FAQS.

We recommend applying six to eighteen months ahead to allow enough time to sort flights, vaccinations, and organise your funding. The final deadline is seven weeks before departure, but availability isn’t guaranteed. 

Visa requirements depend on your nationality – check with the relevant embassy prior to submitting your application. Visas aren’t included in your Expedition fee, but your Venturer Coordinator is available to offer guidance on how to get yours.

Yes – all Venturers book their own flights – but you won’t be doing it alone. Your Venturer Coordinator will advise on airlines, routes and which airport to fly into.  Want extra help? Our partner Flight Centre can offer additional support – fill out the contact form  to get started. 

Yes, our in-country team will have your flight details and meet you at the airport, at the time stated in your welcome pack. 

There are around 40-90 people on each Expedition. For projects, you’ll be in groups of around 15–20 Venturers. At Changeover – the break between each phase – you’ll switch into a new group, so you keep meeting new people throughout. 

Most Venturers travel solo, but three months before Expedition we will set up a WhatsApp group, so if you want to connect and coordinate travel plans with others, you can.

You’ll want some spending money for snacks, drinks and souvenirs – how much depends on your destination. Talk to your Expedition team or Venturer Coordinator to help you budget. 

What you’ll need to take will depend on where you’re headed and for how long. After booking, your Venturer Coordinator will send you a full packing list specific to your Expedition’s destination and duration. 

We recognise that phones aren’t just for getting online – plenty of people use them for music and photos too. Since access to your phone will be limited on Expedition, we recommend bringing a small digital camera and an MP3 player*, so you can capture memories and listen to your favourite tunes. 

*Depending on the project site, safety requirements may mean leaving your MP3 player at Fieldbase

There’s an array of information resources available. You can download a guide [link], talk to our Expedition Experts [book a call], or sign up for an online information event to get the lowdown on all things Raleigh. You can also request a conversation via Whatsapp or email through our enquiry form [link] if you’d rather ask your questions over message.

There’s an array of information resources available. You can download a guide [link], talk to our Expedition Experts [book a call], or sign up for an online information event to get the lowdown on all things Raleigh. You can also request a conversation via Whatsapp or email through our enquiry form [link] if you’d rather ask your questions over message.

We aim to be as inclusive as possible, while keeping everyone on Expedition safe. If you have a long-standing medical condition, it’s important you disclose it on your medical form and talk it through with your Venturer Coordinator – you may need a sign-off letter from your GP or another medical professional. 

Expedition means remote locations and real physical work, so if you have specific medical or mobility needs, our team will work with you to check what’s achievable safely. We have a strong track record supporting Venturers with medical requirements, and we’ll do everything we can to make it work – within what safe, physically demanding teamwork actually requires.

Vaccinations vary by country. There will be a list of recommendations in your Welcome Pack, but we recommend checking with your GP or a travel clinic too. 

For UK-based Venturers, we have a trusted travel health partner – Nomad/MASTA – with over 98 clinics across the country. Book through the Raleigh referral link for a free appointment with tailored risk assessment and Travel Health Brief. 

Raleigh International has a robust and practical Safety Management System designed to respond effectively to medical emergencies. All our teams are trained in crisis management and operate with detailed casualty and medical evacuation plans. These plans include designated RV (rendezvous) points, use of all available modes of transport, and access to local clinics and hospitals.

We work closely with trusted local clinics that are available 24/7 to support medical decision-making, ensuring professional advice is always within reach. In addition, all Venturer Managers are trained in 16-hour Outdoor First Aid, equipping them to provide immediate care in remote settings until further support is available.

How does Raleigh International ensure the safety of Venturers?

Safety runs through everything we do at Raleigh, from selecting where we operate to comprehensive Venturer training to robust, practical and effective Safety Management Systems.  Each Raleigh Expedition has:

• Support from local clinics and medical insurers ready to respond in the event of an emergency.
• Project Coordinators with every group, 24/7, trained in 16-hour outdoor first aid.
• Project sites that are risk-assessed in advance, with MEDEVAC and CASEVAC plans covering hospitals and evacuation routes.
• A full-time operations staff trained and experienced in incident and crisis management.

Find out more about Safety on Expedition

Medical support on Expedition in Costa Rica is provided in partnership with our trusted local provider, CliniMédica, based near our Fieldbase in Turrialba. They offer 24/7 remote & in-person bilingual coverage by certified staff for both physical and mental health, including access to a psychologist. All medical concerns are coordinated through our internal communications structure led by our full time staff. 

For each medical incident or concern CliniMédica assign a medic to assess each case, prescribe medication if needed, and determine whether a virtual or in-person consultation is required. If further care is necessary, they may recommend a visit to a nearby clinic or hospital, where our staff would follow prepared protocols to manage the transport & evacuation.

When participants are at Fieldbase, we ensure space and logistics are in place for in-person medical consultations with the clinic as required.

