8. How do I convince sponsors that this is a worthwhile challenge to support?

Assisting under priviliged children is certainly a worthy cause. Your sponsors can read about Balashram on this website if they wish to have more information on the school and it's children. In addition to your fundraising efforts, you will be training for months to undertake this demanding physical challenge. You will be trekking for 5 days for up to 7 hours a day during which time you will be without your creature comforts and will be coping with basic living conditions.

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22. What is the luggage allowance?

As no formal clothes are needed, luggage should be kept to the absolute minimum – details on what to pack are provided in your kit list. Your rucksack/soft bag (suitcases are not appropriate) must not exceed 15kgs in weight. Each day when you begin to trek, your personal kit will be transported to the next camp.

23. How should I get from the airport to meet the group?

We advise you to book a hotel taxi as the driver will know the location of the hotel and will not try to take you shopping or to a different hotel where he gets commission! If you elect not to take a hotel organised taxi make sure you take a pre booked and pre paid taxi at the airport. (See next question for hotel address and contact details.) You should have the address and phone number of the hotel printed out to give to the driver. Most drivers do not speak English so with a printed address and phone number they can ask people or stop at a phone booth (all over Delhi) to call the hotel or your challenge leader if really necessary.  The price for this service may be slightly more but your safety will be more assured.

24. What will transportation be like?

A/C sleeper class train from Delhi/Chakki Bank/Delhi. Road transportation in comfortable air conditioned vehicles Toyota Innova (or equivalent) with 4 passengers per vehicle.

25. What should I do if I need accommodation pre & post the challenge?

We will be staying Hotel Swati Deluxe.  Should you wish to book this hotel for nights before or after your challenge, you can do so directly - Phone: +91 11-45000200, Fax: +91-11-45000222. Address: 17A/32, Gurudwara Road,Near Metro Pillar No 98,99, WEA Karol Bagh, New Delhi-110005 E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Please advise the hotel when you are booking that you are booked in with the Charity Challenge Group on the 27^th June and 6^th July 2010.

26. What will the accommodation be like?

During the trekking sector you will be staying in two-person tents. In Delhi and Dharamsala, at the beginning and end of the trek, you will stay in more comfortable twin bed hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom. In Delhi although you are not staying at your hotel overnight, you can rest, wash and change. If you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with please let Charity Challenge know in advance at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and we will accommodate your request where possible

27. Do we need to take our own sleeping bags and mats?

Foam mattresses are provided however an extra ground mattress such as a Thermarest will aid your chances of a comfy night’s sleep and you should take a good four season sleeping bag. Please see Kit List notes in the Information Pack area.

28. What are the toilet/washing facilities like?

At every campsite, a dug-in toilet will be improvised in a separate tent for every 8 trekkers; this will be located at some distance from the campsite.  Please bring no-water anti-bacterial hand gel. A washing tent will also be provided for every 10 trekkers with 1 bucket of hot water per person in the evening and one bowl of hot water in the morning. Please ensure you take bio-degradable soaps and a face cloth.  Please note that due to the wilderness environment, the facilities will be spartan.

29. Will my valuables be safe?

While we will do everything to provide adequate safety for the group and security for your possessions, the general rule is that if you don’t need it, don’t bring it. This includes jewellery, necklaces, rings and even watches. Your passport (please keep a photocopy separately) and money should be kept on you at all times.

30. What is the food and drink like?

You will be served with a variety of European and Indian food. During the trek the food will be cooked on kerosene stoves by our kitchen team and most of the food will be carried in. There will be buffet tables and a dining tent with chairs to accommodate every 18 participants. All meals are vegan (without onion or garlic and not too spicy) and are healthy, nourishing and incredibly tasty; there is always plenty to satisfy a hungry appetite. Please let Charity Challenge know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements, allergies.

31. Who will be leading the group?

We employ one main English speaking, first aid qualified challenge leader and a number of support team members, all of whom speak English. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group.

32. How fit do I need to be?

Training and an above average level of fitness is essential, as this is not for the faint-hearted. You will need to lead an active and healthy lifestyle already & the more you exercise before the expedition, the more you will get out of it. Don’t forget that the temperature and altitude is probably different to home and that you will be exercising constantly for a number of days for up to 5-8hrs per day. If you are deemed unable to complete a full days trek on the warm-up walk, your challenge leader can advise you not to trek. A training weekend would be advised in order for your level of fitness to be assessed - aim to go for a weekend of camping and walking to spot any areas of extra training you may need. Training and being fit for this challenge cannot be emphasised enough! Also see Trekking Training guide in the Information Pack area.

