trek Darjeeling

actionchallenge in Darjeeling This spectacular Himalayan trek takes us high into the mountains through lush forests, rural villages and breathtaking mountain scenery on an eleven day adventure of a lifetime.

Our hike begins with a 1,000 m climb to the Tonglu Ridge (3,070 m) with its stunning views across Darjeeling and beyond to the plains of North Bengal and the snow-capped peaks. We follow our trail as it leads us up and over valleys blanketed in silver fir and spruce trees. As we continue deep into the mountains, rhododendrons, magnolias and orchids line our route. Together we pass through small rural villages where we meet the local people and get a glimpse of their culture and way of life.

Our tough ascents are more than rewarded with stunning views of Kanchenjunga and the giant snow-capped peaks of Nepal and Bhutan. At Sabarkum we leave our tea house early to see the sun rise over the highest mountains in the world, lighting up the snowy peaks and deep valleys around us. A magical experience and a dawn we’ll never forget.

We spend a day in the Himalayan hill station of Darjeeling exploring, shopping in the bazaar or taking a trip on one of the last remaining famous ‘Toy Trains’, an original steam train running on the UNESCO World Heritage railway built in 1879. We celebrate our trekking achievement with a group dinner and party, a fitting end to a at a glance trip highlights ● Activity: Trekking ● All inclusive 11 day group challenge ● Location: Darjeeling, India ● See Darjeeling hill station ● Duration: 11 days / 6 days trekking ● Camp under the starry night sky ● Difficulty: Moderate - Tough ● Enjoy Tonglu Ridge’s stunning views ● Distance: 88 km ● See the great Kanchenjunga ● When: April 2014 ● Cool off in the clear running streams ● Group size: 15 -25 people ●Ride Darjeeling’s ‘toy train’

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 trek Darjeeling

introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to Darjeeling will begin as soon as you register! You will April 2014 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 Please visit our website for more details 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. All inclusive trip cost from £2,099 On the day of departure you will meet your group and Action Challenge leader at the Initial £399 deposit to sign up 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 Kolkata, Three payment options available ready to take on the hike of a lifetime! Please visit our website for more details brief itinerary

Day 1 Depart UK Day 7 Samandem Day 2 Darjeeling Day 8 Rimbick Day 3 Tonglu Ridge Day 9 Darjeeling Day 4 Phedi Kohla Day 10 Depart Delhi Day 5 Sandakphu Day 11 Arrive UK Day 6 Sabarkum what’s included · International and domestic flights · Action Challenge trek leader · Full support team, including local guides · UK medic · All accommodation · All meals, except in free time This has been classed as a moderate to · Airline taxes tough challenge which means that some · Treated drinking water prior training would be recommended to undertake it. The terrain is varied with · All transfers in local vehicles some steep uphill climbs and downhill · National Park entrance fees passes. The highest point along the route · Celebration dinner in Darjeeling is 3,600 m. · Invitation to a challenge briefing in London · Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Snowdonia & Brecon Beacons · Fitness and training guide · Discounts from UK retailers Why not stay on after the challenge and · Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health explore some more of India’s highlights?

Please email us for more information

The best time to visit India is between October and April, when the country is at its most beautiful after the rains. The temperature is balmy and visibility is excellent, making sure you get the most stunning views throughout the trek.

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Darjeeling

itinerary

Breakfasts each morning will be at our DAY 1 - Depart UK accommodation whilst lunches will be en route. Evening meals will be freshly We have an overnight flight to India. prepared for us either at our hotel, camp 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 DAY 2 - Darjeeling fish. On arrival into India we take a domestic flight to Bagdogra. Here we are met at the airport for our four hour transfer to Darjeeling (2,134m). En route we stop at Kurseong, We can cater for all dietary requirements where we have the chance to taste our first cup of Darjeeling tea. Tonight we enjoy a if informed in advance. typical Darjeeling welcome meal.

Meals: L,D Accom: Tea House

• Two nights in comfortable 2-3* hotels DAY 3 - Tonglu Ridge 3,070 m • Two nights camping • Three nights in tea houses with shared We leave our hotel early and transfer 1½ hours to Maneybhanjang (1,972m) where our washing facilities on the trek challenge begins. Our first day of trekking is a tough one as we climb 1,000 m onto the Singalila Ridge for spectacular mountain views. We then continue at a steady pace to All accommodation is on a twin/triple- the magnificent Tonglu Ridge, where we reach our camp for the night in the village of share, single-sex basis and we will pair Tonglu. you with someone of a similar age, where possible. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent Distance: 11 km If you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. DAY 4 - Phedi Kohla

