Use the code NY2026 for 10% off your reg fee
9am Tues 23 Dec 2025 until Midnight Sat 31 Jan 2026
Full of excitement and nerves you meet your fellow teamates at the airport. Wave goodbye to family and friends as you set off on your long-awaited adventure to Delhi, India
A local Charity Challenge representative will be waiting at the airport for your transfer to the hotel. The day will begin with the chance to explore India’s bustling capital, Delhi. Test your haggling skills or soak up the sights, from the Red Fort to the Raj Ghat. Later, the group will meet up for the first team dinner, before catching the overnight sleeper train to Chakki Bank. (L,D)
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Arriving early in Chakki Bank, it’s a further three-hour transfer to Dharamsala - home to His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Dotted with temples and monasteries, multi-coloured Tibetan prayer flags flutter in the wind. Take a clockwise kora walk of the Dalai Lama's temple and residence, with many giant prayer wheels, mani stones and colourful prayer flags. The walk will be fully guided, where you’ll learn about Buddhism, the Dalai Lama and Tibetan way of life. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
Spend the morning further exploring Dharamsala or stroll to Bhagsunag Waterfall before transferring to Bir, at the foothills of the Himalayas. Once there, you’ll be welcomed at the Dream and Adventure Centre.
There will be time to explore, as well as relax in the grounds of the tea plantation, and the evening will be spent enjoying home-cooked food and bonding with your teammates. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Dream and Adventure Centre
Your incredible 5-day trek begins, centred around the Uhl valley and river and situated in the shadows of some of the world’s highest peaks. The trek commences through oak and rhododendron forests towards Haribag Pass (2,500m), an ancient trading route. You will then pass by the village of Barua, where you will stop for a picnic lunch in beautiful meadows, soaking up the great views of the mountains and surrounding peaks.
Crossing the pass you head down to Majaj, a favourite spot for bird-watchers and nature-spotters alike. The area is well known for its diverse Himalayan wildlife and birdlife, including the Himalayan griffin vulture, monal, golden eagle and the lammergeier. A lucky few may see thar, musk deer, forest leopard, puma and Himalayan black and brown bear. You will celebrate the first day of the trek around the campfire. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Camping
Today, you’ll walk alongside shepherds and locals, before crossing the Sun Pass at 2,700m. Pushing onwards, you will follow the Thadkot River alongside traditionally farmed terraced fields and tiny hamlets.
You’ll arrive into camp in time to witness a stunning Himalayan sunset as it casts shadows over the distant, snow-capped peaks. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Camping
Wake up beneath the snow-capped summits basking in the early morning sun. After a quick cup of delicious Himalayan tea, it’s off on a winding path upwards with spectacular views of the Shivalik Mountains. The surrounding alpine pastures are strewn with wild flowers and medicinal plants.
You’ll stay at an old colonial hunting lodge, used many years ago by the British and the Maharajas. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: The lodge is used as a camp area and you will either sleep in tents or on camp beds in a basic room.
Weary legs may need a break, so today is a rest day in preparation for the final days of the challenge.
For those still in the mood for exercise there are some great optional walks available. You can climb a nearby peak which boasts arguably the best views in the Himalayas. The group will rendezvous again in camp for the evening meal, before spending another night at the hunting lodge. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: The lodge is used as a camp area and you will either sleep in tents or on camp beds in a basic room.
It’s the last day of your challenge and this morning is the perfect time to reflect on your journey.
Today you’ll walk from Bal to Shilpadhani, a small village surrounded by thick woodland. En route you’ll witness the nomadic lifestyle of the Gaddis (Himalayan shepherds) and soak up the inspiring views for the last time. You will then return to the Dream and Adventure Centre for a well-deserved celebratory meal. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Dream and Adventure Centre
It’s the penultimate day of the challenge and with spirits high, you’ll travel to the Baijnath Temple which was built in 840AD.
From there, it’s off to the Norbulinka Institute, which was established to preserve traditional Tibetan arts. Set amid Japanese gardens, there is a serene temple with delicate bridges across tiny streams. Enjoy the serenity here before heading back to the chaos of Delhi on an overnight train. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Sleeper Train
Today you transfer from your overnight train to another train that will take you from Delhi to Agra. The next destination is Keoladeo National Park which boasts 10,000 nests and 400 varieties of birds including spoonbills, kingfishers and painted storks. Exploring the park by cycle or rickshaw, you will also spot mammals like the sambhar, Nilgai and fishing cat roaming freely. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the star of the show, the National Bird of India, the peacock. After absorbing all the knowledge from the specialist nature guide, you will head to the Kadamb Kunj Resort on the outskirts of the park where you can make full use of their swimming facilities. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
Today you can enjoy a more leisurely breakfast before heading out to the fascinating Fatehpur Sikri. This magnificent city was the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 before it was dramatically abandoned just 14 years later. Despite the desertion by its inhabitants, the city is perfectly preserved and the heart of the citadel remains very much alive.
Next you head to the Taj Mahal, the marbled mausoleum of Emperor Shah Jahan’s favorite wife. Having been described as ‘the tear-drop on the cheek of time’, it is no surprise that the Taj Mahal was declared one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the world’ in 2007. You will watch the sun set over this impressive monument, marking the end of a fantastic trip.
Later, you will take the fast train back to Delhi where you will stay overnight. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
It’s time to head back to the airport for your flight to the UK, taking with you cherished memories and new experiences to share with friends and family at home. (B)
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
