volunteer with bears pack... · 2019-10-15 · the piatra craiului national park....

This challenge is operated for World Animal Protection (Registered Charity No 1081849) by The Different Travel Company (ATOL 6706).

Volunteer with Bears

10 - 15 September 2020


10 – 15 September 2020

Spend three days getting hands on at the World Animal Protection funded Bear

sanctuary in Romania, possibly planting trees, making enrichment toys for the

bears, scientific research, facility maintenance and much more! You will also

have the opportunity to enjoy the stunning landscape during a one day trek in

the Piatra Craiului National Park.

worldanimalprotection.org.uk

World Animal Protection (Registered Charity No 1081849) is acting as an agent for The Different Travel Company 6706. The flight-inclusive trip

in this brochure is 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, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further

information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk.




Trip Overview

This six day trip in Romania is a great opportunity to experience the country’s beautiful landscape and make

a practical difference at Libearty Bear Sanctuary.

You will spend one day trekking in the Piatra Craiului National Park located in the Southern Carpathians,

also known as the Transylvanian Alps, where you will enjoy some of the most spectacular views in Romania

with jagged rocky peaks, alpine grasslands and ancient woodlands.

After the trek you will continue your adventure in the small town of Zarnesti by volunteering for three days at

the Libearty Bear Sanctuary, built and supported by World Animal Protection and managed by Millions of

Friends. No experience necessary.

Your first day will include a tour of Libearty and hearing talks about bear conservation, the history of the

sanctuary and more. The following two days you will be involved with a range of tasks which will vary

depending on the most urgent need at the time of your visit. Typical tasks may include general maintenance

of the facilities, such as cleaning, tidying, painting and gardening. It may also be possible for you to plant

fruit trees or sort food for the bears and create enrichment toys.

Full details of the activities will be confirmed prior to departure.

Project Details

Millions of Friends

Asociația Milioane de Prieteni (AMP) or Millions of Friends is an animal welfare NGO established in

Romania 1997 by Cristina Lapis. Over the years, Cristina and her husband gathered a strong team of animal

care specialists who together have cared for over 20,000 animals such as cats, dogs, horses, foxes and

bears at their facilities across Romania.

Libearty

World Animal Protection began building Libearty Bear Sanctuary in 2005 after AMP (a partner of World

Animal Protection) highlighted the plight of bears illegally held captive in Romania. Officially opened in

2014, Libearty is home to over 80 European brown bears that have been rescued from lives of captivity and

exploitation and is the largest bear sanctuary in Europe. The bears enjoy the freedom of a natural

environment in this 69 hectare facility located at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains.




Who accompanies us?

For the duration of the trip you will be accompanied by a first-aid trained UK tour manager, and a

representative from World Animal Protection. During the trek you will be accompanied by professional

English-speaking local mountain guides and during your time at Libearty the expert local staff will support you

throughout the activities.

Where will we stay during the trip?

You will stay in guesthouses each night. Your first night will be spent in Sinaia, and the next four nights will

be spent in Zarnesti. All rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities and will either be twin or triple share. Single

rooms may be available upon request and payment of a single supplement.

What is the food like?

Romanian food is meat dominant however vegetarians and vegans can be catered for if you request this in

advance. Meat-filled cabbage rolls, sausages, soups (called ciorba) and stews (like tocanita) are popular

main dishes. Side dishes include potatoes, picked vegetables, cabbage and salad. Typical lunches will be

meats, cheese, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, chocolate bars etc.

How tough is the trip?

This tour is classified as ‘moderate to challenging’ due to the physically demanding work such as digging,

lifting and other manual tasks at Libearty and the hilly and rough terrain, and possibly extremes of weather

and climate during the trek.

You will never be asked to do anything outside your physical capabilities and teamwork will be encouraged

at all times. No volunteer should feel they have to do something they are not happy or comfortable doing.

There will be many tasks available so be open and honest if you feel you cannot do what you have been

asked to.

How fit do I need to be?

If you do not already regularly exercise or participate in a sport it is advised that you engage in some fitness

training before departure to ensure your best chance of enjoyment.

To train for the trekking, hill walking while carrying a backpack should form part of your training as this will

best replicate the trek and prepare your body for the ascents and descents involved.

To prepare for the physical demands of the project (as well as the trekking), increasing your cardiovascular

endurance and core and leg strength will benefit you greatly, so hill walking can be complemented with

swimming, running, cycling, gym workouts, team sports, boot camps etc.

Trip details




What is the terrain during the trek like?

The terrain is mountainous so there will be lots of hills. Trekking poles are recommended, particularly for

those with knee issues. Underfoot you will find rocky or grassy trails, uneven and muddy forests, scree slopes

and possibly some stream crossings. You may walk over some snow or ice covered ground depending on the

weather conditions at the time. The trek will take approximately 7-8 hours (variable depending on group

pace). It is important that your training includes hill walking and trekking up and down gradients.

Being part of the experience

Who can take part?