All our Staff are 16hour outdoor first aid trained to provide immediate support and continue to play a key role in initial triage, participant wellbeing, and incident management.

All medical treatment will need to be covered by the individual’s personal travel insurance.

Medical support on Expedition in South Africa is provided in partnership with our trusted local provider, Hoedspruit Medical Rescue. They offer 24/7 remote & in-person coverage by certified staff on all project sites including the entire trek route. Their support comes with private helicopters and military helicopters for serious emergencies.

In addition, Hoedspruit medical centre is 15 minutes from our Fieldbase.

Nelspruit and Tzaneen are the 2 closest larger hospitals (177 and 118 kilometres) as for distance from Fieldbase.

All our Staff are 16hour outdoor first aid trained to provide immediate support and continue to play a key role in initial triage, participant wellbeing, and incident management.

All medical treatment will need to be covered by the individual’s personal travel insurance.

Medical support on Expedition in Borneo is coordinated through Raleigh’s local medical provider and in-country team. All our Staff are 16hour outdoor first aid trained to provide immediate support and continue to play a key role in initial triage, participant wellbeing, and incident management. All sites have MEDEVAC/CASEVAC plans. 

All medical treatment will need to be covered by the individual’s personal travel insurance.

All Venturers receive comprehensive safety training. Before you depart, you’ll complete pre-departure training online. Once you land, an in-country induction builds on that: health and safety, risk management, casualty evacuation, first aid, safety and comms equipment, and safe tool use.

Our full-time international and national staff team in each country are employed solely to deliver Raleigh’s programmes. They are all highly experienced, committed and resourceful individuals who have been selected and trained by us to ensure they uphold our high standards of safety.

All project staff are 16 hour first aid trained.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. All of our programmes are undertaken in challenging environments so, to minimise the risks, we focus on prevention. Our Safety Management Systems are robust, practical, and effective. Most importantly they are based on over 40 years of experience and the multi-brand knowledge of ITG.

Raleigh is committed to ensuring the health, safety, welfare and development of all young people with whom it works regardless of gender, age, stage of development, disability, sexual orientation, religion, culture or ethnicity. All participants who take part in activities organised by us should enjoy taking part in these without fear of harm. We guide all staff and Venturers to show respect for and understanding of young people’s rights and their safety and welfare and by doing so, conduct themselves in a way that reflects our principles. 

Everyone involved in Raleigh’s work is made aware of our policy and reporting structure, including staff, Venturers, community leadership, and project partners. They are all trained in how to report any concerns they may have. 

To find out more, read Raleigh’s safeguarding policy. If you have any safeguarding concerns, you can contact Raleigh confidentially via safeguarding@raleighinternational.org.

Open to all aged 18–24. No experience or skills required — just curiosity, determination, and desire to make a difference.

While you’re on a project site you’ll get breaks throughout the day, especially when you need to avoid the heat, and downtime in the evenings to relax and recharge. There will also be days off between projects to spend as a team, with some rest activities built in. 

No. You can’t choose the 4-week Expedition and then swap on to the 8-week Expedition.

Expedition is meant to test you, physically and mentally. Team support and sheer determination will do a lot of the heavy lifting, but you’ll also need a basic level of fitness to enjoy all Raleigh has to offer. Going for practice walks or runs is a great way to build this up. 

Not at all. We provide materials and manpower for projects that wouldn’t get done otherwise. We work alongside local communities on every site, and recruit full-time staff from the countries we operate in wherever we can. 

All the projects are set as we partner with local communities to ensure our work is needed.

We will do our best to accommodate your preference, however there is no guarantee. When doing project allocations we take into account many things such as age, gender split, nationality, medical and support needs, behaviour and project partner needs.

When at Fieldbase there will be time scheduled to go into the nearby town to stock up on snacks and extra kit supplies. Project sites are remote, so venturing out of camp is not always safe. If we leave camp, we will go on excursions as a group. Please follow the specific guidance provided at induction training and and at the start of your phase as to what the project site boundaries are – this is key to your safety

Your phone will remain at Fieldbase throughout Expedition, so you’ll be able to use it during Induction, Changeovers and Endex, but not when you’re on project.

Raleigh welcomes Venturers from every background and culture. One of the best parts of Expedition is meeting people you’d never normally cross paths with – different perspectives, different lives, real connection. It’s a safe, inclusive space where you can be exactly who you are. 

How does Raleigh approach leadership development?

Leadership at Raleigh isn’t a workshop. It’s lived.

On Expedition, everyone rotates through the Day Leader role – planning objectives, navigating routes, managing the group’s welfare. Tasks and outcomes are set, but how you get there is largely down to you and your group, problem-solving together rather than waiting to be told what to do.

In debriefs and one-on-ones with your Project Coordinator, you’ll work out what kind of leader you actually are, and where you can grow. 94% of Venturers say the programme built their leadership skills.

