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Last two places on Cape York trip!

HURRY - Just 2 Places left! Join us on one Australia's best rides through the Daintree wet tropics from Cairns to Cooktown on the Cape York Peninsula. Enjoy incredible riding during the day as we work our way up the famous Bloomfield track with it's rainforest creek crossings and Aboriginal Settlements. It's not all hard work though as we relax for a day on the reef and come back to excellent beachside accommodation and brilliant food each evening. It's a fully supported ride and we'll look after you every pedal of the way to Cooktown - truly one of Australia's hidden Gems. There's a good reason we think this is Australia's best ride, so come and find out for yourself - but hurry only a couple of spots left!

This ride is a fundraiser for the Oncology Children's foundation, so you'll not only be having a great adventure but helping to support Kids suffering with Cancer! Visit our challenges site for more information:

www.rawchallenges.com

Heart & soul

Well done to the Epworth Hospital riders who just completed a Cambodia cycle challenge, raising funds for the hospitals 'Heartsmart' programme. Our staff in Cambodia were very impressed by the spirit of this group, some of whom were ex-heart surgery patients. Their message is that you can get "back on the bike of life" and enjoy an active and full life even after heart surgery. This was also one of the oldest age profile groups we've taken with one venerable rider being 83 years young. If that's not inspiration for living life to the full then what is?!!

RAW awarded advanced eco-certification

We are thrilled to announce that our Great Ocean walk has been awarded advanced eco- certification from Eco-Tourism Australia. This stringent programme which is the only of it's kind in the world,looks at all areas of your operations and is awarded to operators who are "committed to achieving best practice when using resources wisely, contributing to the conservation of the environment and helping local communities".
We'll do our best to live upto this honour and maintain high standards on our Australian and overseas trips. To find out more about our commitments and policies on the environment, cultures and pro-poor tourism please check out our responsible travel policy at the bottom of each page on our site.

50% discount on Cambodia and Nepal

For the next month we have a special offer on our Cambodia cycling and Nepal Trekking trips - buy one trip at full price and a bring second person for 50% off! So now's the chance to grab your partner off the couch and take them on that Himalayan trek you've always been planning to do! Match these deals with the amazing airfares that are out there at the moment and you've got yourself a bargain.

To take advantage on of this offer you must book before the end of February and travel in 2010.
Call our tollfree number 1 300 208 245 or book online and just mention the 50% offer at the time of booking. You can also check out airfare deals by clicking on our 'Flights' button on the navigation menu and search for fares.

RIP Buntheon

We are sorry to announce that our one of our key staff in cambodia, Buntheon, was killed while riding his motorbike in Phnom Penh over the Christmas period. Buntheon was our one of our mechanics in Cambodia and many of our travellers there will have met him. He was described by our manager in cambodia, Adam Platt- Hepworth as a great person and "was loved by all as a quiet, easy going guy who was a great communicator and very well liked by everyone here" He will be sorely missed.
Buntheon started work with RAW In October 2008 and was responsible for helping his younger siblings financially. RAW will be helping with some of their immediate and ongoing costs. Anyone who would like to make a donation to the family can do so through our accounts and we will transfer money across to the family, who have now been left without a major breadwinner. Please e-mail us at info@rawtravel.com and we will send you details.

Happy Holidays!

Wishing all our travellers a wonderful Christmas holidays wherever you are and a more prosperous 2010 ahead! RAW Travel's Australian office will be closed from December 24 - January 4. We will endeavour to answer all e-mail enquiries during this time though there will a longer than usual response time.

$140,000 raised for MDA

This month saw a group of 16 adventurous Trekkers raise $140,000 as they ventured up the spectacular Langtang valley in Nepal in aid of Muscular Dystrophy Australia.The group had raised funds for research into finding a cure for this disease which affects one in every 1,000 Australians (and of course others too!).

Pictured are some of the group reaching the summit Tsergo Ri at 4,600m towards the top of the Langtang valley. Langtang is a narrow glaciated valley surrounded by towering mountains that lies about one day's drive from Kathmandu, along the northern border with Tibet. Many of the people who live here are Tamangs and Tibetans who've settled here from their homeland across the mountains. It is less popular with trekkers than Annapurna or Everest but therein lies it's appeal! We can organise private trips for as few as two people, just e-mail or call us us for more details.

