Itinerary

Day 1: DEPARTURE DAY
We depart from Glasgow Airport for LONDON HEATHROW. We then depart Heathrow on an evening flight to Lima via Madrid. You don’t need to worry about your tickets and baggage tickets as the AC team and Graeme from Ayrshire Hospice will have these ready at the airport, just make sure that you have your passport to hand please.
1030 Meet at Glasgow Airport, BA Check in desk
1235 Depart Glasgow for Heathrow T5
1400 Arrive London Heathrow
1630 Meet Action Challenge Leader Simon at Iberia Check-in desk, Terminal 5
1935 Depart LHR, bound for Madrid
2255 Arrive Madrid

Day 2: CUSCO
After arriving in Lima we connect with a short domestic flight to the breathtaking southern city of Cusco (3300m). We transfer to our centrally located hotel and have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy one of the most celebrated cities in South America. We re-group in the evening for a welcome meal and briefing on the days ahead.
0045 Depart Madrid for Lima
1100 Transfer to Hotel
0540 Arrive Lima
1200 Arrive Hotel
0915 Depart Lima to Cusco
1300 Welcome Lunch
1035 Arrive Cusco Free Afternoon
1900 Welcome Meal & Briefing

Day 3: CUSCO ACCLIMATISATION DAY
Today we have an acclimatisation walk above Cusco to the ruins of Saksayhuaman allowing our bodies’ time to adapt to the rarefied atmosphere. The ruins are fascinating and there is a good chance that we will spot our first Alpacas onsite, our trek back into town provides fantastic views of the city. This evening we dine together at a local restaurant before getting a good night’s sleep in preparation for tomorrow’s early start.

Day 4: QUISUARANI  (10KM / 5-7 HRS TREKKING)
Departing Cusco early, we descend into the Sacred Valley before heading high into the Andes from Calca. Leaving our vehicles we start the acclimatization hike up an ancient Inca trail, through a narrow canyon passing ancient Inca burial tombs. This is a perfect opportunity for us to experience the affects of trekking at altitude. After a steady climb to the head of the valley we are met by our support vehicles for a short transfer before lunching and then another short transfer before trekking the final distance to the small community of Quisuarani where we set camp.

The stats:
Start Height: 3700m
End height: 3950m
Max height: 3950m
Day distance: 10km
Total distance: 10km

Day 5: HUACA HUASI  (8KM / 6-8HRS TREKKING)
Today we have a shorter distance to trek as we climb to the spectacular pass of Abre Huillquijasa at 4445m descending through the beautiful Laguna’s of Queullacocha to the small Andean community of Cuncani 3800m. The afternoon has many options, either a short walk over the ridge to the village of Huacahuasi, a scenic hike down the river, or an old Inca trail to the Lares hot-springs to enjoy a good soak in the “Banos del Inca” – The Incas’s Baths – a selection of perfectly heated pools. The Lares Valleys have many hidden treasures and tonight we make our camp on the village football pitch.

The stats:
Start Height: 3950m
End height: 3800m
Max height: 4445m
Day distance: 8km
Total distance: 18km

Day 6: PATACANCHA - HUILLOC  (9KM / 6-8HRS TREKKING)
Now fully acclimatized and rested, we set off for today’s challenge, climbing up to our highest point over a 4600m pass and descending back towards the sacred valley of the Incas. Taking it very slowly, we stop beside beautiful lakes and hope to arrive at the pass just after lunch for spectacular views of the snowy mount Veronica. We then descend along an old mule trail and camp by a river in Huilloc, located just below the village of Patacancha.

The stats:
Start Height: 3800m
End height: 4200m
Max height: 4575m
Day distance: 9km
Total distance: 27km

Day 7: OLLANTAYTAMBO  (8KM / 4HRS TREKKING)
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 to barter for fine Andean weavings. We trek up a short sharp climb bringing us to the impressive and rarely visited ruins of Pumamarca. After visiting this extensive site, we follow an ancient Inca trail along the
many terraces of the Huilloc valley before descending through eucalyptus forests to end in the staging town of Ollantaytambo. From here we take a train (with fantastic views and enormous windows!) along the Urubamba valley floor to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we arrive early evening at our hotel.

The stats:
Start Height: 4200m
End height: 3550m
Max height: 4200m
Day distance: 8km
Total distance: 35km

Day 8: MACHU PICCHU
Today is a very special day and a treat from beginning to end. We wake early to take one of the first buses up the short winding trail from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. We are fortunate to enjoy the historic ruins in the early morning, as the mist quietly lifts to reveal one of the world’s true wonders. After an extensive guided tour of the ruins we descend back to Aguas Calientes for lunch before transferring back to Cusco. This evening we come together once more for a final celebratory dinner.

Day 9: CUSCO - FREE MORNING – FLY HOME
This morning is set aside for sightseeing and last minute souvenir shopping. Cusco is a fabulous city with a wealth of things to see and explore. We then transfer back to the airport for our return journey home.
Free Morning
1230 Transfer to Cusco Airport
1530 Depart Cusco to Lima
1655 Arrive Lima Airport
1945 Depart Lima Airport for Madrid

Day 10: ARRIVE HOME
In Madrid we connect with our flight back to Glasgow, via London.
1425 Arrive Madrid
1600 Depart Madrid for London
1720 Arrive London Heathrow
2105 Depart Heathrow for Glasgow
2225 Arrive Glasgow Airport