Challenge Brochure - Himalayas Challenge - Home · Visiting Everest Base Camp should be at the top...

Challenge Brochure

Action Challenge has been leading inspirational team adventures across the globe 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.

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www.himalayaschallenge.com [email protected] 020 7609 6695

About Action Challenge

Since 1999 Action Challenge has been operating unique group

challenge events the world over. Our head office in London is staffed

by a highly experienced, passionate team focused on developing and

delivering inspirational adventures. We operate a host of varied

itineraries across all seven continents, from rainforest to desert,

mountain to jungle, snow to sea. Our adventures are fantastic group

experiences, which can be enjoyed by anyone who is looking for a new

challenge. We are proud of the lengths we go to, to bring you

memories you will not find elsewhere! The majority of our head office

have done one of our challenges, and love nothing more than talking

about their experience! So please contact the Action Challenge team

directly to ask any questions or discuss your challenge, by contacting

us on the details below.

http://www.kilimanjarochallenge.com

mailto:[email protected]

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“It is not the mountain we conquer,

but ourselves”.

— Sir Edmund Hillary

What’s Not Include

Why Choose Us?

2) UK LEADERS OR MEDICS ON EVERY CHALLENGE

Qualified UK Leaders - we employ great characters, with deep experience, who have a

real passion for what they do - offer guidance, support and provide daily briefings and

warm ups

Leaders have great experience running our challenges

Equipped with Satellite Phones

Full medical kits provided by Nomad Travel Health Clinic

4) 100% TRANSPARENT ON PRICE

All-inclusive packages with flights or land only and connecting private transfers - we have built

up a portfolio of reputable airlines and local ground operators

Best value prices without compromising on quality, comfort, or safety

All known flight taxes at time of booking included in package price

All National Park fees included

3) EXPERIENCED LOCAL TEAM

Local team of guides and crew - extremely experienced with working with Action Challenge

groups. Incredibly supportive and great fun!

They know every route like the back of their hands!

They ensure that everything runs like clockwork, from setting up camp, to cooking meals

1) 100% ATOL BONDED - DON’T RISK ANYTHING ELSE! We are 100% ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) bonded - ATOL number 6296

Offers full financial protection by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for clients who have booked

package trips, including flights

5) RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

We work very closely with our local team to ensure fair pay & treatment of all crew.

We’re members of IMEC (The International Mountain Explorer’s Connection), which

promotes sustainable tourism

Partners with KGSF (Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Fund), providing guides with educational

scholarships and better career prospects.



http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=27

http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=27

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“It is not the mountain we conquer,

but ourselves”.

— Sir Edmund Hillary

What’s Not Include

Why Choose Us?

7) OUR CLIENTS AND REPUTATION

Members of the Institute of Fundraising - a code of practice that all reputable companies

organising charitable events should adhere to.

15 years experience organising challenge events worldwide, taking over 15,000 individuals

on challenges across the globe, with over £50 million raised for over 300 UK charities.

Working with and organising challenges for the UK’s leading charities and major UK

companies including Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, DHL, Knight

Frank, Harrods, British Gas, Citi Group, Phones 4 U, BlackRock and many more.

8) DISCOUNTS ON KIT, VACCINATIONS & INSURANCE

Save money by hiring your kit from our partner Kit Hire Company Outdoor Hire

Receive up to 15% discount on kit and equipment purchases at leading outdoor retailers.

Discounts on Vaccinations and Insurance.

6) TRAINING WEEKENDS

Training weekends in Snowdonia , Brecon Beacons and the Peak District, plus join us on

our special Snowdon Night Summit

Training Walks in London, North and South Downs

Test out your kit and your fitness! You might also meet someone going on your challenge!

10) FOOD & DRINK

3 fresh and well-cooked meals every day - lots of surprise home comforts and great menus!

Celebration dinner at end of trek!

Minimum of 3 litres of purified / clean water a day.

We can cater for all dietary requirements.