Tibet ride raises $80,000

Our Lhasa to Kathmandu riders finished their epic 1100km ride this month across Tibet raising an astounding $80,000 in the process for the Oncology Children's foundation. The group of 14 crossed 5400m passes and visited the awesome north face of Everest as part of their tough ride across the roof of the world. If you' d like to be part of this amazing ride in 2010 then check out the page on our Nepal section as there are limited places and the trip fills fast.

Typhoon Ketsana

Natural disasters have wreaked havoc across the Asia- Pacific region this week. Our thoughts go out to our friends in Vietnam and Cambodia particuarly after Typhoon Ketsana hit this week. Though there has been a lot of lives lost in central Vietnam we are relieved to report that our local staff are safe and unaffected.

Several charities, including Oxfam and World Vision, have launched appeals to help victims in Vietnam and the Phillipines plus Tsunami victims in Sumatra and Samoa. Donations can be made on www.worldvision.com.au or www.oxfam.org.au

Great Ocean walk Special

Spring into shape on the Great Ocean walk! We are offering $150 off departures on our Great Ocean walks during October.What are you waiting for? Click here to find out more on Great Ocean walks

Travel for free!

If you're feeling the pinch then how about going on a free adventure of your choosing this year? As a limited time offer we are offering you the chance to get your trip for free if you bring a group of 8 people to book. So get you mates or family together and go climb a mountain in Nepal, Trek Kokoda or Hike up Kilimanjaro. Do the Great Ocean walk or the Great wall of China,the choice is yours! If bikes are your thing then get your workmates or sportsteam together for a ride across SE Asia or across Tibet. Get dreaming and get talking, you'll be surprised how easy it is. E-mail us for more details on this great offer - drop a line to dave@rawtravel.com

Congratulations to our Tibet Champions!

Our Inaugural ride through Tibet and Nepal finished successfully last month with 12 weary but very satisfied riders rolling into Kathmandu after a 26 day epic across the roof of the world. The group who were fundraising for the Oncology Children's Foundation were due to originally depart in September 2008 but due to Chinese restrictions during the Olympics their trip was postponed.

This epic, tough ride takes in 5,400m passes and the north face of Everest base camp en route through the Tibetan plateau. In the words of one participant Ross Trevena "The trip was stupendous, a brilliant mix of physical challenge and adrenalin, scenery and culture. The place is raw and mystical - no wonder there are so many monks and meditation was invented here!"

Our next trip is September is now almost full but we are taking bookings for 2010. Click here to find out more on Cycling in Tibet & Nepal

Sydney - Melbourne raises over $600,000

TOUR DUCHENNE RAISES OVER $600,000

Tom Williams and a number of other high profile Aussies joined 24 riders from around the world to ride from Sydney to Melbourne in the inaugaral Tour Duchenne cycle challenge in March this year. The gruelling 12,000km ride raised well over $600,000 to fund research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to help find a cure for Duchennes Disease- a form of Muscular Dystrophy that affects boys early in their lives.
Also joining the ride were Nathan Rees, Premier of NSW; Tony Abbott MP and former Olympic cyclist Natalie Bates.The ride initated by Julian Thompson and Muscular Dystrophy Australia was an epic challenge and the first Sydney to Melbourne ride run by Raw Travel.

Our staff trained for many months to prepare for this challenge and the commitment paid off as all who participated in the ride completed the ride safely and with a sense of monumental achievement. A strong bond was forged on the road as the team cycled through some tough conditions and tackled some stunning hill climbs and welcome down hill runs.

The scenery was as spectacular and ever-changing as the weather. The team spirit fuelled by the sense of what was being achieved - and a healthy dose of friendly competition! For some this was the biggest challenge of their lives- for others, just the beginning.

Congratulations to all the riders who took part and thanks to all who supported the riders throughout their journey.

Cambodia fundraiser

This month has seen a group of 21 extraordinary individuals from all over the world undertake our Cambodian cycling challenge to raise money for Cambodian girls who've been the victims of trafficking.The cyclists started in Siem Reap and pedalled over 500km through the countryside to finish on the Southern coast at Sihanoukville. En route they stopped in at two of the shelters which have been set up to house and rehabilitate the young girls who've been rescued from brothels in Cambodia.They also were lucky enough to meet the inspirational founder of the Charity, Somlay Mam, who was also once a victim of trafficking herself before going onto set up her own foundation to help rescue other girls.Somlay Mam has been the recipient of many humanitarian awards for her efforts and her autobiography 'The road to innocence' is an excellent if confronting read.

