DAY 1 DEPARTURE

DAY 2 ARRIVE KOCHI (COCHIN)
We arrive after lunch into the colonial, coastal town of Kochi. We transfer to our hotel and have a chance to freshen up before sitting down to a welcome dinner and briefing with our local guides.

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 3 SHANTANPARA 
We depart Kochi very early to take advantage of the cooler mornings, and journey by road to Chatangapara, mid-way between Munnar & Periyar.  We will trek through a remote region taking in some of the highest mountain ranges in the entire Western Ghats. The trek will take us through thick forests which have for centuries been the centre of a cardamom growing region known as the ‘Cardamom Hills’.  We will set up camp on a hillock near Shantanpara.
  
Accommodation: Camping
Trekking: 6-7 HRS
 
DAY 4 ANAIYARANGAL 
Another early start will see us trek along  undulating mountain paths over the grasslands and forests  towards Anaiyirangal.  Anaerangal -“The lake Where the Elephants Come Down” – is a vast expanse of  water  where elephants have gathered  for thousands of years to graze and drink the water.  The elephants are now a rare sight due to the many tribal villages that have sprung up in the area. We will set up camp by the lakeside with a spectacular view of the lake and its surroundings.

Accommodation: Camping
Trekking 6-7 HRS

DAY 5  KORANGINI 
We will start at dawn and begin our trek through high altitude rain forests towards Korangini on the leeside of the Western Ghats.  After a steady climb of 12km,  we will descend to the camping area  for a well earned rest and prepare for the challenge that awaits us on the next day.

Accommodation: Camping
Trekking 7-8 HRS

DAY 6 TOP STATION 
We will depart Korangini for a very challenging day with altitude rising from 550m to 2010m at Top Station. Top Station is named after  the ropeway station used for transporting tea to the factories in the plains of Tamilnadu. Here we will find a spectacular  view of the plains below and Kodaikanal, the hill station atop the Palani ranges.

Accommodation: Camping
Trekking 7-8 HRS

DAY 7 ELLAPPATTI 
We will embark on a relatively easy trek today in preparation for the tougher day tomorrow. The trek passes through tea estates and Eucalyptus plantations before ending at the Ellappatti camp, near a patch of high altitude rain forest.  

Accommodation: Camping
Trekking 6 HRS

DAY 8          RHODO VALLEY   
An early start will see us journey along paths over the undulating mountain grasslands and ascend Meesapulimala, at 2630m the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. The trek passes through sholas (high altitude rain forests or cloud forests) and mountain streams which criss-cross the area. Wildlife sightings are common– notably elephants, sambar, sloth bear and the Nilgiri tahr. At the top, we will enjoy the stunning panoramic views including the world’s highest tea estate, Kolukkumalai, in the hills below.  This is a great opportunity to trek off the tourist trail along the uncharted paths and through the remote tea estate. We will descend and continue trekking through grasslands and high altitude rainforest to our camping site amongst the wild rhododendrons.   Sightings of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (ibex) are common and elephant and bison may also be seen in the area.

Accommodation: Camping 
Trekking 7-8 HRS

DAY 9 KOCHI
We will trek to the pick up point and embark on a 4 hour bus drive to Kochi. Arriving in Kochi by early afternoon, we will spend the rest of the day exploring the town before coming together for a final celebratory dinner in the evening. We will be joined by a representative from Concern to thank you in person and explain how your fundraising efforts will be used.

Accommodation: Hotel

DAY 10 RETURN HOME
We depart from Kochi on an early morning flight via Bombay, London, and arriving home in Dublin later that evening.

How do I take part in an Overseas Challenge?
Step 1: Complete an application form and send it into Concern with a personal donation/deposit of €150/£150
Step 2: Minimum sponsorship is then €4550/£3850 which covers the full event cost and more than 50% towards Concern Worldwide.
On receipt of a completed form and deposit, Concern will provide you with a Trek Manual and Fundraising Pack.

Where will the fundraising be used?
Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to reducing suffering and ending extreme poverty. Since the beginning, over 40 years ago, our focus has been on improving the lives of the poorest people.  By taking part in this challenge, the proceeds that you raise will go directly our Concern Indian office so that they can continue to support existing programmes.

Are there any limitations for participants?
Anybody above the age of eighteen years at the date of departure can take part in a Concern Challenge. All you need is an enthusiastic approach to both your training plan and fundraising programmes, and if you follow our guidelines then there is no limit to what you can achieve.

What do the funds raised cover?
Return flights and transfers to and from our destination.
Brand new bikes will be provided in country
Accommodation in hotels and tents.
Food and plenty of it.
Professional expedition leaders, doctors and local guides to show you the trekking route in a way only they can.
Help and advice from Concern staff to make the trek as enjoyable as possible for you.

Will I be able to raise the sponsorship money?
With a little planning and a lot of enthusiasm and effort, raising the minimum target should not be a problem. Fundraising is more than half the challenge and should prove to be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Total Trekking Distance
Approximately 75Km mountain/hill terrain

Rating
Moderate

Fitness
This challenge requires a good level of fitness to trek the route.

Weather
Oct – Dec is ideal for this challenge the weather should be pleasant in the morning getting increasingly hotter throughout the day. There may be a possibility of rains as we experience a little of the post monsoon.