Cultural Immersion - Adventure - Positive Impact

Cultural Immersion - Adventure - Positive Impact
STUDENT EXPEDITIONS
General Information & Sample Itineraries
1601 St-Denis, Suite 300
Montreal, QC - H2X 3K3, Canada
Tel: 1-514-667-3377
Fax: 1-514-227-5527
[email protected]
www.kepri.com
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
What We Do
What You Get
All Included Experience
South America - PERU Sample Itinerary
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South America - PERU Sample Activities
Africa - EGYPT Sample Itinerary
Africa - EGYPT Sample Activities
Europe - GREECE Sample Itinerary
Asia - JAPAN Sample Itinerary
Homestays & Development Projects
The Kepri Guarantee
Some of Our COs
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Some of Our COs (cont’d)
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Schools that traveled with Kepri
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Contact Information
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Our Creative Organizers will take charge of your trip and help you through a cultural
immersion experience for you and your students
Our itineraries are designed from A to Z, all the way down to every last detail, by our Creative Organizers (COs).
Accompanying you on your trip, your CO comes from the country you are visiting yet lives in North America. Their
expertise of both the destination visited and where the travelers come from helps to bridge the cultural gap
between tourists and locals. It is your Kepri CO that will be your local guide but also with whom you will be able to
create an itinerary based on your needs. Helping you answer the students and their parents’ questions before the
trip, and being able to adjust the itinerary even once on the trip because of their vast contacts, our COs make the
Kepri experience truly custom-made. You are thus being accompanied before, during and even after the trip.
Our student trips are great opportunities for groups of students to immerse themselves in new foreign cultures, to
develop stronger bonds amongst their peers and to develop their sense of responsible, authentic and secure
travel. The Kepri formula is a perfect balance between spending time in nature without destroying it, participating
in cultural exchange activities with the local communities, taking the time to relax, learn and of course have fun as
well as have a positive impact on your students as well as the destination visited.
We offer an innovative alternative to mass tourism and traditional student trips.
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Optimize Your Trip Experience
A Plethora Of Activities
Kepri trips are enriching on many levels:
Cultural Exchange Activities
Meet the locals via exchange platforms non-commercial ;to learn
about their cultures as well as teach them about ours. Discover their:
Local cultures and traditions via their music, dress, cooking, etc.
History and politics
Sending your student group abroad accompanied by
someone who originally comes from the destination yet
lives in North America really makes a difference:
Stronger bonds
Allow your students develop stronger bonds amongst
their peers...
Unforgettable School Memories
Create a durable impression on your students they will
associate with their school…
Social Responsibility
Make your students even more conscious by exposing
them to real-life experiences via our cultural exchange
activities with the local communities...
Personal Development
Contribute to the personal development as you open
their eyes to the world and stimulating experiences they
will learn and have fun with...
Global Perspectives
Evolve the students’ perspectives by teaching them
about foreign cultures and help them become
responsible citizens of the world...
Outdoor Adventures
Discover nature without destroying it! Explore the great outdoors and
try unique modes of transport such as:
Camel treks and sandboarding
Elephant-ride, safaris
Mountain biking or canopying
Sailboats - catamarans, feluccas, etc
Scuba Diving or snorkeling
and more...
Educational Fun
Participate in activities/workshops and learn about:
Archeology, Pottery
Languages (via classes and activities with the locals)
Cuisine, Martial Arts
Ancient Peruvian Fishing Boat Construction
and more...
Relaxation and Natural Beauty
Take the time to appreciate the majestic horizons this planet has to
offer and relax in comfortable environments that are sure to take your
breath away, such as:
Deserts and Oases
Mountains, Canyons and Valleys
Rivers, Seas and Lakes
Beaches, Forests and Jungles
Community Development
Visit NGOs as you actively participate in their local projects and
contribute to long-term positive impacts.
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A smooth, stress-free trip experience...
We propose simplicity itself, since we take care of everything, absolutely everything that needs to get done to
make your trip a reality. Our objective is to manage all the little stressful details that usually keep you from
spending quality time with your students.
An ALL-INCLUDED Package:
In addition to implicating you in the design process, helping you communicate with the parents and students, and
getting the group ready for the trip, your CO will also take care of:
Absolutely all meals from the moment you land to the moment you take off to return home
Suggesting a variety of restaurants that offer gastronomic yet traditional cuisine, suitable for every palate .
Meals include as much food as your students can eat as well as beverages
Water bottles, juices and snacks throughout the day
All planned as well as unplanned (last minute) activities
All transportation and logistics including getting the luggage around
All lodging in double, triple or quadruple occupancy
All touristic and non-touristic site visits
All tips for any service we use (meals, local guides, drivers, bathrooms, etc.)
