Friday, February 7 – Arrive in Hobart, Tasmania. 
– Hotel in Hobart

Saturday, February 8 – Hobart to Queenstown
Our first wilderness experience begins in Mount Field National Park where we’ll walk amongst some of the world’s tallest trees and the cascading Russell Falls. Continuing west we will visit Australia’s deepest freshwater lake, Lake St Clair, before traversing the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Here we’ll enjoy some short walks along the tannin-coloured waters of the Franklin River and Nelson Falls. Further west, past the vast buttongrass plains, vistas of Mt Lyell, the Iron Blow and Horsetail falls complete our day of stunning scenery. We overnight in Queenstown, once a historic mining town, now a thriving West Coast destination. Dinner included

Overnight: Queenstown

Walking options:
Mount Field – 20 minutes to 90 minutes (Tall Trees to Russell Falls).
Lake St Clair – 30 minutes (unguided)
Nelson Falls – 30 minutes
Franklin River – 5 to 30 minutes
Iron Blow Lookout and Horsetail Falls – 5 minutes

Sunday, February 9- Gordon River Cruise to Tullah
Cruise along the magnificent Gordon River. This outstanding river cruise explores Macquarie Harbour as far as the imposing Hells Gates. You’ll explore the convict site of Sarah Island before venturing upriver and deeper into the World Heritage rainforests. Stroll amid the ancient huon pines on the boardwalk and enjoy lunch aboard the ship featuring Tasmanian produce. This afternoon, journey to the tiny town of Tullah. On a clear day, magnificent views across Lake Rosebery are possible of the rugged peaks of Mount Murchison. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a group dinner and relax in the lakeside chalet. Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included

Overnight: Tullah

Walking options:
Guests that prefer not to do the cruise- We could potentially take guests to Montezuma Falls – 3 hour walk and Henty Dunes (30-45 minutes)

Monday, February 10 – Tullah to Launceston via Cradle Mountain
Experience the iconic Cradle Mountain National Park. Your guide will explain several options to suit your preferences today. At Ronny Creek we’ll meander along the boardwalk to look for wombats. At Dove Lake, spend 2-3 hours circling the glacial carved lake beneath towering mountains and diverse alpine vegetation. Or take in the valley views from the Boat Shed or Glacial Rock. This afternoon, enjoy the “Town of Murals” at Sheffield, before arriving in Launceston in northern Tasmania.  Breakfast included

Overnight: Launceston

Walking options:
Depending on guests choice, up to 4 hours of walking today. Dove Lake Circuit is 6km, plus Ronny Creek etc. Marion’s Lookout is steep and challenging.

Tuesday, February 11 – Bay of Fires to Bicheno
Visit Cataract Gorge, a scenic nature reserve just minutes from downtown Launceston. Travel to the East Coast via St Columba Falls. We’ll enjoy lunch in St Helens before exploring the Bay of Fires/larapuna. At Cosy Corner North, stroll along the white sands of the pristine beaches. Turquoise waters and rust-coloured boulders make this scenery remarkable. This evening we will stay in Bicheno, the East Coast’s loveliest coastal town and home to the little penguin.  Breakfast included

Overnight: Bicheno

Walking options:
Cataract Gorge – usually 1 hour
St Columba Falls – 1 hour
Bay of Fires – around 45 minutes to 1 hour (beach)

Wednesday, February 12 – Freycinet National Park to Eaglehawk Neck
Freycinet National Park is a coastal nature playground with secluded bays, pristine beaches, diverse forests, and pink granite mountains. At Honeymoon Bay, discover the stunning pink peaks of the Hazards Mountains. A walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout provides postcard views of the curved white beach, while at Cape Tourville you can take in panoramic views of the Tasman Sea and Freycinet coastlines. We will continue south and see the scenery changes as we reach the gateway to the stunning Tasman Peninsula at Eaglehawk Neck. Dinner included

Overnight: Eaglehawk Neck

Walking options:
Wineglass Bay – 45 minutes to 90 minutes (to the lookout or beach return)
Hazards Circuit (option which includes Wineglass) around 3.5 hours
Mt Amos (very challenging) – 3 hours
Cape Tourville – 30 minutes

