The Specialist Travel Consultancy Ltd

designed exclusively for girls’ schools

Giving your travel direction

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To find out more: call us on 01392 660056 or take a trip on-line at www.thestc.co.uk

Safety 4Adding value 5

Expeditions 6

Morocco 7Ghana 8Turkey 9Peru 10Madagascar 11

Responsible tourism 12

Educational journeys 14

Morocco 15Jordan 16India 17Nepal 18Thailand 19China 20South Africa 21

Tailor made 22What next? 23Tried and tested 24

Walking & Trekking Canoeing / Kayaking / Rafting Cycling Safaris & Wildlife History & Culture Religion Natural World Hands-on Projects Cooking Lessons Local Crafts Homestay

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From the Nepalese Himalaya to the plains of South Africa, in every country around the world, women hold a unique and sometimes little known role within society. What do your students know about life as a woman in other cultures?

Learning about the challenges, aspirations and day to day life of local women will enable your students to develop a greater understanding of non-Western cultures in an increasingly global society.

Meeting with Chinese entrepreneurs, Turkish feminists, Tibetan nuns and Zulu tribeswomen, these adventures invite you to experience educational travel beyond the ordinary.

Walking & Trekking Canoeing / Kayaking / Rafting Cycling Safaris & Wildlife History & Culture Religion Natural World Hands-on Projects Cooking Lessons Local Crafts Homestay

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Safe

ty

Safety is our number one priority. All the tour operators we work with have comprehensive safety management systems in place, including:

Trip selection

Each journey and expedition has been tailor-made and thoroughly researched with school groups in mind. Pre-travel screening

All travellers are medically screened to ensure they are fit and healthy to undertake the chosen journey.

Pre-trip training

Students and staff are given the necessary training and skills to safely undertake each journey. Some of this training is provided by us, some by external companies where necessary. Risk assessment

Detailed trip-specific risk assessments are provided. In addition, group management risk assessments are provided to assist you as lead teacher. Accommodation & transport

All accommodation and transport are risk assessed and checked by local operations teams. Minimum requirements for vehicle standards and driver hours are strictly enforced.

Foreign Office advice

All tours and expeditions are run within Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice. FCO advice is monitored daily and tour operators have the resources to react quickly should that advice change. Leaders

Each trip is accompanied by a full-time professional leader, comprehensively trained in first aid, critical incident management and the complex art of managing logistics. Communication

Each team carries satellite, radio and/or mobile communications as your itinerary and terrain demands, ensuring communication is possible in all situations.

We work with leading tour operators and expedition providers to create inspiring educational experiences in a carefully risk-assessed environment. We have an unblemished safety record and feel very comfortable when we say you couldn’t be in better hands.


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As the UK’s only independent travel agency specialising in educational adventures and expeditions, we add value to your experience through the wealth of ours.

“An excellent service and would highly recommend you to anyone trying to organise a group trip. Every concern, inquiry, etc was handled with great care, professionalism and expediency. Thank you very much for all your hard work! I’m not sure there is anything that could be done better.”

Graveney School, Egypt Archaeology Tour

Crisis response

24 hour emergency back-up and critical incident support is on hand in the unlikely event of an incident whilst overseas. Insurance

Comprehensive public liability insurance is held by each operator and personal travel insurance is compulsory for all those travelling. Financial protection

The STC is an approved agent for ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licence) protected tour operators and expedition providers. All money paid by you is 100% protected by your travel provider’s ATOL licence.

Connected

It is our relationships with some of the best adventure and expedition companies in the UK that sets us apart. Our extensive contacts and passion for creating inspiring educational travel experiences results in high quality adventures and happy clients. Supporting you

We are small enough to offer a very personal service, tailored to you and your trip. You also have the backing of a market leading tour operator with years of experience in arranging school travel in your destination.

