Secrets of the Wall Brochure - Action Challenge · altitude of 556m and fortified with 36 turrets, 28 ramparts and 16 beacon towers. Our trek from Dongjiakou to Chengziyu takes us

www.actionchallenge.com

actionchallenge in China

trip highlights● Activity: Trekking● Location: China, Beijing● Duration: 10 Days / 5 days trekking● Difficulty: Moderate● Distance: 45 km● Group size: 15 -25

at a glance

Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world 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-lifetimeadventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life.

This is a unique challenge and a fabulous trekking adventure that takes us to the stunning eastern sectionof China’s Great Wall, far off the beaten track. This nine day trip is an incredible opportunity to experienceone of the wonders of the world, deep in the heart of rural China.

The Great Wall of China is an incredible feat of engineering, snaking its way over vertiginous ridges, openplains and mountain passes forming an impenetrable military defence stretching over 13,170 km. Ourchallenge begins with a visit to the famous Old Dragon Head, built during the Ming Dynasty. From here, asa group we walk the wall’s well-restored sections near the Shanhaiguan Pass before making the tough climbup Jiao Mountain on steep steps, some nearly a meter high! At Luweishan we hike along the atmospheric,un-restored wild wall to Liujiakouwe, famous for it’s water tower and stunning pass. We see incredible turrets,ramparts and panoramic views along our route as well as gaining a unique insight into the way of life in ruralChinese villages.

After our trek on the wall, we end our adventure exploring Beijing’s cultural and historic sites includingTiananmen Square and the Forbidden City before celebrating our trek together with a fabulous Chinese meal.

trekGreat Wall of China…Secrets of The Wall

● Enjoy an all inclusive 10 day group challenge● Visit the Ming Dynasty’s Old Dragon Head● Climb the giant steps up Jiao Mountain● Walk the ‘wild wall’ at Luweishan● Trek the remote Huangyaguan section● Experience rural village life● Explore the sights of Beijing

The weather in China can be very humid,particularly during the summer monthswhen there are high temperatures andrainfall. The best times of year to trek theGreat Wall are in the spring and autumn,when it will be drier and little cooler,without being too cold. It is advisable topack for all weathers to ensure that youare prepared for changeable conditions.

Great Wall of China…Secrets of the Wall

This fully-inclusive adventure to China will begin as soon as you register! You willreceive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all theessentials you may need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all theformalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offerpre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet our trekleaders, members of your group and others taking part in challenges around the world.On the day of departure you will meet your group and Action Challenge leader at theairport in London. Whether you’re joining the challenge on your own or with others, youwill instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Beijing, readyto take on the Great Wall of China and the hike of a lifetime!

introduction

brief itinerary

Day 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5

Depart LondonBeijing- ShanhaiguanShanhaiguan-JiaoshanJiao Mountain – SandaoguanDongjiakou-Chengziyu

what’s included

Why not stay on after the challenge andexplore some more of Beijing’s highlights?

Extensions include:● Terracotta Warriors● Giant Panda Research Centre● Hong Kong

Please email us for more information

Please visit our website for more details

All inclusive trip cost from £1,629Initial £299 deposit to sign up

Three payment options available

Please visit our website for more details

· International flights· Action Challenge trek leader· Full support team, including local guides· UK medic· All accommodation· All meals, except in free time· Airport / Air travel taxes· Treated drinking water· All transfers in local vehicles· National Park entrance fees· Celebration dinner in Beijing· Invitation to a challenge briefing in London· Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons & Snowdonia· Fitness and training guide· Discounts from UK retailers· Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.act ionchal lenge.com events@actionchal lenge.com

This challenge requires a good level offitness to trek the route, the terrain isvaried with some steep uphill climbs,downhill sections and steps. Some prioraerobic fitness training is necessary.

Day 6Day 7Day 8Day 9Day 10

Luweishan-LiujiakouTaipingzhai-Huangyaguan-BeijingBeijingArrive UK

trek

Breakfast each morning will be in ourhotel/lodge whilst lunches will be en route.Evening meals will be at the hotel or alocal restaurant, except in free time.

All meals are full of carbohydrates, proteinand nutrients to keep us well fuelledthroughout the trip.

We can cater for all dietary requirementsif informed in advance.

