www.actionchallenge.com

Introduction

trip highlights● Enjoy a 10 day all inclusive group challenge● Visit the Open Arms Infant Home● Explore Lake Malawi’s stunning beaches● Chance for a safari through Liwonde National Park● Take on a dramatic ascent up Zomba Plateau● Cycle past isolated villages and stunning views● Celebratory meal in Blantyre

● Activity: Cycling and Project Visit● Location: Lilongwe - Blantyre● Duration: 10 Days / 5 days cycling● Difficulty: Tough● Distance: 425 km● Group size: 15+ people

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.

An exhilarating ten day adventure through some of Africa’s most beautiful terrain.

Take in breath-taking views as you cycle down the Dedza escarpment towards Lake Malawi, where we celebrate ourarrival at the children’s home with a lakeside BBQ on the beach. Visiting Open Arms Mangochi, you will see first handthe work that you are helping to fund and meet some of the children that are benefiting from your challenge.  From therewe journey into Liwonde National Park, with the chance of a safari before taking on the magnificent Zomba plateau.Together we finish in Blantyre, and celebrate completing the challenge of a lifetime with a well-deserved dinner andparty.

This is your chance to do something amazing- make new friends, share a magnificent experience and raise money forthe children of Open Arms.

Open Arms MalawiCycle Challenge

September is one of the best times to visitMalawi. It will be pleasantly warm and drydown by Lake Malawi, with coolerevenings. This is also the best time toview game in Liwonde National Park,before the rainy season makes someroads impassable.

• Insurance • Tourist Visa • Vaccinations • Tips for local staff • Bike helmets

This fully-inclusive Open Arms adventure to Malawi will begin as soon as you register!You will receive a challenge pack including a training guide, kit list, fundraising pack anddiscounts for all the essentials you may need. Though this information pack will have allthe information you need to start preparing for your challenge, there will also be apre-challenge briefing to give you the opportunity to talk to an experienced challengeleader, ask any questions you may have, and meet some of your fellow team mates. Onthe day of departure you will meet the group and Action Challenge leader at the airportin London. Whether you’re joining the challenge on your own or with others, you willinstantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Lilongwe, readyto take on Malawi and the cycling adventure of a lifetime!

preparing for the challenge

brief itineraryDay 1Day 2Day 3Day 4Day 5

Depart LondonLilongweMua Mission (cycling)Open Arms Infant Home (cycling)Open Arms Infant Home

what’s included

9th - 18th September 2016

Fundraising Target of £3000Initial £250 deposit to sign up

· International and domestic flights· Action Challenge cycle guide· Full support team, including local guides· UK medic· High quality touring bike hire· All accommodation· All meals, except in free time· Airline taxes· Treated drinking water· All transfers in local vehicles· National Park entrance fees· Celebration dinner· Invitation to a challenge briefing in London· 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 cycle has been classed as ‘tough’ asthere will be some long distance cyclingdays, with the longest day being 105 km.However as the terrain is mostly tarmac,the cycle would suit anyone who enjoyscycling and wants to take it to the nextlevel with some pre-trip training.

Day 6Day 7Day 8Day 9Day 10

Liwonde National Park (cycling)Zomba (cycling)Blantyre (cycling)Free Morning/Depart MalawiArrive in London

Open Arms MalawiCycle Challenge

itinerary

DAY 2 - Lilongwe Malawi

We arrive in Lilongwe where we are met by our guides and transferred 2½hrs to ouraccommodation in the forest town of Dedza surrounded by hills. This area has beendeclared a UNESCO Heritage site because of its rock art and if there is time thisafternoon we may be able to see some. Later we have a bike fitting before our welcomedinner and briefing.

Meals: D Accom: Hotel or Lodge

DAY 1 - Depart London

DAY 3 - Mua Mission (Kungoni)

We start early this morning on a mixture of real African roads with a hard climb out ofDedza through mountain valleys and past the World Heritage rock paintings and thenending up with a steep downhill as we head down the Dedza escarpment with itshairpin bends to the town of Mua Mission. Mua Mission is situated in the hills aboveLake Malawi and is famous for its wood carvings. Time permitting on arrival there willbe time to explore the Kungoni Centre of Culture & Art. It provides a fascinating insightinto the history and culture of Malawi.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Open Arms Grounds Distance: 70 km

DAY 4 - Open Arms Infant Home Mangochi

Today will be long but made easier by the good flat, tarred road that takes us to theMangochi lakeshore. This scenic ride passes baobab trees, small villages and plenty ofsmall scale farms to the southernmost end of the Lake. The splendid sandy beacheshere are uncrowded and tonight after a delicious barbecue we camp in the grounds ofthe Open Arms Cottage.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Camping Distance: 105 km

If you decide that you would like to haveyour own room on the challenge, we canaccommodate this in the majority ofplaces, although please note there will bean additional fee.

Please email us for more information

Breakfast each morning will be at ouraccomodation whilst lunches will be enroute. All dinners will be prepared at theaccomodation or a local restaurant, ex-cept in free time.

As the challenge is taking place in areasthat are not frequently visited by tourists,these meals are likely to be basic butnutritious.

Please note, we do our best to accommo-date dietary requirements when notified inadvance.

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 withsomeone you are travelling with, pleasespecify this on your registration form.

• Three nights in basic but comfortable lodges • Two nights camping • Two nights in hotels

Today we have the whole day at the Open Arms Infant Home to understand better theincredible work they do here and how our fundraising is able to help the people of Malawi.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Camping

DAY 5 - Open Arms Infant Home Mangochi

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

Open Arms MalawiCycle Challenge

A detailed kit list will be sent to you onreceipt of registration, so you knowexactly what you need.

DAY 7 - Zomba

There will be an optional dawn walking safari this morning before coming back to campfor breakfast. We then start back along the dirt roads to Liwonde, from where thecycling day becomes tough with long uphills, making our way up from the lower Shireplains up to the Zomba plateau. The town is in a beautiful setting below the Zombaplateau and is just 65km north-east of Blantyre. It was the former capital, first settlementof the colonial administration and still has the old Gymkhana Club, the barracks of whatwere the King’s African Rifles, the old parliament, as well as being home to theUniversity of Malawi.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 85 km

DAY 8 - Blantyre

Today marks the last day of cycling as we head to Blantyre. This relatively shortdistance over flat tarmac will take us all the way to cross "the finish line" just beforereaching Limbe. We then transfer into town to our centrally located accommodation,surrounded by ample gardens with an amazing view. Here we have some time to relaxbefore we celebrate the success of our challenge with a great dinner and someappropriate partying.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 65 km

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

DAY 9 - Depart Malawi

The morning is spent at leisure before our transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Meals: B

DAY 10 - Arrive UK

Open Arms MalawiCycle Challenge

DAY 6 - Liwonde National Park

This is an early morning start as we head further south, down the lakeshore road,through Mangochi, one of the largest lakeshore towns, and alongside the Shire river tothe Liwonde National Park. This is about 100km of flat, easy riding along roads withmore local traffic. Depending on the condition of the park's road, we continue toLiwonde, cross the Shire river and cycle through villages until we reach the parkentrance. Here we enter the park and transfer to the Mvuu Campsite.

Meals: B,L,D Accom: Mvuu Campsite Distance: 100 km

If you would like to organise your ownflights and meet the group in-country,then you just need to let us know.

Contact us for more information