DAYS | 9
TREK ROUTE | Salkantay (6 days)
CHARITY | Any
REG FEE | £490
MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP | £2,200
DIFFICULTY | Challenging
DATES | Various 2024 & 2025
THE TREK
Find yourself speechless as you reach the fabled ruins of Machu Picchu, nestled amongst lush forest, emerging from the mysterious mist that surrounds its peaks. Departing from the bustling colonial town of Cusco, hike through sacred mountain passes and jungle trails, camping under the stars and taking in the epic scenery along the way.
This is a multi-day trek through diverse ecosystems, led by experienced guides, climbing steep mountain passes with several hours of trekking each day as you follow the breathtaking Salkantay route to the Lost City. Tough, but truly rewarding, this challenge will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.
Our trips are inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport and more, so all you need to do is focus on the challenge ahead!
TRIP ITINERARY
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
If you booked a flight with us then you will depart from London on a long-haul flight to Cusco with at least one stop. *Please note that you may have more than one change en-route, including the possibility of an overnight stay in Lima.
DAY 2 - ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION
For those with flights booked by Choose a Challenge, you will be met in Cusco by a Choose a Challenge representative and transferred to your hostel in the centre of Cusco. There will be a short briefing after your free afternoon in which you can explore Cusco and acclimatise to your new altitude of 3,400m. For those on flights booked themselves, please arrive at your hotel in Cusco before 5pm. Hostel accommodation. Dinner included.
VIEW FULL ITINERARY +
DAY 3 - FREE DAY IN CUSCO
Today, you are free to explore the beautiful town of Cusco. There are optional day trips available, so please ask your guides for more information (these may incur an extra cost). You will be given your
8kg duffel bags to pack in the evening, in preparation for your trek the following day. Hostel accommodation. Breakfast and dinner included.
DAY 4 - TREK DAY 1
Depart for Marcojasa where you will start your trek, having lunch along the way, and following the path along the aqueduct to Soraypampa (3,760m). You will arrive into your campsite at Soraypampa in mid-to-late afternoon. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 5 - TREK DAY 2
Today is an acclimatisation day, so you will ascend from your camp in Soraypampa to Laguna Humantay, one of the most beautiful lakes in the region at the base of the Humantay Glacier (4,200m). You will descend back to camp for lunch before a 2-hour trek to your next camp at Salktantaypampa. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 6 - TREK DAY 3
After breakfast, you will depart on a long and tough ascent towards Abra Salkantay, the mountain pass at an altitude of 4,650m. The views will be spectacular with the looming hulk of the sacred mountain,
Nevado Salkantay, dominating the glaciated valley through which you pass. You will spend a short time at the top of the pass for snacks and rest, before descending to Wayracmachay where you will have lunch. In the afternoon, you will make a slow and steep descent to Collpapamapa (2,900m). Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 7 - TREK DAY 4
After breakfast, you will continue down the Santa Teresa Valley, taking small breaks as you walk very close to the river, completing the day with a 6km walk along the road to your campsite at Lucmabamba (2,100m). From here you will have fantastic views over Peru’s coffee plantations and fruit trees. At dinner your guides will show you how the local coffee is made - you’ll be able to taste freshly-made coffee from the bean! Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 8 - TREK DAY 5
On your penultimate trekking day, you will take a steep and humid climb through the jungle up to Llactapata. You will spend some time here, learning about the history of the Inca and the surrounding
mountains. If you look very closely you can spot part of Machu Picchu in the distance. You will then descend into the Aobamba Valley for lunch at the hydroelectric plant. After lunch, you will trek alongside the rail tracks, following this route for around 3 hours. You will arrive into Aguas Calientes (1,900m), the town at the base of Machu Picchu, in the late afternoon. Tented accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 9 - TREK DAY 6
You will have a light breakfast before setting off to ascend up the steep steps to the ruins of Machu Picchu. You will have an optional guided tour of Machu Picchu before having time to explore the Lost City of the Incas yourself. Then, choose to walk back down to Aguas Calientes or hop on the bus (at an additional cost). On your return, you will have a late lunch and then free time to explore Aguas Calientes. You will catch an early evening train back to Ollantatytambo and arrive back to Cusco in the late evening. Hostel
accommodation. Breakfast and lunch included.
DAY 10/EXTENSION DAY - DEPENDING ON YOUR TRAVEL OPTION
If you’ve chosen to come home early you will depart for the UK, arriving the following day. Those on our ‘without flights’ travel option are free to continue on your own itinerary after breakfast. If you’ll be joining us on our extension trip you will depart on the extension trip today! Breakfast included.
VIEW ITINERARY FOR MACHU PICCHU TRIP EXTENSION
“I had an absolutely unbelievable time on the Machu Picchu trek, everyone was really friendly, including all the guides, chefs and the Choose a Challenge support team. It was a great way to meet new people and get outside my comfort zone, in a really good way!”
