Your challenge day by day
Day 1, Wed 06 Aug 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, Thu 07 Aug 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, Fri 08 Aug 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, Sat 09 Aug 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, Sun 10 Aug 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, Mon 11 Aug 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, Tue 12 Aug 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, Wed 13 Aug 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, Thu 14 Aug 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, Fri 15 Aug 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 12, Sun 17 Aug 2014
Cusco to Puno
It’s a spectacular bus ride of 388km to Puno. The first stop is the church of San Pedro, which houses an assortment of Baroque art. After lunch, continue on via La Raya to the highest point between Cuzco and Puno, offering an awesome view of the glacier-capped Andes. Overnight at La Hacienda hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 13, Mon 18 Aug 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 14, Tue 19 Aug 2014
Amantani to Puno
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 15, Wed 20 Aug 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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Important information about the Lake Titicaca by Bus extension
Day 12: Cusco to Puno
After breakfast you will transfer to your bus for a spectacular 388km journey to Puno (it’s a full days transfer approx 8-10hrs) The first stop on this scenic route is the church of San Pedro in Andahuaylillas, also known as the Sistine Chapel of the Andes. Built on the site of an Inca temple, this humble looking church houses an assortment of Baroque art and frescoes encased in gold. The next stop is the Wiracocha temple part of the Raqchi complex. The temple according to the old chroniclers was built by the Incas in honour of Wiracocha the Inca creator God. After stopping for a buffet lunch the route takes you via La Raya, where a view of the glacier capped Andes beckons to be photographed. At 4,335 metres above sea level, La Raya is the highest point between Cuzco and Puno. One final stop at the Pucara stone factory finishes of this fantastic trip before you finally arrive in the town of Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. You will overnight at a hotel in Puno. (B,L,D)
Day 13: Puno to Amantani
You depart early morning on a boat to the island of Amantani (24 miles from Puno). On route you will see the fascinating floating islands of Uros and experience the Titicaca National reserve. On arrival Amantani 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 14: Amantani to Puno
In the morning after breakfast we catch the boat to Taquile island for a visit with impressive panoramic views of the lake. We enjoy a typical lunch on the island before returning to Puno in the afternoon. Transfer to the hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 15: Puno to Lima. Fly to UK
After breakfast a transfer to the Juliaca airport about 45 mins from Puno for a flight back to Lima in time to connect with the international overnight flight back to the UK (B)
Day 16: Arrive in the UK
Afternoon arrival in the UK
Included
- Bus transfer from Cusco to Puno including an English speaking guide
- Full board until Day 12
- Extension to your travel insurance (if you have Charity Challenges insurance)
- Accommodation in a locally owned hotel *
Excluded:
- Personal expenses (ie: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
- Any tips for local team (guides, drivers etc.)
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.
Day 12, Sun 17 Aug 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 13, Mon 18 Aug 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 14, Tue 19 Aug 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 15, Wed 20 Aug 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 16, Thu 21 Aug 2014
Arrive Home
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Important information about the Lake Titicaca by train extension
Day 12: 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 a hotel in Puno (B, L, D)
Day 10: Puno to Amantani
You depart early morning on a boat to the island of Amantani (24 miles from Puno). On route you will see the fascinating floating islands of Uros and experience the Titicaca National reserve. On arrival to Amantani 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: Amantani to Puno via Taquille
After breakfast you will have some time to explore your surroundings and admire the impressive panoramic views of the lake before transferring back to Puno via Taquille, one of the larger islands. you will have a chance to explore this island and have some lunch before returning to Puno in the afternoon and transferring to La Hacienda hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 15: 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 16: Arrive Home
Arrive in the UK.
Included:
- All accommodation on a twin share basis at a hotel in Puno and with a local family in Amantani 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 Half Day extension
Day 11: White Water Rafting
After breakfast, while the rest of the group enjoy their free day in Cusco, you will be transferring 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 with the rest of the group, where you can share your adventures!. (B, L, D)
Please note that this day is already included in your itinerary - if you choose to take part in the Rafting, the rest of the group will still be in Peru but spending an extra day in Cusco.
Excluded:
- Personal expenses (ie: gifts, extra soft drinks or alcohol, laundry etc)
- Tips for local team
Important Note: The Charity Challenge insurance policy will only cover you for rafting on grades 1-3 rapids. There are two options on the section of the river that you will be rafting on, one of which includes several rapids at grades 4-5. You will not be covered if you raft on this section. Our Ground Handlers are aware of this, and this option will not be offered to Charity Challenge groups. However, things can (and often do!) happen on the ground to confuse issues, so if you are offered the option, please only choose the section of the river with rapids from grades 1-3. If you choose the higher-graded section this will be at your own risk.
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 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.