Join IKCA for thePakistan Trekking Challenge

(Rush Peak)

RegistrationPack&BriefingNotes

1. Welcomeandintroduction

2. Registration

3. FundraisingandCosts

4. AbouttheChallenge

5. TrekItinerary

6. PreparationandSafety

7. AbouttheCauseandIKCA

8. Equipmentandwhattobring

9. FAQ’s

ThesebriefingnotescoverallthethingsyouwillneedtoknowaboutthePakistanTrekkingChallenge,fromRegistrationtoPreparation.Pleasedotakethetimetoreadcarefully(evenifyouhavealreadyregistered)toensureyouarefullypreparedforthetripandthechallenge.

Thiswillbea14daytripwith10daysspenttrekkingand2days dedicatedtovisitingShaukat Khanum MemorialCancerHospitalinLahore.Thetraveldatesare:

Departure- August18th

Return- August31st

1 WelcomeandIntroduction

2 Registration

ToregisterpleasecontacttheIKCAofficedirectlyat: 01274424444oremailusat: support@ikca.org.uk

Youwillbeaskedtopayanon-refundableregistrationdepositof£250(thisisincludedinyourfundraisingtarget/travelcosts.)Inordertobooklocaltransportandobtainrelevanttrekkinglicensesforyouwewillalsoneed:

• Acopyofyourpassport

• 3passportsizedphotos

• Acopyofyourtravelinsurancepolicy

Participantsareresponsibleforacquiringalltheequipmentnecessaryforthetrek,aswellastheirtravelinsurance.ThismustbearrangedbyJune15th 2019.

Someexperienceisnecessaryforthistrek,andparticipantsareadvisedtotraininadvance.Toqualifyyoumust:

• Beover18yearsold.

• BewillingtoparticipateinpracticetreksorganisedbyIKCA.

• Havedonesomemountainclimbingpreviouslyortakenpartinsimilarchallengeslocally,orkeepfitbydoingsomeotherregulartrailing.

• AttendIKCA’spre-eventmeeting

3 Fundraising&Costs

Forthischallenge,youhavetwooptionsintermsofyourfundraisingtarget:

- Option1:Raise£2,700whichalsocoversthecostofthetrekincluding…

• AccommodationwhileinPakistan• Foodthroughoutthetrip• Domestictransport• Airporttransfers• Challengemanagementexpenses• Feesforourguides

This sum does not cover the cost of flights to Pakistan. With international challenges, wefind that participants often fly in from different parts of the world, and prefer to book theirown flights or extend their holiday beyond the trek.

- Option 2: Raise £1,700 for charity and pay £1000 towards costs the full cost of trekexpenses, as detailed above (to be paid to our tour operator in Pakistan.)

This option is ideal for those who prefer to pay their own way throughout the trip, anddonate the full sum of the minimum fundraising target to charity.

But remember, you don’t have to set your fundraising target to the minimum sum. You canbe as ambitious as you like and may even consider setting a target that will allow you tosponsor the full treatment of a cancer patient, or buy life saving hospital equipment. Wewill guide and support you all the way in achieving your fundraising goal.

Please do insure you inform us of your preferred option when registering. The full sum ofyour minimum fundraising target must be raised by July 31st 2019.

International Flights: You are responsible for booking your tickets to Pakistan as neither ofthe options above cover international flights. We will need to receive a copy of your flighttickets/itinerary with booking confirmation no later than July 15th 2019. Please ensure thatyour are in Islamabad by the afternoon of August 18th, as there will be a trek briefing at ourallocated hotel in the evening. Our trip will begin in Islambad on August 18th and end inLahore on August 31st. You can depart anytime on 31st August or any day thereafter.

Accommodation: The accommodation we provide will be from 18th August to the 31st ofAugust, so if you decided to stay on in Pakistan after this date, you will have to arrange yourown accommodation.

