CHALLENGERS

A charity challenge is an adventure of a lifetime and a fantastic way to raise money for your chosen charity. However we also understand that you may have some questions so we have listed our most frequently asked questions below. If you cannot find the answer to your question then please email us

1. Have Across the Divide done many of these charity challenges?
2. Where will we go?
3. What's included in the price of the challenge?
4. What's NOT included in the price of the challenge?
5. Do I need to be super fit to take part in a challenge?
6. Will I be able to keep up?
7. How old are the people that normally take part?
8. What happens if I fall ill or get tired?
9. Who is there to back me up?
10. Where do we spend the night?
11. What's the food like?
12. Are there toilets?
13. Do I need to spend lots of money on kit?
14. How much spending money will I need to take?
15. Will I have to carry my own luggage during the day?
16. Do I need travel insurance?
17. What if my sponsors think my challenge is a holiday?
18. How much money do I need to raise?
19. How much of the money I raise will go to the charity?
20. Can I extend my trip after the challenge?

21. Do I have to spend loads of money on equipment?
21. Still undecided?

1. Have Across the Divide done many of these charity challenges?

Yes, we have been involved in these types of challenges for over 10 years and as a company since 1997. From trekking to dog sledding, from Patagonia to Hadrains Wall, we have pretty much covered them all. We have now passed the £14 million mark for monies raised through our challenges for charity.

2. Where will we go?

Across the Divide travel to over 35 destinations worldwide, all our charity challenges are in remote areas and are off the beaten track. We pride ourselves on our challenges and in many places are the only company who have permission to walk in certain areas. We pass through villages, areas of natural beauty, national parks, waterfalls, snow and ice.

3. What's included in the price of the challenge?

This does vary from challenge to challenge. Normally however:

• flights

• transfers

• transfer of luggage

• shared accommodation in hotels and tents

• all camping equipment, except camping mats and sleeping bags (with the exception of our Arctic Dog Sledding Expeditions, full board unless otherwise stated)

• water whilst on trek/bike ride

• food

• experienced Expedition Leader

• support team

• ground staff

• an English speaking doctor trained by the Expedition Medicine Company

• bikes, if applicable (please note cycling helmets are compulsory and not provided)

4. What's NOT included in the price of the challenge?

Again this does vary with each challenge but normally:

• vaccinations

• travel insurance

• gratuities to local staff

• optional tours, airport taxes

• visas

• personal expenses (drinks, souvenirs etc)

• and of course your entry fee and sponsorship money.

5. Do I need to be super fit to take part in a challenge?

You don't need to be super fit, but proper training and taking the challenge seriously will play a major part of how much enjoyment you derive from the challenge. All of the charities will ask you to complete a medical form when you sign up for a challenge, having a pre-existing medical condition will not preclude you from any of our challenges but we do need to know about them (rest assured that any information you give will be treated in the very strictest confidence).

The reason why telling us is so important is that our medics need to make sure they pack the right equipment prior to departure of the challenge and not declaring a medical condition can, in some cases, invalidate your travel insurance. Please do not hesitate to call us if you have any queries.

You receive comprehensive training advice after you register for your challenge but we have a training section here on the website, see more here, as well as some lower than high street prices from major outdoor suppliers such as RAB and Montane and a special rate for hiring equipment from Trekhire UK see here for more details.

6. Will I be able to keep up?

Our challenges are not races. Across the Divide's job is to get everybody through the challenge. We have the highest staff:participant ratio of any company operating charity challenges and for good reason, we give you the support and the backup you deserve. After all, you have already worked hard enough to get on the challenge by raising the monies.

7. How old are the people that normally take part?

People of all ages, backgrounds and interests take part, which is one of things that makes our charity challenges so much fun, you never know who you are going to meet from the A list celebrity to a Dorset milkman. What everybody has in common is a desire to make a difference and to challenge themselves. Our youngest challenger has been 18 and the oldest 78.

8. What happens if I fall ill or get tired?

There will always be regular breaks, photo stops and, on bike rides, official pit stops. The guides and staff are there to help you achieve your challenge and to help you to pace yourself. On some of the trekking challenges there is a vehicle where you will be able to recuperate over a day. On our bike ride challenges we have a back-up vehicle.

