11-Days Inca Pathways Charity Challenge

Charity Challenge at a Glance

Trip Date:

Activities:

Trip Duration:

Accomodation:

Meals:

Starting Point & Time:

End Point & Time:

Trip Cost:

Single Supplement:

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Best April - October

12 Days/11 Nights

Hiking, Sightseeing..

Hotel (10 nights)

As per the itinerary

$3700 AUD (includes GST)

$600 AUD

$400 AUD

Lima/Cusco - Check in 1:00 PM

Lima/Cusco - Check out 10:00 AM

Inclusions

Highlights

Fine Print

Gallery

Reviews

Itinerary

Highlights

• Starts Lima/Ends Lima

• Small group experience; Max 12 people

• Fully escorted by a bilingual tour leader/local guide

• Walk Ancient Inca Pathways | 10-13kms daily | Comfortable Hotel Stays

• Introductory to Moderate pace delivery

• Hike along one of the top twenty trekking destinations in the world

• Explore the Short Inca Trail and descend to Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate. Two-day visit to Machu Picchu

• Fully customizable -

• Twin share and single traveller supplement option. Shared room available option for single travellers

• Comfortable hotel accommodations

• Early morning guided tour to Machu Picchu - beat the crowds

• Explore Cusco city - Once capital of the Inca Empire

• Enjoy the natural beauty of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

• Experience the iconic train ride Machu Picchu-Ollantaytambo

• Free time to enjoy Cusco and surroundings at your own pace or enjoy our optional tours

• Prior departure information session provided by experienced local guide based in NSW or Cusco

Itinerary

Welcome to Peru. Your tour starts either at Lima's or Cusco's International airport. On arrival, one of our representatives will pick you up from the airport. If you arrived at an earlier date, please make your way to our accommodation, and join us. A first welcome meeting will be scheduled in the afternoon where you will meet your fellow travellers and where essential information about the trip will be thoroughly discussed. Tonight is free for everyone to explore at their own pace.

Elevation: Lima (sea level) - Cusco (3400 mts/11150 ft)

Activity: Transfer to Hotel/Sightseeing

Explorer Moment: Do not miss the initial welcome meeting held upon arrival. Meet your fellow travellers and get detailed information about the itinerary and upcoming activities

Accommodation: San Agustin Premium or similar.

Meals: None

Today we will catch a mid-morning flight to Cusco. We will initially meet our fellow travellers prior to the beginning of our activities in this magical city. We will first explore our accommodation surroundings and catch the first glimpses of Cusco city centre and its impressive architecture on an easy escorted walking tour. We will find our way around by finding essential services nearby such as money exchange, banks, souvenirs, laundry services and dining options nearby. Tonight, feel free to explore Cusco's city at your own pace or enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience with your group. Cusco at night becomes a vibrant destination filled with music, dancing, and entertainment for everyone.

Elevation: 3400 mts/11150 ft

Activity: Sightseeing/Guided walk (1.5 kms/2 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Do not miss the guided walking tour today. Be amazed by walking through the Main Plaza and witness the marvellous Inca masonary blended with colonial architecture, with arcades, carved wooden balconies and Inca walls.

Accommodation: San Agustin Premium or similar.

Meals: Breakfast

Active' acclimatization starts today! After breakfast, we will drive above Cusco City Centre to Tambomachay Inca site (3700mts/12140ft) to start our first acclimatization walk. We will descend 6.3 kms back to our accommodation. Our path will take us through few other Inca ruins and stunning landscapes as we descend to Sacsayhuaman Inca fortress. After exploring its imposing presence and enjoying its surroundings, we will continue our way down to Cusco city along ancient Inca cobblestones and traditional Andean structures. Today's walk is easy-to-follow to facilitate a gradual acclimatization to the altitude.

Elevation: 3700-3400 mts (12140-11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Trekking (7 kms/6 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Enjoy Cusco's best views from above. Find the best spot and get your camera ready. Be amazed with the imposing greatness of Sacsayhuaman fortress and find out how important the site was for the Incas

Accommodation: San Agustin Premium or similar.

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Lunch

Today we will visit the picturesque Sacred Valley of the Incas. A few miles above Cusco city, we will initially stop at the colourful village of Caccaccollo and explore its famous traditional weaving & textile Co-op. Our journey will continue for another 30 minutes to reach Pisac town located along the banks of the Vilcanota river. Pisac is renowned for its traditional market and its hilltop Inca citadel with ancient temples surrounded by extensive agricultural terraces. From the highest area of the Inca citadel, we will walk down through the large agricultural sector and structures of the Inca fortress and citadel. After a guided tour on the spot, we will continue our descend to the town of Pisac where we will wander around the traditional craft market for which Pisac is famed for.