Click here to find out more on Cycling in Cambodia

Nepal School project

This year we'll be running our popular Nepal trek and school project again for the 5th year in a row. This unique opportunity to combine a trekking in Nepal with volunteer work takes place in the beautiful Helambu region and is accessible for anyone with a sense of adventure. Here's what some of last year's participants said:

"This would have to be the most rewarding and empowering trip I have experienced. We were embraced by an entire village, able to share our cultures and assist in improving peoples lives, even though only in a small way, it was extremely humbling" Belinda Nicholson

"This was a fantastic experience - not just a holiday. To cram so much into two weeks, to experience such different aspects of Nepal - the friendliness and inclusivity of the homestay visit, the fantastic scenery of the the trek, (the hardest part was finding adquate words to describe each breathtaking scene) the sense of personalachievement at the end of every day, and the culture shock of Kathmandu (especially the traffic!). This astonishing fabulous experience will stay with me for a long time. Thank you!"
Trudie Irle

The next departure will be on the 14th November 2009 , please click here for details. Click here to find out more on Project & Trekking in Nepal

Trekking Nepal in Style!

RAW's Dave Reynold's has just returned from trekking in Nepal,inspecting some of our luxury lodge treks in the Solu Khumbu (Everest) region - what a hard life! Here's what he had to say:

"The Everest region really does offer some of the world's most spectacular walking and despite the popular perception of crowded and impossibly strenuous walking trails this really isn't true.There is more than one route to Everest and the side valleys offer beautiful walking with incredible mountain panoramas and authentic Sherpa culture. To be able to experience all this and come into a comfortable heated room at the end of the day, with sensational food and a hot shower was just the icing on the cake! I've been trekking in Nepal for 16 years now but this brought a whole new dimension to the experience."

We have various treks in Nepal that combine awesome walks in the Everest and Annapurna regions with luxury lodge options.
Click here to find out more on Trekking in Nepal

Laptops for a new life!

Do you have an old laptop that could help young Cambodian girls to start a new life? The Somaly Mam Foundation helps young girls who have been trafficked and held as sex slaves to start a new life. After recently visiting one of the Somaly Mam shelters in Phnom Penh, RAW Travel's Dave Reynolds is starting an appeal to collect old but functional laptops that can be brought to Cambodia.

The girls will us these computers not only to learn new skills but to be able to tell their stories, most often horrific, to the wider world and attract awareness to the growing problem of trafficking and sex slavery. The girls, from as young as four, are rescued from brothels and given a new life through the shelters where they learn new skills that will help them adjust back into regular life.

Can you think of a better use for that old laptop? Please e-mail dave@rawtravel.com if you think you can help.

Thank you!

Click here to find out more on Cycling Cambodia

Cape York Crusaders

Recently we had a group of 32 employees from KPMG with us on a Cape York cycling challenge. This group of inspired individuals had fundraised over $100,000 to benefit Djarragun college near Cairns and were privileged to visit the College, spending time interacting with students before embarking on their ride. It proved to be an amazing experience for everyone concerned and very inspiring to see the excellent education provided and the motivated students who come from all over Cape York and the Torres Strait islands.

Afterwards we took the group on a cycling adventure from Port Douglas north to Cooktown and then inland to Laura. Along the way they had to tackle the steep inclines of the Bloomfield track through the Daintree Forest and the infamous Battle camp road to Laura.
See our 'Cape York and Daintree cycle' trip on the RAW Australia page if you'd like to experience this incredible ride for yourself.
Click here to find out more on Cycling Cape York

Follow a Dreaming trail

Get a different perspective on Australia as you experience the world heritage wilderness of Kakadu and Nitmiluk National parks in the company of Aboriginal guides. Walking with the traditional landowner on a Dreaming trail or songline through Nitmiluk national park, experiencing this extraordinary landscape though their eyes. We'll be trekking past Katherine gorge and some of the most iconic scenery of the Australian top end, and our camps each day will be by swimming holes. At night you'll sit by campfires and sleep under a blanket of stars.

In Kakadu we'll be walking past 30,000 year old art galleries at Nourlangie and up onto the escarpment with immense views over the Kakadu floodplains. We also spend a day exploring Kakadu's different environments in the company of an Aboriginal guide and take a cruise on the famous Yellow waters billabong, home to prolific bird and crocodilian life!

Lead your own adventure!

As a first in Asia RAW Travel is launching self guided cycle trips through Cambodia.This concept which has proven wildly popular in Europe is ideally suited to Cambodia, with it's lack of traffic, friendly villagers and easy terrain. Self guided trips offer the freedom of setting your own agenda whilst all the logistics and travel arrangements are taken care of for you. It's a neat marriage of the best aspects of independent travel and organized tours.

