Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu 2023

Peru
30 September 2023 - 9 October 2023
Trek
£500.00

Sold Out

We're thrilled to invite you to join us on this epic challenge to Peru in 2023. Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic sights in South America, and the culmination of our magnificent Inca Trail trek through the breathtaking valleys and passes of the Peruvian Andes.*

Trekking on Inca-paved paths and steps, our route takes us up through lush cloudforest to the demanding Dead Woman’s Pass (4200m). Continually climbing up or dropping down, our way is steep at times, and the altitude adds to the challenge. We finally come to the Sun Gate, which overlooks Machu Picchu, where your first magical glimpse provides an unforgettable reward for your efforts.

This challenge is bespoke to Help for Heroes and is organised and managed by our event provider, Discover Adventure.

*Each year, the Peruvian Government release a limited number of trekking permits for the upcoming 12 months. Permits for April - October departures (peak trekking season) sell out extremely quickly and demand for these permits increases year on year.
Permits will be released in October for the following year's departures. To avoid disappointment and in order for Discover Adventure to secure your permit, you will need to book your place early for this challenge.

Itinerary

DAY ONE: DEPART LONDON

DAY TWO: ARRIVE CUZCO
Morning arrival in Cuzco (3400m); transfer to hotel. After a trip briefing, the afternoon is free to explore the sites of this historic city.

DAY THREE: TAMBO MACHAY - CUZCO
Our first day’s trek is downhill and will help us acclimatise to the altitude. From Tambo Machay, an ancient ruin high in the hills above Cuzco, passing some of the amazing Inca sites in the surrounding country-side as we walk to Sacsayhuaman, the huge and impressive Inca ruin on the outskirts of Cuzco. Night hotel.
Trek approx 5 hours

DAY FOUR: CUZCO - WAYLLABAMBA
After a second night at altitude we should all be feeling ready for action! We leave Cuzco, heading out along the Sacred Valley via Ollantaytambo to the Trail’s starting-point at Km82. The first half-day walk is fairly easy on an undulating path which follows the Urubamba River for much of the way. After lunch a gentle climb takes us to our camp at Wayllabamba. There are a couple of steep drops and climbs into gullies along the way, with great views of Mt Veronica standing at 5000m. The path is dusty but firm and there are no steps. Night camp (3000m).
Drive approx 3 hours; trek approx 5-6 hours

DAY FIVE: WAYLLABAMBA - PACAMAYO
Today we have the big climb – rising from camp all the way to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4200m. This is a relentless and steep climb on narrow trails, first through grassland, then cloud forest (where some people start to feel the altitude), where the path is steeper and can be muddy. Eventually it opens out onto pasture where we will have lunch with snow-capped mountains behind us and a distant view up to the top of the pass, still several hours ahead. The final stretch to the top of the pass is well maintained with steps but the pace is slow because of the altitude. From the top we descend on steps to our evening's campsite at Pacamayo, below the ruins of Runkurakay. Night camp (3500m).
Trek approx 8-12 hours

DAY SIX: PACAMAYO - WINAY WAYNA
Now on the Inca Trail proper, the path is mostly steps which are steep in places and there are ruins every mile or so along the way. We have our second high pass at 4000m, again with steps leading up to the top and down the other side. The descent takes around an hour to Sayacmarca ruin (3600m), which is perched above more steps. From here the trail is very pretty, wide and easy-going with interesting fragments of cloud forest en route. The third pass is reached easily after passing through an Inca tunnel in the rock and a gentle climb. We continue on to the ruins of Puyupatamarca and then descend steep steps to our campsite at Winay Wayna. Night camp (2640m).
Trek approx 8-10 hours

DAY SEVEN: WINAY WAYNA - MACHU PICCHU - CUZCO
We start early and have a three hour walk to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, along a beautiful stretch of trail, scattered with ruins and some steep flights of steps, with a few large drops down the side to the Urubamba River. We enjoy a guided tour around this extraordinary site, before meeting up in Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo and return to Cuzco by bus arriving in the evening. Night hotel.
(Dinner not included)
Trek approx 3 hours; train/bus travel approx 3 hours

DAY EIGHT: FREE DAY CUZCO
After a good night’s sleep and a relaxing lie-in we have the remainder of the day free to explore Cuzco. Later this evening we all meet up again for dinner to celebrate our achievements. Night hotel.
(Lunch not included)

DAY NINE: DEPART CUZCO
After some free time this morning, we board the afternoon flight, which may involve a connection to our onward flight back to London.
(Lunch not included)

DAY TEN: ARRIVE LONDON

Group celebrating - Discover Adventure

FUNDRAISING OPTIONS AND REGISTRATION FEES

Charity Sponsorship – you pay a registration fee and do lots of fundraising to cover the cost of your trip and support our heroes and their families.

£500 registration fee + £4,050 fundraising target

80% of fundraising target (£3,240) to be paid by 21 July 2023 to confirm your place. The remainder due within 6 weeks of return from trip.

Part-payment Option – pay a proportion of the costs of your trip and have a lower fundraising target.

£500 registration fee + £500 payment and £3,050 fundraising target

80% of fundraising target (£2,440) + £500 payment to be paid by 21 July 2023 to confirm your place. The remainder due within 6 weeks of return from trip.

Self-funded Option – you pay the registration fee and pay the full amount to cover the cost of your trip.

• £500 registration fee + £1775 trip cost.

• Full amount due on the 4th August 2023 to confirm your place on the trip.