Trek THE FOR MARIE CURIE 6-14 October 2018

Register online now at mariecurie.org.uk/china or call 0800 716 146 YOUR ADVENTURE STARTS HERE

THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA Explore the mysteries of the Great Wall of China and raise money for your local Marie Curie Nurses. Trek the 15th century Ming dynasty hardrock wall, before descending on local trails to experience the rural life of people in the Brian Morrison/Marie Curie province.

China TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF A LIFE TIME FOR MARIE CURIE We’re here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families – our work is only possible thanks to amazing supporters like you. When you challenge yourself in China, you’ll be helping our nurses provide expert care, guidance and support. Every step you take along the Great Wall will help people living with a terminal illness, and their loved ones, get the most from the time they have left together.

2 WHERE YOUR £350 pays for five people to attend day therapy at a Marie Curie Hospice, benefitting from gentle exercise, MONEY GOES emotional support and more. £180 pays for a Marie Curie Nurse to look after £400 pays for someone to stay in a Marie Curie someone living with a terminal illness overnight in their Hospice for 24 hours, so that they can receive the hands-on own home. care they need in their final days.

3 DAY 1 Depart UK DAY 2 Arrive Upon arrival in Beijing you will be transferred to your hotel. The afternoon will be free to explore and in the evening you will walk to the restaurant for dinner and a trip briefing. DAY 3 Beijing – Gubeikou 3-4 hours walking In the morning you will depart Beijing and travel to Gubeikou at the border of Hebei province where the trek starts. After stopping for lunch you will explore a section of the wall on a high ridge above the township. The trail ascends to several prominent towers, which afford great views of the terrain. You then descend down the other side to a temple and onwards to the campsite.

4 Trekking the Great DAY 4 Thinkstock Wall of China was Explore the old Great Wall my first trek for 7 hours walking Marie Curie and Today you will ascend and explore a spectacular section was so wonderful it of the wall above the Gubeikou valley. This is a little- visited section and offers views of a wild landscape. After inspired me to sign ascending from the valley floor, you will walk on parts of the up for two more! wall that have deteriorated. The terrain will be very uneven with lots of loose stones, narrow sections and some steep A brilliant time, drops. fabulous scenery, wonderful food and new friends. DAY 5 Gubeikou – Marie Curie trekker 7-8 hours walking Today you set off early, trekking through farm land and the village of Gubeikou before ascending a short but steep trail to access the wall. Today is very open to the elements with towers spaced quite far apart. There are some steep drops but the wall is wide allowing for plenty of space to walk. The wall in this area remains deteriorated in most parts with loose rocks and steps. You will descend to camp via a local farm trail. This evening you will camp in the Hebei Province.

5 DAY 6 Jinshanling – Thinkstock 7-8 hours walking Today you will walk towards a restored section of the wall, which was built in the 15th century. You will pass through 10 Towers, ascending and descending many sets of stairs and undulating paths. The final part of the walk descends on a winding trail to your waiting vehicles, which transfer you the short distance to your final camp by Simatai Reservoir. DAY 7 Simatai – Beijing 4 hours walking Today’s walk is challenging, with some scrambling sections and a rugged climb to the summit of Beijing Tower. Your efforts are well worth it as you are rewarded with stunning vistas and awe inspiring views back across to Hebei. The descent takes us down the other side of the valley which is open to the elements. There are some sections of scree so you will need to proceed slowly and take in the amazing accomplishment of completing the challenge. After lunch you will transfer back to Beijing.

6 An experience of a lifetime, with a variety DAY 8 Thinkstock of adventures and spectacular views. Beijing Marie Curie trekker Today you have a full day in Beijing to explore some of the most majestic and historically significant sites of this immense city. Starting with Tiananmen Square your guide will explain the history and significance of this area. You will then visit the “Forbidden City”, so called as it was off limits to the general public for over 500 years. You take a full tour of this marvellous enclave, inspecting the massive courtyards. Lunch will be at a local restaurant before a visit to the lake area. In the evening you will enjoy a final dinner together to celebrate your achievements. DAY 9 Depart Beijing and return to UK