‘Safer Journeys’ guide

All our clients receive our comprehensive ‘Safer Journeys’ guide which covers everything a teacher needs to know about planning and preparing for taking students abroad. Chapters include:

• Pre-trip planning and preparation

• Communications and crisis management

• Maximising educational opportunities

• Marketing and fundraising

• Whilst you are away

• Responsible tourism

• Sources of information

Walking & Trekking

Canoeing / Kayaking / Rafting

Cycling

Safaris & Wildlife

History & Culture

Religion

Natural World

Hands-on Projects

Cooking Lessons

Local Crafts

Homestay

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Central to these expeditions are signature partnerships with innovative expedition companies. Inspired by our own travels, we have carefully blended physical challenges, adventure, wilderness, culture and inspirational leaders. With logistics planned and confirmed in advance, your students experience more in country, seeing your destination from a fresh perspective. Join our growing tribe of loyal teachers and embark on an expedition experience like no other.

“Once in a while it really hits people that they don’t have to experience the world in the way they have been told to.”Alan Keightley

Revolutionise your school expeditions with a modern, ethical approach. These expeditions deliver far more than just personal development, taking you to the heart of your destination on a life enhancing adventure.


Skills for lifeThe expedition journey, from the initial launch right through to your return, encourages the development of valuable skills for life, including:

· Increased confidence, independence and responsibility

· Organising and planning skills

· Financial management and fundraising techniques

· How to travel ethically and with environmental awareness

· Knowledge of cultural and development issues worldwide

· Pushing boundaries and seeking adventure

Student trainingPersonal development starts long before departure with tailored sessions for your students covering everything from health & hygiene training to fundraising and kit. These sessions increase safety and give your students the tools to take charge of their expedition experience, adding real value to each student’s personal journey.

Teacher trainingOff-site Safety Management and wilderness first-aid courses are included for the lead teacher. This training ensures you have the skills to play an effective part of the leadership team, whilst also contributing to your own professional development.

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Get to know the Berber women’s way of life with project work and trekking amongst the villages of the Atlas Mountains. Spend time helping the girls and women to tend the fields, harvest and make beads for market before learning to cook a traditional tagine.

Length of trip: 20 days

When to go: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Age Range:15 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/morocco-expeditions

Trek past traditional Berber villages and conquer North Africa’s highest peak, Jebel Toubkal at 4167m. Spend time working alongside the locals in a small mountain village and discovering the spectacular Atlantic coast. Your expedition ends in sleepy Essaouira and vibrant Marrakech.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 4Soak up the sights and smells of Marrakech and cook a Moroccan meal. Meet women living in the city before heading into the Atlas Mountains and comparing their lifestyles with women who live in traditional mountain villages.

Days 5 – 13Work alongside the community in a small mountain village before beginning your five day trek which will see you camp in spectacular locations and summit Jebel Toubkal, 4167m.

Days 14 – 16 Heading south, discover the charming souqs of the medieval market town of Tarroudant. Drive to the coast via the aptly named Paradise Valley. Meet your camels and start your coastal trek.

Days 17 – 20 With camels in tow, trek towards the sleepy town of Essaouira, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Africa. Relax on the beach and explore the fortified walls and fortresses, before heading back to Marrakech and flying home.


http://www.thestc.co.uk/girls/morocco-expeditions

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 6Meet with the women of ‘Global Mamas’ and learn how to make traditional Ghanaian batik artworks. Discover Kakum National Park on a 40 metre high canopy walkway, explore the poignant slave castle at Elmina and learn how to dance and drum African style with a bonfire on the beach.

Days 7 – 11Visit the cocoa co-operative at the heart of Divine fairtrade chocolate. Explore the largest market in West Africa. Swim at Kintampo Waterfalls on the way to Boabeng’s Monkey Sanctuary. Journeying north, you spend time in Mole National Park on walking safaris before visiting the oldest building in Ghana; a mud and stick mosque.

Days 12 – 21 Enjoy a canoe safari in Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, spend the night in a ‘hippo hide’ and hike through the lush forest to the gorgeous Wli Falls. Get up close and personal with Mona monkeys before climbing the highest mountain in Ghana. Borrow a fisherman’s canoe and explore Lake Volta before rounding off your adventure with a trip through the Shai Hills and Ghana’s bead making capital.