TRIP COSTS & INCLUSIONS
We provide several funding options for our trekking challenges, to provide you with the maximum possible flexibility.
First, decide whether to pay for your challenge outright (Self Fund option) or fundraise for your challenge. If you’re fundraising, you can choose our Minimum Sponsorship option with a full fundraising target, or opt to Flexi Fund: pay some of your trip costs yourself, and cover the rest with a reduced fundraising target.
The separate funding options are detailed in full below:
SELF FUND 2025
Registration fee:
£490
Balance payment:
Ground arrangements only: £1,400
Flights Included: £2,400
Fundraise:
No fundraising required
Read more...
Ground arrangements only: The full cost of this challenge is £1,890. You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking and the final balance of £1,400 which is due 10 weeks before departure.
Flights Included: The full cost of this challenge is £2,890. You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking and the final balance of £2,400 which is due 10 weeks before departure.
Whilst registering for the challenge, you will still be asked to select a charity. This charity will receive a notification of your registration and may support you with any fundraising you may wish to do alongside your challenge - however, there is no obligation to fundraise and there is no minimum sponsorship amount due.
Once your final balance has been settled at or before 10 weeeks prior to departure, your place on the trip will be confirmed and you'll be ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime!
MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP 2025
Registration fee:
£490
Fundraise:
Ground arrangements only: £2,800
Flights Included: £4,800
Read more...
Ground arrangements only: You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking, and you'll then need to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £2,800 for your nominated charity, which usually needs to be raised in full by 8 weeks prior to your departure.
Flights included: You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking, and you'll then need to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £4,800 for your nominated charity, which usually needs to be raised in full by 8 weeks prior to your departure.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
FLEXI FUND 2025
Registration fee:
£490
Flexi payment:
Ground arrangements only (GAO) options: £195 or £395
Flights included options: £395 or £795
Fundraise:
GAO: £2,410 (£195 flexi) or £2,010 (£395 flexi)
Flights: £4,010 (£395 flexi) or £3,210 (£795 flexi)
Read more...
You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking, and then you will make a further contribution of either £195 or £395 to your trip costs, if you are only doing ground arrangements, this is due 10 weeks before departure. If you choose to add flights to your package, you will be able to make a further contribution of either £395 or £795 to your trip costs. You will also have a minimum fundraising target.
The benefit of the Flexi Fund option is that it gives you the best of both of the other funding options: your contribution toward your trip costs will decrease the minimum fundraising amount you need to raise. The more you contribute with your Flexi Fund payment, the greater the discount on your fundraising target:
Ground arrangements only:
- If you opt for the £195 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £2,410.
- If you opt for the £395 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £2,010.
Flights included:
- If you opt for the £395 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £4,010.
- If you opt for the £795 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £3,210.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Your full itinerary, in the Challenge Information Pack below, gives details of the specific inclusions for your trip.
Please note that international flights are not included in our 2024 public challenges.
In our 2025 challenges, you have the option to either include flights or arrange your own in order to allow you maximum flexibility on when to arrive, how long to extend your trip, which airline you fly with, where you depart from etc.
Take a look below to see at a glance the inclusions and exclusions for this challenge.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
International flights (where this option is chosen)
Ground transfers (airport transfers only if flight inclusive trip)
Accommodation as specified
All meals on the trek and other meals as specified
All National Park fees, entrance fees, taxes, and permits
English-speaking professional guides
Safe drinking water during the trek
Communal camping equipment including tents & crockery
Porter service on the trek
Equipment hire facilities
Comprehensive pre-departure support and advice
24-hour emergency line for use during your trip
what’s not included
Tips and gratuities
Visas
Travel insurance
Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
Any necessary vaccinations or medications
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional excursions
Personal camping equipment and clothing
Other items of a personal nature
DO I HAVE TO FUNDRAISE TO TAKE PART IN THE TRIP?
You’re free to choose to fundraise for whichever charity you like, as long as they are registered in the UK or Ireland.
When you register, you’ll see a list of charities to choose from - this list includes our Partner Charities and also other causes and charities registered across the UK and Ireland who have already agreed to support fundraisers taking part our in challenges.
If you’d like to fundraise for a charity which is not already a partner of ours, just let us know and we’ll link up with them!
know before you go:
How difficult is this challenge?
We have four difficulty levels for our treks, which take into account factors like altitude, terrain, weather conditions and more. The rating for this trip is as below:
Challenging - you will be walking long distances on sometimes/occasionally uneven and rough terrain and experience some harsh weather conditions so plenty of training will be required.
You will be away from the comforts of home but will be rewarded with an unforgettable adventure!
Perfect for those who want to push themselves physically and mentally.
