Trek to Machu Picchu
| country: | Peru |
| location: | Inca Trail |
| departures: | 2010: 23 Apr, 4 Jun, 10 Sep, 15 Oct |
| price: | From £445 deposit + £3275 fundraised (55% to charity) (10 days) inc UK flights. Self funders - £445 deposit + £1574 (inc £100 to charity) |
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the amazing things you'll be doing
Trek to the Machu Picchu, the ‘lost City of the Incas’ and raise money for your favourite charity at the same time as taking part in an amazing adventure! Higjlights include:
Your first taste of the Inca world will be in and around the city of Cusco, the ancient Inca capital. After acclimatising to the high altitude by visiting local Inca ruins and Spanish Colonial churches, you will head towards the remote and rarely visited Lares Valley.
This unique alternative to the extremely busy Inca Trail is far off the beaten track and you will see diverse and spectacular scenery as you glimpse a way of Peruvian life that has remained untouched for centuries. As you walk through these endless stunning valleys you will meet Andean farmers dressed in their traditional brightly coloured ponchos tending herds of Llamas and Alpacas. You will get to meet the local communities and visit a local school supported by us.
The region is also home to the Baños Del Inca, probably the best hot springs in southern Peru. Situated at an altitude of 2,667m, the springs offer spectacular views of snowy peaks and glaciers such as Mounts Veronica, Chicon and Pumahaunca. As you continue along your route, you will also take in the dazzling sight of glacial blue lakes.
You will eventually have some time to explore the ruins at Machu Picchu, the ‘lost City of the Incas’. These breathtaking pre Columbian ruins are nestled high in the Andes between two peaks. The ruins were rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham and are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world.
what this trip includes
International flights to and from Peru, all internal transfers including internal flights to and from Cusco, all meals (inc. drinking water on the trek), all accommodation (whether in tents/ hotels), group first aid supplies, an English speaking expedition leader and full local support team (drivers, cooks, porters, mules etc), relevant back-up facilities, a T-Shirt, water on hiking days, US$20 to the local community project, and discount from Nomad Travellers Stores for personal equipment. We also make a contribution through Climate Care to offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of your international flight. Please note: This trip can also be booked without flights. Some of the dates are exclusive for specific charities, please contact us for details.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | International Departure. Fly from London Heathrow to Lima, Peru. A representative will meet you at the airport to assist with check-in and any last minute questions. On arrival, you will be met by a local member of staff who will transfer you to your hotel in Lima for a light dinner and an overnight stay. |
| Day 2: | Lima to Cusco. After breakfast you depart for the airport to board your one-hour internal flight to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, where you will stay the night in a centrally located hotel. You will spend the rest of the day acclimatising to the altitude (3,350m/11,400ft) on a walking tour of the city. Among the highlights is the Inca sun temple of Qoricancha. In the evening you will be fully briefed about the week ahead and the challenge it entails. Meals included at local restaurants. Overnight in a centrally located 3 star hotel. |
| Day 3: | Tipon, Pikillaqta (Acclimatisation Day). Today you visit the lesser known yet very impressive Tipon and Pikillaqta Ruins. You will be provided with packed lunches and head back to Cusco for dinner and overnight at the Mabey hotel or similar in Cusco. |
| Day 4: | Cusco to Lares hot springs to Cuncani. The day begins early as you drive back towards the Sacred Valley and over the high mountain passes to the Lares Valley (4 and a half hrs). Your group will stop at the famous Lares hot springs for a swim and some lunch. After lunch you start your trek with a 4-5hrs hike to the small village of Cuncani, where you will camp overnight (3,800m). |
| Day 5: | Cuncani to Huacahuasi. After breakfast in Cuncani (3,800m/12,600ft) you will hike over a pass to the small community of Huacahuasi (6-8hrs). Along the way you will stop for a picnic lunch. Here you will start seeing alpacas and llamas roaming among the scattered houses. After lunch you will continue your trek down the valley to the Huacahausi where you will get to meet the locals. Overnight camp near the river in Huacahuasi. |
| Day 6: | Huacahuasi to Challwacocha. Today is a beautiful day (6-8hrs). Over the course of the morning, you will gradually gain altitude as you hike for about four and a half hours. You will take a little used route through the Ranrayoc valley passing the small community of Pununayoc. Your route takes you past a lake with views of the southward snow peaks. Lunch will be served along the way (4378m) with views of snowy mountain Tirijhuay. From here you will continue for a further 2hrs until reaching your campsite at Challwacocha (Lake of Trout) (4,248m). |
| Day 7: | Challwacocha to Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes. After your last breakfast in the mountains you will say thank you and good bye to your support crew and descend to the Patacancha valley where you will have a vehicle waiting. You get transferred down the valley until you reach the fortress town of Ollantaytambo which guards the entrance to the Sacred Urubamba valley. You have time for a look around before taking the afternoon train which follows the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes. Here you will settle into your hotel and take a well earned shower and Dinner in a superb local restaurant. |
| Day 8: | Machu Picchu to Cusco. Today is dedicated to exploring these extraordinary Inca remains. If you are still feeling energetic you can also climb Wayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the site. The early afternoon train takes you back to Cusco. It’s party time at a local restaurant in the evening, as you celebrate achieving your goal and discovering the majesty of Machu Picchu. Overnight at a hotel in Cusco. |
| Day 9: | Cusco to Lima. Fly to UK. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima, where you will visit a typical Peruvian restaurant for lunch. There will be just enough time for some last minute shopping before you return to the airport for your flight back to London. |
| Day 10: | Arrive back in the UK. |
Additional optional extension available to go white-water rafting or to Lake Titicaca.
travellers' tales
From the trekking to actually standing and looking at Machu Picchu was so memorable. Being on the top of Wayna Picchu will be something I shall never forget!
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Highly Commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
 Our commitment extends to helping the local communities we visit. We employ local guides, porters and other essential support staff, and use locally owned accommodation. We donate USD$20 per participant of every group to the Instituto Machu Picchu (IMAPI). IMAPI is a Peruvian non-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of natural and cultural resources in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and surrounding Regions. IMAPI's goal is the sustainable development of tourism, agriculture, cottage industries, education, and scientific research projects. By the year 2021 Instituto Machu Picchu will have contributed to the Master Plan of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary by helping to implement cultural and natural resource management plans and resolve social and conservation constraints, IMAPI will be a model for organizations of other project areas. Instituto Machu Picchu is the representative NGO for the sustainable development and preservation of cultural and natural resources within the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and Region. This trek is organised on the ground by one of Peru’s most respected trekking companies. The monies spent on ground arrangements, accommodation, food, guides and porters will go directly towards the local economy of the villages and communities we visit. As a company we have also drastically reduced the carbon footprint of our UK operations, and are making a huge effort to do so in their destination countries too. We are also investing to offset the emissions from the international flights required to take part in our challenges. We also provide travellers with a responsible tourism policy detailing ways in which you can be an ethical traveller. From packing conscientiously to advice on local customs & environmental awareness overseas to maintaining contact with your new international friends upon your return – our policy is a comprehensive document providing all the info you need to trek, climb of cycle responsibly. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |