Dream Challenges

Dream Challenges
Life Changing Events

Tuesday 22 December 2015

Trek Uganda 2016 Event Itinerary

This superb trekking itinerary is located in the Ugandan highlands and takes us from the Virunga volcanoes to ‘The Impenetrable Forest’ of Bwindi, home to Uganda’s mountain gorilla population which numbers around 320, approximately half the total number remaining in the world.

Bwindi is located in the south western corner of Uganda where the terrain consists of volcanic mountains and deep valleys and is close to the borders of Rwanda and The Democratic Republic of Congo.

Our Trek Uganda challenge offers a tough and varied trekking experience with the added bonus and ‘must see’ experience of a possible close encounter with mountain gorillas in their natural habitat. Found in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest the mountain gorillas are accompanied by a treasure-trove of species that have populated this 25,000 year old forest.

Our final destination is the Nkuringo Gorilla Camp which is perched on a hill-top that overlooks the forest canopy and affords visitors magnificent, unconstrained views.

Day 1 
Overnight flight from London to Kigali, Rwanda. 

Day 2 Kigali, Rwanda – Uganda












On arrival in Rwanda we have a 6 hour overland transfer that takes us into Uganda to the small town of Kisoro where will have late lunch before continuing our journey to the start point for our trek at Mgahinga National Park and the Mgahinga Rest Camp, our home for the next two nights. This is where we meet our local guides who will brief us on the adventure that awaits.

Day 3  Golden Monkey Tracking                                                                             






Today we will trek into the bamboo zone on the lower slopes of the volcanoes to track golden Monkeys, and endangered species that is only found in this remote part of Africa.



Day 4  Mgahinga Rest Camp – Lake Mutanda                                                          












After breakfast we break camp and begin our trek north towards Kisoro. Our trek today takes us through an area of volcanic craters some of the slopes of which are being cultivated by the indigenous Bakiga farmers and home also to the Batwa pygmies. We camp tonight at Lake Mutanda Eco Camp.                      

Day 5 Lake Mutanda Eco Camp – Nshongi Camp    

We continue today in a northerly direction and having made our way down to the shore of Lake Mutanda we board dug-out canoes to be piloted up the lake by local tribesmen. The 2.5 hour journey takes us to Rwanjenje on the northern shore. From here we start a six hour trek to Rushaga at the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and where we find our overnight accommodation at Nshongi Camp where we can dine under the stars by the roaring campfire.                   
                                                                                                                                               
Day 6 Trek to Nkuringo Gorilla Camp                        

                                                 
We will continue the trek north to Nkuringo Gorilla Camp. This is a challenging walk that skirts the edge of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The Nkuringo Gorilla Camp is located on a hill top at 2161m on the Nteko Ridge which provides superb views across the Kashasha river valley to the forested hill known as 'Nkuringo' and the surrounding swathe of trees of the Bwindi Forest. The camp has panoramic views of the majestic volcanoes of the Virunga chain and across the escarpment into the Albertine Rift Valley within the DR Congo.  Overnight at camp.

Day 7 Gorilla Tracking


Half the group will enter the forest today to track the Nkuringo Gorilla Family Group, while the other half can relax in camp or take a guided tour of the local Nkuringo Community.

Day 8 Gorilla Tracking


The final group today will track the Nkuringo family of gorillas whilst the remainder of the group can relax in camp or take a guided tour of the local Nkuringo Community.

Tonight we will celebrate our achievements with dinner at Nkuringo Gorilla Camp.





Day 9 / Day 10
Travel back to UK.    


Feel Inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 



                                                      

Thursday 17 December 2015

Team Challenge 2015 Highlights...



Firstly a big huge well done to all of our wonderful staff for making 2015 truly an epic year! 

We have received such amazing feedback from our participants about how our staff are so on point when it comes to organisation, friendly service and creating quality challenges we couldn't be prouder. 

For anyone considering taking on a challenge, you will be in safe hands from start to finish! 

So, to round off the our Blog for 2015 we thought we would ask team challenge for their highlights of the year which saw 4000 people participate and where we raised over £4.3 million for various charities. 