RAW provides you with a bike, panniers, booked accommodation and transfers for your luggage. You follow detailed notes, maps and even get a mobile phone so that help is only a phone call away. You can follow our itineraries or create your own.

RAW takes to the water!

This year as we are excited to be part of the Vic Super Murray Marathon. This event is now in it's 40th year and the YMCA has taken over as the organizing charity, injecting new life into this iconic event. For those of you not familiar the Murray Marathon is the World's longest canoe event covering 404km of the Murray river between Yarrawonga on the 27th December and head downstream to finish on New Year's eve in Swan Hill.The Murray marathon is also renowned for the fun & camaraderie that accompanies the event with entertainment laid on in the rolling camp that accompanies paddlers.

RAW Travel has partnered with YMCA to offer the first ever all inclusive packages that allow anyone to take part in this amazing event without having to worry about being an experienced paddler and having a support team and a boat.Another big plus is that you are able to come back to comfortable accommodation each night rather than camping.

For more information please click here to visit our Charity Challenges website:
RAW Challenges.

End to End Great Ocean walk

Next Year we'll be walking all 104km of the Great Ocean walk from Apollo Bay to it's finish near the 12 Apostles. So if you fancy experiencing the Great Ocean walk in it's entirety then come and join us on this 7 day trek. This is a fully supported walk so you just carry a day pack and you'll be transported back to comfortable accommodation at the end of each day. The next available trip dates are 10-16 March 2010.
Click here to find out more on End to end Great Ocean walk

Escape the Winter blues!

As a special one off trip this year we are organizing a recession / winter buster trip to the tropical North. If you want a real adventure in one of Australia's great landscapes then spend your tax bonus responsibly;) and jump onboard our Cape York and Daintree cycle. This is strictly limited numbers and a one off trip which will run from the 18- 24 July, cycling through the spectacular wet tropics from Port Douglas to Cooktown.Expect magnificent beaches, rainforest clad hills, creek crossings, wildlife, Indigenous rockart and other tours plus some fun nights out in Cooktown and Port Douglas. You'll stay in great accomodation and have 4wd drive and cycling leader support throughout.The trip will be led by RAW's Director Dave Reynolds who cycled the route last year and raved about it afterwards as one of the best trips he's done.

This trip normally costs $2,750 for a nine day itinerary. Raw Travel is offering a once off special price of $1,750 for a seven day itinerary for this July only. SAVE $1,000!

Call now to secure you place on this fantastic adventure in tropical Queensland. 1300 208 245
Visit the Raw Travel website for more information on this trip - Cape York and Daintree Cycle

Your own Great Ocean walk!

This month we are pleased to launch private tours along the Great Ocean walk in Victoria, to complement our existing private cycle and trek options in Nepal, Cambodia and India. This outstanding walk has become a firm favourite of RAW travel staff and customers over the past year and now we can offer the flexibility of your own private Great Ocean Walk with all the features of our group tours - just less people! You can have your own guide and driver and tailor the itinerary to your liking, so you can walk less or more and go sightseeing some of the other attractions along the Great Ocean Road afterwards. Private tours start with as few as five people and can be for a weekend or a week! E-mail dave@rawtravel.com or call (+61) 0413 703 632 for a quote. Click here for more information on private tours on the Great Ocean Road Walk.

Upcoming talks

Looking for inspiration for your next life adventure? Come and meet our guides and fellow travellers for a night of real life entertainment

15th Jan - The Great Ocean walk and High Country cycling
22nd Jan - Trekking Nepal in Style! Luxury lodges of Everest & Annapurna
5th Feb - Cycling Cambodia & Vietnam
14th Feb - Trekking In Nepal and the Great Ocean walk

All talks are held at our Melbourne office, drinks and nibbles provided. Please e-mail to info@rawtravel.com to confirm attendance as places are limited.

New fleet hits the road!

Overseas we have just opened a new SE Asia bike operation, located in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. Our office close to the Russian market has been a hive of activity with the first trips of the season already underway. We've purchased a new fleet of 44 Trek 4400's to service all our trips in the region and these are being expertly maintained by our resident bike mechanics and guides, Andy and Sokhom ( pictured).

RAW is the only cycling operator to be able to offer a money back guarantee, so confident are we that you will receive a quality well maintained bike when you travel with us.