Uffculme School Ladakh India Expedition Destination: India - July 2021 - Important Pre-Booking Information - Year 10 KS4 ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Important Pre-Booking Information
Uffculme School
Ladakh India Expedition
Destination: India
July 2021
Dear parent or guardian,
Uffculme School - India: Ladakh India Expedition
Your son or daughter has the opportunity to take part in an adventurous school trip that we are helping
your school to plan.
Adventure travel is exciting. It is a chance for young people to stretch their horizons and develop an
understanding of cultures and destinations beyond our everyday world. It is an opportunity to build their
self-confidence and understand more about the amazing world we live in. The educational benefits and
opportunities for personal development are many indeed.
Here at STC Expeditions, we firmly believe our educational journeys and school expeditions are packed
to bursting point with experiences that will change your child’s view on the world. Some companies in
our market like to use the phrase “a once in a lifetime trip” – we prefer to think that our trips will be the
first of many incredible adventures your son or daughter will embark on throughout their lives. If we can
inspire young people to travel, to explore and to celebrate the diversity and difference that exists across
the planet, then we know we’re doing something good.
By its very nature, however, adventure travel is more challenging and demanding than a conventional
school trip. The enjoyment, excitement and educational benefit is derived, in part, from the inherent risks
and challenges associated with each journey and destination. The following Parents’ Pre-booking
Information Pack is designed to enable you to make an informed decision as to the itinerary and
organisations involved, and whether the trip is right for your child.
Please read it carefully and should you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Yours sincerely,
Adrian Ferraro
Director
6B King St Tel: 01392 660056
Exeter info@thestc.co.uk
EX1 1BH www.thestc.co.uk
STC Expeditions, STC Educational and The School Travel Consultancy are trading names of The Specialist Travel Consultancy Ltd.
Registered office: Unit 6B King St Business Centre, EX1 1BH. Registered in England No: 5700491 VAT registration No: 878 9824 39
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
About STC Expeditions
STC Expeditions, previously known as the School Travel Consultancy, has been organising adventurous school trips and
expeditions since 2006. Over the years we have helped school groups summit 6000m peaks in the Himalaya and visit remote
tribes deep in the rainforest clad interior of Venezuela. Not all the trips we arrange are as adventurous as these, yet wherever
we operate our key goal is to provide an exceptional educational travel experience, one that takes students out of their comfort
zones, opening their eyes and stretching their global horizons in a carefully risk-assessed environment.
Objectives Planned Itinerary
To undertake an expedition in Below is an outline of the planned
India which includes a trek, itinerary. Please note, it is important to
white water rafting and a realise that the itinerary needs to be
community project. flexible. Whist every effort will be made
You would like a diverse to follow the schedule below, in the
itinerary that shows all aspects event of political problems, airline
of the destination – the schedule changes or environmental
geography, biology, language factors, we will do our best to make your
and culture – with time for trip as enjoyable and hassle-free as
sightseeing and acclimatisation. possible, but it is important to EXPECT
THE UNEXPECTED and be prepared to used as a place of meditation. There are
accept some slight changes. Relax and many dotted around Ladakh and our
have faith in your guides – he or she will project is to restore, clean-up and white
Trip Overview wash those surrounding Leh.
want you to see their country in a good
light. Meals: BLD
An unrivalled high-altitude desert in the
Indian Himalayas, Ladakh is also known Day 7: Spituk Monastery to Rumbak
as Little Tibet. Our trip encompasses a Day 1: Depart UK on an overnight flight
to Delhi, India Lato, begin trekking
challenging 4 day trek with peaks, Visit Spituk monastery and from there
glaciers, alpine pastures and shepherd’s Meals:
we drive for about an hour to Rumbak
trails. We also engage with the local Lato. This marks the start of our trek!
people and their customs. The isolated Day 2: Arrive Delhi, sightseeing
We meet our local STC Expedition The trek begins gently, approx. 2.5 hrs
former kingdom of Ladakh takes strong along to camp near Rumbak (3878m).
religious and cultural influences from Leader on arrival in Delhi and transfer to
the hotel for a welcome briefing and to This area is famous for blue sheep, snow
Buddhism. We’ll spend time in Leh, the leopards, Tibetan wolves, wild dogs and
capital of Ladakh, and explore its vibrant freshen up. Stretching our legs this
afternoon, we set off to explore some of red fox. Homestays are becoming
culture and impressive monasteries. A popular in this village and we can visit
true all-round destination that offers a Delhi’s best attractions including Jama
Masjid, Gandhi Samadhi and India Gate. one of the homes for a cup of traditional
fascinating insight into a different side of tea. This afternoon we explore the local
India. Back to the hotel for an early dinner.
