The big day is finally here! A Charity Challenge representative will meet you at the airport for the overnight flight to Lima. Depending on the group, the first night may be spend in Lima. This will be confirmed before departure.
From Lima it’s a one-hour internal flight to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital (3,350m). The group will be met by a Charity Challenge representative who will supervise the transfer to your hotel and lead an acclimatising walking tour of the city.
There will be a full challenge briefing this evening, followed by a team supper and overnight in a centrally-located 3-star hotel.
Acclimatisation is all-important at this height, so we spend the day exploring the surrounding area and archaeological sites, enjoying a picnic lunch and also going on a warm-up trek. Later we head back to Cusco for dinner and overnight in our hotel.
It’s an early start for the drive to Pisca K’uchu to meet the support team and begin the trek. The route follows the Urubamba River, before heading for the ruins at Llactapata (2,888m) where we stop for lunch. From here, trek through the Cusichaca valley to Huallyabamba (3,000m), the last inhabited place on the trail and our campsite. The support team sets up camp and prepares dinner.
Possibly the hardest day of the trek, we rise early and head to the highest point of the trail - the impressive Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman’s Pass) at 4,200m. The route takes in humming birds, cloud forest and out-standing views across the valley. We then descend to camp in the Pacasmayo valley (3,650m).
Early this morning we trek by the Inca ruins of Runcu Raccay, as we head for the next pass at 3,998m for spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range. There is then time for a tour of the Sayacmarca ruins. We continue along the ridge, passing through tunnels and a slight ascent to the Phuyupatamarca ruins at 3,650m. It’s then a steep downhill to the outstanding Winay-wayna (2,600m).
After another early start, we set off through cloud forest. Our goal is to reach Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun, for the first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Relish the moment before continuing down to the ruins for a guided tour. From here, we travel by bus and train back to Cusco for a celebratory meal.
Your hard work has earned you a free day to rest and recuperate or explore the magical Cusco. Highlights include colonial churches, artisan markets, chocolate museums and the many centrally-located cafes. Our last night will be spent enjoying one final team dinner in a local restaurant.
After a free in Cusco, we head for the airport for an internal flight to Lima. There we board an overnight flight back to London.
With amazing memories and a massive sense of achievement, it’s time to say goodbye and swap contact details before heading our separate ways.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
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