Day 1, Fri 02 May 2014
International Departure from London
It’s finally time for your long-awaited departure to Peru. Wave goodbye to friends and family, before you board the flight and embark upon your challenge!
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Day 2, Sat 03 May 2014
Flight to Cusco (3350m)
Bienvenidos and welcome to Peru.
Touching down in the ancient Inca Capital of Cusco (3,350m), you’ll be greeted by a local Charity Challenge representative and transferred to your next two nights’ accommodation. As altitude sickness can be a problem, you will spend the rest of the day acclimatising to the altitude with an afternoon free to take things at your own pace. Relax in one of the many cafés overlooking the plaza, visit the Incan monument Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), or head to the vibrant market to soak up the surroundings before a full briefing and the first team dinner. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Hotel
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Day 3, Sun 04 May 2014
Acclimatisation Walk (Approximately 3 hours)
Acclimatising to the altitude is all-important, so the day will be spent walking around the Cusco area, stopping for lunch. Later, you’ll head back to city for dinner, before returning to your hotel. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Hotel
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Day 4, Mon 05 May 2014
Cusco to Chilipahua 3,840m (Approximately 7 hours)
Rise and shine for an early morning drive to Parpishu, from where the challenge will commence. Along the way, you will slowly ascend to the Watuq’asa pass where you find an Inca wall and an amazing viewpoint of Cusco. After lunch, it’s a long hike to the small village of Chilipahua, where you’ll camp for the night. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Camping
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Day 5, Tue 06 May 2014
Chilipahua to Ancascocha 4,500m (Approximately 8 hours)
After breakfast, you ascend to Quencomayo and then up to the Quchusqasa pass at 4,500m, the highest point of your trek. Spot the alpacas and llamas roaming along the way, though careful they don’t try to share your picnic lunch! After lunch, you descend down into the river gulley to camp, where there are spectacular views of the Huayanay Glacier. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Camping
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Day 6, Wed 07 May 2014
Ancascocha to Camicancha 2,800m (Approximately 7 hours)
Awake with the rising sun, you trek beside the Silque River towards the Sacred Valley of the Incas. There is fantastic flora and fauna to be seen along the way. In the afternoon, you reach the community of Camicancha where you camp for the night. Make sure to check out the view of the ‘La Veronica’ mountain. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Camping
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Day 7, Thu 08 May 2014
Camicancha to Machu Picchu via Sun Gate 2,430m (Approximately 6 hours)
It’s an early train journey to Km 104 (along the railway from Cusco), where you’ll be dropped for your trek towards the famous Sun Gate. It’s a 3,000 step climb following the traditional Inca path, before you catch your first awe-inspiring view of the sacred site of Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. There’ll be plenty of time for photographs before heading to Aguas Calientes for the evening. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Hotel
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Day 8, Fri 09 May 2014
Machu Picchu to Cusco
It’s back to Machu Picchu to spend the morning exploring the extraordinary Inca remains with your guide. You’ll catch an early afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo, before boarding a bus bound for Cusco. It’s party time later at a local restaurant, as you and the group celebrate achieving your Charity Challenge goal and discovering the majesty of Machu Picchu. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Hotel
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Day 9, Sat 10 May 2014
Depart Peru
After breakfast it's time to say "adios" as you travel to the airport to begin your journey home. (B)
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Day 10, Sun 11 May 2014
Arrive UK
Touching down in the UK, it’s time to head to arrivals to find your family and friends. Don’t forget to swap details with your teammates as only they share the memories of your incredible journey.
