Audley cake sale raises money for Pakistan flood victims

Cake sale raises money for Pakistan flood victims

Members of Audley’s Indian Subcontinent team have this week held a cake sale to help raise funds for the devastating flood crisis in Pakistan.

The impressive spread of cakes, bakes and cookies included a lavish looking pavlova, a sumptuous banana and walnut cake and a Dutch apple pie. After the last morsels were cleared and the pounds and pennies counted, the team declared a final tally of £275 in money raised.

This money will be contributed towards aid and disaster relief efforts currently ongoing in the worst hit areas of Pakistan.

Following the country’s biggest flood in 80 years, at least 1,600 people are feared dead and millions left homeless and in need of aid. The growing crisis is exacerbated by reports of further heavy downpours expected over the coming days, with authorities in some areas issuing “extreme” and “imminent” flood warnings.

Find out more about the flood crisis in Pakistan and how you can help support charities working to help people who have been affected – go to www.thebiggive.org.uk.

Rare primate spotted in Sri Lanka

Horton Plains slender loris spotted in Sri Lanka (image: ZSL)

One of the world’s rarest primates, the Horton Plains slender loris, has been captured on camera for the first time in over 60 years.

Thought to be extinct, the nocturnal mammal was spotted by scientists from the Zoological Society of London and a team of Sri Lankan researchers whilst on a recent night-time survey.

Recorded in the wild only a handful of times since the 1930s, the slender loris has evaded experts for decades. The dramatic decline in numbers is thought to be caused by deforestation and destruction of its natural habitat to make way for tea plantations in Sri Lanka and southern India.

Roughly 5 – 10 inches (12 – 25 cm) in length, the slender loris is characterised by its short limbs, thick fur and large, saucer-like eyes.

Find out more about visiting Sri Lanka and Responsible Travel in the Indian Subcontinent, or call 01993 838 335 to speak with one of our country specialists.

Audley’s tiger initiative pays off

Audley raises money for TOFT in support of India's wildlife reserves

Audley has received a message of thanks from one of its foremost wildlife charities.

TOFT (Travel Operators For Tigers) aims to drive a more responsible and sustainable approach to tourism in India’s wildlife reserves by supporting conservation and local community programmes, along with a range of different initiatives.

As an international tour operator member of TOFT, Audley is dedicated to helping support responsible travel within India’s protected parks. One initiative which has proven to be particularly successful is Audley’s contribution of £15 for each person who books and travels with them to an Indian wildlife reserve where tigers are present. This scheme has raised an impressive £2,745 so far, and this figure is continuing to grow.

To read more about our commitment to responsible travel, or to discover how you could book a tailor-made trip to the wildlife reserves of India, visit the website at www.audleytravel.com or call 01993 838 350.

Trains, planes and busy buses in India

Locals enjoy a bus ride in rural India

With so many incredible places to see and so many miles between them, travelling around India, especially through the more off-the-beaten-track places, can be a challenging (yet surprisingly rewarding) experience.

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Audley launches India Tiger Safari video

If you’re thinking of booking a safari at one of India’s national parks, or just interested to find out more about the wildlife of this fascinating country, then make sure you take a look at Audley’s latest short movie (click the arrow below to play the video).

The India Tiger Safari with Audley Travel video is a unique glimpse at the amazing wildlife encounters that await visitors in India’s central wildlife parks. The video features footage taken by Harsha Ogale, one of Audley’s Indian Subcontinent specialists, and it was taken during Harsha’s recent trip to the Bandavgarh and Tadoba National Parks in central India.

The clip also includes narration from Harsha, which helps to guide viewers through the video and provide more information on the types of animals that might be spotted and the best ways to plan your wildlife safari of India.

Click the arrow to play the video above, or alternatively visit our Wildlife of India section to find out more about booking a tailor-made trip to India with Audley.

India: Where your £s go further

Possibly India's most iconic building, the Taj Mahal in Agra.

A recent survey by Thomas Cook has shown that India is easily the best place in terms of making your £s go further.

Their 2010 Cost of Living survey shows that you can buy a beer there for the equivalent of just 68 pence, and if you want a three course meal to go with it, you’ll pay just £5.48.

In fact, the top six are all places that Audley can arrange tailor-made trips to:

No worry, chicken curry!

Follow the adventures of the Whittle family in India

I have just read the wonderful and inspiring story of the Whittle family, Geoff and Cherie, James (9) and Olly (11), who rather radically decided to leave their home, family and friends in the UK to live in India to help save the tiger.

After a tough time in the UK, with rising debts and a failing business, they decided to make a radical change to their lives and move to India where they spent a total of seven years, set up two charities and dedicated themselves to helping to save the tiger.

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Rick Stein’s Far Eastern Odyssey on BBC2

Rick Stein in the Far East

Tonight at 8pm on BBC2 is the first in a series of programmes which sees the chef Rick Stein undertake an epic culinary journey by river, sea and overland to discover the diverse food cultures of the Far East.

“I’m here to discover not just the food,” Stein promises, “but what makes places like Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam tick. What’s so special about Bali, Sri Lanka, Malaysia or Bangladesh? Well – the food of course. But beyond that it’s the people. People talking about food…”.

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Himalayan Treasures – Tibet, Nepal & Bhutan client seminar

Tiger's Nest Monastery in Bhutan.

On friday afternoon I popped along to another of our client seminars, ‘Himalayan Treasures’, which was presented by Chris Moore from our North and Central Asia department, and Camilla Brent-Smith and Iona Laing from our Indian Subcontinent team.

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Hot Dog Sale in aid of the World Land Trust

Kate and Dan, two of the Indian Subcontinent team, at the barbecue!

Yesterday the Indian Subcontinent team continued their fund-raising efforts, this time concentrating on their second chosen charity, the World Land Trust.

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