Essential information before you go 

In this section you should find all the information you need in order to start preparing for your challenge of a lifetime.  We can also offer some useful fundraising and training tips.

Travel insurance cover

Please note that UTC does not provide you with any travel insurance cover.

However,
We recommend therefore that you do take out travel insurance to make sure you are fully covered for the event you are undertaking, and clarify its precise nature to your insurers.
If you choose not to take out the appropriate travel insurance, should you fall ill or be involved in an accident you will not be covered for those associated costs.
We strongly recommend you are insured for the full duration of your trip and the policy is taken out prior to the date of your departure and does not cease until you have returned.
We strongly recommend the highest levels of cover and that should include as a minimum “air evacuation, Medical expenses and repatriation”.
You must also make sure you inform the insurance company of any pre-existing medical conditions before travel, failure to do so may invalidate your policy or any subsequent claim.
If you have an existing policy we highly recommend you call your insurers and confirm that it meets with the requirement of the trip you are undertaking with UTC.

Please be aware that it is your responsibility to ensure that you are correctly covered for the trip and UTC take no responsibility for uninsured travel.

Once you have organised your cover, we will need the following information from you:

  • Insurer
  • Policy No
  • Emergency Medical Assistance Contact Tel No.

Passport and Visas

Your passport must have 6 months validity on it from the date of your return to the country.

You may need a visa for travel to your chosen destination, this information will be included in your event pack, however you can also visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for further information.

Medical and Vaccinations

We require all participants on our challenges to fill out a comprehensive medical form. 

Information about required vaccines is included in your event pack. We advise that you consult your doctor for up to date information on which vaccines are required.  Fit for Travel is also an excellent resource for vaccination information. 

Equipment and Packing

You will be given a full kit list in your event pack. We know that buying equipment for a trek or bike challenge can be quite expensive so we have formed affiliations with the following companies who offer great discounts on their kit once you sign up: Cotswold Outdoor and Ellis Brigham. Alternatively, items (apart from walking boots) can be hired from Trek Hire UK or Outdoor Hire at very reasonable prices. 

When packing please try to stick to the kit list provided, this will prevent you from bringing too much kit or the wrong things that you simply won’t need. On all of our trips we advise that you pack in a holdall, or rucksack rather than a suitcase as luggage is often transported on animals or by porters/sherpas.

Other useful links

If you have a question you haven’t found the answer to yet, then check out the FAQs section or Contact Us and we’ll be glad to help.