My first solo trip outside of the U.S. was in the summer of 2012 to Sabi Sand in South Africa. Although I had been to Africa several times before, I was leery about going alone and I knew I wanted to give something back as well. I am delighted to have discovered Chris and Hands Up Holidays online. I spent 8 days on safari and also volunteered at Dumphries Village Creche--pre-primary school.

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New Delhi, New Year 2008, and a life-changing volunteering experience. A last minute change of plan took us to Project Why in the heart of the slums where we were welcomed with warmth and love and spent a few happy days renovating the floor of a school-room on a garbage dump, aided by a gang of enthusiastic young boys. We learnt so much about life in those few days and still have a wonderfully close relationship with the charity.

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My wife and I wanted to travel through Chile, Bolivia and Peru and were slightly daunted by the logistics of organising such a varied trip. Chris was incredibly helpful not only mapping out the most exciting and engaging trip, but also using his extensive personal knowledge of the best things to do. Hands Up were reassuringly efficient in organising the trip, monitoring how we were doing during the trip and making adjustments to improve the trip.

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My family and I were lucky enough to work with Chris for our 30 day adventure in SE Asia specifically Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. I must of changed or added to the itinerary a dozen times before finally confirming. He never missed a beat. Our groups age ranged from 35 -72 and somehow everyday was filled with activities, meals and sites that we all were in awe of!

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I researched many different travel opportunities that would incorporate family, community service and high end travel and they simply did not exist until I found Hands up Holidays. Chris, was extremely efficient and provided an amazing itinerary that my 14-year old daughter and myself enjoyed thoroughly. We visited Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.

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