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Your first taste of the Inca world will be in and International Flights around the city of , the ancient Inca Flights are not included as part of the challenge capital. After acclimatizing to the high altitude cost. You will need to organise your own by visiting local Inca ruins and Spanish international flights to arrive in Cusco on the morning Colonial churches, you will head towards the of Day 1 (see below). Please contact us at remote and rarely visited Lares Valley. [email protected] BEFORE you commit and pay for your flights. We can help you organize your flights, and put you in touch with our partners at Flight Tucked behind the , the region Centre. has remained largely unchanged for more than All flights will need to route via Lima, Peru. 500 years. Day 1: Arrive into Cusco Boasting spectacular scenery, this trek will You will need to arrive in Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, offer you a real insight into how the Andean by midday at the latest. Our services begin at the airport peoples live. The Quechua people dress in where we’ll organize a transfer for you as a part of your brightly coloured ponchos and live in thatched challenge package. You will stay in a centrally located stone houses. Farmers herd llamas and hotel. Having checked in to your room, you will spend alpacas, and guinea pigs often run loose inside the rest of the day acclimatizing to the altitude (11,400ft) the houses. Potato and maize are staple crops, on a walking tour of the city. Among the highlights is the Inca sun temple of Qoricancha. In the evening you will and locals are also known for their intricate be fully briefed about the week ahead and the challenge weaving, which dates back to the time of the it entails. Meals included at local restaurants. Overnight Incas. in a centrally located hotel. (Lunch & Dinner included)

The region is also home to the Baños del Inca, probably the best hot springs in southern Peru. Situated at an altitude of 8,749ft, the springs offer spectacular views of snowy peaks and glaciers such as Mounts Veronica, Chicon and Pumahaunca. As you continue along your route, you will also take in the dazzling sight of glacial blue lakes.

You will eventually have some time to explore the ruins at Machu Picchu, the ‘lost City of the Incas’. These breathtaking pre Columbian ruins are nestled high in the between two peaks. The ruins were rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham and are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient Day 2: Pikillaqta (Acclimatization Day) sites in the world. Today you visit the lesser known yet very impressive Pikillaqta Ruins. You will be provided with a fantastic

lunch en route and then head back to Cusco for free time, dinner with a local family and overnight at the evening, as you celebrate achieving your Charity hotel. Challenge goal and discovering the majesty of Machu Picchu. Overnight at a centrally located hotel in Cusco. Day 3: Cusco to Cuncani via Lares hot springs The day begins early as you drive back towards the Sacred Valley and over the high mountain passes to the Lares Valley (4 and a half hrs). Your group will stop at the famous Lares hot springs for a swim and some lunch. After lunch you start your trek with a 4-5hrs hike to the small village of Cuncani, where you will camp overnight (12,467ft).

Day 4: Cuncani to Huacahuasi After breakfast in Cuncani (12,600ft) you will hike over a pass to the small community of Huacahuasi (6-8hrs). Along the way you will stop for a picnic lunch. Expect to see alpacas and llamas roaming among the scattered houses. After lunch you will continue your trek down the valley to Huacahausi where you will have the change to meet the locals. Overnight camp near the river in Huacahuasi. Day 8: Cusco Your international flights can be organised to leave from Day 5: Huacahuasi to Cusco at any time today. Our services finish at 0900 today (not including the organized transfer back to the Today is a beautiful day (7-8hrs). Over the course of the airport) Breakfast included. morning, you will gradually gain altitude as you hike for about four and a half hours. You will take a little used route through the Ranrayoc valley passing the small Note: The itinerary is there as a guide and may change due to community of Puňunayoc. Your route takes you past a unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, the strength of the lake with views of the southward snow peaks. Lunch will group, and so on. We will do our very best to keep to the set be served along the way (4378m) with views of snowy itinerary; however, we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your mountain Tirijhuay. From here you will continue for a expedition leader will have the final say. further 3hrs until reaching the road-head where a vehicle will pick you up and take you to your campsite near to Inca Trail Passes; please note that for this challenge you need an Ollantaytambo. Inca pass to complete the last days trekking. There are a limited amount of tickets printed for each day to protect the environment, so please try and book as early as possible and with passport Day 6: Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu via Sun details that will be correct on your chosen date of departure. If you Gate book late we cannot guarantee a ticket, but we will offer you an alternative trek on Day 6 meeting with the group at the sun gate. From Ollantaytambo which guards the entrance to the Sacred Urubamba valley, we take the early morning train to Km 104, where you start your trek on traditional Inca trails towards the Sun Gate. We then have the Optional extensions: afternoon to explore Machu Picchu in more detail and take in its splendour. Overnight in a hotel in the centre of White water rafting and Cusco (3 days, 2 Aguas Calientes. nights):

 Half day rafting on the  Explore Cusco’s colonial churches, monasteries, convents and extensive pre-Columbian ruins

Lake Titicaca (4 days, 3 nights):  Spectacular journey through the Cusco and Vilcanota valley to Puno  Visit the islands of Uros and experience the Titicaca National reserve. Discover pre-Incan ruins and see world famous hand weavings  Overnight with a local family, who still live an ancient communal lifestyle

Day 7: Machu Picchu to Cusco Today is dedicated to exploring these extraordinary Inca remains. The early afternoon train takes you back to Cusco. It’s party time at a local restaurant in the