No experience is required to take part in the volunteering at Libearty, just a willingness to get involved and

make a difference. For optimal enjoyment of the trek, we suggest that participants are of a good level of

fitness, prepared to train for the trek in advance and have a sense of adventure and a flexible attitude.

Is there an age limit?

You must be at least 18 years old to participate on this trek unaccompanied. It may be possible for you to

participate if you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

There is no upper age limit.

Medical Declaration

All participants must complete a medical declaration form upon registering, and any pre-existing conditions,

medications used and other medical issues must be noted and (if relevant) confirmed by your GP. Any

conditions that develop must be declared and a new medical form completed.

Price

Trip cost: £295 registration fee + fundraise (or pay) £1,555 to World Animal Protection.

Trip includes:

Return flights from London (including current taxes

and fuel surcharges)

All transfers and transport in Romania

Accommodation in guesthouses (twin or triple

rooms)

All meals

Local trek guides

Different Travel tour manager.

Trip does not include:

Transport to/from UK airport

Personal expenses e.g. drinks, souvenirs, laundry

charges etc.

Vaccinations

Travel insurance

Tips

Single room supplement

Personal kit and equipment.




Itinerary

Day 1 (Thursday 10 September 2020): London -

Bucharest - Bran

Depart London for the flight to Bucharest. When

we arrive we will transfer to the small town of

Sinaia, named after the 17th century monastery it

was built around. We will have a welcome dinner

this evening and discuss the itinerary for the days

ahead.

Meals: Dinner

Day 2 (Friday 11 September 2020): Trekking

Piatra Craiului National Park

A short transfer this morning brings us to the

spectacular Piatra Craiului National Park for our

full day trek. We trek up a steep trail to the top of

the mountain ridge and will traverse along its

jagged spine from where the views are

astounding. We descend into the valley and

transfer to Zarnesti where we will stay for the next

four nights.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner.

Trekking time: approx. 7-8 hours.

Distance: approx. 15km.

Days 3-5 (Saturday 12 September – Monday 14

September 2020): Zarnesti

Spend three days at Libearty! On the first day you

will take a tour of the sanctuary and hear some

talks about bear conservation and the work being

done at Libearty. The next two days will see you

taking part in a range of tasks depending on the

most urgent need at the time. On Monday evening

you will enjoy a special farewell meal together.

Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner.

Day 6 (Tuesday 15 September 2020): Zarnesti -

Bucharest - London

Transfer to Bucharest Airport for the return flight to

London.

Meals: Breakfast.

Note: The day-to-day program is subject to flight

schedules, weather, and the need at the sanctuary

at the time, general conditions, group fitness and

other factors. While we do not expect to make

changes to the itinerary, we cannot be held

responsible for changes made due to unexpected

circumstances. Health and safety takes priority in

all circumstances.




If you have any questions about any of the items listed please contact

[email protected].

Kit List

ESSENTIALS HYGIENE LUGGAGE

E-tickets Shampoo + shower gel Suitcase for checked luggage

Passport + copy Toothbrush and toothpaste Daypack (25-30 litres)

Travel insurance info + EHIC card Antiperspirant deodorant Waterproof dry bag

Cash + credit/ATM card(s) Wet wipes (small pack) Combination padlocks

LED head torch Toilet paper (1 roll)

Sunglasses (100% UV) Sun cream (high SPF) EATING AND DRINKING

Adaptor 2 round pins (Euro) Hand sanitizer Energy snacks

Camera + spare batteries Feminine hygiene products 2l water bottle e.g. CamelBak

Mobile phone + charger 1l water bottle e.g. Nalgene

FIRST AID KIT Electrolyte tablets (optional)

TREK CLOTHING Prescription medicine

Hiking boots + trek socks Ibuprofen SLEEPING

Underwear Paracetamol Ear plugs (recommended)

Non -cotton base layer Plasters Pyjamas

Non-cotton warm layer or fleece Blister plasters

Lightweight trek trousers Imodium (Loperamide)

PLEASE NOTE:

This list is intended as a

guideline only.

It is not exhaustive and may not

account for your personal

preference or requirements.

Warm jacket (down/Primaloft) Rehydration (e.g. Dioralyte)

Waterproof jacket + trousers Muscle rub (e.g. Deep Heat)

Gloves + warm hat Anti-histamine tablets/cream

Sun hat Lip balm with SPF protection

Buff Zinc oxide tape

Throat lozenges (optional)

PROJECT + TRAVEL CLOTHING Spare glasses/contact lenses

Socks and underwear

T-shirt(s) OPTIONAL

Long sleeved top(s) Video camera + charger

Warm layer (sweater/jumper) MP3 player/iPod

Lightweight trousers/long shorts Gaiters

Protective gloves for volunteering Playing cards

Closed shoes/trainers for project Diary/notebook and pen

Shoes for evenings / free time Walking pole(s)

Clothes for evenings / free time

mailto:[email protected]

volunteer with bears pack... · 2019-10-15 · the piatra craiului national park....

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