• Hotels

All accommodation is on a twin/triple-share, single-sex basis and we will pairyou with someone of a similar age, wherepossible.

If you wish to share a room with someoneyou are travelling with, please specify thison your registration form.

itinerary

DAY 1 - Depart London

Meals: Dependent on flight schedule

DAY 2 - Trek Beijing to Shanhaiguan

On arrival at Beijing International Airport we are met by our local guide who will be withus throughout the challenge. We have a comfortable transfer east out of Beijing to thetown of Shanhaiguan in the Hebei province, built during the Ming Dynasty. On arrival,we check into our hotel where we will be based for the next two nights and have the restof the afternoon free to relax and recover from our long journey. This evening we havea welcome meal and briefing by our guides on the challenge ahead.

Meals: L,D Accom: Hotel

DAY 3 - The Old Dragon Head to Jiaoshan

We start our first trekking day at the most easterly point on the Great Wall with a visit tothe famous Old Dragon Head, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. According to popularChinese mythology it is here that the beautiful young Meng Jiangnu threw herself intothe sea with a broken heart. We start trekking on a section of the wall restored in 1985,close to the Shanhaiguan Pass or the “First Pass Under Heaven”. This complete militarydefence system includes 26kms of the Great Wall and 10 passes. After lunch we visitthe Great Wall Museum before trekking up to the Jiao Mountain Great Wall. After ourfantastic warm-up day we transfer back to our hotel to relax.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Trekking time: 4-5 Hours

If you decide that you would like to haveyour own room on the challenge, we canaccommodate this in the majority ofplaces.


• Insurance - approximately £60 • Visa - £30 • Vaccinations - Up-to-date on boosters • Tips for local staff - recommendedamount £30 • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement asapplied by airlines. Please note that this iscapped at a maximum of £150.

DAY 4 - Trek Jiao Mountain to Sandaoguan

This morning, after a good Chinese breakfast, we trek north of Shanhaiguan to climbJiao Mountain where the path rises steeply for 3km along a very well preserved sectionof the wall. This section has many incredible steps, some almost a meter high, whichmakes this one of the toughest trekking days of our challenge. Half way through theday’s walk, we reach the small temple of Qixian before continuing on to our end pointat Sandaoguan. Here we are high amongst the mountains with stunning views of theGreat Wall. Once we reach Sandaoguan, we make our way back to our hotel.



trekGreat Wall of China…Secrets of the Wall

A kit list will be sent to you on receipt ofregistration. Many everyday items can beused on this challenge, and we offer a kithire service to keep costs down.

If you are planning on travelling to Chinabefore the challenge or wish to organiseyour own flights, we do offer a land onlyoption, with a significant discount off thetrip price. You will be required to meetyour group at the hotel on day two of theitinerary.


• Alcoholic drinks • Drinks and food outside of meals, otherthan water • Personal kit / equipment • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement asapplied by airlines. Please note that this iscapped at a maximum of £150.

DAY 7 - Taipingzhai to Beijing

After a good breakfast we drive to Huangyaguan Great Wall, an important pass, for ourfinal day on the wall. This section is well off the tourist track and dates back to 556ADduring the Tianbao reign of the Qi Dynasty, with repairs carried out in 1567 during theMing Dynasty. We finish our trek at Taipingzhai where we have free time to wanderaround the pass city before heading back to Beijing and our hotel.


DAY 8 - Beijing

Today we have a full day tour of Beijing’s most important cultural and historic sitesincluding Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Lunch is with a local Hutongfamily before we take rickshaws for a tour of the rest of the Hutongs. Tonight we havea celebration dinner to mark the end of our challenge and our stay in China.

Meals: B,D Accom: Hotel

After breakfast we drive to Luweishan to begin our second challenge. We start trekkingalong the wild wall from Luweishan to Liujiakou, well known for its water tower and pass.The going is quite tough along this relatively short route making this our secondtoughest day. On arrival at Liujiakou our coach will transfer us to our comfortable hotelin Zunhua.


DAY 6 - Trek Luweishan to Liujiakou


training weekends / briefings

We run a number of training weekendsthroughout the year in the Peak District,Breacons and Snowdonia. These arefully-inclusive - 2 night’s accommodationand all meals. We also organise trainingdays in London and the North and Southdowns. On both, you will get the chanceto meet our mountain leaders and test outyour kit and fitness!

