5-14 February 2016Information Pack

“This rarely-offered trek across the Patagonian Andes from Argentina to Chile will take you through one of the world’s last great wildernesses. We’ve chosen this trek to mark Meningitis Now’s 30th anniversary and are offering it in partnership with Classic Tours, who have a long and distinguished history of organising overseas events. This is an amazing challenge that I’m incredibly proud to be part of.”

Sue Davie Chief Executive

Argentina is a diverse country including rain forest in the north, vast expanses of fertile farming land in the centre, the spectacular Andes mountain range in the west and the dusty plains of Patagonia in the south, leading down to glaciers in the southern tip.

The trek begins in the south west Argentine Lake District and progresses into Chile, where you will encounter snow-capped mountains, majestic volcanoes, lush rainforests and dramatic glaciers.

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Fly to Buenos Aires.London - Buenos AiresDay 1

Buenos Aires - BarilocheFly from Buenos Aires to Bariloche in the Patagonian Andes and transfer to Nahuel Huapi Lake. The lake lies within the oldest national park in Argentina and is a magnificent ancient glacial landscape of rivers and Andean mountain peaks. After dinner in the evening you will be briefed on the exciting challenge that lies ahead.

Day 2

Bariloche - Tramo el Tambo - Refugio San MartinYou join the trail at Tramo el Tambo. This first day offers a morning of hiking along a river bank with dramatic mountain views, followed by an afternoon walking away from the river through an area of thicker vegetation and finally ascending to the Refugio San Martin, where you will spend the night in a tented camp.

Day 3

Refugio San Martin - Lake MascardiFollowing a little used trail, you will head deeper into Nahuel Huapi National Park, trekking through a landscape of sweeping valleys, soaring mountains and vast lakes. Crossing several rivers and encountering the spectacular Los Tempanos Lagoon, your destination is Lake Mascardi, a large expanse of emerald green water coloured by the glacial sediments from the Tronador volcano.

Day 4

Lake Mascardi - Tronador Volcano - Pampa LindaDay 5 Today you will climb to the foot of Mount Tronador to gain an amazing view of its summit and glaciers. This extinct volcano is the highest peak in the Argentinian Lake District, surrounded by c. 37 square miles of ice, snow and glaciers – an impressive sight! Its summit also marks the boundary between Argentina and Chile. You will spend the night in Hosteria Pampa Linda.

Please note this is a complex itinerary which is subject to change.

Your final day of trekking in Argentina will take you along the El Paso de las Nubes (the Pass of the Clouds) with stunning views of the Frias Glacier. Much of today’s landscape will be through Valdivian forest – dense bamboo and beech trees. Tonight you will stay at Refugio Agostino Rocca, close to the Chilean border.

You will cross the border and, after your longest day of trekking, you can celebrate the completion of your amazing journey. You will transfer to a hotel in Peulla, on the shores of the stunning Todos les Santos Lake for dinner and a lie in!

You are free to explore the Todos les Sabtos Lake or the Petrouhe Waterfalls this morning, before transferring to Puerto Varas on the shores of Lago Llanquihue, Chile’s largest lake, with views of the majestic Osorno Volcano. This evening you will celebrate your achievement with a special meal at a traditional ‘quincho’ steak restaurant.

Travel to Puerto Montt airport for flights on to Santiago de Chile and then onward to the UK.

You will arrive home with unforgettable memories of this amazing challenge.

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Pampa Linda - Refugio Agostino Rocca

Refugio Agostino Rocca - Peulla

Peulla - Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas - Puerto Montt - Santiago de Chile - London

London

Itinerary

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All payments and sponsorship must be sent directly to Meningitis Now. We require at least 80% of the minimum sponsorship 10 weeks before departure and the remaining 20% on your return.

Airport taxes and fuel surcharges – to be confirmed

We do not include airport taxes and fuel surcharges in the tour costs, but you will be invoiced for these when your tour costs are due. Please allow around £470 for these charges, but they are subject to change.

Other personal costs

When you’re planning your trip, please think about the cost of personal travel insurance, spending money and travel vaccinations.

The Patagonia trek is the challenge of a lifetime and we want to be as clear as we can about the costs of the trip. We will be with you all the way, supporting you as you fundraise.

Tour costs and fundraising

Registration fee

This is non-refundable and secures your place on the trip.

£350 £3,950

Minimum fundraising target

Option 1

You raise at least £3,950 through fundraising – we can help

Option 2

You pay £2,137 yourself and raise at least £1,813 through fundraising

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Why support Meningitis Now?

Thank you for choosing to fundraise for Meningitis Now. Our vision is a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need. We will achieve this by funding pioneering research, raising awareness and supporting people affected by meningitis.

Meningitis facts

• Thirty people a day face the devastation of meningitis in the UK*.

• Meningitis and septicaemia kill more UK children under-5 than any other infectious disease.

• Many are left with long-term after-effects such as deafness, brain damage and limb loss.

* Estimated annual average cases between 2000 and 2010 for all meningitis types.

What your money can buy

can provide vital laboratory equipment for our researchers.

£800can pay for a specialist laptop computer and software for a person left with severe after-effects. A computer and the internet enables someone to live more independently and prevent isolation through communication.

can pay for a family to adapt their garden so their child can play safely. Children affected by meningitis can suffer serious physical disabilities, which limit their chances to play safely outdoors.

£2,000

£4,000can fund a year’s Auditory Verbal UK therapy for a child with a meningitis-related hearing impairment. Early year children with hearing impairments can hear through hearing aids and cochlear implants, but need to learn how to listen and communicate. Auditory Verbal UK is a unique rehabilitation programme for deaf children, giving them chances to gain age-appropriate listening and spoken language skills.

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About Classic ToursClassic Tours has been leading the way in charity challenges since 1992. Over the last 20 years it has seen 50,000 individuals take on challenges across the globe, raising £85m for hundreds of charities.Classic Tours are the originators of worldwide charity challenges and fully bonded under ATOL number 3379. Classic Tours operate a responsible tourism policy and you can offset your carbon emissions on the website www.classictours.co.uk

Event requirements

You must be over 18 to take part. At the discretion of Classic Tours, the tour organiser,

consideration will be given to those who are over 16 when

the trek begins if they are taking part alongside a parent or guardian who is willing to take

full responsibility for them for the duration of the event.

If you are over 65 you will be required to provide a letter from

your GP confirming your fitness to take part.

Participants must complete a medical form declaring any health or fitness issues before

their place on the trek can be confirmed.

Participants will be required to attain a

minimum level of fitness to participate in the trek. Full training support will

be provided.

You will be responsible for your own passport validity, visas

and travel insurance, which must all be in place at least 8

weeks before the start date. The relevant paperwork and advice

will be provided.

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For more details or to register to take part, please contact us

overseas@meningitisnow.org

www.meningitisnow.org

www.MeningitisNow.org/Patagonia

© Meningitis Now 2015 Registered charity number (England & Wales) 803016 (Scotland) SC037790

0345 120 4530