darjeeling - action challenge · challenge begins.€our first day of trekking is a tough one as we...

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actionchallenge in Darjeeling

trip highlights● All inclusive 11 day group challenge● See Darjeeling hill station● Camp under the starry night sky● Enjoy Tonglu Ridge’s stunning views● See the great Kanchenjunga● Cool off in the clear running streams●Ride Darjeeling’s ‘toy train’

● Activity: Trekking● Location: Darjeeling, India● Duration: 11 days / 6 days trekking● Difficulty: Moderate - Tough● Distance: 88 km● Group size: 15 -25 people

at a glance

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-lifetimeadventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life.

This spectacular Himalayan trek takes us high into the mountains through lush forests, rural villages andbreathtaking 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 Darjeelingand beyond to the plains of North Bengal and the snow-capped peaks. We follow our trail as it leads us up andover 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 localpeople 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-cappedpeaks of Nepal and Bhutan. At Sabarkum we leave our tea house early to see the sun rise over the highestmountains in the world, lighting up the snowy peaks and deep valleys around us. A magical experience and adawn we’ll never forget.

We spend a day in the Himalayan hill station of Darjeeling exploring, shopping in the bazaar or taking a trip onone of the last remaining famous ‘Toy Trains’, an original steam train running on the UNESCO World Heritagerailway built in 1879. We celebrate our trekking achievement with a group dinner and party, a fitting end to a

trekDarjeeling

The best time to visit India is betweenOctober and April, when the country is atits most beautiful after the rains. Thetemperature is balmy and visibility isexcellent, making sure you get the moststunning views throughout the trek.

Darjeeling

This fully-inclusive adventure to Darjeeling will begin as soon as you register! You willreceive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all theessentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all theformalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offerpre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet our trekleaders, 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 theairport in London. Whether you’re joining the challenge on your own or with others, youwill instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Kolkata,ready to take on the hike of a lifetime!

introduction

brief itinerary

Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5Day 6

Depart UKDarjeelingTonglu RidgePhedi KohlaSandakphuSabarkum

what’s included

Please visit our website for more details

All inclusive trip cost from £2,149Initial £399 deposit to sign up

Three payment options available

Please visit our website for more details

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.act ionchal lenge.com events@actionchal lenge.com

This has been classed as a moderate totough challenge which means that someprior training would be recommended toundertake it. The terrain is varied withsome steep uphill climbs and downhillpasses. The highest point along the routeis 3,600 m.

Day 7Day 8Day 9Day 10Day 11

SamandemRimbickDarjeelingDepart DelhiArrive UK

trek

· International and domestic 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 in Darjeeling· 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· Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health Why not stay on after the challenge and

explore some more of India’s highlights?

Please email us for more information

• Two nights in comfortable 2-3* hotels • Two nights camping • Three nights in tea houses with sharedwashing facilities on the trek

All accommodation is on a twin/triple-share, single-sex basis and we will pairyou with someone of a similar age, wherepossible.

If you wish to share a room with someoneyou are travelling with, please specify thison your registration form.

itinerary

Breakfasts each morning will be at ouraccommodation whilst lunches will be enroute. Evening meals will be freshlyprepared for us either at our hotel, campor tea house in time for our arrival. Therewill be a variety of rice, pasta, vegetablesand a selection of fresh meat and freshfish.

We can cater for all dietary requirementsif informed in advance.

DAY 1 - Depart UK

We have an overnight flight to India.

DAY 2 - Darjeeling

On arrival into India we take a domestic flight to Bagdogra. Here we are met at theairport for our four hour transfer to Darjeeling (2,134m). En route we stop at Kurseong,where we have the chance to taste our first cup of Darjeeling tea. Tonight we enjoy atypical Darjeeling welcome meal.

Meals: L,D Accom: Tea House

DAY 3 - Tonglu Ridge 3,070 m

We leave our hotel early and transfer 1½ hours to Maneybhanjang (1,972m) where ourchallenge begins. Our first day of trekking is a tough one as we climb 1,000 m onto theSingalila Ridge for spectacular mountain views. We then continue at a steady pace tothe magnificent Tonglu Ridge, where we reach our camp for the night in the village ofTonglu.

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

If you decide that you would like to haveyour own room on the challenge, we canaccommodate this in the majority ofplaces.


• Insurance - Approximately £60 • Visa - £92.20 • Vaccinations - Yellow fever vaccinationand up-to-date on boosters. Malariatablets will also be required, please seekadvice from your GP. • Tips for local staff - Recommended £30 • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as

applied by airlines. Please note thatthis is capped at a maximum of £150.

