PERU
Inca Trail Trek
10 days
ITINERARY
5 days
TREKKING
4,270m
ALTITUDE
£2,595
PRICE FROM
Trek to this iconic wonder of the world
- 49km
- 4,200m
- Flight Packages
- Hotel & Camps Inc
- All Permits Inc
- Food & Drink Inc
- UK Mountain Leader
- UK Medic
- Group Challenge
- Solo Friendly
- Medal & T-shirt
Approach the long abandoned and captivating hidden city of Machu Picchu along a network of ancient trails. Over 4 days trekking you’ll see the rugged beauty of the Andes and see the ancient sites of theInca Empire up close. We finish with a chance to explore the vibrant city of Cusco, before a Peruvian celebration long into the night.
The Inca trail Trek
Spectacular views
This trek takes you through the Andes mountain to the lost city of the Inca. With 4 days of trekking, you will follow ancient pathways through valleys and high mountain passes, before witnessing an unforgettable sunrise over this fabled lost citadel. Along the way, you will see abandoned Inca ruins and learn more about the history of this lost empire. You’ll have support from our great local team, plus your Action Challenge guide. At night we camp in peaceful private camps, enjoying meals around the campfire. Afterwards, we return to Cuzco for a lively celebration of our trekking achievements.
- Trek the famous Inca Trail
- Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate
- Inca Empire ruins and relics
- Guided visit to the citadel
- Cross 4270m Dead Woman’s Pass
- Camp away from the crowds
- Explore the vibrant city of Cusco
The Action Challenge Experience
Life on the trek
On an Action Challenge trip you’ll be part of a team taking on an adventure together – which is what makes the experience special! Sharing the journey & supporting each other, you’ll build friendships & create memories that last for years. Led by a UK Mountain Leader and supported by a Medic, you’re in safe hands, with expert local teams ensuring everything runs smoothly. Fully inclusive, so you can focus on your challenge and enjoy it.
An Action Challenge trip is much more than a holiday! It brings like-minded people together in fantastic landscapes, provides the best support & great hospitality, and enables the group to take on a tough & unforgettable challenge which forges new friendships, broaden horizons, and leaves you wanting more of life’s adventures!
The blueprint for Action Challenge trip is based on delivering a high quality enjoyable experience – and doing it all safely. An experienced UK Leader ensures that all aspects of the challenge run to plan – and one of our UK Medics with an expedition med kit is on-hand to look after the group’s wellbeing – enabling everyone to have the best chance of successfully competing their challenge.
We go to great lengths to ensure that we only use the best local organisations to supply the all-important ground logistics and the on-challenge support, catering, and hospitality teams – with experienced guides leading the way on the trails with their deep local knowledge and authentic style.
Like minded people with a similar sense of adventure – but often from very different backgrounds, and with a wide range of experience, ages, levels of fitness, and personal ambitions. Our trips are perfect for individuals, couples, and small groups of friends to join – and then to take on a unique challenge as part of a larger group which shapes & bonds as the adventure unfolds! Group sizes can range from 12 to 30+, and you can always check on current team sizes before signing up.
Whether its’s the hotels, restaurants & transfers before & after the main challenge – or the challenge accommodation & meals whilst out on the trails – our all inclusive packages mean that you will get a top quality experience at a great value price! Flights are generally included, but there’s a ‘land only’ option if you’d prefer to book your own – and single supplement accommodation upgrades are available. Participants will need to obtain their own visa for this challenge.
The group comes together – takes on a tough challenge together – and then celebrates its achievements in style on the final night of the trip in a local restaurant or hotel, with medals, awards, and a maybe a bit of a party! Many of our participants make new special friends on our trips – and quite a few come back together for another challenge in the following years!
A successful challenge starts with good preparation. The better prepared you are the more confident you’ll be, and the more you’ll enjoy it! Our ‘Challenge App’ will have all the info & details of what to expect on your challenge – and how to prepare for it. We also offer unlimited free UK training walks. These one-day walks run Spring through Autumn in some of the UK’s most scenic locations, including the South Downs, Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia, the Peak District, and the Lake District. They’re a great way to meet fellow trekkers before your big adventure, get to know some of our challenge leaders, and most importantly to build confidence and fitness on varied terrain.
THE ITINERARY
SWIPE TO EXPLORE
Day 1 Departure from UK
- In flight
- In flight
Today the adventure begins. We’ll meet our fellow trekkers and Action Challenge team at the airport, complete check-in together, and start getting to know the group before boarding our overnight flight to Peru. Excitement will be building as we leave the UK behind and set off for South America, ready for the challenge, culture and unforgettable landscapes that await on the Inca Trail.
