Cycle Malawi 2013 - "the Warm Heart of Africa"

This is our 5th bi-annual ride in Malawi and it promises to be another smasher! 

The ride will go from Mulanje, on the slopes of Mount Mulanje in the south of Malawi, up through the tea planting areas finally arriving at Lake Malawi.

The countryside is spectacular with heart-stopping views and you may even get to see a hippopotamus or two. 

Most important, though, are the people. The people of Malawi are delightful - warm hearted and friendly, despite the crippling poverty. As ever, you will have an opportunity to visit one of our supported projects - the hospital at Mulanje, and see the work that you are enabling. Best of all though is meeting the local people.

On a bike you have the time to stop and chat to the people and to see their real need for the help which you are enabling through your efforts and sponsorship. Certainly many of us have found this to be a humbling and even life-changing experience.

You'll love it!

To apply either write to us at 7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh, EH11 2HA, call us on 0131 313 3828, send us an email to info@emms.org or use the contact us form.

We'll send you an application pack and when we receive that back with your deposit we'll supply an information pack with lots of useful information and tips on how to raise that money. We'll also send you regular updates and information on the ride. What are you waiting for?

The practical details:

• our trips all start from London Heathrow so you need to make arrangements to get their. We'll let you know the flight details in good time to book a cheap fare.
• you will need to raise a minimum sponsorship of £2,950. We provide lots of help on how to raise this sum and most of our riders surprise themselves by raising well over this. We'd like you to raise as much as you can as every penny over this makes a huge difference to the support we can give. Don't forget that Gift Aid can add 25% to donations from tax-payers.
• to cover the basic administration fees there is a £250 non-refundable registration fees. As an incentive, if you register before 30th November 2012, you pay only £200.
• meals and accommodation (with the exception of lunch on the final day) are provided.
• you'll need to consult your GP about any vaccinations required and, if you're over 65 (we have many riders over this age!), to get their sign off.
• insurance: once you've signed up then you need to arrange insurance either through our tour operators, Classic Tours, or your own insurance company. This should cover both the trip itself and the cost of the trip should you need to pull out at the last minute.
• taxes and fuel surcharges: you will be liable for any airport taxes and fuel surcharges. Current estimates are that these will be in the region of £300.
• we are charged for the trip 8 weeks before leaving and so by then we do need to have received 75% of the minimum sponsorship to cover our outlay. This will be £2,213. If you have any other questions then please contact mike.millar@emms.org or ring Mike on 0131 313 3828.