The Inca Trail Trek 2023

When can I go?

6 October - 16 October 2023	On Sale
Duration	11 days

6 October - 16 October 2023

On Sale

Duration

11 days

What does it cost?

The Inca Trail Trek 2023

Take on one of our all-time favourite Dream Challenges in 2023 and trek the Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu.

This charity challenge gives us the once-in-a-lifetime chance to immerse ourselves in the fascinating history of the Incas and explore the ruins of their sacred sites, nestled in stunning South American scenery.

Prepare to push yourself to the limit as we tackle mighty mountain climbs and marvel at the panoramas across lush valleys and sprawling citadels. We’ll discover colourful towns and craft markets, camp amidst mountain vistas and gain a tonne of insight into the amazing mix of cultures that make up Peru.

Together, we'll trek deep into the misty mountains of Peru, alongside rivers in vast valleys and up through forests, bursting with an incredible range of flora. We’ll tackle an awesome mix of terrains, from the high desert plateau to the tropical, Andean rainforest.

The literal highlight of our Inca Trail Trek lies at the finish line, as we watch the sunrise over the magnificent Machu Picchu, Mother Earth.

Check out this amazing video of our Inca Trail Trek!
There's a reason places sell out on this Dream Challenge every time we do it. It's unmissable! Don't believe us? Check out our Inca-redible video from this year's challenge and then experience the real thing with us in 2023.

Even more insight!
If you would prefer to read what it's like to trek the Inca Trail rather than watch the video, we've got you covered. In this amazing interview, our Dream Challenges participant, Liz, gives you her honest account of the challenge, plus her top tips.

"The whole trip was amazing! The sense of achievement as we reached the end of the trek was incredible. To know that you had personally overcome the ups and downs of a strenuous trek with the rest of the group gave me a huge sense of pride, but also the feeling that what we were all doing was making a big difference to other people’s lives was just brilliant."
- Liz, The Inca Trail Trek past participant

Your itinerary

Day 1
UK - Lima

Today, we meet for the first time at the airport in London and catch our flight to Peru. Landing in Lima, our local challenge leader greets us at the airport and we transfer together to our hotel.

Day 2
Lima – Cusco

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to Lima Airport for a short internal flight to Cusco.

Arriving at our hotel in the late morning, we have a spot of lunch and an afternoon in Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire.

This stunning stone city enjoys a mountainous backdrop and streets bursting with colourful cultural history.

You might want to check out the incredible Koricancha, a golden temple said to be the holiest site in Incan mythology and/or get a load of the colonial architecture, including the Iglesia de Santo Domingo.

Otherwise, simply enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains that we’re soon to trek through!

In the evening, we meet back at the hotel for dinner and an exciting briefing from our challenge leader.

Day 3
Cusco – Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley

A short transfer after breakfast takes us to the Sacred Valley of the Incas for an enthralling guided tour of its archaeological sites.

After a little more exploring, we transfer (approx. 1 hour) to Pisac. Located at the entrance of the valley on the Vicanota River, Pisac is home to remarkable hill-top Incan ruins, including the “Inty Huatana” sun temple.

We browse the daily craft market, before transferring deeper into the valley to “Ollantaytambo”, a fascinating Inca Fortress that once stood strong against the Spanish colonialists and is still well-preserved today.

Minds blown from Incan history, we transfer back to Cusco for dinner.

Day 4
Cusco – Piscacucho (2,680m) – Wayllabamba (3,060m) | approx. 11km/ 5-6 hours

Breakfast at the hotel fuels us for our first day trekking. Transferring to our starting point of Piscacucho (2,680m), we set off towards Llactapata.

Having only been discovered in the early 20th century, it is unclear how this archaeological wonder was used in the Incan Empire, but it was probably a shrine. Either way, its levelled grass rings give our eyes a beautiful reward for our first trekking stretch.

We continue to the misty mountain settlement of Hatunchaca, where we enjoy a lunch prepared by our cooks.

Then it’s back on our feet until we reach our camp at the Andean community of Wayllabamba (3,060m).

Day 5
Wayllabamba (3,060m) – Warmiwanusca (4,200m) – Paqaymayu (3,580m) | approx. 12km/ 7-8 hours

Waking to the humbling view of mountains towering above us, we tuck into breakfast at camp and ascend through a mix of climatic zones.

It’s a tough climb, but our route keeps us enthralled all the way, trekking through the mountain woodland of Yuncachimpa and up to the grassy highland meadows of Warmiwanusca.

Standing at a whopping 4,200m, we’ve now reached the highest point of the Inca Trail and stop to admire the majesty of The Andes.

Of course, we make the most of the photo opportunity, before tackling our last stretch to our camp at Paqaymayu.

Day 6
Paqaymayu (3,580m) – Winaywayna (2,600m) | approx. 14km/ 8 hours

We have another big day ahead of us, but after yesterday’s panoramas, we’re eager for more. Starting with a hike to the fascinating archaeological ruins at Runkurakay, we take in the enchanting ancient citadel, before passing two Andean lagoons.