Elevation: 3400/2700/3400 mts (11150,8860,11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Exploring at your own pace (7 Kms - 7 Hrs)

Explorer Moment: Witness how Pisac town comes alive during market days when people from the surrounding communities come together to sell and buy produce, craft and supplies in the town's central square.

Accommodation: San Agustin Premium or similar (Cusco)

Meals: Breakfast/Buffet Lunch (Urubamba)

We begin driving to Moray (3500 mts) along a high mountain plateau surrounded by amazing views of snow peaks and glaciers. First, we will explore the circular terraces of Moray, believed to have been an advanced Inca agricultural research centre, and learn how the Incas experimented with many crops at varying altitudes. Then, we drive to the historic salt mines of Maras, a salt-producing centre dating back to pre-Inca times. Admire thousands of salt pools carved into the mountainside from a panoramic viewpoint, as direct access is now restricted to preserve the salt quality. Then, we will start a picturesque downhill walk towards the village of Pichingoto (2800 mts), passing through stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley. We will briefly explore Pichingoto and gain insight into their traditional way of life

Elevation: 3400/3500/2800 mts (11150/11480/9190 ft)

Activity: Trekking/Sightseeing (12 kms/5 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Visiting Maras and Moray is truly 'Mind-Boggling'. Don't miss the chance to explore the Inca Green House and the stunning Salt Mines that were created by the evaporation of salt water in the sun.

Accommodation: Sol Ollantay or similar (Ollantaytambo)

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Lunch

We leave Cusco at 5:00 am towards Mollepata town (3 hrs drive/2900 mts) for a chance to get our last-minute supplies before the start of our day hike. After a short drive, we will arrive at the starting point of the hike at Challecancha. After a brief introduction to our support staff, we start our moderate climb to Soraypampa (3hrs/3900 mts) following the remains of a restored Inca channel. From Soraypampa, we will continue our 3 kms steep climb towards Humantay lake (4200 mts), set among pristine glacial landscapes and turquoise waters by the foot of the stunning Humantay peak (5450 mts). After exploring the lake surroundings, we will descend back down to Soraypampa to find our lunch spot in the area (3900 mts), standing in the lower ravines of the imposing Humantay peak. After lunch, we will drive back to Cusco (3 hrs)

Elevation: 3400/3900/4200 mts (11150/12800/13800 ft)

Activity: Trekking (10 kms/4 hrs)

Explorer Moment: A few places in the Andes are as stunning as the turquoise waters glistering against glaciers. Humantay Peak above Humantay lake is one of them!

Accommodation: Camping

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Lunch

We will start our day by walking 20 minutes to Ollantaytambo train station. After an unforgettable two-hour train ride to the start of the short Inca Trail at Km.104 by the banks of the Vilcanota river, we will start our steady climb to Winay Wayna Inca remains. After exploring and learning about the importance of this Inca site, our path will join the Classic Inca trail towards Machu Picchu. After ninety minutes of a gentle hike, we will reach the Sun Gate and capture the first breath taking views of Machu Picchu. From there, we will descend to Machu Picchu in our last 45 minutes stretch of the hike. We will find Machu Picchu's traditional view right at the end of the Inca Trail. We will spend plenty of time witnessing the marvellous Inca architecture from this lookout before making out way down (by bus) to Aguas Calientes where we will find our hotel accommodation for the night.

Elevation:1900/2700/2000 mt (6235/8860/6560 ft)

Activity: Trekking (17 Kms/7 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Reaching Machu Picchu from the Sun gate is truly an amazing experience. As you get closer to the citadel, it becomes easier to understand why it is one of Wonders of the World!!

Accommodation: Hotel Mapi or similar.

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Snacks

We will start exploring Ollantaytambo known as the Last Inca Living City. The traditional part of the village currently preserves stunning cobblestoned streets, adobe structures, trapezoidal doors, running Inca water canals and drainage. We will make our way towards the Urubamba River to find remains of an Inca bridge structure to commence our steady climb along the opposite side of the Valley. Along our 3 hours ascend, we will find remains of Inca buildings and plenty granite blocks that were left abandoned on their way to the main Ollantaytambo Inca site in the opposite side of the Valley! After exploring the stone quarry, we will make our way down to the bottom of the Valley. Back in Ollantaytambo, we will also explore the archaeological remains of the Inca buildings, and its temples strategically built above the village,

Elevation: 2700/3600/2700 mt (9160/11700/9160 ft)

Activity: Trekking (11 Kms/7 hrs)

Explorer Moment: Be amazed by the "last Inca Living City" and its enchanting cobblestones and dwellings. The beauty of the Valley is more than the "picture-perfect" moment, it is breathtaking!!

