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2019 - 20 Challenge Brochure
Action Challenge has been leading inspirational team adventures across the globe for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world’s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life.
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www.himalayaschallenge.com [email protected] 020 7609 6695
About Action Challenge
Since 1999 Action Challenge has been operating unique group
challenge events the world over. Our head office in London is staffed
by a highly experienced, passionate team focused on developing and
delivering inspirational adventures. We operate a host of varied
itineraries across all seven continents, from rainforest to desert,
mountain to jungle, snow to sea. Our adventures are fantastic group
experiences, which can be enjoyed by anyone who is looking for a new
challenge. We are proud of the lengths we go to, to bring you
memories you will not find elsewhere! The majority of our head office
have done one of our challenges, and love nothing more than talking
about their experience! So please contact the Action Challenge team
directly to ask any questions or discuss your challenge, by contacting
us on the details below.
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www.himalayaschallenge.com [email protected] 020 7609 6695
“It is not the mountain we conquer,
but ourselves”.
— Sir Edmund Hillary
What’s Not Include
Why Choose Us?
2) UK LEADERS OR MEDICS ON EVERY CHALLENGE
Qualified UK Leaders - we employ great characters, with deep experience, who have a
real passion for what they do - offer guidance, support and provide daily briefings and
warm ups
Leaders have great experience running our challenges
Equipped with Satellite Phones
Full medical kits provided by Nomad Travel Health Clinic
4) 100% TRANSPARENT ON PRICE
All-inclusive packages with flights or land only and connecting private transfers - we have built
up a portfolio of reputable airlines and local ground operators
Best value prices without compromising on quality, comfort, or safety
All known flight taxes at time of booking included in package price
All National Park fees included
3) EXPERIENCED LOCAL TEAM
Local team of guides and crew - extremely experienced with working with Action Challenge
groups. Incredibly supportive and great fun!
They know every route like the back of their hands!
They ensure that everything runs like clockwork, from setting up camp, to cooking meals
1) 100% ATOL BONDED - DON’T RISK ANYTHING ELSE! We are 100% ATOL (Air Travel Organiser’s Licence) bonded - ATOL number 6296
Offers full financial protection by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for clients who have booked
package trips, including flights
5) RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
We work very closely with our local team to ensure fair pay & treatment of all crew.
We’re members of IMEC (The International Mountain Explorer’s Connection), which
promotes sustainable tourism
Partners with KGSF (Kilimanjaro Guide Scholarship Fund), providing guides with educational
scholarships and better career prospects.
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www.himalayaschallenge.com [email protected] 020 7609 6695
“It is not the mountain we conquer,
but ourselves”.
— Sir Edmund Hillary
What’s Not Include
Why Choose Us?
7) OUR CLIENTS AND REPUTATION
Members of the Institute of Fundraising - a code of practice that all reputable companies
organising charitable events should adhere to.
15 years experience organising challenge events worldwide, taking over 15,000 individuals
on challenges across the globe, with over £50 million raised for over 300 UK charities.
Working with and organising challenges for the UK’s leading charities and major UK
companies including Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, DHL, Knight
Frank, Harrods, British Gas, Citi Group, Phones 4 U, BlackRock and many more.
8) DISCOUNTS ON KIT, VACCINATIONS & INSURANCE
Save money by hiring your kit from our partner Kit Hire Company Outdoor Hire
Receive up to 15% discount on kit and equipment purchases at leading outdoor retailers.
Discounts on Vaccinations and Insurance.
6) BRIEFINGS AND TRAINING WEEKENDS
Challenge briefings in central London - find out about life on the mountain and what to
Expect, meet the team and ask us any burning questions you may have!
Training weekends in Snowdonia , Brecon Beacons and the Peak District, plus join us on our
special Snowdon Night Summit to replicate summit night Kilimanjaro
Training Walks in London, North and South Downs
Test out your kit and your fitness! You might also meet someone going on your challenge!
10) FOOD & DRINK
3 fresh and well-cooked meals every day - lots of surprise home comforts and great menus!
Celebration dinner at end of trek!
Minimum of 3 litres of purified / clean water a day.
We can cater for all dietary requirements.
9) COMFORT
Private airport transfers to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotels either side of climb - 3*
Camp in comfort—large 3-man tents & camping mats & back-country kitchen
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Stok Kangri towers over the Stok range in the Indian Himalayas, at
6,153m. This is the perfect climb for those looking to push
themselves further having completed a Kilimanjaro or Everest Base
Camp challenge, or for anyone with some trekking experience to take
on a 6,000m+ peak!
