The Grand Canyon & Zion 2019/20 Challenge Brochure

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Theodore Marshall
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Our trips enable people to experience the world s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity.

1 2019/20 Challenge Brochure Action Challenge has been leading inspirational team adventures across the globe for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since Our trips enable people to experience the world s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life.

We operate a host of varied itineraries across all seven continents, from rainforest to desert, mountain to jungle, snow to sea.

2 About Action Challenge Since 1999 Action Challenge has been operating unique group challenge events the world over. Our head office in London is staffed by a highly experienced, passionate team focused on developing and delivering inspirational adventures. We operate a host of varied itineraries across all seven continents, from rainforest to desert, mountain to jungle, snow to sea. Our adventures are fantastic group experiences, which can be enjoyed by anyone who is looking for a new challenge. We are proud of the lengths we go to, to bring you memories you will not find elsewhere!the majority of our head office have climbed Kilimanjaro and love nothing more than talking about their experience on the mountain! So please contact the Action Challenge team directly to ask any questions or discuss your challenge, by contacting us on the details below.

Why Choose Us? Why Choose Us? 1) 100% ATOL BONDED - DON T RISK ANYTHING ELSE!

clients who have booked package trips, including flights What s Not Include It is not the mountain we conquer, 2) UK LEADERS OR MEDICS ON EVERY CHALLENGE but

Qualified UK Leaders - we employ great characters, with deep experience, who have a Sir Edmund Hillary real passion for what they do - offer guidance,

TEAM Local team of guides and crew - extremely experienced with working with Action Challenge groups. Incredibly supportive and great fun!

4) 100% TRANSPARENT ON PRICE All-inclusive packages with flights or land only and connecting private transfers - we have built up a portfolio of reputable

3 Why Choose Us? Why Choose Us? 1) 100% ATOL BONDED - DON T RISK ANYTHING ELSE! We are 100% ATOL (Air Travel Organiser s Licence) bonded - ATOL number 6296 Offers full financial protection by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for clients who have booked package trips, including flights What s Not Include It is not the mountain we conquer, 2) UK LEADERS OR MEDICS ON EVERY CHALLENGE but ourselves. Qualified UK Leaders - we employ great characters, with deep experience, who have a Sir Edmund Hillary real passion for what they do - offer guidance, support and provide daily briefings and warm ups Leaders have great experience running our challenges Equipped with Satellite Phones 3) EXPERIENCED LOCAL TEAM Local team of guides and crew - extremely experienced with working with Action Challenge groups. Incredibly supportive and great fun! They know every route like the back of their hands! 4) 100% TRANSPARENT ON PRICE All-inclusive packages with flights or land only and connecting private transfers - we have built up a portfolio of reputable airlines and local ground operators Best value prices without compromising on quality, comfort, or safety All known flight taxes at time of booking included in package price 5) RESPONSIBLE TOURISM We work very closely with our local team to ensure fair pay & treatment of all crew. We re members of IMEC (The International Mountain Explorer s Connection), which promotes sustainable tourism Partners with KGSF (Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Fund), providing guides with educational scholarships and better career prospects.

the team and ask us any burning questions you may have!

summit night Kilimanjaro Training Walks in London, North and South Downs What s Not Include 7) OUR CLIENTS AND REPUTATION It is not the

Members of the Institute of Fundraising - a code of practice that all reputable companies Sir Edmund Hillary organising charitable

15 years experience organising challenge events worldwide, taking over 15,000 individuals on challenges across the globe, with over 50

Working with and organising challenges for the UK s leading charities and major UK companies including Great Ormond Street Hospital

4 Why Choose Us? Why Choose Us? 6) BRIEFINGS AND TRAINING WEEKENDS Challenge briefings in central London - find out about life on the mountain and what to Expect, meet the team and ask us any burning questions you may have! Training weekends in Snowdonia, Brecon Beacons and the Peak District, plus join us on our special Snowdon Night Summit to replicate summit night Kilimanjaro Training Walks in London, North and South Downs What s Not Include 7) OUR CLIENTS AND REPUTATION It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves. Members of the Institute of Fundraising - a code of practice that all reputable companies Sir Edmund Hillary organising charitable events should adhere to. 15 years experience organising challenge events worldwide, taking over 15,000 individuals on challenges across the globe, with over 50 million raised for over 300 UK charities. Working with and organising challenges for the UK s leading charities and major UK companies including Great Ormond Street Hospital Children s Charity, DHL, Knight 8) DISCOUNTS ON KIT, VACCINATIONS & INSURANCE Save money by hiring your kit from our partner Kit Hire Company Outdoor Hire Receive up to 15% discount on kit and equipment purchases at leading outdoor retailers. 9) COMFORT Private airport transfers to your hotel. Accommodation: Hotels either side of climb - 3* with swimming pool / Camp in comfort large 3-man tents & camping mats & back-country kitchen 10) FOOD & DRINK 3 fresh and well-cooked meals every day - lots of surprise home comforts and great menus! Celebration dinner at end of trek! Minimum of 3 litres of purified / clean water a day.

