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Have you always dreamed of immersing yourself in a foreign exotic culture, and learning all about the history, language, religion, traditions and people? Would you like to do all of this in one of the most fascinating, spiritual and breath-taking lands on earth, home to the epic Himalayas and the worlds largest mountains. An exciting 4 week journey with just the right mix of discover, adventure adrenaline and cultural experience.
Xtreme Gap Year now runs a new Xtreme Nepal Experience program in which you can experience all this and more! The program involves four full weeks of exciting adventure, deep cultural immersion and incredibly rewarding action packed white water rafting and trekking, in the stunning and enthralling little country of Nepal, nestled in the foothills of the majestic Himalayan Mountains.
The programme takes you through four vastly different and charming parts of the country; Kathmandu, Pokhara, Annapurna and the Chitwan District; all very unique and captivating areas.
Working closely with local communities on cultural exchange activities is a strong part of this experience. Becoming part of the community, you will contribute to the growth of the local villages, as well as receiving incredible personal rewards in return. Visiting orphanages will get to meet some of the young members of the community, who will undoubtedly capture your adoration with their big smiles and even bigger hearts.
After your time in Nepal, you will leave, knowing you have contributed to the continued improvement of life in these communities, no matter how big or small. Not only is this program extremely rewarding, but it is also beneficial to the environment too. We strive to ensure our Nepal Road Trip is as kind to you and the locals as it is to the earth.
When you’re not discovering more about the Nepalese, you have lots of time to learn about Nepal. Enjoying some incredible sights around the country, famous for its epic landscapes. From the stunning spiritual Buddhist temple, the Boudhanath Stupa, in Kathmandu, to the vast and rural Royal Chitwan National Park, in the Chitwan District, you will never forget the beauty and charm of Nepal.
Of course, no Xtreme Gap Year itinerary is complete without some fun adventure activities, and this one is no different. White water rafting, trekking through villages and hiking in the stunning Himalayas have been organized to help satisfy the adventurer inside you.
To counteract all the adrenaline-rushing adventure, you can bring your body and mind back into balance by taking some relaxing yoga and meditation classes in the peaceful surrounds of the spectacular Nepalese countryside.
So, let’s take a closer look at a more detailed itinerary for your 30 day experience.
After arriving to Kathmandu (where we will meet you at the airport), we want you to get accustomed to the culture and traditions of the country, as quickly as possible. We have set up some great introductory culture classes for your first week in the city, which focus on some basic Nepalese language skills and introduce you to the way of life here in Nepal. You will learn about the interesting customs and rituals of the country, deepen your understanding of the religions of Nepal and see how they have shaped the history of the country.
Once you’ve become more accustomed to the city and culture, the adventurous activities will begin. Hiking, white water rafting and more await you in the adventure-packed second week of the program.
After the village visit, we speed up the pace of our adventure by going white water rafting on the picturesque Trisuli River. With two full days of exciting adventure on the rapids, you will be both invigorated and tired by the end.
To relax from your river adventures, we will then head towards the spectacular Royal Chitwan National Park. Here, we will stay for two nights and three days in a beautiful natural setting, where you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with the magnificent Bengal tiger, rhinoceros and over 543 species of exotic bird.
Next we will travel to Nepals second largest city, Pokhara. Surrounded by the giant white peaks of the Himalayas piercing the clouds, Pokhara is the perfect place to unwind after a week of outdoor adventure. Relax with a book by the large, quiet lake, or simply enjoy the awe-inspiring mountain views before embarking on our next adventure on Poon Hill
Week three is an intense physical and mental endurance challenge, that requires lots of motivation and encouragement, but the end results are beyond rewarding. After a 5-day trek through stunning natural beauty, we will reach Poon Hill, at 3,190m or 10,465 ft. Naturally, it is a tiring trip, but the personal accomplishment of completing this journey is incredibly fulfilling. The feeling you get when you reach the top, and look out at two of the most spectacularly immense peaks on our earth; Annapurna (8,091m or 26,545 ft.) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m or 26,794 ft.), is simply mind blowing.
The good news is that the most rewarding part of the program is yet to come, in your fourth and final week in Nepal.
The final week of your Nepali adventure will be a hugely rewarding one. With cultural exchange options at either a local school or in an orphanage, you will have the chance to give back to the community and country, which has provided you with such a magical 3 weeks of learning and adventure so far. By now you should feel accustomed to the culture and feel comfortable saying a few things in the local language. During this week, you will make great new friends with the local people and your fellow travellers. Of course, you will also form powerful relationships with the kids.
