Many of our trips are at high altitude (Peru, Kilimanjaro) and those going on those trips need to be aware of the symptons of altitude sickness.  Anyone anyone can get altitude sickness whilst at altitude no matter of your age, level of fitness or gender.

However, there is little doubt that AMS is 100% preventable. There are 4 golden rules for preventing altitude sickness, which you should bear in mind on your trek:

1 / Understand and recognise the symptoms of AMS – if you feel unwell at altitude it is AMS until proven otherwise.

2 / Never ascend with obvious symptoms of AMS - AMS will NOT go away if you continue to ascend.  These are: shortness of breath on exertion; changed breathing pattern at night; frequent waking at night; and increased urination.

3 / Descend if symptoms get worse – you should descend IMMEDIATELY if your symptoms worsen.

4 / Look out for one another – and be willing to admit that you have got altitude sickness. This rule gets broken with unfailing regularity because people are just too anxious to complete their trek.

Remember – AMS is dangerous and should not be ignored. Seek help immediately if you or any of your fellow trekkers experience any symptoms of AMS.

Read the full article here.

We recommend that you take out travel insurance.  To make the process simpler, we can sell you comprehensive cover through Campbell Irvine Insurance Brokers.

Yes, you will need to bring your own ROAD bike with you.

The more training you do prior to the event the less time it will take you to cycle between cities.  A person of average to good fitness can expect to be in the saddle for 4-5 hours a day

We normally have groups of around 50 people on our European cycling events.

Please let us know before the event if you have any special dietary requirements and we will do our best to cater for you on the event.  Vegetarians are easily accommodated but if you have more complex needs you should consider bringing suitable snacks to supplement your diet and ensure that your nutritional needs are met.

We stay in 2-3* hotels in towns/cities as outlined in the itinerary.  You will be staying in twin rooms with en-suite facilities.  If you prearrange to share a room with a friend please let us know.

There are lots of fundraising tips and advice on the charities websites here are just a few:

• Prince's Trust
• British Red Cross
• Just Giving tips

Plus one of our fundraisers has kindly jotted down a few ideas, read how serial ATD trekker  Moira Furmage raises funds.

Yes. Our ATOL number is 6475. ATOL is a financial protection scheme covering over 28 million UK consumers each year. Only ATOL tour operators can provide the peace of mind and full financial protection.

Yes, although most airlines limit the number of flight extensions to 10% of the group. Please note that there is a £75 flight extension fee. Once your flight extension is confirmed (subject to availability) we can then put you in contact with our local agent to make further arrangements.

You don't need to be super fit, but proper training and taking the challenge seriously will play a major part in how much enjoyment you derive from the challenge. You will receive a comprehensive training plan once you’ve registered. Our challenges are not races through, and it is our job to get everybody through the challenge.Your charity will ask you to complete a medical form when you sign up for a challenge. Having a pre-existing medical condition will not necessarily preclude you from any of our challenges but we do need to know about it so that the medic on the trip is aware. Failure to declare a pre-existing medical condition can invalidate your travel insurance. Rest assured that any information you give us will be treated in the very strictest confidence as we are data protected – registration number Z5698938 under the Data Protection Act 1998.

and no. As a minimum a well broken-in pair of boots, a good quality sleeping bag, full waterproofs and (in most cases) a sleeping mat are needed. Although it is essential that you come properly equipped for your challenge , you can always hire kit instead of buying it brand new. Across the Divide has arranged a special deal with Trek Hire UK so that you can hire kit at a reduced rate and we have also negotiated some great deals with suppliers such as Montane, Nomads, and Lonely Planet.If your challenge is a bike ride you will need to bring your own helmet, if your bike ride is in the UK or Europe you will need to bring your own bike. On all our dog sled challenges all technical equipment is provided by Across the Divide: insulated boots, arctic suit (an outer layer made up of insulated overalls) and outer arctic mittens are all provided.Please note that where kit is specified as compulsory (adventure races/bike helmets for cycle events) then if you do not have the right equipment you will be unable to take part in the challenge.Visit our shop

Yes, travel insurance is compulsory on all Across the Divide challenges.Across the Divide has a very competitively priced policy that has been designed especially for our own events. You can organise your own insurance but you will need to provide evidence that you are adequately covered for the event, including helicopter evacuation from a remote location.  See Insurace Policy.

