Excitement builds knowing the much anticipated flight is just a few hours away. Try to get some rest ahead of the life changing journey that awaits, double check you have everything you need, say goodbye to loved ones and head to the airport for your long awaited expedition. Arrive in Kuala Lumpur. It's hard to believe the spectacular skyscrapers and immense highways once used to be a sleepy hovel for Chinese tin prospectors. With a population of approx. 1.5 million, Kuala Lumpur (or commonly 'KL') is buzzing with Chinese, Malaysian and Indian shops and restaurants throughout.

1 Fly to Malaysia

As this is your first full day in country you will need to, as a team, agree on some expedition ground rules, allocate roles, change money, contact your In-Country Agent (Mandy Lee), make (or confirm) any necessary bookings and buy supplies for your next phase. Responsible Tourism Workshop You will also be taking part in an interactive responsible tourism workshop. The half-day workshop has been designed especially for World Challenge teams and will enable you to begin evaluating how you can be a responsible traveler and volunteer both during the community engagement or conservation part of your expedition, as well as throughout your own travels! The workshop will offer an insight as to how your team can undertake community interactions that are both ethical and effective, and will draw attention to important considerations such as orphanage tourism, sanitation, deforestation and animal poaching.

2 Orientation in Kuala Lumpur

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Introduce the Global Action Area/ theme relevant to your project – use appropriate icon

Include a Challenger testimonial

MEET

3-5 Trekking in Tasik Chini

Call Ruth Jones (her number is on your trek form) ahead of your arrival so she can direct you to The Rajan Jones Guesthouse where you will be staying. The Tasik Chini wetlands cover 5,000 hectares and consists of twelve interlocking freshwater lakes. Made up of swamp forest and secondary forest, the lake is popular with local fishermen and rife with animal life! You'll be day trekking through some of the most ancient forest in Malaysia. Listen to your expert guides who will be able to tell you about the local flora and fauna as well as teach you some jungle skills!

6-8 Community Project Today you will be heading to the Turtle Information Centre (TIC), in a small village

called Padang Kemunting; around 1 hour's drive North of Malacca (Melaka). The project is run by The Padang Kemunting Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK Padang Kemunting) with support from WWF-Malaysia. The gorgeous Malaysian ecosystems only remain that way thanks to respect and careful conservation efforts by people, such as those working at this small project just south of Kuala Lumpur. WWF-Malaysia’s goal is to protect and manage the Hawksbill turtle population of Malacca and their key habitats, through community participation, empowerment and action. Your tasks during this phase can include painting, construction, refurbishment, as well as the maintenance and protection of local habitats of some of Malaysia's native animals so that the landscape can be enjoyed in the future. You will also be taking part in night patrols along the beach to collect data on the nesting and hatching turtles.

9 Rest and Relaxation in

Kuala Lumpur

KL is overflowing with things to do. How about an early morning trip to the Menara Tower? Gazing down from the viewing platform is a perfect way to orientate yourself within the city. There are also the famous Petronas Towers, where a ticket allows you to experience the view from the Skybridge. For souvenirs and shopping, try the luxurious Suria KLCC or Central Markets. For food, there are expensive eateries in the malls that are worth splashing out for, or you could try out the Chinese, Malaysian, and Indian food stalls in the night markets in Chinatown and Bukit Bintang. If you want to visit a temple, why not take a trip out of Batu Caves, a Hindu temple built into limestone cliffs!

10 White Water Rafting

Travel to the Kampar River and experience the rafting excursion it has to offer. This will take place just outside of Gopeng, and has been booked through Riverbug (also known as 'Traverse Tours'). Riverbug are able to organise the rafting, all transport, and food for this excursion.

11 Departure Day

Time to go. Cram everything back into your rucksack and set off for the airport. Check-in, sit back and reflect. You’ve just experienced something incredible. You’ll be bursting with stories and cherished moments to share with your favourite people back home – we’d love to hear them too! @weareworldchallenge