Every journey in life begins with a reason and a first step.

Adventure challenges are often inspired by the excitement of doing something different, or the opportunity to fundraise for a good cause. But, it’s not just about reaching the finish line at the end of your cycle or trek. Often participants also tell us how they also developed their own personal journey, making memories along the way with a sense of real accomplishment that can only be done by pushing their limits.

Picture yourself in Northern India on the Dalai Lama Trek.  It’s the middle of October, and you’ve just climbed through pine forests to reach your camp for the night. You’ve pushed yourself. You now take in the view of snow-capped mountain peaks and breathe in the freshest of air. Soon it’s time to join your new friends and enjoy dinner under the stars. You smile inwardly, a smile so real that you can’t help glowing and you know every step was worth it.

One of the most common questions we get asked is ‘How fit do I need to be to complete a trek or cycle?’

Your Dream Challenge needs to suit your fitness level and the first thing to decide is whether you want to cycle or trek. Throughout the website we have scored all the challenges taking into account the distance covered, elevation gain, maximum altitude, environment and terrain. The higher the score, the more challenging they are.

If you are new to cycling, then a great starting point is Cycle the Islands of Greece. This nine-day journey is taken at a leisurely pace to make it as breathtakingly beautiful as it is manageable, with quaint villages to take in and picturesque coastlines not to be too challenging, with a rest day between each cycle day, rating it a 2 out of 5 on our challenging scale.

Trek the Maasai Mara in Kenya is also rated a 2 out of 5 on our challenge scale. While the views and cultural experiences are extraordinary, the trek itself is more accessible, making it a great choice for beginners or those wanting to enjoy a more relaxed adventure.

For something a bit more challenging, there’s Cycle Laos. You’ll get a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5 for general terrain and be taken past breathtaking mountain vistas and riverside villages. This is the perfect mix of challenge and exploration.

And if you’re ready to really push your limits, the Cycle Niagara Falls to New York adventure is rated as a 5 out of 5 on our challenge scale. At over 500kms, it’s a long route that covers big distances following the Hudson River south into New York City. It will be a challenge, even for an experienced biker, but well worth the reward it yields. Just imagine yourself standing right at the foot of Niagara Falls, and 12 days later, looking down from a skyscraper in the Big Apple, knowing you’ve conquered 90-100kms a day, every day. What an achievement, what a memory, and what a Dream Challenge!

Once you have chosen your Dream Challenge, the next step is to get physically prepared. And so, whether you’ve decided to pedal your way in Vietnam to Cambodia or trek across Kenya’s Maasai Mara, preparing with some physical training will help to make every step and revolution of your journey is enjoyable.

Cycling Challenges

The best way to approach any bike tour, such as the Cycle Laos or Cycle Niagara Falls to New York, is to build up endurance-but not overdo it. With regular training, your stamina will improve to help you make full use of those long days in the saddle. Start by taking short and flat rides and gradually develop the distance and difficulty as you get fitter. Incorporate some hills into your training rides to be more prepared for the climbs that you will do on your tour.

Building the strength in your legs and core is important, too. Pedalling through breathtaking landscapes-like the mountains of Laos or river valleys in Cambodia-you’ll be very glad you have that extra oomph from training. Have a look at our Top Cycling Tips for more advice on how to get cycle-fit and stay injury-free.

Trekking Challenges

Depending on the type of trek-whether you’ve chosen the Dalai Lama Trek in Northern India or going to Trek the Maasai Mara-your training should focus more on stamina and the ability to walk on varied terrain. This could be anything from forest trails to open plains, so your training needs to reflect that. Gradually increase hikes in length and elevation to build leg strength and endurance for enjoying your trek.

Comfort is a must! You aren’t going for a walk to the shops in your trainers. Good hiking boots are essential, and make sure that you’ve broken them in before you leave, and made them as comfy as possible. More than any other challenge, trekking isn’t just about the incredible destination and sights, it’s about the journey too, be it via India’s rugged mountain passes, Kenya’s wildlife-laden expanses, or wherever your travels take you.

Check out our Top Trekking Tips to give you more guidance on how to prepare for your adventure, and what to pack to suggesting ways you might remain comfortable on the road. And for any more information, our team of experts will always be able to help.

The most rewarding thing in a Dream Challenge is not just the adventure in itself but also the connections you make along the way.

From the time of reserving your space, you become part of a community of supportive, like-minded adventurers sharing your excitement and determination. Whether you’ll be Cycling through Laos, trekking Japan from Kyoto to Tokyo or tackling the Dalai Lama Trek – what differentiates that intensity is that you’re sharing it with people; from your fellow participants to our local guides and Dream Challenge tour leaders who are just as passionate about the journey as you are.

That camaraderie is what makes each Dream Challenge special. You’ll be out there with people from walks of life, bound together in a common quest that often continues well after the adventure ends and you’ve returned home. With Dream Challenges, you’ll be supported along the way, through difficult climbs, joining in the celebrations of the victories. And if you’re fundraising, there’s an even deeper connection knowing you’re part of something bigger, and something that truly makes a difference to other people’s lives.

Long before the challenge actually starts, many of our participants join WhatsApp groups and share tips, encouragement, and excitement. Very often this is a community that is still active even long after the challenge is completed, reminiscing about past adventures and planning new ones together!

In Part 2 of our “Ultimate Guide to Preparing for Your First Dream Challenge,” we will go into packing tips, tips on mental preparation, and general advice regarding how to make the most of your time before, during, and after the challenge. Watch out for it!