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Rhythm, wildlife, markets and history: Ghana is one of the friendliest countries in Africa and a fantastic introduction to the sub-Saharan region. Prepare to fall in love…

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When to go: Year round

Age Range:16 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/ghana

Meet with a women’s organisation that creates fairtrade, sustainable income opportunities for over six hundred Ghanaian women. Visit the Kuapa Kokoo co-operative and learn about fairtrade and women’s issues nationwide.

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An ancient land of mythology and the cradle of civilisations, Turkey is the bridge between the West and the Orient. This expedition delves deep into the heart of this friendly country to show you a side of Turkey a world away from the tourist resorts.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 3Explore the highlights of Istanbul and Ankara before visiting the striking Tuz Golu Salt Lake and heading to Cappadocia.

Days 4 – 6Day walks take you past cave dwellings, rock-cut churches and to the panoramic views from Uchisar Citadel. Discover beautiful valleys, Byzantine artworks and share lunch with female entrepreneurs.

Days 7 – 16Relax in a Turkish bath and visit the underground city of Derinkuyu. Next, begin your six day camping trek into the rugged Aladaglar National Park. Meet with the ‘Hero Mothers of Anatolia’ and volunteer in a rural village community.

Days 17 – 23Head south and enjoy the thrills and spills of white water rafting, sea kayaking and mountain biking, before relaxing on the spectacular Lycian Coast.


When to go: Summer

Age Range:16 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/turkey

Discover the traditional role of Turkish women in rural areas, meet with the ‘Hero Mothers of Anatolia’ and enjoy lunch at the headquarters of The Turkish Community of Women Entrepreneurs.

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Soaring snow-capped peaks, incredible lost cities and traditional Andean culture: explore classic Peru from a fresh perspective. Remote trails, conservation project work and homestays on the Altiplano bring alive the very best of Peru.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 4

Arriving into Peru you fly to Cusco and the Sacred Valley, the heart of the ancient Inca Empire. Discover how history and traditions are still very much part of the Andean landscape.

Days 5 – 9

Head to your project in the Cordillera Villcanota. Spend time learning about life in rural Peru with your host community and assist in greenhouse and reforestation conservation programmes.

Days 10 – 14

Trek the high Salkantay Trail past villages, waterfalls, lush cloud forest and imposing 6000m snowy peaks. Transfer to Aguas Calientes, rising early to explore the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu before the crowds arrive.

Days 15 – 18 Traverse the Altiplano to Lake Titicaca and explore the islands before a highlight of the expedition: a homestay in a small village on the shore of this amazing lake. Return to Lima and fly back to the UK.


When to go: Summer

Age Range:16 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/peru

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Your female Peruvian leader will lead discussions with local women throughout your expedition. Spend time living and working alongside the traditional communities of rural Peru, learning about the Quechan way of life. Try your hand at weaving, attend a cookery class and be welcomed into family life as part of a homestay.

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This genuine expedition to the world’s fourth largest island explores the rich ecology and landscape of this unique country. As you trek and canoe through pristine wilderness and camp out on unforgettable beaches, you’ll discover one of the richest ecosystems in the world. With luck, you’ll spot a lemur or two on this memory rich adventure.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 11Settle into Madagascar with three days of project work in a local village taking time to learn about the role of women in society. Explore the volcanic Itasy region before trekking through the mountains of Bongolava. In an isolated part of Madagascar, a canoe safari sees you pass through the spectacular ‘gorge of Manambolo River’. Then drive past beautiful landscapes and marvel at the cartoonish trees of Baobab Alley.

Days 12 – 18Visit the stunning Tsingy of Bemaraha, Madagascar’s largest nature reserve. Enjoy a nocturnal walk and spot wildlife by torchlight with your local guide. Explore evergreen primary forest and keep an eye out for the recently discovered Golden Bamboo Lemur as well as the world’s rarest primate, the Giant Bamboo Lemur.

