So what does life on the challenge actually involve? See below for an idea of what to expect…

Day 1: Arrive at Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary in the morning, we meet our team of guides and trek approximately 9km through moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen forest patches until we reach our camp site at Aanapporu. We will have some time for wildlife viewing and bird watching before enjoying a cooked dinner at camp.

Day 2: Wake up to the calls of the jungle, and depart soon after breakfast and trek deep into the jungle on 6km of tough terrain to our next campsite. On this day, you will have a bit of time to walk through lush tropical jungle to see an incredible array of birds (over 200 species in Chimmony alone!) and butterflies, including India’s largest butterfly species, the Southern Birdwing. You may also see some rare and endemic orchids flowering, as well as some larger wildlife.

Day 3: Expect an early start on this day for an early morning nature walk with our naturalist. A relaxing way to start the day, but don’t be fooled into thinking the rest of the day will follow suit…! After breakfast, you will be trekking for approximately 12km to our next campsite. At the end of the day enjoy the cascades of a nearby mountain stream. End the day gazing at the stars, as the guides regale you with jungle stories and their encounters with wild animals. Let the jungle sounds lull you to sleep before your final trekking day.

Day 4: Another early morning wakeup call to view some rare endemic bird species before trekking the 4km back to Chimmony and transfer back to Cochin where the challenge ends.

Day 5: The Project! While the trekking might be finished, your trip continues as you get to know more about the very project that you are raising funds for. Meet project staff, learn about the project work and how raised funds will be spent. We work in a school which supports low income families and a local girl’s orphanage. Due to the high level of demand classes can be very crowded making it difficult for teachers to provide the necessary level of support to students. Your support makes a valuable contribution in the school.

Field conditions

Your living conditions throughout the challenge will be tents, shared with other challengers. You should expect basic meals and outdoor facilities.

This project aims to assist disadvantaged children and orphans in the area, working with students from kindergarten to grade six who come from poor families or taken in from the streets. Through education and support we aim to build on the children’s confidence, English language abilities and attendance. Increased support will encourage these children to stay in school by providing additional focus to children who have fallen behind in their studies.

How this project makes a difference

Many students feel pressure from their families to drop out of school and start earning money but by developing English skills, the children will have a better chance of getting well-paying jobs, which require the ability to speak English. We aim to keep kids in school by providing teacher support and funding, so that the students can have the chance at a better future.

Many participants decide to travel after their challenge, solidifying the lifetime friendships established. Our long term field staff are a great source of advice and are here to help you make the most of your time abroad. Remember to ask about discounts on local activities and side trips through your association with GVI. Our Kerala field teams have helped us put together the following information on trips and travel options in India!

Optional Side Trips

Kerala offers a variety of different adventure trips from trekking to rafting, kayaking and even diving in some of the most beautiful locations that India has to offer. Close to base in Fort Kochi, the 14th century Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church and an amazing array of boutique art galleries, cafes and restaurants make for an amazing cultural experience.

One of Kerala’s finest attractions is the backwaters tour, an experience of breathtaking beauty and serenity as you snake through the incredible landscape on a houseboat. You can stay overnight, eat amazing local cuisine, and gaze at the sunset: a perfect weekend getaway.

The Periyar Forest and National Park offers safari outings and a chance to spot elephants, monkeys and tigers if you’re lucky, combined with some spectacular scenery along the way. For the more active, you can get even closer to it all with a number of trekking options.

Kerala can boast some incredible beaches within reasonable distances from your base. Marari is a short 40-minute drive with beautiful sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, while Varkala is a little further with restaurants and cafés perched spectacularly on cliffs offering incredible views of the ocean.

And if tea is your poison then this is the location for you…tea plantations stretching as far as the eye can see and jaw dropping views of mountain ranges and valleys await. There are sightseeing and trekking options available (depending on seasons) for the adventurous, or you can just sit and relax, breathe the fresh mountain air, and soak it all in.

Further Traveling Opportunities

For those with a little more time on their hands, you may want to consider some of the following. The Taj Mahal will be top of most India bucket lists but beyond this famous landmark; the quaint hill stations in Darjeeling; the Ganges at Varanasi; the desert and fort palaces of Jaisalmer and Udaipur; safari at Kanha National Park (home of Kipling’s ‘Jungle Book’); the lively nightlife of Mumbai; or the laid back atmosphere of Goa will leave you with an everlasting experience of India.

Booking Information

Applying is a simple process and our team are available to help every step of the way. To book this fantastic challenge, click on the visit GVI website button at the  top and bottom of the page, which will take you through to the GVI website. On the right side of that page, you will see available dates and the Book Now tab. Here you will find the no obligation online application form.

1. Application phone call - You will be contacted by GVI’s Country Experts within two working days to chat through your application. GVI’s specialists have a wide range of knowledge from their travels in our host countries.
2. Securing your place – A deposit will be required in order to confirm your place. You will also receive pre-departure information and a fundraising manual for your challenge
3. Pre-departure support – GVI have sent over 10,000 people away over the last 10 years, so they have a lot of experience in making sure you are ready.

Program Duration: 1 week                

Departure Date:

• 29th June 2013
• 5th October 2013
• 25th January 2014
• 10th August 2014
• 4th October 2014

Program Cost

• GBP £695.00
• EUR €834.00
• US $1182.00
• AUS $1182.00

What’s Included

• Pre-departure support and discounted services
• 24-hour emergency phone
• Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
• Arrival orientation
• Long term experienced staff
• Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
• All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
• Welcome meeting
• Location orientation
• All necessary challenge training and equipment
• 24-hour in-country support

What’s Not Included

• Flights
• Medical and travel insurance
• Visa costs
• Personal kit
• Additional drinks and gratuities
• Extra local excursions
• International and domestic airport taxes