Meals: BLD area.
Meals: BLD
Trip Dates
Days 3 - 4: Fly to Leh, acclimatisation,
sightseeing Day 8: Rumbak Lato to Yurutse trekking
The trip is planned for July 2021. Continue on to the lovely little
Flights can only be booked a Our early morning flight to Leh is one of
the most scenic mountain flights! We settlement of Yurutse (4178m). Follow a
maximum of 11 months prior to well-defined path along the
departure, so we will be in contact will be staying at a guest house during
our time in Leh and will visit here first to mountainside to a small valley and on to
once your travel dates are available to the base of Gandala (4543m), our camp
book. rest after the flight. Leh marks the
gateway to the Himalayas of Ladakh for tonight, arriving in time for lunch.
where the altitude is 3,500m. The rest of Meals: BLD
the day is for rest and acclimatisation. A
walking tour on day 4 brings us to see Day 9: Gandala Pass to Skiu
the interesting sights of Leh before Today is the biggest trekking day! We
making preparations for our trek and follow the path up the mountainside to
project this afternoon. the top of Gandala pass (4979m) where
Meals: BLD we are rewarded with excellent views of
the Stok mountain range. Afterwards
Days 5 - 6: Leh community project there is a long but easy descent to
Over the next two days we will take part Shingo (4170m). The route is now
in a community project involving the through wonderful gorges on to camp
restoration of important cultural and near the village of Skiu (3360m), approx.
religious stupas. A stupa is a dome- 5hrs of trekking.
shaped building erected as a Buddhist Meals: BLD
shrine, usually containing relics, and
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
Day 10: Finish trek in Chilling, white to eight hours. Some of the trip could be patience on the part of the traveller is
water rafting at altitudes of up to 4,500m, but the important, so too is your understanding
The trek finishes today long a rough itinerary will be designed with of this as a parent or guardian.
jeep track to the village of Chilling, appropriate acclimatisation in mind. Be
approx. 3 hrs. A short drive brings us to prepared for significant possible
the start of our white-water rafting variations in temperatures throughout
adventure along a more gentle section the tour. There is not usually time to ‘get
of the Zanskar river! fit’ on these treks, so a two to four-
Meals: BLD month fitness improvement programme
would ensure you get the most out of
Day 11: Fly to Delhi, on to Agra the trip.
Today we fly back to Delhi and transfer
by road to Agra, 3.5hrs. This evening we Culture Shock: Grade 4: Students
explore the sights and sounds of Agra joining trips at this level will find the
before a well-earned traditional feast! comforts of home are more of a rarity –
Meals: BLD or viewed another way, a welcome
luxury. English is unlikely to be widely Accommodation
Day 12: Taj Mahal, return to Delhi spoken and the food will be quite
This morning we visit the amazing Taj different to home, perhaps for extended Accommodation standards on our
Mahal, the seventh wonder of the world, sections of the trip. You should observe adventures vary from country to
up close. Built by the Mughal Emperor local customs so not to cause offence. country. Don’t expect to turn up to
Shah Jahan, the Taj is his glowing You'll be exposed to signs of poverty
towels folded into swans and a neat
tribute to his lady love Mumtaz Mahal. It and accommodation in some locations is
tringle fold at the end of your toilet roll.
is often considered the most complete likely to be basic. Whilst a challenge,
destinations and trips at cultural level 4 Sometimes we have quite good
and perfect of the wonders of the world.
are also a fantastic opportunity to see a accommodation. Sometimes shared
After lunch we return to Delhi for our
very different part of the world. rooming is exactly what it means, you
final evening in India.