Days 19 – 26 Trek in Andringitra National Park amongst the gneiss rock formations whilst keeping an eye out for wildlife. Swim in the natural pool at the breath-taking Isalo Massif before visiting the spiny desert, the mysterious Mahafaly tombs and local villages. Return to ‘Tana for your flight to the UK.


When to go: Summer

Age Range:16 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/Madagascar

Meet with Malagasy women in rural areas and learn about day to day goings on in a traditional village. Your local guides will be able to offer an insight into changing women’s issues within the country and explain the differences between traditional rural life and living in an urban area.

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http://www.thestc.co.uk/girls/madagascar

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We work with tour operators that hold a deep commitment to responsible tourism. This includes those operators who employ and train in-country leaders and support staff, use local suppliers and support sustainable local businesses and development programmes.

In addition, our clients receive our dedicated responsible tourism guide to help them travel in a more responsible manner when abroad.

Community and ConservationOur tour operators have excellent relationships with local communities and organisations that want your participation. With suitable links or established NGOs we can get you involved in meaningful and, more importantly, sustainable development or conservation work.

Our expedition project phases are different to others you may find – offering real cultural exchange, where locals and students alike share and learn from each other in an environment of mutual respect.

Ethical collaboration means your students develop a long term understanding of the challenges faced by your host community.

Porter ProtectionFor treks requiring porters, we only work with companies that have shown a commitment to ethical porter welfare.

Clear guidance is available from the International Porter Protection Group – a charity campaigning for ethical treatment of porters worldwide. Our trekking providers have committed to follow these guidelines.

We actively encourage the use of porters on treks. They want the work and their presence on an expedition adds a significant cultural element to the trekking experience.

Responsible tourism is the starting point of everything we do, and not just for ethical reasons. Travel can be a great education, but only when we travel with humility and respect for our destination and its people.

Ask any of our clients what the best thing about an STC arranged trip is and most will say it is their leader.

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On the journeys and expeditions in this brochure you will be accompanied by an expertly trained and highly experienced leader from your destination. Whether a Berber mountain guide in Morocco or a South African game ranger, these leaders are comprehensively trained to ensure your safety and manage the complex logistics of your journey.

They are also uniquely positioned to enlighten you about their home – the flora, fauna, politics, education system, history and more.

In some countries, we are able to arrange female leaders, allowing you to learn even more about your destination from a woman’s perspective.

The benefits of employing local leaders are clear…• Increased safety: Trained in first aid and crisis management, your leader will speak the local languages and have unrivalled knowledge of local issues.

• Unbridled enthusiasm for and knowledge of your destination.

• Unique insights into the local way of life and culture.

• Direct benefit to the local economy.

Walking & Trekking

Canoeing / Kayaking / Rafting

Cycling

Safaris & Wildlife

History & Culture

Religion

Natural World

Hands-on Projects

Cooking Lessons

Local Crafts

Homestay

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“The STC have provided an

invaluable service to the

college on all occasions

as far as the trips are

concerned, and we are

massively appreciative

of their help.”

Newcastle College, Ghana

Classic sites, inspiring people Whether sipping mint tea with the Berber or learning how to make a traditional head-dress with a Zulu tribeswoman, these journeys are all about getting you to the heart of the local culture. Visit the lost city of Petra, the mighty Nepalese Himalaya or the lush jungles of Thailand on journeys that will enlighten, amaze and actively compliment your classroom teaching.

An extraordinary education

These trips provide a multi-faceted learning experience. Whilst each trip has a subject-related focus, we believe it is important not to miss an opportunity. We also weave in elements of your destination’s geography, history, politics, religion, society, economy and environment. The result is an educational experience unrivalled outside of the classroom.

It is the people you will meet on these journeys who transform these trips into enriching educational experiences.



Bargain hunt in bustling bazaars and journey deep into the Sahara by camel. Trek through exotic Atlas villages with mesmerising mountain views and learn to cook traditional Moroccan fare in heady Marrakech.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 3Arriving into Marrakech meet with young women working in the city. Explore the intoxicating Djemaa El Fna square. Experience a ‘day in the life’ of a Berber and trek into the Atlas Mountains.