Yes, we have been running these types of challenges since 1997. From trekking to dog sledding, from Patagonia to Hadrian’s Wall, we have pretty much covered them all. We have now passed the £43 million mark for money raised through our challenges for charity.

If you are on one of our Just Events, then the amount that you will need to raise depends on the destination.

No less than 50%, depending on the challenge. 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 flights and ground costs 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.

The minimum age limit for ATD overseas events is 18yrs.

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 all of our treks there is a support vehicle to assist with casualty evacuations. On our bike ride challenges we have a back-up vehicle.

 By signing up to one of our challenges, you are committing yourself to months of fundraising and training for the event. Most challenges entail cycling or trekking for 6-8 hours a day. At times the challenge will be uncomfortable and demanding but it will give you great personal rewards as well as benefiting your chosen charity immensely. We always endeavour to provide a high level of service and backup but the challenges are by no means full of luxury hotels and easy strolls along the beach.

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 an A list celebrity to a Dorset milkman. What everyone has in common is a desire to make a difference and to challenge themselves. Our youngest challenger was 18 and the oldest 81!

This does vary from challenge to challenge, but generally the following are included:

• flights
• transfers
• transfer of luggage
• shared accommodation
• all camping equipment, except camping mats and sleeping bags (with the exception of our dog sledding challenges)
• water whilst on the challenge
• food (full board unless otherwise stated)
• experienced Expedition Leader
• support team
• ground staff
• an English speaking doctor, the majority having been trained by Expedition & Wilderness Medicine
• Bikes, if applicable (please note cycling helmets are compulsory and not provided)

Again this does vary with each challenge but normally:

• vaccinations
• travel insurance
• tips to local staff
• local departure taxes
• visas
• personal expenses (drinks, souvenirs etc)

Please ensure that you check the specific details applicable to your booking

The food is always of excellent quality. It is usually prepared by the local team so we are able to enjoy a variety of local dishes. 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.

This varies a great deal from challenge to challenge. Generally when camping people are asked to share 2 - 3 man tents. Any hotels we use are warm and clean with a good level of basic service.

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 in advance.

All of our challenges are escorted by an Expedition Leader and a doctor, and there may be further staff members depending on the size of the group. All staff are invited to attend annual training and most of our doctors will have completed the Expedition and Wilderness Medicine 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.

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

Sorry no dogs. Goodwood Racecourse does not allow dogs, with the exception of working dogs for the blind and deaf.

Choose a charity that you care about; a cause that is close to you. There are many, many charities to choose from and all of them could do great things with the money you raise. Ask around if you are unsure, or go to our charities page for a few recommendations. Then, get in touch with your chosen charity and ask for a fundraising pack which will include sponsor forms. Send all of the money you have raised to the charity direct.

Examples: Serial walkers Sue & Margaret Fuller have raised funds for Parkinson’s over the last few years, as Sue’s husband suffers from the disease. Another serial walker Katie Bizzey walks for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, as Katie’s daughter Laura suffers from MDS.

We regret because of the terrain and location the walk is not accessible. There are also many stiles in the first few kms and the ground is very uneven and gets very muddy.

Just stunning! We have chosen this area for its outstanding natural beauty and spectacular views. The walk is along footpaths, tracks and lanes avoiding the worst of the mud and nettles and is somewhat undulating. Rest stations will be positioned at regular intervals along the route, allowing access to power stations, toilet facilities, marshals and medical support.

Once you have registered you will receive a full information pack containing a full kit list.

Participants enter on a first come first served basis. Although there is no cut off date, for health and safety reasons entries will close once the event limit is reached. We only accept cheques or online bookings.

The walk is open to anyone of any ability. As long as you’re up for the challenge and willing to raise your target sponsorship, then this is for you. Those under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult or guardian. Sorry no dogs allowed except for working dogs for the blind and deaf.

The route is clearly marked with high visibility arrows and distant markers all around the course. You will be provided with an emergency contact number so if you do go off course, then you can give the ATD team a call and we will help you get back onto route.

All your meals will be provided. Tea and coffee will be freely available at the start and at some rest stations, as well as plenty of water and snacks along the walk.