This stunning 5 day trek is a real adventure!

The following days see us hike into the canyon along a choice of classic trails - Bright Angel and Kaibab Trails.

trek to Canaan Mountain. This challenge is to a remote corner of North America that will without a doubt take your breath away.

iconic city. DAY 1 ARRIVAL Catch our flight to the USA & transfer to Williams, a town just south of the Grand Canyon.

DAY 2 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK After a good American breakfast we transfer to Grand Canyon Village on the southern side of the Grand

We start with a trek approximately 10-15km out along the south rim trail that without a doubt gives some of the most spectacular views of

It s an incredible place to be and on a clear day, as the sun starts to set and the beautiful colours of the canyon are lit up, there are

5 This stunning 5 day trek is a real adventure! After flying into Las Vegas, we make our way to the Grand Canyon Village, where we see the canyon at its most magnificent. The following days see us hike into the canyon along a choice of classic trails - Bright Angel and Kaibab Trails. We then explore the iconic Zion National Park, taking in breath-taking views from Scouts Lookout, and end our incredible journey with a trek to Canaan Mountain. This challenge is to a remote corner of North America that will without a doubt take your breath away. After five days of trekking, we travel back to the glamour of Las Vegas to celebrate the end of the challenge in style and explore this iconic city. DAY 1 ARRIVAL Catch our flight to the USA & transfer to Williams, a town just south of the Grand Canyon. After a long day of travelling, we will settle in for dinner & a pre-trek briefing. DAY 2 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK After a good American breakfast we transfer to Grand Canyon Village on the southern side of the Grand Canyon. Our camp is close to the village. We start with a trek approximately 10-15km out along the south rim trail that without a doubt gives some of the most spectacular views of the Canyon. It s an incredible place to be and on a clear day, as the sun starts to set and the beautiful colours of the canyon are lit up, there are few other more astonishing views in the US! DAY 3 & 4 GRAND CANYON TREKKING Group numbers trekking in US National Parks are now limited to 9 people so over the next two days we will be split amongst four of the iconic routes descending into the Canyon. All these trails offer completely different views of the Grand Canyon and are amazing in their own right. We will attempt to ensure that you trek your first choices but this cannot be guaranteed. Everyone will be able to trek on either the South Kaibab or The Bright Angel and Hermits Trail or Grand View Trail. (see overleaf for more details).

TREKKING CHOICES HERMIT TRAIL TO DRIPPING SPRINGS Starting with a 45- to 60-minute shuttle ride from Bright Angel Lodge, this trail descends about 1,500 feet 3 miles one-way (6.

Moderately difficult SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL TO SKELETON POINT Starting at South Kaibab Trailhead, this hike descends about 2,000 feet to Skeleton Point.

Moderately difficult BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL TO INDIAN GARDEN Starting at Bright Angel Trailhead, this hike descends about 3,000 feet down the most famous and historic trail in the park covering

This is a difficult but rewarding hike! Difficult GRANDVIEW TRAIL TO HORSESHOE MESA The original Grandview trail was created to connect the rim with the copper mines on Horseshoe Mesa.

6 TREKKING CHOICES HERMIT TRAIL TO DRIPPING SPRINGS Starting with a 45- to 60-minute shuttle ride from Bright Angel Lodge, this trail descends about 1,500 feet 3 miles one-way (6.2 miles roundtrip) on a trail that alternates between very steep sections and long stretches of rolling terrain. Exposure to sun, cliffs and drop-offs is unavoidable. Moderately difficult SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL TO SKELETON POINT Starting at South Kaibab Trailhead, this hike descends about 2,000 feet to Skeleton Point. The trail is fairly wide & well maintained and, with unavoidable exposure to some cliffs and drop-offs. There is limited shade along the way. Moderately difficult BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL TO INDIAN GARDEN Starting at Bright Angel Trailhead, this hike descends about 3,000 feet down the most famous and historic trail in the park covering a total of 9-12 miles roundtrip, on a well-maintained dirt/rock trail. The trail is wide but is exposed to some cliffs and drop-offs and has mostly sun exposure. This is a difficult but rewarding hike! Difficult GRANDVIEW TRAIL TO HORSESHOE MESA The original Grandview trail was created to connect the rim with the copper mines on Horseshoe Mesa. The trail eventually provided access to more tourists than miners, as the Grandview trail provided one of the best access routes into the canyon for its time. This trail is an unmaintained steep trail that is rocky and strenuous in places. Extremely difficult AFTER TREKKING ON DAY 4, WE WILL TRANSFER NORTH TO SPRINGDALE, NEAR ZION NATIONAL PARK