You will also receive an invite to achallenge briefing in central London.

DAY 9 - Free Day

In the evening transfer to the airport for departure flight.


DAY 10 - Arrive UK

DAY 5 - Dongjiakou to Changchengcun

This morning we trek on a new section of the wall at Dongjiakou, northeast of FuningCounty. This section was an important strategic point stretching for 14kms, rising to analtitude of 556m and fortified with 36 turrets, 28 ramparts and 16 beacon towers. Ourtrek from Dongjiakou to Chengziyu takes us three to four hours as we pass variousarchitectural forms before coming off the wall for a local lunch at a farmer’s house. Thisafternoon we visit a village for a fascinating insight into the way of life in rural China,before continuing our trek from Chengziyu to the Great Wall Village and on to our hotelin town.


payment optionsATOL is a scheme that protects you fromlosing money or being stranded abroad ifyour travel company collapses. ActionChallenge is 100% ATOL bonded, whichprovides you with full financial protection.On receipt of your registration fee, you willreceive an ATOL certificate explainingyour protection.

A REGISTRATION DEPOSIT of £299 (for 2015) is required to secure your place. Weoffer 2 deposit payment options:

OPTION 1: Deposit paid in full, by card at the time of registration.

OPTION 2: Deposit paid in two 50/50 split payments. The first 50% is paid when youregister and the second is charged to your payment card at the end of the followingmonth. For this option, a £10 supplement will be charged with the first instalment.

Once registered, there are 3 PAYMENT OPTIONS to fund the balance of the trip cost.Full details are on our website.

1) SELF FUNDED

For anyone who wants to pay for the entire trip themselves. It’s then completely up toyou whether or not you choose to raise any money for a charity of your choice.

The total all inclusive cost of this trip is £1,629 (for 2015), which, after you pay the £299Registration Deposit, leaves a balance of £1,330. This final balance is due for payment10 weeks before your departure along with any fuel surcharges levied by the airline.

2) SPONSORSHIP FUNDED

This is for anyone who wants to take on this challenge and will link it with fundraising asignificant sum of money for a charity of their choice. You would have to raise at least£2,700 (for 2015) via sponsorship and donations from friends, family and colleagues,and be confident at the outset that you can achieve this total.

Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraisinggoes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £2,700 (for 2015), yourcharity will pay for the balance of your trip costs to Action Challenge. That balance, paidby your charity, is £1,330 (the same as if you were you were ‘Self Funded’) - the charitywill retain at least £1,370 to help fund their work. You will have to pay any airline fuelsurcharges 10 weeks prior to departure.

3) MIXED FUNDED

A mix of the 2 options above! You pay about half the trip cost yourself, and alsofundraise for your charity. They pay the remaining balance of your trip costs. Ideal Foranyone who wants to take on the challenge and also fundraise for a charity, BUT ishappy to pay a reasonable proportion of the trip cost themselves, which with yourregistration deposit, is set at a level that covers at least the costs of flights &accommodation; perfect for those who feel more at ease asking for sponsorship inrespect to the ‘challenge’ component of their trip.

Pay the Registration Deposit and nominate a charity to fundraise for. All fundraisinggoes directly to your charity and providing that you raise at least £2,000 (for 2015), yourcharity will pay a portion of your trip cost to Action Challenge. That balance, paid by yourcharity, is £800. At the same time, you will be required to pay the remaining balanceyourself, which will be a figure of £530 (These two amounts added up to the same asthe ‘Self Funded’ final balance) - the charity will retain at least £1,200 to help fund theirwork. You will have to pay any airline fuel surcharges 10 weeks prior to departure.

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Action Challenge UK LtdUnited HouseNorth RoadLondonN7 9DPUnited Kingdom

how to book

To book on to this challenge, please visitour website; www.actionchallenge.comfor a full list of prices and all availabledates.


If you are a charity, business, school orprivate group with a minimum of 10people and fancy your own bespoke trip,please call us on +44(0 )207 609 6695or you can send us an email toevents@actionchal lenge.comfor more information.

private groups


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Secrets of the Wall Brochure - Action Challenge · altitude of 556m and fortified with 36 turrets, 28 ramparts and 16 beacon towers. Our trek from Dongjiakou to Chengziyu takes us