Take Part in one of HOPE's Sponsored Walks

Would you like to take part in a challenge, visit beautiful parts of India and help a worthy cause? Join HOPE on one of our sponsored charity walks in 2008. We currently have 3 trips planned for next year:

15-26 March 2008: HOPE Goa Walk

06 - 26 Sept 2008 : HOPE Everest Base Camp Trek

25 Oct - 9 Nov 2008: HOPE Himalayan Walk

The Goa and Himalaya trips include a visit to HOPE's projects in Calcutta where you can see your fundraising in action.

Click on the headings above for more info on each of these walks. Download an Info Pack and Application Form on the left of this page.

The profits raised from the HOPE walks go directly to our projects in Calcutta working with street children and their families.

So get your walking shoes on for HOPE and SIGN UP NOW for the experience of a lifetime!!

Just return the Application Form opposite, along with your deposit, to the HOPE office at 3 Clover Lawn, Skehard Road, Cork.

Following the fantastic success of our 5 previous HOPE Himalayan Walks, we are once again organising the trip of a lifetime - hiking in the foothills of the Himalayas in north India. We will also be visiting a number of HOPE's projects working with the street children of Calcutta so you can see how your fundraising money will be put to use to help give these children a better life and hope for a better future.

Where will the Walking Take Place?

We will be travelling to India to hike in the foothills of the Himalayas. There could be no better way of exploring the natural wonders of the Himalayas than on foot. Stretching for almost 1,000 miles, the world’s youngest and loftiest mountains are a treasure trove of life. The areas we will be exploring are Pelling in Sikkim and Darjeeling in West Bengal.

To adventure lovers, trekking in Sikkim, which lies along the border with Nepal, is indeed an experience. For those who are looking for some of the most stunning scenery anywhere in the world, nothing can match the view of the Himalayan peaks, which seem to stretch up to the heavens. Trekkers in Sikkim will also be spellbound by the profusion of plants and flowers to be found there.

Pelling, a beautiful area of Sikkim, is where we will spend most of our days trekking. Pelling offers numerous attractive walks and vistas of Kanchendzonga , the worlds third-highest peak. This laid-back scenic hamlet is situated 2,085m above sea level looking north towards the glaciers and peaks of the Himalayas.

Our next destination is Darjeeling, one of the great tea-growing centres of the world, where we will commence further walking. The Darjeeling scenery is just as exciting as Pelling and the people just as welcoming! The hilly destination of Darjeeling has plenty of well-defined forest trails along the Nepalese border that afford views of Kanchendzonga and even tantalising glimpses of Everest!

The views and the walking trails in each region are outstanding and throughout each walk the group will have guides with local knowledge.

Weather Conditions

This is one of the best times of the year to visit the Sikkim/Darjeeling region (mid-September to December) as views of the Himalayan peaks are clearest at this time. The weather should be warm (approx 18-23C) with sunshine during the day and minimal rainfall.

Due to unforeseen circumstances the Everest Trek has been moved from June to September 2008. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. The new dates are 6-26 September 2008.

Call Rosaleen for more information on 086-8069900 or email rosaleensikkim@eircom.net

The HOPE Goa Walk is a 12-day trip to the tropical state of Goa in the west of India also paying a visit to HOPE's projects in Calcutta. There could be no better way of exploring the natural wonders of the 97 km–long Indian coastline than on foot. Goa is India’s smallest state and a former Portuguese enclave. A little pocket of coconut groves, paddy fields, fruit plantations and beaches, Goa is also famous for the locals’ relaxed and friendly attitude to life. The trip also includes a visit to Calcutta to see how your fundraising money is being put to use on HOPE's projects working with street children and their families.

HOPE GOA WALK 2008 - An Overview
The HOPE Walkers Group will depart from Ireland on Saturday 15th March 2008 for London and board a connecting flight to Bombay arrving on the 16th of March and then onto Goa for 6 days walking. The group will then fly into Calcutta on Sunday 23rd where we will spend the next 3 days visiting various HOPE projects in Calcutta to see the work of the Foundation first hand. Walkers will travel back to Ireland from Calcutta on Wednesday 26th of March arriving home the same day.

The walking in Goa will take the group through forest trails, coconut and spice plantations, pretty villages, wildlife sanctuaries and of course stunning beaches. Visits to Hindu temples, wildlife sanctuaries and local markets are included in the programme with plenty of opportunity to sample deliciously spiced Goan cuisine! Walkers will be staying at Cavelossim Beach from where we will be transported by jeep to the walking locations each day.

The walking group will comprise of 40-50 walkers of all ages walking in aid of HOPE (under-18s must be accompanied & under-14s are at the group leaders discretion). Walks will be between 5-7 hours in duration with some light inclines and will finish by approx. lunchtime each day as temperatures will rise to 25-33 degrees celsius in April. Walkers will then be free for personal activities or sightseeing trips in the afternoons.

This is an experience of a lifetime in one of the most beautiful parts of India and your participation will be directly contributing to making a real difference to children’s lives.