Thank you for supporting Springhill Hospice. The vital funds that you will be raising will be used carefully to support the care provided to our patients and their families at a time when it is needed most.

Your challenge will start in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal where you will spend the first two days at a non-profit organisation in Kathmandu which offers services to terminally ill patients, and their families. It was set up by a team of local doctors in 2000 to provide free-of-charge medicine, therapies and support to those in need. The typical tasks you will be involved with include basic refurbishment such as repainting rooms and improving kitchen or bathroom facilities, gardening and general maintenance.

You will then transfer to the picturesque lakeside town of Pokhara from where the next part of your challenge beings with a five-day trek in the stunning Annapurna area of Nepal staying in quaint locally-owned teahouses with a fantastic opportunity to experience the incredible hospitality of the local people.

You will discover the local culture while enjoying views of the snowy peaks of the Annapurnas; a highlight will be the panoramic sunrise views which unfold from Poon Hill (3400m), the highest point on the trek. Once you reach the top of Poon Hill you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, both of which are over 8,000m high (as well as countless other peaks) - it is one of the greatest viewpoints in the world.

This trek is graded challenging because of the combination of long days trekking over varying terrain (including some days where you will trek uphill all day), the changeable climate and the basic conditions at the teahouse accommodation. Each day's trek is between 5 and 8 hours in duration (variable depending on group pace).

It is essential that your training includes plenty of hillwalking and trekking up gradients over consecutive days in order to condition your muscles to this type of exertion. Underfoot you will find stony trails, muddy forest floors, rocky steps or scree slopes with some narrow suspension bridges to cross.

You will slowly ascend to an altitude of 2800m, then trek to the highest point on the trek at 3400m (Poon Hill) where you will spend a short period of time before descending back to 2800m. Despite 3400m being within the agreed threshold for high altitude (3000m+), your time at this altitude is very limited so you are unlikely to feel symptoms of altitude exposure. Once you reach the top of Poon Hill you will be rewarded with magnificent views of Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri, both of which are over 8,000m high (as well as countless other peaks) - it is one of the greatest viewpoints in the world.

You will be accompanied throughout the trek by English-speaking local Sherpa guides who have an excellent knowledge of hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey, sharing their experience and wisdom with you.

After completing the trek, you will return by road to Kathmandu before your flight home the next day after what will undoubtedly be the experience of a lifetime.