Machu Picchu Charity Trek

• Trek: £1,326 per person for first 16 places.  Trek cost for remainder of places can’t be confirmed until all places are filled, but it will probably be the same price… perhaps up to £50 more per person.
  • Trek deposit – £205 per person.  Your place will not be confirmed until deposit is paid & passport details provided.
  • Trek balance – can be paid in instalments, final payment due on or before 1st March 2024
• Flights:
  • Flight costs will be payable on booking, around July.
  • Flights for June 2024 are not yet available but to give you an idea, June 2023 costs for Glasgow – Cuzco (return) are around £1,500.
  • The Adventure People have advised that London to Cuzco (return) is usually around £800, there will be an additional cost for Glasgow to London (return). 
• Accommodation: hotels (3 nights), camping (3 nights)
• Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners are included.
  • Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
  • Where there’s a choice of eating options locally, meals are not included in the trip price, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat.  It also gives you more budgeting flexibility although generally food is cheap.
• Tipping – It is customary in Latin America to tip service providers such as waiters and tour guides, approximately 10%. Tipping is an expected but not compulsory part of the trip. This can add up so consider it into your budget.  If at the end of your trip, you felt that your trek guide and support team did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, although as a guide, it’s suggested each hiker contributes the following to a collective pool:
  • Head guide: 10-25 USD
  • Assistant guide: 5-12 USD
  • Your trekking crew: 40 USD
• Other costs to be aware of:  These are not included and should be arranged by each person individually.
  • Insurance
    • All trekkers must have a minimum coverage of 200,000 USD for repatriation and emergency rescue.  It is strongly recommended that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects.  Insurance can be arranged through The Adventure People, please let Nic know if you’d like to arrange this.
  • Immunisations
    • There are many local travel vaccination centres where you can organise your immunisations.  We advise contacting them soon to find out how far in advance you need to start receiving immunisations.
    • NHS Fit For Travel website gives information on immunisations required.
  • Kit (See ‘checklist & what to take’ section below)
  • Spending money
• Fundraising: We are asking for a minimum of £1,000 to be raised per person.
  • We can help you set up a Just Giving page if you’d like a hand with this.
  • If you choose to cover your costs through fundraising, rather than pay them yourself, please let your supporters know that donations will only be received by FYF after your costs have been covered.
  • If you’re covering your costs through a Just Giving fundraising page, the minimum fundraising amount is £1,025 (to cover JG processing fees)

Day 1: Cusco

• Arrive early and spend some time exploring the city. Meet the group at the welcome meeting.
• Accommodation – twin room in Hotel Prisma.  Let Nic know if there’s a particular fellow trekker you’d prefer to share with. Please note: depending on number of trekkers, we may need to book an additional hotel.

Day 2: Cusco/Ollantaytambo

• Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the tour operator-supported women’s weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery-making community. Break for lunch at the tour operator-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins, or wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
• Accommodation – twin room in Hotel Inka Paradise.

Day 3: Inca Trail

• The trek begins through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
• Accommodation – camping

Day 4: Inca Trail

• Start early to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,215m (13,829 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with ample time to rest and relax.
• Accommodation – camping

Day 5: Inca Trail

• Cross two more passes and ruins on today’s trek. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, hikers can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through the cloud forest on a gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the “town above the clouds.” Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (“forever young”) located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
• Accommodation – camping

Day 6: Machu Picchu/Cusco

• The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down for a guided tour of the ruins, before your train back towards Cusco.
• Accommodation – twin room in Hotel Prisma. Please note: depending on number of trekkers, we may need to book an additional hotel.

Day 7: Cusco

• Departure day

Optional Activities:

There are a number of additional optional activities.  More information and booking can be arranged on arrival:

• Cuzco’s Inka Museum (10PEN per person)
• Cuzco City Tour (45PEN per person)
• Cuzco Tourist Ticket (130PEN per person)
• Whitewater Rafting in Urubamba (165PEN per person)

Most people automatically assume that the weather is hot in South America, but because of the higher altitude in the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night.

We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage.

Current exchange rate (11/05/23) – 0.22 GBP = 1 Sol

If you’d like an easy to read checklist, we’ve made a PDF you can download here.

Available for Rent: (Booked on arrival, card payment only)• Camping mattress/sleep mat (45 soles) • Sleeping bag (45 soles) • Walking poles (15 soles each (30 per pair))

Documents: • Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border) • Insurance info (required) (With photocopies) • Passport (required) (With photocopies) • Required vaccination certificates (required) (With photocopies) • Vouchers and pre-departure information (required) • Please note: currently no Visa required for Peru, however, check here before you go.

Essentials: • Binoculars (optional) • Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries) • Cash, credit and debit cards • Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights) • Ear plugs • First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking) • Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal) • Fleece top/sweater • Footwear • Hat • Locks for bags • Long pants/jeans • Moneybelt • Outlet adapter • Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.) • Reusable water bottle • Shirts/t-shirts • Sleepwear • Small travel towel • Sunglasses • Toiletries (Preferably biodegradable) • Watch and alarm clock • Waterproof backpack cover • Windproof rain jacket

Inca Trail: • Hiking pants (Convertible/Zip-off and quick dry recommended) • Pack liners to waterproof bags • Rain gear • Camping mat (available for rent) • Sleeping bag (available for rent) • Thermal base layer • Travel pillow • Walking poles, rubber-tipped (available for rent) • Waterproof hiking boots

Cold Weather: • Long-sleeved shirts or sweater • Scarf • Warm gloves • Warm hat • Warm layers

Warm Weather: • Sandals/flip-flops • Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended) • Sun hat/bandana • Swimwear

Note: The best clothing for trekking is either wool or synthetic materials in layers, as this is quick-drying and can keep heat in better. We suggest a base-layer, then a mid-layer such as a light fleece jacket or similar, then a windproof and waterproof layer.