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Find answers to common questions about the 2013 Everest Base Camp Challenge.
The trek will take place from 2-20 November 2013.
Simply pay a £450* registration fee and return this with a completed application form|. The registration fee is non-refundable but can be transferred to a later trip within two years of the date of departure.
You will then need to raise a minimum of £4,350, of which £1,650 must be received by Macmillan Cancer Support four months prior to departure. The remainder must be with us within one month of the event taking place.
*The registration fee can be paid in full or in two instalments of £225 (full details on application form).
Your registration fee of £450, plus the first £1650 of sponsorship, will be paid by Macmillan on your behalf to our tour operator, Discover Adventure, for the costs of your participation.
At least 62% of the £4,350 minimum sponsorship will be treated as a donation to Macmillan. If you raise over £4,350, 100% of the surplus will benefit the charity.
Macmillan is proud to have the best cost:income ratio of any charity, meaning more of your hard earned sponsorship is spent on our vital services and not on trip costs.
We will provide you with a fundraising pack full of ideas on how to reach your target. You will also have the support of the Challenge Team and our extensive network of Macmillan fundraisers throughout the UK.
However, if you do not manage to raise £1,650 four months prior to departure you will have the choice of making up the shortfall yourself or transferring to a later challenge, and thereby giving yourself longer to fundraise.
This trip is conceived and operated by Discover Adventure Ltd, ATOL 5636, whose booking conditions apply.
The group will be made up of around 30 people, both men and women, from all backgrounds, abilities and ages, although you must be 18 or over to take part. Whilst some take part with friends, most people come on their own, so it's a great way of meeting new people. You will find that the group quickly bond and support each other throughout the challenge.
On the trek, porters carry the group's main luggage, food, water and camping equipment. However, each participant will carry a day pack with personal items needed during the day: water, sunscreen, camera, waterproofs etc.
Trekking time varies from 3-8 hours per day, depending on conditions and the ability fo the group. The terrain is very varied as the route lies through valleys, forest and high mountain passes. The trek is challenging mainly because of the altitude at which we are hiking – and this should not be underestimated. The trip is designed so that there is plenty of time to acclimatise to the altitude but you may still feel effects such as headaches and shortness of breath when on the move. You may want to read about altitude and its effect on the body, it will help explain the need for rest days and a slow but steady pace. We are always happy to talk through the trip in more detail with you if you are worried about your fitness at any stage.
While hiking we will be staying in local teahouses, which are basic but comfortable mountain lodges run by individual families. At the start and end of the trek we will be staying in a comfortable 3* hotel in kathmandu.
This challenge is particularly tough and is not suitable for anyone who does not already walk or exercise on a regular basis. You will need to commit to a considerable amount of training during the preceding months, but we will provide you with a full training programme and arrange a training weekend at least four months prior to the trip.
Throughout the trek we will be accompanied by porters who will carry all our equipment and supplies. You will carry a day pack to hold any equipment you might need during the day.
Everyone on the challenge is required to complete a medical form that must be signed by your GP. Medical forms will be provided in your fundraising packs and individual surgeries may charge for this service. As much of the trip is at altitude it is not suitable for anyone with chronic respiratory or cardio vascular disease.
Yes. If you’d like to stay out in Nepal after the challenge our Tour Operator, Discover Adventure will be happy to organise this for you. An administration fee of £75 applies.
A valid ten-year passport is essential; it should be valid for at least six months after departure from Nepal.
UK nationals require an entry visa to Nepal which can be obtained from the airport at Kathmandu. You must consult your GP about necessary vaccinations.
One of the key determining criteria Macmillan looks for when selecting a tour operator to organise our events is a demonstrable appreciation of environmental concerns. Our tour operator Discover Adventure has links with 'Climate Care', a service that enables participants to neutralise the carbon emissions caused by taking long-haul flights.
For full details of how to offset your carbon emissions visit the Discover Adventure website.|
If you have any more questions, please contact us by calling 020 7840 7887 or emailing hiking@macmillan.org.uk|
Email hiking@macmillan.org.uk| Call 020 7840 7887 Fax 020 7840 4717 Write to Team Macmillan, Macmillan Cancer Support, 89 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7UQ