This challenge is operated by Different Travel, ATOL 6706 for The Salvation Army, registered charity number The Different Travel Company Ltd.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "This challenge is operated by Different Travel, ATOL 6706 for The Salvation Army, registered charity number The Different Travel Company Ltd."

Jeffrey Bennett
5 years ago
Views:

Trek Peru 4 th 14 th October 2014 About Peru At 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third largest country in South America and five times larger than the UK.

Peru borders Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and the western strip hugs the Pacific Ocean.

Peru s population of 28 million can be said to be bi-cultural in that there are two distinct cultural groups.

2 Trek Peru 4 th 14 th October 2014 About Peru At 1,285,215 square km, Peru is the third largest country in South America and five times larger than the UK. Geographically, Peru can be split into three main regions: the Andes Mountains, the Amazonian lowlands and the Pacific coastal strip. Peru borders Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and the western strip hugs the Pacific Ocean. The country possesses an enormous biological diversity and the flora and fauna are largely determined by the Andes and the Amazon River. Peru s population of 28 million can be said to be bi-cultural in that there are two distinct cultural groups. The mestizo (indigenous and mixed Spanish descent) and the campesinos (rural Indian highlanders) are culturally quite different. Peru is unequalled in South America for its archaeological and historical wealth and has witnessed many key cultures and civilisations although the most well-known is the Incas, even though it was only dominant for around 100 years. The Salkantay trek challenge promises a journey into magnificent lost cities, astounding natural diversity and the opportunity to make a positive contribution to one of the world s poorer countries. Machu Picchu For many visitors to Peru Machu Picchu tops the list of must-see destinations. The awe inspiring Inca site is instantly recognisable throughout the world and reaching Machu Picchu at a height of 2,380m and first setting eyes on the scene is one of the most tremendous and exhilarating feelings you will ever experience. The city of Machu Picchu was hidden by the lush vegetation of this region until 1911 and is probably one of the best-preserved ancient kingdoms in the world. The quality of the buildings and their inaccessibility has inspired numerous theories about their purpose over the years. Cusco and the Sacred Valley Cusco, once the head of the mighty Inca Empire, is one of the most fascinating and mystical cities in the world. Full of history, dramatic scenery and the host of many fiestas and carnivals, it is the gateway to world heritage listed Machu Picchu. Situated at an altitude of 3,400m it requires time to acclimatise. The city is an eclectic mix of Inca and Spanish architecture; everywhere you look is the remains of original Inca walls, doorways and arches. Project 4,200m during the trek. Before starting your trek you will spend two days assisting at a community project in the Sacred Valley near Cusco. You will be involved in activities such as basic construction work, painting and decorating, gardening and refurbishment. You will camp overnight in the village that you will be assisting and you will have the opportunity to meet the local people, learn about the way of life in the area and enjoy the stunning surroundings. As a team you will make a huge difference to the community and in addition these days are very important for acclimatisation as you will be at up to

The Trek Set off on a 4-day trek along the Salkantay Route, named by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine as one of the 25 best treks in the world.

Off the beaten path, this trek is a delightful way to experience the land of the ancient Incas, surrounded by spectacular snowy peaks, crossing high passes (up to 4600m), and with an amazing view

Spend the last night in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu before taking an early bus to the ancient site to explore this magical city the following day.

throughout your journey. You will also be supported by professional cooks and muleteers who are from the local area in Andean communities; plus a Different Travel UK tour manager.