Meals: BLD could be sharing cramped rooms in
Minimum Age bunkbeds. You could be travelling on an
Day 13: Depart Delhi and Return to the overnight train where the ‘walls’ are
UK We recommend a minimum age of 15 curtains. At the lower end of
There should be time for final souvenir years for this trip. accommodation, your bed may just be a
shopping this morning before we catch mattress on the floor in a basic
our return flight to the UK. Depending Meals guesthouse or a hammock in the jungle.
on flight times, this may arrive early the Washing facilities may be basic with
next day. The majority of meals are included on limited showers and squat toilets. It all
Meals: B our trips. Breakfasts, Lunches and
adds to the experience though, and is
Dinners for each day are shown as a BLD
part and parcel of travelling in low
code on each day above. Please note
the exact meal inclusions may change income countries.
slightly on the first/last days depending Accommodation types used on this trip
on flight departure/arrival times. includes:
Reality Check / Expectations Overnight Flight: We use good quality
airlines for our international flights.
Ok, so you want to go on an adventure Most, if not all, have in-seat
to India? What does this actually entertainment and good food /
involve? What expectations should you refreshments.
have? It’s very difficult for us to give an
accurate description in advance of what Hotel: Standards of hotels used vary
you will experience on this trip. That is, from country to country and place to
Adventure Grading after all, the whole reason why we run place. Most hotels rooms are twins or
these trips – some things you can only triples and usually en-suite but don’t
We grade all our trips so teachers, understand when you experience them expect your towels to be folded into
school leaders, students and parents in person, outside of the classroom, swans or for there to be a neat triangle
immersed in another culture. Below we fold at the end of your toilet roll. We try
can gauge whether it is appropriate to
give a few home truths about your trip. and choose hotels that are safe, locally
their requirements and objectives. We
Some of them may sound ‘harsh’, but we owned and run, have character and are
have given this trip the following well located for accessing the planned
grading: want you to be fully informed and
remember, a little discomfort here and sites and activities.
Physical: Grade 4: Fitness is important at there is a small price to pay to Simple Hotel / Guest House: You should
this grade, which compares to extended experience the amazing opportunities expect simple but clean rooms,
walking in mountainous terrain such as available on this adventure. Standards sometimes en-suite, but some will have
the Lakes or Snowdonia, for up to three of accommodation, transport, service shared facilities. Rooms will often hold
to five days in a row. It is likely that provision, healthcare, hygiene and two to four beds, occasionally more.
significant sections of a trip will involve emergency response are, generally, not Guest houses are often less formal than
walking and trekking with some days up as high as in the UK. Flexibility and
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
hotels but that often comes with more waste, stagnant water, poorly
character, a welcoming host family maintained roads and pavements and
and/or unique features. basic housing. Add in barefooted
children in often dirty clothes and you
Wild Camp with Limited Facilities: On a
will soon understand what we mean.
wild camp you should expect very basic
Experiencing this can be unpleasant as
limited facilities. You'lll be sleeping in
you would never wish this upon anyone,
tents or, if in a jungle environment,
but we live in the real world and
possibly a hammock. If the weather is
sometimes the real world isn’t pretty.
good, then there may be the
Our trips are designed to open your
opportunity to sleep out in the open.
eyes to all aspects of your destination.
The toilet is likely to be a hole in the
ground, covered by a toilet 'tent'.
Showers are unlikely, but you may be
given a bowl of warm water in the Modes of Travel
morning to wash. What you lose in
comfort is usually more than made up Transport on this trip will be by:
for by the spectacular surroundings and
amazing hospitality of our camp staff. Bus / Coach: We use good quality,
privately owned buses. We do not use
public buses. All buses have seat belts
Environment & Place and been safety checked to at least
minimum local standards, if not western
The environment can be the biggest standards. All drivers are known to and
challenge on an expedition. The locals trusted by our local partners in country
are used to it, but to you it will be an and have their driving hours limited in
alien environment and you will have to line with EU rules.
small motorised or pedal powered
learn to adapt. This may be a struggle rickshaws to get around towns and
initially, and be uncomfortable for a few Trekking: This mode of transport is as
cities. These vehicles usually take up to
old as time and is tried and tested to
days, but give it time and you’ll soon get three passengers and they're a fast and
ensure you can absorb all the
used to it. Learn to look through any fun way to get between sites.
