actionchallenge in An incredible journey along one of the world s most famous treks. Our route takes us into the heart of the Himalayas through stunning mountain scenery beneath the glittering snow-capped peaks of. This 10 day challenge is the adventure of a lifetime. We trek through rhododendron forests, woodlands and temperate forests, deep into mountainous habitat looking out for Langur monkeys. As we gain height, forests open out onto incredible panoramic views overlooking valleys dotted with farms and villages and the soaring mountains of the region stretch before us. We pass through Nepalese villages where we get a fascinating glimpse into the traditions of the mountain people including the Gurung, who have their own religion and culture. We stay in tea houses along the way and hike along paths, tracks and an impressive flight of 3,500 stone steps that make their way down to the valley floor. The highlight of our challenge is a trek to the summit of Poon Hill where, as a group, we watch the sun rise over the mighty snow-capped peaks and flood the valleys with light. As dawn breaks, we see the magnificent (8,091m) to the north and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) to the west a sight that will stay with us forever. We celebrate our fantastic trekking achievement with a dinner and party before returning to Kathmandu and the chance to explore this incredible city. at a glance Activity: Trekking Location: Region, Nepal Duration: 10 Days / 5 days trekking Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 70 km Group size: 15-25 trip highlights Trek through the heart of the Himalayas Summit Poon Hill Stay in the tea houses along the route Watch the sun rise over the peaks Take in magic views of Macchapuchre Explore Kathmandu Relax in Pokhara Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since 1999. 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. www.actionchallenge.com
introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to Nepal will begin as soon as you register! You will receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all the essentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet our trek leaders, members of your group and others taking part in challenges around the world. On the day of departure you will meet your group and Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. Whether you re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Kathmandu, ready to take on the hike of a lifetime! Please visit our website for more details All inclusive trip cost from 299 Initial 1,799 deposit to sign up brief itinerary Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Depart UK Arrive Kathmandu Ghandruk Tadapan Ghorepani Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Tirkedunga Pokhara Transfer to Kathmandu Kathmandu Free Day Arrive UK Three payment options available Please visit our website for more details what s included International flights Action Challenge trek leader Full support team, including local guides UK medic All accommodation All meals, except in free time Airline taxes Treated drinking water All transfers in local vehicles National Park entrance fees Celebration dinner n Pokhara Invitation to a challenge briefing in London Discounted training weekends in the Peak District and Wales Fitness and training guide Discounts from UK retailers Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health This has been classed as a moderate challenge which means that some prior training is necessary to undertake it. For this challenge you will need to walk for long periods of over five hours per day with some prolonged climbs. We therefore recommend that those who wish to participate do undertake some long walks in the build up to the challenge. One of the best times to visit Nepal and complete the challenge is between April, when the country is at its most beautiful after the rains. The temperature is pleasant and visibility is excellent, ensuring you get the most stunning views throughout the trek.
itinerary DAY 1 - Depart London We meet for our flight bound for Kathmandu. The Action Challenge team will have your tickets ready for you at the airport. Meals: Dependent on flight schedule DAY 2 - Kathmandu We arrive at Kathmandu International airport mid-afternoon and transfer to our centrally located hotel. Later this evening we sit down to a welcome meal in a local restaurant to celebrate our arrival in this magnificent country and receive an introductory brief from our guides. Meals: L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 3 - Ghandruk After an early breakfast at the hotel, we make our way to the airport for a domestic flight to Pokhara where our team will be waiting to transfer us 50km to Nayapul. Today s trek offers spectacular mountain scenery and charming villages. The first 10km is on the flat as we pass through Biretanthi before continuing on up through the valley and into rhododendron forests. We have a chance to see the fascinating culture and traditions of the Nepalese countryside including a visit to Ghandruk, home of the Gurung people with their own religion and culture. As we walk, we see stunning views of both the sacred mountain Macchapuchre (Fishtail) and South. Breakfasts each morning will be at our accommodation whilst lunches will be en route. Evening meals will be freshly prepared for us either at our hotel or tea house in time for our arrival. There will be a variety of rice, pasta, vegetables and a selection of fresh meat and fresh fish. We can cater for all dietary requirements if informed in advance. Four nights in comfortable 2 to 3* hotels Four nights in teahouses with shared washing facilities on the trek All accommodation is on a twin/tripleshare, 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. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tea house Distance: 17 km DAY 4 - Tadapan After yesterday s tough challenge we have a shorter trek, probably the easiest of the challenge. We continue the slow ascent up to a height of 2,700m, beginning through the woodlands up to Kyunri Khola. From here, we will be able to see the entire southern region stretching out before us. On our climb today we might see Langur Monkeys as we continue through the forested hillside near Bhaisa Kharka before reaching Tadapani, our base for the night. If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can accommodate this in the majority of places. Please email us for more information Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tea house Distance: 9.4 km DAY 5 - Ghorepani We set off early for the meandering trek through dense temperate forests. The route will involve a combination of ascents and descents as we pass through the small hamlets of Bhantanti and Deurali. Our destination and teahouse for the night will be Ghorepani with its incredible mountain views. We sleep early tonight in preparation for our predawn rise tomorrow. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tea house Distance: 11.2 km Insurance - approximately 60 Visa - 35 Vaccinations - Up-to-date on boosters, please seek advice from your GP. Tips for local staff - recommended amount 30 Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150.