4 AbouttheChallenge

Aregionofbreath-takingnature,Gilgit-Baltistan ishometoFairyMeadows,NangaParbatMountain andRushLake.AlltheselocationswillbeonourrouteaswemakeourwaytoourfinaldestinationatRushPeak.

Thistrekwillbetrulyunforgettable,involvingdaysofwalkingthroughsublimelandscapesandnightsofbondingwithfellowadventurersoverwarmfood.Thehighestaltitudewewillreachis5098metresabovesealevel.

FairyMeadows:LocallyknownasJoot,FairyMeadowsisagrasslandnearthebaseofNangaParbatMountain,atanaltitudeof3250metresabovesealevel.FairyMeadowswasnamedthusbyGermantrekkerswhofellinlovewithitsenchanting,naturalbeauty.

NangaParbatBaseCamp:Measuringat26,660ft,NangaParbatistheninthhighestpeakintheworld.ItformstheWesternmostanchoroftheHimalayanRange,justsouthoftheIndusRiver,intheDiamer DistrictofGilgit-Baltistan.WewillbeclimbingtothebasecampofNangaParbat,atanaltitudeof3967metres.

RushLake: Ahighaltitudelake,at4760metres,RushLakeislocatedintheNagarValleybelowRushPeak.Itisthesightofbreath-takingvistasallaround.

RushPeak:Measuringat5098metresabovesealevel,RushpeakisamountainintheKarakoramMountainRangeofCentralAsia,locatedintheGilgit districtofNorthernPakistan.

TrekItinerary5

Day1:18August– ArrivalinIslamabad

Challengebriefingandovernightstayin

Islamabad.

Day2:19August– DrivetoChillas (1300m)

AnearlymorningstartasweheadforChillas.

Thiswillbea10-12hourdrive,withseveral

reststopsatsignificantsites.Ourroutewill

takeusthroughTaxila,Haripur,Abbottabad,

Naran,Kaghan.Overnightstayathotelin

Chillas.

Day3:20August– ArrivalatTato Valley|TrektoFairyMeadows(3250m)

Afteranearlybreakfastandcheck-outwewillembarkonour1hrdrivetoTato Valleybyjeep.OurtrektoFairyMeadowscommenceshere,andwilltakeapproximately3-4hrs.WewillspendthenightatFairyMeadows.

Day4:21August– TrektoBeyal Camp|TrektoNangaParbatBC(3967m)

AnearlystartaswetrektoBeyal campfirst,whichwillbea2-3hourwalk.Followingabriefreststopatthecamp,wewillpushontoNangaParbatbasecamp,whichwilltakeusanother3hours.AttheendofourtrekwewillreturntoourhotelatFairyMeadowsfortheevening.

Day5:22August– TrektoHopperValley(2500m)

EarlymorningcheckoutfromourlodgingsatFairyMeadows,aswemakeourwaytoHopperValley.Thiswillinvolveadescendingtrek,whichwilllastapproximately2-3hourstotheKarakoramHighway.There,wewillcatchourtransfertoGilgit.Thiswillbea5hourdriveculminatingatHoppervalleywherewewillspendthenight.

Day6:23August– TrektoBericho Kor CampSite(1300m)

TodayweembarkonourjourneytoBericho Kor. OurroutewilltakeustoBharpu Giram,acrossBharpu Glacier,wherewewillstopforawelldeservedlunch.Afterlunchwe’llresumeourhikeuntilwereachBericho Kor campsite,wherewewillcheckinforthenight.Thetotaltrekkingtimefortodayis3-4hours.

Day7:24August– TrektoChiden Harai (4200m)

FollowinganearlymorningcheckoutfromourlodgingsatBericho Kor campsite,wesetoffonourlongtrektoChiden Harai.Thiswilllastthebetterpartoftheday,takingupto6hours.OnarrivalatChiden Harai campsitewewillcheckinforthenight.