9) COMFORT

Private airport transfers to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotels either side of climb

Stay in comfortable teahouses along the trek

Accommodation in twin-shared basis



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Visiting Everest Base Camp should be at the top of every

trekkers list. This circular trekking route builds upon the

classic Everest Base Camp trek by returning via the much

quieter and more adventurous Gokyo Valley.

All of the highlights of the classic Everest Trek are included,

but with the additional challenge of crossing the Cho La pass

and the chance to trek the stunning Gokyo Valley past the

beautiful glacial lakes taking in views of the Himalayan giants.

DAY 1 DEPARTURE

We will meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the

airport and check in together before boarding our flight to

Nepal.

DAY 2 ARRIVE KATHMANDU

On arrival in Kathmandu, we are met at the airport and trans-

ferred to our hotel on the outskirts of Manthali where our

local flight departs form the following day. At our hotel we

have a briefing from our crew., and in the evening we have a

welcome meal and relax before the challenge of a lifetime.

DAY 3 MONJO 2,850m

We leave our hotel early and transfer to the airport for our

exhilarating flight to Lukla. Clear skies permitting, views of the

Himalayan giants like Ama Dablam, Everest, and Nuptse will

take our breath away and give us a taste of what is to come.

On arrival in the famous town of Lukla we start our

acclimatisation walk to Monjo 2850m.

DAY 4 NAMCHE BAZAAR 3,449m

For our first full trekking day we cross the mighty Dudh Kosi

river and continue through forested valleys to enter the

Sagamartha National Park. We cross the iconic twin

suspension bridges passing high above the raging Dudh Kosi

river before beginning one of the biggest ascents of the trip, to

Namche Bazar. Half way through this ascent trail, there is the

chance for our first view of Everest in the far distance. We

arrive for the night at the famous village of Namche Bazaar.



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DAY 5 ACCLIMATISATION DAY 3,600m

Today we rise early to climb to the ridge above Namche for a

stunning dawn and sunrise over the panorama of the Khumbu

peaks. We then trek along the beautiful river valley and return

for a more leisurely afternoon in Namche. We remain at

Namche Bazaar for a second night to allow for further

acclimatization.

DAY 6 DEBOCHE 3,820m

From Namche, the trail follows the contours of the valley,

high above the Dudh Koshi. From here we will see incredible

views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam. Passing by

several villages and numerous tea shops, we descend steeply

to a bridge over the river at Phunki Tenga. The village is an

ideal stop-over for lunch. Here we can rest before making the

steep climb to Tengboche, famous for its legendary

monastery, the largest in the Khumbu. From here, it's a short

trek through rhodendron-shaded trails to reach Deboche.

DAY 7 DINGBOCHE 4,343m

The trail winds through rhododendron forest, crosses the

Imja Khola river and has fine vantage points of Ama Dablam. It

then climbs gradually past beautifully carved mani stones to

reach the village of Pangboche where we continue along the confluence of the Khumbu and Imja Kholas, turning east into

the Imja Valley. A path lined with stone walls leads us through

fields to our accommodation in Dingboche village.

DAY 8 ACCLIMATISATION DAY 4,410m

We go high during the day and sleep low at Dingboche in the

evening. Some great hikes include exploring upper Dingboche,

which has a more traditional feel than the lower part of town,

taken up with the trekking lodges. We can also head up onto

the ridgeline to a peak called Dolma Ri, topped with prayer

flags and said to be the home of eagles. For a smaller

excursion there is the chance to visit an old Buddhist

hermitage called Nangar Dzong. However, if you are tired,

just take it easy and rest – listen to your body!

DAY 9 LOBUCHE 4,910m

We head up the Chola Khola valley towards the village of

Dughla and descend to follow the valley to Lobuche. This is a

cold place but has an awesome view of Nuptse particularly

when under starlight or lit by a full moon.