33. What is a typical day?

You will wake early (around sunrise) in time for group meditation prior to a light breakfast. Your mules and their drivers will then depart camp with your luggage and head for the next evening’s campsite. Walking days will last between 5–8hours. Trekking on your challenge will take place on mountain paths.  Packed lunch will be provided and we will stop around noon for lunch. You will arrive at camp before sunset in order to relax and wash before it gets dark. Please note that although we aim for all your bags and the campsite kit to arrive before you, the journey can sometimes take longer than your trekking time, please be patient. Supper will be prepared and you can meditate and relax as the stars come out.  The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to unusual weather patterns, the strength of the group and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your challenge leader will have the final say.

34. What happens if I fall ill, can’t keep up or there is an emergency?

The event is not run as a race and there is always a large discrepancy in people’s walking ability, which is catered for. Back up support will never be far away and can be brought in, in the event of an emergency. If we find somebody is unable to walk at all, then we can transport them from one location to the next by mule or with the help of our staff but this is only as a final option; due to bad weather conditions this can be difficult. Contact will be maintained between guides and the support team and with contact for emergency evacuation if necessary.  There will always be a staff member at the back of the group to ensure you are not left behind and can take things at your own pace.

35. What is included in the cost of the challenge?

The following items are included in your expedition: internal transfers (excluding to and from the airport in Delhi), all meals and drinking water unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, all accommodation whether in tents or hotel, group first aid supplies, an English-speaking challenge leader, a UK qualified doctor and full local support team (cooks, porters, etc), backup support, US$20 to the Balashram school project, and discount from UK based Nomad Travellers Stores and Cotswold Outdoors for personal equipment.

36. What is not included in the cost of the challenge?

The following items are not included in your challenge and will be at your own expense: international flights & taxes to and from India, transfers to and from Delhi Airport to the Swati Deluxe hotel at the start and finish of the challenge, tips for the local support team, activities not mentioned in the itinerary, personal spending money, any soft drinks or alcohol you may want during the challenge, visa (approx GBP£30 for British passport holders – citizens of other nationalities should check with their local Indian consulate), travel to and from your home airports and any required vaccinations.

37.What shall I do about spending money?

You will not need large amounts of money during the trip and other than at the start and end of the trip, you will be in the Himalayas, away from any foreign exchanges or banks. Approximately £200 cash or equivalent is recommended for gifts, extra beverages & tipping. You are not able to buy Rupees before entering India. You are advised to take a sufficient amount of cash that you can change at the airport or in Delhi. You must also carry a credit card in case of an emergency.

38. How much would you recommend for tips?

Tipping is personal and at your sole discretion. You should only tip if you feel that you have received good service. We recommend approx. £40 or equivalent per person for the full duration of the trek (See Q&A 18). This will cover all tips for service received including porters at hotels, all porterage of luggage including at stations and tips to ground staff (including drivers, porters cooks etc). This should be given to the challenge leader who will distribute it as described above and among the crew and support team.

39. Should I take gifts or clothes for the locals?

Generally we advise against giving small gifts to children as it can encourage begging. However, if you have any small items of clothing, balloons, toys, pens, stickers that you would like to donate, your challenge leader can advise you on how to ensure they are distributed where they are most needed.

40. What is the weather likely to be like?

In the Indian Himalaya, the average daytime temperature is 15 to 25c during the day and when the sun is out (this can vary), the sunlight is very strong. Evenings will be 10 to 15c generally, although the wind can be chilly.  In most trekking areas it is illegal to burn wood and we have to protect the environment.  If necessary, we will warm the dining tents with a kerosene stove. As a general rule it is t-shirt and windproof/waterproof jacket during the day and fleece weather at night.  Delhi temperatures should be around 35-40c but remember to bring appropriate attire as we will be visiting religious sites (headscarves for ladies and everyone must cover arms and legs.)

41. What do you do to protect the environment?

We are keeping to a small group so that we limit the impact we have on the surrounding environment. We will ensure that all rubbish is disposed of responsibly (burnt, buried or carried out & food stuffs fed to the cows!)  Batteries should be brought back home. We follow the local guidelines on cultural and environmental protection and respect.

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