This marks the start of a challenging climb to Runkurakay Pass (3,850m), whose impressive height makes for breath-taking vistas across the valleys and mountains.

Trekking down to Sayacmarca, we’re in for yet more incredible views down the valley of the Aobamba, before climbing a short stretch to Phuyupatamarca, meaning “village in the clouds”.

From here, we tackle a magical last stretch through the clouded forest to our camp at Winaywana known locally as “Forever Young”.

This makes the perfect place to close our evening with dinner and retire for a well-deserved rest.

Day 7
Winaywayna (2,600m) – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes | approx. 6km/ 2 hours

You’ll be pleased to know that our final day’s hike is short and sweet, with the reward of exploring the world-famous Machu Picchu.

Rising before dark, we greet the day with a climb to Inti Punku “The Sun Gate”. Here, we have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the sun rise over the magnificent Machu Picchu.

Even if you’re not a fan of early starts, seeing this ancient citadel light up with the colour of day far surpasses a lie in! The striking ruins cast an awesome silhouette against the mountain backdrops that you’re likely never to forget. What’s more, this marks our finish line and our sense of achievement makes the moment all the more magical.

Descending to enter the citadel, recently voted one of the Seven Wonders of the World, we wander the ruins, admiring not just the archaeological site itself but the lush green mountains that surround it.

Machu Picchu is believed to have been a royal estate or sacred religious site for Inca leaders and feels somewhat supernatural shrouded in the mist.

Heads full of ancient history, we take a short bus ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, nestled in a valley at the Vilconata River.

Our overnight accommodation awaits and tonight, we enjoy a very well-deserved celebration dinner and toast our success.

Day 8
Aguas Calientes

This morning, we have free time in Aguas Calientes. You can relax with a visit to the hot springs or just spend time exploring this quirky little town.

To give you maximum flexibility with your time, lunch is not included today, so please arrange this yourself. Why not try out some of the fantastic local cuisine?

We reunite back at the hotel this afternoon and take the train back to Ollantaytambo Station. From here, we transfer to our hotel in Cusco.

As with lunch, you make your own dinner arrangements tonight and have the chance to further explore Cusco’s restaurants and nightlife.

Day 9
Cusco

Today is free for you to spend as you wish in Cusco.

You can relax and recover after our epic trek or you can take the opportunity to pick up some last-minute souvenirs from Cusco’s multitude of shops.

Please make your own lunch and dinner arrangements today – a final chance to make the most of the delicious local food.

Days 10 & 11
Cusco – Lima – UK

This morning, we bid goodbye to Cusco after breakfast and transfer to the airport for an internal flight to Lima. From here, we fly back to the UK, touching down in London on Day 11.

We part ways at the airport and you make your own way home, no doubt raring to book your next challenge!

Book my place

How fit do I have to be?

This challenge is not designed for Olympic athletes – it is designed for people looking for an amazing goal to train and get fit for. A number of the people who will take part on this challenge will have a low level of fitness level when they sign up.

This challenge is the perfect motivation to get fit, improve your own mental and physical health and support your favourite charity in a big way.

We strongly recommend you train for the trek as we'll be tackling some steep terrain on our way to Machu Picchu and the trek is at altitude. The fitter you are, the more you'll enjoy it.

Once you register for the challenge, we'll send you a realistic training plan. This builds up gradually over time so you'll be ready and raring to go by the time we depart for Peru.

I’m worried about signing up on my own…

Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own and our Dream Challenges are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and life-long friendships made, as our groups take on these incredible feats together.

Once you've signed up for the challenge, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone registered for The Inca Trail Trek 2023.

Please feel free to use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow trekkers on your training and fundraising. You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.

Is there a minimum/maximum age limit?

Absolutely not! One of the amazing things about the challenge is that people from all walks of life, aged 18 or over, will come together to do something very special.

If you would like someone under the age of 18 to join you on the challenge please contact us to discuss (01590 646410 or bookings@dream-challenges.com)

Do I need special equipment?

You will of course need a pair of walking boots and your own three-season sleeping bag.

We'll supply you with a comprehensive list of everything you will need to take on the event well before your departure date.

Will I have to carry my kit?

Porters will carry your luggage, food and water, so you will only need to carry a small day pack containing essential accessories and equipment.

However, porters will only be able to carry up to 8kg per person on the trek, so please bear this in mind while packing.

Any remaining luggage you don't need on the trek will be stored safely at the hotel in Cusco.

Where will we sleep overnight?

This challenge includes a whole mix of accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, from camping in the mountains to comfortable hotels.

We organise our accommodation on a twin-sharing basis, which is included in the challenge cost.

However, if you would rather pay for a single supplement (Approx. £250 per person, NOT included in your challenge cost) and have a room/tent to yourself, please get in touch at least 17 weeks before departure and we can arrange this for you.