environment has to offer! Your feet, legs
initial discomfort and look around at and back/shoulders may get sore so it's
where you are and what you’re important to look after them (and get fit
experiencing. The environments you’ll before you start!) There's no getting
encounter on this trip include: away from it, walking uphill can
What’s included?
uncomfortable, no matter how fit you
India: Have you heard of crazy traffic are, so expect to be out of breath at The following is included in the price to
jams or fast flowing frantic driving on some point. At times it might be the school:
some of the busiest streets going? challenging, but all our treks are All accommodation, activities,
Welcome to India! The roads in India can achievable by people just like you, so entrance fees and transportation
be a pretty big shock. The heat, supporting each other in the team is as per itinerary, unless marked
humidity, colour, religion and the crucial. The best thing? Trekking can 'optional'.
universally well known ‘Delhi Belly’ are take you to amazing, remote locations Meals as described in the day to
other things that will deliver a full assault that buses, trucks and bikes simply day itinerary
on your senses. Most people who travel can’t. Yes, it requires effort but the International airfares and pre-
to India do get traveller’s diarrhoea, but rewards are great but you will have paying taxes
you don’t have to be one of them - be earned the feeling of accomplishment Access to drinking water (advice
on high alert with your hygiene. afterwards. A great bonus is that often will be given on purification of
Mountains: Mountains have their own you’re away from light pollution and the water)
weather systems so be prepared to stars will be utterly fantastic! You won't Bi-lingual, first-aid qualified STC
experience heat, cold, rain, wind and need to trek with a full backpack, just a Tour/Expedition Leader whilst in
sun – sometimes all on the same day! If day sack of around 25/30 litres. India with further local guides at
at altitude (2,500-3000m+) you may feel sites as required
slight effects of altitude with headaches Internal flight: Internal flights and the Pre-travel training programme as
and not sleeping well until you have fully airlines used will vary depending on detailed
acclimatised. All our itineraries allow for your destination. However, they are ATOL financial protection
good acclimatisation. Our guides are always reliable, good quality airlines Medical Emergency and
very experienced and will be looking out with good safety records. In some Repatriation Travel Insurance (see
for you. places, internal flights can be on planes below)
that are much smaller than you might be Group First Aid Kit & Medications
Poverty: Poverty in the UK is very much used to if flying around Europe, but Pack
in existence, but it’s usually masked by they're a great way to ensure we avoid
clean streets, good infrastructure and a Comprehensive safety
hours and hours in a bus! management, risk assessments,
temperate climate. When you visit many
of our destinations poverty has a 24-hour emergency response.
Rickshaw: In the Indian Sub-Continent Carbon Offsetting of flights for the
completely different look and feel: and South East Asia we sometimes use
discarded rubbish, animal (or human) whole group.
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
What’s not included? range of landscapes, cultures and sleeveless tops away from tourist
people. Walk the streets of any Indian resorts. Public displays of affection are
We aim for our tours and expeditions to city and you’ll rub shoulders with also very offensive. For more
be essentially fully inclusive. There are, representatives of several of the world’s information see
however, some things we can’t include great faiths, a multitude of castes and http://www.guide.culturecrossing.net
in the price. The cost to the school varies outcastes, fair-skinned, turbaned https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa
between £2,495 and £2,595 per person Punjabis and dark-skinned Tamils. You’ll .html
(depending on group size) but this does also encounter temple rituals that have
been performed since the time of the Regulations: Red Tape:
not include the following, which the
A full passport (valid for six months after
school may have added an additional Egyptian Pharaohs, onion-domed
your return date) is required for visits to
fee for: mosques erected centuries before the
India. You must also have two clean
Taj Mahal was ever dreamt of, and
pages available in your passport. All
quirky echoes of the British Raj on
US $600 project materials (for the visitors currently require a visa which
virtually every corner.