9. Who is there to back me up?

Across the Divide is famous for the standard of backup on its challenges from both its own expedition team and the local team employed in-country. The in-country team will generally have been working with Across the Divide for many years. If we are running a new destination then the local team will have been interviewed and selected up to a year before your challenge actually arrives by the Site Inspection Team.
All of our challenges are escorted by an Expedition Leader and a doctor. Each group has an ATD guide and local guide leading the way and bringing up the rear. All staff have to attend 7 days' training every year and most doctors will have completed the 'Expedition Medicine for Medical Professionals' course.
The staff team all carry 2-way radios and on every challenge we carry a satellite telephone and satellite rescue beacon, as well as a whole raft of other safety equipment.

10. Where do we spend the night?

This varies a great deal from challenge to challenge. Generally when camping people are asked to share 2 - 3 man sized tents. The hotels we use are warm and clean with a good level of basic service. In some places they are fantastic due to discount we can negotiate.

11. What's the food like?

The food is always of excellent quality. The food is usually prepared by the local team so we are able to enjoy a variety of local dishes. For example, in Morocco we will have cous cous and tangines, in Asia rice and noodles and, stews in South America.
We cater for vegetarians and most other dietary requirements - just make sure you let us know in advance and we will try our best to suit your needs.

12. Are there toilets?

Yes - but depending on the challenge they can be very basic (usually long drop!).

13. Do I need to spend lots of money on kit?

Yes and no - we do not want to encourage you to rush off and spend lots of money on equipment that you might only use once. The charity will provide you with a comprehensive kit list, however you will need as a minimum a well-broken in pair of boots, a good quality sleeping bag, waterproofs and in most cases a sleeping mat. If your challenge is a bike ride you will need a helmet, cycling shorts, gloves and shatterproof sunglasses.

On all our charity dog sled challenges the technical equipment is provided by Across the Divide. Your insulated boots, arctic suit (an outer layer made up of insulated overalls), outer arctic mittens and arctic outer hats are all provided.

14. How much spending money will I need to take?

Well that depends on you! On the challenge itself we are pretty much away from civilisation in the middle of nowhere. On some trips there is a small bar where you can buy soft drinks, beer and wine. This is settled up for at the end of the challenge. On returning to civilisation there is opportunity to buy souvenirs and gifts. Generally, however, we recommend that you will need no more than £150-200 additional funds, unless you have very expensive tastes!

15. Will I have to carry my own luggage during the day?

No. Your bags will be transported by either truck, horse, camel, boat, porters or helicopter to the next camp. All that you will need to carry is a small day sack containing items that you will need during the day's challenge such as water, sun cream, waterproofs, camera and film etc.

16. Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, travel insurance is compulsory on all Across the Divide Challenges - please make sure you have read the 'How fit do I need to be?' section with regards to pre-existing medical conditions.
Across the Divide has a very competitively priced policy that has been designed especially for us and takes into account our enhanced safety protocols. You can organise your own insurance, or use a policy that you already have - but you will have to provide the policy number and emergency contact numbers to us. Also, you must be able to provide adequate evidence that the policy covers you for helicopter evacuation from a remote location.

17. What if my sponsors think my challenge is a holiday?

In order to take part in one of our charity challenges, the chances are that you will have committed yourself to months of fundraising and physical preparation. At times the challenge will certainly be uncomfortable and demanding but it will give you great personal rewards as well as benefiting your chosen charity immensely. Most challenges entail cycling or trekking for 6-8 hours a day. We always endeavour to provide an unexpected level of service and backup but the challenges are by no means full of luxury hotels and easy strolls along the beach.

18. How much money do I need to raise?

If you are taking part in a charity challenge event the charity will advise on the amount of sponsorship you need to raise - generally approximately £2,500. If you are on one of our open events, then the amount that you will need to raise depends on the destination.

19. How much of the money that I raise will go to the charity?

No less than 50%. As with any sort of charity fundraising event there are some costs that have to be outlaid. As the challenge organiser we pass on the costs of the airline tickets and ground costs to the charity. It is then up to the charity to set the minimum fundraising target which covers these costs and gives the charity a reasonable return. Some of the monies that are paid as a deposit will go towards these costs.

20. Can I extend my trip after the challenge?

Yes, we canput you in contact with our local team to make arrangements. The cost of extending a flight is approx £35 per person and is strictly subject to availability and the airline's terms and conditions.

22. Still undecided?

Our charity challenges are great fun, you will meet brilliant people, travel in fantastic places, do amazing challenges and in the process raise much needed funds for charity... so what are you waiting for? Call us on 01460 30456 or email us here to get more information.