Do I need to pay extra for the Inca Trail Trekking Permit?

Your Inca Trail Trekking permit is included in the challenge costs of £1,950, so you do not need to pay anything extra. However, in order to secure your Inca Trail permit, we will need you to pay in £200 of your challenge costs at least 10 months before the challenge begins.

Your remaining costs of £1,750 will then not be due until 12 weeks before the challenge.

Can I pay for a single supplement?

Certainly. Our accommodation is included in your challenge cost on a twin-sharing basis.

However if you would prefer to have a room/tent to yourself and pay for a single supplement, we'll be happy to arrange this for you at an additional cost of approx. £250. Please note, this is NOT included in your challenge cost).

If you would like a single supplement, please get in touch by emailing us at bookings@dream-challenges.com or call us on 01590 646410 (Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm).

What will the terrain be like?

As you can expect from a mountain trek, we'll be trekking uphill for a lot of the challenge and tackle some steep climbs on our way to Machu Picchu.

We'll follow clear trails through forests, meadows, villages and mountain scenery.

Can I extend my stay at the end of the challenge?

Yes of course! We're delighted to be organising an optional extension in Peru. We'll send all participants details of this once you've registered for the challenge. Please note, this won't be included in your challenge costs.

Alternatively, if you wish to extend your stay in Peru but not partake in the optional extension package, please let us know at least 17 weeks before the challenge start date and we can arrange this for you.

The best way to get in touch is to email us at bookings@dream-challenges.com, or you can call us on 01590 646410 during office hours (9am - 5pm Monday - Friday).

What's included?

Your registration fee of £449 per person is used to administer the challenge and secure your seats with the airline.

Your challenge costs of £1,950 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target if you choose the sponsorship option) cover:

Your flights, including your internal flights in Peru (not including airport taxes and the fuel surcharge, capped at £475).
Inca Trail Trekking Permit*.
Meals throughout the challenge (except for your lunch on Day 3 and your lunch and dinner on your free days at the end of the challenge (Days 8 and 9).
Accommodation*.
Entry fees where applicable.
All transfers in Peru.
A team of outdoor remote first aid trained challenge guides and Dream Challenges staff.
Porters and luggage transportation in Peru.
Full support from the Dream Challenges office in the lead-up to and during your challenge.
Medical support, including a UK doctor with expedition medicine training
Your Inca Trail Trek 2023 medal and t-shirt.

*The Inca Trail Permit (approx. £200) is included in the challenge cost of £1,950. Please note that you will need to pay in £200 of your challenge costs at least 10 months before the challenge so that we can secure your permit for you.

*Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room/tent to yourself, we can arrange this for you for an additional cost of approx. £250.

Please email us at bookings@dream-challenges.com if you would like to do this at least 17 weeks before the challenge starts.

What other costs will I pay?

In addition to paying your registration fee (£449) and either self funding your challenge costs (£1,950) or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target (£3,900), you will need to budget for your:

Airport taxes and the fuel surcharge (capped at £475).
Personal travel insurance.
Gratuities.
Personal expenses.
Lunch on Day 3 and your lunch and dinner on Days 8 and 9.
You may also choose to pay approx. £250 for a single supplement at our accommodation.
Optional extension in Peru if you choose to partake.

* Your Inca Trail Trekking Permit (approx. £200) is included in the challenge cost of £1,950. Please note that in order to secure this for you, we will ask you to pay in £200 of your challenge costs at least 10 months before your challenge.

Your remaining challenge costs of £1,750 then won't be due until 12 weeks before the challenge.

What will the group size be?

There will be around 30 participants in our group for The Inca Trail Trek 2023. You'll no doubt make a bunch of awesome new friends!

What about insurance and visas?

Travel Insurance
You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance upon registering for this challenge, covering health, accident, loss, and repatriation. We advise that you arrange personal travel insurance as soon as you can after you register to ensure you have coverage for your booking as well as the challenge itself.

Dream Challenges has found a policy that provides appropriate cover for this type of activity and also covers you for cancellation due to medically-diagnosed COVID-19. We will send you the details once you have registered. You can also call us for details on 01590 646410 during our office hours (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday).

You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity trek in Peru.

Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your challenge.

Visa
It is your responsibility to obtain a visa for Peru if you need one. Ensure that you apply and obtain your visa in plenty of time. Further information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru

How will you support me?

The Dream Challenges team are here to help you achieve your challenge and will support you all the way. We are on hand from the minute you sign up to answer any questions that you may have about your training or the challenge itself.

Once you've registered, we will send you a realistic training programme to help you get fit for the trek. The programme builds up gradually as our departure date draws closer.

We also have fantastic first-aid-trained challenge guides, a group of porters and a UK doctor with expedition medicine training, who will accompany us throughout the challenge.

Can you offer travel vaccination advice?

As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.

We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.

NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home

The Inca Trail Trek 2023

When can I go?

What does it cost?