the children to take part in.

School for street children has been running since 2006, it is a project for uplifting the lives of underprivileged children in the area. Volunteers here will be able to assist with teaching basic skills in English and Maths, as well as implementing creative activities such as art, music and dance.

UK Breaks These breaks are designed for UK residents who still want to do some volunteering, as part of a holiday. Have a change of scenery, and to have the experience of staying in a soulful hotel but do not want to fly anywhere to reduce their carbon footprint.

UK | Northumberland 7 day volunteering adventures Prices from: Couple £1100 Solo traveller £650

MONTHS OF DEPARTURE M

Battlesteads Hotel and Restaurant, Nr Hexham, Northumberland The Battlesteads Hotel is proud to be the greenest hotel in Northumberland and one of only two hotels in the country to hold a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme. Sustainability is intrinsically woven into every aspect of this hotel’s operations from the big things, like the carbon-neutral heating and hot water system, the extensive gardens with two polytunnels which provide fresh fruit and vegetables for the kitchen throughout the year to the small stuff, like our locally sourced organic toiletries, the use of empty toilet roll inners for potting seedlings and the wormeries munching through kilos of food waste turning it into compost. The most recent addition to the hotel’s sustainability credentials is a wild mushroom farm which is housed in an old shipping container on site. The walled garden visible from the conservatory is specially planted to encourage wildlife - the boiler house has a bat box and an owl box and there are lots of bird-feeders to encourage the many smaller species in the area. The hotel also supports “Save Our Squirrels”, there is a squirrel pack in every room!! A stay here will leave you completely amazed at the amount that this hotel is doing to help the environment.

Volunteering While you are here take a trip to Northumberland’s stunning coastline and wetlands, with many different volunteering activities to get involved in. You will have the opportunity to restore footpaths and clear vegetation at Newton Pool Nature Reserve, as well as ragwort pulling, meadow management and path repairs along this beautiful stretch of coastline, where you will be surrounded by the spectacular North Sea views.

UK | Inverness 7 day volunteering adventures Prices from: Couple ÂŁ1050

Solo traveller ÂŁ600

MONTHS OF DEPARTURE M

Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness Kingsmills Hotel is a 4-star hotel in Inverness with a rich and diverse heritage dating back to the 18th century. It is deeply committed to sustainability and this has become a leading influence at the core of the company ethos. Staying here will prove to be an unforgettable experience without over-consumption and negatively affecting our planet. The many environmentally friendly practices adopted by the hotel include recording and evaluating the consumption of energy, water usage and waste throughout the hotel in order to determine targets for reduction, managing and recycling waste from the hotel and recycling food waste into compost. The hotel has also ended the use of single use plastics and has introduced eco-friendly toiletries throughout the rooms and public bathrooms in the hotel which saves over 180,000 plastic bottles annually.

Volunteering Play your part as a marine biologist surveying the seal population in Findhorn Bay on the northeastern tip of Scotland, this will help provide valuable research to learn about the seal population and help the future generations of seals here to thrive. You will be taking part in activities such as conducting surveys to monitor the breeding of the colony, as well as investigating water quality and looking to see if pollution such as plastic is affecting the population.

UK | Oxfordshire 7 day volunteering adventures Prices from: Couple £850

Solo traveller £650

MONTHS OF DEPARTURE M

Artist Residence, Oxfordshire This exquisite hotel is conveniently located only a few minutes from Wytham Woods, 15 minutes from Oxford’s city centre and a similar distance from the Cotswolds. Guests staying here can expect fresh air, fresh food and fields of green, making it the perfect place for an eco-weekend getaway. Committed to reducing its carbon footprint, food served in the hotel is sourced within 25 miles wherever possible with much of it grown in their own kitchen garden, allowing you to enjoy the very best of local dining. There are bicycles available to borrow and all bathroom products are organic.

Volunteering How is climate change affecting our forests? By volunteering you can play a part in answering that question, in Wytham woods near Oxford. Volunteering will allow you to work as a data collector alongside the environmental scientists studying the area. You will also have the opportunity to put on a white lab coat and spend some time analysing your findings in the lab.

UK | Bodmin Moor, Cornwall 7 day volunteering adventures Prices from: Couple ÂŁ600

Solo traveller ÂŁ400

MONTHS OF DEPARTURE M

Redgate Smithy Bed and Breakfast Built around 200 years ago, Redgate Smithy is a friendly and professionally run B&B perfectly situated on the edge of Bodmin Moor, just above Golitha Falls, and in the heart of SE Cornwall. Golitha Falls just down the lane are a tranquil and mysterious place. This property has been awarded the Secta Green Acorn Sustainable Tourism Award which means that the hotel has carried out at least 25 actions to reduce the impact of their business, and that of their guests, on the environment.

Volunteering Butterflies are not only beautiful; but they are a significant indicator of the health of an eco-system. This volunteering will give you the chance to improve the moorland habitat for butterflies by clearing gorse, while learning more about butterflies.

Booking Process

ELSEWHERE prides itself on offering consumers a hospitable journey throughout their travel experience. Your journey will begin with a booking process which is built on human interaction. Our unique travel and volunteer programmes are customised specifically to make a difference to the world and communities as well as leaving consumers with a memorable experience.

1. BROWSE AND DISCOVER

2. RECEIVE YOUR ITINERARY

3. BOOK

4. TRAVEL AND REVIEW

Kind scheme Volunteering is an integral part of the ELSEWHERE philosophy therefore the kind scheme has been developed to encourage customers to gain points for their volunteering. Volunteering activities have varying amounts of points associated with them. There will also be a competitive aspect to the kind scheme, including a “Writer of the Month” awarded to the best write up about a volunteering experience which has been submitted to us. This will be shared on our education page and our social media platforms. We will also run a “Volunteer of the Year” competition which will be awarded to the person who achieves the highest number of volunteering points. The winner will have a tree planted in their name in a place of their choice.

Terms and Conditions ELSEWHERE draws up on the following standard booking conditions: 1. Introduction Please read these booking conditions carefully before confirming your trip with us. As they set out our respective rights and obligations. If you have any further questions after reading these booking conditions, then please contact our customer services team who will be happy to help you. 2. Booking 2.1 By making a booking, you agree on behalf of all persons detailed on the booking that you have read these booking conditions and agree to be bound by them and you are over 18 years of age. 2.2 When you make your booking you must pay the relevant deposit as specified at the time of booking. If you believe that any details on the booking summary (or any other document) are wrong you must advise us immediately as it may not be possible to make changes later, and you may incur charges. 2.3 Please check that all names, dates and timings are correct on receipt of all documents and advise us of any errors immediately. We will not make any charge for changes to documents, but you will have to pay any charges made by suppliers. Please ensure that full names are given that are the same as in the relevant passport. 3. Payment 3.1 You will be required to pay a deposit or make full payment for your booking at the time of booking. Where you only pay a deposit, you must pay the full balance by the balance due date notified to you. If full payment is not received by the balance due date, we will notify the supplier who may cancel your booking and charge the cancellation fees set out in their booking conditions. 4. Your contract 4.1 When making your booking we will arrange for you to enter into contracts with the suppliers (tour operator, airline, hotels etc) named on your booking summary. The supplier’s booking conditions will apply to your booking and we advise you to read these carefully as they contain important information about your booking. 4.2 ELSEWHERE has no responsibility for any items purchased from third parties such as additional airport transfers and car rental. In this case contracts will be with the individual suppliers and not with us. 5. If you want to change or cancel your holiday 5.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us in writing and will not take effect until received by us. If you cancel or amend your booking there may be cancellation or amendment charges. 6. Complaints 6.1 If you have a problem whilst away, this must be reported to ELSEWHERE or the local ELSEWHERE rep immediately. If you fail to follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity to investigate and rectify your complaint. The amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced or you may not receive any at all depending upon the circumstances. 6.2 If you wish to complain when you return home, please contact our Customer Service teams. 6.3 You can access the European Commission Online Dispute (ODR) Resolution platform at http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr/. This ODR platform is a means of notifying us of your complaint; it will not determine how your complaint should be resolved. 7. Your financial protection 7.1 Many of the travel arrangements that we sell are protected in the case of the financial failure of the travel company. Please ask us about the protection that applies to your booking. 7.2 All of our bookings are ATOL protected if you require any further information on ATOL protection please get in touch with our customer services team 8. ABTA We are a Member of ABTA. We are obliged to maintain a high standard of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. We can also offer you ABTA’s scheme for the resolution of disputes which is approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. If we can’t resolve your complaint, go to www.abta.com to use ABTA’s simple procedure. Further information on the Code and ABTA’s assistance in resolving disputes can be found at www.abta.com. 9. Special Requests If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the supplier, but we do not guarantee that they will be met, and we will have no liability to you if they are not. 10. Insurance

