Trek India Himalayas for Marie Curie 6-15 October 2017 Register online now at mariecurie.org.uk/india or call 0800 716 146
Your adventure starts here India Himalayas Discover rural India and the home of the Dalai Lama as you trek through the foothills of the Himalayas and raise money for your local Marie Curie Nurses. India Take on the challenge of a lifetime for Marie Curie We re here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families thanks to amazing supporters like you. When you challenge yourself in India, you ll be helping our nurses provide expert care, guidance and support. Every step you take on your trek in the foothills of the Himalayas will make sure people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones get the most from the time they have left. Front cover and this image: Thinkstock
It was a fantastic experience to be challenged both physically with the trek, and also by coming up with creative ways to fundraise for Marie Curie. It was all worth it in order to be able to trek for such a good cause. Frank Barrett, 2015 trekker Thinkstock Where your money goes 180 350 400 pays for a Marie Curie Nurse to look after someone with a terminal illness overnight in their own home. pays for five people to attend day therapy at a Marie Curie Hospice, benefitting from gentle exercise, emotional support, and more. pays for someone to stay in a Marie Curie Hospice for 24 hours, so that they can receive the hands-on care they need in their final days.
Day 1 Depart UK Day 2 Delhi overnight train to Dharamsala Upon arrival in Delhi, we will be warmly greeted by our friendly local team who will drive us to the hotel to freshen up. We ll have a group meeting to discuss the tour and answer any questions you might have. Later this evening, we will transfer to the train station for our overnight journey by sleeper train, northwards towards the mighty Himalayas and the town of Pathankot. Paul McVicar/Marie Curie Day 3 Pathankot Dharamasala McLeod Ganj We will drive further into the winding countryside. We ll enjoy the dramatic scenery of Dharamsala before reaching the town of McLeod Ganj. This is the current site of the exiled Tibetan government which has been expelled from neighbouring China. We will check into our hotel before enjoying the town and its musicians, monasteries, monks and numerous colourful cafés and buildings. We will have some free time to acclimatise to the higher altitude here (2,000m) before enjoying a delicious dinner in a local restaurant. Day 4 McLeod Ganj Stowari Kareri 5 hours trekking We head out of town to the settlement of Stowari where we pick up the mountain trail which winds its way northwards through the hills. The first section is mostly downhill, along the valley to the local market bazaar of Ghera, before crossing the river and following the ridgeline through broken pine trees and scattered boulders. We will eventually break through the rhododendron forest into the village of Kareri, deep in the mountains with beautiful views of the surrounding hills. Here we will camp for the night and enjoy some rest and dinner. Day 5 Kareri Bal 5-6 hours trekking We follow the mountain trail through copses and over-bubbling streams, taking in the rugged scenery as we go, heading towards the settlement of Bal. We arrive in the afternoon at the campsite, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and a hearty dinner.
Day 6 Bal Triund 5 hours trekking Today we will trek towards the spectacular campsite at Triund, hidden away in the foothills. In the distance at times you can make out the mighty peaks of the Himalayas rising to the north, and to the south, the flat plains stretching southwards towards Delhi. We are likely to encounter some of the Gaddi shepherds in this region, descendants of the Rajput people who settled these mountains centuries ago. Today s trek will be around five hours of both uphill and downhill trekking, through very picturesque scenery. We will again spend the evening under canvas and enjoy dinner cooked by our local team. Day 7 Bal Indrahar Pass/Lahesh Cave 5 hours trekking We will trek towards the stunning Indrahar Pass this morning. Trekking through meadows and scattered oak trees, we will begin to climb upwards towards Lahesh Cave, a mighty overhang of granite rock which pierces the side of the mountain. We will set up camp close by in an alpine meadow at the foot of Indrahar Pass. We will walk an hour up a section of the pass to a lookout point which affords beautiful vistas in the surrounding hills, before we return to camp for dinner and a good night s sleep. Day 8 Lahesh Cave Dharamkot McLeod Ganj Pathankot 4 hours trekking We will pack up camp and trek along the mountain trail back towards Dharamkot. Our last day is spent ascending and descending through forest and broken terrain, which should take around four hours of steady trekking. We ll eventually arrive at around midday at the settlement of Dharamkot. Here our vehicles will collect us and drive us to the hotel in McLeod Ganj. Later today we will drive to the train station for our overnight journey to Delhi. Day 9 Delhi We will arrive in the city this morning and drive to our central hotel to freshen up. Together with our expert guide we will head out into the buzz of New and Old Delhi to learn about the city s astonishing markets, temples, shops and palaces. From the stunning mosque of Jama Masjid to Gandhi s memorial, there is so much to see in this wonderful capital. Tonight we will meet up for a special meal to celebrate our successful challenge and sample our final taste of Indian cuisine. Day 10 Delhi UK We will have some free time after breakfast to pick up some last minute souvenirs before we travel to the airport for the flight back to the UK.
