Cycle Nepal
Registration Pack
Thank you for joining the challenge!
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
Are you ready for a challenge in 2018? Thank you for your interest in being part of EMMS International’s Cycle Nepal 2018 challenge and supporting our health care work in Nepal. In this registration pack we hope to answer all your early questions and to inspire you to take on the challenge of a lifetime! In 2014, we led our first challenge to Nepal and ever since we’ve been looking forward to returning to this beautiful and fascinating country.
Challenge highlights •
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Discover the historic Kathmandu Valley with its temples, shrines & stupas Explore Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and experience an elephant safari Cycle past the dramatic snowcapped peaks of the Himalayas Finish in Pokhara, located in a magnificent valley of lakes and mountains Visit an international health care project in Pokhara and see our work in action
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
What to expect Join EMMS International in 2018 on this breath-taking cycle challenge and help us raise funds for palliative care projects in Nepal! Our 350km cycle will take you on a journey from the bustling city and ancient temples of Kathmandu to the charming lakeside town of Pokhara. “Thanks to your generosity I raised £4500 for a Maternal and Childcare project in the Dang District, where currently more than 60% of mothers do not have access to the help needed during Childbirth. It was great to be welcomed at the Green Pastures hospital in Pokhara and hear about the project, despite being “knackered”.
Interested? The cycle will take place on 16 – 25 November 2018, led by expert tour guides, Classic Challenge. It is a great opportunity to physically challenge yourself (350 km isn’t a walk in the park, so you’ll have to be physically fit!), to meet lots of new people and to share an experience that you’ll never forget.
We ask everyone to set themselves the target of raising £2950. To help you along the way, we have included a few ideas to get started off, but we will of course be there to support you in your fundraising every step of the way with fundraising ideas, guidance and resources. We hope that you will be able to take part in this great fundraising event. If you continue reading you can find out more about the Bike Ride itself, what we do as a charity and how your support can help us make a huge difference in Nepal.
“I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to cycle in beautiful Nepal, raised funds for this program, and met some new amazing friends from Scotland, Ireland, and England.”
Get in touch If you have any questions, please contact Louise Macleod at louise.macleod@emms.org or call us on 0131 313 3828.
Don’t miss out on the early bird registration fee offer available until 31 January 2018!
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
The itinerary Day 1 London – Kathmandu Depart UK on overnight flight.
Day 2 Kathmandu We arrive in Kathmandu and check into our hotel for a rest followed by a bike fitting. We meet our local team and are briefed on the challenge. Overnight: Hotel
Day 3 Kathmandu - Bhaktapur – Swayambhunath – Kathmandu (47km approx.) We set off early out of Kathmandu city for 7km and into the Kathmandu Valley towards Bhaktapur. Today is a circular route bringing us back to Kathmandu. We head towards the temple of Changu Narayan. Located at the top of a long ridge with mountain views, this temple is the oldest Vishnu temple in the Kathmandu Valley & believed to date back to the 4th Century. We walk up to the temple. After the visit it is mostly downhill to Bhaktapur, an ancient town known for its historic temples and courtyards as well as pottery and other traditional handicrafts. From Bhaktapur we head back to Kathmandu – an easy cycle but on busy roads. Overnight: Hotel
Day 4 Kathmandu – Markhu (52km approx.) We set off on the main highway through the suburbs of Kathmandu and head south towards the village of Pharping. This is a mountain day with 2 passes to climb and terrain is mainly stony off-road. The first is the toughest, the road starts to climb immediately as we pass temples and small villages. This is hard work but definitely worth it for the fantastic mountain views over the Kathmandu valley. The route becomes more rural as we climb to 1570m. From the summit there are amazing views and on a clear day we can see as far as the Annapurna mountain range. We finish the day at our lakeside camp in Markhu. Today will be one of the most challenging days as there are some very steep hills to climb, mostly on stony off-road terrain. Overnight: Camp
Day 5 Markhu – Hetauda (80km approx.) The hardest day is today as we tackle the long and steep climb to the pass, this is on tarmac road. We are rewarded in the afternoon though with a long 50km downhill stretch. We start with off-road climbing for 13km before we reach the quiet tarmac road. From here it is almost continuous uphill to the small village of Simbhanjang Pass, the highest point of this trip at 2435m. We enjoy a well-deserved lunch at the pass before a very welcome downhill nearly all the way to the town of Hetauda passing through small rural villages en route. Overnight: Hotel
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
Day 6 Hetauda - Royal Chitwan National Park – Sauraha (73km approx.) After yesterday’s challenges, we relish an easier cycling day at lower altitudes and on a flatter route. We follow a river along a flat valley through farming land until we reach the Royal Chitwan National Park. We arrive at the Park by lunchtime after a fast ride and enjoy lunch at the lodge. This afternoon will be free to rest and enjoy the beautiful sunset over the river. We stay at a lodge near the park. Overnight: Lodge
Day 7 Mugling – Marckichok – Bandipur (22km approx.)