Day 2 Arrival in Cusco
- Hotel
- L D
After arriving in Lima, we continue with a short flight to the spectacular Andean city of Cusco (3,399m), once the capital of the Inca Empire. We transfer to our centrally located hotel and have time to relax, explore the historic streets and begin acclimatising to the altitude. This evening, we come together for a welcome dinner, trip briefing and final preparations before the trekking adventure begins.
Day 3 Acclimatisation
- Hotel
- B L D
- 8km
Today is dedicated to acclimatisation as we adjust to Cusco’s altitude of 3,399m. We enjoy a guided walk above the city to the impressive Inca ruins of Sacsayhuamán, a UNESCO World Heritage Site offering fascinating history and panoramic views. After a group lunch, there’s free time to explore Cusco’s vibrant streets, markets and cafés before we meet for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4 Huayllabamba
- Camp
- B L D
- 15km
An early start takes us to KM82, the traditional start of the legendary Inca Trail. Following the Urubamba River, we enjoy a gentle introduction to trekking before reaching the fascinating Inca site of Patallacta, with its terraces and ancient ruins. After lunch, the trail climbs steadily through spectacular mountain scenery to our first campsite at 3,300m, where a warm welcome, hot drinks and stunning views await.
Day 5 Dead Woman’s Pass
- Camp
- B L D
- 15km
Today is the most demanding and rewarding day of the trek. We begin with a steady ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,215m, the highest point on the Inca Trail, where magnificent mountain views provide a well-earned reward. After descending into the Pacaymayu Valley for lunch, we cross a second high pass, visit ancient Inca ruins and continue to our spectacular campsite beneath the Vilcabamba mountains.
Day 6 Winay Wayna
- Camp
- B L D
- 10km
Today is often considered the most scenic day of the trek. Following beautifully preserved sections of the original Inca Trail, we pass a series of remarkable archaeological sites including Runcu Raccay, Sayacmarca and Puyupatamarca, each revealing more of the empire’s ingenuity. A long descent through misty cloud forest leads to the spectacular ruins of Wiñay Wayna, our final campsite and the perfect place to reflect on an unforgettable journey.
Day 7 Machu Picchu
- Hotel
- B L D
- 6km
An early start sees us set out before dawn for the final section of the Inca Trail. Reaching Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, we are rewarded with our first unforgettable views of Machu Picchu emerging from the morning mist below. After a guided tour of the legendary Lost City of the Incas, we descend to Aguas Calientes before returning by train and road to Cusco for a well-earned dinner.
Day 8 Cusco Free Day
- Hotel
- B D
After the achievement of reaching Machu Picchu, today offers a chance to relax and enjoy Cusco at your own pace. You may choose to explore the city’s colourful markets, colonial architecture and historic squares, or join our optional extension to the spectacular Rainbow Mountain, one of Peru’s most iconic natural landmarks. This evening, we come together for a celebratory dinner and a final chance to share memories from an extraordinary adventure.
Day 9 Departure
- Departure
- B
Depending no flight time, you may be able to enjoy a free morning in Cusco, perhaps picking up some last-minute souvenirs or soaking up the atmosphere of this remarkable Andean city one final time. At the appropriate time, we transfer to the airport for our onward journey home, taking with us incredible memories, new friendships and the achievement of completing one of the world’s greatest trekking adventures.
Day 10 Land UK
We arrive back in the UK today, bringing our Peruvian adventure to a close. From the ancient trails and breathtaking mountain scenery to the unforgettable moment of reaching Machu Picchu, this has been an extraordinary journey of challenge, achievement and discovery. We’ll return home with lasting memories, new friendships and the satisfaction of completing one of the world’s most iconic treks.
Dates & Prices
2028 EARLY BIRD!
- £100 OFF ALL 2028 DATES
- FREE DUFFEL WORTH £125
- UNLIMITED TRAINING WALKS
- USE CODE YOUR2028
- DEAL ENDS 31ST OCT
To book a place, complete our online form, & pay your deposit. You will receive a confirmation email, which also has details of what to expect next.
Sign up for a Self Funded package to do it for yourself – or choose a Charity Fundraising option to support a good cause.
Click FULL DETAILS next to a date to view the full price breakdown, including any optional fundraising targets.
30 Apr - 09 May
28 May - 06 Jun
03 Sep - 12 Oct
24 Sep - 03 Oct
08 Apr - 17 Apr (High Season)
19 May - 28 May
17 Jun - 26 Jun (High Season)
01 Sep - 10 Sep
06 Oct - 15 Oct
How It Works
Our packages are typically all-inclusive, covering accommodation, meals, transport, local support, and flights if selected. Single supplements are available, and you can extend your stay by amending your return flight or choosing a pre-arranged extension. Places are limited on many trips, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
Our ‘with flights’ option is based on an economy class group booking departing from London (you can request a quote for an ‘upgrade’). The ‘land only’ option means that you book your own flights, and arrange to join the group at the 1st night’s hotel / or airport meet point.
