Charity says 'make package holidays history'

A leading international charity is calling on holidaymakers to consign package holidays to the past in 2006.

ActionAid wants tourists to swap their usual sun, sea and sand getaway for trips to far flung destinations that make a difference to local people.

And in a take on the 'make poverty history' campaign, it is calling on holidaymakers to 'make package holidays history'.

The charity runs a range of adventure holidays giving holidaymakers the chance to trek in the Himalayas, Cambodia, Vietnam and Tanzania among others.

Aside from the destination, the difference between these holidays and your average package holiday is that participants have to raise about £2,700 to go on the trek, and get the chance to visit the kind of project that their cash will fund.

"Making a difference and helping the world's poor is a popular new year's resolution, and what better way to do that than on a cycle trek through Vietnam or a hike with Maasai Warriors in Tanzania," said Maria Photiou, ActionAid challenge events manager.

"Charity adventures are a challenge, both mentally and physically, testing people's endurance to the limit. But at the same time, they take people to some of the most culturally rich places in the world and they leave with a sense of achievement you don't often get from a two week package holiday."

ActionAid treks

Adventure holidays in Tanzania: Footsteps of the Maasai
Taking place between September 15th and 24th 2006, Maasai warriors guide this trek through an African wilderness. Antelopes, zebras, giraffes, a volcano and traditional Maasai villages are among the sights that trekkers will see. The trek finishes at the famous Ngorongoro National Park, which contains the world's largest crater.

Adventure holidays in the Himalayas: Dalai Lama Himalayan Trek
This is an 80km trek through the Himalayas including a visit to the Taj Mahal and a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of an audience with the Dalai Lama. The trek, which is due to take place between March 4th and 17th 2006 and November 20th to December 3rd 2006, also visits a street children project in Delhi.

Adventure holidays in Peru: Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
Running between May 3rd and 12th 2007, this trek winds up at Machu Picchu and the 'Lost City' of the Incas via the high desert plateaus of Peru and the tropical Andean rainforest. It also visits ActionAid projects in Cusco to see the charity's education and agricultural development work.

Adventure holidays in Vietnam: Saigon to Angkor Wat cycle challenge
Starting in the Vietnamese capital, this eleven day trek passes through rice fields, floating markets and the ancient temples of Vietnam and Cambodia, and finishes at the largest religious monument in the world: Angkor Wat. It takes place between November 4th and 14th 2006.

Adventure holidays in Brazil: Rainforest trek and kayak challenge
This trip combines trekking in the Serra Bocaina national park with sea-kayaking in the Bay of Paraty. This 11-day trip, which takes in both rainforests and beaches, runs from August 22nd to September 1st 2007.

For more information on any of the above see: www.actionaid.org.uk