Choose a Challenge UK

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Reviews

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  Adam Nikodým

  Had a brilliant experience climbing Kilimanjaro with CaC. The trek itself was organised incredibly well, everything about it went perfectly. The team was also very helpful and communicative with prompt replies whenever any issues occurred. Overall, great support and incredible lifelong memories with a great cause! Would especially recommend for students.

  21-05-2023
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  Joe Parkins

  - During Covid I was charged £300 to defer my trip because Nepal was closed to travellers (completely out of my control). No assistance was offered from CAC, I had to pay it out of pocket. - Our rep was 45 minutes late to the airport on our departure flight, ticked our name off on a list and then left. No guidance was given on checkin, and we could’ve just checked ourselves in instead of waiting and delaying us. - Someone on my flight was ‘unable to be fed’ due to dietary restrictions. Presumably CAC should have provided the airline with requirements and been told this in advance, but instead this person has the pleasure of going hungry on the plane. - My trip was bought up one day because of flight delays, and despite being told all meals were paid for, I had to go to an ATM and pay for my own meals for this extra day. Again not communicated in advance, more money out of pocket. - The first 3 days of our trip were spent on the airport floor, as our trip was booked at the end of Monsoon season. Our expectations here were awfully managed, as when I spoke to some of the locals and guides they informed me it’s normal for flights to often be cancelled this time of year, but this was news to us and CAC described doing an alternative trek as absolute worst case. - Since my trip was moved up 1 day, I was joined together with another group. Had there been some planes to Lukla, the other group (which now had all the same dates as me and paid the same money) had complete priority, and I was told if a plane took off, they would go and I would stay there. This continued throughout the whole trek with the other group always getting priority, one example being my groups hotel had single beds and ceiling fans, whilst the other group had mostly double beds and air conditioning. The only time this flipped was when our guide put their foot down and said it isn’t fair, and we got the nicer hotel. - With two groups combined, the group size was far too large with no counter measures taken. We were provided 3 guides, which was not enough for 50 people and I could visibly see they were massively overworked. To their credit, the guides did an outstanding job despite the numbers, but more personnel should have been bought in the moment the groups merged (CAC were aware of this weeks in advance) - Due to the time of year, there was a huge number of leeches on our trail. This was not a huge bother to me personally, however a lot of people were stressed about this, and noone had prepared for it (e.g. sprays, repellent, appropriate clothing). It is common knowledge in Nepal this was the case, and yet again CAC should have communicated it in their kit list and emails. - After the trek there was yet another day of no meals provided, more money out of pocket, and I was let know on the day. Yet again I had to pull more money out, tanking the ATM fee. The list could go on, but overall some of the worst communication I have ever had from a company. I would like to be clear that this is largely management causing these issues, and the only positive I can take away from CAC is that their local guide selection and student reps were great. Santosh, Bhoomi, and Rishi were outstanding guides and made me feel safe and comfortable. Adam (our CAC rep in Nepal) did a good job, despite clearly having to answer my questions politically without giving real answers sometimes, very likely because he had been told nothing from management!!!! I would encourage anyone to please book your trip with another operator.

  28-09-2022
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  Tom Boxer

  Choose a Challenge put on a great itinerary and incredible trip that I will remember for the rest of my life. I went to Kilimanjaro, safari in Tanzania and Zanzibar and had the best time. I went with a group of 26 other students and it is fair to say that with such a large group, and so many logistics in a foreign country it can be hard to make everything run smoothly. Occasionally there were some plans that didn’t run as smooth as they could have, but that is inevitable and what counts is the amazing staff that helped sort these problems out, including Oscar, Mike and Haroon, as well as all the other ground operatives in Tanzania who were all super helpful. I would highly recommend this company, and would consider going on another trip with them in the future.

  28-07-2022
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  Tiff Duggan

  Had an amazing time on the Kilimanjaro Trip, felt in good hands the whole time - fully due to the Choose a Challenge Team.

  28-07-2022
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  Alice Jennings

  Had a great experience with Choose a Challenge climbing Kilimanjaro. The communication both before and during the trip was great, I felt like there was always someone on hand to ask for help or questions. Both Kili and the extension trip were well organised, Mike was always on hand to help out with anything

  28-07-2022
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  Isabella Dixon Smith

  I would actively discourage anyone thinking about going on a trip with Choose A Challenge. They are corrupt and fraudulent. They do not respond to communications. Completely ruined our trip, by charging me an additional $2,000 they have refused to refund. We also had delays while in Nepal and missed our extension trip. They are refusing to give proper documentation for me to make an insurance claim costing a further $1,000. They are taking advance of young people who want to travel and raise money for charity. Wish I could give zero stars.

  28-07-2022
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  Alastair Snell

  Charged extra for a Sahara exploration after our trip through Morocco. The itinerary sold to us was completely false and left us all feeling ripped off. Would advise people to steer clear.

  28-07-2022
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  Rui Duarte

  28-05-2022
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  Krish B

  The company is a scam and the fundraising money does not totally go to charity, at least half goes towards the cost of your trip, meaning not only is the 'cost of the trip' extortionate (you could do it cheaper independently), but you're asking people for money to fund a holiday for you, disguised as charity. Not happy with the entire experience and wish I didn't fall for the pressure to 'sign up asap!!'. Don't wish to ask others to fund my trip so ended up spending several thousand pounds on this, and on top there's hundreds to pay for insurance, visas and equipment. I'm sure the trip will be fun but Id much rather do it myself rather than through this company. Scamming uni students is really not it.

  28-05-2022
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  Hannah Martin

  Positive: Quality, Responsiveness, Value

  28-05-2022