Ann, Director of Action for Charity and Dream Challenges



My Highlight for 2015 was the Regain Sports Award Lunch – Action for Charity Have been organising the lunch for 15 years and it has been a delight To have witnessed over those years the joy of tetraplegics at the lunch Giving them an opportunity to all meet up and share their ups and downs Over the year whilst enjoying a lovely meal and having a few drinks!


It was particularly poignant this year to witness The Tetraplegic Achievement in Sport award being presented to Nathalie McGloin who became tetraplegic at 16. Here is the picture of her being Presented the award – looking so modest – considering she is the Only female racing driver with a spinal injury in the UK.  It was  A great highlight as she was so happy to receive the award.

Calum, Director of Action for Charity and Dream Challenges



My highlight was definitely Trek Uganda in Jan/Feb. Attached is a picture of a friend I made along the way who carried my walking stick in return for several Galaxy Minstrels!

Mike, Director of Dream Challenges



My Highlight for 2015 would have to be the success of the Ben Nevis Charity Challenge Event. In only its second year it was a great achievement to have 111 teams participating in June and 48 teams in September.

Susan, Operations Manager



My highlight was Race the Sun Brecon Beacons in June where, after a very successful event,  we celebrated lovely Trish’s 60th birthday in style.

Abigail,  Finance Manager



My highlight was seeing all the ladies warming up for Ride the Night at Windsor racecourse.   The atmosphere was wonderful, so many inspirational women in once place looking so bright and colourful (lots of pink!) ahead of their challenge. A very emotional time.

Chrissy, Operations Assistant Action for Charity



My highlight of the year was at our Race the Sun Brecon Beacons event when Ann pulled up alongside a team of cyclists and proceeded to ask them why they did not have their helmets, and told them they did have one at the start even though they tried to tell her they hadn’t. They eventually decided they would buy one at the next town and they looked very sheepish, only for Susan (on the right in the picture) to see their race numbers pinned onto their t-shirts stated they were taking part in a completely different event and were not part of our event. Ann apologised an drove off to our next location. At least she was thinking of safety first no matter whose event!

Sophie, Challenge Event Organiser Dream Challenges



My highlight is going on the LTFC in the Jordan Desert as this was my first international event for Dream Challenges. It was an amazing event, saw beautiful views and trekked with inspiring people.

Haylie, Challenge Event Organiser Dream Challenges

My 2015 highlight would have to be Tree planting on Trek Borneo! Feeling Ive contributed to the environment in a small way.

Hannah, Challenge Event Organiser Dream Challenges


My highlight of the year was going on my first Dream Challenges event – The Ben Nevis Charity Challenge. It was such a great atmosphere and was lovely to meet all the 
participants!






High fives team!

Team challenge look forward to helping you #Make2016Count! 


Feel Inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 




Tuesday 15 December 2015

#Make2016Count



Each new year that arrives gives the opportunity to take on a new challenge! Problem is when it comes down to it getting the inspiration and the motivation to put the wheels in motion can be tricky. We blame this on many different reasons... I am too old, too over weight or I just don't have enough time. 

Well, a bit of inspiration for you is that  in 2015 we had 4000 people take on our challenges and we know that each person had different levels of fitness, variety of reasons for doing the challenge, a range of ages and all from different walks of life. 

We wanted to delve a bit deeper and so here is the story of how our repeat participant Janet Duchenese found her motivation to take on a challenge for the last three years. 

I vowed to help the community...



I signed up for the Jordan trek 2015 after completing the Uganda trek the year before in 2014.  We signed up for Uganda to raise money for Alzheimer’sResearch UK as Steve’s father has Dementia and many of our friends also have family suffering from this.


While in Uganda we came across the Nkuringo Foundation and Primary School near our last camp where we saw the gorillas.  I vowed to help the community which is without running water or electricity and where many children are unable to go to school.  I signed up for the Jordan trek to help this village.  Since then we have a 100 strong sponsorship and have helped 75 children attend school – plus providing clothes, shoes and musical instruments for the community (Dream Challenges as an organisation is a sponsor!).



We are now raising money to build two more classrooms as the project has been so successful there is no more space in the school!  We have started to help a small pigmy reservation near the village as well as paying for three pigs and a sow to provide the children with a more varied diet (from their piglets – these will remain breeding pigs).