Day8:25August– TrektoRushLake(4760m)|TrektoRushPeak(5098)

Theinitiallegoftodaystrekwillaffordtremendousviewsonallsides,aswefollowagrassyridgethroughasmallpasstoRushLake.Thishikewilllastapproximately2hoursorless.OncewearrivewewillcheckintoourlodgingsatRushLakebutourjourneydoesnotendthere!

ThesecondpartoftodaystrekwilltakeusfurtherontoRushPeak,tocatchsiteofthemostspectacularviewsofK2,MeerPeak,GoldenPeak,Chogo Tanz Peak,Ultar 1and2,aswellasLadyfingerPeak– Karakoramheartland.GettingtoRushPeakwillinvolveanother2hourtrek.WewillreturntoRushLakeforthenight.

Day9:26August– TrektoPhari Phari (3200m)

AnEarlymorningstartwillseusembarkonourjourneytoPhari Phari.Thiswillinvolveasteepdescent,withMarvelous viewsofGoldenPeakandBharpu Glacier.TheroadwilleventuallybecomemoregentleaswecontinuethroughjuniperandashwoodstothesummersettlementofChukutans.Thedaystrekwilltake4-5hoursintotal,andwewillstaythenightatPhari Phari campsite.

Day10:27August– ReturnTrektoHopperValley(2500m)

Afterbreakfast,wecommenceourreturntrektoHopperValleythroughgrassymeadowswithprominentviewsofUltar andGoldenPeak.UponreachingHopper,wecatchourtransfertoGilgit.Today’strekkingtimewillbe3-4hoursfollowedbya3hourdrivetoourfinaldestinationatGilgit.Ifthereistimetospare,wewillvisitthe700yearoldBaltit Fort.OurlodgingsforthenightwillbeatEmbassyHotel,Gilgit.

Day11:28August– DrivetoNaran orBesham

TodaywewillembarkonourjourneytoNaran orBesham,viaBabusar pass.Thiswillbea6-7hourdrivewithreststopsalongtheway.

Day12:29August– DrivetoLahore

We’llriseearlyinthemorningtoboardourtransfertoLahore.Thiswillbean11hourdrive,withreststopsonthewayforlunchandotherneeds.OurfinaldestinationisShaukatKhanum MemorialCancerHospital,inLahore,wherewewillbewelcomedandshowntoourlodgingsatthedoctor’sapartments.

Day13:30August– HospitalTour

Followingagoodnight’srestwewillbeginourdayearlywithatourofShaukat KhanumHospitalandmeetthemanagement.Thisistheperfectopportunitytogetarealtasteofthelifesavingworkweareabletoachievewithyoursupport.You’llseefirst-handwhereandhowyourmoneyisspent,andmeetthepeoplethatyouarehelpingtogivehopeto.

Intheevening,we’llhavetheopportunitytoexploreLahoreandenjoyagoodbyedinner.

Day14:31August– ReturnHome

Returnflightshome.

• ThePakistanTrekkingChallengeisamoderatedifficultytrekthatcanbeattemptedby

anyreasonablyfitindividual.

• Itisnotrecommendedtopeoplewhosufferfromsensitivemedicalconditionssuch

heartorlungdisease.

• Dailyhikeswilllastbetween3to6hours,dependingonthedestination,withregular

breaks.Theroutesinvolvelongclimbs,steepdescentsandascentsalongrockypathsandforests.

• Tolimitthechancesofaltitudesickness,eatfoodsthatwillhelpincreasetheironlevels

inyourblood.Ahighlevelofbloodironincreaseshaemoglobin,whichwillhelpyour

bodyutilizemoreoxygen.

• Duringtreks,youmustremainclosetotrekguide(s).Theywillbesettingapaceforeveryoneandarrangingbreaksatsuitablepoints.

• Everyoneisexpectedtosticktothepathsetbytheguide(s).Eventhishastricky

sectionsbutcanbemanagedwithcare.Whatwecannotallowisforpeopletowanderoffandtocreatetheirownpathsbecausethat’swhenthingscangowrong.

• Altitudesicknesscanbefacedbytrekkersandwillneedimmediatetreatment.Itshould

notbeleftignored!

