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. We will sample Indian cusine starting with a banquet lunch and then we'll spend the afternoon soaking 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 Pathankot (also known as Chakki Bank).
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Arriving at dawn in Pathankot, 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.
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.
We will take a warm up walk and explore the picturesque community of Bir, following the foothills of the Himalayas. We will visit some famous buddhist monasteries with carvings and amazing thangka paintings. If possible we will try to see a puja, with chanting and prayers, in the sacred and colourful prayer room.
In the late afternoon, there will be time to explore, as well as relax in the grounds of the tea plantation. The evening will be spent enjoying home-cooked food, watching the paragliders float from the skies, and bonding with your teammates.
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.
From the top of the ridge, the mountains surround us with incredible 360 views. This is our home for the night, at camp 360.
Accommodation: Camping
Today, you’ll walk alongside shepherds and locals, before crossing the Sun Pass at 2,400m. Pushing onwards, you will follow the Uhl 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.
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, including the griffin vulture, monal, golden eagle and the lammergeier. A lucky few may also spot musk deer, or even a puma or a Himalayan bear!
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.
Following the valley and river, we wind our way up higher into the mountains until we reach a small village. This is the last village in the valley inhabiting by the Gaddi people in the summer months before migrating away in the snowy winter.
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.
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.
We walk along the track until we reach Chaina Pass. From here we climb a little higher to a ridge which offers one of the most spectacular views of the Himalayas. This is a great place to grab some group pictures on our last day of hiking.
For those who would like to climb a little higher, we can reach the hidden goddess temple known to be one of the ancient 7 sisters that protect the mountains. Our knowledgeable team will be able to tell you about the history and legends of these mountains.
From here, we head towards Billing before heading down the rhododendron forest into Bir for a well-deserved celebratory meal.
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.
Enjoy the serenity here before heading back to the chaos of Delhi on an afternoon fast train. Evening to enjoy Delhi.
Accommodation: Hotel
With amazing memories and a massive sense of achievement, it’s time to say goodbye to your new friends, making sure you’ve swapped details before heading home. Depending on your departure time you will either arrive home today or tomorrow.
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