Days 4 – 5Visit the Women’s Association in Imlil before driving over high mountain passes and through stunning valleys towards the desert. Meet your camel and ride into the Sahara for an unforgettable sunset. Sleep under the stars at your desert camp.

Days 6 – 8 Visit the spectacular Kasbah of Ait Benhaddou before returning to Marrakech and mixing with locals in the souq. Shop for ingredients and prepare a tagine under the expert eye of Marrakechi chefs. Spend the evening in a traditional Riad before flying back to the UK.



Educational focus:Geography, Religion

Age Range:13 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/morocco

Discover the differences between women living in rural and urban areas. Meet with Berber women and take part in village life before heading to a women’s association to find out more about the changing role of women in Morocco.

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http://www.thestc.co.uk/girls/morocco


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Crusader castles, bewitching deserts and the spectacular ‘lost city’ of Petra: this journey offers you and your students the chance to discover Jordan’s highlights, sleep under star filled desert skies and enjoy the country’s legendary hospitality.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 3Discover the sites of Amman and get your first taste of Arabic food before travelling south to the extraordinary desert landscape of Wadi Rum. Sleep in a Bedouin tent under the stars.

Days 4 – 5Explore the Wadi by 4WD before heading to both ‘Little Petra’ and Petra. Walk through the Siq and marvel at the Treasury, carved out of the rose coloured rock. Continuing deeper into Petra, explore cave dwellings, temples and sacrificial altars with stunning panoramic views.

Days 6 – 8 Hike through the Dana Nature Reserve, visit Kerak crusader castle and float in the Dead Sea. Gain an insight into topical women’s issues in Jordan by visiting a women’s co-operative.

Learn how to cook a four course Arabic meal, perfect ‘bread spinning’ and visit a women’s cooperative where you can learn how to make handicrafts including paper, soap, ceramics and textiles.

Why not combine with Israel?3 day Holy Land extension available

Length of trip: 8 - 11 days


Educational focus:History, Geography, Religion

Age Range:14 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/jordan


From the snow-capped Himalaya to bustling desert cities, India is one of the world’s most colourful and diverse countries. Embark on a journey where you and your students will discover the intoxicating cultural cocktail formed by India’s three great religions.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 4See the sights of Delhi, try traditional street food and walk through teeming marketplaces on an urban adventure led by your local female guide. Visit a Hindu temple and learn more about the Hindu faith before meeting with project leaders tackling poverty. Later, journey to the legendary Taj Mahal.

Days 5 – 8Catch glimpses of rural life from a sleeper bunk on one of India’s famous trains. See the sites of Shimla before visiting McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama and the most important Tibetan community in India.

Days 9 – 11 Drive to Amritsar and tour the jaw dropping Golden temple, Jallianwalah Bagh and other notable sites as well as learning about Sikh culture. Later, visit the Indian-Pakistani border and experience the spectacular flag ceremony.

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Visit a women’s project in Delhi and discover the different roles women play in Indian society. Meet with Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist women and discover the differences between their approach to religion.

Length of trip: 11-14 days

When to go: Spring, Autumn

Educational focus:Religion

Age Range:15 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/india

Why not visit the Ganges?3 day extension to Varanasi available

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Majestic mountains, time-worn temples and legendary beasts: a journey to Nepal offers you and your students a unique opportunity to tread in the footsteps of adventurers, explorers, holy men and conquerers.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 3In Kathmandu explore local sights, markets and temples by trishaw or bicycle. Later, experience a breathtakingly scenic flight to Pokhara before heading up into the foothills of the Himalaya.

Days 4 – 7Trek past tiny villages and lofty peaks. Cross prayer flag swathed bridges spanning glacial rivers and meet local villagers. Trek to the busy market of Naya Phul before returning to Pokhara to camp by the lake.

Days 8 – 11 Transfer to Chitwan National Park, arriving at your jungle lodge on the back of an elephant. Explore the surrounding forest by foot, elephant, canoe and jeep, keeping an eye out for tigers, leopards and rhinos. Return to Kathmandu before flying back to the UK.