Any equipment needed for activities, such as camping (if necessary)
Only souvenirs, personal laundry and any alcoholic beverages are not included in your package.
Kepri offers gratuities for the teachers depending on the group size and the destination. These gratuities can
be discussed based on your requirements. (1 for every 7 student vs 1 for every 10).
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SOUTH AMERICA SAMPLE ITINERARY > PERU
This itinerary is based on a group of 30 students traveling for 12 days
CAD
$2600
taxes & flights included
DAY 1 >
Lima: Discover the country’s capital
DAY 2 >
Huanchaco: Participate in a “caballito” construction workshop, a unique fishing vessel
DETAILED EXCERPT:
Day 2 - Today we discover the traditional way of life of the Peruvian fishermen in Huanchaco. During the day,
we visit first the Totorales, fields of preserved reeds for the construction of the fishing boats (called Caballitos).
We will have the chance to participate in a cabalito construction workshop, given by the most recognized
fisherman in town. We will even have lunch at his house and we'll be able to try the thousand-year-old local
corn beer, called Chicha. This beer and all the food that will be served are all home-made and will give us yet
another opportunity to integrate ourselves with the locals. After a good meal, we will go to the sea to test our
fishing boats!
DAY 3 >
Huanchaco: Try your hand at an archeological digging workshop with local anthropologists
DAY 4 >
Visit the impressive Moche civilization's Chan Chan Citadels - back to Lima
DAY 5 >
Leave Lima for Ica and it's surrounding desert - Sandboarding and camping activities
DAY 6 >
Ballesta Island visit - a mini Peruvian Galapagos
DAY 7 >
Leave for Cuzco, a charming town host to shops, cathedrals, museums and archeological sites
DAY 8 >
Cuzco: ascension to the Sacsahuaman archeological site with a local guide
DAYS 9-10 > Sacred Valley of the Incas: 2 days of mini outdoor treks.
DAY 11 >
Aguas Calientes: ascent to the mystic ruins of Machu Picchu at the break of dawn
DAY 12 >
Cuzco: our last day in Cuzco, perfect for souvenir shopping
We also organize trips to Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Mexico, and more...
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SOUTH AMERICA SAMPLE ACTIVITIES > PERU
Meeting the local villagers for various activities such as:
Caballito construction workshop (fishing boat)
Archeological digs with anthropologists
Various Workshops (pottery. cuisine, etc...)
Bathing in natural hot water/thermal baths
Machu Picchu Expeditions via alternative treks (with almost no
tourists around!)
Visit the archeological sites of:
- Machu Picchu
- Chavin de Huantar
- Sacsahuaman
- Ceremonial Village of Cuhuachi
- Huacas de Mochex
- Kuelap Fortress
- Inca de Pisaq
- Choquequirao
- Paracas National Reserve
- and more...
Jungle treks with a local family that will interpret the fauna and flora
Discover the local agriculture and the coca leaf
Museum of Archeology and Anthropology of Lima
Cuzco, Arequipa, Huaraz, Trujillo, Huanchaco, Puerto Inca, Canyon de
Colca, etc...
Fly over the famous Nazca lines
Ballestas Islands excursions
and more!
As our trips are completely created on a custom-made basis, we
develop an itinerary to suit your budget, time, interests, and desired level
of physical activities.
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AFRICA SAMPLE ITINERARY > EGYPT
This itinerary is based on a group of 30 students traveling for 13 days
CAD
$2500
taxes & flights included
DAY 1 > Cairo: Pharaonic Sites - Pyramids at Giza, Sakkara and even Dahshour!
DAY 2 > Cairo: Coptic Sites, Museum of Cairo, Island of Zamalek
DAY 3 > Luxor: Transport to Upper Egypt - Museum of Luxor
DAY 4 > Luxor: Valleys of the Kings and Queens, Donkeyback Rides
DAY 5 > Luxor: Karnak Temple, Horse Chariots, Nile Sailing Excursion
DAYS 6-7 > Kharga Oasis : Meeting the local bedouin communities
DAYS 8-9 > Sahara Desert: Camel trek and sandboarding
DAY 10 > Sahara Desert: Thermal Baths and Roman tombs
DAY 11 > Alexandria: Roman Catacombs, the Great Library, excellent seafood
DAY 12 > Cairo: Islamic Sites - The Citadelle, Mosques
DAY 13 > Caire : Khan El Khalili Market, Darwish dancers
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We also organize trips to Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal, Tanzania, and more...
