You’ll cycle through spectacular landscapes in a six-day charity bike ride from 27 September - 6 October 2019. This is not just about the cycling though as we want you to truly feel everything Malawi has to offer.
You’ll pass through rural villages and small towns to experience village life off the beaten track. You’ll have the opportunity to get up close with wildlife. And you’ll have a chance to visit our Infant Home in Mangochi to see how the children benefit from the work that you will be supporting.
You’ll end the trip at the magnificent Blantyre, where you can celebrate in style. We promise that you will be captivated by the magic of Malawi – it really is the chance of a lifetime!
As you can probably guess, this will not be an easy trip. There will be some long cycling days and some hill climbing.
But with a good level of fitness, some pre-training and lots of determination it will suit anyone that is ready to take their cycling to the next level, even if you are new to cycling.
Come and join us to do something amazing!
If this has whetted your appetite, if you’re not afraid of a personal challenge and want to do something to really make a difference, then what are you waiting for, sign up today!
If you’re not quite sure but would like some more information you can email us and we'll give you a call, we’d love to hear from you.
We will support you from the word go. You will get our challenge pack with training details, fundraising ideas, travel information and much more. Whether this is your first challenge or you’re a regular fundraiser, you can be sure of a warm welcome into a team of fantastic people.
Where from: Fly from London to Lilongwe
Overnight flight from London via Addis Ababa
Arrive in Malawi
Arrive at lunchtime and transfer to Mua (3-hour bus transfer). The rest of the afternoon is spent acclimatising and bike fitting.
This evening after dinner we meet the local staff and hear more about the challenge ahead.
Where from: Mua Mission, Dedza to Cape McLear
Distance: 100km
Starting from the Mission and as you hit the sandy cycle tracks it will dawn on you what you have actually signed up for. children will run from the villages and wave and shout you on.
The day ends with a spectacular cycle into the sunset on the aptly named Road to Monkey Bay and arrival on the shores of Lake Malawi.
Highlights: children waving, sunset
Where from: Cape McLear to Mangochi
Distance: 55km
A relaxed day. You will head off to Mangochi, firstly on sandy tracks up to the main road then on tarmac, cycling through villages and local markets, finishing by the lake.
This evening following another spectacular sunset, a barbeque on the beach and local band will entertain you on the shores of lake Malawi.
Highlights: contrasts, bustling markets, long quiet stretches, colours
Activity: Spend the day at the the Open Arms Mangochi Infant Home.
Distance: 15Km local cycling
Cycle to the home this morning to an amazing welcome of singing and dancing. Today you will be able to spend some time in the infant home sand visiting one of our nursery schools cycling off the beaten track to a remote village.
Highlights: Seeing how your money helps, experiencing why Open Arms is so special.
Where from: Mangochi to Liwonde
Distance: 95km
Today is an early start and a long day on mostly tarmac roads, cycling through market towns with children waving and cheering you on. Arriving at Hippo View Lodge on the River Shire, you will never be so pleased to see a Hippo!
Highlights: Sense of achievement at the end of a long day, hearing and seeing hippos
Where from: Liwonde to Zomba
Distance: 55km
A great start to the day with a 2 hour river safari at sunrise. After a quick breakfast, off to Zomba with a hill climb out of Liwonde. You will finish the day with a cool drink at the top of the Zomba plateau with stunning views over the Shire Highlands.
Highlight: Sunrise safari, the realisation that you can actually do this!
Where from: Zomba to Blantyre
Distance: 57km
Your last day cycling, and surprisingly, you will feel a mixture of sadness and elation. Following the official group photo you will set off for an undulating route, to Blantyre. Your adventure ends at our home in Blantyre with an enthusiastic welcome from Open Arms staff and children – never to be forgotten.
Tonight there is a dinner to celebrate your amazing achievements.
Highlights: Cycling in to the home to an amazing welcome, celebration of what you’ve done and the people you’ve met.
Fly Blantyre to London
This morning you will have time to explore Blantyre and buy some souvenirs. A late morning transfer for the early afternoon flight to London via Addis Ababa.
Arrive in London
If you choose to fund your entire trip through sponsorship, please make sure that your supporters are aware that only a proportion of their donations will benefit the charity.
*This is the minimum sponsorship required, but we would encourage individuals to raise additional funds for Open Arms
**Total includes airport tax at £440, which may be subject to fluctuation up or down.
“It was a wonderful trip... The challenge was appropriate and the link with Open Arms and those involved was very special. I can't say enough positive things about it!”
I cannot say a lot else other than excellent all round! If I could go again tomorrow I would!
Visiting the home in Mangochi was a highlight of the trip. Really enjoyed seeing the work undertaken by the charity, and to hear from the staff and children.
Excellent support could not have been better!
It was a really wonderful experience. I was so pleased to have completed the challenge, and learnt something about myself - don't say 'can't do it'! It was great to meet all the people in our group who were very supportive of each other.
It was the most humbling and inspiring trip I had. The friendly and helpful staff, good company of fellow riders, the natural scenery, the warmth of local people and the visits to infant homes made the whole trip very enjoyable and memorable. Felt well looked after and relaxed throughout.
To read more about last year's event click here
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