Discover the Philippines! 
The Go Out and Give January trip is a true service adventure.  The perfect combination of touring and service, this tour will be a fun and rewarding trip filled with home stays, beaches, volcanoes, rice terraces, city tours, waterfalls, Hill Tribes, wildlife, orphanages, friendly locals, and of course some rewarding service projects in between!  January is also the perfect month to travel in the Philippines, as rain is at a minimum and the weather isn’t too hot.  What better way to bring in 2010 than to discover the beauty and charm that is the Philippines!

Meaningful Service
This trip will concentrate on four major service projects.  The first will be working in a relocated farming village just a few hours north of Manila.  This village was relocated after mudslides devastated homes in 2006.  While staying with friendly families here, you will help villagers learn English, organize a community eventand lend a hand in daily farming activities.  The next service project will be working with an indigenous Hill Tribe in the western hills.  Here, you will get your hands dirty and work together with the locals on building something for the community, be it a bathroom, storage shed, playground or community center.  The third project will bring you north to the small city of Tuguegarao, where you will work in a local orphanage. 

Are Those Gremlins?  Help Save the Philippine Tarsier
The fourth project will bringyou to the small island of Bohol.  This island is not only home to the Chocolate Hills, a natural phenomenon created these strange volcanic hills, but is also home to the Philippine tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world.  This small creature, which is on the endangered species list, is only located on a few islands in the south of the Philippines.  This primate is also known for having the biggest eyes of any primate – 150 times bigger than humans’ eyes in relation to its body size.  Here in Bohol, you’llwork closely with some of the conservation centers located around the island on conservation projects.  You’ll help manage the tarsier sanctuary, maintain visitor facilities, and learn about protection and conservation techniques.

Luzon Road Trip
Luzon is the biggest island in the Philippine archipelago.  Your trip will start in the capital, Manila, where you’ll get informed on the history of the Philippines and also tour the chic malls and modern urban areas of downtown.  You’ll then hop in a private van for a road trip around the island.  This road trip will bring you to your first three service activities and will hit all the major sights and some beaches along the way. You’ll see the world-famous Banaue rice terraces, which are considered by many to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world.  You’ll also go to the charming town of Baguio, known for its Hill Tribes, artist community and micro climate.  Then you’ll head northeast to the old world heritage Spanish town of Vigan with its horse-drawn carriages.   And what would the Philippines be without visiting a beach, and the beach you’re going to is one of the most famous in the north.  Near the end of the trip, you’ll head south of Manila to visit the roaring Pagsanjaan Falls and climb the beautiful Taal Volcano, which is still an active volcano. 

Join us on this month-long adventure exploring the world’s biggest archipelago.  The Philippines have over 7,107 islands and are home to some of the nicest people in the world. You will leave the program with a sense of accomplishment from the service projects and achievement from the vast amount of touring you will have done. 

For any questions, please e-mail jay@rusticpathways.com or tim@rusticpathways.com.