Lares Valley Final Itinerary · Beginning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and ending at the unforgettable Machu Picchu ruins, this is a once in a lifetime trip. Through forgotten

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actionchallenge on Lares Valley

trip highlights● Experience the real Peru - off the beaten track● Camp under starry Peruvian skies● Explore the ancient Inca capital of Cusco● Trek through the Sacred Valley● Mingle with the locals and learn some Quechua● Bathe in the Banos del Inca● Visit Machu Picchu!

● Activity: Trekking● Location: Cusco - Machu Picchu, Peru● Duration: 10 days / 5 days trekking● Difficulty: Moderate to Tough● Distance: 70 km● Group size: 15 -25

Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups,charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world’s most exhilarating locations,often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetimeadventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life.

Our Lares Valley trek offers a real off the beaten track experience. Beginning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco andending at the unforgettable Machu Picchu ruins, this is a once in a lifetime trip. Through forgotten wind-swept valleys,over wild mountain passes and tiny, isolated Andean villages, the trip is a rare taste of the real Peru away from thecrowds on the Inca Trail.

Cusco, with its impressive colonial architecture, pretty cobbled streets and lively atmosphere, is the ideal spot for thestart of this challenge. As we take time to acclimatise, we explore the city and the nearby ruins of Saksayhuaman, ourfirst taste of Inca culture.

As a team, we start our journey by descending into the Sacred Valley before heading high to the Andes from Calca. Ourtrail soon climbs to the spectacular pass of Abre Huillquikasa before descending through the beautiful lagunas ofQuellacocha. The Lares Valley has many hidden treasures - enjoy a good soak in ancient Inca Baths, or perhaps takea scenic trek along the river. We explore the impressive Inca ruins dotted along our route as we climb steadily into thetropical cloud forest with its wild orchids and jungle atmosphere.

One of the real highlights of the trip is an early morning visit to the Machu Picchu site, watching the mist rise to revealone of the world’s true wonders. We will have time to explore the lost city, marvelling at the Inca’s incredible design andarchitecture, alongside the spectacular Andean scenery.

Trek PeruLares Valley

at a glance

introduction

brief itinerary

DAY 1DAY 2DAY 3DAY 4DAY 5

Departure from LondonCuscoAcclimatisation day in CuscoTrek to QuisuaraniTrek to Huaca Huasi

what’s included

This fully inclusive adventure to the Lares Valley begins as soon as you register. You’llreceive a challenge pack in the post including a training guide, kit list and discounts. Weoffer pre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet ourmountain leaders and test your kit and fitness! The Action Challenge team haveundertaken many of our challenges and are here to answer any questions.

On the day of departure, we will meet our Action Challenge leader and group at theairport in London and take our flight to Cusco, via Lima, where we will meet the localguides and have a thorough briefing on the challenge. In Cusco, we stay overnight in ahotel, and each night on the trek we dine and sleep in our private camp. Lunch will beserved en route in our seated mess-tents. Our day at Machu Picchu National Park islong, but fascinating, and this evening, we celebrate our achievements together into thenight! After a free morning exploring Cusco, we head home weary-eyed and jubilant!

· International and domestic flights· Action Challenge trek leader· Full support team, including local guides· UK medic· All accommodation· All meals, except in free time· Airline taxes· All transfers in local vehicles· National Park entrance fees· Celebration dinner in Cusco· Invitation to a challenge briefing in London· Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Snowdonia & Brecon Beacons· Fitness and training guide· Discounts from UK retailers· Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health●

+44 (0) 207 609 6695 events@actionchal lenge.com www.act ionchal lenge.com

DAY 6DAY 7DAY 8DAY 9DAY 10

Trek Patacancha to HuillocTrek to OllantaytamboMachu Picchu National ParkExplore CuscoArrive in London


The best time to complete this challengeis between August - November and April- June.

It is recommended that the winter andpeak summer months are avoidedbecause temperatures during the summercan reach over 40 degrees and, duringthe winter, winds can become extremelystrong in the mountains.

Why not stay on after the challenge andexplore some more of Peru’s highlights?

Extensions include:● A rainforest adventure● The Huacachina Oasis● Exploring Lake Titicaca

Please email us for more information

Although the distance walked may notseem that great, we will be walking ataltitude so the pace will be slower. Theterrain is undulating and there will besome long up and down hill stretches.We will trek in and out of gorges and attimes some scrambling will be involved.

itinerary

DAY 1 - Departure from London

DAY 2 - Cusco

We depart London on our flight to Lima.Meals: L,D* Accom: Flight / Hotel* *(dependent on flight schedule)

This morning we connect with a short domestic flight to the breathtaking southern cityof Cusco (3,300m). We transfer to our centrally located hotel and have the rest of theday to relax and enjoy one of the most celebrated cities in South America. We re-groupin the evening for a welcome meal and briefing on the days ahead.Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel

DAY 3 - Acclimmatisation day in Cusco

Today we have an acclimatisation walk above Cusco at 3,700m to the ruins ofSaksayhuaman. The site is fascinating and there is a good chance that we will spot ourfirst Alpacas onsite. Our trek back into town provides fantastic views of the city below.This evening we dine together at a local restaurant before getting a good night’s sleepin preparation for an early start tomorrow.Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: Approx 5km

