Walk With Me Dalai Lama Trek India 2022

When can I go?

27 October - 7 November 2022	On Sale
Duration	12 days

27 October - 7 November 2022

On Sale

Duration

12 days

What does it cost?

Walk With Me Dalai Lama Trek India 2022

For a limited time only, we're introducing £1 registration fees for all Dream Challenges in 2022 and 2023 and up to 15% off your tour costs for early 2023 challenges!*

Trek for mental health charities on our life-changing spiritual journey in the Indian Himalayas, from Dharamsala to the Laka Got glacier (3,300m)!

Starting with a free day to discover Delhi, including the 17th Century Red Fort, we take an exciting sleeper train to Pathankot and lace up our hiking boots in Dharamsala, spiritual home of the Dalai Lama.

We'll wake amidst the mountains for yoga and meditation, hike through pine and rhododendron forests and cross suspension bridges over fresh-water steams.

Making friends with the locals as we go, we'll taste freshly brewed Indian Chai Masala, encounter friendly Gaddi Tribe villages and breathe in the tranquillity of life in the mountains.

As if that's not enough to get excited about, we finish with a sleeper train to the Taj Mahal in Agra.

* Terms & Conditions apply. View here .

The £1 registration fee offer applies to all challenges departing from 1st September 2022 to 31st December 2023.
When you pay £1 to book a challenge departing in 2022, the remaining registration fee will be added to your balance that is due by 12 weeks before departure. For example, if the advertised registration fee is £349 and challenge cost is £1,950, you will pay £1 today and £348 + £1,950 at 12 weeks before departure.
When you pay £1 to book a challenge departing in 2023, the remaining registration fee must be paid by 30th September 2022 to have your place confirmed. For example, if the registration fee is £349, you will pay £1 today and £348 by 30th September 2022.
The £1 down payment and remaining registration fee paid is non-refundable as per the normal booking conditions.
Your place will be cancelled if payments aren't made by the deadlines.
The £1 registration fee offer is only valid until 6pm on the 15th August 2022.
When booking a challenge departing between 1st January and 31st March 2023, you will receive £320 discount from your challenge balance due 12 weeks before departure. For example, if your challenge has a registration fee of £349 and a challenge cost of £1,950, you would pay £1 today, £348 by 30th September 2022, and £1,630 by 12 weeks before departure.
The £320 discount on early 2023 challenges offer is only valid for bookings made by 30th September 2022.

Your itinerary

Days 1 & 2
London - Delhi

We first meet at the airport in London, where we catch our overnight flight to Delhi. Touching down in India on Day 2, our local challenge guides greet us and we transfer together to a nearby hotel. Once checked in, you’re free to relax or explore the amazing city of Delhi as you wish.

The labyrinth of narrow lanes and mosques that make up Old Delhi makes a stark contrast to the spacious tree-lined avenues and government buildings of the imperial city, New Delhi. Why not take a trip to the 17th Century Red Fort, one of Old Delhi’s must-see tourist sites? You can also check out New Delhi’s India Gate, or wander around the vibrant shopping streets, soaking up the sights, smells and sounds of the city.

To give you more flexibility on this free day, your lunch is not included, so you’ll need to arrange it yourself – the perfect opportunity to try a real Indian curry in one of Delhi’s many restaurants.

We return to the hotel for dinner, before transferring to the bustling railway station, where we board the overnight sleeper train to Pathankot.

Day 3
Pathankot - Dharamsala

After our exciting night spent on a sleeper train, we arrive in Pathankot in the early morning. We then enjoy a scenic bus transfer to Dharamsala, the spiritual home of his Holiness the Dalai Lama. Our buses wind their way through the narrow streets to our hotel in Macloed Ganj (Upper Dharamsala).

Here, you can choose to spend the rest of the day kicking back at the hotel or you can explore the fascinating area. You can browse the many gift shops, haggle with the Tibetan street traders or visit the spiritual sanctuary of the Dalai Lama’s residence.

This evening, we meet as a group for dinner and a briefing from our Challenge Leader.

Day 4
McLeod Ganj - Satobari Village - Kareri village | approx. 12km/ 1,900m

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Satobari Village (1,750m) and start our challenge!

Our first day of trekking gives us fantastic insight into the local lifestyle, as we venture through a number of Gaddi tribal villages. We pass farmers moving their livestock and children walking to and from their schools.

Our campsite lies in a gorgeous mountain valley next to a river, in a very peaceful place away from the village.

This makes the perfect place for us to settle down after a beautiful day’s trek and breathe in the tranquillity after our time in the chaotic Delhi!

Day 5
Kareri - Bal Village | approx. 15km/ 2,330m

This morning after breakfast, we follow a trail up through tranquil villages, open meadows and pine forests to our picnic stop by a stream.

This afternoon sees us back on our feet to ascend through the mountains, until we finally reach our campsite in the small village of Bal.

