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Hike the legendary Inca Trail trail, enjoy cultural visits along the way and marvel at the stunning Machu Picchu in the panoramic Andes Mountains. This trip also includes the added bonus of a one-day hike to the iconic Rainbow Mountain, famed for it’s unique and colourful panorama.
FUNDRAISING: This charity challenge is fundraising for Chichuchas Wasi in Cusco.
Together, our goal is to raise USD 50,000. To ensure we achieve our targets, we request each individual to fundraise USD 2,000 so that together, we can succeed.
FITNESS LEVEL: This will be an extreme test of fitness and determination. There is no technical climbing, but there will be plenty of challenging sections and trekking at high altitude. Regular fitness training and long-distance walking is highly recommended. Click here to read more about the challenge difficulty levels.
TRAINING: We run a variety of training sessions throughout the year and our Hiking for Good programme (between mid-Oct to mid-Mar) that we encourage you to take part in before the challenge.
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COST INCLUDES:
PAYMENT DEADLINES:
Either pay at once or opt for our easy instalment plan below.
(USD1 = AED3.67)
EXCLUDES:
• International & internal flights
• Visas
• Tips and spending money
• Vaccinations
• Insurance
• Kit items
• Drinks (other than water)
This challenge is pending approval by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department
Depart for your journey to Cusco, overnight in Cusco if required (at additional cost)
Today is an acclimatisation day. You are now at 3250m so Drink plenty of water and take things easy
Depending on what time you arrive, there is an optional afternoon orientation walk with your guide.
You may choose to start with the Plaza de Armas and a visit to its impressive Cathedral. This contains some historic pieces from the Cusqueña School of Art. Look out for the Macaw-winged cherubs and the guinea pig served at The Last Supper.
Qoricancha temple, once home to the centre of the Inca Sun worship with its life-sized statues in solid gold, is another very popular option.
Then, visit one of the bustling markets such as San Pedro Market, full of tropical fruits fresh from the Amazon. Or stroll through the impressive Inca-walled streets and head up through the San Blas artisan district to San Cristobal church for a spectacular view over the red-tiled rooftops of Cusco.
Cusco Cathedral and Qorikancha entrance fee are included
Overnight in hotel
Cusco Outlying Ruins
This lovely walking (or vehicle) tour is a superb introduction into the Inca heritage of Peru.
First we will visit the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman where huge stone ramparts surround a beautiful grass amphitheatre. Once the scene of fierce battles it now hosts the recreation of traditional Inca ceremonies such as Inti Raymi and Warachikuy.
Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay lying at 3700m (12,000 feet) and the Red fort of Puca Pucara followed by a picnic lunch nearby.
From here, an optional hike following an ancient Inca trail takes us downhill to Cusco (or vehicle transfer) , stopping at the Temple of the Moon and other historical sites along the way.
Overnight in hotel
Today we visit Chicuchas Wasi School for Girls. The school supports over a hundred girls chosen from the very poorest and most in need of Cusco.
They aim to promote gender equality, self-esteem, and human dignity through education and empowerment and, through this, help the girls break free of the poverty cycle in which they might otherwise be trapped. Former pupils have gone on to enter some of the best universities in the country. Efrain, one of our guides, was a former pupil when the school took both boys and girls. He is now on the board of directors.
For your time at the school, you will join the children in one of their classes, before sharing a lunch with them and an afternoon of activities. The program has been designed to not interfere too much with their studies, while at the same time allowing you a glimpse into their life.
Overnight in hotel
Ollantaytambo town, Start the Inca Trail - Camp 1:
This morning you visit the old Inca town of Ollantaytambo. After a look around we have a short drive to the trail-head at Piscacucho (km 82). Here you meet the porters and cooks that will support your journey to Machu Picchu. We enjoy a light lunch whilst the porter prepare their cargo.
Whilst walking all you need to carry is a day-pack. Your luggage is transported by mules, your tents are put up for you by porters and your food is prepared for you. All you have to do is enjoy the walking. With the crowds now long gone, we head to the Inca Trail control post.
The afternoon's hiking is an undulating trail above the fascinating Urubamba river. Finally we arrive at the spectacular Inca site of Llactapata (2,788m / 9,146ft) and up to our camp for the night. (2,902m / 9,521ft).