Terms and conditions We strongly recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance at the time of booking, please check your application thoroughly to ensure all details are correct and that all relevant information has been provided by you (e.g. pre-existing medical conditions). Failure to disclose relevant information will affect your insurance. If you fail to travel with adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses in respect of which would have been covered by such insurance. Your insurance should offer cover for you and your party against the cost of cancellation by you; the cost of assistance (including repatriation) in the event of accident or illness; loss of baggage and money; and other expenses. 11. Accommodation 11.1 Accommodation ratings are displayed as provided by the supplier. These are intended to give a guide to the services and facilities you should expect from your accommodation. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of any ratings given and no warranty is given or implied. 11.2 Safety standards in some countries may differ from those applicable in the United Kingdom. We strongly advise that all customers seek to minimise their exposure to injury by familiarising themselves with relevant safety information. 11.3 After registration, on arrival at your accommodation, you will be allocated a room. It is your responsibility to verify the check-in and check-out times directly with your accommodation supplier. 12. Delivery of Documents All documents (e.g. invoices/tickets/Insurance policies) will be sent to you by post or email (if post they will be recorded signed for delivery). Once documents leave our offices, we will not be responsible for their loss unless such loss is due to our negligence. You must pay any charges made by suppliers if tickets or other documents need to be reissued. 13. Passports, Visas and Health 13.1 We can provide general information about the passport and visa requirements for your trip, but this is for guidance only and it remains your responsibility to check the requirements before you travel. Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/ or Consulates. Neither we nor the supplier accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements. 14. Final Travel Arrangements Please ensure that all your travel, passport, visa and insurance documents are in order and that you arrive in plenty of time for checking in at the airport. It may be necessary to reconfirm your flight with the airline prior to departure. Please ask us for details at least 72 hours before your outbound flight. You should take a note of any reference number or contact name when reconfirming. If you fail to reconfirm you may be refused permission to board the aircraft and you are unlikely to receive any refund. 15. Unavoidable and Extraordinary Circumstances Except where otherwise expressly stated in these booking conditions we will not be liable or pay you compensation if our obligations to you are affected by any circumstances which we or the supplier of the service in question could not have avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken. These circumstances can include, but are not limited to, war, threat of war, civil strife, terrorist activity and its consequences or the threat of such activity, riot, the act of any government or other national or local authority, industrial dispute, natural or nuclear disaster, fire, chemical or biological disaster, weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the destination and all similar events outside our control or the control of the supplier concerned. 16. Behaviour Please be aware that the booking conditions of the supplier will normally state that your stay can be terminated, with no refund, if the behaviour of your party falls below an acceptable standard. Suppliers will also often require you to pay for any damage you cause to the accommodation in resort. We are under no obligation to you if any event such as this occurs. You agree to indemnify us for the full amount of any claim (including all legal costs) made against us by the supplier or any third party as a result of your conduct. 17. Privacy notice We are committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information. Our privacy notice is available on our website. 18. Law and Jurisdiction These booking conditions are governed by English law and the parties agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Isabelle Eaton www.elsewhere.co.uk