Peru – Trek the Inca Trail
17th-26th November 2017
Reg fee: £100 / Minimum sponsorship amount: £3,500
Thank you for expressing an interest in Action Cancer’s 2017 Inca Trail Trek. We are delighted
to send you further details as requested.
Throughout the following pages you will find the following information on the trek:
 Trek itinerary
 Travel arrangements
 What’s included in your package
 Fundraising hints and tips
 Information on Action Cancer and the life-saving service we provide
 A registration form, medical form and freepost envelope
How taking part in this challenge will make a difference…
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore one of the world’s most iconic trekking trails. By setting
yourself this challenge you are committing to trekking up to 52km at high altitude to the lost city of Incas
earning every bit of your sponsorship.
While you will be testing your physical ability you will be motivated that fact you have raised a
significant amount of money to support the life-saving work of Action Cancer. By taking on this
challenge you will raise enough money to provide 43 women with breast screening appointments or 87
counselling appointments for people affected by cancer. This pack provides more detailed information
on the Services Action Cancer delivers to people affected locally in Northern Ireland.
How do I register to take part?
We have a limited amount of places available for this challenge so recommend you get signed up early.
Our travel partner for this challenge is a company called Global Adventure Challenges who have many
years of experience in leading treks all over the world. All you need to do to confirm your place is fill in
the registration form, medical form and provide a photocopy of your passport and return in the enclosed
freepost envelope, along with your registration fee of £100. If there is any information not included in this
pack or you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 9080 3369 and we will be happy
to have a chat! We look forward to welcoming you to team Action Cancer!
Global Adventure Challenges
Red Hill House, Hope Street, Chester, CH4
8BU Tel: 01244 676454 Fax: 01244 683962
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.globaladventurechallenges.com
The Inca Trail is one of the most popular trekking trails in the World. Exceptionally challenging, the Inca
Trail reaches an altitude of over 4,200 m, but when you eventually reach Machu Picchu (lost city of the
Incas), it is all worth-while.
Don’t be fooled by other itineraries in the challenge market – this is the REAL Inca Trail that leads us
through the majestic Sun Gate to Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail consists of 3 nights camping, hiking
through sub-tropical vegetation and embracing snow-capped peaks such as Pituitary, Sahuasiray and
many more. The days trekking will be hard, but the spectacular views of river valleys far below,
Phuyupatamarca (“the town at the edge of the clouds”), and reaching the lost city will never be forgotten.
This is one of the most challenging but satisfying events to date.
Join us on this mystical Inca challenge!
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Voted one of the World’s Top Ten
trekking trails
Experience the pilgrimage of the
Inca’s and trek to Machu Picchu
Explore Machu Picchu – one of
the New Seven Wonders of the
World
Immerse yourself in an ancient
civilisation and learn about the
mysterious Inca’s
Permits limited and restricted –
the most responsible way to reach
Machu Picchu
Best time to go: April, May, June,
September, October and early November
Duration: 10 days
Trekking days: 5
Distance trekked: 52km
Accommodation: Hotels and 3 nights
camping
Challenge grading: Tough
Day 1
We depart Dublin on our flight to Cusco arriving the
next day. (An overnight in Lima maybe required).
Day 2 Cusco (11,00ft/3,380m)
We arrive in Cusco and are met by our local guides and
transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is free for
participants to acclimatise to the high altitude. Dinner will
be had as a group later in the day and participants do as
they wish for lunch.
Day 3 Acclimatisation Trek - Inca Sites
Today it is essential participants take some exercise to adjust to the high altitude. We have a fairly early
breakfast before transferring to the Inca ruins high above Cusco – Tambo Machay. We then trek down
having our lunch en-route to Sacsayhuaman for a tour and then back down to Cusco.
Day 4 Cusco - KM82 (2,650m) - Wayllabamba
(3,000m)
We travel by road from to KM82 – the start of the Inca Trail.
On the way we will see beautiful landscapes such as the
Vilcabamba Range with one of the highest Peaks, Salkantay
(6,200m) and the Urubamba Range with its highest Peak
called Veronica (5,800m). We finally reach Ollantaytambo – a
beautiful Inca town where we take a short break before
continuing to our start point.
At KM82 the challenge begins! First we must register at the
checkpoint crossing the Piscacucho Bridge to connect with
the Inca Trail. For the first hour we follow the Urubamba
River, a flat section with two Inca Sites to see. The trail
continues undulating, for the next 20 minutes or so before
reaching the Patallacta lookout, from where we will have the
impressive view down to the Inca town of Patallacta
(2,700m). Continuing to the Kusichaca Valley, we passing the
communities of Tarayoq, Hatunchaca, and Wayllabamba,
which is our first campsite (3,000m).
Trekking distance – approx 11km
Day 5 Wayllabamba (3,000m) - Warmihuanusa
- Pacaymayo (3,600m)
(4,200m)
Today is the most challenging day; we climb steadily up from
3,000m to 4,200m, until reaching the first Pass called
“Warmihuañusca” or “Dead Woman’s Pass”. On the way
we will be see impressive cloud forest, beautiful queuñales
(Queuña forest and indigenous trees), beautiful likens,
bromeliads, orchids, birds, also The Huayanay Glacier, and
part of the Vilcabamba Range.
On top of “Dead Woman Pass”, we are going to see the
second section of the Inca Trail and the second pass called
Runkuraqay. From this point it is only one more hour to
reach the Pacaymayu Valley Campsite, 3600m.
Trekking distance – approx 11km
Day 6 Pacaymayo (3,600m) - Runkuraqay (3,950m)
Phuyupatamarka (3,600m) - Winayhuayna (2,700m)
Today we will see ourselves conquer the 2 remaining
mountain passes. To begin with, we will ascend from 3,600
to 3,950m to reach a beautiful Inca construction called
Runkurakay. We then push on to the top of the second pass.