whole group) must be obtained before arrival in India
Transport to airport in UK Geography: (although there are rumours this may
Soft drinks (drinking water is The geography of India is diverse and soon change). A single entry visa is
provided, advice will be given on can be divided into three main regions. required by all UK, USA, CAN, AUS &
purification of water) The first is the rugged, mountainous NZ nationals. Other nationalities should
Costs associated with training Himalayan region in the northern part of consult the relevant consulate. Please
weekend if provided by STC.
the country, while the second is called note: It is no longer possible to obtain
Visas if required (see country
the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is in this an Indian visa directly from the Indian
information for more details)
Any required inoculations region that most of India's large-scale Embassy. You must either apply for a
Personal spending money – to cover agriculture takes place. The third visa through the Explore Visa Service or,
souvenirs, postage, snacks, drinks, geographic region in India is the plateau alternatively, you can go through to VSO
optional activities/entrance fees region in the southern and central global
Airport departure taxes to be paid portions of the country. India also has https://www.vfsglobal.com/India/UK/
locally (if required) three major river systems which have (the company who the Embassy has
Tips for guides, drivers and support large deltas that take over a large outsourced its visa service to) online, by
staff: (we suggest allowing £50 per portion of the land. These are the Indus, post or at the centre after prior
person for this trip). Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. appointment. All visa information is
subject to change. You should confirm
Country Information Climate: all visa related issues with the relevant
Whilst there is much local variance,
Embassy prior to departure.
Full Country Name: The Republic of India’s climate can be broadly split into
India three seasons. Summer lasts from April Foreign Office Advice:
Area: 3.28m sq. km. to July and is characterised by hot You should familiarise yourself with up
Population: 1.324 billion (2016) temperatures. The main rainy season to date Foreign Office advice for travel
Capital City: New Delhi and Monsoon starts in June in the south to India. This is available on their
People: Indo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian west and heads progressively north and website: http://www.gov.uk/foreign-
25%, Mongoloid and other 3% east continuing into October or early travel-advice/india and contains useful
Language(s): A 2001 Census recorded November. Winter is generally cooler, information regarding safety and
30 languages which were spoken by with clear skies in much of the country. security, health and entry requirements.
more than a million native speakers and The best time to visit is generally
122 which were spoken by more than between November and March, Health & Vaccine Information:
10,000 people. Hindi, the most widely Shortly after booking, all our groups
although there are exceptions to this.
spoken language in North India today, receive a trip specific health and
For more detailed information on India’s
serves as a lingua franca across much of vaccination briefing letter from our
climate, please visit the World
North India. Many signs and literature medical advisor. If you want to look up
Meteorological Organization (WMO)
are also available in English. the latest health advice and
website on following link:
recommended vaccinations for your
Religion(s): Hindus (81.3%), Muslims http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/countr destination prior to booking, please visit
(12%), Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.9%), the TravelHealthPro country specific
y.html?countryCode=IND
Other (2.5%)
website on the following link:
Time: GMT + 5hr 30 mins. Flight time Cultural considerations: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country-
from Heathrow to New Delhi India is a conservative country and
approximately 8 hours details.php?cnt=105
religion is very important. Respect local
traditions, customs, laws and religions at Venture Provider
Country overview:
all times and be aware of your actions to
India, it is often said, is not a country, but
ensure that they don’t offend, especially STC Expeditions is the venture provider
a continent. Stretching from the frozen
if you intend to visit religious sites. You for this trip (as defined in British
summits of the Himalayas to the tropical
should dress modestly, women and men Standard BS8848), holding overall
greenery of Kerala, its expansive
should avoid wearing shorts and responsibility for safety and operations.
borders encompass an incomparable
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
Leader Team • Water usage
Confirmed travel arrangements • Cultural considerations
The Leader team for this expedition will Health & hygiene advice • Ethical volunteering
be made up of: • Positive and negative impacts of
A comprehensive kit list travel
STC Leader: An experienced Culture & history of your
tour/expedition leader will accompany destination Weekend Expedition Away (Expedition
the group when in country. By using training 3): This weekend training
Sources of further information
leaders from your destination, we programme is tailored to any
about your destination
ensure our clients get the best possible expedition graded 4 or above.