3 The Trek Set off on a 4-day trek along the Salkantay Route, named by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine as one of the 25 best treks in the world. The Salkantay trail follows an ancient and remote Inca footpath where massive snow-capped mountains collide with lush tropical rain forests with its wild strawberries and multitudes of butterflies. Off the beaten path, this trek is a delightful way to experience the land of the ancient Incas, surrounded by spectacular snowy peaks, crossing high passes (up to 4600m), and with an amazing view over Machu Picchu to be enjoyed on the last day trekking. Spend the last night in Aguas Calientes, at the foot of Machu Picchu before taking an early bus to the ancient site to explore this magical city the following day. This trek is accompanied by professional English-speaking local guides who have an excellent knowledge of Andean culture and hiking in the region, are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be supported by professional cooks and muleteers who are from the local area in Andean communities; plus a Different Travel UK tour manager. This trek is graded challenging because you will be trekking over varying terrain, being exposed to high altitude (up to 4600m) and camping in basic campsites (apart from in Aguas Calientes where you will stay at a guesthouse). Temperatures will be dependent upon the weather which may be rainy and cold or dry and sunny. You should be prepared for all weather conditions. On average the temperature will range between 5 to 15C during the day and -10C to 5C at night. Each day s trek is between 6 and 8 hours in duration (variable depending on group pace) and you may only cover around 10-15km per day because of the undulating terrain. The terrain will vary throughout the 4 days including some days when you will trek uphill for the majority of the day, some days through the jungle and some days where the terrain may be fairly gentle but the altitude is high. There will not be many flat sections so you should ensure your training includes plenty of hills. It is advised that you are of a good fitness level before departure to ensure fast recovery from each day s exertions. An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who regularly exercises or someone who enjoys being out of their comfort zone and trying something new. At camp you will stay in good quality 3-man tents (two to a tent) to ensure you have plenty of space. You will be provided with sleeping mats but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer. Meals will be taken in a mess tent where a table, chairs, plates, mugs, cutlery and other equipment is provided for you. Meals are cooked by your own dedicated trek chef who will prepare hearty, delicious Andean and Western meals that will keep your energy levels high for each day s trek. Bathing facilities will vary but each morning you will be provided with a bowl of hot water and soap to freshen up for the day ahead. There may be basic, cold-water shower facilities available at some of the campsites (correct as of Oct 2013) so you should bring a small towel and biodegradable toiletries with you if you wish to use these facilities. Toilet facilities at camp will be a hole dug into the ground with a small privacy tent surrounding it. Toilet paper is not provided so you will need to bring your own. During the trek you will need to pack up any toilet paper you use to dispose of properly at camp. NEVER leave toilet paper or other litter on the trail. We require a medical form to be completed by everyone upon registering and any pre-existing conditions, medications used and other medical issues must be noted and (if relevant) confirmed by your GP. Any conditions that develop must be declared and a new medical form completed.

4 Itinerary Day 1 (Saturday 4 th October): London Lima Depart London for Lima via the USA or a European hub. On arrival in Lima transfer to a hotel for overnight stay. Day 2 (Sunday 5 th October): Lima - Cusco An early start this morning for our short flight to Cusco (3400m). On arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel. Take it easy or enjoy some of the local sights at a gentle pace for the rest of the day as you acclimatise to the altitude. Days 3 Day 4 (Monday 6 th Tuesday 7 th October): Cusco area Meet and work alongside the local people as you spend two days assisting on a local community development project. There is also plenty of time to further explore the surrounding area. You will be camping close to the project. Day 5 (Wednesday 8 th October): Cusco Mollepata Soraypampa Leave Cusco early for the drive to Mollepata (2900m), enjoying panoramic views of the majestic Salkantay en-route. After the pack horses are loaded and we are prepared, we commence our trek stopping for lunch at around midday. After lunch, we will continue hiking toward Soraypampa (3850m), arriving at our stunning campsite in the afternoon. Day 6 (Thursday 9 th October): Soraypampa Challway Today the landscape changes drastically, from dry and arid to snowy peaks and then descending down into tropical areas. After a nutritious breakfast, we will start the most difficult part of the trek, hiking uphill almost all morning to the highest point of the trek, Abra Salkantay (4600m). Weather permitting, from here we can admire spectacular views of the mountains and the imposing snowy peaks of Mt. Salkantay which rises to 6271 meters above sea level. After lunch we trek for approximately 3 hours on a gentle descent to arrive at our camp in Challway (2920m). Day 7 (Friday 10 th October): Challway Collpapampa Sahuayaco Playa Trek for about 6 hours today via the small town of Collpapampa, also called the Forest Cloudy Brow where waterfalls, thermal hot springs, fruit-bearing trees, varied flora, and birds can be observed. From here we head to the Sahuayaco Playa campsite which is located next to a river where you can take a refreshing dip (2064m). Day 8 (Saturday 11 th October): Sahuayaco Playa - Llactapata Aguas Calientes After an early breakfast, we will ascend for around three hours to reach Llactapata (2700m) from where we can admire views of Machu Picchu from across the valley. On the way we pass coffee plantations, beautiful landscapes as well as diverse flora and fauna. After enjoying the view, we take the descending trail down to the Hidroelectrica, where we stop for lunch. After a rest we take the train to Aguas Calientes (2040m) where we check into our hotel for the night. Day 9 (Sunday 12 th October): Machu Picchu Cusco This morning we depart before sunrise to visit the ancient city of Machu Picchu. We will transfer by bus and enjoy a guided tour of the city. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huaynapicchu Mountain (optional and subject to availability) or hike up to the Sun Gate where you can experience spectacular views of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it. Later this afternoon we take the train to Poroy and a short transfer back to Cusco. Day 10 (Monday 13 th October): Cusco - Lima Fly back to Lima this morning and spend a final afternoon exploring Lima before an overnight flight to the UK via the USA or European hubs. Day 11 (Tuesday 14 th October): Lima - London Arrive into London this morning.