DAY 6 - Tirkedunga We rise early for the highlight of our challenge. From our teahouse we trek before breakfast to the summit of Poon Hill to watch the sun rise over what is considered to be the most spectacular mountain vista in the world. As dawn breaks, we see the mighty (8,091m) to the north and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) to the west. After this incredible sight and photo opportunity, we return to our teahouse for a good breakfast before heading off on our day s challenge. Tirkedunga is 21 km away along a trail which takes us gradually downhill through forests of rhododendron and down into some very thickly forested terrain. Some steeper descents eventually bring us out above a large valley and the town of Ulleri (1,960m). We stop for lunch overlooking small farms and villages dotted over the sides of the valley far below. From here, 3,500 stone steps switchback down the valley wall to the floor below. It s a tough two hour descent to Tikhedhunga and our teahouse. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tea house Distance: 21 km DAY 7 - Pokhara A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of registration. Many everyday items can be used on this challenge, and we offer a kit hire service to keep costs down. If you are planning on travelling to Kathmandu 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. Please email us for more information Today is our last trekking day and these final 11 km to Nayapul will pass very quickly. We head down to the valley floor 500 meters below, we walk on to Birethanti where we have a break. before completing the last two kilometers down to Nayapul in less than an hour. Here our coach will be waiting to take us back to Pokhara. Tonight we celebrate our trekking achievements with a delicious meal and partying into the night. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 10.6 km DAY 8 - Transfer to Kathmandu This morning we wake early for our seven hour coach transfer back to Kathmandu. We stop halfway in the village of Bandipur for lunch at a beautiful riverside resort and, once at our Kathmandu hotel, we finally have the chance to relax! Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel DAY 9 - Kathmandu Free Day A full free day to explore this wonderful city. Meals: B training weekends / briefings We run a number of training weekends throughout the year in the Peak District, Breacon Beacons and Snowdonia. These are fully-inclusive - 2 night s accommodation and all meals. We also organise training days in London and the North and South downs. On both, you will get the chance to meet our mountain leaders and test out your kit and fitness! You will also receive an invite to a challenge briefing in central London. DAY 10 - Return Home We transfer to the airport for our return flight back to London. Alcoholic drinks Drinks and food outside of meals, other than water Personal kit / equipment Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of 150.
payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of 299 (for 2015) is required to secure your place. We offer 2 deposit payment options: OPTION 1: Deposit paid in full, by card at the time of registration. OPTION 2: Deposit paid in two 50/50 split payments. The first 50% is paid when you register and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the following month. For this option, a 10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment. ATOL is a scheme that protects you from losing money or being stranded abroad if your travel company collapses. Action Challenge is 100% ATOL bonded, which provides you with full financial protection. On receipt of your registration fee, you will receive an ATOL certificate explaining your protection. Once registered, there are 3 PAYMENT OPTIONS to fund the balance of the trip cost. Full details are on our website. 1) SELF FUNDED For anyone who wants to pay for the entire trip themselves. It s then completely up to you whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice. The total all inclusive cost of this trip is 1,799 (for 2015), which, after you pay the 299 Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of 1,500. This final balance is due for payment 10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline. 2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least 3,000 (for 2015) via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues, and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 3,000 (for 2015), your charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 1,500 (the same as if you were you were Self Funded ) - the charity will retain at least 1,500 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. how to book To book on to this challenge, please visit our website; www.actionchallenge.com for a full list of prices and all available dates. private groups If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 10 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please call us on +44(0)207609 6695 or you can send us an email to events@actionchallenge.com for more information. 3) MIXED FUNDED A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and also fundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal for anyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT is happy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with your registration deposit, is set at a level that covers at least the costs of flights & accommodation; perfect for those who feel more at ease asking for sponsorship in respect to the challenge component of their trip. Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least 2,250 (for 2015), your charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is 900. At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balance yourself, which will be a figure of 600 (These two amounts add up to the same as the Self Funded final balance) - the charity will retain at least 1,350 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. @actionchallenge www.facebook.com/actionchallenge Action Challenge UK Ltd United House North Road London N7 9DP United Kingdom