Wave 105

Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
9th November to 18th November 2012

Mark Collins will be taking on the challenge to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu he'd like you to join him over ten days with all proceeds to Wave 105 Cash for Kids.

Peru, one of the 8 mega-diverse countries in the world, offers unique experiences and a chance to enjoy an unforgettable holiday. Inheritors of an ancient culture, with hundreds of archaeological sites, Peru was home to Pre-Hispanic cultures, vestiges of which continue to live through present day customs and traditions of the Andean people. From the coast to the mountains and the lowland rainforest, you can enjoy a unique mixture of culture, history, adventure and nature as well as an unimaginable variety of foods complemented with the hospitality and warmth of its people.

A 10 day adventure in Peru, taking in many of the classic destinations, including trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Spend 2 days exploring the sights and sounds of Cusco before hiking for 4 days on a less frequented section of the Inca Trail. You will then have a whole day to explore the extraordinary Inca remains before a spectacular train ride back to Cusco from the Hot Springs at Aguas Calientes.

This trek is suitable for fit walkers, without previous trekking or mountaineering experience. The itinerary is designed to provide gradual acclimatisation, with a typical day involving 5-6 hours of trekking, reaching altitudes of up tp 4,200 metres.

The cost of the trip is £3,200. There is no additional insurance or cost for Visa’s.

This is how you get involved

(1) Print off and complete the application form - see below.
(2) Print off and read the Terms & Conditions - see below.
(3) Pay £300 deposit (cheques made payable to Wave 105 Cash For Kids)
(4) Have fun and start fund-raising!

BUILD YOUR SPONSOR PAGE AND START FUNDRAISING HERE

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Itinerary

DAY 0:
Fly London to Lima, via the U.S.

DAY 1:
Lima/Cusco
Arrival in Lima. Assistance will be given to board the 55 minute flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. On your arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day free to relax and slowly acclimatize. Evening meal can be at one of the many local restaurants in Cusco.

DAY 2:
Cusco
You will be picked up for a combined city and nearby ruins tour that will educate you on the history of this astonishing town, while visiting its Inca and Colonial monuments. Evening meal can be at one of the many local restaurants in Cusco. Overnight Cusco hotel.

DAY 3:
Cusco / Sacred Valley
Early departure by private car to the Sacred Valley for a full day guided tour to the Town of Chinchero, located 30 km from the city of Cusco. We continue our route to Maras. About 7kms. (4.3miles) away southwest from Maras is Moray, a very unique archaeological site in the region, where enormous natural depressions or hollows in the ground, that Incas used for construction and irrigation for farming on terraces around them. What is surprising is that the difference of average annual temperature between the top and the bottom reaches about 15°C (59°F) in the main depression that is about 30 mts (100 feet) deep. In these natural formations, nature has created an environment,that in modern times people create in greenhouses or hothouses. Towards the northwest of the Maras village are the famous “salt works”, where a considerable volume of solid salt is obtained.

DAY 4:
Cusco / Llaqtapata
We transfer you from your hotel in the Sacred Valley to Piscaycucho. Start hiking for about 5 hours through a little visited section of the trail. We will stop at Q’oriwayrachina for lunch and then cross the Urubamba River at Q’ente, with an option to visit Wayna Q’ente and Llaqtapata archaeological sites, where we will camp amidst Inca terracing. (Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 11km). All meals included.

DAY 5:
Llaqtapata / Llulluchapampa
Continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a large Pampa below the first pass, where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley, we begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree (polilepis), a rare forest to be found in the Andes. Camp will be set up at Llulluchapampa. (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 9Kms). All meals included.

DAY 6:
Llulluchapampa / Phuyupatamarca
A steady ascent on an Inca Trail up to the Warmiwañusq pass at 4,200m (13,692ft) affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. We descend on a restored Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River to then ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass at 4,050m (13,200ft). From here we walk down to the site at Sayacmarca at 3,850m (12,551ft) on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. A
beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures. Continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the Western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon.
Walking through a rolling flag stoned trail we arrive at Phuyupatamarca (the village on the edge of the clouds) where we camp. (Trekking: 7-8 hours, Distance 14kms). All meals included.

DAY 7:
Phuyupatamarca / Machu Picchu
An early departure today will have us trekking along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flag stoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, “The Door of the Sun”. Bus ride to the Village of Aguas Calientes for an overnight at a local hotel, dinner on your own.

DAY 8:
Machu Picchu / Cusco
The whole day can be dedicated to a guided exploration of these extraordinary Inca remains, including a visit to Wayna Picchu, the hill overlooking the site, Lunch included. The
mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, transfer to your hotel.

DAY 9:
Cusco / Lima / UK
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima - where assistance will be provided, and on to the U.K.

DAY 10:
UK
Arrive back in the UK

Click here to open the Application Form and view the Terms and Conditions
(post the completed form along with a cheque for £300 (deposit) to:

Wave 105 Cash For Kids
PO BOX 105
Fareham
PO15 5YF

For more information or any questions about the trip please email gloria.hill@wave105.com