DAY 4 - Phedi Kohla

This is one of our shortest trekking days. We follow the trail from Tonglu downhillthrough woodland and small rural villages. Passing through the Village of Dilpah, wemake our way to the bottom of the valley to the monastery compound of Phedi. We aimto reach Phedi in time for a late lunch where we hope to be able to have some funinteraction with the local children and villagers. Tonight our camp will be in the groundsof Phedi Primary school, which sits on the bank of a stream (perfect for us to cool off!).


DAY 5 - Sandakphu

Today we face our most challenging day as we gain nearly 2,000 meters in altitude.Although the trail is tough it is very beautiful and the scenery is varied. After passingthrough villages, we head back up into the woodland and into low bush forest. We soonrejoin the main Rimbick-Sandakphu trail and from here onwards the ascent is gradualand the trail widens out making it a pleasant climb to our campsite for the night.



Darjeelingtrek

A kit list will be sent to you on receipt ofregistration. Many everyday items can beused on this challenge, and we offer a kithire service to keep costs down.

DAY 7 - Samanden

DAY 8 - Rimbick

We wake early to watch a truly unforgettable sight, the sun rise onto four of the highestmountains in the world. After a hearty breakfast, we descend through the forest towardsthe village of Gorkhey, surrounded by lush vegetation. From here we climb gradually toSamanden, where we enjoy a well-earned rest and an early night after another long dayof trekking.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Tea House Distance: 17 km

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

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 16 km

If you are planning on travelling toDarjeeling before the challenge or wish toorganise your own flights, we do offer aland only option, with a significantdiscount off the trip price. You will berequired to meet your group at the hotelon day two of the itinerary.


• Alcoholic drinks • Drinks and food outside of meals, otherthan water • Personal kit / equipment • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement asapplied by airlines. Please note that this iscapped at a maximum of £150.

Due to the undulating terrain today, there is no let up for our weary legs as the trail windsthrough rich flora and fauna with a picturesque backdrop of snow-covered peaks. Afterlunch we have a 200 m climb over 4 kilometers to Sabarkum and our accommodationfor the night.

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

DAY 6 - Sabarkum


training weekends / briefings

We run a number of training weekendsthroughout the year in the Peak District,Breacon Beacons and Snowdonia. Theseare fully-inclusive - 2 night’saccommodation and all meals. We alsoorganise training days in London and theNorth and South downs. On both, you willget the chance to meet our mountainleaders and test out your kit and fitness!

You will also receive an invite to achallenge briefing in central London.

DAY 9 - Darjeeling

Today we have a free day to take a ride on Darjeeling’s famous toy train, walk aroundthe town, visit the Himalayan Mountain Institute or shop for last minute souvenirs at thecolorful bazaar. This evening we celebrate our achievements with a wonderful dinnerand partying late into the night.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel

Darjeelingtrek

DAY 10 - Delhi

Today we fly to Delhi and onwards for our international overnight flight.

Meals: B

DAY 11 - Arrive UK

payment optionsATOL is a scheme that protects you fromlosing money or being stranded abroad ifyour travel company collapses. ActionChallenge is 100% ATOL bonded, whichprovides you with full financial protection.On receipt of your registration fee, you willreceive an ATOL certificate explainingyour protection.

A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of £399 (for 2015) is required to secure your place. Weoffer 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 youregister and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the followingmonth. For this option, a £10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment.

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 toyou whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice.

The total all inclusive cost of this trip is £2,149 (for 2015), which, after you pay the £399Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of £1,750. This final balance is due for payment10 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 asignificant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least£3,500 (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 fundraisinggoes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £3,500 (for 2015), yourcharity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paidby your charity, is £1,750 (the same as if you were you were ‘Self Funded’) - the charitywill retain at least £1,750 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuelsurcharges 10 weeks prior to departure.

3) MIXED FUNDED

A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and alsofundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal foranyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT ishappy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with yourregistration 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 inrespect to the ‘challenge’ component of their trip.

Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraisinggoes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £2,625 (for 2015), yourcharity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by yourcharity, is £1,050. At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balanceyourself, which will be a figure of £700 (These two amounts add up to the same as the‘Self Funded’ final balance) - the charity will retain at least £1,575 to help fund theirwork. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure.

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Action Challenge UK LtdUnited HouseNorth RoadLondonN7 9DPUnited Kingdom

how to book

To book on to this challenge, please visitour website; www.actionchallenge.comfor a full list of prices and all availabledates.


If you are a charity, business, school orprivate group with a minimum of 10people and fancy your own bespoke trip,please call us on +44(0 )207 609 6695or you can send us an email toevents@actionchal lenge.comfor more information.

private groups

Darjeelingtrek

darjeeling - action challenge · challenge begins.€our first day of trekking is a tough one as we...

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