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Day 9, Sat 10 May 2014
Cusco to Puno
After breakfast you transfer on an awe-inspiring ten-hour train ride to Puno. The route takes you through the Cusco and Vilcanota valley until you reach the ‘altiplano’ (highland savannah) finally arriving in the town of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Dinner and overnight at La Hacienda hotel*. (B, L, D)
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Day 10, Sun 11 May 2014
Puno to Amantani
Rise early to sail to the island of Amantani, where you will stay with a local family. On arrival, you will head out on a walking tour to discover the pre-Incan ruins, see world-famous hand weavings and experience an ancient communal lifestyle. Food and accommodation is basic, but the experience is unforgettable. (B, L, D)
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Day 11, Mon 12 May 2014
Amantani to Puno via Taquille
After breakfast you catch the boat to Taquile island. Here you will enjoy lunch and impressive panoramic views of the lake. It’s then back to Puno, where you have the evening to enjoy dinner at your leisure. Overnight Transfer to La Hacienda. (B, L, D)
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Day 12, Tue 13 May 2014
Puno to Lima. Fly to UK
With your bags packed, you travel to Juliaca Airport (about 45 minutes away from Puno). From here you fly to Lima, arriving in time to connect with your overnight flight back to the UK. (B)
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Day 13, Wed 14 May 2014
Arrive Home
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Important information about the Lake Titicaca by train extension
Day 9: Cusco to Puno
After breakfast you transfer by train to Puno (it’s a full day transfer -10hrs) The route takes you through the Cusco and Vilcanota valley until you reach the ‘altiplano‘ (highland savannah) finally arriving in the town of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You will have dinner and overnight at La Hacienda hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Puno to Taquille
You depart early morning on a boat to the island of Taquile (24 miles from Puno). On route you will see the fascinating floating islands of Uros and experience the Titicaca National reserve. On arrival to Taquile you will be allocated a local family to stay with and then taken on a walk around this peaceful island to discover the pre-Incan ruins and to see the world famous hand weavings and experience the ancient communal lifestyle. The food and accommodation is basic yet the experience is well worth it. (B, L, D)
Day 11: Taquille to Puno
After breakfast you will have some time to explore your surroundings and admire the impressive panoramic views of the lake. Returning to Puno in the afternoon you will transfer to La Hacienda hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 12: Puno to Lima. Fly to UK
After breakfast you will transfer to the Juliaca airport, about 45 mins from Puno, for a morning flight back to Lima and onto the UK (B)
Day 13: Arrive Home
Arrive in the UK.
Included:
- All accommodation on a twin share basis at La Hacienda, Puno (http://www.lahaciendapuno.com/en/) and with a local family in Taquile or similar
- All meals as outlined above
- Travel Insurance extension (if purchased through Charity Challenge)
Excluded:
- Personal expenses (ie: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
- Tips
Please note that this extension is subject to minimum numbers and flight availability and should be booked no later than 10 weeks prior to departure. In some cases, a surcharge may need to be applied in which case we will inform you prior to confirming your booking. Full payment must be received no later than 8 weeks prior to departure or your place on the extension may be cancelled. All bookings will be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to departure.
Please also note that during the train journey to Puno you will be unescorted, and your guide will not be staying in the same hotel as you, you will however have access to a 24 hour emegency number during these periods.
The advertised costs for this extension are per person on twin sharing basis. If you are a solo passenger, We will accommodate you in a room with someone of the same sex.
*= Please note that we reserve the right to change accommodation. Where this is necessary, alternative accommodation will be of an equal or better standard.
Important information about the White Water Rafting & Cusco extension
Day 9: White Water Rafting
After breakfast, you will transfer to your entry point on the Urubamba River. A safety and familiarisation briefing will be followed by a half-day of white water rafting (for novices). Enjoy lunch on the shores of the river, before heading back to your hotel in Cusco. Dinner will be taken at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Cusco to Lima. Fly to UK
Transfer to airport for your flight back to Lima, and from Lima to the UK (B)
Day 11: Arrive UK
Afternoon arrival back into Heathrow
Included:
- Accommodation in a 3 star hotel in Cusco (Hotel Mabey - www.hotelmabeycusco.com) or similar*
- All meals as listed above
- Half a day of guided white water rafting on Day 9
- Extension to your travel insurance (if booked through Charity Challenge)
Excluded:
- Personal expenses (ie: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
- Tips for local team
N.B The organiser of the rafting extension will ask you to sign a ‘release of responsibility’ form.
Please note that this extension is subject to minimum numbers and flight availability and should be booked no later than 10 weeks prior to departure. In some cases, a surcharge may need to be applied in which case we will inform you prior to confirming your booking. Full payment must be received no later than 8 weeks prior to departure or your place on the extension may be cancelled. All bookings will be confirmed no later than 6 weeks prior to departure.
The advertised costs for this extension are per person on twin sharing basis. If you are a solo passenger, We will accommodate you in a room with someone of the same sex.
*= Please note that we reserve the right to change accommodation. Where this is necessary, alternative accommodation will be of an equal or better standard.