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DAY 10 EVEREST BASE CAMP 5,332m

Today has a real expedition feel to it and sees us leaving

Lobuche at dawn. The sun soon reaches the summits of the

Himalayan peaks and slowly lights up the valley bottom. We

traverse the Khumbu Glacier, climbing towards Gorak Shep,

whose name means ‘Graveyard of Crows’, the site for a

couple of very basic lodges set amongst breathtaking mountain

scenery. We continue at a slow but steady pace on our bid to

reach Base Camp along the Khumbu Glacier, on a long and

tiring day at altitude. After a little time to take photos and

relax, we make our way back down to Gorak Shep where we

stay the night.

DAY 11 KALA PATTAR & DZONG LA 5,550m For those that are in good shape it is a slow steady climb to

Kala Pattar, a tough trek but a real achievement that is

rewarded with spectacular views of the Khumbu Glacier be-

low and the highest mountain in the world. We then descend

to Dzong La to complete a long but unforgettable day. Where

a trek to Kala Pattar is not possible we descend directly to

Dzong La.

DAY 12 CHO LA PASS & GOKYO 5,370m

Today our trail goes up high to the Cho La at 5370m. It will

take us about 3-4 hours, where we are rewarded with

sensational views! We start out from Dzong La by climbing up

to a plateau and crossing a mountain stream. It’s a fun, but

steep and rocky ascent. Once up at the glaciated pass, we trek

across the snow and ice to the summit and take in the views.

From the pass we descend into Dragnak where our trail heads

out through the big Nzogomba Glacier with creaking glacial

lakes below us and stunning landscape all around. We make

our way across the glacier and trek past the second lake into

the Gokyo Valley – so different from where we have come

from. This is a green valley dotted with gorgeous, turquoise

glacial lakes. We now have a beautiful walk into Gokyo, a sea-

sonal grazing village built beside the third and largest lake and

with our first views up to Cho Oyo (8201m).

DAY 13 REST DAY

After a few very big days we take a full day to rest today

before our final pass on this challenge tomorrow.



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DAY 14 LUNGDEN

Back on the trails again, we have another stunning but long

day, so it’s good to get out early. Our trail heads out around

the side of the lake, then follows switch-backs up a ridge until

we reach an often frozen stream. Here we begin the steep

ascent to the Renjo La, finally reaching the famous pass after

skirting a dramatic rock face before the top. The morning's

climb will take us about 4 hours and we stop to enjoy our pic-

nic lunch and yet more memorable views. After the pass we

have a steep descent for an hour or so to a lake where the

terrain levels out for a bit in yak kharkas. We pass the twin

Renjo Lakes and then we have a last steep descent into the

Thame Valley. We stay the night in the small hamlet of Lung-

den, again with spectacular views and located in one of the

lesser visited areas of the Khumbu region, allowing us to ex-perience the traditional life of Sherpa families.

DAY 15 THAME

Today our trail follows the Bhote Koshi river for about 3-4

hours down into Thame. Our walk will feel like a step back in

time as we pass by many old, walled Sherpa villages, seasonal

settlements of the Thame and Thamo villagers. We will proba-

bly also share the trail with Tibetan yak caravans, Khampas,

trading en route to and from Namche and Tibet with the vil-

lagers. Thame is a beautiful old village with snaking rock walls,

yak paddocks and the gorgeous, traditional slate-roofed

Sherpa houses. Thame Gompa, perched up to the north of the

village, is one of the oldest in the Khumbu, so it’s well worth

while to take the afternoon to climb to the Gompa and wan-

der around this old, walled village.

DAY 16 NAMCHE BAZAAR

Today we head back down the trail into familiar Namche,

perhaps seeing some of our Tibetan friends from the trail at

the local market. On our way down we have the option for a

side-trip to Lawudo Gompa (3,790m). Nestled in the

mountainside above Thamo and Mende villages, this Gompa

was built at the site where Guru Rimpoche meditated in a

small cave en route to Tibet. It’s a beautiful and serene place,

with Khumbila, the sacred Sherpa peak from which the

Khumbu region takes its name, soaring overhead and the

Gompa prayer flags framing the perfect Himalayan foreground.