Accommodation: Hotel Ollanta or similar.

Meals: Breakfast/Packed Snacks

Our visit to Machu Picchu is today. Leaving early (6:00 am), we will catch a bus to take us up the mountain to the Inca citadel (2400 mts). We will enjoy a guided tour (2 hrs) through the most important areas of the monument including temples, royal houses, terraces, and water fountains. Following the new regulations to protect and preserve Machu Picchu, visitors are limited to a predetermined route and time during their visit. Visitors must be always accompanied by a licensed guide during this time. There is an optional service to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain (The availability of tickets for these options is quite limited). After our visit, we will catch our bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and our final look around in town before catching a late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. From this train station, our private bus will drive us back to our hotel in Cusco (8-9 pm arrival)

Elevation: 2000/2400/3400 mts (6560/8000/11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Exploring at your own pace

Explorer Moment: Enjoy every moment of your visit to Machu Picchu. It is unique and magical

Accommodation: San Agustin Premium or similar

Meals: Breakfast

Our drive to Palcoyo starts about 6 am. We will travel for two hours to reach the village of Checacupe where you will find a very traditional and colourful Andean village with its imposing colonial Church considered as one of the most beautiful churches in Cusco region. Our drive will continue for another 1.5 hours to reach the beginning of our hike in the outskirts of Palcoyo area. We will walk 45 mins - 1 hr to reach Palcoyo viewpoint where the famous Rainbow Mountain viewpoint is found. We will spend plenty of time enjoying the scenery of these incredible mountain formations before making our way down towards the area named the 'Rock Forest' in direction to the start of the hike. Weather permitting, we will find a nice spot in the mountain hillside to share some lunch prior to taking our way back to Cusco city

Elevation: 3400/5050/3400 mts (11150/16560/11150 ft)

Activity: Sightseeing/Hiking/Exploring at your own pace

Explorer Moment: Take a moment to enjoy the natural setting surrounding the Rainbow Mountain. The Red Valley and surroundings are among the most beautiful landscapes in the Andes

Accommodation: San Agustin Premium or similar

Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

Our service concludes today at check-out time 10:00 am. We will organise a shuttle service to take you back to the airport if needed. Otherwise, feel free to leave at any time.

Elevation: 3400 mts (11150 ft)

Meals: Breakfast.

• Andean Explorer Tours leader and bilingual local guides where applicable.

• 10 nights comfortable Hotel accommodation (twin share) - Solo traveller option $600 AUD pp

• Return Flights Lima-Cusco-Lima (Economy)

• Accredited English-speaking Tour Leader

• Airport transfers and all ground transportation to and from tours and activities

• Machu Picchu entry permit (circuit 2) and early morning guided tour (2-hr tour)

• Return bus ticket Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes

• Train tickets Aguas Ollantaytambo-Km 104-Calientes-Ollantaytambo (Vistadome upgrade for $240 AUD/ticket return)

• Daily morning breakfast and packed lunches as specified in the itinerary

• Entry permits to all attractions (Inca Trail-Machu Picchu-Sacred Valley)

• Luggage storage

• First Aid Kit - including oxygen tanks

Included:

• Altitude. Cusco city is located at 3350 metres above sea level. Some visitors may experience and develop altitude sickness. The most common symptoms include tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath and in some instances loss of appetite/nausea. People tend to acclimatize in diverse ways. If you initially experience any altitude related symptoms, we recommend taking your time during activities, resting, and drinking plenty of water. This tour has been carefully crafted to provide an easy acclimatisation during your stay in Cusco and surroundings. For the first four nights prior to the start of our hike to Machu Picchu, we will stay in Cusco city. We will progressively get used to the altitude by doing a short-easy pace acclimatisation walk daily while visiting some iconic destinations in Cusco and surroundings. This time is crucial before hitting Humantay Lake (4000 mts - Day 6) and The Rainbow Mountain lookout point (5000 mts - Day 10) and the Short Inca Trail . Alternatively, all our tour operations carry emergency oxygen tanks for severe altitude sickness prevention. Your dedicated Andean Explorer Leader will provide Oxygen supply if required.