Thursday, February 13 – Back to Hobart
EAGLEHAWK NECK > HOBART (B)
Wander down to the geological wonder of the Tessellated Pavement and explore other parts of the magnificent Tasman Peninsula such as Tasman Arch and Devils Kitchen which form part of the Tasman National Park.  See Tasmanian devils and other wildlife at a nature sanctuary, before visiting the open-air museum of Port Arthur Historic Site. Explore the vast gardens and convict buildings in what is known as the best convict historic settlement in Australia and a World Heritage Site.  We’ll return to Hobart via the colonial village of Richmond, where our journey comes to an end.  Breakfast included

Walking Options:
3 hours walking around Port Arthur
1 hour at wildlife sanctuary
1 hour at geological sites

Tour ends at 5:30pm

Suggested packing includes:

• Camera
• Drink bottle
• Comfortable trail walking shoes
• Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
• Clothes to suit conditions (layers are a good idea)
• Waterproof jacket (just in case)
• Swimwear and towel (conditions permitting)

Weather in February:

February is the warmest month of the year in Tasmania, with average highs of 21°C (69.8°F) and lows around 12.7°C (54.8°F). Sudden temperature drops may occur at any time, so be sure to pack warm layers and a waterproof jacket.

Thank you again for committing to helping children served by the American Foundation for Children with AIDS (AFCA)!  Our Payment Policies and Procedures guide applies to everybody who commits to a Climb Up: Tasmania (CUTas) fundraising trip, so please read this carefully.

There are two parts to payment:

1. You will pay Steep Adventures directly for the trip portion of this adventure: $1575. Your $500 deposit is part of that overall cost.  You will NOT receive a tax receipt for this portion.
2. You may either fundraise the $1500 due to AFCA or you may pay that directly to AFCA. Both these portions must be paid in order to participate in this adventure. Tax receipts will be issued.

We hope the following guide proves helpful for those of you who are fund raising the financial support necessary to make your trip a reality.  Be sure to review the information here before beginning your fundraising efforts. These guidelines are in place to ensure that you have the opportunity to join others in the mission of AFCA to help provide medicine to children in Africa affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.

DEPOSIT AND BALANCE

Once you have applied for a CUTas team, you must confirm your place on the team by submitting a non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $500 to Steep Adventures. The balance of trip payment (trip cost minus the $500 deposit) is due no later than 90 days prior to departure and you’ll receive reminders from Steep Adventures regarding this.

SUBMITTING PAYMENTS

All payments toward your trek costs ($1575) must be made in U.S. dollars to Steep Adventures and designated to the Tasmania trek. Payments may be submitted by personal check, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express (processing fee for credit card payments) or cash. Details of where to send checks is given during the registration process. Your trip payment covers your lodging, food (according to itinerary), guide, ground transportation, orientation materials and your park fees.  Not covered are: donation to AFCA, costs of passports and visas; excess baggage charges; immunizations; trip cancellation insurance; international airfare; airport departure taxes; sightseeing, or meals not listed in each itinerary; laundry; communication charges; and gratuities.

Once you register for your trip, you will be directed to create your fundraising page, whether you are fundraising or not.  You may pay the $1500 due to AFCA here or you may fundraise it. Participants and donors who submit funds by credit card will receive an automatic e-mail acknowledgment. You may also pay by check, with the check made out to AFCA and a sticky note with your name and Tasmania written on it.  AFCA will notify you of any donations made directly to the office so you can thank donors.  Any payments you submit toward the fundraising portion of your trip will automatically be credited toward satisfying your financial obligation only when coded as per the instructions above.

Checks and money orders must be made payable to AFCA and mailed to:

AFCA
1520 Greening Lane
Harrisburg PA 17110

Your deposit and any payments you submit toward the cost of your trip will automatically be credited toward satisfying your financial obligation only when coded as per the coding donation section below.