Food varies by country, but it’s always freshly cooked and healthy. Staff cook at Fieldbase during induction and changeover – on project, you rotate through cooking for your own team. 

What special dietary requirements can you cater for?

We can support most dietary requirements on Expedition. Please inform us as early as possible if you have any specific dietary needs.

Most meals are vegetarian, and plenty are vegan, though variety can be more limited for some specific requirements. In some cases we recommend bringing some of your own snacks which you know are safe and to offer more variety.

Accommodation on your Raleigh Expedition will be simple and practical. The exact set-up depends on your country, but you could be staying in a community building, a campsite, or even a school. All sites have bathroom facilities – though these, like the accommodation, will be basic.

Expect to:

• Sleep in tents or community buildings, on your own roll mat and sleeping bag
• Use basic toilets — sometimes squat toilets
• Wash in cold showers, where available
• Cook as a team, on gas stoves and trangias
• Eat from our “Raleigh Rations” — simple, sustainable, nutritious food

Living like this allows you to fully immerse yourself in remote communities and environments, helping you build resilience, teamwork, and an appreciation for life’s simple luxuries.

Expedition is safe and supportive – but it’s still a challenge. You’ll have regular one-on-ones with your Project Coordinator throughout each phase, plus the option to request a pastoral support call with a Fieldbase staff member whenever you need one. Together, you can build a wellbeing plan too.

Come prepared with your own coping strategies for being pushed outside your comfort zone. The Operations Team is there if you need them – but the resilience is yours to build.

On Expedition, your phone stays at Fieldbase in a designated safe space before every Project or Trek phase.

Expedition runs across a number of Challenge Phases. During each phase, your phone is handed in and safely stored. At Changeover, a 2-3-day break between phases, you get it back to call home and get online.

Going without a phone on project lets you actually focus on where you are and who you’re with. We keep communication open in other ways throughout: your Project Coordinator, periodic updates, and emergency channels, so you’re never actually out of reach if it matters.

Venturers on our Expeditions are aged 18-24 years old

With your Venturer’s consent, next of kin can receive periodic updates on what’s happening on Expedition, starting with a safe-arrival email within 24 hours of pick up. You’ll also be able to follow their progress through Raleigh’s social media accounts – though because WiFi and signal are limited, updates might be delayed. It’s important to remember that on Expedition ‘No News is Good News’.  

For specific or urgent updates about a Venturer on Expedition please contact the Venturer Journey Team directly via venturerjourney@raleighinternational.org or via phone: UK +44 333 1886 732. US +1 202 902 7485

In the event of an emergency, contact our 24/7 emergency number. +18669725146 (toll free)

Our no phone policy means Venturers won’t be reachable during the three core phases. When they’re back at Fieldbase for Changeover, they’ll have access to a phone and charging facilities, and can call home. 

Next of Kin will also be able to send messages via the team through our designated form. Ahead of departure, we’ll send you everything you need to access this. 

We’re making an important change to the age range for our core Expeditions. From 2026 onwards, Expeditions will be exclusively for 18–24-year-olds.

Why are we making this change?

• We’ve made this change to better align our programmes with the needs and expectations of young adults. This adjustment helps us:
• Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding and support for all participants
• Maintain healthy group dynamics among peers in a similar life stage
• We believe this shift will create an even more rewarding and supportive experience for everyone involved.

We ask that you join Expedition with a clear understanding of how to manage your own mental health, and with coping strategies to help yourself in challenging environments. Our team is mental health first aid trained, but they are not doctors or mental health professionals, so if you require regular professional support, consider if Expedition is right for you. 

Yes. Expedition is a safe, inclusive space where you can be exactly who you are. It’s open to anyone aged 18-24, ready for adventure and ready to learn about yourself and the world. 

My image appears on the Raleigh International website and I would like you to take it down.

Of course – no problem. Get in touch via our contact form and let us know which image (a link helps, if you have one), and we’ll take it down.

We ask for a 5% deposit when you book your Expedition. After that, payment deadlines depend on how far in advance you sign up. For example:

If you sign up 10–12 months in advance:

• 5% – deposit on booking
• 20% – 32 weeks (8 months) before departure
• 25% – 24 weeks (6 months) before departure
• 25% – 12 weeks before departure
• 25% – 4 weeks before departure

If you sign up 6 months in advance:

• 5% – deposit on booking
• 20% – 16 weeks before departure
• 25% – 12 weeks before departure
• 50% – 4 weeks before departure

Our Expedition Experts can help you build a payment plan that works for you. The sooner you secure your place, the more time you’ve got to fundraise or spread the cost.

The Impact Travel Group (ITG) is an alliance of nine education and experiential travel brands, including African Impact, Kaya Responsible Travel and World Endeavors — all aligned with the same commitment to cultural and environmental impact. Raleigh is part of this alliance.