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AFRICA SAMPLE ACTIVITIES > EGYPT
These activities are listed as examples of what could constitute a trip to Egypt:
• Islamic Cairo - the ancient city with
its beautiful mosques:
- Mohammed Ali
- Sallah El Din
- Ibn Touloun
- Al Rifai
- Etc...
• Oasis Expeditions:
- Siwa
- Bahareya
- Kharga
- Fayoum
- and others...
• Upper Egypt Temple Visits:
• Visit dozens of pyramids:
- Dahshour
- Maydoum
- Giza
- Sakkara
- Karnak, Hatchepsout
- Edfu, Kom Ombo
- Habou, Ramses III
- and others...
• Sinaï Peninsula: Red Sea Scuba Diving,
Colored Canyon, Mount Sinaï,
iSaint-Catherine Monastery...
• Alexandria: The Great Library,
The Fort of Qayt Bay, Roman catacombs
• Museum of Cairo
• Khan El Khalili Market
• Sahara Desert: Camelback treks,
Sandboarding, dancing and bedouin
music, swimming in thermal baths
and natural oasis lakes...
• Transport: Felucca rides on the Nile
Horse Chariots, Donkeyback rides,
Camelback rides, Horseback rides...
• The Valley of the Kings
• Workshops:
- Egyptian cuisine
- Bedouin pottery
- Bedouin natural soaps
- Olive Oil Fabrication
- Etc...
• Cruise on the Nile in a felucca
with a private chef and the
following visits:
- Silsila Quarry
- Edfu, Kom Ombo
- Villages of Hamam and
Daraou
- Island of Philae
• and more (such as Aswan, Abou
Simbel, etc.)
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EUROPE SAMPLE ITINERARY > GREECE
CAD
This itinerary is based on a group of 30 students traveling for 10 days
$2600
taxes & flight included
DAYS 1-2 > Athens: The Acropolis, the Parthenon, Plaka and Monastiraki Square
DAYS 3-7 > 5-day Cretan adventure covering the following:
In Crete we'll make the magnificent trek up and down the gorges of Crete, based in
the charming village of Loutro, only accessible by boat. We'll get to see small
picturesque Chapels all along the coast and visit the tiny villages in the mountains
behind Loutro as we have lunch. We’ll also get to visit Xania and it's unique labyrinth
of streets, taste the excellent cretan cuisine and even participate in a cooking
workshop to make Moussaka (a typical local dish). The trek to get to Elafonissi Beach
is sure to impress, and kayaking on the calm waters of Southern Crete will give us
great photo opportunities. Let us not forget the visit to the museum in Heraklion and
Knossos archeological site. We will also visit an olive oil COOP and a secluded
monastery near Heraklion.
DAY 8 >
Visit the beautiful citity of Thira in Santorini
DAY 9 >
Volcano excursion across from Santorini and the island of Tharassia
DAY 10 > Last day in Athens for some shopping and the return home
HIGHLIGHTS:
Participate in volcano excursion off the island of Santorini
Taste the best fish and seafood of the mediterranean
Meet the charming and welcoming island communities in Crete
Trek through the virgin coasts of southern Crete and the Samarian Gorge
Discover thousands of years of Greek history on breathtaking archeological sites
We can also organize trips to Croatia, Italy, Spain, France and more...
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ASIA SAMPLE ITINERARY > JAPAN
This itinerary is based on a group of 30 students traveling for 10 days
CAD
$3500
taxes & flight included
DAY 1 > Tokyo’s Shibuya crossing and the electronic market of Akihabara
DAY 2 > Asakusa area featuring the Sensō-ji temple
DAY 3 > Hakone volcano excursion and the hot springs with view of Mt. Fuji
DAY 4 > Kagoshima’s sand baths and the typical local cuisine
DAYS 5-7 > Kyushu area adventure:
From the port of Kagoshima, we sail southward to Yakushima Island. This heavily
forested subtropical island is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site famous for its
many ancient cedars. It is the ideal place in Japan to enjoy the country’s nature and
wildlife (deer, monkeys & birds). Our trek in the Shiratani Ravine will take us to an area
filled with ancient giant cedar trees that date back to up to 7000 years. One of this area’s
most interesting activities is the river kayaking (no training necessary) which will allow
us to see Japan in a truly atypical way as we penetrate Kyushu’s beautiful natural parks
via the waterways...
