Register for Trek Peru
Trek Peru is an inspirational and challenging charity trek along the Inca Trail culminating in reaching Machu Picchu, lost city of the Incas.
Trek Peru
About
13–22 April 2012
7–16 September 2012
Trek Peru is an inspirational and challenging charity trek along the Inca Trail culminating at Machu Picchu, lost city of the Incas. Walking 4,010 metres above sea level, camping in sub-zero temperatures at night, hiking over snow-capped mountains and facing the sweltering heat of the rainforest on the Inca Trail – trekking Peru is a challenge of a lifetime.
'If you are considering a trek, then don’t think a moment longer. Just do it! I trekked to Machu Picchu in Peru for Breast Cancer Care and it was an incredible experience. I will never forget the emotion of reaching Machu Picchu surrounded by my new found trekking buddies, many of whom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Whether you choose to trek in Peru or any of the other fab destinations on offer, I know you will have an unforgettable adventure and you will be helping to raise invaluable funds for Breast Cancer Care at the same time.'
Denise Van Outen, 2010
When Denise Van Outen and Fearne Cotton decided to climb Machu Picchu to raise money for Breast Cancer Care, they asked Alexandra Burke, Amanda Byram, Gabriella Cilmi and a group of women affected by breast cancer to go with them. Trekker, Lou Rall, shares her experience of the trip.
How we will support you as part of Team Breast Cancer Care:
- a support pack full of fundraising and training advice
- a Breast Cancer Care T-shirt to wear on your challenge
- support and advice from a dedicated member of the Breast Cancer Care challenges team
- regular newsletters and emails to keep you updated
- fundraising materials to help you including balloons, banners and collection tins
- a get together to meet your fellow challengers ahead of departure
- 20 per cent off your first purchase from Sweaty Betty – specialists in performance wear for women
- 15 per cent off at Cotswold Outdoor.
We hope to welcome you to Team Breast Cancer Care very soon!
Only Breast Cancer Care fundraisers will be taking part in this trek.
Itinerary
Day 1
Fly in the afternoon from London Heathrow to Lima.
Day 2
We pick up our connecting flight to Cusco in the morning. Once we have checked into our hotel, we spend the rest of the day acclimatising to the altitude. This includes a walking tour of the city before dinner.
Day 3
Our first day of trekking is to the lesser known yet very impressive Pikillaqta Ruins, an ancient ruin high in the hills above Cusco. We stay a second night in Cusco.
Day 4
We wave goodbye to Cusco this morning and drive towards the Sacred Valley over high mountain passes to the Lares Valley. We stop at the famous hot springs for a swim and some lunch and the trek begins with a 4-5 hour hike to Cuncani (3,800 metres) where we camp overnight.
Day 5
On our longest walking day, we awake to a dramatic backdrop of snow-capped mountain peaks. Leaving camp early we begin our long climb – a gradual ascent along good paths and tracks. In the distance we can see turquoise lakes and white peaks and you will see alpacas and llamas roaming among scattered houses. After a lakeside lunch we continue down the valley to our campsite at the small settlement of Huacahuasi (3,840 metres).
Day 6
After a hearty breakfast we leave the village and start another long walk. Over the course of the morning, we will gradually gain altitude as we hike for about four and a half hours. We will take a little used route through the Ranrayoc valley passing the small community of Puňunayoc. With views of snowy mountain Tirijhuay we stop for lunch (4,378 metres). From here we will continue for a further three hours until we reach the road where we will be collected and taken to a hotel at Ollantayambo.
Day 7
Our final day of trekking starts the Inca village of Ollantaytambo which guards the entrance to the Sacred Urubamba valley. We take the early morning train to Km 104 where we start our trek on the traditional Inca trails towards the Sun Gate. Here we are rewarded with stunning views of Machu Picchu. We stay the night in a hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Day 8
Today is dedicated to exploring these extraordinary Inca remains. If you are still feeling energetic you can also climb Wayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the site. The early afternoon train takes us back to Cusco before tonight’s evening celebration. Overnight at a hotel in Cusco.
Day 9
You have the morning free in Cusco before transferring to the airport for our return flight to Lima, where we change for our flight back to London.
Day 10
Arrive back in the UK.
Note: Itinerary, dates and flight times are subject to change.
Join our team
Minimum sponsorship
Non-refundable registration fee: £375
Minimum sponsorship: £3,930 (Trek 2012)
The cost of the trek including flights from London is £2,051. These costs are paid from your sponsorship and your registration fee. 80 per cent of your sponsorship is required eight weeks before departure.