Day 6
Bal Village - Triund | approx. 14km/ 2,995m

Waking to a session of yoga and/or meditation amidst the mountains, we start trekking after breakfast with the best mindset.

Our first climb takes us through forests full of rhododendrons and pines to a local ‘chai’ (tea) shop. We stop here to taste the tea and may spot the Gaddi Tribal people leading their cattle up to the high pastures of Lak and Triund.

After lunch, we continue climbing until we find our camp in a pretty meadow at Triund. Our camp gives us exquisite panoramas of the permanently snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhur mountain range, the southern branch of the main outer Himalayan chain of mountains. Talk about dinner with a view!

Day 7
Triund - Laka Got - Triund | approx. 10km/ 3,550m

We rise again to a session of meditation and yoga, perhaps even more serene than yesterday’s, as we have reached higher, quieter ground. This sets our minds right for a challenging ascent to Laka Got.

The climb may be tough but the vistas of the glacier and white-capped peaks are out of this world. Across the glacier, we can see Lahes Cave, an overnight shelter used by the shepherds when travelling over the mountains with their sheep.

After making the most of the photo opportunity, we trek back down to Triund. This is our last night under a clear night sky, so look out for shooting stars and get your wishes ready.

Day 8
Triund - Bhagsu Nag trek - Dharamsala | approx. 12km

On our final session of yoga/ meditation this morning, you may well find it easier to zone into the quiet mindset and perform the stretches with more balance and flexibility.

Then, after breakfast, we lace up our boots for one more day of trekking. We hike over a grassy ridge and catch a last, unrestricted view of the snow-capped peaks, before descending steeply to the Bahgsu Nallaha stream. Our guides help us cross the water by hopping over the boulders.

Pushing on, we come to an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Bhagsu Nag, the snake god. Flowing through the temple is a freshwater spring, where pilgrims take a holy dip.

This makes a wonderful last stop before we conquer the last stretch of our challenge, to our finish line in Dharamsala.

Here, we find our hotel and after dinner, have a good night’s sleep.

Day 9
McLeod Ganj

Today is yours to spend as you wish, exploring the beautiful, mountainous area of McLeod Ganj.

Get your culture fix by visiting the Dalai Lama’s temple, Tsuglagkhang with its stunning Buddhist statues. Other sites you might want to check out include the Namgyal Monastery and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives. Again, please arrange your own lunch on this free day and try out the local dishes.

This evening, we meet back up to toast our incredible achievement for mental health charities, over a very well-deserved celebratory dinner.

Day 10
Dharamsala - Pathankot

We have a free morning to have an epic lie-in or further explore this magical town. Why not visit the Tibetan market or take a visit to one of the majestic monasteries?

This afternoon, we transfer to Pathankot train station and catch the overnight sleeper train, once again, back to Delhi.

Day 11
Delhi - Agra

Alighting the train in Delhi early this morning, we transfer by bus to our hotel in the awesome city of Agra. We then end our Indian adventure with a visit to the world-famous Taj Mahal. Built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in loving memory of his wife, this iconic landmark is a symbol of undying love.

This evening, we enjoy our final group dinner and a decent night’s sleep before our journey home tomorrow.

Day 12
Agra - Delhi - UK

Our last day sees us transferring back to the airport in Delhi for our flight back to the UK. Upon our arrival in London, we part ways and you make your own way back to Home Sweet Home from the airport.

Book my place

How fit do I have to be?

This challenge is not designed for Olympic athletes – it is designed for people looking for an amazing goal to train and get fit for. A number of the people who will take part on this challenge will have a low level of fitness level when they sign up.

This challenge is the perfect motivation to get fit, improve your own mental and physical health and well-being and support countless people across the UK facing mental health issues.

We strongly recommend you train for the trek as we'll be tackling some steep terrain on our way to Laka Got and the fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it.

Once you register for the challenge, we'll send you a realistic training plan. This builds up gradually over time so you'll be ready and raring to go by the time we depart for India.

I’m worried about signing up on my own…

Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own and our Dream Challenges are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and life long friendships made, as our groups take on these incredible feats together.

Once you've signed up for the challenge, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for the Walk With Me Dalai Lama Trek India 2022.

Please feel free to use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow trekkers on your training and fundraising. You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

Am I too old?

Absolutely not! One of the amazing things about the challenge is that people from all walks of life, aged 18 or over, will come together to do something very special.

Do I need special equipment?

You will of course need a pair of walking boots and your own three-season sleeping bag.

We'll supply you with a comprehensive list of everything you will need to take on the event well before your departure date.

We'll also send all participants a free Travel Safety Kit ahead of the challenge and it's essential you bring this with you to minimise both your own and your fellow participants' risk of COVID-19.