• OurtourandtrekkingoperatorinPakistanisagovernmentauthorized,registered,andlicensedcompany.Theirtrekleadersandguidesareexperienced,withvastknowledge

andextensivefirstaidtraining.Theywillbecarryingallthenecessarygearand

equipmentforsafety,aswellasfirstaidkits.Youarealsorecommendedtobringyourownfirstaidkit.

• Thehealthandsafetyoftrekkersisveryimportantandwillbeourfirstpriority.Inthe

eventthatyoubecomeverypoorlyorareaffectedbyaltitudesickness,youwillneedto

descendimmediately.Notethatyourgroupleaderhasthedefinitiveresponsibilitytodecidewhetheryoucancontinuethetrekbasedonyouroverallhealthconditions.

PreparationandSafety6

• Thefitteryouarethemorecomfortable

andenjoyablethejourneywillbeforyou.

Thereforewerecommendthatsome

regularexercise(running,walking,local

treks)bedoneinpreparation,tohelp

buildupyourenduranceandstamina.

TheNationalHealthServicedoesnotprovidecancertreatmentinPakistan.Asaresultpoorpeoplediewithoutproperdiagnosis/treatment.AtImranKhanCancerAppeal(IKCA),weraisefundsfortheShaukat Khanum MemorialCancerHospital(SKMCH)inLahoreandPeshawar.Atbothweoffercomprehensivecancercarefreeofchargeinhospitalswhichhouseallthespecialiseddiagnosticandtherapeuticfacilitiesunderasingleroof.

ImranKhanwaspersonallyaffectedbycancerwhenhismotherwasdiagnosedin1985.Theexperiencerevealedajarringrealitytohim:Pakistanhadadearthofmedicalresourceswhenitcametotreatingcancerandthiswascostinglives.Duringthetimespentwithhismotherincancerwards,Imranalsowitnessedthedistressofotherpatients.Hewasespeciallytroubledbythosewithfewermeans.How,hequestioned,dothepoorcopewithadiseasethatissodebilitatingtopatientsandtheirfamilies?Afterhismotherpassed,ImranKhandecidedthatirrespectiveoftheirbackgroundeveryonedeservedanequalchanceatlife.

In1994,followingfiveyearsoffundraising,Shaukat Khanum HospitalwasestablishedinLahore,andPakistan’sbiggestcancercharitywasborn.Asacomprehensivecarefacilitydedicatedtothediagnosisandtreatmentofcancer,itwasafirstinPakistan.

Todate,thehospitalhashelpedhundredsofthousandsofpeoplewithcancer.YourparticipationintheEverestBaseCampchallenge,andallyourfundraisingeffortswillhelpprovidehopeofrecoverytopoorcancerpatients,whowouldotherwisehavenowheretoturn.

Findoutmoreathttps://www.ikca.org.uk/about-ikca/shaukat-khanum-hospital/

AbouttheCauseandIKCA7

Challengersshouldbringalongthenecessaryclothingandequipmentneededfortrekking.Thefollowingisalistofsuggesteditemstohelpyoupackaccordingly.

FortheHead

• Sunhatorscarf

• Winterhatorinsulatinghatorwidebrimmedhat

• Headlightwithextrabatteries

FortheFace

• Sunscreen

• SunglasseswithUVprotection

• Face/bodywipes

• Lightweightgloves

• Heavyweightwintergloves

Clothing

• Hikingtops

• Longsleevedtops

• Hoodedrainjacket

• Fleecejacket

• Lightweight(trekking)trousers

• T-Shirts(bringlightweightwool)

• Thermal(polypropylene)under-wear/baselayers

• Downjacket

• Sweater

• Waterproofjacketandtrousers

Footwear

• HikingBoots

• Thickwoolsocksandthicklightsocks

TBC

EquipmentandWhattoBring8

EssentialGear

• Backpackordaypack

• Thermos

• Waterpurificationtablets

• Trekkingpole

• Sleepingbag(-15bagisbestforhighaltitudetrekking)

Toiletries

• Mediumsizedtowel

• Toothbrush

• Toothpasteandfloss

• Deodorant

• Biodegradablebarofsoap

• Nailclippers

• Smallmirror

PersonalItemsandMisc.