in-country experience. Students and Passport and visa requirements • Accommodation (either camping
teachers regularly tell us that our leaders Trip specific vaccination and or bunkhouse)
are a vital part of the success of our trips, medical advice from Travel Health • In Dartmoor (other locations to be
providing an invaluable insight into local Consultancy Ltd. discussed)
customs, history, flora, fauna, • STC UK Leader included
Money matters including, if
geography, politics and much more. • Food budget included (advice
appropriate to your trip,
They also have detailed knowledge of given on budget, students pay
fundraising ideas and
the local environmental and safety and bring receipts for us to
entrepreneurial schemes
issues that groups could potentially reimburse on the weekend)
incur and are thoroughly trained by us in Language – basic phrases • Kit & equipment such as tents and
their responsibilities and emergency Expected fitness requirements (a cooking equipment is not included
procedures. The STC Leader has overall training programme will be • Transport is not included
responsibility for directing the logistics available on your booking page)
of the trip and ensuring the safety of The training usually takes place around
Roles, responsibilities and
each and every person participating. 5-6 months prior to the expedition and
expectations of participants the weekend will consist of the
As a minimum requirement, all STC Responsible tourism advice and following modules:
Leaders must: suggestions Group roles & responsibilities
Be over 25 years of age Code of conduct Safety & risk management
Have at least three years’ Health & hygiene
What to do in an emergency and
experience leading relevant emergency contact information First aid
trips in the destination Personal safety & security
Have suitable professional Kit & equipment
qualifications (e.g. mountain Pre-travel meetings/training Water purification
guide qualifications, tour leader Individual empowerment
certificates), as applicable to Preparing students for their upcoming Itinerary specific issues
the trip. Activity specific issues
adventure is a vital part of safety
Hold an in-date, appropriate
management and an opportunity to
first aid certificate. Final travel briefing (Expedition training
teach important life skills. The training
Have clear police/background 4): This evening briefing (45min-1hr
given to students prior to this adventure
checks and references to the around 6 weeks pre- departure) is for
fullest extent available in the is made up of the following:
the parents and students to understand
destination. and feel comfortable with all the final
Have attended an STC Leader Fundraising and destination planning information prior to departure of the
training day and been selected (Expedition Training 1): This expedition. The session covers:
by STC UK staff as being approximately 2-hour session includes
Departure times
appropriate to work with our group discussion, debate and advice
Communications whilst the group
groups. sessions on how to raise the expedition
are away
funds and also research the destination.
How to pack
School Leader Team: This is made up of This usually takes place 1 – 2 months
after launch and covers: Code of conduct & responsibilities
a minimum of two teachers, one of each Post expedition issues
• Destination & culture research –
gender (if a mixed group). The school
sources of information to help you
leader team support the STC Leader in
get the most from your expedition
aspects of pastoral care issues of experience.
participants and the implementation of • Team building games
school policies and appropriate • Fundraising & event planning – as
guidelines. a team and individually
Responsible Tourism workshop
Pre-departure information (Expedition Training 2): This hour and a
half long session, usually arranged
In the build up to your trip, we will be eight to nine months prior to your
providing detailed information and departure, looks at the subject of
training sessions to enable participants responsible tourism, ethical dilemmas
to plan and prepare as thoroughly as whilst travelling and how to have a
possible for this trip. This information positive impact abroad. Topics include:
will include advice on:
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
How to book would like to know more, please ask for
a copy of our Safety Management
To confirm your place on this System.
adventure, we need to have the
following: British Standard 8848:2014: All trips and
expeditions provided by STC
A completed online booking form: Expeditions conform to British Standard
This collects personal contact details, 8848:2014 (a specification for the
next of kin, passport and medical provision of visits, fieldwork,
information. If under 18 years of age, expeditions and adventurous activities
this form MUST be signed by a parent outside the United Kingdom) as
Pre-travel screening: All travellers are
or guardian AND the student declared by The Young Explorers’ Trust
medically screened to ensure they are fit
travelling. It is important that the on the basis of the operating
and healthy to undertake your chosen
booking form is completed in a procedures and safety management
journey.
prompt timeframe to enable our systems evidenced on 24th January
medical advisor to give initial 2017 and a sample of ventures
Foreign Office Advice: All tours and
clearance for all participants to join examined to the year-end 2016.
expeditions are run within Foreign and
the trip. Should we have any Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel
questions regarding medical Trip selection: Each journey and
advice. FCO advice is monitored daily
conditions, we will contact the expedition has been tailor-made and
and tour operators have the resources
parent/guardian for more researched with school groups in mind.
to react quickly should that advice
information. change.