This morning starts with an elephant safari in the park. The park is a natural habitat for tigers, rhinoceros, leopards and wild bears. We return to the lodge for breakfast and then transfer 2-3 hours to avoid the busy main road to Markichok. We cycle 10km along the main road to Pokhara where the roads are more suitable for cycling. Small local roads take us on a very steep uphill for 8km to reach the stunning mountain village of Bandipur. After an amazing sense of achievement from the climb, we will have time to explore the village before we continue to our overnight lodge accommodation. Overnight: Lodge
Day 8 Bandipur – Pokhara (77km approx.) We start with a descent before joining the main road with some long uphill sections. The road heads over the River Seti and continues all the way to Pokhara with some uphill in stretches. The scenery becomes more and more impressive as we near the end of the ride and it is possible to see most of the mid-western Himalaya. Pokhara is situated in the valley in the shadow of the Annapurna Mountains and on the shore of the Phewa Lake. It is the country’s most popular tourist destination after Kathmandu. Overnight: Hotel
Day 9 Pokhara – Kathmandu Today you will have the chance to visit Green Pastures Hospital to see the work of the International Nepal Fellowship (INF) and EMMS International. We will take an internal flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu (1 hour approx). Tonight we enjoy a celebratory meal. Overnight Kathmandu. Overnight: Hotel
Day 10 Flight Kathmandu – London Depending on flight times we may arrive in the UK the next day.
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
Nepal EMMS International has been delivering healthcare to some of the world’s poorest communities since 1841. Our vision is a just world in which all people have access to good quality healthcare. Our partners in Nepal, India and Malawi, who are medical professionals based in the communities we serve, know first-hand the needs, challenges and opportunities of their own communities. We work with partners who help to deliver programmes for: • • • •
Maternal and child health Care for those with progressive, incurable diseases Fighting disease and disability Strengthening healthcare systems
• Population : 27.8 million • >80% of people live in remote and rural areas. • The majority of Nepalis work in agriculture, mostly smallholder farming. • Vulnerable to changes in climate with landslides common during monsoon season. Desperate poverty and massive mountains, and deep valleys mean people in Nepal’s remove and hard to reach areas have no local healthcare. What little there is will be at least a day’s bus ride away and too expensive for most families. In the poorest and most remote areas of Nepal, people with chronic illnesses like cancer and leprosy and people with spinal injuries are suffering in mind, body and spirit. Not only do they need medical are to deal with the physical effects of their illness, they also need comfort and spiritual care to live each day with fullness and dignity. Getting the right care stops families being pushed further into poverty. Travel to hospital, the search for non-existent cures, and family members taken from work to act as carers, all add to the financial burden of ill - health. How you can help
-£17.50 helps a nurse like Manju visit vulnerable and isolated patients -£1750 pays for a nurse like Manju’s salary for 5 months
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
Cycle Factfile Raising Sponsorship Money Once you register we will send you an information pack full of training help and fundraising ideas. Once you set your mind to it, it’s amazing what you can achieve, both physically and in your fundraising!