• Money

• Watch

• Cellphone

• Camera

• Firstaidkit

• Extrapassportphotosandphotocopiesofpassport

• Notebookandpen /sunglasses/Suncream

Aretheremanystopsonthetreks?

Wewillhaveregularreststopsthroughoutthetreksatappropriateplaces.Dailytrekswillbebetween3to6 hours,soyouareencouragedtowalkatyourowncomfortablepace.Trytoremainclosetotrekguides.Theywillbesettingapaceforeveryoneandarrangingbreaksatsuitablepoints.

WhatweathercanIexpect?

Theweatherinthemountainscanbeunpredictablewithtemperatureschangingveryquicklyfromdaytonight,andasweclimbhigher.Itisn’tuncommontoencountereverythingfromsunshinetosnowandraininasingleday.Participantsmustbepreparedforalleventualities.LookovertheEQUIPMENT&WHATTOBRINGsectioninthispackforabetterideaofthekindofclothingandgearyouwillrequire.Wearlayersthatyoucantakeofforputoneasily.Youwillneedtocarryfullwetgearandthermalsareamust!

Whatkit/gearwillIrequire?

Again,LookovertheEQUIPMENT&WHATTOBRINGsectionforabetterideaofthekindgearyouwillrequire.Mainitemsincludebutareinnowaylimitedtoverywarmclothing,thermals,wetgear/waterproofs,andgoodhikingboots.Ontreksyouwillneedtocarryyourownpersonalkitinarucksack.Porterswillcarryyourmainluggage,whichshouldnotexceed15kg.

DoIneedtravelinsurance?

Yes.Travelinsuranceispartofthebookingconditionforthischallengebecausewecannotgetyouatrekkingpermitwithoutit.Thepolicymustcovermedicalandemergencyrepatriation,andevacuationexpensesfortrekkersathighaltitudes.AlltrekkersmustarrangetheirinsurancebyJune15th 2019andprovideacopyoftheircomprehensivetravelinsurancepolicycertificate.Challengerswhofailtodosowillnotbeallowedtoparticipate.

Whatwillatypicaldayoftrekkingbelike?

Duringthetrek,youareaccompaniedbyexperienced,friendlyandqualifiedexpertguide(s)alongwithporterstocarryyourbaggage.Youwillneedcarryyourregularrucksackoneverytrek.

Atypicaldaywillstartwithanearlymorningcupofteaandbreakfast.Afterpackingourbagswewillsetoffontheday’shikearound7am- 8am,dependingonthedurationandnatureoftheday’swalk.Wewillbetrekkingataleisurelypace,withplentyoftimetoenjoyscenery,takephotosandexplorelocalvillages.

Therewillbeanhourofrestaroundmidday,duringwhichlunchwillbeserved.Afternoonwalksaregenerallyshorter.Whenwereachourdestinationfortheday,wewillcheckintoourovernightlodge.Dinnerisprovidedfrom6to7pm.Afterdinnertherewillbefreetimetoexplorenearbyplaces.

Atnight,beforegoingtobed,therewillbeagroupmeetfordiscussionsaswellasabriefingforthefollowingday’strek.Afterthebriefingtherewillbeanopportunitytochatwithguidesandcrewmembersorbondovergamesandentertainment.

Whatwilltheaccommodationbelike?

ThenightwespendinIslamabad,wewillbebookedintoacityhotel.InLahore,wewillstayattheaccommodationarrangedforusattheDoctor'sApartments,atShaukat KhanumMemorialCancerHospital.

Onthetrek,wewillbestayingatmountainlodgesandtents.Atthelodges,roomswillincludebedswithmattresses,blanketsandpillows.Accommodationwillmostlybetwin-sharedrooms.