All the work my husband Steve and I have done is thanks to the inspiration of Dream Challenges.  We have just started the building project for classrooms with our ladder challenge – started yesterday and already four rungs in!

We have signed up to trek India next year with Dream Challenges – also for this school and community.



Steve and I will be 62 when we do the India trek.  The last three years have been a roller coaster thanks to Dream Challenges – and we aint finished yet!

#Make2016Count 



Thank you to Janet for sharing your story with us! 

To all of you thinking about taking on a new challenge even if you don't sign up for a 2016 challenge use 2016 to prepare for one of our 2017 challenges! Check out our website for all the details. 

We cant wait to help you #Make2016Count! 


Feel Inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 






  

Thursday 10 December 2015

All I want for Christmas is you…

Mariah Carey once said, all I want for Christmas is you and when it comes to our 2016/17 challenges these lyrics couldn't be truer with all of them set to be EPIC you will want them all!

Here is the Perfect Challenge Bucket List for you to send to Santa...

Dear Santa…

I have been very good this year and next year I want to be even better by taking on a new challenge and raising money for a really good cause. So here is my bucket list for 2016…

Be part of a team...




This year I want to join together with my colleagues or friends to take on a challenge to raise money for charity.  Here are the top team challenges I would like to do…

Ben Nevis Charity Challenge –Teams of four are challenged to climb Ben Nevis, cycle 25 miles (on road) and canoe Loch Lochy.

Race the Sun Lake District - Teams of four are challenged to cycle 50 miles, climb Helvellyn and canoe Lake Thirlmere. Starting at sunrise and finishing by sunset - Racing the Sun!

Be on top of the world...




What better way than to feel on top of the world than to climb a mountain? So Santa please can I go on a once in a life-time trek to the summit of MountKilimanjaro and raise funds for charity.

At 5896m Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and is rightly referred to as 'the roof of Africa’ so it really will feel like I am on top of the world!

Support a children’s charity…




I would like to trek through the stunning Himalayas and raise funds for a children's charity of my choice. Therefore Santa all I want for Christmas is…
Let's Trek for Children inIndia entails five days of trekking starting in Dharamsala the spiritual home of the Dalai Lama. Trekking through spectacular mountain landscapes and sleep under the stars in remote mountain camps as we head for our finish line at Laka Got (3,550m) well above the Himalya snow-line. This amazing Indian adventure culminates with a visit to the breath-taking Taj Mahal in Agra.

Help beat cancer...




In 2016 I want to make a difference and help raise money for cancer charities. There are lots of amazing challenges I can do this for but on my bucket list I would like to put….

Britain V Cancer - Hike the Himalayas in beautiful Nepal to raise funds for the cancer charity or hospice of my choice.The challenge is on to trek to Poon Hill (3,210m) in the stunning Annapurna region. The trek will take us through charming Nepalese villages where we will experience the culture of the mountain people of Nepal first hand.
Support the fight against heart disease…




Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the UK, with someone having a heart attack every 7 minutes. In 2016 I want to help the fight against heart disease by taking part in the following challenge to raise funds for a heart charity of my choice…

The Big Heart Bike Ride in Africa entails five days of consecutive cycling for a distance of 360km across Tanzania, starting in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and finishing at the impressive Ngorongoro Crater, where there will be the option to do a safari. Along the way we will cycle past three national parks and experience the life and culture of the colourful Maasai tribe in their natural environment.
Challenge my fitness...




Each year after I have scoffed my last mince pie of the festive season I think next year I will get fit and challenge myself. In 2016 I am going to make this happen. So what better way than to have a challenge to aim for giving me a real carrot to work towards. Santa, on my bucket list please can I put…

Trek Jordan entails five days of trekking starting at the Dead Sea and finishing at the red rock city of Petra. Accompanied by Bedouin guides you will trek through mountain and desert terrain using ancient trails. You will sleep under the stars in remote desert camps en route to the beautiful city of Petra.
Trek Jordan is open to people of all ages and from all walks of life who will come together to do something amazing.
Start a new hobby and meet new people…




OK, so I admit that in 2013 I started spinning as my new hobby and only went twice. But this year it will be different as I will have something to train for to keep myself motivated and on track. This year I am going to start cycling so Santa all I want for Christmas is…

London to Paris Bike Ride - The challenge is on to cycle 237 miles in just three days! The ride will take you through rolling English countryside and the breath-taking panorama of Northern France to a spectacular finish at the Eiffel Tower.
There will be a huge amount of fun and friendship along the way as cyclists of all abilities take up this special challenge.
See the world in a different way...