If you’re traveling across the globe – extending your trip may be the perfect opportunity to explore, relax, or do more activities! If you choose the ‘with flights’ option you can request a return flight date change – and either arrange your own extension programme & reservations – or book one of our pre-arranged packages if available.
If your traveling with someone else – or as a small group – do let us know so we can ensure that the accommodation and flight arrangements worked out properly from the outset.
All our quoted prices are based on a ‘twin share basis’ (ie with a friend / partner – or on a same sex allocated basis if travelling alone). You can request a ‘single supplement’ to cover hotel rooms / tent / lodge accommodation.
Oil prices change often, so airlines sometimes add fuel surcharges. We pass these on to customers because they are unknown at the time of booking, which can be up to 18 months before travel. Airlines confirm the final surcharge about 12 weeks before departure. We apply a cap, so you never pay more than the stated maximum and we cover anything above it.
Airport and air travel taxes can also change, for example as a result of CO2 regulations. These adjustments are covered in our Terms and Conditions.
As with any adventure holiday, prices may be higher at certain times – generally reflecting the higher flight prices during those peak periods.
Trip Brochure
The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, and more – download for a full run down of the challenge details.
FREE UK TRAINING WALKS
With any overseas challenge booking
• Average 20km distance
• Led by our UK leaders
• Do as many as you like
Frequently Asked Questions
Trip Details
Full details & information about what you can expect in the lead up & during the challenge.
Signing Up to the Challenge
Once you pay your deposit & have signed up to the challenge, you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you into the challenge.
You will also receive instructions on how to download our challenge app which has in it all the information you need to start preparing for your challenge – from kit lists to training guides.
We will keep you updated with regular emails & newsletters in the lead-up to the challenge, as well as information on training days & weekends.
If you need to cancel your challenge, your deposit is non-refundable – therefore we recommend you speak to our team to see what alternative options you may have.
Yes, if for whatever reason you need to push your departure back to a later one or change your trip altogether you can do so for a date change fee of £175, subject to availability.
Currently, we do not have the accounting facility to take instalments, we can only take your payment in full at least 12 weeks before your departure.
Costs & Fundraising
The balance for your trip cost, will be due to us 10 weeks before your departure. You will be sent a reminder & an invoice 12 weeks before, giving you 2 weeks to make the payment.
80% of your fundraising target is due to be with your charity 12 weeks before the challenge, meaning that it either needs to be banked with them, or sat against a Just Giving page. We will then invoice your charity for the remaining cost of your place on the challenge, it is important you make that 80% target otherwise your charity will not pay for your place, and your trip could be cancelled.
The remaining 20% of your balance will be due to be with your charity 4 weeks after your trip ends.
Our base cost is on a twin share room basis, if you are signing up as a couple of two friends – you can tell us when you register onto the challenge, so we ensure that you will be sharing a room.
If you are signing up to the challenge as an individual, we will match you with someone of the same gender and roughly the same age.
You can choose to pay an additional supplement to have your own room (and/or tent) on the challenge.
All of our groups are an average size of approximately 20 participants, but can range between 12 and 30+ people. We welcome individuals, couples and groups of friends on to our challenges, and many who join us literally have a mountain to climb in terms of the scale of the challenge they are taking on. We advocate camaraderie and team bonding, and really believe that this enhances your experience. You are always welcome to check in with us on the current size of any departure you are interested in!
Yes as long as we know in advance of the trip, we can cater for all dietary requirements & requests.
Preparation
Yes – in our challenge app, which you can download once you are fully registered for the challenge we have a host of training materials, guides & advice for you to use.
You also have access to unlimited free UK training walks. These walks are designed to help you get and around the UK, meet fellow trekkers, and all supported by one of our experienced UK Leaders.
Our free UK training walks offer the chance to meet up with fellow trekkers and our UK crew.
Closer to the challenge we will set up a WhatsApp group so that you can meet others online who are going to be on your trip. We also have a lively & dynamic Facebook group you can join at any time to meet other fellow challengers – past & present to share and swap training tips, advice & stories.
You will need specific travel insurance, which covers the duration of your trip, along with full cover for any activities you will be doing (i.e. trekking, cycling) and to cover you up to any altitude you may be trekking to. Once you are signed up for the challenge, we will send you full details of our recommended providers of appropriate cover.