This is one of our shortest trekking days. We follow the trail from Tonglu downhill through woodland and small rural villages. Passing through the Village of Dilpah, we make our way to the bottom of the valley to the monastery compound of Phedi. We aim If you decide that you would like to have to reach Phedi in time for a late lunch where we hope to be able to have some fun your own room on the challenge, we can interaction with the local children and villagers. Tonight our camp will be in the grounds accommodate this in the majority of of Phedi Primary school, which sits on the bank of a stream (perfect for us to cool off!). places. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent Distance: 13 km Please email us for more information

DAY 5 - Sandakphu

Today we face our most challenging day as we gain nearly 2,000 meters in altitude. • Insurance - Approximately £60 Although the trail is tough it is very beautiful and the scenery is varied. After passing • Visa - £92.20 through villages, we head back up into the woodland and into low bush forest. We soon • Vaccinations - Yellow fever vaccination rejoin the main Rimbick-Sandakphu trail and from here onwards the ascent is gradual and up-to-date on boosters. Malaria and the trail widens out making it a pleasant climb to our campsite for the night. tablets will also be required, please seek advice from your GP. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tent Distance: 16 km • Tips for local staff - Recommended £30 • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of £150.

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Darjeeling

DAY 6 - Sabarkum

Due to the undulating terrain today, there is no let up for our weary legs as the trail winds A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of through rich flora and fauna with a picturesque backdrop of snow-covered peaks. After registration. Many everyday items can be lunch we have a 200 m climb over 4 kilometers to Sabarkum and our accommodation used on this challenge, and we offer a kit for the night. hire service to keep costs down.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tea House Distance: 15 km

If you are planning on travelling to DAY 7 - Samanden Darjeeling before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a We wake early to watch a truly unforgettable sight, the sun rise onto four of the highest land only option, with a significant mountains in the world. After a hearty breakfast, we descend through the forest towards discount off the trip price. You will be the village of Gorkhey, surrounded by lush vegetation. From here we climb gradually to required to meet your group at the hotel Samanden, where we enjoy a well-earned rest and an early night after another long day on day two of the itinerary. of trekking. Please email us for more information Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tea House Distance: 17 km

DAY 8 - Rimbick

And so to our final day. The trail takes us through forests, past flowering trees and orchids to the village of Rammam where we stop for lunch by a fast flowing stream. We continue to the small bazaar town of Rimbick where we transfer three hours to Darjeeling and our comfortable hotel.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 16 km training weekends / briefings

DAY 9 - Darjeeling We run a number of training weekends throughout the year in the Peak District, Today we have a free day to take a ride on Darjeeling’s famous toy train, walk around Breacon Beacons and Snowdonia. These the town, visit the Himalayan Mountain Institute or shop for last minute souvenirs at the are fully-inclusive - 2 night’s colorful bazaar. This evening we celebrate our achievements with a wonderful dinner accommodation and all meals. We also and partying late into the night. organise training days in London and the North and South downs. On both, you will Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel get the chance to meet our mountain leaders and test out your kit and fitness!

DAY 10 - Delhi You will also receive an invite to a challenge briefing in central London. Today we fly to Delhi and onwards for our international overnight flight.

Meals: B • Alcoholic drinks • Drinks and food outside of meals, other than water DAY 11 - Arrive UK • Personal kit / equipment • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is capped at a maximum of £150.

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Darjeeling

payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of £399 (for 2014) is required to secure your place. We ATOL is a scheme that protects you from offer 2 deposit payment options: losing money or being stranded abroad if your travel company collapses. Action OPTION 1: Deposit paid in full, by card at the time of registration. Challenge is 100% ATOL bonded, which provides you with full financial protection. OPTION 2: Deposit paid in two 50/50 split payments. The first 50% is paid when you On receipt of your registration fee, you will register and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the following receive an ATOL certificate explaining month. For this option, a £10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment. 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 £2,099 (for 2014), which, after you pay the £399 Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of £1,700. This final balance is due for payment how to book 10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline. To book on to this challenge, please visit 2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED our website; www.actionchallenge.com for a full list of prices and all available This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a dates. significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least £3,400 (for 2014) via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues, private groups and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total. If you are a charity, business, school or Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising private group with a minimum of 10 goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £3,400 (for 2014), your people and fancy your own bespoke trip, charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paid please call us on +44(0)207609 6695 by your charity, is £1,700 (the same as if you were you were ‘Self Funded’) - the charity or you can send us an email to will retain at least £1,700 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuel [email protected] surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure. for more information.

3) MIXED FUNDED

A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and also @actionchallenge 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 www.facebook.com/actionchallenge 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 Action Challenge UK Ltd goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £2,550 (for 2014), your United House charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by your North Road charity, is £1,025. At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balance London yourself, which will be a figure of £675 (These two amounts add up to the same as the N7 9DP ‘Self Funded’ final balance) - the charity will retain at least £1,525 to help fund their United Kingdom work. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected]