Insights into the trek to Mount Everest Base Camp
Gain some insights into trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp from our local ground handler in the Himalayas, Dawa Geljen Sherpa.
Your Challenge
Your challenge journey with Dream Challenges begins the moment you book your challenge. From that very moment, we are dedicated to providing you with everything you need for this transformative experience.
Our commitment to your journey extends far beyond just organising flights and accommodations. We are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that you are well-prepared and equipped for the adventure ahead. Our comprehensive training guides will help you get in shape and build the stamina required for your challenge. But our support doesn’t end there. During the challenge itself, our experienced leaders, and knowledgeable guides will be by your side, offering encouragement, guidance, and assistance whenever needed.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to conquer their challenge and create lifelong friendships along the way. Completing the challenge is just the beginning; it’s the friendships forged and the memories made that truly last a lifetime. Join us on this remarkable journey and let Dream Challenges be your unwavering support system as you push your limits, achieve greatness, and create friendships that will endure.
challenge journey highlights
When you book your challenge: Confirmation
You will receive confirmation of your booking and your ATOL certificate by email. You should now be seeking travel insurance with the correct cover for the challenge you are taking part in and that covers you for potential cancellation costs. It is also time to look at the entry requirements for the country you are travelling too and plan for obtaining your visa/s. Is your passport in date and will there be at least 6 months remaining after the date you are due to return to the UK? Take time to read through all of our preparation advice on the website and plan ahead for your challenge. If you are fundraising, now is the time to create your fundraising page, get it out there on social media, and check out our fundraising tips.
6 months before your challenge departs – Challenge update
You will receive an update from us by email. This will include details of your flights if they have been booked, your training guide that you can also see here, and the recommended kit list specific to your challenge. We will also send you links to the private Facebook group for your challenge, and the WhatsApp group for your challenge. You will also receive links to complete our medical form, and the insurance and passport form. The medical form and passport form is essential and must be completed no later than 17 weeks before your challenge date. If you haven’t started already, now is the time to start your training. Our training plans start at 6 months before your challenge so start now! It is also the time to ramp up your fundraising if you are raising money for a charity. Have you made plans to obtain your visa/s? Your GP or travel clinic may recommend vaccinations or other preparations for the destination you are traveling to. You should speak to them now. We are not able to advise on this.
15 weeks before your challenge departs – Balance and fundraising reminder
We will send you an email to remind you that your balance payment or fundraising deadline is coming up. All balances due must be paid, and all fundraising must be raised by 12 weeks before your challenge date.
14 weeks before your challenge departs – Challenge update
An update will come by email to you and will include your flight details, itinerary update, accommodation details, and a reminder of your kit list. You should now be arranging to pay your balance or finalise your fundraising.
2 weeks before your challenge departs – Challenge update
We will send you an email with details of the Dream Challenges team that will be with you on your challenge. We will also give you all the details you need to find us at the airport at the right time, and what to do when you get there. You will get a letter in the post from us with all of the information from your 14 week and 2 week challenge updates, along with some handy Dream challenges luggage labels to fix to your bags before you arrive to the airport. If you are planning to extend your trip, or you are looking to take your own flight or deviate on the flights we have booked for you, the deadline to tell us this is by 17 weeks before your challenge date.
Challenge date – Your challenge is here!
Meet us at the airport or the start of the challenge and leave the rest to us. From here you will be in the capable hands of our experienced Dream Challenges team.
1 to 2 weeks after your challenge returns – Congratulations
A certificate will come out to you by email to congratulate you for completing your challenge, however completing looks to you. Your feedback is very important to us and so we will be sending a link to a questionnaire for you to complete and let us know how it went for you.
essential challenge information
your challenge team
An experienced Challenge Event Leader will accompany your group throughout your stay. If your group is large, additional staff team members will also join the group to assist.
at the airport
If your challenge has a flight, as soon as you reach the airport to take the group flight, we will be there in person to greet you at the relevant check-in desk and provide any assistance you might need to check your luggage in. You’ll then be free to make your own way through the airport to your departure gate or, of course, you might choose to use this travel time to start getting to know some of your fellow challengers!
transfer at destination
One of our team will be on hand to assemble the full group in the luggage hall at the airport and as soon as everyone has reclaimed their luggage, the group will be escorted through to the Arrivals Hall, where our local team will be waiting to greet you. You’ll then be transferred to the accommodation by the local team, where you will have time to immerse yourself in the day-to-day life of the country and chat to your fellow challengers.
during the challenge
Throughout the challenge, the local team will also provide appropriate support vehicles or where necessary, pack animals to replenish water and snacks, transport your luggage and provide evacuation support in the event of an emergency. Animals are only used in remote locations where vehicle access is not possible, and it is essential that we have mobility support for your welfare. We care a great deal about animal welfare too, and our partners are required to satisfy our requirements for high welfare animals to be used.
flights
Your flights have been requested and should be confirmed approximately 6 months before departure if they have been booked by that time. Your luggage allowance will be approximately 20 kilos (44lbs) per person and will be confirmed nearer the time, as it is dependent on the airline. Airport tax and fuel surcharge for flights are capped at £475 or less. This will be confirmed at 15 weeks before the challenge date. You are required to pay the cost of airport and fuel taxes to Dream Challenges by the event deadline, 12 weeks before departure.
meals
All meals and drinking water will be provided on cycling/trekking days. On non-cycling/trekking days you will need to buy your own drinking water, lunch and/or dinner, as specified in the itinerary. Due to the location of the challenge, food during the ride/trek may be repetitive – you may wish to bring a few snacks for variety.
Vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements can be catered for both on the challenge and during flights. Please let us know in good time prior to the trip. On our last day of the challenge, there will be a special celebration dinner. The cost of this is included in the price of the trip.
health
You will need to seek travel medical advice prior to your challenge to ensure that you are fully up to date with all appropriate vaccinations. You can obtain this advice from:
∙ Your G.P.
∙ The practice nurse at your doctor’s surgery
∙ A specialised travel clinic
We recommend you do this at least 6 months before travel. Travel health professionals can tell you which vaccinations are recommended for the region of your challenge and check if you need any boosters, for example, against diphtheria/tetanus or polio. Some vaccinations are available on the NHS, however, others you may have to pay for.
If you have any special health problems, please speak to your doctor about action you can take to maintain your health while on the challenge. We also ask that you alert us to your medical needs prior to the trip using the medical form provided in this challenge information pack. All medical forms will be assessed by the doctor accompanying you on the event.
before or after your challenge
At any other time, our friendly team are on hand in the office to answer any of your questions. Please email us on customercare@dream-challenges.com or call on 01590 646410.
A Typical Day
06.00-07.00 – Breakfast
07.30 – Warm up
07.45-10.30 – Early morning cycle/trek
10.30 – Morning snack stop
11.00 – 12.30 – Late morning cycle/trek
12.30 – 13.30 – Lunch
13.30 – 15.00 – Early afternoon cycle/trek
15.00 – 15.30 – Afternoon snack stop
15.30 – 17.00 – Late afternoon cycle/trek
19.30 – Dinner (We will all dine together)
20.30 – Group briefing on the day ahead
challenge insights
Insights into Trek the Jordan Desert
Theo Peeters is our desert expert. Having led challenging treks across the ancient Jordan desert for several years now, he reveals what you can really expect when trekking from the Dead Sea to the ancient city of Petra.
Insights into Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro
Ellie Dolbear, gives us some awesome insight into the challenge and her top tips for people taking on our Mount Kilimanjaro Trek.
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