Flexi
Non-refundable registration fee: £375
Balance (you will be invoiced for this cost eight weeks before departure): £375
Minimum sponsorship: £3,095 (Trek 2012)
If you would like to pay the full costs for the trip to ensure that 100 per cent of your fundraising goes to support the vital work of Breast Cancer Care, we would be happy to discuss this. If you select this option, we would also ask you to also commit to raising a minimum fundraising amount of £1,676. Please email challenges@breastcancercare.org.uk
Fundraising
Reaching your fundraising target can be a challenge, but don’t worry as we have some useful tips to help you plan and coordinate your fundraising.
Check out our seasonal fundraising ideas to ensure that your fundraising is fresh and on trend.
Social networks
Remember, it’s your network of friends, family, colleagues and contacts who will support you with your training and fundraising. Keep them updated every step of the way with your Facebook profile, blog or Twitter account.
Tell them how your training is going (with pictures for added impact) and let them know how you’re getting on with your fundraising target. You can even upload pictures on the day to show everyone your progress along the route! If you follow Breast Cancer Care on Facebook and Twitter, we’ll keep you up to date with the goings-on here, and keep you on track with support and tips.
Fundraising materials
Download your very own fundraising planner to follow to ensure that your fundraising activities run as smoothly as possible.
Use this downloadable poster to promote your fundraising events.
Online fundraising
Now you can raise sponsorship without all the hassle. No more dealing with cash and cheques, no more chasing friends after the event. Simply create a free, online fundraising page, personalise it with a photo and message, and email it to your friends, family and work colleagues. They can donate quickly and securely online with a credit or debit card. Online donations from UK taxpayers are worth almost a third more to us with Gift Aid, which can be claimed on online donations. Follow the instructions to set up your unique JustGiving page.
Once you’ve created your page, email the link to friends, family, colleagues and classmates. You can even add the JustGiving application to your Facebook page to make it even easier for your friends to donate.
For more information or help setting up your page, visit www.justgiving.com or call the Justgiving helpdesk on 0845 021 2110.
Please note: Justgiving money will only be attributed to the person who set up the Justgiving page, so please do not set up joint pages as we are unable to share the money between several people.
How do I pay in my sponsorship?
There are few ways in which your sponsorship money will reach us:
JustGiving
If you have decided to create a Justgiving fundraising page, then you do not need to do anything as all your sponsorship money will automatically be sent directly to our bank account. Please note that it can take up to four weeks to show up on your fundraising record at Breast Cancer Care.
Cheque
Please send all cheques to the address below:
Breast Cancer Care Events
Admail 4161
London
SE1 0ZB
Don’t forget to write your name, Breast Cancer Care number and event name on the back of your cheques.
Online
You can also pay money in directly on the Breast Cancer Care website. If you use our online paying in function then please remember to send us your sponsorship forms so that we can claim Gift Aid.
Enclosed in your event handbook pack, which you will receive when you register for your event, will be your pay-in forms. You can send them to us along with your sponsorship money and sponsorship forms. Please do not send cash in the post.
Once you join Team Breast Cancer Care we will provide you with further fundraising tips and ideas!
By phone
If you want to pay in sponsorship money over the phone, you call 0845 092 0817 Monday to Friday 9am–5pm. You will need to quote your Breast Cancer Care ID number which will be sent to you in your registration pack.
Training tips
Training is essential to your challenge preparation. The more you put in, the more enjoyable your experience will be! We have designed a training plan to help you on your way.
Before you start remember that your body may need time to adjust to your new fitness regime. We recommend that you ideally start your training plan no less than six months before you start your challenge. Within your training programme, rest is as important as time spent on your feet. We strongly recommend that you rest on at least one day out of seven. When training, make sure your stick within the limits of speed and distance that are comfortable for you.
If you live near hills, use them for your training as much as possible to prepare your muscles for doing lots of upward walking. If you don’t have any hills near you, use the incline setting on a treadmill or visit hilly places for your weekend walks to practice.
Top tips for training
To ensure that you are comfortable when walking long distances, you must pay attention to your posture and gait. Walk correctly, and at the end of the day's walk you will have sturdy, albeit tired legs, ready for the following day.
- Stand tall and keep your head up.
- Take a natural stride length walk with poles.
- Keep your back straight when coming downhill.
- Shorten your stride when walking uphill.
- Keep your elbows close to your body.
- Integrate aerobic exercise – try spinning, swimming and jogging.
- Wear your walking boots and socks as much as possible, to ensure you are comfortable on the trek.