What is the accommodation like?
Whilst in Cusco you will stay in a comfortable hotel.
During the challenge, you will stay in shared tents in campsites in the mountains. The campsites are basic yet comfortable. You will be housed in good-quality 3-person tents on a twin-share basis. There will also be kitchen and dining tents, and your food will be served communally in the dining tent by the cooks each night.
There are occasional opportunities to use Western-style toilet facilities (sometimes at cost), and on the trek there is infrequent access to running water. There are washing facilities at most campsites (showers are often at cost), but the staff will provide bowls of hot water daily for washing.
Do I need mountaineering skills?
Nope! One of the huge benefits of the Machu Picchu challenge is that you do not need any specialist mountaineering skills, experience or equipment to reach the summit.
This non-technical climb will be a real test of your mental and physical resilience - but it does not require you to be a seasoned mountain climber.
What will the group size be?
Group sizes may vary, but will almost always include somewhere between 10 - 30 participants.
AMAZON EXPLORER
EXTENSION TRIP
ADDITIONAL DAYS | 5
REG FEE | £125
ACCOMMODATION | Jungle lodge
ACTIVITIES | Maras & Moray, River Cruise, Canopy Walkway
BALANCE | £555
Extensions are subject to minimum numbers, if interested, please get in contact
amazon explorer
Become an explorer on our Machu Picchu trip extension, discovering the truly spectacular Amazon rainforest.
First, take in a day trip to the archaeological site of Moray, and Maras salt mines. You’ll have some more free time in Cusco before departing for Puerto Maldonado, a bustling town on the banks of the Madre de Dios river, nestled in the Amazon rainforest on the Peru-Bolivia border.
Enjoy a twilight river cruise surrounded by incredible wildlife and make your way along the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway - just a few highlights of this unforgettable trip!
Explore the full itinerary and inclusions below, take a look at our Machu Picchu Challenge Info Pack for further details or get in touch to add our trip extension to your challenge!
VIEW FULL ITINERARY
DAY 1 - MORAY & MARAS SALT MINES
You will be collected from your accommodation in Cusco early in the morning, and transferred across the stunning Peruvian countryside of Chinchero to the glorious Inca archaeological site of Moray.
The concentric terraces appear much like an amphitheatre, and their unique shape produces vast temperature differences between their terraces, thought to have been used by the Inca to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops. Then, it’s off to Maras, to explore the 3,000 salt pools carved into the mountainside at the mines there. Return to Cusco for your overnight stay in your hostel.
Accommodation in twin-share rooms. Breakfast included.
DAY 2 - FREE DAY IN CUSCO, TRANSFER TO PUERTO MALDONADO
Today, you’ll have one final free day in Cusco to explore its varied and exciting sites. The capital city of the Inca Empire has so much to see - you’ll never want to leave! In the evening, you’ll transfer to the bus station for your comfortable overnight bus transfer to Puerto Maldonado.
Breakfast included. Overnight bus.
DAY 3 - AMAZON TRAIL WALK
On arrival in Puerto Maldonado, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your accommodation, in the heart of the rainforest. After you’ve settled, you’ll go on a trail walk in the Amazon surrounding your field camp accommodation, and a twilight river cruise along the Madre de Dios River and in search of the stunning wildlife that inhabits the area.
Shared jungle lodge accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 4 - CANOPY WALK
The Inkaterra Canopy Walkway is a 1,129ft long system of walkways, bridges, and observation towers within the Amazon rainforest. You’ll spend half the day today exploring the canopy and in search of exotic birds and other wildlife. Then, it’s over to Lago Sandoval, a beautiful canoe cruise on this stunning Amazonian lake.
On your final night in the Amazon, you’ll also take in the rainforest by night you’ll tune up your senses to identify the sounds of the birds, mammals and insects that roam the forest at night.
Shared jungle lodge accommodation. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
DAY 5 - RETURN TO THE UK
This morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Please note that depending on your departure airport, your transfer may be either via bus or via domestic flight. Those on our ‘without flights’ travel option are free to continue on your own itinerary after being dropped off at Pueto Maldonado airport.
Breakfast included, in-flight meals.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation as specified
Ground transfers inc. overnight bus to Puerto Maldonado
Meals as specified in the itinerary
Activities as specified (note that activities may be delivered in a different order to that listed here, depending on local conditions)
All park fees, entrance fees, taxes, and permits
English-speaking professional guides
Water in the jungle lodges
24-hour emergency line for use during your trip
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Tips and gratuities
Supplementary travel insurance
Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
Meals and drinks not specified in the itinerary
Optional activities or excursions
Items of a personal nature
2025 dates
Options for flights and without flights
LENGTH: 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS
STATUS: GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
Options for flights and without flights
LENGTH: 10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS
STATUS: GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