DAY 8 >
Visit the amazing Golden Temple of Kyoto and a zen meditation center
DAY 9 >
Kyoto’s Gion district and sushi-making workshop
DAY 10 > Last day in Tokyo for some shopping and the return home
HIGHLIGHTS:
Tokyo: electronics market of Akihabara
Hakone’s volcano, hot springs & view of Mount Fuji
Relaxing in the sand baths of Kagoshima
Kayaking in Kyushu’s natural parks
Hiking among the cedars of Yakushima
Trekking to waterfalls while observing Japan’s wildlife
Kyoto: Golden Temple of Kinkakuji & Sushi cooking workshop
We also organize trips to China, India and more...
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Homestays
On some of our trips we collaborate with local
associations and NGOs that have homestay programs
in order for your students to stay in some local homes
- usually two by two. This is an ideal way to practice
the language and discover the culture as an insider.
All home stay families are members of approved
international programs to ensure a secure
experience, and our COs are always nearby to check
up on the students on a daily basis...
Development Projects
All of our trips include, in one way of another, a
positive impact project aimed at pushing the
sustainable development of the country we are
visiting. Whether it be for half a day, or for a whole
week or two, we can adjust the amount of community
service or work involved during the trip, depending on
the school’s interest. Past projects include beach/
park cleanups, volunteering in orphanages and in
local COOPs (fishing boat construction, etc...)
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The Kepri Guarantee
One thing that is certain - your CO will make sure you have a unique
experience...
...and in order to ensure your experience is an enjoyable one, we are also flexible in:
CHANGES - Last minute changes to the itinerary, even if done during the trip, are not charged
as extras - we always ensure plan Bs and Cs in order to give ourselves options in case we need to
adjust the itinerary while on the trip.
PRICE - The package price we quoted you along with your itinerary is guaranteed - see PAGE 5
for everything we include in our prices (which is everything except souvenirs and laundry).
FOOD - We always offer a good variety of food during meals (and even snacks). We usually eat
in non-touristic restaurants that offer authentic, clean food, and no set menus, with no limits to
how much your students can eat and drink!
INSURANCE - We offer medical, baggage and/or cancellation insurance with one of the most
trusted companies: RBC Insurance. Ask us about our advantageous student packages.
FLIGHTS - We can of course also take care of your flight and make sure that you have the most
convenient transit times with respectable airlines so that your journey is as comfortable as
possible.
CARBON OFFSETS - Flight carbon offsets can be purchased for the flights we use to get to
and return from the destination in order to make your travel more environmentally-friendly.
Accreditations:
Kepri is a travel agent and wholesaler as accredited by the OPC (Office de la protection du
Consommateur du Quebec). Permit #702848
Kepri is also a member of TIDS (IATA) and ACTA.
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ALYSONRODRIGUEZ
SOME OF OUR COs
CREATIVE ORGANIZER - PERU
Alyson has a true passion for her country, and since she left Peru to live in canada she has planned going back while contributing to a
cause to help the Peruvian economic development via tourism. She considers herself honored to promote the cultural heritage of her
country.
She studied tourism at Concordia University in Montreal and she is currently pursuing her academic career in business at the same
institution. , She has worked in the Alpaca (textile) industry in canada helping Peruvian artisans benefit from this great material. Having
dedicated her heart and soul to promoting fair trade, her knowledge of the Latin American countries combines well with her desire to
enable responsible tourism to take its place in the Peruvian market. This in turn will allow for a true exchange of cultures and bring
many benefits for all involved. Alyson is also "in love " with theatre and danse, which she practices weekly: currently working as an
actor in the Ollin Theatre Group she has played many roles in English and Spanish for the National School of Theatre and the ASM. As
for dancing, she has set her sights at mastering the art and soul of Flamenco in the very near future.
She is convinced that with Kepri she will be able to continue exploring the riches of her country, natural and cultural, and she is
offering you the opportunity to share this dream in a country where there are still many hidden treasures to discover...
KARIMHAGGAR
CREATIVE ORGANIZER - EGYPT
Co-founder of Kepri, Karim is also the first Egypt trip organizer. He grew up in Alexandria, the Mediterranean capital of Egypt. Marveled
by his country’s natural and cultural riches, Karim has been exploring Egypt since his early adolescence by organizing adventures for
him and his friends. Through his discoveries of the deserts, the seas and the Nile, he noticed the degree at which the economic
development, industrialization and mass tourism could completely destroy the natural and social environment of the country that make
up the true national treasures! His passion for adventure trip organization and his determination to concretely contribute to the
sustainable development of Egypt pushed him to start-up Kepri with his life-long friend.