Your challenge starts at 3,500m in Leh, with its Tibetan influences, in
Northern India’s Ladakh region.
This 15 day itinerary has been specially tailored with a real focus on
adventure, authentic rural experience and western comforts while
ascending at a rate suitable for adequate acclimatisation.
DAY 1 DEPARTURE
We will meet our group and Action Challenge staff at the
airport and check in together before boarding our flight to
India.
DAY 2 ARRIVE LEH 3500m
Arrive in Leh, the Capital of Ladakh, in the morning. Spend the
day resting or having a wonder around the town. At the hotel
we have a briefing from our Action Challenge leader, head
local guide and UK Doctor. In the evening we have a welcome
meal and relax before our departure on the challenge of a
lifetime. Leh lies at an altitude of 3500m, so the acclimatisation
has already begun!
DAY 3 EXPLORING THE INDUS VALLEY 3500m
Today we explore some of the cultural and historic sites in
Leh and the surrounding areas. We’ll visit the Monasteries of
Likir, Rising and Alchi, at altitudes of between 3200m and
3650m. The day involves driving, with optional walks. Lunch in
a restaurant in Alchi, overnight in Leh.
DAY 4 KARDUNG LA PASS 5380m
Today, we further our acclimatisation with a jeep drive up to
the 5380 metre Khardung La, one of the world’s highest road
passes. The near 2000 metre climb to the pass provides
panoramic views of the Zanskar Range beyond the Indus Val-
ley, with Stok Kangri visible. At the pass itself, there are views
of the peaks of the Eastern Karakoram. After taking tea at the pass, we return to our hotel in Leh.
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DAY 5 SUMDO 3700m
The start of the expedition phase of the trip! We leave Leh by
vehicle and head towards the small village of Samdo. En route
we stop off at Thiksey Gompa, and ancient Monastery with
very similar architectural style to the Potala Palace in Tibet.
We continue of rough roads towards out start point of the
trek, the village of Sumdo, 3700m. We will spend the night
under canvas on the outskirts of the village.
DAY 6 SUMDO PHU 4200m
A wonderful day of trekking, starting out along the jeep track
that passes through the village, before taking to a network of
smaller and narrower paths that head up the valley and into
the mountains. We will pass villagers that are tending to their
vegetables and, higher up, looking after their flocks. Our camp
is situated at the summer pastures at 4200m.
DAY 7 MATHO PHU 4500m
From Shang Phu, 4200m, to Matho Phu, 4500m, over the high
pass Shang La 4850m. 5-6 hours of trekking. From our camp
we climb higher to the Shang La, 4850m, and enjoy the
spectacular views of the snowy peaks that surround the valley,
including Matho Kangri 5800m and Stok Kangri. After enjoying
the views we descend to our overnight camp at Matho Phu.
This is the valley where the villagers of Matho spend the sum-
mer with their flocks of sheep and yaks. We have a chance to
see Golden Eagles, Marmots and Bharal (Blue Sheep). Matho
Phu will be our campsite for the next 2 nights, 4500m.
DAY 8 ACCLIMATISATION DAY 5300m
Acclimatisation day. After enjoying a later breakfast we spend
part of the day undertaking an acclimatisation walk towards
snowy peak of Matho Kangri. We’ll try to gain good height
and reach 5300-5400m. We will camp for a second night at
Matho Phu 4500m.
DAY 9 SMANKARMO 4380m
Today we trek into the Stok Valley, 5-6 hours of trekking. A
shorts walk from our camp in Matho Phu we head towards
the base of Matho La. We gently climb towards the top of
Matho La 4800m. This area is often covered with tiny flowers
and flowering bushes, bright patterns of yellow, pink and blue
can be seen. From the top of the pass we gently descend, for
about half an hour towards our camp at Smankarmo, 4380m.
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DAY 10 STOK KANGRI BASE CAMP 4900m
Today we have a relatively short walk up to Stok Kangri Base
Camp, 4900m. The base camp is situated on a grassy area
besides small streams that flow from the Stok Glacier. The
afternoon can be spent relaxing, or by taking short walks to
explore the area and take in the views of the surrounding
peaks.
DAY 11 ACCLIMATISATION 5400m
Tomorrow is the big day, so it’s important to prepare, rest
and acclimatise to ensure we have the highest chances of success. Our leadership team will give instruction on the
simple techniques needed for the main ascent, and there will
be opportunities for walks above basecamp to further aid
acclimatisation and to gain views of Stok Kangri and our route.