5 Frequently Asked Questions What will the weather be like? Temperatures will be dependent upon the weather which may be rainy and cold or dry and sunny. You should be prepared for all weather conditions. On average the temperature will range between 5 to 15C during the day and -10C to 5C at night. How will I adjust to the altitude? You will have a couple of days in Cusco at the beginning, and you will be helping out on the community project near Cusco, which will give your body the opportunity to adjust. It s important to stay well hydrated, to avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other depressant drugs, and to take it easy when you first arrive. We will send you more information about altitude when you sign up. Where will we stay? You will still in hotels in Lima and Cusco (days 1, 2, 4 & 9), camping during the project and trek (days 3, 5, 6, 7) and staying at a basic guesthouse in Aguas Calientes (day 8). What sort of food will we eat? You will be served hearty meals during the trip (you ll never be hungry!) and dietary requirements such as vegetarian, allergies etc. will be catered for if we are informed in advance please be as specific as possible so we can accommodate your requirements. Each morning you will be greeted at your tent by a selection of hot drinks to help you wake up gently before packing up your gear and heading to the mess tent for breakfast. Breakfast includes hot drinks, bread, butter and jam, pancakes, scrambled eggs or oatmeal etc. For lunch you will eat traditional Andean food. Dinner will include dishes such as soup, chicken, beef or lamb, fish with potatoes, quinoa, rice or pasta. Snacks include fruit, chocolate or sandwiches. We also provide snacks in the afternoon at camp which includes hot drinks, popcorn and other delicious goodies! Who will be going on the trip? People just like you! Anyone over 18 years old is welcome on the trek (and 16 and 17 year olds if accompanied by an 18+ parent or guardian). How much does it cost? To secure your place on the trip, you need to pay a non-refundable deposit of 299 to The Different Travel Company at the time of booking. There are then two options: Option 1 Raise 3500 minimum sponsorship - we ll give you lots of ideas and support so that you can achieve this! All your tour costs are included (see What is included? section). OR Option 2 Raise at least 1649 sponsorship and pay the tour cost of 1851 yourself. What is included? Flights from the UK to Cusco (excluding airline taxes), all transfers & transport in Peru, accommodation in a 3* hotel in Lima and Cusco, guesthouse accommodation in Aguas Calientes, tents and sleeping mats on trek and project, all meals, expert English-speaking Peruvian guides on trek, horsemen and cooks, trekking permits, and a UK Different Travel tour manager. What else do I need to budget for? Airline taxes ( 400) payable at least 8 weeks before departure, personal expenses such as drinks, souvenirs, etc., any vaccinations required, travel insurance, tips (approx per person) and personal trekking kit. If you are not a British Citizen, you may need a visa to enter Peru.

How will I raise the sponsorship money? Most people find that this is far easier than they imagined, and we will give you as much support as you need to reach your target.

Non-uniform day at your local school 300 Supermarket bag-packing morning, twice 500 Carboot Sale/ ebay auction 250 Quiz Night 250 Sponsorship - friends, family, suppliers at work 300 Host a party and

completed form to info@different-travel.com Once your place is confirmed we will send you your training and fundraising pack, and much more besides!

6 How will I raise the sponsorship money? Most people find that this is far easier than they imagined, and we will give you as much support as you need to reach your target. Here are some suggestions for how you could raise your sponsorship. We will send you lots more ideas when you sign up! Non-uniform day at your local school 300 Supermarket bag-packing morning, twice 500 Carboot Sale/ ebay auction 250 Quiz Night 250 Sponsorship - friends, family, suppliers at work 300 Host a party and charge everyone 10 to attend 400 Ask five close friends/ family members to raise 100 each 500 Dress Down Day at work/ lunch money donation 300 Donate your skills - ironing, babysitting, gardening, DIY 250 Karaoke Night 250 Sponsored beard-shave/ leg wax 200 Total 3,500 How do I sign up what do I do next? Complete the enclosed booking form, and return with your deposit of 299 to: The Different Travel Company 4 Downs Park Crescent, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9GH Or you can your completed form to info@different-travel.com Once your place is confirmed we will send you your training and fundraising pack, and much more besides! ATOL Protected Tour The Salvation Army is acting as agent for The Different Travel Company All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays in this brochure are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to:

Reg Charity No ABOUT YOUR CHALLENGE MACHU PICCHU TREK & COMMUNITY PROJECT. 24th October 3rd November 2020

Reg Charity No ABOUT YOUR CHALLENGE MACHU PICCHU TREK & COMMUNITY PROJECT. 24th October 3rd November 2020 Reg Charity No. 503386 ABOUT YOUR CHALLENGE MACHU PICCHU TREK & COMMUNITY PROJECT 24th October 3rd November 2020 St Oswald s Hospice MACHU PICCHU TREK & COMMUNITY PROJECT 24th October 3rd November 2020