FUNDING YOUR TRIP

1)  Matching gifts– Contact your company’s matching gift officer prior to submitting a matching-gift form. Not all companies’ matching-gift policies allow for the matching of participation fees. If applying for matching gifts, notify AFCA.

Note: Matching gift funds may only be used to offset the final balance owed if they are received by AFCA at least 30 days before the trip departure.

2)  Tax deductibility – Donations made to AFCA will receive a tax receipt. No tax receipt will be given for the cost of the trip, payable to Steep Adventures.

3)  Acknowledging donations – All donors who contribute via check or money order payable to AFCA or who make a credit card donation designated to a CUTas climber are sent acknowledgment letters by AFCA. Those who donate on line (via a personalized web page) receive a prompt e-mail confirmation that the donation was received.  Checks should not be made payable directly to you

4)  Funds raised in addition to the published trip cost – One of the stated purposes of the CUTas program is to raise funds for children in Africa who are impacted by the AIDS pandemic. To remain consistent with our mission, AFCA is not able to roll additional funds over to a future CUTas trip. AFCA will use any additional funding that you raise towards the children we support.

5)  Fundraising for airfare – Funds raised in excess of the trip cost may not be used to cover all or part of a CUTas team participant’s airfare. However, we recognize that some people may want to raise money for their airfare. Please do this on your own.  Participants may still be able to claim their airfare as a tax-deductible expense even if the funds are paid directly from the participant to a vendor, as long as the trip is in pursuit of a charitable purpose. Team members will need to contact a tax adviser concerning their specific situation.

CANCELLATION POLICY

To cancel your booking, you must submit your request in writing by email at info@steepadventures.com. Cancellation fees will be applied per person according to the following schedule, based on the date we receive your written notification:

• In advance of 60 days from departure – Refund of payments made minus $500 non-refundable deposit and any non-refundable payments made to suppliers
• Under 60 days from departure – No refunds are possible

No refunds will be provided for any unused portion of a tour once the tour begins, including if you leave a tour for any reason or have to be removed from a tour. There are no exceptions to this cancellation and refund policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, personal, family or medical emergencies or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to purchase Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance. 

Cancellations or Changes by Steep Adventures and Flexibility:

Steep Adventures reserves the right to cancel, alter or modify any tour without prior notice “for any reason”. You acknowledge that the amenities, accommodations, transportation, route, schedule, and itinerary may change without prior notice due to local circumstances or events, which may include mechanical breakdown, flight cancellations, illness, strikes, political disputes, weather, border crossing problems, and other unforeseeable factors. If, prior to departure, Steep Adventures make a significant change because of a problem with a supplier (e.g., bankruptcy), they will, as soon as reasonably possible, notify you of available alternatives.

Any changes may require a supplemental payment from you or result in a refund less any cancellation fees and nonrefundable deposits. If Steep Adventures cancel, which is rare, a check for a full refund will be issued to you less any airline ticket and hotel cancellation fees and nonrefundable deposits advanced to local suppliers. This refund will constitute full settlement of claims you may have arising out of our cancellation. No refunds will be provided due to cancellations or changes due to Force Majeure.

THANK YOU!

Once again, we appreciate your dedication to AFCA’s mission and your willingness to participate in a Climb up Tasmania trip. Thank you for complying with AFCA’s Payment Policies and Procedures guidelines and please let us know if we can be of any additional help.

How active is this tour?

• The walking in Tasmania is world-class, and we’ve selected beautiful walking experiences for our guests (including many of the 60-great-short-walks of Tasmania).
• Some walks are guided, while others are unguided (free walking)
• In many locations there is a choice between an easier or more advanced option
• The walks offered range from easy to moderate in difficulty.

Additional tips:
The weather on Tasmania can change throughout the day, so be prepared with layers and rain gear for whatever weather we encounter. Our tour will give you an overview of the island and the diverse beauty to be seen throughout the land. You will have the opportunity to choose your level of walking adventure so come prepared to be able to enjoy walking a few miles each day to make the most of the options presented.

This is not a high-altitude endeavor so the additional prep is not needed.