I love travelling and seeing the world! And 2016 I want to do travel in a different way experiencing cultures and landscapes close up. So Santa all I want for Christmas is…

Cycle China - Join us for a spectacular 400km cycle challenge across the Beijing province and visit the amazing Great Wall of China to raise funds for the charity of your choice. The challenge entails five days of cycling and en-route we will visit remote sections of the Great Wall of China. The cycling is challenging but the panoramic views are stunning. At the end of the challenge there is the opportunity to explore Beijing and its Forbidden City.
Trek Borneo - The challenge is on to trek to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest peak at 4,095m. There will be a real sense of adventure as you have the opportunity to undertake day and night time treks in the Bornean rain forest. However the highlight for most on the challenge will be a visit to the Orangutan sanctuary in Sepilok.
Be a part of something AMAZING!




In 2016 I want to say I did that! I want to say I was part of that! With all the bucket list challenges I know I will have achieved something amazing and supported great charities by doing it.

In 2015 over 4000 people took part in Dream Challenges and Action for Charity 20 challenges raising a staggering £4 million pounds for a variety of charities. There are so many more ways I could get involved to #Make2016Count and I can’t wait!

Feel Inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: 



Thursday 3 December 2015

Wow, 2015 what a year!

2015 has been an epic year in the Dream Challenges and Action for Charity offices. Nearly four thousand of you wonderful people took part in one or more of the 20 challenges. We are always so proud of our challengers and this year has been no exception!

In total your hard work has raised nearly a staggering four million pounds a variety of charities.

So where did this year take us?

We thought we would take a quick look at all the challenges we have run this year….let us know your highlights in the comment box below please!

January…



Trek Uganda – nineteen of you took this amazing trek on through ‘The Impenetrable Forest’ in Uganda’s mountainous far southwestern tip, who enjoyed tracking Mountain Gorillas?

February…



















Big Heart Bike Ride in India – A staggering sixty three if you took on a 470km cycle challenge in rural Rajasthan to raise funds for the heart charity of your choice. You raised a whopping £165k for heart charities! What was your favourite moment? Seeing the Taj Mahal or completing the event?



Mount Kilimanjaro Trek - I bet our challengers who kick started 2015 by doing this once in a life-time trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro will find February 2016 a little tamer! At 5896m Mt Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and is rightly referred to as 'the roof of Africa' and you wonderful people have now been to the top. High fives team! 

April…



Lets Trek for Children Jordan – This event was all about raising money for children’s charities and you did just that raising a huge £33k between just thirty four of you. The Jordan Desert Trek entailed five days of trekking starting at the Dead Sea and finishing in the red rock city of Petra. Accompanied by Bedouin guides trekked through mountain and desert terrain using ancient trails. Who enjoyed sleeping under the stars in the Desert camps?

May…



Women V Cancer Ride the Night – This epic event reached new heights this year with nearly 2000 of you taking part in the 100k bike ride in London – it was a sea of pink tutus and tshirts as you cycled raising money for Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jos Cervical Cancer Trust. The fundraising total reached dizzying heights of £950k!!! Why not join us in 2016 and help us raise more?

June…



Ben Nevis Charity Challenge – This year eighty eight teams of four climbed Ben Nevis, cycled 25 miles and canoed a loch all against the clock, in total they raised £250k for a variety of charities! The winning team arriving first in seven hours and fifteen minutes where Character Builders South West, a team of four brothers raising funds for Devon Air Ambulance



Snowdonia Charity Challenge - High fives to all two hundred and eighty eight of you who took on this challenge for completing the 40 miles of cycling, climbing Snowdon and canoeing Lake Gwynant! You raised £204k for Regain the only charitable organisation dedicated solely to improving the lives of men and women who have become tetraplegic in a sporting accident.



