World ExpeditionsBig Adventures. Small Footprint.https://assets.worldexpeditions.com/BlogMount Kosciuszko climb in photos: $50K raised from Charity Challengehttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/4979/50k-raised-from-mount-kosciuszko-charity-challengeCommunity,Charity Challenges,Destinations,Australia, New Zealand &amp; the Pacific,AustraliaThu, 10 Feb 2022 01:22:51 GMT<p>30 superstar participants joined distinguished Australian mountaineer Tim Macartney-Snape on an expedition on Saturday, February 5, 2022, to raise much-needed funds for ground staff in Nepal and Peru who are impacted by the ongoing pandemic.</p> <p>The result? Over $50,000 was fundraised for the 'Grants 4 Ground Staff' appeal under the charitable wing, <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/World-Expeditions-Foundation" target="_blank">World Expeditions Foundation</a> (and still going!). You can <a href="https://grants4groundstaff.gofundraise.com.au/" target="_blank">make a donation via this page</a>.</p> <p><img alt="Hiking to Mt Kosciuszko" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142996" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-to-Mt-Kosciuszko-Sign-1142996-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-to-Mt-Kosciuszko-Sign-1142996-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Veteran Peru expert <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/2467/on-the-couch-with-andreas-holland" target="_blank">Andreas Holland</a>, Upper Mustang trekking specialist <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/3271/margie-thomas-nepal-upper-mustang-trek" target="_blank">Margie Thomas</a> and World Expeditions CEO Sue Badyari also joined the 30 enthusiastic travellers rallying behind the cause to summit Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s tallest mountain.</p> <p><img alt="Margie Thomas and Tim Macartney-Snape hiking Mt Kosciuszko for World Expeditions Foundation Charity Challenge | <i>Margie Thomas</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142982" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Margie-Thomas-and-Tim-Macartney-Snape-hiking-Mt-Kosciuszko-1142982-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Margie-Thomas-and-Tim-Macartney-Snape-hiking-Mt-Kosciuszko-1142982-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>But it was no easy feat, with each person opting to return via the tougher route alongside Everest mountaineering legend and World Expeditions' long-time guide, Tim Macartney-Snape.</p> <p><img alt="Hiking in Kosciuszko National Park" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142997" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142997-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142997-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <h2><strong>The summit walk to Mt Kosciuszko</strong></h2> <p>Participants embarked on the demanding 12-hour trek via Blue Lake to Kosciuszko's rooftop and through the South Ramshead 'goat trail' to Dead Horse Gap for the return.</p> <p><img alt="Hiking to Mount Kosciuszko" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142999" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-to-Mount-Kosciuszko-1142999-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-to-Mount-Kosciuszko-1142999-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><carouselsource aspectratio="4x3" data-plugin-options="{'items': 3, 'margin': 10, 'nav': true, 'dots': false}"><img alt="Hiking in Kosciuszko National Park | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142985" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142985-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142985-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Hiking in Kosciuszko National Park | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142983" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142983-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142983-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Alpine lakes in Kosciuszko National Park | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142984" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Alpine-lakes-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142984-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Alpine-lakes-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142984-###width###px.jpg" /> </carouselsource></div>   <p>While it was anticipated to be a relatively achievable walk, walkers were faced with some interesting weather of below zero temperatures with the windchill factor, ferocious winds, swollen rivers and some really gnarly weather.</p> <p><img alt="Hiking in Kosciuszko National Park | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142986" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park---Margie-Thomas-1142986-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park---Margie-Thomas-1142986-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>But come the afternoon, the weather thankfully cleared up for a delightful summit hike, with everyone reaching the top of the 2228-metre peak.</p> <p><img alt="Hiking in Kosciuszko National Park" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142991" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142991-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142991-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><carouselsource aspectratio="4x3" data-plugin-options="{'items': 3, 'margin': 10, 'nav': true, 'dots': false}"><img alt="Vistas in Kosciuszko National Park" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142990" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Mt-Kosciuszko-Charity-Challenge-WEF-1142990-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Mt-Kosciuszko-Charity-Challenge-WEF-1142990-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Wildflowers in Kosciuszko National Park wilderness | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142988" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Wildflowers-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-wilderness-1142988-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Wildflowers-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-wilderness-1142988-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Hiking in Kosciuszko National Park | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1143003" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143003-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143003-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Alpine lakes of Kosciuszko National Park | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1143106" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Alpine-lakes-of-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143106-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Alpine-lakes-of-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143106-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Flowers in the wilderness of Kosciuszko National Park" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1143001" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Flowers-in-the-wilderness-of-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143001-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Flowers-in-the-wilderness-of-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143001-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Incredible nature scenes in Kosciuszko National Park" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1143004" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Majestic-tree---Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143004-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Majestic-tree---Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143004-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Wildflowers in Kosciuszko National Park" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1143005" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Wildflowers-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143005-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Wildflowers-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143005-###width###px.jpg" /> </carouselsource></div>   <p><img alt="All smiles hiking to Mt Kosciuszko | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1143009" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143009-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1143009-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Rewarded with sweeping views across the Snowy Mountains and Victorian High Country, participants celebrated a collective achievement of giving back to the people behind the scenes of their adventure travel holiday in Nepal and Peru in their time of need.</p> <p><img alt="Alpine vistas in Kosciuszko National Park" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142992" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Alpine-vistas-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142992-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Alpine-vistas-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142992-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Adding to the memorable experience were Tim's engaging stories from the field, which enthralled all, as well as his technical prowess scaling huge rock boulders.</p> <p>The group of like-minded trekkers, many of whom were long-term World Expeditions travellers, walked 25 kilometres through the pure beauty of the Australian alpine in true expedition fashion, braving the weather and sticking it out only to return to their hotel around 8pm.</p> <p><img alt="Group shot in Kosciuszko National Park | <i>Zuzanna Kania</i>" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="1142995" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142995-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Australasia/NSW/Hiking-in-Kosciuszko-National-Park-1142995-###width###px.jpg" /></p> <p>Everyone managed to bring their glows to dinner at the Ski Rider Lodge, located in the midst of the isolated bushland (halfway between Jindabyne and Charlotte Pass), where they enjoyed a fabulous curry night and a local acoustic musician for some fun downtime in the evening.</p> <p>With more than 600 care packages of food and hygiene supplies sent to World Expeditions' local crew in 2020 as part of the <a href="http://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/lend-a-hand-appeal-update" target="_blank">Lend A Hand Appeal</a>, this year's appeal brought the total fundraising tally to $100,000, furthering efforts to provide support to the ground staff in need.</p> <p>Seeing how far these funds will go to help our friends across the globe who are doing it tough is reassuring and it was heartening to receive the many genuine thank-you messages from some of the local crew in Africa, Nepal, Peru and India from our first appeal.</p> <p>David Thomas, a Mount Kilimanjaro porter, sent a handwritten note to the World Expeditions team and its donors:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>“From the bottoms of our heart we say thank you very much. Know that it’s really touched [and] blessed our family… This is not small, it for us [is a] blessing and is more than a donation to us.”</strong></p> </blockquote> <p>A great success and a big thanks to everyone involved, especially to all the amazing participants and the generous supporters who made this special weekend possible. An incredible effort in fundraising but also in spirit.</p> <p>The '<a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Guided-Treks-Walks/Climb-Kozi-4-Ground-Staff" target="_blank">Climb Kozi 4 Ground Staff</a>' Charity Challenge is set to be an annual event to further fundraise for the World Expeditions Foundation.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Australia/Guided-Treks-Walks/Climb-Kozi-4-Ground-Staff" target="_blank"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">Find out more<em class="icon-arrow-right-thin"></em></button></a></p> 4979A Final Hurrah From Porters’ Progress UKhttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/3590/closure-porters-progress-uk-charityCommunity,Guides and staff,Destinations,Himalaya,Nepal,Thoughtful TravelTue, 20 Oct 2020 07:57:00 GMT<p>All good things have to come to an end and with big achievements since its inception in 2005, Porters’ Progress UK have now reached that time. Their closure didn’t go quietly though, as they have shared their final funds to our <a href="http://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/lend-a-hand-appeal" target="_blank">Lend a Hand Appeal</a> and that way we have been able to support 317 porters and their families in Nepal. It marks a very welcome and thankful final positive hurrah during these unprecedented times. </p> <p> </p> <div><img alt="Priceless Nepali smile upon receiving a 'Lend A Hand Appeal' food package" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="744124" dynamiccroppedimage="1" flexibleaspectratio="16x9" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Palpali-2-744124-200px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Palpali-2-744124-###width###px.jpg" /> <p> </p> <p>Many World Expeditions travellers have supported the charity over the years and you will be happy learn that the aim of <a href="http://www.portersprogressuk.org/" target="_blank">Porters’ Progress UK</a>, “to support trekking porters in Nepal who, back in 2005, experienced acutely poor welfare