Essential information 250 3,450 10 registration fee (non-refundable) 3,450 fundraising target day trip with five days trekking trek grading: Challenging What s included Return flights Local transfers Accommodation Thinkstock Trek leader Doctor All meals while trekking
Frequently asked questions Who can take part? People over the age of 18 who are looking for a challenge can take part. The group size will be approximately 30-40 and will include people of all ages and from all backgrounds. The majority will be on their own, but some will go with friends, partners or relatives. The event will be tough and exhilarating, but it will be fantastically rewarding and is suitable for anyone with a bit of grit, determination and willingness to work as part of a team. How fit do I have to be? All our trekking challenges are designed to suit people who are fit and have trained to take part the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the adventure. We will walk approximately 12-14 km per day (7-8 hours). Will I need specialist kit? We will send you a recommended packing list in your welcome pack which will tell you about any specialist equipment you may need. What is not included in the package? Registration fee Travel insurance Recommended vaccinations Tips and gratuities Visa What food and drink will there be? All meals on the trek will be prepared by our cook and the team. We will have full breakfasts of cereal, bread and eggs. Lunch will include salads, cold meats, bread, cheese, fruit and biscuits. In the evenings we will have a hot meal, usually with three courses consisting of soup, a traditional Indian main course and fruit or dessert. Please let us know in advance of any special dietary requirements. What about vaccinations? Vaccinations for diphtheria, hepatitis A and typhoid are advisable, and tetanus and polio vaccinations should be up to date. We recommend you seek professional medical advice from your GP. How will I be supported? Beforehand: You will be sent a fundraising pack with great tips on how to meet your fundraising target. We will be in touch regularly and will organise a briefing day where you ll meet other trekkers and hear more about the challenge. During the trip: Your group will be accompanied by a doctor and trek leader, as well as a Marie Curie representative. Local guides will escort the group along the route. Your luggage will be transported by vehicle to each camp.
Can I cover the cost of the trip myself? We ask you to raise a minimum of 3,450. A minimum of 2,330* will go directly to Marie Curie, as well as anything you raise over the minimum sponsorship. If you would like to pay for the trip yourself, please contact us on 0800 716 146 for further information. Can I extend my stay? Anyone wanting to stay on after the trek can arrange to do so through World Expeditions. Extension of your story is subject to additional costs and dependant on availability. * Based on minimum participant numbers What will the weather be like? Average temperatures for the region are between 20 c and 34 c during the day, with cooler temperatures at night. Weather can be unpredictable, so be prepared for all conditions. Thinkstock Passports and visas Participants should have at least six months validity on their passports from the date of return to the UK. British passport holders will require a visa to enter India which must be obtained prior to departure. We will send you more information on this nearer the time.
Fundraising for Marie Curie When you take on an overseas challenge for Marie Curie, we re here to help and support you every step of the way. Your local Marie Curie fundraiser Once you ve registered, you will be put in touch with your local Marie Curie fundraiser who will help you with your fundraising plans and offer advice whenever you need it. Welcome Pack We ll send you a welcome pack and fundraising guide full of tried and tested tips to help you smash your target. If you d like to see some ideas for fundraising before you get your pack, check out this page on our website. mariecurie.org.uk/event-fundraisingtips Getting started A great first step is setting up a JustGiving page. This is the quickest and easiest way to tell people that you re fundraising and gather your sponsorship online. Get personal Tell people why you re doing this challenge. People respond best to personal stories. Don t forget to add some photos or videos. Make the most of social media Announce your sponsorship page and ask people for donations on Facebook and Twitter. Add your JustGiving web address to your email signature, so everyone you contact can see it. Don t forget to tweet it too! Supersize your fundraising See if your employer will match your fundraising pound for pound or up to a fixed amount. And ask your sponsors to Gift Aid their donation. Get in touch Please do get in touch if you have any questions or want support. We d love to hear from you on 0800 716 146.* *Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. Your call may be recorded for quality and training purposes. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am 5pm.
Register now There are lots of ways to register for the India Himalayas Trek for Marie Curie: Online at: mariecurie.org.uk/india Fill in the registration form and post to: Overseas Challenges Marie Curie PO BOX 23897 14 Links Place Edinburgh EH6 9AB If you have any questions feel free to call us on 0800 716 146 or email us at events@mariecurie.org.uk. We re here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support to help them get the most from the time they have left. mariecurie.org.uk 4491 Charity reg no. 207994 (England & Wales), SC038731 (Scotland) A671a