The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – tonight the celebs, tomorrow you?
Denise Van Outen and her celebrity friends begin their Peru Inca Trail Challenge on ITV2 tonight. Why not follow in their footsteps... Tonight on ITV2 you can watch, from the warmth and comfort of your sofa, Denise Van Outen, Fearne Cotton and Alexandra Burke battle blisters and chilly campsites, as they attempt the high altitude trek to Machu Picchu for Breast Cancer Care. Expect tears, triumphs and close-ups with llamas as well as breathtaking scenery and the magnificent reward of arriving at the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. If the 2-part programme inspires you to trek up to 14,000 feet and get close to snow-capped mountains and remote Andean communities then consider a 2011 Inca Trail with responsibletravel.com. There’s a daily cap on the number of people who can embark on the trail so book at least 3 months in advance to guarantee your place. With our trails not starting again until April when the wet season is well and truly over you’ve plenty of time to get yourself fit, and if you choose to do it for a charity, get sponsored! With different routes, start points and itineraries we’ve picked a few of our most popular trips: Trek to Machu Picchu If Fearne and Denise have given you the fundraising bug then this is the itinerary for you. Combine the classic Inca trek with raising money for your favourite charity. Spend time in Cusco, hike off the beaten track in the Peruvian Andes, and enjoy the Baños Del Inca, probably the best hot springs in southern Peru, with spectacular views of snowy peaks and glaciers such as Mounts Veronica, Chicon and Pumahaunca. Inca trail & Amazon Rainforest holiday A little more hardcore, this trip takes in not only trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, but also includes a river expedition deep into the jungle, some serious Amazon rainforest exploration, and finishes off with the harsh but stunning landscapes of the high altiplano and the islands of Lake Titicaca. This trip involves some strenuous walking, with some spectacular scenic reward. Lima to La Paz tours, Inca adventure For the less hardcore, this small group adventure is the perfect way to make the Inca trail part of a wider trip from Lima to La Paz. Travelling overland, you will head deep into the Andes, take an optional boat tour to the Ballestas Islands, (a nature reserve for pelicans, flamingos and sea lions), hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, explore the depths of the Colca Canyon, and experience the island cultures of Lake Titicaca on a homestay. Hiking the Inca Trail Already in Peru and looking to join a 4 or 5 day hike of the Inca trail? This trip departs daily throughout the year, and you can choose to return to Cusco on Day 4 or stay overnight in Aguas Calientes and return to Cusco on the fifth day - giving more time to explore Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. Holiday in Peru & Inca Trail For those of us with more time on our hands – a full three week holiday through Southern Peru. Follow the desert coastline from Lima, visit the Ballestas Islands with their prolific seabirds, wonder at the mysterious and unexplained Nazca Lines. Amazon and Inca adventure holiday Of course, there’s more to Peru than just the Inca Trail. How about an Amazon voyage like no other, onboard a 19th century style riverboat capturing the essence of the Amazon heartland while exploring the majestic Ucayali and Marañon Rivers. See more Inca trail holidays and tours - Ends -
About responsibletravel.com: responsibletravel.com is the world's leading travel agent for responsible holidays. The site offers over 3,500 richer, deeper and more locally distinctive travel experiences that are better for destinations and local communities. Whether you're after an action-packed adventure, a relaxing beach escape or a charming countryside getaway closer to home, there's something to suit all tastes and budgets. Co-founder, Justin Francis had the original idea for the website on his travels through Africa having completed his MSc in Responsible Tourism. He launched the site with backing from Dame Anita Roddick in 2001 and since then has been included in Courvoisier’s The Future 500, Thames and Hudson’s 60 Innovators Shaping Our Creative Future and taken his place on the Advisory Board of The International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University. Based in Brighton, England responsibletravel.com also campaigns for positive change in the travel and tourism industry. www.iknowagreatplace.com is responsibletravel.com's online travel community website. The site offers local travel secrets to travellers throughout the world. Post questions in our new Q & A, swap your tips and ideas, upload photos and blogs from your travels and look for companions for your next trip. Contact: Krissy Roe krissy@responsibletravel.com 01273 648 519
