Relief Riders International leads relief missions on horseback through the Himalayas

Relief Riders International, winner of Outside Magazine's "Best Trips of 2005," announces the opportunity to travel on an extraordinary adventure ride through the Himalayas in India.

Journey amongst extraordinary mountains, vibrant with color, while we grant the greatest gift. Experience "the roof of the world" on horseback as we accompany a medical team and a caravan of pack horses carrying relief supplies.

Relief Riders International is a humanitarian based, adventure travel company that organizes horseback journeys through developing countries. Our adventure rides are designed to integrate adventure with understanding and aid. We create a setting for genuine interactions between travelers and locals, while providing much needed relief to communities in need.

Our next adventure ride, planned for July 31st to August 15th 2005, will take us up into breathe taking Himalayan mountain passes, through deep narrow valleys; to the area many call "Little Tibet." There will be 6 - 12 riders, and a caravan of 6 - 8 pack horses carrying medical and other life sustaining supplies.

Relief Riders International has worked with experts, both in the U.S. and in India to identify the current development initiatives, programs and communities in the Ladhak region.

Based on our needs assessment tour, Relief Riders International will set up medical camps in the area we will be traveling through. Ride participants will assist the doctors in camp logistics, triaging and the distribution of medicine to patients.

For more information please contact Relief Riders International at (413) 329-5876 or go online to http://www.reliefridersinternational.com/


Alexander Souri
Executive Director
Relief Riders International
www.reliefridersinternational.com
304 Main St Suite 3-B
Great Barrington, MA 01230

info@reliefridersinternational.com

Tel:413.329.5876

Relief Riders International wins Outside Magazine's Best Trips of 2005

Relief Riders International (RRI) has recently been named one of the winners of Outside Magazine's Best Trips 2005 for its successful relief ride to Rajasthan, India in the fall of 2004.

RRI is now making final preparations for its February 2005 Rajasthan Relief Ride.

Future Relief Rides consist of a summer Himalayan Relief Ride scheduled for July 31st through August 15th, as well as this years second Rajasthan Relief Ride which is scheduled from the 6th through the 21 of October 2005.

The inaugural 15 day ride, created by founder and Executive Director Alexander Souri, to establish a living memorial to his Indian father began at the majestic Imperial Hotel with a bus ride to historic Fort Mukandgarh. There the riders met their mounts; the famed Marwari horses, and began an extraordinary ride to several villages in Rajasthan.

Rider Alice Read called her trip to Rajasthan "the perfect combination of an adventure and doing something for somebody else."

Working with a team of medical doctors, the Indian Red Cross, and master outfitters, the international team of riders traveled with 60 goats and 5 camels and more than 10,000 pounds of medical and educational supplies, averaging 21 miles a day. The riders stopped at
5 villages along the way. More than 500 villagers showed up at both Khirod and Danta for free check-ups and medicine. The RRI medical team consisted of a specialist in Ear Nose and Throat ailments, an Ophthalmologist, a Pediatrics specialist, a Dentist, a Gynecologist and 2 General Physicians. Such comprehensive care is rare is rural India and villagers arrived early and had traveled significant distances to see the medical team.

In Kochor, riders distributed a variety of educational material and sports supplies, including text books, note books, drawing pads, crayons, pencil holders, globes, maps, carpets, cricket bats, soccer balls, volley balls and nets, and tennis balls.

In Lohargal, 15 families living below the Indian poverty level were selected by the town council and each given 2 goats for milking. And in Pachar, RRI gave both supplies to the local school and livestock to needy families.

Another aspect to RRI's humanitarian mission was an important HIV/AIDS Awareness campaign offered in conjunction with the Red Cross and India Canada Collaborative HIV/AIDS Project (ICHAP).

Outdoor Magazine recognized RRI for its successful aid component, emphasizing the "high point" of the trip "seeing villagers receive knowledge - such as AIDS education - plus food and supplies that they desperately need."

When the riders weren't "doing something for somebody else" they were traveling through gorgeous territory, with ancient villages and old forts and rich in wildlife. As New York State interior decorator Karen Cedar noted, "we were riding the most fabulous horses through the most amazing landscape and they were wonderful."

Along the way riders sampled the region's culinary specialties and experienced some of rural India's unique cultural life.As Alexander Souri declared: "When I created Relief Riders International I never dreamed we would receive such international recognition so soon. I dreamed of a new way to travel - a chance to see new lands and an opportunity to transform both the visitor and the visited. I am so honored that Outdoor Magazine appreciated our vision. And I look forward to our next trips to continue the good work we have just begun."

Video highlights and a short slide show of the Rajasthan trip is available at RRI's website.

For more information, please contact Relief Riders International at
(413) 329-5876 or go online to
http://www.reliefridersinternational.com/

Contact:
Alexander Souri
Executive Director
Relief Riders International
www.reliefridersinternational.com
304 Main St Suite 3-B
Great Barrington, MA 01230

info@reliefridersinternational.com
Tel:413.329.5876