trek Great Wall of …The Ultimate Tough Challenge

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This demanding, exhilarating trek along remote stretches of the Great Wall of China is a nine day adventure of a lifetime.

With up to nine hours of trekking each day, a good level of fitness and a passion for tough challenges is a must but our hard work is rewarded with China’s unique, breathtaking scenery. Together we escape the tourist trail and walk through Coiling Dragon and Crouching Tiger Mountains, past numerous watchtowers and along remote, beautiful sections rarely seen by tourists. As a group we trek along restored sections of wall with mighty watchtowers returned to their former glory and take on technically challenging sections of ‘wild wall’ that require stamina (and often a good sense of balance!).

Along our route we see temples dedicated to famous garrison generals, original brickwork from the , ancient tablet writings and animal statues. From the Nine Eye Tower (1,314m) we have incredible panoramic views of the section stretching out before us as the wall clings to the mountains and disappears far over the horizon.

We spend our last day in China exploring the sights of before celebrating our fabulous Great Wall challenge with a special Chinese meal. at a glance trip highlights ● Activity: Trekking ● Enjoy an all inclusive 9 day group trip ● Location: China, Beijing ● Challenge yourself with this tough trek ● Duration: 9 Days / 5 days trekking ● Climb the steep steps at Huangyaguan ● Difficulty: Tough ● See panoramic views from Nine Eye Tower ● Distance: 71 km ● Tackle the wild wall at Jiankou ● Group size: 15 -25 ● Learn to cook dumplings ● Explore Beijing

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 Great Wall of China …Tough Challenge

introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to China will begin as soon as you register! You will Please visit our website for more details 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 All inclusive trip cost from £1,549 for 2015 airport in London. Whether you’re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you or £1,599 for 2016 will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Beijing, ready Initial £399 deposit to sign up to take on the Great Wall of China and the hike of a lifetime! Three payment options available brief itinerary

Day 1 Depart London Day 6 Day 2 Beijing Day 7 Great Wall at Day 3 Great Wall at Huangyaguan Day 8 Beijing Day 4 , & Day 9 London Arrival This challenge requires a good level of Day 5 Great Wall at Jiankou fitness to trek the route, the terrain is varied with some steep uphill climbs, what’s included downhill sections and steps. Some prior aerobic fitness training is necessary. · International flights · Action Challenge trek leader · Full support team, including local guides · UK medic · All accommodation · All meals, except in free time Why not stay on after the challenge and · Airport / Air travel taxes explore some more of Beijing’s highlights? · Treated drinking water · All transfers in local vehicles Extensions include: ● Terracotta Warriors · National Park entrance fees ● Giant Panda Research Centre · Celebration dinner in Beijing ● Hong Kong · Invitation to a challenge briefing in London · Discounted training weekends in the Peak , Brecon Beacons & Snowdonia Please email us for more information · Fitness and training guide · Discounts from UK retailers · Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health

The weather in China can be very humid, particularly during the summer months when there are high temperatures and rainfall. The best times of year to trek the Great Wall are in the spring and autumn, when it will be drier and little cooler, without being too cold. It is advisable to pack for all weathers to ensure that you are prepared for changeable conditions.

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Great Wall of China …Tough Challenge

itinerary

Breakfast each morning will be in our DAY 1 - Depart London hotel / guest house / camp whilst lunches will be en route. Evening meals will be at the hotel or a local restaurant, except in Meals: Dependent on flight schedule free time.

DAY 2 - Beijing to Huangyaguan All meals are full of carbohydrates, protein and nutrients to keep us well fuelled We arrive at Beijing International Airport and are met by our local guide who will be with throughout the trip. us throughout our challenge. We have a comfortable two hour transfer east of Beijing to Huangyaguan, with lunch en route. This afternoon we visit the East Qing Tombs We can cater for all dietary requirements before arriving at our rural guesthouse for a special welcome meal on our first night in if informed in advance. China.

Meals: L,D Accom: Guest House

DAY 3 - Great Wall at Huangyaguan • Hotels / Guest Houses / Camp After breakfast we leave early for a short transfer to Taipingzhai and the start of our trek. Our first walk on the Great Wall takes us from Taipingzhai to Huayaguan Pass, a All accommodation is on a twin/triple- section partially restored in the 1980s. We have a mid morning break at a military pass share, single-sex basis and we will pair before trekking westwards past ‘Heaven’s Ladders’ and on to a remote village for a late you with someone of a similar age, where lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon we transfer to our rural guesthouse in possible. Gubeikou Village where we are treated to a special lesson in making Chinese dumplings. 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: Guest House Distance: 12 km

DAY 4 - Great Wall at Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Simatai West

