Discovery Adventures Offers Travelers A Chance To Give Back To Local Communities In Tours To Thailand, Southern Africa And Peru
(Toronto, September 4, 2013) "” Discovery Adventures, the tour operator developed in partnership with Discovery Communications and G Adventures, offers three exciting trips for travelers looking to support special community initiatives and projects, as well as engage with local cultures. These three tours "“ Thailand and Angkor Wat Cultural Journey, Southern Africa Safari, and Amazon & Incan Adventure "“ allow participants to understand local issues through visits to community projects and immersion into the local culture.
New Hope in Thailand and Cambodia
On the Thailand & Angkor Wat Cultural Journey, travelers will visit New Hope, a Planeterra supported project located in Mondul 3, Siem Reap, one of the poorest areas in Cambodia. The project's mission is to restore dignity and hope to communities consisting of displaced men, women, children and families through workshops that provide people with skills they can use to earn a living. The workshops include sewing classes, tourism courses and a cooking and hospitality school. Additional highlights of the tour include a visit to the Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre which raises money for conservation, public awareness campaigns and daily care of elephants. At the center, visitors can view the facility, learn about the history of elephants in Thailand, and even ride an elephant.
Supporting Africa Children’s Day School
On the Southern Africa Safari tour, visitors can interact with local communities and support basic needs such as the Hope Africa Children's Day School, a Planeterra volunteer project, in the Shalati Village. The School supports more than 80 children under the age of five and provides activities, meals and the opportunity to begin their education. Guests can engage with the children and receive a firsthand glance of life in the community of Shalati. Other highlights of the trip include a guided tour of historic Pretoria, home to Freedom Park and the Union Buildings; a home-cooked dinner with a local Afrikaner family; and a guided tour of Victoria Falls including a farewell dinner and drumming session.
Ccaccaccollo Community visit with Inca Adventure
Notable activities and visits for the Amazon & Incan Adventure tour include a trip to the Ccaccaccollo Community and the Planeterra Women's Weaving Project. Here, participants can meet the women, learn about the weaving process and watch demonstrations of wool dying and ancient weaving techniques. Travelers are also given the opportunity to purchase beautiful, high quality textiles directly from the women who create them. Additional highlights of the tour include a visit to Machu Picchu and the Sillustani ruins; a boat tour of Taquile and Uros Islands on Lake Titicaca; and a visit to Bodega Santiago Queirolo with a Pisco Sour demonstration and tasting.
Combining Adventure with Contribution and Involvement
"Discovery Adventures is pleased to offer three wonderful tours that promote the principle of supporting special causes, especially to children in underserved communities," said Jackie Garrity, Innovation Manager at G Adventures. "These trips give travelers an opportunity to combine adventure with contribution and involvement."
"Each tour is designed to allow Discovery Adventures guests to become fully immersed in the culture of their destination,” said Elizabeth Bakacs, Vice President of Licensing, Discovery Channel. "Discovery Channel's core values include making a positive impact in local communities around the world and these trips extend that opportunity to adventure travelers, creating truly once in a lifetime experiences."
The expertly guided Thailand & Angkor Wat Cultural Journey, Southern Africa Safari, and Amazon & Incan Adventuretours include daily breakfast, comfortable accommodations, transportation, certified drivers/guides and an array of educational tours.