If you have not exercised for a long time we recommend your see your doctor before you start your new training plan. Don’t over doit and make sure you keep your plan varied and fun!
The training plan includes information on diet and keeping hydrated both during your training and while on your trek. It also contains important information about trekking at high altitudes.
FAQs
How do I register for this event?
Where do we stay?
What will the weather be like?
How fit do I have to be?
Will the altitude affect me
How do I cancel my place?
Why do I need insurance?
Do I need inoculations?
Do I need a visa?
What will the trekking be like?
What happens to my belongings when I am trekking?
What will the weather be like when we go?
How much sponsorship money do I need to raise?
Further questions
Answers
How do I register for this event?
Please go to 'About' tab and click on the date of the trek to book it.
We stay in hotels before and after the trek in Cusco and Aguas Calientes and in two-person tents for three nights on the trek. Washing facilities at camp are limited. All campsites have a central area for cooking and eating. Your tents are put up and taken down for you each day and Peruvian food will be prepared for you throughout
Contact challenges@breastcancercare.org.uk or call 0845 092 0805 if you have any questions.
What will the weather be like?
We expect the weather to be dry and clear, giving us some spectacular mountain views. Temperatures during the day will be warm, around 20–22°C, which is average for this time of year, with the chance of rain. As we reach higher altitudes it will feel colder at night, sometimes below 0°C, making a good sleeping bag and plenty of layers of clothes essential.
This is one of our toughest treks. People should have above average fitness. You will be trekking in a tough and challenging environment for eight hours or more per day for five consecutive days. To achieve the recommended level of fitness, we advise you start training as soon as you sign up. We will send you a training guide as soon as you register. The fitter you are, the more confident you will be and the more you will enjoy each day. Our treks are not a race; everyone is encouraged to go at their own pace and the level of fitness will naturally vary throughout the group. Everyone finishes each day’s trekking together as a group. This is dependent on the pace of the slowest person.
This trek does have the added challenge of altitude. People can be affected by altitude over 2,500 metres. There is no way to predict if you will be affected. Extra time has been provided to acclimatise your body; the first two days are shorter and will be taken at a steady pace. Guides will be on hand to advise you about the effects of trekking at altitude but the best thing you can do is walk at a slow and steady pace.
If you need to cancel your place on your overseas challenge, please contact the challenges team immediately on 0845 092 0805 or email challenges@breastcancercare.org.uk. This is particularly important if you are cancelling within 10 weeks of departure as cancellation costs will be accrued during this period. It is essential that you advise us that you will not be taking part as soon as you can, otherwise the charity risks spending money on your place and we will ask you to reimburse us for any lost costs.
In the unfortunate event that you needed to cancel your place, depending on your reason for cancelling you will be able to claim the costs of your challenge back. If you did not have any travel insurance in place, but did have to withdraw you will be required to reimburse Breast Cancer Care any lost costs, as laid out in the terms and conditions you signed, which were on the reverse of your trek registration form. Please also note that you will not be able to travel if the tour operator does not have a copy of your valid travel insurance policy.
We will send you a list of suggested vaccinations, but we recommend you check your own vaccination requirements with your GP or travel clinic.
It is your responsibility to apply for visa(s) if needed. Currently visas are required for those travelling to China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Cuba. We will send you details of how to apply when you register. Each visa is at a cost to yourself and cannot be paid for with sponsorship money.
What will the trekking be like?
The trek will take us over varying terrain from day to day and from morning to afternoon. We visit a beautiful part of Peru and one that many visitors will never get to see. You will witness some spectacular scenery making your training at home worthwhile. Our route will take us along dust tracks and past Inca ruins into the mountains and valleys of the Peruvian Andes. Ascents and descents will be steep, uneven and exposed. No two days will be the same and you need to be able to adapt to the differing conditions underfoot.
What happens to my belongings when I am trekking?
Your main luggage will be transported for you each day. All you will need to carry is a small day pack with your essentials, for example, water, sun screen, sun hat, energy snacks, camera, fleece, waterproof, etc.
What will the weather be like when we go?
We expect the weather to be warm during the day with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C. In the evenings it will feel cold, so you will need to bring some warm clothes. It has been known to rain, so do also bring wet-weather gear.
How much sponsorship money do I need to raise?
For more information on the amount of sponsorship money you need to raise, see the 'Join our team' tab.
If you have any further questions then please get in touch with us. Call 0845 092 0805 or email challenges@breastcancercare.org.uk
Gallery
Organised by Charity Challenge, ATOL 6546 