• Pace and Mobility. This tour is expected to run at a moderate pace. We will reach most points of interest in our itinerary by private bus or trekking through high altitude areas. There might be some long travel days between destinations (2-3 hrs) and long hiking days through remote high-altitude mountain & tropical areas (5-7 hrs). We will be staying in hotels. Some guided visits require walking up and down uneven cobblestone pathways and stairs. Trekking for this trip will rarely involve flat terrain. The guided tour in Machu Picchu is 2-2.5 hours long. It is only done on foot and scheduled to run at a fixed time limit. This trip is unsuitable for visitors with impaired mobility. You will be required to move about unassisted, including handling your luggage, getting on and of vehicles and lining up at check points. Our itinerary is crafted to spend two or more days at each destination. However, we will stay only for one night at Machu Picchu's adjacent town prior to our visit to the citadel.

• Trip Grading: This trip is rated Introductory to Moderate. It involves a combination of introductory acclimatisation walks and moderate trekking through remote areas. The terrain includes steep undulations, rocky surfaces, and uneven cobblestone grounds. You will need a reasonable level of fitness-good health and be comfortable day hiking 10-13 kms in basic conditions.

• Suggested Preparation: The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy this trip. At least a few months prior to departure, you should try an active exercise routine on a regular basis. This should include hard walking, jogging, leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. Please discuss the right exercise routine for you with your fitness instructor.

• Flexibility. This trip will be conducted as outlined in the itinerary. This includes plenty of time to explore at your own pace. All activities are optional and flexible arrangements can be discussed with your Andean Explorer Tours representative. Refer to our Terms and Conditions for further details.

• Trip Logistics: This challenge involves daily hikes (10-13 kms) in remote areas and at high altitude. For some destinations, we might need to drive 2-3 hours to the starting point of the hike. At the end of our daily activities, we will return to our hotel accommodation. This is a NO CAMPING Charity Challenge

Explore the Facts:

• International flights

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance (compulsory)

• Visas

• Huayna Picchu entry permit ($85/pp - please enquire)

• Add on activities or excursions not listed in the itinerary

• Sleeping bags /trekking poles (rentals available in Cusco)

• Laundry and alcoholic drinks expenses

• Meals not listed in the itinerary

• Items of personal nature

• Gratuities for porters/local guides

Not Included:

Inclusions

The Unexpected Element

Adventure travel in third world countries involves a degree of unpredictability. Tour operations in remote areas are also subject to this degree of uncertainty and itineraries may be changed. Basic standards in remote areas in this trip are significantly different than the ones at home. For those situations outside your comfort zone, your flexibility, positive attitude, and sense of adventure is a must have. This is how unforgettable lifetime experiences are made of!

• Payment Terms. You can secure your booking with an initial non-refundable $400 AUD deposit of the total (See Terms & Conditions). Flexible payment options include: two months prior to departure date (70%) and the balance on arrival (30%)

• Flights. International flights are not included in this service. Domestic flights are included: Lima-Cusc0- Lima.

• Airport Transfers. This package includes airport transfers in both directions. Lima/Cusco airport-accommodation-Cusco airport. Detailed transfer details will be included in your pre departure information booklet.

• Accommodation. Hotels - Lima (1 night), Cusco (8nts), Machu Pichu town (1 night). The accommodation type and Hotel name for each point of interest is listed in the daily itinerary description. Please note, any changes to the listed accommodation will be of a similar or higher standard. The standard room configuration is twin share. Additional bedding configurations may be requested and confirmed prior to departure. Changes to these configurations during the trip are always subject to availability. The options available for Solo Travellers include: The Single Supplement Option ($600 AUD pp) or The Shared Accommodation Option (opt to share the room with a fellow traveller of the same gender).

• Transport. Private vehicles, shared transfer buses, train.

• Group Leader. This is a fully escorted service. A bilingual Peru Explorer Tours representative always accompanies this trip. A certified bilingual speaking local guide will provide the guided tour in Machu Picchu.

• Travellers and Group Dynamics. There is a minimum number of travellers to run this trip. The maximum number of travellers for this trip is twelve. This trip will run following the activities listed in the itinerary. However, at any time, feel free to stay and explore our destinations at your own pace.

• Travel Insurance - A comprehensive travel insurance cover is compulsory for this trip. Copies of travel insurance certificates will be collected prior to departure.

• Passport & Visas. All travellers are required to have a valid passport (minimum 6 months). It is the traveller's responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. Contact your local embassy or consulate for all your visa requirements.

• Meals. 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches and packed snacks are included. Meals are not included where there is a choice of eating options. Food in Peru is affordable and tasty. Please advise of any dietary requirements

• Tipping. Tips are not included in this package. While tipping is not compulsory, it is of customary practice and given as a token of appreciation for great customer service.

Fine Print

Cusco/Salkantay/Short Inca Trail Explorer

Explore this unique trail along stunning landscapes and the last stretch of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

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"An unforgettable experience! The tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable, and we felt immersed in the culture and history of Peru. Highly recommended!" — Andrew P.

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