Karim lives in Montreal since 1999 and is completing his doctorate degree at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal in Innovation and
Technology Management. Karim is a research associate for the MINE project (Managing Innovation in the New Economy), currently the
most important management research project in Canada. He has also obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Industrial
Engineering at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. Over the course of his studies, he participated in many extra-curricular activities,
namely the Poly-Suisse project in 2004 which entailed having him organize visits for his team to interview leaders of different industries
in Switzerland. He has also organized research missions, within the framework of his studies, to China, Taiwan and California.
With his experience in ecotourism, his skills in the field of Innovation and Technology Management as well as his entrepreneurial flare,
Karim is determined to give to each and every client of Kepri an unforgettable travel experience, one day making Kepri a world leader
in its industry, all the while contributing to the significant improvement of the Earth’s ecosystems.
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SOME OF OUR COs
ANTHONYCHAMY
CREATIVE ORGANIZER - GREECE
Anthony is co-founder of Kepri. Growing up in Montreal, Canada with parents that were born and raised in Egypt, he has ancestors in
Greece, Lebanon, Syria and Russia, a true citizen of the world! His motivation for co-founding Kepri comes from being determined to
stop the degradation of the natural and social environments around the globe, while enabling people to discover these through an
innovative travel model.
Having traveled at a young age, he spent summers in the Mediterranean, traveled to Central America to learn Spanish and worked in
the Caribbean giving sailing lessons. At 21, he decided to take start his own painting business while still a full-time University student.
His modest success during those two years confirmed his entrepreneurial instinct control his own future. Upon graduation, he took a
job as a business journalist, interviewing high-ranking government officials and the leaders of industry in Colombia, Lebanon and
Morocco. He also worked in the luxury tourism market in Germany and Austria. One thing became very clear: most countries had truly
amazing natural environments and cultures to explore, but they were rarely managed in a sustainable way. Anthony decided he wanted
to be able to continue to travel without contributing to the negative effects of mass tourism. Actually, he wanted to positively affect the
way other people traveled as well!
Therefore, on a sunny afternoon during an expedition in Sahara desert with his childhood friend Karim, they devised a plan to start-up
Kepri! Anthony then spent the next two years working part-time to build this project while working full-time for a European
commercial dock manufacturer. By the end of 2006, Kepri (previously ecotours) was growing fast and needed more attention. He has
since then been working with his partner and an ever-growing creative team, dedicating himself to redefining the way in which people
travel, to allow them to discover the world’s most beautiful hidden treasures while protecting their fragility.
KEIKOHISAMATSU
CREATIVE ORGANIZER - JAPAN
Keiko has extensive experience working in Japan with both international and Japanese visitors. Her home in Japan is on the southern
main island of Kyushu overlooking the Kujukushima Islands in Saikai National Park. The good fortune of living right on the doorstep of
a marine park that is one of the premiere spots for kayaking in Japan led her to become an avid sea kayaker. She has competed in
races in around the country which have helped her discover and explore the natural beauty of Japan.
Since moving to Canada, Keiko has guided Japanese tour groups showing them around Montreal and the surrounding areas. Keiko
now studies and practices Karate and uses her knowledge of Japanese culture to teach students Japanese as well as origami. She
shares her knowledge and experience by leading groups from Canada back to Japan and assists them in discovering the remarkable
beauty of her native country and its people with their modern and ancient culture.
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Just a few of our satisfied schools...
"I just wanted to thank you once again for
the fantastic trip you organized for our
group of students. News of how the trip
was positive, cultural and educational are
going around the school. I personally lived
an exceptional experience, just like you
promised!“
Vincenza Caldarreri, teacher
West Island College, Montreal, Canada
EGYPT, FEB 2009
"I wanted to say THANK YOU for the
amazing trip we just did in Egypt! It was a
experience filled with beautiful souvenirs
and I look forward to my next trip with
Kepri!”
Émilie Guillotte, student
ITHQ - Tourism & Hotel Institute of Quebec
Montreal, Canada
EGYPT, JAN 2009
"A beautiful dive into Greek antiquities,
with its hot beaches and maritime
landscapes, where we forget the capricious
humours of our home town's weather!"
Paule Tardif, Director
Entrepreneurship Center at University of
Montreal
Montreal, Canada
GREECE, AUG 2009
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West Island College, Montreal, Canada
EGYPT, Feb. 2009
Georges Vanier, Laval, Canada
GREECE, May 2010
West Island College, Montreal, Canada
JAPAN, Mar. 2010
ITHQ, Montreal, Canada
EGYPT, Jan. 2009
Regina Assumpta, Montreal, Canada
EGYPT, Jul. 2009
Montmorency College, Laval, Canada
EGYPT, Jun. 2010
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CONTACT:
+1-514-667-3377
[email protected]
www.kepri.com
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