Trek or Cycle For Charity in Asia!
From the peaks of the Nepalese Himalayas to the ancient steps of the Great Wall of China, Asia is packed with awesome sights and unforgettable adventures. Reach the foot of the world's highest mountain on our Everest Base Camp Trek, explore the Indian Himalayas on our Dalai Lama Trek, see the ancient temples of Angkor Wat on foot or by bike, or cycle along the Gulf of Thailand. Sign up for one of our challenges, and make memories that will stay with you for a lifetime!
We’re giving you the scoop on each of our Asian adventures, from the highlights of each event to why it belongs on your list, and some words from those who’ve been there and done that. If you're sill not sure which of our adventures is for you, we've asked Craig, our Operations Manager for his favourite adventures in Asia, and to share his top tips for anyone considering a challenge!
Keep reading for all the details, or click the links below if you already have a challenge in mind and want to skip ahead!
- Everest Base Camp Trek
- Great Wall of China Trek
- Himalayas Trek
- Dalai Lama Trek
- Trek to Angkor Wat
- Cycle Thailand
- Vietnam to Cambodia
- Ask the Team - Craig Wilson
Everest Base Camp
- Trek to the foot of the world’s highest mountain, the might Everest!
- Opportunity to summit Kala Patthar (5,545m) for incredible views
- Explore the world’s highest mountain range
Starting our list is our toughest trekking challenge – the trek to the foot of Mount Everest! The challenge will be tough, but the support you’ll receive from our simply incredible local guides will more than keep you going on your way to your goal. This really is the ultimate adventure challenge – a truly spiritual and humbling experience for all who take it on.
What our participants say:
“The professionalism of the Global Adventure Challenge Team was stunning. As for the trip, best ever!!!! I have recommended it to everyone in my return.”
Bill, 2018
Why Nepal is special:
“Among the many things that I love about Nepal, I think mountains are what fascinates me the most. They touch the ground and stand above the clouds, which always inspires me to aim higher and yet not to lose my ground.”
Dawa Geljen Sherpa, Team Leader at Adventure Thamserku (In-Country Team on our Nepalese challenges)
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Great Wall of China Trek
- Leave the tourist trail and explore remote sections of the Wall
- Visit a new section every day
- Spend time exploring Beijing, including the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven
The Great Wall of China Trek has long been our most popular overseas adventure, and for good reason! We’ll spend five days trekking along the Wall, visiting a new section every day – often far from the tourist trail with no-one else in sight. Our adventure comes to an end with a free day in Beijing, where we’ll have the opportunity to visit famous sites like the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
What our participants say:
“I've recently come back from walking The Great Wall of China! It was such an amazing experience and one I won't ever forget! [Our guides] were brilliant tour guides and everything was so well organised! I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone considering it and the company itself.”
Em, 2018
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Himalayas Trek
- Explore the stunning Annapurna region of the Himalayas
- Summit poon Hill for spectacular views of the surrounding area
- Full support from our incredible team, including local Sherpas
This incredible challenge takes place in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas, home to some of the world’s highest mountains! Our trek will take us through Nepalese villages where we’ll experience the local culture, and through forests alive with the sound of waterfalls and birdsong. Watching the sunrise from the summit of Poon Hill is one of many highlights that await – this is a truly special challenge.
What our participants say:
“What a trip Global Adventure Challenges organised! A huge thank you to Lee [our leader]. Lee was absolutely brilliant throughout the trip very knowledgeable and very professional. A trek I will never forget.”
Daniel, 2023
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Dalai Lama Trek
- Visit the spiritual home of the Dalai Lama, Dharamsala
- Experience the friendly culture of the Indian Himalayas
- Visit the Taj Mahal, the world’s most famous monument to love
Starting in Dharamsala, our adventure takes us into the spectacular Dhauladhar mountain range. We’ll trek through rhododendron forests, passing Hindu settlements and Buddhist monasteries along the way. There are some tough climbs in store, but the beautiful views will keep us going! Our challenge concludes with a visit to the awesome Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
What our participants say:
“I have just returned from the Dalai Lama Trek. Had an amazing one an experience of a lifetime. Made lovely friends and surely all together made me more humble and a very happy person. Thanks to Global Adventure for superb planning and help.”
Nivedita, 2017
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Trek to Angkor Wat
- Walk through small villages and through dazzling green rice paddies
- Trek to the top of Phnom Kulen, a sacred Cambodian mountain
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat
Our adventure begins in Siem Reap, where we’ll meet our guides before starting our challenge! Over the coming days we’ll trek over hills and through the valleys and lush forests of the surrounding areas. Our journey will take us to the top of the sacred Phnom Kulen, a holy mountain with beautiful views of the region. The ancient temples of Angkor Wat are our finish line, leaving us with memories to last a lifetime!
What our participants say:
“This was my second trek with Global and once again they have been amazing, from our trek leader in Cambodia… to the local guides and support crews. You always meet new friends on these treks from all over the UK and many become life friends. I love exploring the world and it's fab to be able to raise funds for my chosen charity at the same time.”
