12 May 2014 - Intrepid Travel is urging travellers keen to put some meaning behind their next adventure to sign up this month for the few remaining places on the Kili Climb or Camino de Santiago Challenge and help raise funds to fight gender inequality.

The two fundraising trips are part of Intrepid Travel's three year gender equality initiative, Project SAMA, to support the education of girls – around 53 million girls in developing countries are denied access to primary school. In joining the Intrepid Kili Climb or Camino Challenge, travellers are committing to fundraise $1500 for early education projects in Uganda and Laos run by Plan International.

“Reaching the roof of Africa and walking over 100km through Spain are not challenges to be taken lightly, and neither is the inequality that women and girls face every day,” said James Thornton, Managing Director. “Committing to one of these trips is a significant way in which our travellers can make a difference for females in the developing countries we visit, not to mention the immense satisfaction in conquering such a challenge.”

The Kili Climb follows the popular Marangu Route to Mt Kilimanjaro. Passing vast grasslands, giant cacti fields and scenic alpine meadows, travellers trek with experienced guides and porters to reach Africa's highest peak at 5,895 metres.

The Camino Challenge sees travellers follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims on a walk along a 116km section of the Camino de Santiago. Beginning in the town of Sarria, travellers walk through picturesque villages, forests, fields and rural lanes to eventually arrive at the famous destination town of Santiago de Compostela.

In taking on these challenges, travellers will add to the $150,000 already raised for Project SAMA. Meaning 'equal' in the Bahasa language, Intrepid Travel's Project SAMA is currently in its third year of raising awareness around the importance of gender equality and raising funds for projects around the world that address gender inequalities, including eight Intrepid Foundation community projects focused on education and health programs for women and girls.
www.intrepidtravel.com/sama 

To take on one of these challenges, travellers must register by 30 May 2014. Places are limited.

Intrepid Kili Climb
Dates: 8 to 15 August 2014 and 4 to 12 September 2014
Trip duration: 8 days
Fundraising target: $1500
Travel cost: $1445 (flights not included)
www.intrepidtravel.com/kili-climb

Intrepid Camino de Santiago Challenge
Date: 11 to 18 September 2014
Trip duration: 8 days
Fundraising target: $1500
Travel cost: $995 (flights not included)
www.intrepidtravel.com/Camino-de-Santiago-Challenge

About Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company that has been taking travellers off the beaten track to discover the world's most amazing places for 25 years. It offers more than 1,000 trips in more than 100 countries and on every continent.Every trip is designed to truly experience local culture - to meet local people, try local food, take local transport and stay in local accommodation. Award-winning tour leaders, small group sizes and included activities mean they offer travellers great value for money. www.intrepidtravel.com

About The Intrepid Foundation
Established in 2002, The Intrepid Foundation is a not-for-profit fund that helps Intrepid Travel and its travellers support and contribute to communities around the world. Support is brought to projects in health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Intrepid Travel matches all travellers' donations dollar for dollar and covers all administration costs, guaranteeing that 100% of donations reach the nominated projects. In 11 years, The Intrepid Foundation has raised and distributed more than AU$3.4 million to more than 75 non-government organisations. www.theintrepidfoundation.org