WhatifIwanttocontactfamilybackhome,willwehaveaccesstointernet?

Youcancontactyourfamily/friendsatthelodges,whereinternetservicesareavailableatanextracost.Dependingonyournetworkprovider,youmaygetaweaksignalonyourphonewhileonthetrek,thoughitislikelyyouwillloseconnectionalltogetherwhenwereachhighaltitudes.Alocalsim cardcanbeprovidedatanextracost.

FAQs9

Willwehaveelectricitytorechargebatteries/phonesonthetrek?

Phoneorcamerabatteriescanbechargedatsomeofthelodgeswewillbestayingat,buttheremaybetimeswhenchargingfacilitiesmaynotbeavailable.

Whataboutwater?

Youcanbuybottledwaterfromlocallodgesand/oratshopsenroute.Theoptionofrefillingyourownbottle/thermoswithboiledwaterisalsoavailable,atacost.Wealsosuggestyoubringalongwaterpurificationtablets,whichyoucanaddtonon-bottledwateryouintendtodrink.

WherecanIexchangemoneywhileinPakistan?

InIslamabadyouwillfindplentyofATMsthatacceptforeigndebitandcreditcards,aswellasplacesthatprivatelyexchangemoney.Youmaydecidetobuyyourforeigncurrencybeforetravelling,whichisadvised,asonthetrektherewillbenoATMs.

Willtherebeanyextrapersonalexpensesonthetreks?

Mainmealsandlodgingonthetrekwillallhavebeenpaidfor,butyoushouldbringpersonalspendingmoneywithyoutocoversmallexpenses.Thesemayincludedrinkingwaterreplenishmentandotherbeverages,snacks,hotshowers,internetusageatovernightlodges,tipsforcrewmembersandporters,andthecostofrechargingphone/camerabatteries.

Whataboutsafety?

Safetyisoftheutmostimportance.Ourfullytrainedtrekleadersandguideshavevastknowledgeandextensivefirstaidtraining.Theywillbecarryingallthenecessarygearandequipmentforsafety,aswellasfirstaidkits.Youarealsorecommendedtobringyourownfirstaidkit.

Intheeventthatatrekkerbecomesverypoorlyorisaffectedbyaltitudesickness,he/shewillneedtodescendimmediately.Notethatyourgroupleaderhasthedefinitiveresponsibilitytodecidewhetheryoucancontinuethetrekbasedonyouroverallhealthconditions.FormoreinfohavealookatthePREPARATION&SAFETYsectionofthispack.

WillIneedavisa?

UnlessyouareaPakistaninationalyouwillrequireavisatoenterthecountry.Youshouldacquireonebeforetravellingatyourlocalembassy.

HowmuchluggagecanIbring?

Yourmainluggageshouldnotbeover15Kgsasthiswillbecarriedbyportersthroughoutthetrek.Youwillneedtocarryalightweightbackpackwithessentialslikewater,camera,toiletpaperandextralayersofclothingandwaterproofs.

Whataboutresponsibletravel?

Ifyoubelievethatourenvironmentmusttobeprotectedfromthenegativeaffectsoftourism,pleasetakethenecessary,personalmeasurestoensureyourtripisasenvironmentallyfriendlyaspossible.

ShouldItiptrekcrewmembers?

Whetheryouchoosetotipornotisatyourowndiscretion.InPakistaniculture,atipanhonoredwayofsayingthankyouforgoodservice.Ourtrekkingcrewmembers(guidesandporters)areallpaidwellandtreatedfairlyandwithrespect.However,theywillbeworkingveryhardandtakinggoodpersonalcareofusthroughoutthetrek.Agestureofappreciationfortheirhardworkwillbeequallyappreciated.

Ifyoudodecidetotip,youshouldonlydosoattheendofthetrek,andasagroup,notindividually.Theamountisentirelyuptoyou,dependingonyourperceptionofservicequality.