GRAND CANYON TREK

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Trip Details

Full details & information about what you can expect in the lead up & during the challenge.

Costs & Fundraising

The balance for your trip cost, will be due to us 10 weeks before your departure. You will be sent a reminder & an invoice 12 weeks before, giving you 2 weeks to make the payment. 

80% of your fundraising target is due to be with your charity 12 weeks before the challenge, meaning that it either needs to be banked with them, or sat against a Just Giving page. We will then invoice your charity for the remaining cost of your place on the challenge, it is important you make that 80% target otherwise your charity will not pay for your place, and your trip could be cancelled.

The remaining 20% of your balance will be due to be with your charity 4 weeks after your trip ends. 

Our base cost is on a twin share room basis, if you are signing up as a couple of two friends – you can tell us when you register onto the challenge, so we ensure that you will be sharing a room.

If you are signing up to the challenge as an individual, we will match you with someone of the same gender and roughly the same age. 

You can choose to pay an additional supplement to have your own room (and/or tent) on the challenge. 

All of our groups are an average size of approximately 20 participants. We welcome individuals, couples and groups of friends on to our challenges, and many who join us literally have a mountain to climb in terms of the scale of the challenge they are taking on. We advocate camaraderie and team bonding, and really believe that this enhances your experience.

Yes as long as we know in advance of the trip, we can cater for all dietary requirements & requests. 

Signing Up to the Challenge

Once you pay your deposit & have signed up to the challenge, you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you into the challenge. 

You will also receive instructions on how to download our challenge app which has in it all the information you need to start preparing for your challenge – from kit lists to training guides. 

We will keep you updated with regular emails & newsletters in the lead-up to the challenge, as well as information on training days & weekends.

If you need to cancel your challenge, your deposit is non-refundable – therefore we recommend you speak to our team to see what alternative options you may have.

Yes, if for whatever reason you need to push your departure back to a later one or change your trip altogether you can do so for a date change fee of £175, subject to availability.

Country entry requirements can change because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s something our team constantly keep their eyes on. If we must cancel the trip – you will be offered a transfer to a future date/ departure or a full refund. However, if you need to cancel your trip – e.g. you test positive, then you will need to seek reimbursement from your travel insurance. 

Currently, we do not have the accounting facility to take instalments, we can only take your payment in full at least 12 weeks before your departure.

Preparation

Yes – in our challenge app, which you can download once you are fully registered for the challenge we have a host of training materials, guides & advice for you to use. We also have training weekends and days which you can sign up to meet others & test out not just your fitness, but your mental readiness for the challenge and your all-important kit! 

Closer to the challenge we will set up a WhatsApp group so that you can meet others online who are going to be on your trip. We also have a lively & dynamic Facebook group you can join at any time to meet other fellow challengers – past & present to share and swap training tips, advice & stories. 

You will need specific travel insurance, which covers the duration of your trip, along with full cover for any activities you will be doing (i.e. trekking, cycling) and to cover you up to any altitude you may be trekking to. Once you are signed up for the challenge, we will send you full details of our recommended providers of appropriate cover.

Life on the Challenge

  • International flights
  • Action Challenge trek leader
  • Full support team, including local guides
  • UK medic
  • All accommodation
  • All meals, except in free time
  • Air travel taxes
  • All transfers in local vehicles
  • Celebration dinner
  • Discounted training weekends in Snowdonia
  • Fitness and training guide
  • Discounts from UK retailers
  • Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health
  • Insurance
  • Vaccinations – up to date on boosters.
  • Tips for local staff
  • Airline fuel surcharge
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Personal kit / equipment

We will wake after sunrise, and enjoy breakfast at our campsite. Then we will pack lunch into our day packs, and set off for the day’s trail. While trekking there will be regular breaks to take on water and rest in the shade, with a longer break for lunch. On return to camp, there will be time to relax before dinner – with more downtime in the evening for conversation and admiring the sunsets!

If you are booking a land-only package, we recommend flying in to Phoenix, AZ and planning to arrive around the same time as the main team. This way you can join the team transfer to Williams.

Absolutely! Just let us know after you book and we can request a flight extension with the airline for you.

We will wake after sunrise, and enjoy breakfast at our campsite. Then we will pack lunch into our day packs, and set off for the day’s trail. While trekking there will be regular breaks to take on water and rest in the shade, with a longer break for lunch. On return to camp, there will be time to relax before dinner – with more downtime in the evening for conversation and admiring the sunsets!

In & around the Grand Canyon, the terrain is Rocky, and the trails can often be exposed to strong winds and sun. The trails can take some steep ascents and descents too! Zion National Park is also very rocky, with some exposed sections on the trail up to Scout’s Lookout – and not to mention steep switchback trails. The reward for tackling this tough terrain in both parks are spectacular views of ancient rock formations and river valleys.

You will be provided with three varied and nutritious meals a day and unlimited supply of fully purified and treated water whilst trekking. Breakfast will be at our campsite each morning. Lunches will be packed-lunches whilst trekking, and evening meals will be freshly prepared in camp in time for your arrival on trekking days or when in hotels, dinner will be at a good local restaurant. The food will be high in carbs & protein to provide fuel for your efforts on the trail, so expect pasta, rice and pulses, plus beans and meat options – all with an American twist!

Luggage will be left at our secure camp each day while trekking – you will only need to carry your day pack containing water, waterproofs, suncream and other personal effects.

We will be trekking an average of 15 – 20 km each day, over steep trails. This means we will need to keep an average walking pace of 3 – 4km per hour. Each trail will have a cut off time, meaning that if members of the group are unable to reach certain points by the cut off times, they will need to turn back.

Your challenge will be led by an experienced Action Challenge leader. Our leaders are selected for their experience, knowledge, enthusiasm, sensitivity and sense of humour, and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.

You will also be accompanied by an Action Challenge doctor, who will be carrying a fully stocked medical kit in case of any emergency. They will carry out daily health checks, and the re-assurance of their presence should allow you to focus on, and enjoy your challenge!

We have a full support team in country with two way radio contact between the Action Challenge Head Quarters in London and local staff and satellite phone for emergencies. If for any reason you need to leave the group early local staff will assist you and will arrange transfers, accommodation and medical care if necessary.

Temperatures during the trekking season in the Grand Canyon are relatively pleasant during the day, 14 – 21°C. Inner canyon temperatures are more extreme, and Grand Canyon weather varies by location. The rims are at high elevations, and they will be cooler than the inner canyon, which is nearer sea level. At any location, Grand Canyon weather can change quickly, and we should be prepared for a range of temperatures and conditions. Exposed trails can sometimes see strong winds too.

Zion National Park will see temperatures between 10 – 25°C, with little wind on some sections of the trail.

Our Brochure

The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, and more – download for a full run down of the challenge details. 

Dates & Prices