You are here: Home > events > Central America 2012

We are the centre of excellence in obstetrics and gynaecology in the UK and Europe.

Women for Women Central
America Cycle Challenge

01-11 March 2012 & 01-11 November 2012
AND NOW ALSO 15-25 November 2012
with limited space available, so be quick!
Be a part of the life cycle!

women for women image

This is Professor Winston’s 12th women only cycle challenge. An amazing group of very special women have helped raise over £2.7 million for Genesis Research Trust, by taking part in Women for Women cycle rides in Cuba, Egypt, India, Israel, Turkey, Jordan and China. If you have ever wanted to experience breathtaking scenery, coffee scented mountains,16th century colonial towns and raise money for charity, this IS the opportunity of a lifetime.

Our challenging bike ride will take us through all three Central American countries, from Panama City to Managua in Nicaragua. We will ride along the beautiful Caribbean coast with banana and pineapple plantations, climb though primary rainforest and pass smoking volcanoes. Register now and be part of an incredible adventure.

Food & Accommodation
The food is good and there is plenty of it. All meals will be provided except lunch on day 9. Accommodation is in tents and 2-3* hotels.

Bikes
Bikes will be provided and support vehicles will be with the group at all times.

"What an exhilarating experience! The terrain was tough but there were lots of laughs and a fabulous group of wonderful women, each and every one of them with a personal challenge." Liz, past participant China 2010.

"Life is not measured by the breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away". On each of the challenges, I have undertaken, I have experienced such moments that have made me so humbly proud to be amongst ordinary women who can change the world for other ordinary women, just by giving our time to hopefully buy time for them. Aly, past participant, Cuba, Jordan, China.

The charity lies at the heart of the most profound of human wishes: to have a happy and healthy family. Funds raised by Genesis Research Trust will be spent on vital ground-breaking medical research to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a range of devastating conditions affecting women and babies. This includes premature birth, brain damage, miscarriage, genetic diseases and cancer.

Fuel supplements and other surcharges will be charged separately. Airport taxes are not included and are expected to be in the region of £175 - £220 per person. (Please contact our team for further information) $7 entry into Nicaragua and $35 USD Nicaraguan tax, not included Women for Women is managed by Genesis Research Trust registered charity number 292518 acting as agents for Discover Adventure, ATOL protection number 5636.

11 Day Travel Itinerary (Please note this itinerary is subject to change and kilometres are approximate)

1

London – Panama City

Early morning flight from London to Panama City; currently via Madrid and Guatemala City. We arrive in the evening and transfer to the hotel. Night hotel

2

Panama City – La Fortuna Forest Reserve

This morning, after a detailed briefing, we leave early and head to the Panama Canal. This is an incredible spectacle. We drive approximately 6 hours stopping regularly to savour the magnificent history and incredible landscape. Miraflores is one of four great locks that allow ships to pass from the Pacific to the Caribbean. We can watch as vessels – some carrying up to 4000 containers – pass through the lock gates. From the Canal we drive across scenic Panama to the Fortuna Forest Reserve, stopping for lunch en-route. Our journey takes us through rainforest and banana plantations, and finally up into the mountains to the foot of Volcan Baru, an extinct volcano where we reach our camp.

3

La Fortuna Forest Reserve – Almirante [approx 85km]

After all the excitement it’s great to start pedalling! Our start is inspiring, with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea below us, as we descend through dense primary rainforest: listen out for howler monkeys! The road is steep in places and there could be animals on the road, so be wary! As we descend from the mountains, the humidity and heat will become very noticeable. We reach the small village of Mali and continue towards the coast through forest, passing other small settlements on the way. Once on the coast, we head north along an undulating road where we will catch glimpses of the Bocas del Toro – a collection of small islands and a hide-away of pirates in the past! We continue to our simple camp with a local bar just south of Almirante.

4

Almirante – Cahuita (Costa Rica) [approx 102km]

Today, we set off early and head towards Costa Rica. Cycling along the coast to Almirante, tackling several hills on the way, we climb to a great look-out spot before heading through a flatter area of banana plantations towards the bustling city of Changuinola. From its rough streets we cycle the final 14km to the border. This is a busy crossing with plenty of activity. We pass through Panama’s border controls and walk our bikes across the dishevelled bridge to the Costa Rican immigration. After completion, we continue our ride along a variety of roads, through small busy villages and tropical plantations. The final part of our day takes us along the coast to our hotel on the Caribbean Sea.

5

Cahuita – La Fortuna [approx 42km]

Today, we enjoy a fairly flat 42km ride along the coast to Lemon. This section is wonderful, with palm trees and beaches along the coast interspersed with villages and dense jungle. We could have a drinks-stop on the beach as we go and may even have time for a quick dip! On the outskirts of Lemon we load up in vehicles and drive through amazing countryside to La Fortuna and the foot of the amazing and smouldering Arenal Volcanoe, where we spend the night in our hotel.

6

La Fortuna – Santa Cecilia [approx 75km]

After breakfast, we drive for around 1 hour to the start of the day’s ride. From San Rafael we head along reasonable tarmac roads through flat cattle country until we arrive at the bustling town of Upala. It is low lying and pretty hot and humid. From here we head towards the small town of Santa Cecilia. The cycling is gentler and we enjoy the scenery around us as we pass through traditional villages and lowland jungle with fantastic trees as we go. The tarmac gives way to a rough dirt road, which is tough cycling but lasts only around 10 kilometres before reaching our camp near the village.

7

Santa Cecilia – La Virgen (Nicaragua) [approx 75km]

We head along the last 10km of rough road to the small town of Santa Cecilia, where we meet tarmac again and continue to the Pan American Highway - an exciting landmark. From here we head along smooth roads north to La Cruz and then onto the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border. We then continue for around 25km to our hotel on the lake-side of Lago Nicaragua. In front of us, Volcans Concepcion and Maderas rise to 1610m and 1394m respectively.

8

La Virgen – Granada [approx 75km]

Our final ride takes us north along the Pan American Highway, enjoying its smooth road surface and views of the lake and volcanoes. We are heading for wonderful Granada, the most beautiful of Central American cities. Its wonderful churches, museums and squares, combined with its lake-side position, make it a great place to finish and relax in our hotel after the huge achievement of completing this ride.

9

Free Day

Today is free to explore the churches, museums and plazas of Granada, or to enjoy a horse-drawn ride around its streets or just to relax by the pool with a cool beer. In the evening, we come together and enjoy our celebratory meal.

10

Depart for UK

We depart Granada for Managua for our flight back to the UK.

11

Arrive in the UK

Arrive back home in the UK.