Breast Cancer Care Events

Trek Peru to Machu Picchu - Itinerary

11-20 September 2010

This is an inspirational charity trek through the mountains and valleys of Peru’s Sacred Valley and Lares Region. Walking along the Inca Trail for the final stage of our walk, we complete our challenge at Machu Picchu, Lost City of the Incas.

Day 1: Fly London to Lima.

Transfer to hotel in Lima or connect directly to Cuzco, depending on flight schedule. Night hotel / in flight

Day 2: Morning arrival in Cuzco 

Transfer to downtown hotel. After a trip briefing the afternoon is free to gently explore the sites of this historic city, or simply adjust to the altitude by watching the world go by in one of the numerous cafés in the Plaza de Armas. Night hotel

Day 3: Tambo Machay – Cuzco

Our first day’s trek takes us from Tambo Machay, an ancient ruin high in the hills above Cuzco. We pass some of the amazing Inca sites in the surrounding countryside as we walk downhill to Sacsayhuaman, the huge and impressive Inca ruin on the outskirts of Cuzco, before returning to our hotel. As well as beautiful scenery and fascinating ruins, today’s trekking offers excellent acclimatisation to the altitude. Night hotel. Trek approx 5 hrs (Dinner not included)

Day 4: Cuzco – Totora – Quisuarani

After a second night at altitude we should all be feeling ready for action! We leave Cuzco behind us, heading out to Pisac and then along the Sacred Valley to Calca, from where we head into the mountains to Totora and the start of our trek. Our 3 – 4 hour trek takes us through a wonderful canyon along an old Incan trail, gradually twisting upwards to a height of 4100m, where we have lunch. After lunch we drive over the 4390m pass before descending towards Quisuarani. The bus will drop us off and we walk the final hour or so into camp. The location is amazing, with a number of snow-capped peaks towering around us. Night camp (3800m). Trek approx 5 hrs; Drive approx 4 hrs

Day 5: Quisuarani – Huchayccassa Pass – Huacahuasi Village

Today sees our big climb, rising from 3800m to 4400m. We leave the small thatched houses and stone llama enclosures of Quisuarani behind us and start climbing. This is a gradual ascent along good tracks and paths. As we walk we pass children herding llamas and alpacas high in the mountains. After a couple of hours we reach Lago Qeuñacocha, from where we have a good view of the steep track leading up the last 250m climb to the Huchayccassa pass at 4400m. The view west from the pass is spectacular, with turquoise lakes below us and white peaks in the distance. We descend from the pass to our lakeside lunch spot and then continue down to Cuncani, with its thatched stone houses and school house. After a brief rest stop in the village we continue along the valley floor for several hours towards the small settlement of Huacahuasi. Night camp (3840m). Trek approx 10 – 12 hrs

Day 6: Huacahuasi Village – Patacancha

After a good breakfast we head out leaving the village behind us and are treated to yet more wonderful views of the mountains; stone houses and enclosures lie scattered along the valley bottom. The track climbs slowly out of the valley towards several small lakes, where we stop for a short rest. We then head up towards the pass, following a gradually ascending track to a flat open area and from there to the Ipsayccassa Pass at 4490m. From here the views are again fabulous and for the first time we have a clear view of Mt Veronica standing at 5682m. We then begin the descent to Ipsaycocha Lake where we stop for lunch before continuing down, following a track that gradually descends through several small settlements all the way to Rumira and the finish of our spectacular trek.
Night camp (3900m). Trek approx 9 – 12 hrs

Day 7: Patacancha – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes

An early start from camp sees us driving (approx one hour) down the Patacancha valley to the Inca village of Ollantaytambo.  On arrival we board the 09.05am train and enjoy a wonderfully scenic ride to Aguas Calientes, the bustling little town at the foot of Machu Picchu (approx 90 mins). On arrival we leave our bags in our hotel and then leave straightaway for the short drive up to Machu Picchu, where we enjoy a guided tour around this amazing site. There is no rush to leave as we are staying the night in Aguas Calientes. For those that want to, after visiting Machu Picchu there is the opportunity to bathe in hot springs, where we can soak those aching limbs! Night hotel

Day 8: Free time Cuzco

After a good night’s sleep we board the early morning train to Ollantaytambo and continue to Cuzco by bus, where we are then free to explore Cuzco and do any last-minute shopping before the evening’s big celebration! You can also opt to visit the Community Project we support on a long-term basis – the Andean village of Chacan, a friendly community with several schools. Night hotel. (Lunch and dinner not included)

Day 9: Morning flight back to Lima

Linking up with the return flight to the UK

Day 10: Arrive UK

For details of our amazing Amazon Rainforest extension (adds 4 extra days) please contact us.

Note: Itinerary, dates and flight times are subject to change.

All air and ground travel arrangements for Trek Peru are organised by Discover Adventure, ATOL bonded 5363, and their booking conditions apply.