Your Travel Safety Kit will include hand sanitiser, anti-bac wipes and face masks for each day of the challenge. Please note, you do not have to wear face masks while trekking.

Where will we sleep overnight?

This challenge includes a whole mix of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, from camping in the mountains to traditional Indian hotels and even two exciting nights on a sleeper train.

We organise our accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, which is included in the challenge cost.

However, if you would rather pay for a single supplement (£150 per person, NOT included in your challenge cost) and have a room/tent to yourself, please get in touch and we can arrange this for you.

Can I pay for a single supplement?

Certainly. Our accommodation is included in your challenge cost on a twin-sharing basis.

However if you would prefer to have a room/tent to yourself and pay for a single supplement, we'll be happy to arrange this for you at an additional cost of £150. Please note, this is NOT included in your challenge cost).

If you would like a single supplement, please get in touch by emailing us at events@dream-challenges.com or call us on 01590 646410 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm).

What will the terrain be like?

As you can expect from a mountain trek, we'll be trekking uphill for a lot of the challenge and tackle some steep climbs on our way to Laka Got.

We'll follow clear trails through forests, villages and mountain scenery, along with some more rugged terrains as we get higher.

Our route also takes us across streams by hopping over boulders, with help from our pro mountain guides.

Can I extend my stay at the end of the challenge?

Yes of course! If you wish to extend your stay in India, please let us know at least fourteen weeks before the challenge start date and we can arrange this for you.

The best way to get in touch is to email us at events@dream-challenges.com, or you can call us on 01590 646410 during office hours (9am - 5pm Monday - Friday).

What's included?

Your registration fee of £349 per person is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.

Your challenge costs of £1,600 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target if you choose the sponsorship option) cover:

Your flights (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, approx. £350)
Meals throughout the challenge (except for your lunch on Day 2 and Day 9)
Accommodation*
Entry fees where applicable
All transfers in India
A team of first-aid and COVID-19-trained challenge guides and Dream Challenges staff
Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead up to and during your challenge
Medical support, including at least one UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will accompany the group throughout the challenge
Your Walk With Me Dalai Lama Trek 2022 medal and t-shirt
Extra protocols taken to protect you from COVID-19 - please see our ground-breaking 14-step action plan here.

*Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room/tent to yourself, we can arrange this for you for an additional cost of £150.

Please email us at events@dream-challenges.com if you would like to do this at least fourteen weeks before the challenge starts.

What other costs will I pay?

In addition to paying your registration fee (£349) and either self funding your challenge costs or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target, you will need to budget for your:

Airport taxes and the fuel surcharge (currently £350 but subject to change – up or down)
Your visa for India, currently approx. £20 ($23) but subject to change at the discretionary of the Indian embassy. You will need to arrange this yourself. We'll send you details of this in the lead up to the challenge.
Personal travel insurance
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Lunch on your free days (Day 2 in Delhi & Day 9 in McLeod Ganj)
You may also choose to pay £150 for a single supplement at our accommodation

What will the group size be?

There will be around 40 participants in our group for the Walk With Me Dalai Lama Trek 2022. You'll no doubt make a bunch of awesome new friends!

What about insurance and visas?

Travel Insurance

You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss and repatriation. Dream Challenges has a policy, which covers you for this type of activity and also covers cancellation due to medically-diagnosed COVID-19. We will send you details of this when you register for the trek.

You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity trek in India.

Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate cover for your challenge.

Visa
All participants will need a tourist visa for India, currently approx. £20 ($23) but subject to change at the discretionary of the Indian embassy. You will need to arrange this yourself.

Please don't apply for your visa until we advise you to do so. We will send you all the relevant information about how to do this before the challenge.

Please make sure to apply for your visa on the correct website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

This is the only website the High Commission of India uses and other sites are likely to be scams and/or charge unnecessary fees.

How will you support me?

The Dream Challenges team are here to help you achieve your challenge and will support you all the way. We are on hand from the minute you sign up to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.

Once you've registered, we will send you a realistic training programme to help you get fit for the trek. The programme builds up gradually as our departure date draws closer.

We also have fantastic first-aid-trained challenge guides, a group of porters and at least one UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying us throughout the challenge.

Can you offer travel vaccination advice?

As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.

We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.

NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home

Is it safe to book now with the coronavirus situation?

As we hope you know, the health and safety of our participants is always - and has always been - our highest priority.

Our team of experts here at Dream Challenges has created a brilliant 14-step initiative, to minimise the risk of coronavirus and maximise your safety. Please click here to see our ground-breaking plan and rest assured that you're safe booking with us.

With even the government unsure how exactly the coronavirus situation will eventuate, we can't make any guarantees; but we can promise you that we will always put your health and security first and will always be just and flexible in any decisions we have to make, regarding postponements and transfers.

Walk With Me Dalai Lama Trek India 2022

When can I go?

What does it cost?