After an incredible four weeks in the land of spirituality and smiles, we are sure that you will never forget the time that you have spent here. The people you will meet, the places you will visit and the experiences you will have, will make this one of the most memorable trips of your lifetime. Leave Nepal confident in the knowledge that you have received and given back to the country during your time here.
During your travels, you will stay at various guesthouses and hotels. During the volunteering and adventure parts, participants will stay in our centres, which are based in the community. All will have access to the basic conditions. Centres have 3-4 bedrooms, which can house 12 people maximum. Rooms will be single gender in either the twin or dorm style. All are comfortable and clean with adequate toilet and bathroom facilities including hot running water and showers. A DVD player, a fridge and a TV with SKY, and a computer with Wi-Fi are readily available for use. The Xtreme Gap representatives will be staying here with you. Hand washing your clothes will be a necessity. Only vegetarian food will be served. We ask that you try to be environmentally conscious, and use resources such as water and electricity with restraint. Alcohol and cigarette use should be limited at all times and is not allowed anywhere in our centers but is permitted in designated areas.
An Xtreme Gap rep will receive you at Kathmandu Airport with a board displaying your name to ensure that the process is nice and simple.
At the end of the trip return airport transfer is not included (as many choose to stay on or travel elsewhere) so you just jump in a cab back tot he airport, our co-ordinators can arrange this for you but you need to make a small local payment.
4 Weeks £1199
Programme depart first Sunday of the month.
“For me the rafting through the Himalayas was ace! more reviews here.”Patrick Gavin
” I enjoyed every moment in Nepal and hoped that I could have stayed longer. more reviews here.”Alice K.
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How would you like to get a diploma, spend four weeks travelling somewhere exotic with the possibility to get paid for your efforts at the end of it. Sound too good to be true? Well it isn’t.
Not only can you do all that, you will get mentored by one of the top journalists in the country Beci Wood who spent 10 years at the biggest newspaper in the UK. Get assistance publishing your piece and sending out through news channels with the aim of it being picked up as newsworthy. This will give you an amazing exposure and a genuine opportunity to try out and launch a new career in journalism.
On this program you can either undertake the diploma only and use it to boost your qualifications whilst you undertake any of our gap year programs, or you can involve yourself On our Xtreme journalism assignments. Set in 2 locations where you can study and learn more about journalism.
For the assignments, you can choose either Thailand, or Mexico and you have four weeks to complete the course and we throw in some adventure activities along the way. What they are depends on the time of year, we do not keep it set so we can react to any newsworthy stories or events.
The course involves quite a bit of coursework, so where better to undertake some investigative journalism, or get inspired than abroad by paradise beaches.
You have full backup and support of our UK-based tutors, who have considerable experience in the industry. You can actually study anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection and a laptop.
Once you have completed the course and have written your final piece we will assist you in sending this out to our media houses who may or may not pick up on the story. If you do get published you will receive 60 percent of your royalty fees which could be enough to cover the cost of the entire course.
What you report on is up to you, but you will have the full back up and support and guidance of professional journalists (including the head mentor on the programme – Beci Wood with 10 years experience on staff at the UK´s biggest newspaper).
Not only is journalism and exciting career, it’s something you can take with you to your next stage after travelling, whether that be a part-time job at University, or something you do on the side or launch phone into as a career.
So whether you want to do something genuinely rewarding while you travel, or want to have something that not only looks amazing – really is amazing on your CV then the Xtreme reporter as you.
On the Thailand option we have a completely unique and very exciting work experience attachment to this program. You will work in a genuine media Company that produces monthly magazines all over Asia. Working from their offices in Phuket, you will put your newfound skills to use: tasked With writing articles and uncovering stories as a reporter. You will go out develop and write stories and make a valued contribution to the magazine and online websites. Working under the CEO and his media team this is a genuinely unique opportunity to gain work experience and do a really fun job which will build your resume and give you an insight into an exciting industry as you travel.
The company is called think media and is American run running various different franchises of popular magazines, what’s on guides and delivers local news and features in and around Phuket.
The work experience option can either last two weeks or four weeks, depending on your preference and includes all accommodation.
In Mexico you will stay in Playa del Carmen, a short walk from the beach at our base the Bendito Rancho. This is based on a dormitory (shared accommodation).
In Thailand you will stay in Phuket where you will also be involved in a work experience module with think media. You will stay on a bungalow either your own or shared with one other person the same sex. The bungalow is located close to the officers.
Journalism needs specialists. People with knowledge and passion for their subject. We provide a range of courses in specialist subjects ranging from health to the environment through to investigative and travel journalism.
Journalism courses currently available:
Yes our courses are accredited by third party organisations
Our diploma is widely recognised in the UK and overseas. It is a vocational award, equivalent to an NVQ level 1 or 2.
The Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) and the ABCC validate it.
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