Each climber must raise a minimum of $1500 in order to participate in this event which will support AFCA’s work in Sub-Saharan Africa. Not included in this fundraising goal are: trek cost (Steep Adventures), air fare, passport, visas, vaccinations, alcoholic beverages, tips, laundry, and souvenirs.

Fundraising can be a bit daunting, but you shouldn’t let that stop you from being part of Climb Up Tasmania. We are here to help you with brainstorming and to answer any questions you have. Please contact us at tweaver@AFCAids.org with questions but also check out our fundraising tips. Maybe one or two of them will help you get on your way to your fundraising goal.

If you would like to setup your own fundraising page or are looking to make a donation to a fundraiser’s individual webpage click here and setup your page or find the individual who you would like to support.

STEPS TO SUCCESSFULLY FUNDRAISE:

1. Make a list of everyone that you know – friends, family, co-workers, professors, wedding guests, spouses/significant other’s family, people you do regular business with—dentists, doctors, gas stations, stores you regularly frequent, coffee shops, insurance agents, bakeries, brokers, gyms, anyone.
2. Prioritize – put the people you know best first. Remember, people give to people. By asking the people you know best first, you will have success and it will make you more confident in asking those you don’t know too well.
3. Download the sample letter and press release or create your own. Personalize it…make it exciting by printing it on brightly colored paper.
4. Be specific. People like to know what is expected of them. If you know someone can only give $5 then ask them for $5. If someone can give $50, ask them for $50. By asking for a specific amount, you will be more effective.
5. Keep track – get a 9×12 envelope and keep a record of everyone who has given you money and the amount and keep this record in the envelope along with the forms and checks. If someone gives you cash, deposit it to your account and write a check for that amount. Never send cash through the mail.
   Mail checks and the record form ahead of time to:
   American Foundation for Children with AIDS
   1520 Greening Lane
   Harrisburg, PA 17110
6. Get the word out. You can hand people the letter, you can email it or you can mail it to them. To ensure that people will return the form with a check at a higher rate of return, put an extra size 9 self-addressed stamped envelope in the letter with your address on the outside.
   When you apply to join a team using the online registration form, your fundraising/donation page will be created automatically during the registration process. You can then direct potential donors to your web page where they can learn more about AFCA and your specific trip. This is a GREAT way to get the word out!
7. Emphasize charity. American Foundation for Children with AIDS is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization so all donations you receive are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Make sure that checks are made out to the AFCA and make sure you keep track of who gives you cash and their addresses so we can send them a thank you note.
8. Give thanks. It is important for you to personally thank your donors. AFCA will send a formal thank you to donors by mail.

You are ready to go! Keep remembering that you are asking people to help make a difference in the lives of others. Remind people that by giving a dollar a day, less than what they would spend on a cup of coffee, they can save a child’s life.

Please note:

$1575 is due to Steep Adventures and that covers guiding fees, food, lodging, park fees, and in-country transportation during the trip. No tax receipts will be issued for trip costs.

The fundraising portion of your trip ($1500) supports the charitable purpose of AFCA’s programs and you and your donors will receive a tax receipt for donations made to AFCA. Depending on your country of origin, your ticket cost may or may not be tax-deductible. Please consult a tax adviser concerning your specific situation.

Fundraising for airfare: Funds raised in excess of the trip cost will not be used to cover all or part of a participant’s airfare. However, we recognize that some people may want to raise money for their airfare. Please feel free to do so on your own. If paid out of pocket, participants may still be able to claim their airfare as a tax-deductible expense even if the funds are paid directly form the participant to a vendor, as long as the trip is in pursuit of a charitable purpose. Participants will need to contact a tax adviser concerning their specific situation.

From biking a rail trail to climbing to the heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro… Steep Adventures® seeks to challenge each participant to do something amazing! Whether this is your first adventure trip or you are a seasoned veteran, Steep Adventures® trips are designed to unite participants around two common goals – successfully complete the challenge & meet the fundraising goal to do some good in the world. Steep Adventures partners with non-profits and charitable causes to support projects in the U.S. and around the world.

Website: www.steepadventures.com