Leaders: Each trip is accompanied by a
To complete our booking form, go to full time professional leader, trained in
Pre-trip training: Students and staff are
www.thestc.co.uk, click on “Login” first aid, critical incident management
given the necessary training and skills to
and then “Create an account”. Follow and the complex art of managing
safely undertake each journey. Some of
the instructions on screen to set up logistics.
this training is provided by us, some by
your user account. When prompted external companies as necessary.
to enter a booking reference, use the Risk Assessment: Country and itinerary
following code: 2021-07-uffculme- specific risk assessments are provided
Evacuation: We have an emergency
school-ladakh prior to departure. In addition, your
evacuation plan in place for each day of
leader has the training to dynamically
the trip, detailing the nearest medical
Should any of the details change (e.g. a risk assess your journey when on the
facilities and places of assistance. Whilst
road. Group management risk
passport needs renewing) you can log helicopter evacuation is theoretically
assessments are provided to assist lead
back in and change the details. You will possible in India, in reality it is often
teachers. Copies of risk assessments are
also be able to view any trip quicker to evacuate casualties by
available to view should you wish to see
documentation online (e.g. kit lists and minibus or ambulance. The estimated
them.
pre-departure information) in the run evacuation time from the most remote
up to departure. point on this trip to a good standard
Crisis response: 24-hour emergency
hospital may be in the region of 8 hours
**** The deadline for completing the back-up and critical incident support is
or longer, as the actual evacuation time
application is: 14th October 2019 **** on hand in the unlikely event of an
may be affected by outside factors such
incident whilst overseas.
If we do not receive your completed as: weather, daylight hours, severity of
application form by this date a late incident, groups fitness levels, resources
Communication: Each group carries
booking fee of £50 may be applied available and ground conditions. If you
satellite, radio and/or mobile
due to additional administration work would like to see a copy of our
communications as your itinerary and
on our behalf. emergency evacuation plan then please
terrain demands, ensuring
get in touch.
communication is possible in all
A deposit: situations.
The deposit for this trip is: £400 per
person. Please refer to the letter from Accommodation & transport: All
school for details of this. Deposits accommodation and transport are risk
should be payable to the school assessed and checked by local
please, NOT to STC Expeditions. operations teams. Minimum
requirements for vehicle standards and
driver hours are enforced through
contractual agreements with our in-
Safety & Attitude to Risk country partners.
Safety is our number priority and we Insurance: £5,000,000 public liability
take the welfare of our clients and those insurance is in place and personal travel Altitude and acclimatisation: This trip
insurance covering medical treatment goes to high altitude (max 4963m). We
who work on our trips extremely
and emergency repatriation is included plan our ascent profiles for our treks
seriously. We have comprehensive
for all those travelling. very carefully to ensure they remain
safety management systems in place, within internationally approved
including areas detailed below. If you guidelines for acclimatisation. Our
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
tour/expedition leaders are also and payment schedule for this particular
extremely experienced in spotting and trip.
dealing with altitude related issues. 30% of the trip costs are to be
Should you have any questions about paid by 360 days prior to
altitude issues then please don’t departure.
hesitate to get in touch. Our 50% of the trip costs are to be
independent medical advisor will, in due paid by 180 days prior to
course, advise whether students would departure.
benefit from the use of Diamox, a drug 80% of the trip costs are to be
which aids acclimatisation, on this paid by 120 days prior to
itinerary. departure.
100% of the trip costs are to be
Declaration of Risk: Ventures that Responsible Tourism paid by 75 days prior to
include adventurous activities involve departure.
exposure to accepted elements of risk, We are the leading UK expedition
challenge and adventure greater than company in responsible travel and the Financial Protection
those normally encountered in everyday only to be Travelife and Child Safe
life. Whilst such activities provided by Certified. Our ethos is to educate the All the flight inclusive tours
STC Expeditions are subject to exacting next generation of responsible world and expeditions offered by
safety management processes, it cannot travellers. You can rest assured any STC Expeditions are
be guaranteed that all possibility of adventure planned with us will be financially protected by the
resultant injury to participants, or sustainable and ethical.