We will eat and rest well before getting an early night at Base
Camp.
DAY 12 STOK KANGRI SUMMIT 6120m
The summit push is long and hard, but is rewarded by
wonderful views over the vast views over the Karakorum and
Himalayas. We will depart in the early hours of the morning
following a hearty breakfast. The climb starts gradually
upwards for ~3 hours where we meet and cross the Stok
Glacier. We continue upwards towards 5700m, from where
we traverse more steeply up to the exposed ridge-line on the
left-hand side of the summit. A rocky, and sometimes icy, final
scramble brings us to the summit. The route isn’t technical,
but the cold and altitude will make it hard work. After
catching our breath and admiring the incredible views we
careful start our descent back down to Base Camp. We’ll be
back in Base Camp for a warm brunch and spend the rest of
the day catching up on rest and sleep.
DAY 13 STOK VILLAGE 3497m
Our last day of trekking. We descend a stunning valley past
colourful rock formations and through a gorge before the val-
ley widens and we enter the village of Stok. Our transport will
be waiting to transfer us to Leh for a hot shower and a much
needed Celebration Meal.
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DAY 14 DELHI
We depart from Leh on a morning flight to Delhi. We then
transfer to a comfortable airport accessible hotel. You have
the choice to simple relax at the hotel, or enjoy what this
incredible bustling city has to offer! In the evening there is the
chance for one more spectacular meal.
DAY 15 DEPART DELHI
We depart on a morning flight back to the UK.
The Climb Stok Kangri Challenge is priced as below:
HOW TO PAY
Once you have registered, there are 3 FUNDING OPTIONS for the balance of the trip cost:
Self Funded: You pay the registration deposit, then the full final balance
Charity Minimum Sponsorship: You pay the registration deposit, and
fundraise double the final balance for your nominated charity
Charity Mixed Funding: A bit of both. You pay 50% of the trip cost (including the
registration deposit), and fundraise to cover the other 50%
2019 prices
Self-fund: £2,395 flights inc / £1,745 land-only
Charity minimum sponsorship:
Fundraise £3,995 flights inc / £2,695 land-only
3) Charity mixed funding:
Fundraise £2,400 & pay £1,199 flights inc /
Fundraise £1,750 & pay £874 land-only
Deposit: £395 (deducted from final balance)
Single Supplement: £255
2020 prices
Self-fund: £2,545 flights inc / £1,820 land-only
Charity minimum sponsorship:
Fundraise £4,300 flights inc / £2,850 land-only
3) Charity mixed funding:
Fundraise £2,550 & pay £1,275 flights inc /
Fundraise £1,830 & pay £910 land-only
Deposit: £395 (deducted from final balance)
Single Supplement: £255
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WHAT’S INCLUDED?
Fully supported 15 day group challenge
Action Challenge UK Mountain Guide
UK Qualified Medic
Full support team, including local English-speaking guides
All flights and air travel taxes (excluding fuel surcharges)
All accommodation, twin share - hotels / camping
All meals with the group as specified
All transfers in local vehicles
National Park entrance fees
Day in Leh ending with a celebratory dinner
Free time in Delhi
Pre-event support including discounts from UK retailers
Discounted UK training weekends
Fitness and training guide
Discounts from UK retailers - Cotswold Outdoor, Trek Hire & more
Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health
FOOD
Breakfasts each morning will be at our accommodation/campsite. Lunches will be en route and evening meals will be at our
night’s accommodation or in a mess tent at the campsite. Variety in the menu may be limited, but we attempt to offer a mix of
typical Indian dishes with an international influence. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements in advance.
ACCOMMODATION
5 nights in comfortable 2 - 3* hotels
8 nights in well-equipped 2-person tents.
All accommodation is on a twin-share, single-sex basis and we will pair you with someone of a similar age, where possible.
If you wish to share a room with someone you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form.
If you decide that you would like to have your own room on the challenge, we can accommodate this in the majority of places.
BESPOKE TRIPS
If you are a charity, business, school or private group with a minimum of 10 people and fancy your own bespoke trip, please
get in touch with our team.
BOOKING YOUR OWN FLIGHTS
If you are planning on travelling to Ladakh before the challenge or wish to organise your own flights, we do offer a land-only
option, with a significant discount off the trip price. You will be required to meet your group at the hotel on day two of the
itinerary.
ITINERARY CHANGES
Please note: This trek passes through wilderness areas, and access may be limited as the result of natural occurrences such as
flooding or erosion. As such, this itinerary is subject to change and alternative routes & destinations may be offered.
