Before you pack everything but the kitchen sink, remember this is an adventurous and challenging expedition - not a five star luxury cruise. Pitted against the elements, you'll soon regret bringing a bursting suitcase of evening attire. To help you decide what to take and what to leave, we've compiled a specifically tailored kit list for each itinerary. You will receive this once you register, and can also find it on each itinerary on this webiste.
We provide bikes, canoes, tents and other essential group equipment (where applicable), but ask that you bring sturdy hiking boots for trekking or a helmet and gloves for cycling. You can rent much of the expensive equipment (rucksac, sleeping bags, etc) through Trek Hire UK, but as a Charity Challenge participant you will also receive discount vouchers on kit purchased from Field and Trek, one of the UK's leading retailers of specialist outdoor clothing and equipment. Their experienced sales staff will advise you on exactly what you'll need. Field & Trek also offer an advanced footwear fitting service in their stores which is backed with their Footwear Fit Guarantee, so for peace of mind when looking for boots ensure you take a trip to one of their stores. If you cannot get to one of their 13 stores, check out www.fieldandtrek.com or call 01268 49 44 44 for a free copy of their mail order catalogue. Quote reference CC03 when requesting a brochure.
Passports and Visas
You must hold a full ten-year passport, valid for at least six months from the end of your Charity Challenge expedition and with one blank page for the visa and any entry and exit stamps. Allow at least six weeks for new passport applications or renewals. We will send you any necessary visa application forms and will advise you of the costs involved.
If you have any questions, or need help obtaining your visa or renewing your passport, we recommend you contact Zierer Visa Service (ZVS) on 020 7833 2700 or visit www.visaservice.co.uk. For ZVS' special rate, just mention Charity Challenge.
Click to download relevant Visa Application Form
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Tanzania
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Nepal
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India
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Ethiopia
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Russia
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China
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Mongolia
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British Passport Renewal Fees
Please note the following prices will apply for any applications made on or after 21 November 2002.
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TYPE
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PREMIUM
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FAST
TRACK
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STANDARD
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(SAME
DAY)
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(6
DAY)
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(11 DAY)
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ADULT
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£78.00
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£63.00
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£48.00
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CHILD
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£64.00
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£49.00
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£34.00
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CHANGE
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£67.50
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£52.50
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£37.50
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EXTENSION
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£45.00
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£30.00
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£15.00
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JUMBO
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£85.00
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£70.00
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£55.00
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Vaccinations
The vaccinations listed in the table below (correct as at 01 June 2002) are briefly outlined here:
Diphtheria - a close contact disease generally spread through inhalation. Combined with tetanus vaccine. Hepatitis A - predominantly a disease of poor sanitation. Spread through food and water. Hepatitis B - spread through blood-to-blood contact, or often through sex. Strongly advised for any "high risk" traveller, even for short periods. Malaria - transmitted by bite of infected mosquitoes. Different areas have different types of malaria so different drugs are recommended for prevention. Seek specialist advice. Meningitis - generally a disease of close contact with locals, usually spread through airborne particles. Polio - spread through contaminated food and water. Potentially fatal in adults. Rabies - transmitted by bite, scratch or lick of infected animal. Requires immediate hospital attention. Tetanus - spread through bacteria that live in soil throughout the world, it is transmitted by contamination of deep wounds. Typhoid - a disease of poor sanitation spread through food and water. Yellow Fever - transmitted by infected mosquito bites. Countries that may not have the disease but have the mosquitoes that transmit the disease will need proof by certificate of vaccination that you will not carry the disease into their country.
For further information on vaccinations, please speak to Nomad Travellers Stores' Health Line on 09068 633 414 (Calls @ 60p per minute - UK callers only - office hours only).
Water
Although we provide clean drinking water during your expedition, you may want to bring extra purification methods. We strongly recommend the Aqua Pure Traveller Water Purification System. An easy-to-carry, convenient bottle, it ensures you have safe, pure water wherever you go. The outer iodine sleeve kills all waterborne viruses and bacteria, such as Ecoli, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A and Polio. Officially endorsed by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, the Aqua Pure Traveller is a partner of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Know Before You Go campaign (advice for British nationals on safe overseas travel). For more information, please contact Aqua Pure on 08705 820 000 and mention Charity Challenge.