Race the Sun Brecon Beacons - Three hundred and twenty eight of in your teams met at sunrise in the stunning Brecon Beacons. Your challenge was to cycle 47 miles, climb Pen y Fan and canoe the Pontsticill Reservoir. You all raced the sun finishing at sun set raising an impressive £204k for which will support the work of children's charity Action Medical Research, offering hope to the many thousands of families across the UK. Cant wait to see you all next year!

July…



Three Peaks Challenge- Talk about ticking three things of a bucket list all in one challenge! That’s what one hundred and fifty of you did in July when in teams you climbed Ben Nevis, Scaffel Pike and Snowdon raining £67k for Action Medical Research. Who enjoyed the well earnt breakfast at the foot of Snowdon?

August…



Tour De Mercers - Our bespoke event for The Mercers Charitable Foundation “Tour De Mercers” saw the team cycle for six days from Berwick upon Tweed to Mercers Hall in the City of London. This challenge was not for the weak legged as they took on hills, cycled rough terrain, navigated towns…you name it they cycled it!!!




Race the Sun Lake District This year two hundred and twenty of you raised a huge £142k to support the work of children's charity Action Medical Research. You worked hard for your sponsorship by cycling 50 miles, climbing Helvellyn and canoe Lake Thirlmere. Starting at sunrise and finishing by sunset - Racing the Sun!

September…



London to Paris - This ride was just epic with one hundred and twenty of you creating great camaraderie before and during this three day cycle from London to Paris. How proud are you all for cycling 237 miles in just three days raising £130k for charity? What was your favourite moment – the Eifel tower finish perhaps?



Ben Nevis Charity Challenge - Due to the challenge filling up so quickly in June we ran two Ben Nevis Charity Challenges this year! With two hundred and sixteen of you raising £93k for charities on the second event we are glad that we did! High fives to you all, you can now officially say #BeenThereDoneNevis



Great Wall of China Trek - Step by step was the motto of this trek! The video and the photos say it all. This was no easy challenge, taking our eighty six particpants to dizzying heights with stunning views but hard work along the way. Paid off with a staggering £22k raised for a variety of charities.

October…



Cycle Cuba- Viva Cuba! This event is one of our director Ann Frampton’s favourite as she loves the Cuban life.  Highfives to all sixty nine of you who raised £150k for a variety of charities on this 400km across this fun island.



Women V Cancer Africa Ride - This year we took two hundred and fifty keen female cyclists to Tanzania, they raised a jaw dropping £1,054, 715 for Breast Cancer Care, Ovarian Cancer Action and Jos Cervical Cancer Trust. The ride was a stunning 350km ride across Tanzania, starting in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and finishing at the impressive Ngorongoro Crater! Wow ladies talk about that girl can.

November…


Cycle India - This year we created a bespoke event Cycle India for The Urology Foundation. Team work makes the dream work was their motto as the thirty five participants all helped each other cycle 410km across the Rajashtan region in five days. In total they raised a huge £200k to support the amazing work of the Urology Foundation.



Trek Borneo - You wonderful trekkers only returned a few weeks ago after twenty three of you hiked through the the 140 million year old rainforest that covers much of the island. We hoped you loved experiencing the many thousands of plant, animal and bird species.  What was your highlight? Perhaps visiting the Orangutan Sanctuary or reaching the peak of Mount Kinabalu at sunrise?

Thank you…

A big thank you to all of you for making 2015 such a good year.

Thanks to our office staff for working so hard, thank you to all our event doctors, event leaders, ground handlers, event assistants , mechanics, cycle guides, Ride the Night Pink Angels, the caterers who fuel the challenge fire and of course Sadie the office dog for being wooftastic!

High fives to all our charity partners the work you do all year round is also epic and we love being able to help your supporters raise funds for you.


We want to wish you all a very happy festive season and why not take on another challenge to make 2016 just as epic as 2015? #Make2016Count 

Feel Inspired? To find out more about Dream Challenges events please visit the website or contact us directly: