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 to wash, change and freshen up.
We arrive in India’s bustling capital, Delhi. After a team briefing we will sample India's finest cuisine with a banquet lunch enjoying the tastes and smells of India and learning a little about the different flavours of different parts of India. We have a little time in the afternoon to soak in the hustle and bustle of Dehli and some of the sights. After our team dinner we head to our overnight sleeper train to Pathankot.
Accommodation: Sleeper train
Arriving early 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. Test your haggling skills as we wander the colourful vibrant markets supoorting local artisans.
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. This will get us ready for our trekking challenge ahead. We will trek through the area and point out places of interest on the way. We will discuss local culture and life here. We will visit some famous beautiful buddhist monasteries with Buddhist 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 of this amazing monastery. Take in sunset watching paragliders float from the skies and land beside us. This area is said to be one of the best places in the world for paragliding and home to the World Championship. This will be an easy walk in the afternoon exploring the local area.
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.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Your incredible 5-day trek begins, centred around Bir and the Uhl valley and river and situated in the shadows of some of the world’s highest peaks. After a short transfer to the start of the trek, you will begin the hike at Mangroliar. This remains one of the best places to experience the unique and colourful kingdom of the Himalayas. As the route is rarely visited the area remains pristine and unspoilt, providing some of the best trekking in the world.
Today’s route takes you on a steady climb through ancient forests and along the ridgeline to Sherabling monastery, where you will marvel at the impressive three-storey high gold -plated Buddha, to the backdrop of the impressive snow-capped Himalayan mountains with breath taking panoramic views.
Walk along the rugged mountain path, and along a ridge to witness the Dhauladhar range, a high point where you will see many high peaks and the valleys and foothills below.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Today, you’ll walk from our base and cross a river over an old shepherds river bridge. We will discover a Himalayan village, abandoned during winter, picturesque and unchanged. Home to the tribal Gaddi shepherds, who collect mountain medicinal herbs and take their pashmina goats to the high Himalaya.
We will climb a little higher to a hidden goddess temple of one of the ancient 7 sister goddesses that protect and live in the mountains. Our knowledgable local team will tell you the history and legends of the mountains.
Taking in great views today with our amazing team, we will picnic high on the mountain. We then continue through pine and rhododendron forests down back to base.
Overnight: Guesthouse
The trek commences through oak and rhododendron forests, an ancient trading route. You will stop for a picnic lunch in beautiful meadows, soaking up the great views of the mountains and surrounding peaks.
We then follow the top of the ridge. The Himalayas and mountains surround us with incredible 360 views, some of the best in the world. We reach our home for the night, 360 camp. We discovered this place paragliding and supported a local family to make a home from home here and the most beautiful camp. The views are breathtaking with a 360 view of the mountains . We watch the sun set turning to crimson over the valley from our camp perched on the mountain.
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.
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’ll arrive into camp celebrating the end of a wonderful day trekking, in time to witness a stunning Himalayan sunset as it casts shadows over the distant, snow- capped peaks.
Accommodation: Camping
It’s the last day of your challenge and this morning is the perfect time to reflect on your journey.
Following the valley and river we wind our way higher into the mountains. We reach a small village, the last in the valley and only the gaddi tribe local people staying here in the summer months and migrating away during the snowy winters of the Himalayas.
Pushing onwards, you will follow the Uhl River alongside traditionally farmed terraced fields and tiny hamlets.
Taking time to reflect over our amazing journey and trek we walk together and smile and laugh with our new friends. En route you’ll witness the nomadic lifestyle of the Gaddis (Himalayan shepherds) and soak up the inspiring views for the last time.
This is a unique experience. We will climb a little higher to a special secret ridge above the pass and one of the most spectacular views of the Himalayas. A great place with spectacular views for some great photos as a group.
We will then follow the track and ridge and cross our last pass towards Bir. We will descend back to Bir for a well deserved celebration.
Accommodation: Guesthouse
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
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