When to go: Spring, Autumn, Winter

Educational focus:Geography, Religion

Age Range:14 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/nepal

Discover a slower pace of life in a traditional Tibetan village, meet with local women and learn about their rural lifestyle in the foothills of the Himalaya.

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Glittering temples, extravagant palaces and more culture than you can shake an incense stick at: discover a Thailand rarely seen by outsiders with soaring peaks and steaming jungles, tumbling waterfalls and heady history; all set against a back drop of a traditional way of life.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 4Tour the sights of Bangkok in an iconic Tuk Tuk, visit stunning Sangkhlaburi and meet with local Mon and Karen people. Your female guide will initiate discussions with the local women.

Days 5 – 7Bargain hunt in the bustling markets of Three Pagoda Pass, cool off in a nearby lake and discover more about neighbouring Burma at a traditional Karen village. Visit Hellfire Pass and the infamous ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’.

Days 8 – 11 Spend time at an elephant conservation centre and help feed and care for the elderly and injured elephants who have ‘retired’ here. Swim in the turquoise waters of the Erawan waterfalls and then enjoy a homestay at a traditional Thai house. Round off your trip with a Thai cooking lesson before hunting for souvenirs in Bangkok’s massive weekend market.



Educational focus:History, Religion

Age Range:14 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/thailand

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Meet with women from ethnic minorities. Learn about the traditions governing many Thai families and the contrasts between rural and urban life. Experience the best Thailand has to offer with the help of your experienced female Thai guide.

http://www.thestc.co.uk/girls/thailand

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Mountains worthy of worship; man-made wonders to marvel at; cities that take your breath away – a visit to China offers you and your students a unique opportunity to discover a rapidly developing country, with a deeply traditional heart.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 3Arriving into Beijing you explore the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, before visiting an unspoilt and quieter section of the iconic Great Wall.

Days 4 – 6At Xi’an, visit the Muslim Quarter and attend a seminar on women’s rights before journeying to the extraordinary Terracotta Warriors. Later, after buying ingredients, you prepare (and eat!) a meal at a famous cooking school.

Days 7 – 11 Heading south, explore the Karst scenery around Yangshuo and meet with female entrepreneurs. Next, fly to Shanghai and discover this bustling metropolis on a city tour before flying back to the UK.

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Educational focus:History, Geography

Age Range:14 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/china

Explore the changing role of women within Chinese culture. Meet female entrepreneurs and discover the impact of the one child policy on a woman’s social status.

Why not extend your trip with 3 days of conservation work?

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Discover the rich flora and fauna of South Africa through hands-on lectures, bush walks, dissections and conservation programmes. Master sustainable spear fishing in the Indian Ocean and understand grassroots ecology on an overnight wilderness trail.

Itinerary Summary

Days 1 – 4Fly to Durban and visit Ushaka Marine world. Spend two days volunteering at the ‘Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife’ before visiting the Natal Sharks Board to hear about shark conservation.

Days 5 – 6Informal talk on South Africa’s venomous inhabitants followed by a professional impala dissection. Visit a cheetah sanctuary and track rhino in Imfolozi Game Reserve.

Days 7 – 9 Take part in daily life at a Zulu village and learn how to cook a traditional meal. In Simagaliso Wetlands spot hippos and other wildlife before hearing about crocodile conservation. Help feed elephants at a conservation centre and head off into the bush on an overnight guided wilderness adventure.

Days 10 – 12Drive to Kosi Bay to meet local fishermen who will show you their sustainable fishing methods and the art of spear fishing in the Indian Ocean. Relax on the beach before flying back to the UK.



Educational focus:Biology

Age Range:14 - 18

More trip details online:www.thestc.co.uk/girls/southafrica

Explore the role of women in traditional Zulu society and find out how this is changing. Cook dinner in a Zulu homestead and learn how to make African head dresses and jewellery.

