Trek China 2013 FAQs

Find out how to sign up, what to expect and what is included on the trip. If you can't find the answer to your questions below, get in touch by filling in the form at the bottom of the page.

To download a copy of these FAQ's click here

I want to sign up! What do I do now?

Fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch very soon - or call us on 0870 202 6000. 

I want to register by post - how do I get the forms?

To apply for an information pack containing all of the required forms please fill out the form at the bottom of this page.

How do I pay my non-refundable registration fee of £299?

If you're signing up online you will be asked to pay the registration fee when you sign up, if you are signing up by telephone you can either pay by credit or debit card, or you can send a cheque. Cheques should be made payable to 'Have a Heart'.

On what basis are team members selected?

Places are given on a first come, first served basis. If you send in your registration fee and the trek is full you will be offered the choice of either a refund or a place on an alternative trek to China.

What is the age limit for the trek?

There is a lower age limit of 18 for the challenge, and no upper age limit. If you are 65 or over however we ask that you provide a signed Doctor’s note to verify your fitness.

I need a Doctor’s note but I want to sign up now!

You can sign up for the challenge and send your Doctor’s note in later.

How much do I have to fundraise to take part in the challenge?

Each member of the team must raise £3,500 to be eligible to take part in the trek. This is part of the challenge, but is achievable. Have a Heart will be on hand every step of the way to help ensure you meet the required targets.

When do I have to raise the sponsorship by?

To help you with your fundraising we have phased deadlines for achieving your sponsorship. These are:

• 50% of sponsorship (£1750) - 12 weeks before departure
• 80% of sponsorship (£2800) - 8 weeks before departure
• 100% of sponsorship (£3500) - 1 month after return

What happens if I can’t meet the sponsorship targets?

If you have trouble hitting the fundraising targets and you would still like to go on the trek, then we ask that you make up the difference yourself.

How does Have a Heart benefit from the Inca Trail Trek?

At least 56% of the £3,500 minimum sponsorship will be treated as a donation to Have a Heart. If you raise over £3,500 the entire surplus will benefit the charity.

Who is leading the trek?

Have a Heart is working with overseas challenge company Discover Adventure to deliver this project. Discover Adventure are ATOL protected and have been working on successful overseas adventures since 1994.

Which staff are on the trek?

The team on each trek will be joined by a minimum of one Have a Heart member of staff, plus two trek leaders and a team doctor from Discover Adventure. We will also be assisted by porters who are a fundamental part of the team.

What is included in the trip?

All accommodation is included as well as all flights and transfers; all meals except three as specified in the itinerary; entrance to the Forbidden City and all other sites visited as part of the itinerary. Experienced Discover Adventure leaders and doctor (depending on final group size) are also included, along with a local support crew of local guides, drivers and cooks.

Items not included are personal travel insurance, entry visa, tips for local crew or international departure tax. It also does not include any entrance fees to any optional sites or attractions you may wish to visit, or optional activities you may wish to undertake. Also not included is any airline fuel supplement that may be charged by the airline. This cost is unpredictable and often is not charged at all. In the event that the airline does choose to charge a fuel supplement, Have a Heart will meet the first £100 and the participant will be expected to cover the remaining cost.

Will we be affected by altitude?

This trek does not take place at altitudes where participants are likely to be affected.

Can I share a tent with my friend/partner?

Yes – if you are doing the challenge with a friend or partner please state this on your registration form and we will try and arrange for you to share a tent. If you would like to share with a same sex friend/partner this shouldn’t be a problem.

Does Heart make any money out of the challenge?

NO – Heart does not profit in any way from any of the fundraising events which Have a Heart holds.

Will Heart and their presenters be able to help me with my fundraising?

Unfortunately Heart and its presenters aren’t able to support individual trekkers in their fundraising efforts. As we have so many trekkers supporting Have a Heart, we simply cannot ask Heart presenters to give individual shout-outs, donate signed items or make personal appearances at fundraising events.  The station will feature details of the trip online where appropriate, and occasionally a presenter may offer their support by talking on-air about the trip as a whole.

If I am registering by post where do I send my completed registration forms?

Please return your registration forms to: Have a Heart Trek China 2013, Have a Heart, 30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA. Please note you will need to include: a cheque for £299 made payable to 'Have a Heart' for your non-refundable registration fee (if you are paying via this method) plus the registration form. Please ensure that you have read the Terms and Conditions before securing your place on the challenge.