Marie Curie trekkers

Who can take part?You must be 18 years old or over to take part. The group size will be around 30-35 with people of all ages from all backgrounds. Most will be on their own, but some will go with friends, partners or relatives.

How fit do I have to be?This is a strenuous challenge and you will need to train to succeed. All our challenges are designed to suit people who are fit and have trained to take part – the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the adventure.

Will I need specialist kit?We will send you a recommended packing list in your welcome pack which will detail any specialist equipment you may need.

What is not included in the package?• Registration fee• Recommended vaccinations• Tips and gratuities• Travel insurance• Personal spending money

What food and drink will there be?All meals are provided on the challenge and will include lots of carbohydrates, such as pasta and potatoes, along with cereals, bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs, plus some meat. There will be vegetarian options at every meal. Feel free to bring a few of your favourite snacks too. Please let us know in advance of any special dietary requirements.

What about vaccinations?Typhoid, diphtheria, hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccinations are advisable and tetanus should be up to date. We recommend you seek professional medical advice from your GP regarding travel vaccines.

How will I be supported?Beforehand: You will be sent a fundraising pack with great tips on how to meet your sponsorship target. We will be in touch regularly and will organise a briefing day where you’ll meet other participants and hear more about the challenge.

During the trip: Your group will be accompanied by a qualified medic and trek leader, as well as a Marie Curie Cancer Care representative. Local guides will escort the group along the route. Your luggage is transported by vehicle to each night’s accommodation.

Can I cover the cost of the trip myself?We ask you to raise a minimum of £2,800. A minimum of £1,650* will go directly to Marie Curie Cancer Care, as well as anything you raise over the minimum sponsorship. If you would like to pay for the trip yourself please contact us on 0845 052 4184 for further information.

What will the weather be like?Daytime temperatures are pleasant at around 18-21°C, with much cooler night-time temperatures. Weather in mountainous regions is always unpredictable, so it is best to be prepared for all weather conditions while out trekking.

What’s the accommodation like?We stay in a mixture of village guesthouses and comfortable hotels. All rooms are allocated on a twin/triple sharing basis.

Passports and visasParticipants should have at least six months’ validity on their passports from the date of return to the UK. No visas are required for British passport holders; other nationalities are advised to check with their embassies or consulates.

Can I extend my stay?Anyone wanting to stay on after the trek can arrange to do so through Action Challenge at a cost and subject to availability.

Do overseas challenges damage the environment?Marie Curie Cancer Care is committed to responsible tourism. This challenge is organised by our tour operator, Action Challenge, which will provide guidelines on responsible tourism. They offer a carbon offset scheme for anyone who wishes to offset their flights.

Frequently

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6296

TrekTransylvania

for the Marie Curie

Hospice, Belfast

5-12 September 2015

Register online now at

mariecurie.org.uk/transylvania

or call 028 9088 2046.

MarieCurieUK @mariecurieuk

Transylvania

Itinerary

There are lots of ways to register for the Transylvania Trek for the Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast.

• Online at: mariecurie.org.uk/transylvania

• Fill in the registration form and post to: Trek Transylvania for the Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast Overseas challenges Marie Curie Cancer Care PO BOX 23897 14 Links Place Edinburgh EH6 9AB

• Email: lesley.wright@mariecurie.org.uk

• or call Lesley Wright Fundraising Manager on 028 9088 2046

Register now

Dracula theme night

What’sincluded

Essential

information

Transylvania • £100 registration fee (non-refundable)

• £2,800 minimum sponsorship

• Eight-day trip with five days trekking

• Grading: Challenging

• Airport transfer from Belfast by coach

• Return flights from Dublin to Bucharest

• Trek leader

• Doctor

• Luggage transfers while trekking

• All meals while trekking

Day 1 Depart Belfast to BucharestWe transfer by coach from Belfast to Dublin where we catch our morning flight to Bucharest in Romania. On arrival, we meet our team and transfer to the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town of Sibiu where we stay the night. On the way we visit the Poienari Castle, the only castle that Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Count Dracula, built himself. From here we continue through the Olt valley to the Balea glacier lake. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner including some Transylvanian specialities.

Day 2 Sibiu – 14km trekkingAfter breakfast we have a special visit to the cathedral where Vlad the Impaler’s son was murdered and then the old centre of Sibiu with its Cibin vegetable and cheese market. From here we transfer to the start of our trek among the shepherd villages where life has not changed in centuries. Tonight there will be a dinner with a medieval show.

Day 3 Malancrav – 15km trekking This morning we make our way through the Harbach valley to Biertan. Our trek takes us to Copsa Mare and, after a picnic between the walls of the fortified church, we move on to Malancrav village passing traditional Saxon villages along the way. In Malancrav we stay in local guesthouses as the guests of the Mihai Eminescu Trust. Tonight our dinner will be at the restored Apafi Manor.

Day 4Sighisoara – 18km trekking Our challenge today starts from the Breite Ancient Oak Reserve, from where we trek to Sighisoara. We visit the old citadel, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and has one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Transylvania. Here we listen to the stories of the family of Vlad the Impaler and have dinner in the Vlad Dracula house, where his last remaining image is painted as a fresco on the walls. We stay here in Sighisoara overnight.

Day 5 The Carpathian Mountains – 15km trekking Today we are in the Piatra Craiului National Park of the Carpathian Mountains. We enjoy another good day of trekking with breathtaking views and in the evening we transfer to Rasnov where, with the backdrop of a film festival on the citadel walls, we take our evening meal.

Day 6 Dracula’s Castle at Bran – 15km trekkingToday we are pushed a little harder for the final day of the challenge. Between Poiana Brasov and Bran we find the Bucegi Mountains. After ascending the steep slopes, we’re rewarded with incredible views before our final descent into the medieval village of Bran. This evening we have Dracula’s Castle all to ourselves where we enjoy a private dinner, a truly exclusive opportunity. Dracula capes, fangs and fake blood are not compulsory but they are welcome!

Day 7 BucharestWe transfer to Bucharest and enjoy a free day in this incredible city.

Day 8 DepartureAfter a good breakfast we transfer to the airport and make our way back to Belfast.

Transylvania

This Transylvanian challenge is a great opportunity to explore one of the hidden corners of Europe. You’ll discover Saxon villages, medieval castles, the Carpathian and Fagaras mountains and, of course, the history and legend surrounding Count Dracula. It’s both a physical and cultural challenge that will bring Transylvania to life.

Everyone should experience a Marie Curie trek, a lifetime of memories and amazing friends have been made all while supporting our Marie Curie Hospice.

Arlene Cooper, Marie Curie Hospice trekker

Itinerary subject to change.

Challenge yourself and raise vital funds for your local Marie Curie Hospice, BelfastTrekking for your local Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast will help us continue providing care and quality of life for people with cancer and other illnesses, and support for their families, completely free.

Last year our dedicated doctors and nurses cared for more than 480 patients at a cost of over£4 million. This care would not be possible without the support of our trekkers.

• £235 would pay for attendance at a Day Therapy unit for one day in a Marie Curie Hospice.

• £515 pays for the cost of caring for an in-patient in a Marie Curie Hospice for a day.

• £1,250 would buy a portable oxygen system that will relieve distressing symptoms wherever the patient happens to be, so not confining them to bed.

• £4,160 covers the cost of running all Marie Curie Cancer Care’s hospices for one hour.

Where your

money goes

A Marie Curie Nurse

caring for a Hospice patient