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Tailo

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The itineraries in this brochure have been carefully designed to offer original educational experiences and classic adventures. In these and other destinations we can tailor-make itineraries should the trips within this brochure not meet your requirements. Recent examples include geography trips to Iceland, turtle conservation in Costa Rica, archaeology trips in Egypt and classic treks in the Himalaya.

Other destinationsDon’t limit your travel aspirations. From Antarctica to Azerbaijan, we can arrange adventures in over 120 countries.

Through our network of handpicked tour operators we can arrange everything from a tour of the Middle East to a jungle trek in the Congo, ensuring you have the most suitable operator for your chosen destination.

“The month long trip to Venezuela had all the ingredients to be very special indeed and we were not disappointed. The variety of rainforest trekking, tepui climbing, tribal visits and beach exploration was, in itself, one of the most successful elements of this tailor-made itinerary.

When this is coupled to the remoteness of the destinations and the adventurous nature of the challenge, it really was a trip of a life time. Climbing an isolated mountain in complete solitude for 10 days made you feel at one with the ‘lost world’, whilst joining in with festivities in the Shirian highlands, a tribe rarely visited by outsiders, was something that will, doubtless, stay with the boys for the rest of their lives.”Magdalen College School, Venezuela Expedition

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Further information

Detailed itineraries for each of the journeys and expeditions featured in this brochure are available for download from our website. Follow the links on each trip page or visit www.thestc.co.uk Launching your trip

Let us help you launch your trip. Assemblies, parents’ evenings, hand-outs, posters, presentations: our staff can help you market your adventure and give you the best possible chance of a successful launch. When to book

We recommend launching expeditions 18-20 months in advance of your planned departure. This allows the necessary time for pre-expedition training and fundraising. Educational journeys are usually booked 9-15 months in advance.

Prices

Please see the pricing insert for guideline prices. Detailed quotes and proposals

We think our proposals are the best in the industry – request one for yourself and see if you agree. Our proposals cover everything you need to make an informed decision about your adventure: from safety management systems to visas, vaccinations and how we can help market your trip to students and parents. What’s included?

Please refer to your personalised expedition/journey proposal for a full list of what is and isn’t included. Each quote is tailored to your requirements. We generally include all flights, pre-payable taxes, accommodation, food, transport, guides, emergency response and crisis management, leaders and group camping equipment where required.

What’s not included?

There are some things we do not automatically include in the pre-paid trip price. These include: travel insurance (as most schools tend to have their own), tips, personal spending money, visas, vaccinations, personal kit. We can provide insurance quotes on request. Book with confidence

The STC is an agent for ATOL protected tour operators. All flight inclusive tours and expeditions in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, accommodation and other services) are listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or go to: http://www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate

15% Cotswold Discount

Teachers and students are eligible for a 15% discount on non-sale kit and outdoor clothing at Cotswold Outdoor.

Independence and reputation

We remain fiercely protective of our independence from the operators we work with and will always give you honest, impartial advice. Our reputation rests on the quality of this advice and recognising that your requirements may differ from year to year.

Operators’ terms and conditions

All bookings are subject to the operators’ standard terms and conditions which are available on request. STC terms and conditions

All bookings are subject to The STC’s standard terms and conditions, available on our website or by contacting us.

Call us old fashioned, but we really like talking to our clients. Why not call us on 01392 660056 to discuss your planned trip?

“Just a quick email to say we arrived home all safe last night. The trip was absolutely incredible. A life-changer for a lot of kids and a dream come true for me. Our guide was a total God. So sad to come home. Thanks to everything you did in the planning, none of us staff felt as though we were on a school trip - probably the biggest compliment I can give! Thank you so much!”North London Collegiate School, Nepal

“Don’t tell me how educated you are, tell me how much you have travelled.”The Prophet Mohammed

website: www.thestc.co.uk

email: [email protected]

telephone: 01392 660056

The Specialist Travel Consultancy Ltd 11-15 Dixs Field | Exeter | EX1 1QA

Agents for ATOL protected operators

Registered in England: No. 5700491 Registered for VAT: No. 878 9824 39

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