CHINA TREK INFORMATION DAY

THE TREK

• Stunning scenery

• UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Rural Culture

• Well of the beaten tourist track

• 5 days of trekking covering approximately 80km

ABOUT ACROSS THE DIVIDE

• 10 years of adventure challenges

• Safety

• Staff

• Your challenge

HOW IT WORKS IN COUNTRY

• Local agent and his local team

• Across the Divide Team

Expedition Leader

Expedition Doctor

TYPICAL DAY

• 6 – 6.30 wake up

• Breakfast at 7am

• Warm up 7.30

• Start Trek 8.00

• Lunch 12

• Back at camp 3 – 5pm

• Warm Down

• Free time

• Briefing 7pm

• Dinner 7.30

• Free time

TRAINING

Participants must train, be fit enough, and have the confidence to achieve the following:

Trekking both up and downhill, over rough terrain and steep steps.

Continued activity for up to eight hours a day.

• No need to be super human athletes but you do need to train

• The more you train the more you will enjoy the trek

• Build up your distances gradually

• Cross Train to prevent boredom and to keep yourself motivated

• Training on hills is essential

• Train with your backpack

• Train in the boots you will be using on the trek

• Learn how to prevent and treat blisters

• Avoid overtraining

GENERAL KIT

• Nomad, Trek Hire UK & Lonely Planet

• Thermarest

• Strong, well worn in walking boots

• Good quality hiking socks

• 3-4 season sleeping bag, and sleeping bag liner

• Wet wipes

• LED Head torch

• Walking poles

• Trekking clothes, lightweight, quick dry – wick material

• Warm clothes – woolly hat, fleeces, thermals, down jacket, gloves.

• Waterproof jacket and trousers, good quality, breathable

• Alcohol hand gel

• Platypus or Camel back and water purification (share)

• Personal first aid kit including plenty of blister treatment, sun cream and lip-salve

DEPARTURE DAY

• Meet three hours prior to departure

• Check in with ATD staff

• Lost baggage

VISAS

• Valid for three months from date of issue

• Apply for a Tourist 3 month single entry (4 day processing)

• Recommend CIBT online

• Fee £37.00

• Insurance and existing medical conditions

• Medical Forms

• Money

• Begging and Tipping

• Supplies for the schools

CHINA SPECIFICS

• Trekking un-restored parts of The Great Wall rarely seen by other tourists

• Experience rural life in China – passing through villages and farmland

• Meet local communities and school children

• Lots of steps!

• Lots of ascents and descents – must train for hilly terrain

• Learn about Chinese history and culture, chance to visit historic Chinese landmarks

• Combination of hotels and camping

• Camping is in two person dome tents

• Need to purify water with Iodine

• The Chinese monetary unit is the Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY) – known as Yuan or Qwi.

• Current exchange rate (Sept 2009) GBP £1 = 11.30 CNY

• EURO €1 – 9.90 CNY• Local time in China is GMT +8 hrs

• Health issues

• 4 nights hotels

• 3 nights camping

• 5 days trekking

INNOCULATIONS

• Hepatitis A

• Polio

• Tetanus

• Typhoid

FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

WEATHER

8 hours of sunlight a dayMin 7°c max 21°c [record Min -3°c max 36°c]4 wet days a month, 17mm average precipitation