ITINERARY

DAY 1

We depart from UK to Phoenix. When we arrive we are met by local guides and taken to hotel. A quick briefing follows regarding the first trek then we are free for the rest of the evening - ie hit the sack or have our last drop of alcohol - perhaps hit the sack would be more sensible!

DAY 2

We leave Phoenix at 8 a.m. and go north through the Seonoran Desert and into the high elevation plateaus and red-rock canyons of north central Arizona.

After a drive of approximately 2 hours we arrive in Sedona featuring the wonder of what Native Americans consider the spiritual vortex of the Southwest with its red rock formations - Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon rival many national parks.

We embark on a late morning acclimatisation trek of approximately 10k along Oak Creak, home to world class views of famous rock monoliths such as Cathedral Rock. We have a picnic lunch near the creek then we transfer through the breathtaking Oak Creek Canyon and its towering red-rock walls. We then check into our hotel for the night on ROUTE 66 - where Chezzy and I will get our kicks ;o)

DAY 3

Very early breakfast and then 1 hour transfer to Hualapai Hilltop (pronounced Walapai). This is the only land travel access to the stunning Havasupai Indian Reservation.

Starting at 5,400 feet, this demanding trail begins with switchbacks until it reaches a dry stream bed where the train begins to level out. After a trailside lunch, we then descend deeper into the labyrinth of red sandstone. At 3,200 ft we continue on the cottonwood-lined paths through the Indian village into the canyon's back country. A further 2 mile trek after the village will lead us past the awesome Havasu Falls and into camp. Late afternoon will be spent near the waterfalls setting up camp - home for the next three nights - and I am sharing a tent with a "BUNNY"!!!!!

DAY 4

THE EXTREMELY TOUGH DAY!!!!!

Have brekkie at camp then trek deeper into the Canyon to the testing descent at Mooney Falls. Our trek today will be around 9 hours!!!!

We continue into the stunning abyss until we reach a fork where we will be asked to choose a "wet route" or "dry route" (Chezzy has already chosen the wet route). The wet route involves swimming and jumping from waterfalls - hmmmmmmmmmmmm wonder if anyone else is taking the 'dry route' I may leave Chezzy as this point and go that way - nah kidding, I am into jumping from waterfalls!!!!! When we reach Beaver Falls we trek a further 9km to the Colorado River. Here at the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River we are standing one mile below the RIM OF THE CANYON!!!!!!! We still have to trek 12km back to camp though!!!!

DAY 5

Brekkie again at camp (the pancakes sound delicious btw) we trek up a canyon to a hidden side cleft in the cliff wall where we will be expertly guided to the Tonto Platform - this is a broad rocky terrace between the Supai sandstone and the red wall stand stone. This is a huge challenge but we are rewarded with views than can never be seen below - sweeping Grand Canyon vistas all the way to the North Rim and a bird's eye view of both Havasu and Mooney Falls - then it is back to camp for lunch - great bet we are 'starving' by then!!!!

Day 5 is NOT finished though - once we have digested lunch we trek and hike up to Carbonate Canyon which is a very narrow side canyon and we have to wear head torches to explore YIKES!!! After that, we trek back to camp and prepare ourselves for the big challenge.

DAY 6 CONQUER THE CANYON

We start at 5 am and have to be out of the canyon before the midday sun hits. We shall battle against intense heat and exhaustion but the exhilaration of reaching the Rim makes the arduous and challenging day one that neither Chezzy nor I will forget.

We shall then be transferred to Las Vegas and have a presentation dinner.

DAY 7

Brekkie in hote and transport back to airport to return home BOO HOO !!!

DAY 8

We are back in the UK ready to post fantastic photographs of our fantastic journey.

We hope that you can see from this itinerary just how much work we shall put into earning the donations that you give us to ensure that Marie Curie Cancer Care is funded into the future. Thank you all for giving Chezzy and I really appreciate it.