HEALTH & FITNESS

On all our challenges, both overseas and in the UK, there is an element of strenuous activity and exercise. Your safety is our priority and as such, we want to ensure that you have a suitable level of health and fitness in order to take part in your chosen activity. As part of the booking process, you will need to submit a medical form. Depending on your medical history, you may be required to get your form signed by your GP or specialist.

If you have a physical or mental condition that could impact your ability to take part in your chosen challenge, please get in touch with us prior to signing up. We understand that reduced mobility or medical condition mean different things to different people, and that individual capabilities, restrictions and requirements are likely to vary considerably.

We will be able to advise you on whether the trip is generally suitable, taking into account your particular situation. Please also keep us updated with any changes to an existing or new medical condition after your booking has been confirmed.

Please check out our Terms and Conditions for further information about medical conditions.

It is important that you take training for your challenge seriously – for both your own safety and enjoyment. Whatever your chosen activity, we strongly encourage you to do specific training for it. General cardio and strength conditioning is a great foundation, but you cannot beat getting on your bike outside or donning your walking boots and taking to the hills. Start slowly and build up. If you are doing a multi-day challenge, we strongly recommend doing consecutive days of training to prepare you for your challenge. We will send you a comprehensive training guide when you register but you will need to do the preparation – it is definitely true to say that the fitter you are, the more enjoyable your challenge will be!

Before travelling overseas, you should consider a travel health risk assessment. Some of our destinations may require a course of vaccinations.

For the most current information, please speak to your GP or travel nurse. Some vaccines require more than one dose and need to be given in advance, so allow at least 6 to 8 weeks before you travel.

Please visit the Fitfortravel website for country specific information on vaccine requirements, general travel health and disease prevention.

Prevention is better than cure… The most common medical situations we see on our challenges are ones that typically can be largely prevented – sunburn, heat exhaustion, blisters, and insect bites and stings. You’ll also need to be aware of increasing hygiene levels, such as more regular hand washing.

Travel can also impact your mental health; unfamiliarity with new surroundings, missing familiar comforts and being immersed in a whole new environment can contribute to culture shock – leading to feelings of homesickness, isolation or anxiety. 

You can prepare yourself to better deal with these situations if they arise. As detailed on your kit list, you will need to bring a small personal first aid kit. We’ll give you advice on how to prevent, and treat, minor conditions in both your pre-trip information and through briefings on the trip itself.

Please visit the Fitfortravel website for further information about general travel health and disease prevention.

Altitude sickness, or hypoxia, is a lack of oxygen, which can happen when you are at high altitude. Symptoms include a headache, nausea, a loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. If an element of your challenge involves high attitude (most commonly Trek Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp Trek and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu), we will send you further information on how to minimise the risk and potential impact of altitude sickness. All the relevant itineraries have acclimatisation days built in, to give you the best possible chance of feeling well during your challenge.

When taking out travel insurance for your trip, you will need to ensure that you have declared any pre-existing medical conditions. If you do not, you are at risk of your insurance policy becoming void.

For more information on what your travel insurance needs to cover, please visit our Travel Insurance page.