DAY 5 ZION NATIONAL PARK Zion National Park has some of the most iconic images in the US and is on most peoples must visit list.

These 21 switchbacks are very tight and you gain elevation rapidly, but this section is short and not oppressive. The Wiggles put you on top of the ridge, at Scout Lookout, where views are amazing.

Impressive rock walls tower above with overhangs that are photo worthy. We return to our camp tonight in the small town of Springdale in the centre of Zion National Park.

The route leads us along a mountain path passing waterfalls, canyons and beautiful views of Zion National Park.

7 DAY 5 ZION NATIONAL PARK Zion National Park has some of the most iconic images in the US and is on most peoples must visit list. Today we hike past lush hanging gardens along the recessed rock and along the Virgin River. The trail then climbs a series of switchbacks, called Walter's Wiggles. These 21 switchbacks are very tight and you gain elevation rapidly, but this section is short and not oppressive. The Wiggles put you on top of the ridge, at Scout Lookout, where views are amazing. From Scouts Lookout, gaze at the Virgin River and a rock outcropping called the Organ before descending back down towards the Grotto. Impressive rock walls tower above with overhangs that are photo worthy. We return to our camp tonight in the small town of Springdale in the centre of Zion National Park. DAY 6 ZION: CANAAN MOUNTAIN Today we trek from Water Canyon to Canaan Mountain, otherwise known as the Island in the Sky". The route leads us along a mountain path passing waterfalls, canyons and beautiful views of Zion National Park. We will traverse massive slickrock bowls, wander across dunes dotted with ponderosa and see massive white domes, hoodoos and a cornucopia of stepped rock. After lunch we will arrive at Canaan Mountain, an elevated plateau of red Navajo sandstone, heavily fractured and eroded, forming countless pinnacles and small ravines. At the trailhead we transfer back to Springdale and tonight we will mark our achievements with a celebratory dinner! DAY 7 LAS VEGAS Today we transfer to Las Vegas, and have free time to enjoy the sights and sounds of Las Vegas! DAY 8 DEPART LAS VEGAS Transfer to the airport for our flight home.

8 Need to know WHAT S INCLUDED? Fully supported 9 day group adventure Action Challenge Trek Leader & UK Medic Full support team, including local guides All flights and air travel taxes (excluding fuel surcharges) All accommodation, twin share - hotels / motel / camping All meals with the group; including breakfast, lunch and dinner National Park entrance fees Day in Las Vegas Pre-event support including discounts on training weekends FOOD Breakfasts each morning will be in camp. Lunches will be en route and evening meals will be freshly prepared in camp in time for your arrival. In Las Vegas all meals will be at the hotel or a local restaurant, except in free time. All meals are full of carbohydrates, protein and nutrients to keep us well fuelled for our hikes. We can cater for all dietary requirements if informed in advance. ACCOMMODATION Three nights in a hotel Four nights camping / lodge (dependent on availability) All accommodation is on a twin/triple-share, single-sex basis and we will pair you with someone of a similar age, where possible. If you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can accommodate this in the majority of places. BESPOKE TRIPS If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 10 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please get in touch with our team. BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS If you are planning on travelling to the USA before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land only option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet your group at the hotel on day two of the itinerary. ITINERARY CHANGES Please note: Both Grand Canyon & Zion National Parks are federally managed land. Access to all or part of the parks is subject to the laws & rules of the US Bureau of Land Management. The parks are wilderness areas, and access may be limited as the result of natural occurrences such as flooding or erosion. As such, this itinerary is subject to change and alternative routes & destinations may be offered.

trek Grand Canyon actionchallenge in the USA

trek Grand Canyon actionchallenge in the USA Hike along towering canyons, wade through the Virgin River and enjoy the breathtaking, panoramic views. Explore remote trails, pretty creeks and camp under the stars before living it up on our final two