From here the Inca Trail heads down hill for 1 hour to reach,
“Sayacmarka”, another archeological site at 3,600m. On the
way to the third pass, Phuyupatamarka, we are going to pass
through our first Inca tunnel – the views on this part of the trail
are truly memorable and unforgettable, with lush green
mountains as far as the eye can see. Once we’ve broke the
third pass, we then descend to Wiñaywhuayna, the last
campsite on the way to Machu Picchu. Continuing down the
original stairway for one hour passing through another Inca
tunnel, we will begin a flat section of the trail. From here, we
will finally reach the last campsite in approx 2-3 hours.
Trekking distance – approx 16km
Day 7 Winayhuayna (2,700m) - Sungate (2,850)
Machu Picchu (2,400m)
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We wake very early in order to reach the Sungate for one of
the best views of Machu Picchu. The trek to the Sungate will
take approx. 1hr. Here we will see our first glimpse of the lost
city of Machu Picchu and we can take a rest and take in that
classic view of one of the worlds greatest sights.
After a short break we descend to the ruined city of Machu
Picchu. After we stop for refreshments, we start our walking
guided tour in Machu Picchu with the guide. After our tour of
Machu Picchu, we will need to meet at the designated point in
Aguas Calientes town.
In mid/late afternoon, we board your train for the return to
Cusco. We then transfer back to our hotel.
Day 8 Cusco
There is so much to see and do in Cusco that we spend the day
doing just that (and giving our legs a rest!).
The day is free at leisure to do as you wish. In the evening, we
all get together for our celebratory meal and to reflect on our
achievements.
Day 9
We transfer to Cusco Airport for our flight back to Dublin.
Day 10
Arrive Dublin / Belfast.
(Please note that whilst we make every effort to adhere to this schedule this is subject to alteration. This is a complex itinerary and subject to
change)
A £100 non-refundable registration fee is required to hold your place on the challenge.
Each participant is required to raise a minimum sponsorship of £3,500.
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80% of the sponsorship will be required 12 weeks before the trek departs:
£2,800 due by Friday 8th September 2017
The outstanding balance is due 4 weeks before the trek departs:
£700 due by Friday 20th October
Return flights from Dublin / Belfast to
Cuzco including all airport taxes and
fuel surcharges
All meals except lunch on day 2, dinner
day 7 and lunch on day 8
Park entrance fees and Inca Trail
Permits Trekking tour and site permits
for Day 3
All accommodation and transfers
Professional, English speaking local
guides throughout whole stay in Peru
Camping equipment – tents and
inflatable sleeping mattresses
Porters and Inca Trail Guides
Global Adventure Challenge
Leader Full Medical Kit with
supplies
Local English speaking doctor for
actual Inca Trail
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Departure Taxes in Lima and Cuzco
($30 – Lima / $6 Cuzco)
Alcoholic drinks
Lunch on day 2, dinner day 7 and
lunch on day 8
Travel Insurance - this can be taken
through GAC upon registration at a
cost of approx. £63.00 pp
Visa (if applicable)
About Action Cancer
Action Cancer is Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity providing a range of lifesaving and support
services to the local community. The charity has been operating for over forty years and provides vital services
across Northern Ireland. In order to provide these services we must raise £4million, Action Cancer receive no
government funding and rely entirely on the support from the general public and local business community.
Our services include:
 Breast Screening – available to all women aged 4049 and over 70, ages not included in the standard NHS
screening range. We offer 1,000 appointments every
month and make an average of five cancer detections per
1,000 screenings. In 2014/15 we screened a record 10,000
women.
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Counselling – available to anyone who has ever been
diagnosed with cancer as well as their families.
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Complementary Therapy – a mixture of aromatherapy, reflexology and touch therapy, available
to anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer as well as their families. Both our Counselling and
Complementary Therapy services are available to children as well as adults with the service beginning at
age 5.
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Peer Mentoring - Our peer support is offered to those who have received a cancer diagnosis and
this is provided by previous cancer patients who are able to empathise and understand fears, concerns
and emotions, in a unique way that many of us cannot.
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Health Promotion – educating the community ways to lead a healthy life style through a range of
awareness courses including hereditary cancer support,
Schools programme, MOT health checks, mens health
and many other general awareness campaigns
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Big Bus – allowing us to provide our services in
regional areas across Northern Ireland.
Raising Sponsorship Money
Register and receive a fundraising pack full of information and ideas. Each trek participant is fully supported by
The Action Cancer Events Team. We will be on hand every step of the way to offer support and guidance to
help you reach your fundraising target of £3,500. Some of the things we can provide include:
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Branded T shirts
Branded Collection Buckets
Design and print of posters and tickets for fundraising
events Request letters for raffle prizes and collections
Sponsor Forms
Awareness brochures
Banners, balloons etc. for events
Advice on setting up justgiving page
Bagpacks in a local supermarket throughout August
Who Can Take Part in the trek?
This trek is open to anyone over the age of 18, or 16+ if accompanied by a guardian. You must be physically fit and
well enough to take part in the challenge. All participants are required to complete a medical form and in some
cases this may require a doctor’s signature to confirm your ability to participate.
Action Cancer Contacts
Your contacts in Action Cancer are:
Steph Ellis
Events Assistant
Direct Line – 9080 3349
Email [email protected]
Dawn Weir
Events & Local Group Support Officer
Direct Line – 9080 3369
Email [email protected]
How do I register
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Complete the enclosed registration form, including payment of your registration fee*
Return a photocopy of your passport
Complete the enclosed medical form
Return your completed registration form, medical questionnaire and copy of your passport in the
freepost envelope provided
*Please note your £100 registration fee is non-refundable