What if this holiday season, you gave yourself and others a truly special gift? Relief Riders International (RRI) offers the truly unique combination of exotic travel through rural India with the opportunity to transform your life and the lives of others on our 2007 New Year's Relief Ride through Rajasthan, India.

Each day on our New Year’s Relief Ride 2007, we will ride our extraordinary Marwari horses through the stunning scenery of the Thar Desert, stopping to set up medical camps, providing free cataract eye surgery, giving goats to families in need, and distributing school supplies to local children. Money from guest trip fees pays the costs of medical and school supplies and is used to hire doctors for each camp.

Lifetime adventure travelers Jeff and Rebecca Krida have gifted themselves this adventure for the 2006 holiday season. President and CEO of Cruise West, Jeff Krida knows all about exotic travel opportunities. As he notes, “Rebecca and I were drawn to this trip in particular because it promises to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the chance to make a meaningful contribution to people in need, while participating in a rare journey through such a beautiful country. We’re happy knowing that our participation on this trip, our Christmas gift to each other, is also an important gift to people in need this holiday season.”

This New Year’s Relief Ride 2007 features overnight stays at Roopangarh Fort, built in 1648, a New Year’s Eve spent in a beautiful tented camp on the outskirts of Jag, bordering the desert and vast plains of Sambhar Lake, and a ride through the Nagaur district, known the world over for its beautiful pink and white Makara marble.

For every one person who can come with us to India, there are many others who would like to help in other ways. Tax deductible donations can be made to the Give the Gift of Sight and Give a Goat programs, turning a simple contribution into real-life-changing opportunities for the people of rural Rajasthan. Each $65 contribution allows Relief Riders International to provide free cataract surgery and restore the sight of another villager; each $65 gift pays for a goat, and is another concrete step in the fight against hunger.

Many people dream of making a difference; Relief Riders trip participants and financial supporters do it each and every day. As Heather Ferrell wrote of her 2006 experience: “For two weeks we rode incredible Marwari horses across the desert, volunteered at remote hospitals and schools, and met the most appreciative, gracious people - I signed up for an adventurous vacation but somewhere in the Rajasthan desert found myself on a magical journey."

Relief Rider Edward Goldberg advised: “Be prepared to enter a new world: India bombards you with color, sounds, scents, religious mystique, fragrant tastes and constantly changing topography. There is no better way for the adventurer to see and feel the country and other than to live, ride, work and laugh with its culturally rich people. Be prepared to return home a changed person.”

As Alexander Souri, Executive Director of RRI noted: “Each holiday season we are reminded of the joys of giving. I promise that if you ride with us, or support our critically important work this holiday season in Rajasthan, you will give, and get back as much as you give.”