Day 1: London - Lima
Meet your GOSH representative at London, Heathrow, and fly to Lima, Peru. Transfer to the hotel in Lima.
Day 2: Lima to Cusco
We take a morning flight to Cusco and transfer to our hotel. After a team briefing it’s time to explore the ancient capital of the Inca Empire with its massive stone walls, elegant colonial buildings and colourful local markets. Or, if you prefer, simply adjust to the altitude by watching the world go by in one of the many cafes in the Plaza de Armas.
Day 3: Tambo Machay - Cusco
Acclimatisation Walk:To acclimatise ourselves we walk from Tambo Machay, an ancient ruin high in the Cusco valley, past some amazing Inca sites and onto to Sacsayhuaman, the spectacular Inca fortress. The evening is spent preparing for the next day’s trek.
Approx. 4 hours trekking
Day 4: Km82 - Wayllabamba
After a second night at altitude we are ready for action. Starting from the rail trailhead at Km82 we enjoy a fairly easy walk along an undulating path which follows the Rio Urubamba. After lunch a gentle climb takes us to our camps at Wayllabama, there are a couple of steep drops and climbs in gullies along the way, with spectacular views over Mt Veronica.
Approx. 6 hours trekking
Day 5: Wayllabamba - Pacamayo
Today the big climb from 2700m to Dead Woman's Pass (Abra de Huarmihuanusca) at 4200m. A relentless and steep ascent walking on narrow trails through grassland, forests and pastures. We lunch with snow-capped mountains behind us before the final and slow stretch to the top of the pass. Then a 500m decent on steps to our evening’s campsite at Pacamayo below the impressive ruins of Runkuracay.
Approx. 8 -12 hours trekking
Day 6: Pacamayo - Winay Wayna
A challenging start to a spectacular day as we climb to the top of the second pass seeing ruins every mile or so on the way. Using steep steps we descend through forest past the Sayacmarca ruin. After passing through an Inca tunnel in the rock and a gentle climb we camp at the top of the third pass near the ruins of Puyupatamarca, the ‘City in the Clouds,’ with its stunning views across the Urubamba valley and over Salcantay (Wild Mountain).
Approx. 8 -10 hours trekking
Day 7: Winay Wayna - Machu Picchu
An early start and a three hour walk to Inti Punku, the sun gate. We follow this beautiful stretch of the trail scattered with ruins before steep flights of steps take us down to Winaywayna, another impressive Inca citadel. Exhausted but happy we catch our first glimpse of the stunning Machu Picchu ruins at around 10.00am. Then its time to explore the site at your leisure before taking the bus down to the train station at Aguas Calientes for the spectacular train ride back to Ollantaytambo and onward bus to Cusco.
Approx. 3 hours trekking
Day 8: Free Day!
Free day to relax and recover, explore Cusco further or just sit and soak up the atmosphere. The celebration evening meal is a chance to reminisce over the experience and let your hair down.
Day 9: Cusco - Lima
Take a morning flight back to Lima where you can take an optional tour of the city. Link up with the evening flight back to London.
Day 10: Lima to London
Arrive UK early evening.