Who can take part? Anyone over 18 years old is welcome as long as you are fit and healthy enough to do the challenge.
Fitness Worried that you don’t have the pedal power? Don’t worry! The event is aimed at people of average fitness, so just as long as you’re prepared to put in plenty of training to help meet the challenge. We will send you training guidelines to help you on your way.
Kit You will get your bike in Nepal, but you will need a cycle helmet. We will send you a full kit list when you register.
Support on the event Experienced staff (tour manager, guides, mechanics and doctor) from Classic Tours will be there to provide help and encouragement whenever you need it, and we’ll be there supporting you every step (or push!) of the way too.
Accommodation One night will be camping but the rest of the trip we will stay in hotels. Hotels throughout are of a suitable standard, however, couples should note it is not always possible to share.
Food & Drink The food will be wholesome, tasty and plentiful. There will be snacks and water available whilst cycling.
Weather Temperatures will be in the region 15 - 27ºC. Evenings are cool and there is a chance of rain.
Health Hepatitis A, Polio, Typhoid, and Tetanus inoculations are suggested. Malaria prophylactics should be taken. Please consult your GP for professional medical advice.
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
Visa & Travel Insurance A visa is required for British citizens. The cost is £20 (currently) and advice on how to apply for it will be given. If you are a non-British citizen please contact Classic Tours for advice. You must be insured to take part - either through a company of your choice or the Classic Tours recommended policy. You will need to provide proof of your insurance 8 weeks prior to the challenge.
Staying On It is possible to stay on in Nepal after the challenge, subject to availability. Please contact us for more information.
What is provided? Return flights from London to Nepal, accommodation, transfers, full medical support, experienced guides, support staff, bikes, water and all meals except lunch on day 9.
Other costs to budget for We do not include airport taxes and any fuel surcharges set by the airline in the tour cost because these fluctuate and are beyond our control. We will invoice you for this cost at the point when your tour cost is due (8 weeks before our departure date). Currently these are about £360 but are subject to change. In addition you will need to budget for personal travel insurance, any optional tours, gratuities and spending money.
Responsible Tourism Our tour guides are Classic Tours, they operate a responsible tourism policy and you can off set your carbon emissions on their website www.classicchallenge.co.uk
Kick start your fundraising! Each rider in Cycle Nepal 2018 is committed to raise at least £2,950 in sponsorship to support EMMS International’s objective of improving healthcare in Nepal. We recognise that for some, this is a fairly challenging goal, but we are confident that this is a target you can reach and even exceed. Here are some suggestions to get you started!
Be enthusiastic! People are far more likely to respond to an enthusiastic appeal for help, and your enthusiasm will encourage your sponsors to be generous in their support of all your effort.
Fundraising events It is likely that a large proportion of your sponsorship will come from sponsorship donations. However fundraising events are a fantastic way of augmenting your sponsorship total and raising the profile of what you are undertaking and the charity- or better still, get someone else to organise these for you!
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
Here are some of our favourite ideas! - A quiz night - A concert in your school/local community centre - A ceilidh /club night /band night - A bag packing day at supermarkets - A car boot sale - A jumble sale or book sale
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402
How to Register Register online at www.emms.org/cyclenepal or by filling out the registration form and medical form available from events@emms.org and returning them to us. Once registered we will send you an Information Pack with lots of helpful advice on raising sponsorship, training and health, as well as what to take. We will also send you regular newsletters to encourage you with training and fundraising. Please also enclose: Your registration fee of £199 (£149 if before 31st January 2018) to EMMS International. (This fee is non-refundable). You can pay this by: Cheque to EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh, EH11 2HA By credit or debit card by calling 0131 313 3182 Thanks very much for considering taking part in EMMS International’s Cycle Nepal 2018. If you have any questions get in touch on 0131 313 3828 or email Louise Macleod at louise.macleod@emms.org. We will be happy to help with more information and encouragement.
EMMS International, 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 E: info@emms.org W: www.emms.org/cyclenepal Scottish Charity No. SC 032327. Registered in Scotland No. SC224402