Day 1, Fri 20 Sep 2019
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 21 Sep 2019
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 22 Sep 2019
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 23 Sep 2019
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 24 Sep 2019
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 25 Sep 2019
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 26 Sep 2019
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 27 Sep 2019
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 28 Sep 2019
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 29 Sep 2019
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 28 Sep 2019
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 hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 10, Sun 29 Sep 2019
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 30 Sep 2019
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. Transfer to hotel. (B,L,D)
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Day 12, Tue 01 Oct 2019
Depart Peru
Travel to Juliaca Airport (about 45 minutes away from Puno), from here you begin your onward journey to connect with your flight home (B).
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Important information about the Lake Titicaca by Bus extension
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 La Hacienda hotel, Puno* or in homestays on Amantani
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 9, Sat 28 Sep 2019
Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
After breakfast it’s a short flight to Puerto Maldonado. You will be met at the airport and driven to the HQ office nearby. Leave your heavy luggage at HQ as you will only need the basics for the next three days. It’s a bus ride to the river port, where you board a 20ft long motorized canoe to your rainforest lodge*, spotting wildlife and eating a packed lunch on the way. You will receive a welcome and orientation briefing before a walk to a canopy tower for breathtaking views of the Amazon, followed by dinner and a fascinating evening ecotourism lecture at the lodge**. (L, D)
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Day 10, Sun 29 Sep 2019
Rainforest Lodge
It’s an early rise for a trip to an Oxbow Lake, where you will experience the Amazon’s varied biodiversity close-up and personal. Later return to the lodge for lunch, then a local expert will teach you all about the region’s native plants, their uses and medicinal properties as you walk the forest trails. After dinner you’ll intrepidly head out into dark jungle night to spot the nocturnal wildlife**. (B, L, D)
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Day 11, Mon 30 Sep 2019
Depart Peru
After breakfast you will be transferred back to Puerto Maldonado city, where you will pick up your bags and head to the airport to catch your flight back home. (B)
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Day 12, Tue 01 Oct 2019
Arrive Home
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Important information about the Amazon Jungle Extension extension
*Lodge will be confirmed closer to departure. We reserve the right to change accommodation, where this is necessary, alternative accommodation will be of an equal or better standard.
**Order of activities will be confirmed closer to departure.
This extension is subject to a minimum of two people. Flight availability 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. If this is not possible then you will be charged a single supplement.
During the flight to Puerto Maldonado (30 mins) you will be unescorted.
Activities may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
Included:
• All accommodation on a twin share basis either at Posada Amazonas or Refugio Amazonas Lodge. These are eco-lodges. Rooms are open to the forest and the beds have mosquito nets.
• All meals, accommodation and services as outlined itinerary above.
• All river transportation, and transfers from and to the airport of Puerto Maldonado.
• Travel Insurance extension (if purchased through Charity Challenge)
Excluded:
• Personal expenses (i.e. gifts, extra soft drinks, water or alcohol, laundry etc)
• Tips