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DAY 17 DESCEND TO LUKLA

Today, we complete the last leg of our challenge together

back down to the town of Lukla.

DAY 18 RETURN TO KATHMANDU

This morning, we take a local flight back to Manthali, and

transfer back to Kathmandu. Here we enjoy a decent shower

and sit down for our last meal together; a celebration of our

great achievement and a toast to our new found friends!

DAY 19 DEPARTURE DAY

This morning, we will have the opportunity to take in the

ancient Durbar Square, a UNESCO world heritage site,

crammed full of brightly-coloured stalls laden with Buddhist

and Tibetan souvenirs and surrounded by palaces and temples.

We can also visit Swayambhu, a large Stupa with stunning

views of the city, plenty of monkeys and a great place to eat

Momos (a delicious local specialty!). Those who want to take

it easy can spend the afternoon wandering around backpacker

haven Thamel, or kick back with a book in the beautiful

“Garden of Dreams.” This evening we transfer to the airport

for our return flight.

DAY 20 ARRIVE LONDON

Arrive back in the UK.



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STEP ONE: Registering for your challenge

First pay a REGISTRATION DEPOSIT. This secures your place, and is non-refundable if you cancel. You will be able to pay this upon completion of your registration form.

STEP TWO: Choosing your funding option

Once you have registered, there are 3 FUNDING OPTIONS for the balance of the trip cost:

Self Funded: You pay the registration deposit, then the full final balance

Charity Minimum Sponsorship: You pay the registration deposit, and fundraise double the final balance

Charity Mixed Funding: A bit of both. You pay 50% of the trip cost (including the registration deposit), and fundraise to cover the other 50%

STEP THREE: Paying your final balance

If you choose the self-funded or mixed-funded, you will have a final balance payment due. You can either:

Pay in full no later than 10 weeks before departure date; Or

Set up a standing order to pay instalments, full balance due no later than 10 weeks before departure

Please note: for all options on our 'flights included' packages, you will also be invoiced for any airline fuel surcharges 12 weeks before departure. See the Fuel Surcharges page on www.himalayaschallenge.com for more information.

For a full price list of all of our trips, please visit

www.himalayaschallenge.com



https://www.himalayaschallenge.com/dates-prices/fuel-surcharges

https://www.himalayaschallenge.com/

http://www.himalayaschallenge.com

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WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Fully supported 20 day group challenge

UK qualified medic

Full support team, including local guides

International flights and air travel taxes

Action Challenge trek leader

3* accommodation before & after the trek

Accommodation in comfortable, simple teahouses during trek

All meals with the group; including breakfast, lunch and dinner

National Park entrance fees

Day in Kathmandu ended with a celebratory dinner

Pre-event support

Discounted UK training weekends

Fitness and training guide

Discounts from UK retailers - Cotswold Outdoor, Trek Hire & more

Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health

FOOD

Breakfasts each morning will be at our accommodation/campsite. Lunches will be en route and evening meals will be at our

night’s accommodation or in a mess tent at the campsite. Variety in the menu may be limited, but we attempt to offer a mix of

typical Nepalese dishes with an international influence. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements in advance.

ACCOMMODATION

2 nights in comfortable 3* hotels

15 nights in tea houses

All accommodation is on a twin-share, single-sex basis and we will pair you with someone of a similar age, where possible. If

you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form.

If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can accommodate this in the majority of places.

BESPOKE TRIPS

If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 10 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please

get in touch with our team.

BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS

If you are planning on travelling to Nepal before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land-only

option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet your group at the hotel on day two of the

itinerary.

ITINERARY CHANGES

Please note: This trek passes through wilderness areas, and access may be limited as the result of natural occurrences such as

flooding or erosion. As such, this itinerary is subject to change and alternative routes & destinations may be offered.



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