We set off early this morning, walking directly from our guesthouse on a five hour trek to Jinshanling. The Panlong (Coiling Dragon) and Wohu (Crouching Tiger) mountains If you decide that you would like to have surround us and the Chaohe River runs from north to south across the foot of the wall. your own room on the challenge, we can Our walk takes us eastward along the unrestored old city wall, past numerous accommodate this in the majority of watchtowers before we leave the wall for a remote rural walk to Jinshanling for lunch. places. This afternoon we walk along a beautiful section of the wall to Simatai West where today’s trekking ends. We return to our guesthouse at Gubeikou for a well-deserved, Please email us for more information relaxing evening. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Guest House Distance: 18 km

DAY 5 - Great Wall at Jiankou

From Gubeikou we transfer to Jiankou and the start of today’s trek. We begin by walking • Insurance - approximately £60 up to the highest point in this area, the Nine-Eye-Tower at 1314m. From here, on a clear • Visa - £30 day, we have panoramic views of the whole Jiankou section and the outer and inner • Vaccinations - Up-to-date on boosters walls that protect the capital of the Ming Dynasty. The climb to the tower will take us • Tips for local staff - recommended around 2 1/2 hours, after which we walk southbound to the Beijing Knots, close to where amount £30 we finish our trek for the day. We make our way to our Jiankou hotel for the night. • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 12 km capped at a maximum of £150.

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Great Wall of China …Tough Challenge

DAY 6 - Great Wall at Jiankou to Mutianyu

We set off at 7am to transfer back to the wall. This morning’s four hour trek takes us A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of along the Jiankou Wall and across a few tricky sections which require good balance. registration. Many everyday items can be Here we are rewarded with breathtaking scenery at Zhengbeilou Tower and virtually no used on this challenge, and we offer a kit other tourists. We come off the Wall for lunch at a local farmer’s restaurant before hire service to keep costs down. starting the five hour afternoon section to Mutianyu. Once again the superb views, dense vegetation and many watchtowers make this a memorable trek. At the end of the day we have a one hour transfer to Huanghuacheng before arriving at our stunning campsite set amongst a chestnut orchard on the banks of a beautiful lake. Tonight we If you are planning on travelling to China have a delicious barbeque meal and enjoy a night under the stars. before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land only Meals: B,L,D Accom: Camp Distance: 18 km option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet DAY 7 - Great Wall at Huanghuacheng to Xishuiyu your group at the hotel on day two of the itinerary. Today is our last day on the wall. We start from Huanghuacheng or ‘Yellow Flower Please email us for more information Fortress’, as we trek up and down the Eastern section of the wall. It’s a good warm up for our four hour trek through forest and bush to the last watchtower near Xishuiyu. Here we have incredible panoramic views of the stunning lakeside Great Wall. We descend through Xishuiyu village for a late lunch at a local restaurant before transferring back to Beijing to our comfortable hotel and a great foot massage. This evening we have a celebratory meal to mark the end of this tough, rewarding challenge.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 11 km

DAY 8 - Beijing

After a late breakfast we walk to Tiananmen Square and on to the Forbidden City. We training weekends / briefings finish our visit by mid afternoon before having the rest of the day free to explore the Summer Palace, Temple of Heaven or a last minute shopping trip to Silk Street. This We run a number of training weekends evening we transfer to the airport for our overnight flight back to London. throughout the year in the Peak District, Breacons and Snowdonia. These are Meals: B fully-inclusive - 2 night’s accommodation and all meals. We also organise training DAY 9 - London Arrival 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.

• 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.

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Great wall of China …Tough Challenge

payment options A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of £399 for 2015/16 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 £1,549 for 2015 or £1,599 for 2016, which, after you pay the £399 Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of £1,150 for 2015 or £1,200 for 2016. This final balance is due for payment 10 weeks before your departure along how to book with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline. To book on to this challenge, please visit 2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED our website; www.actionchallenge.com This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising a for a full list of prices and all available significant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least dates. £2,300 for 2015 or £2,400 for 2016 via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues, and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total. private groups

Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraising If you are a charity, business, school or goes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £2,300 for 2015 or private group with a minimum of 10 £2,400 for 2016, your charity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action people and fancy your own bespoke trip, Challenge. That balance, paid by your charity, is £1,150 for 2015 or £1,200 for 2016 please call us on +44(0)207 609 6695 (the same as if you were you were ‘Self Funded’) - the charity will retain at least £1,150 or you can send us an email to for 2015 or £1,200 for 2016 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 fundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal For @actionchallenge 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 & www.facebook.com/actionchallenge 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 £1,800 for 2015 or Action Challenge UK Ltd £1,850 for 2016, your charity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That United House balance, paid by your charity, is £700 for 2015 or £740 for 2016. At the same time, you North Road will be required to pay the remaining balance yourself, which will be a figure of £450 for London 2015 or £460 for 2016 (These two amounts added up to the same as the ‘Self Funded’ N7 9DP final balance) - the charity will retain at least £1,100 for 2015 or £1,110 for 2016 to help United Kingdom fund their 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]