DAY 4 - Trekking to Quisuarani

Departing Cusco early, we descend into the Sacred Valley before heading high into theAndes from Calca. Leaving our vehicles behind, we start the trek up an ancient Incatrail, through a narrow canyon, passing ancient Inca burial tombs along the way. This isa perfect opportunity for us to experience the affects of a full day’s trekking at altitude,and acclimatise further before we embark on a higher altitude trek tomorrow. After asteady climb to the head of the valley we are met by our support vehicles for a shorttransfer before trekking the final distance to the small community of Quisuarani wherecamp is waiting for us.Meals: B,L,D Accom: Camping Distance: 10km

DAY 5 - Trek to Huaca Huasi - 4,445m

Today we have a shorter distance to trek as we climb to the spectacular pass of AbreHuillquijasa at 4,445m, before descending through the beautiful Lagunas ofQueullacocha, and on to the small Andean community of Cuncani at 3,800m. The LaresValley has many hidden treasures and this afternoon we have a number of optionsavailable to us; either a short walk over the ridge to the village of Huacahuasi, a scenictrek along the river, or an old Inca trail to the Lares hot-springs to enjoy a good soak inthe “Banos del Inca” – The Incas’ Baths – a selection of perfectly heated pools. Tonightwe set up camp on the village football pitch.Meals: B,L,D Accom: Camping Distance: 8km


Breakfasts each morning will be in camp.Lunches will be en route and eveningmeals will be freshly prepared in camp orour hotel in time for your arrival.

All meals are full of carbohydrates, proteinand nutrients to keep us well fuelledthroughout the trip.

We can cater for all dietary requirementsif informed in advance.

• Four / five nights in comfortable 2/3*hotels • Three nights camping on the trek

All accommodation is on a twin/triple-share, single-sex basis and we will pairyou with someone of a similar age, wherepossible.

If you wish to share a room with someoneyou are travelling with, please specify thison your registration form.

If you decide that you would like to haveyour own room on the challenge, we canaccommodate this in the majority ofplaces.


• Insurance - approximately £60 • Vaccinations - up-to-date on boosters. • Tips for local staff - recommendedamount £30 • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement asapplied by airlines. Please note that this iscapped at a maximum of £150.


A kit list will be sent to you on receipt ofregistration. Many everyday items can beused on this challenge, and we offer a kithire service to keep costs down.

DAY 6 - Trek Patacancha to Huilloc

DAY 7 - Trek to Ollantaytambo

Now fully acclimatised and rested, we set off to climb up to our highest point of thechallenge over a 4,600m pass. Taking it very slowly, we stop beside beautiful lakes andhope to arrive at the pass just after lunch for spectacular views of the snowy mountVeronica. We then descend along an old mule trail and camp by a river in Huilloc,located just below the village of Patacancha.Meals: B,L,D Accom: Camping Distance: 9km

Huilloc is famous for being the home of many of the traditional porters for the Inca Trail.Traditional dress is always worn, Quechua is spoken and this is our last chance tobarter for fine Andean weavings. We trek up a short sharp climb, which brings us to theimpressive and rarely visited ruins of Pumamarca. After visiting this extensive site, wefollow an ancient Inca trail along the many terraces of the Huilloc valley beforedescending through eucalyptus forests to end in the town of Ollantaytambo. From herewe take a train (with fantastic views and enormous windows!) along the Urubambavalley floor to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we arrive early evening at our hotel.Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 8km

DAY 8 - Machu Picchu National Park

We wake early to take one of the first buses up the short winding trail from AguasCalientes to Machu Picchu. Here we can enjoy the historic ruins in the early morning,as the mist lifts to reveal one of the world’s true wonders. After an extensive guided tourof the ruins we descend back to Aguas Calientes for lunch before transferring back toCusco. This evening we come together once more for a final celebratory dinner andparty!Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel

DAY 9 - Explore Cusco

This morning we have some free time for some sightseeing and last minute souvenirhunting. It is a fabulous city with a wealth of things to see and explore. We then transferback to the airport for our return journey home.Meals: B

DAY 10 - Arrive in London

If you are planning on travelling to Perubefore the challenge or wish to organiseyour own flights, we do offer a land onlyoption, with a significant discount off thetrip price. You will be required to meetyour group at the hotel on day two of theitinerary.


Today, we arrive back into London, proud of our fantastic achievement, and bidfarewell to our new friends!


• Alcoholic drinks • Drinks and food outside of meals, other than water • Travel insurance • Personal kit / equipment • Single supplement • Local airport taxes • Tips for local guides

We run a number of training weekendsfrom May - September in both the PeakDistrict and Wales. These are fully-inclusive - 2 night’s accommodation andall meals. You’ll get the chance to meetour mountain leaders, test out your kit andfitness and have a challenge briefing. It’salso a great way to meet other like-minded people!

You will also receive an invite to achallenge briefing in central London.


ATOL is a scheme that protects you from losing money or being strandedabroad if your travel company collapses. Action Challenge is 100% ATOLbonded, which provides you with full financial protection. On receipt of your reg-istration fee, you will receive an ATOL certificate explaining your protection.

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Lares Valley Final Itinerary · Beginning in the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and ending at the unforgettable Machu Picchu ruins, this is a once in a lifetime trip. Through forgotten