Lyndsey, 2018
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Cycle Thailand
- Visit the resort town of Hua Hin, home to the summer palaces of Thai royalty
- Enjoy a free day in beautiful Koh Samui
- Stay in tranquil Prachuap Khiri Khan, overlooked by striking limestone peaks
After starting our adventure in Bangkok, we'll spend five days cycling through beautiful Southern Thailand! We’ll explore the picturesque Gulf of Thailand, cycling almost 400km with some long, tough days in the saddle. But fear not - we'll be fully supported from start to finish as we journey along Thailand's tropical beaches. A chance to relax on Koh Samui is the reward for our hard work - the perfect place to celebrate our achievements!
What our participants say:
“I would say definitely visit Thailand, it’s a fascinating place. My favourite was deffo the food! Tempted to say the end [was the highlight of the challenge]!! However the highlight I would say was meeting people and the Temples….. there’s lots. Top tip - don’t forget the bum cream. The best time!”
2021 Cycle Thailand Participant
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- Combine two incredible countries in one challenge
- Leave the tourist trail and see the real Vietnam and Cambodia
- Complete your challenge at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat
Taking us from Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City to the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, this iconic cycling challenge is our most popular overseas bike ride! After spending sometime exploring Ho Chi Minh, we’ll bike through traditional villages and follow gorgeous streams and rivers, passing paddy fields and stunning mountains along the way. Our adventure comes to a close at the world-famous temples of Angkor Wat – join us and tick this incredible adventure off your list!
What our participants say:
“[We] have just returned from cycling Vietnam to Cambodia. We had the most amazing time with some fantastic people… the team were all very professional and took us through some of the most amazing areas of these two countries. We sampled amazing food and were well looked after everywhere we went. Thank you global and your team for an amazing trip.”
Lyndsey, 2018
Why Vietnam is special:
"Vietnam is a friendly developing country. It has been changing quickly, so now is a good time to visit. The real beautiful green countryside & very nice people. When you ride a bike in Vietnam, you can get closer to the farm, the people, the fresh air, touch the fruits at the market or hi-five to the kids along the way... The Mekong people are especially very friendly, you can stop to look at their farm or have a chat with any local peoples along the way.
Vietnamese food is very tasty & fresh with a lot of vegetables, not very spicy but you can add more chilli if you want.
Just on a bicycle you will have a chance to see & smell or touch the real Mekong Delta that you can hardly see when you are on the bus. The little trail goes through many villages, green lush farms & the water way with houses along it showing a lively peaceful life of the local people."
Hoang Trong Phat, Head Guide at Exo Adventure (In-Country Team on our Vietnam to Cambodia challenges)
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What's your name, and what's your role at GAC?
I'm Craig Wilson, Operations Manager at Global Adventure Challenges.
Which countries have you travelled to in Asia?
Over the last 10 years I have been fortunate enough to lead treks in China, Cambodia and India.
Sounds amazing! Do you have a favourite trip?
It's such a difficult question to answer - they are all amazing in their own right! If I had to choose I would say Cambodia, because it truly is an amazing country to visit. The weather is great, and the trekking through rural areas and meeting local people is a special experience. The Cambodian people are amongst the friendliest I have met anywhere in the world, and their hospitality is second to none. From a trekking point of view the route is continually, interesting and although not the most challenging in terms of distance and elevation, the heat and humidity really do make it . One of the highlights of this challenge are the wonderful campsites used, which are set up by our in-country ground team - often set in Buddhist pagodas, the campsites are really magical! Not to mention the superb 3 course meals provided, which offers a complete contrast to the very basic shower and toilet facilities!
Even though Cambodia is my favourite, India is a close second and I can’t answer this question fairly without giving this destination a mention. Whilst India has some similarities to Cambodia in terms of the Buddhist influence around Bhagsu Nag and Mcleod Ganj, as it is located in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas the itinerary itself offers a continual contrast between the hustle and bustle of the cities of Delhi and Agra and the spirituality and calm of the Himalayan mountain range. There are many highlights, including taking the overnight sleeper train from Delhi to Pathankot (and back again of course!) - this is a real chance to be immersed in the chaos of Delhi station and local people. The trekking is varied, interesting and beautiful with woodland trails, river crossings and the climb on mountain paths to Triund at (3000m). Once you reach the summit plateau where you camp for two nights, you are rewarded with the back drop of higher imposing peaks in the Dhauladhar range on one side, and the view over Dharamasala on the other. The hospitality from the ground crew is outstanding, and the cooks on the trek produced some of the best fresh food I have eaten cooked over an open fire!
Thanks Craig! Do you have any top tips for someone taking on a challenge with GAC?
First and foremost, it's all about preparation! Make sure that you have all of your kit in order for the challenge, and that you're comfortable using it. For example, that your boots are comfortable and you’ve tested your sleeping bag - it’s the little things that can often make difference to the enjoyment of your trip. Training is the other aspect that makes a difference - the more prepared you are for the distances you need to cover and the type of terrain you will be walking on, the better! You'll be able to get your head up and enjoy the views and speak to people along the way, rather than being out of breath and gritting your teeth at the back of the group! The only other tip I would give is to approach the challenge with an open mind, and embrace the ethos of group travel - everyone is in it together so spend time speaking with people and finding out their stories. For me and many others this is what makes taking part in these itineraries so enjoyable and only adds to the experience!
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