Sleeping bag, liner & pillow and trekking poles included for those who don't have their own
Overnight in tents
Inca Trail: Llactapata to Llulluchapampa, Camp 2:
After a hearty breakfast you climb gently up the Cusichaca valley to the small hamlet of Huayllabamba. This is the last inhabited place on the trail.
A little steeper now, you head up the beautiful Inca path, past hummingbirds and stunted cloud forest to your camp at Llulluchapampa (3,680m / 12,073ft). This beautiful grassy area has outstanding views and you may be even see the Andean deer that come to feed here.
Sleeping bag, liner & pillow and trekking poles included for those who don't have their own
Overnight in tents
Inca Trail: Llulluchapampa to Phuyupatamarca - Camp 3:
Today is the most challenging day but also the most exhilarating.
You climb to Dead Woman’s Pass (4,212m / 13,819ft) the high point of the trail before dropping into the Pacaymayu valley. Climbing once more you pass the Inca control post of Runkuracay to the second pass of the day (3,998m/13,117ft). On a clear day there are spectacular views towards Pumahuanca mountain in the Vilcabamba range.
You continue on well preserved Inca trail to Sayacmarca. Located at the junction of two old Inca roads, historians still argue over its exact purpose. A few more gentle ups and downs and you arrive to your stunning campsite for the night, Phuyupatamarca, or ‘the place above the clouds’ (3,650m / 11,975ft).
Sleeping bag, liner & pillow and trekking poles included for those who don't have their own
Overnight in tents
Inca Trail: Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu
This is the day you finally reach Machu Picchu.
As you step out of your tent the views are stunning. Perhaps you will see the sun rising over the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay (6,200m/20,341ft) and Veronica (5,800m / 19,029ft). Or perhaps you will have a cloud inversion, with the clouds filling the valleys beneath your feet. After saying a fond farewell to your porters it is time to put on your boots and head to Machu Picchu.
You descend through the cloud forest on beautiful Inca stairways, to Wiñay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally you contour the hillside to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes.
After plenty of photos you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.
Bus from Machu Picchu
Overnight hotel
Machu Picchu
First thing in the morning we head up the hill to the fabled "Lost City of the Incas - Machu Picchu" for a fully guided tour, of the residential, religious and agricultural sectors. (Please note Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huchuy Picchu require an extra, limited-availability permit. Please enquire at the time of booking if you require one.)
Machu Picchu entrance times are set hourly and only valid for four hours. We usually aim for mid-morning entrance. This avoids the sunrise rush and ensures you have a good breakfast before the long day ahead.
In the afternoon, we board the train for an interesting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting transfer whisks us back to Cusco and our hotel. Then, if we have the energy, we can explore Cusco’s many excellent restaurants and bars.
OPTIONAL (additional cost of AED300/USD80)
Permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu (which are both included) sell out fast so let us know well in advance if you want the additional pass to Wayna Picchu.
Machu Picchu Entrance from 0900 to 1500. (Wayna Picchu permit at 1000)
Your 0900 entrance to Machu Picchu includes a permit to climb Wayna Picchu at 1000. This two hour round trip is up steep, exposed steps and not for the feint-hearted. However the rewards for your efforts is a truly unique and awe-inspiring "condor's eye" view of the ruins. Well worth it if you can.
Overnight in hotel
Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain
The Palccoyo Rainbow Mountain day trip is a spectacular experience deep in the heart of the Vilcanota Mountain range. This option is an ideal way to enjoy the magical coloured mountains, on a relatively short trail with minimal incline and without the crowds.
On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped peaks of Ausangate, Mariposa, Nevado del Inca and the diversity of this mountainous region. At the highest point of the trail, explore the Bosque de Rocas (Rock Forest) with its unique formations.
Overnight hotel and celebration dinner
Depart Cusco
Notes: This itinerary may change due to changes outside our control. We will endeavour to keep to the planned itinerary but cannot be held responsible for last changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, the group leader will have the final say.
Chicuchas Wasi (CW) began in 1987 focused on the society’s tolerated human rights violations of the many abandoned children, as young as 6 years old, surviving alone on the streets of Cusco, Peru. CW created a safe house including nutrition, health care, school, life skills, and more.
The school currently does not have an indoor facility larger than a classroom to host events, sports, theatre presentations or otherwise. The goal is to raise USD54,000 to build a dry multipurpose room for such activities once children can return to school.
