THE ADVENTURE CHALLENGE ( Feb - March, 2008)

Kalypso Adventures has tied up with Raleigh International, a UK based youth development organisation that aims to help people of all backgrounds and nationalities, discover their full potential. Raleigh International gets volunteers out in India to improve the quality of life for rural communities, protect and conserve its natural environments and undertake challenging, life-changing adventures.

As part of the adventure phase of their program Raleigh’s volunteers complete an intense 16 day adventure challenge- trekking, cycling and kayaking through Kerala.

This adventure phase of their program in Kerala is organised and conducted by Kalypso. It is a grueling challenge that tests the limits of endurance, but also brings out the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie and shows participants what they can achieve if they push themselves hard enough.
The pioneer Raleigh expedition to India started mid February. The participants were divided into three groups, Alpha three being the group that embarked on the adventure challenge. After each 16 day adventure, during which time they covered 500 km, the groups were mixed around and a new set of participants formed alpha three. Eventually after three adventure challenges all of the participants had had the opportunity to trek through the breath taking hills and lush forests of Kerala, navigate down to the Arabian sea on cycles and spend three days kayaking through the tranquil Kerala backwaters.

The initial part of the challenge involved a demanding ten day trek during which time we covered more than 20 km a day, most of it while climbing uphill. The first day set the pace and let the participants know what to expect from the challenge. We led them up the roads of the Chattamunnar Tea Estate and then into the jungle above. Allowing them a break in-between, their pain was forgotten when they glanced over the valley and realised what they had accomplished and how much more was in store.

Passing through tea plantations

Jerry the Kalypso guide leading the group

Reji- the local guide

Speechless on realising how high they had climbed

Are we there yet?

The rest of the day was slightly easier as we walked through small tea estate villages, where we were always welcomed by the excited shouts of children. Finally just as everyone felt that they were about to buckle over, we reached the campsite for the night much to everyone’s relief.

Catching a glimpse of the local people

Getting the fire started

Campfire time!

The next day passed in a similar fashion, with everyone slowly getting accustomed to the long treks and heavy backpacks. Passing through some spectacular locations, helped in distracting participants from their exhaustion and inspired them to press on.

Setting up camp

Lending a helping hand

Catching their breath

The task for day 3 involved climbing up South India’s second highest mountain, Meesapulimala. With grit, determination and a positive attitude we focused on the task ahead and finally reached the top where the Kalypso campsite staff greeted us with a much appreciated cup of hot tea.

Climb every mountain...

Water break

And we're off again

Stamina levels soon increased, although the routes were as tough as ever. Days began to fly by as we walked along river beds, through more tea plantations and passed through villages where we were invited to try the local food. One night involved camping on the banks of the largest lake in Kerala. With everyone in high spirits we had a marvelous time going on boat rides and swimming in the lake.

Passing through more tea estates

Super heroes in India?

Time for a refill

Bathing: Indian style

Boat ride across the lake

Fun fun fun!

Welcome breaks and rest stops along the way included magnificent, deserted waterfalls where we enjoyed a relaxed time swimming and listening to the sound of the birds and insects. After ten hard days, the trekking portion of the challenge came to an end and we now prepared ourselves for the cycling bit.

A refreshing break

In high spirits

Hauntingly ghostlike

The biking phase began near Periyar and was just as tough as the trekking, as we cycled up barely accessible steep mountain paths and had to cover 80 km on the first day. The second day involved cycling a distance greater than 115 km as the group moved down towards the coast, passing through cities on the way which turned out to be quite a change with its crowds and traffic.

A couple of the cyclists

Manoeuvring through city traffic

The final three days were to be a more relaxing and welcome change as we set out on the last phase of the adventure- kayaking down the backwaters of Kerala. We soon headed out, paddling our way along the pristine backwaters of Kerala. For three days we kayaked through the palm-fringed, tranquil backwaters that were once the state's trade highways and had the excellent opportunity of viewing village life at close quarters.

Photo time

Floating down

Time for a break

Singing her heart out

I'm getting the hang of this

The challenge came to an end on a beach, where the group grabbed the chance to jump into the Arabian sea to celebrate the end of this adventure.

The team then headed back to their field base in Mysore, tired but fitter than when they arrived with memories of boat rides, swimming in waterfalls, dazzling views of sunrises from the top of mountains and a sense of accomplishment for all that we had achieved.