Life on the Challenge
- Fully supported 10-day group challenge
- UK Leader & medic
- Full support team, including local guides
- International flights and air travel taxes
- Action Challenge trek leader
- All accommodation, twin share – hotels / tents
- All meals with the group; breakfast, lunch and dinner
- National Park entrance fees
- Day in Cusco ended with a celebratory dinner
- Pre event support & Challenge APP
- Optional training weekends
- Airline fuel surcharge
- Single supplement for tent / hotel
- Travel insurance
- Vaccinations
- Tips for local crew
- Optional extensions
- Optional training weekends
- Kit hire
Trekking along the Inca Trail is a moderate challenge, but it’s difficulty is heightened by the altitude. Nevertheless, it is very achievable with the correct training, and the slow pace set along the trail. The terrain is undulating and there will be some long up and down hill stretches. We will trek in and out of gorges and at times some scrambling will be involved. It requires a reasonable level of strength, stamina and determination. Your training should incorporate aerobic (endurance building), anaerobic (strength building) exercises and some good long walks!
The Inca Trail Challenge is a flights included package. Upon signing up you will be included in the group flight booking that we make.
Yes, this becomes our land only package and reduces your final balance or minimum sponsorship balance – please contact us for more information if you are looking to book your own flights.
You will be required to arrange all flights and transfers in order to meet the group at the starting hotel on day 2 of your challenge and Action Challenge will require details of your travel arrangements before departure.
Please note you are unable to change your package once final balance invoicing has been completed and tickets have been issued by the airline.
Yes – why not stay on and explore more of what Peru has to offer! We can request with to change your return date with the airline. Places are limited and all arrangements are subject to availability.
We camp whist on the Inca Trail, and so morning will start early in our campsite to the side of the trail. Surrounded by forest, mountains and occasional Inca ruins. Meals are prepared by our local team and are always hearty and tasty.
We trek as a group, with the local head guide setting the steady and manageable pace. there’ll also be plentiful opportunity for rests and breaks. Our local team of porters will overtake us and head towards that night’s campsite.
Arriving into camp after our day’s walk always feels great. Snack and hot drinks in the mess tent give us all a chance to swap stories from the trail before our dinner. Often we’ll all head to be early and get some good rest before the next day of trekking. Though some may decide to stay up a little longer and take in the incredible stars!
The Inca Trail is part of an ancient network of paths and tracks than were built during the time of the incas. The paths traverse incredibly varied terrain, with plenty of ups and downs owing to the region being very mountainous. So, our trek will include many ascents and descents, sometimes steep, but the paths are very well graded and constructed- think stone steps!
We will have an unlimited supply of fully purified and treated water, and three varied and nutritious meals a day. Breakfast will be at the accommodation/campsite and will typically consist of porridge, toast and eggs. Lunch and dinner will be en-route at a prearranged restaurant or campsite and will be a variety of rice, pasta, vegetables and a selection of meat and fish.
While trekking on the Inca trail your main luggage is carried by porter. These strong and fit locals do a tremendous job of carrying your main luggage, often at speeds that allow them to have camp set up upon our arrival.
The pace is always safe and manageable, and is set by the hugely experienced head local guide. As we trek in higher altitudes the pace slows further- a slow and steady pace is the best way to trek at high altitudes and decreases your chances of experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness.
Yes, you’re supported every step of the way! Your challenge will be led by an experienced Action Challenge leader. Our leaders are selected for their experience, knowledge, enthusiasm, sensitivity and sense of humour, and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.
You will also be accompanied by an Action Challenge doctor, who will be carrying a fully stocked medical kit in case of any emergency. They will carry out daily health checks, and the re-assurance of their presence should allow you to focus on, and enjoy your challenge!
We have a full support team in country with two way radio contact between the Action Challenge Head Quarters in London and local staff and satellite phone for emergencies. If for any reason you need to leave the group early local staff will assist you and will arrange transfers, accommodation and medical care if necessary.
May through to October are the best times to trek in the Andes as the conditions are fairly dry and the weather is generally sunny.
Days will be warm and pleasant with temperatures reaching up to 21º. As the sun sets the temperature can drop dramatically to 3-6º so expect cold nights while camping.
Mountainous weather is always unpredictable and can change very quickly. To ensure that you embrace this as part of the experience, make sure that you are ready for wind, rain, and sunshine!
Get in Touch
Reach out if you’ve a question – or if your company or charity might like to work with us – and a member of our team will get back to you.
Tel: 0203 4796584
Mon – Fri 09:00 – 17:00
Sat – Sun Closed
OUR TREKS