and working conditions and often were exploited by trekking companies” has been realised effectively. </p> <p>Although examples for improvement still exist, over the years conditions for porters in Nepal have improved slowly. They now benefit from a Government-directed minimum wage and the majority of trekking companies have <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Thoughtful-Travel/Porter-Welfare" target="_blank">followed our lead</a> and now take responsibility to look after the porters they hire by ensuring they are properly clothed and have health insurance. On top of that, local training sessions are more common and porters are made aware of their rights when trekking and have a greater awareness of their own health and safety at altitude. Fantastic achievements that Porters’ Progress UK have made with their partners and we like to congratulate them on that! </p> <p> </p> <div class="dynamicImageWrapper" switchsource="image1"><carouselsource aspectratio="4x3" data-plugin-options="{'items': 3, 'margin': 10, 'nav': true, 'dots': false}"><img alt="World Expeditions representatives distributing food packages in Rasuwa area" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="744126" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Rasuwa-3-744126-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Rasuwa-3-744126-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Distribution of food packages in the Bandipur area of Nepal" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="744125" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Bandipur-2-744125-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Bandipur-2-744125-###width###px.jpg" /> <img alt="Porter families in Nepal receiving our 'Lend a Hand Appeal' food packages" class="responsiveImage" cropdataid="744127" dynamiccroppedimage="1" largestloadedsize="1100" src="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Udaipur-1-744127-1100px.jpg" variablesrc="/croppedImages/Marketing-Images/World-Ex/Udaipur-1-744127-###width###px.jpg" /> </carouselsource></div>   <p>Thanks to the generosity of Porters’ Progress UK, we are pleased to inform you that their donation carefully distributed to 317 porters in Nepal and their families. The porters come from 7 different districts and they work as porters in areas like the <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Nepal-Regions/Annapurna" target="_blank">Annapurna region</a>, Langtang, Makalu and <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Nepal-Regions/Everest" target="_blank">Everest</a>.</p>      <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-size:16px;">>> If you are keen to learn more about the closure of the charity, <a href="https://www.portersprogressuk.org/" target="_blank">have a look here</a>. </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-size:16px;">>> Our <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Blog/lend-a-hand-appeal">Lend a Hand Appeal is on-going</a>, and if you have the means to also support our people in Nepal, Peru, India, Tanzania and Kenya, you can do so via our fundraising page. </span></p> </div> 3590#SaveTheAmazon: Amazon Forest Appealhttps://assets.worldexpeditions.com/Blog/PostId/3139/amazon-forest-fire-appealDestinations,South America,News,Thoughtful TravelFri, 30 Aug 2019 02:39:15 GMT<p><big><strong>We all need the Amazon. Now it needs you. Donate to this appeal to protect the forest, its wildlife and local communities affected.</strong></big></p> <p>Fires are raging through the Amazon rainforest, primarily in the Brazilian Amazon, gripped by its most vigorous fire season since 2010. The media images we are seeing are devastating, showing the extent of the fires and the subsequent smoke which is impacting Brazil and its neighbours.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://amazonforestappeal.gofundraise.com.au" target="_blank"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">Donate now<em class="icon-arrow-right-thin"></em></button></a></p> <p>NASA reports that, “while drought has played a large role in exacerbating fires in the past, the timing and location of fire detections early in the 2019 dry season are more consistent with land clearing than with regional drought.” Studies show that the rainforest is at tipping point, with large fragmented sections at risk of transforming into a drier ecosystem which could result in the severe loss of species, the acceleration of climate change and spell disaster for the indigenous populations who call the forest home.</p> <blockquote> <p>Home to a million people and three times as many wildlife, the Amazon is also the largest piece of rainforest in the world.</p> </blockquote> <p>Often referred to as ‘the lungs of the earth’, scientists warn that the extent of this year’s Amazon forest fires will make the Paris climate target more difficult to achieve as tree cover loss from forests is estimated to account for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions, while trees are also said to provide more than 20% of climate solutions. Trees not only absorb carbon dioxide, they also then lock carbon away.</p> <h2>How you can help</h2> <p>Want to support those working to arrest the damage? Donate to the World Expeditions Foundation’s <a href="https://amazonforestappeal.gofundraise.com.au" target="_blank">Amazon Forest Appeal</a> and 100% of your donation will be directed to Earth Alliance to be distributed to local partners and indigenous communities working to protect the forest and its wildlife and to mitigate fire and its effects on local communities.</p> <p>Earth Alliance is an environmental foundation created by climate change crusader Leonardo DiCaprio and his philanthropic friends.</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;"><a href="https://amazonforestappeal.gofundraise.com.au" target="_blank"><button class="btn btn-borders world-ex mr-xs mb-sm" type="button">Make a donation<em class="icon-arrow-right-thin"></em></button></a></p> <h2>Travel advisory information</h2> <p>The scale of the region is so large that the areas where we operate our jungle trips are not affected by the fires and there is no risk to our travellers or our traveller’s experience on any of our trips in <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Peru" target="_blank">Peru</a> or <a href="https://worldexpeditions.com/Ecuador" target="_blank">Ecuador</a>. We will continue to monitor the situation and contingency plans will be enacted if required.</p> <p>As always, the safety of our travellers is our foremost priority and one we will not compromise on. We will continue to support the preservation of this vital wilderness and those who live and work in it.</p> <p><em>Published 30 August 2019.</em></p> 3139