ATOL scheme. Our ATOL license
others, is eliminated. number is 11054. On booking, the
school will be supplied with an ATOL
Travel Insurance Certificate. Please see our booking
We have arranged specialist group conditions for further information or for
medical travel insurance for all our more information about financial
clients. This includes cover for all protection and the CAA website for
activities featured as part of your trip. Here are just a few examples which more details on the ATOL Certificate:
Full details of cover and conditions will prove we practice what we preach:
https://www.caa.co.uk/ATOL-
be in the Policy Document, available Carbon mitigation of all flights protection/Consumers/About-ATOL/
upon request approximately one month by donating to the charity
before departure. The example cover
and limits shown below apply to each
Friends of Conservation Paying your Way
Pledged to Travellers Against
Insured Person. This policy is primarily
to cover emergencies overseas. It does Plastic We strongly believe that students need
NOT include cancellation cover. We Members of Tourism Concern’s their parents’ permission to go on these
encourage you to insure the value of Ethical Tour Operators Group adventures – but not necessarily their
your booking in terms of pre-departure Eco Car Club for staff travel money! Students can consider paying
cancellation costs. This may be covered Employing and training their own way towards the trip and will
already on your school or each family’s tour/expedition leaders from find advice in our ‘Stashing the Cash’
travel insurance policy. It is each your destination fundraising guide on the online portal.
individual’s responsibility to insure Responsible tourism training to In our experience, students come up
possessions when travelling with us, if in country staff and within UK with the best and most entrepreneurial
you require cover for this. schools to students and ideas which look great on their CV or
teachers alike potential university applications.
Overview of Sums Insured Examples could include getting a
Policy against elephant riding
24 hr Emergency Medical, Saturday job, babysitting or tutoring.
and other unethical wildlife
Repatriation: Up to £10,000,000 with
activities
an excess of £75*
Personal Liability: Up to £2,000,000
Fairtrade farm visits in our Booking Conditions
itineraries and use of Fairtrade
Personal Accident: Up to £25,000
coffee and tea in the office By booking a place on the trip, you
For more details and/or a full copy of Culturally sensitive itineraries confirm that you accept our booking
and Women’s Perspective conditions which can be found on our
the policy, please get in touch.
opportunities website at the following address:
Please Note: Any medical expenses Global Environmental Clean Up https://www.thestc.co.uk/assets/upload
incurred overseas if travelling against project for groups to improve s/general/The-STC-Group-terms-and-
medical advice, or to obtain medical polluted coastal or inland areas conditions-v-5.pdf
treatment, or after a terminal prognosis in their destination
has been made will be excluded from
Payment Plan Relationship with the School
cover whilst travelling overseas. Any
medical expenses not verified by a When we run an overseas trip for a
medical report are also excluded. In line with our Booking Conditions, the
following is our standard payment plan school we contract with the school for
for most trips, but please refer to the the delivery of the travel arrangements
*for Nepal, the excess is the first £500 of
each and every helicopter repatriation. school letter detailing the specific costs and any pre-trip programme. We also
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.uk
contract directly with the
parents/guardians through our terms
and conditions which govern
responsibilities of both parties,
cancellation policies, changes and
liability. Therefore, in terms of health
and safety, we work in partnership with
the school’s Senior Management and/or
Head Teacher. This means that we also
work with the school’s Operating
Authority, (if applicable) meaning the
trip is signed off by an external body.
How to contact us
We love to talk travel. If you have any
questions about this information or want
to know more about us as a company
then you can find us here:
STC Expeditions
Unit 6B, King St Business Centre
Exeter
EX1 1BH
Or telephone via: 01392 660056
For email: schools@thestc.co.uk
And Web: www.thestc.co.uk
Got a question? Get in touch: telephone 01392 660056 or email support@thestc.co.ukYou can also read