7 ESSENTIAL Registration fee INFORMATION (non-refundable) £299

Minimum sponsorship £3450

9 day trip with five days’ trekking 9 days

Trip grading challenging

8 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who can take part? Will I need specialist kit? Anyone over the age of 18 who is looking for a challenge is We will send you a recommended packing list in your welcome able to take part. The majority will be on their own, but some pack which will detail any specialist equipment you may need. will go with friends, partners or relatives. This event will be tough and exhilarating, but it will be fantastically rewarding What’s not included? and is suitable for anyone with a bit of grit, determination and • Registration fee willingness to work as part of a team. • Travel insurance • Recommended vaccinations How fit do I need to be? • Tips and gratuities This trek is challenging. All our trekking challenges are • Chinese visa £60 - £90 designed to suit people who are fit and have trained to take • Personal spending money part – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy the adventure. We walk approximately 12-18 kilometres (5-7 hours) per day.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Return flights Local Accommodation Trek leader Medic All meals while transfers trekking

9 What will we eat and drink? for the trip yourself please contact us on 0800 716 146** for All the water on the trek will be boiled and safe to drink. further information. Breakfast will consist of cereals, local breads and eggs. A typical lunch will include salads, cold meats, eggs, rice, bread What will the weather be like? and cheese with fruit and biscuits. In the evening there will The weather should be mild and warm with the possibility be a hot meal, normally three courses, comprising soup, of showers. The nights can be cold. The weather can change main meal and dessert. Please let us know in advance of any without warning so it’s best to be prepared. special dietary requirements and feel free to bring any of your Passports and visas favourite snacks. Participants should have at least six months’ validity on their passports from the date of return to the UK. Everyone What about vaccinations? travelling from the UK will require a Chinese tourist visa. We As a guide, Typhoid, Diptheria and Hepatitis A vaccinations are will send further details nearer the time. advisable, Tetanus and Polio vaccinations should be up to date. You are advised to seek professional medical advice from Can I extend my stay? your GP. Anyone wanting to stay on after the trek can arrange to do so through World Expeditions at an additional cost and subject to How will I be supported? availability. Please note that you may need to buy a separate Beforehand: You will be sent a fundraising pack with great tips visa if you are extending your trip. on how to meet your sponsorship target. We will be in touch regularly and will organise a briefing day where you’ll meet Do overseas challenges damage other trekkers and hear more about the challenge. the environment? During the trip: Your group will be accompanied by a qualified Marie Curie is committed to responsible tourism. This doctor and trek leader, as well as a Marie Curie representative. challenge is organised by our tour operator, World Expeditions, Local guides will escort the group along the route. Your which employs local staff and suppliers, creates minimal luggage will be transported to each night’s camp. environmental impact and positively contributes to conservation, working with local environmental groups as Can I cover the cost of the trip myself? well as bringing in revenue through tourism to remote areas We ask you to raise a minimum of £3,450. A minimum of of China. £2,254* will go directly to Marie Curie, as well as anything you raise over the minimum sponsorship. If you would like to pay 10 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 Make the most of social media Once you’ve registered, you will be put in touch with your Announce your sponsorship page and ask people for local Marie Curie fundraiser who will help you with your donations on Facebook and Twitter. Add your JustGiving web fundraising plans and offer advice whenever you need it. address to your email signature so everyone you contact can see it. And don’t forget to tweet it too! Welcome pack We’ll send you a welcome pack and fundraising guide full of Supersize your fundraising tried and tested tips to help you smash your target. If you’d See if your employer will match your fundraising pound for like to see some ideas for fundraising before you get your pound, or up to a fixed amount. And ask your sponsors to Gift pack, check out this page on our website Aid their donation. mariecurie.org.uk/event-fundraising-tips Get in touch Getting started Please do get in touch if you have any questions or A great first step is setting up a JustGiving page. This is the want support. quickest and easiest way to tell people that you’re fundraising We’d love to hear from you on 0800 716 146.** and to gather your sponsorship online. mariecurieuk Get personal Tell people why you’re doing this challenge. People respond best to personal stories. Don’t forget to add some photos *Based on minimum participant numbers. or videos. **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. 11 REGISTER NOW For more information visit mariecurie.org.uk/overseas If you have any questions feel free to call us on 0800 716 146** or email [email protected]

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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

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