2027 Expedition
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Dream Mountains returns to Peru. Walk the ancient stone paths of the Inca, cross high Andean passes and arrive at Machu Picchu with a team that is climbing for something bigger than themselves.
When
June 1 to 9, 2027
or June 7 to 16, 2027
Tentative, final dates to be confirmed
Team
16 spots
Led by Brett Starke
Goal
$5,000 per climber
for one of our 7 charities
Join the team Applications are open for the 2027 Dream Team. Space is limited to 16, so apply early.
Apply to joinInfo session Saturday, November 14, 11 AM ET, at The Starke Group office (613 King St W, Toronto) or on Google Meet
Sign up to attendWatch the film
Dream Mountains: Machu Picchu (2016)
A film documenting the 2016 Dream Mountains charity climb of the Inca Trail in Peru.
Film by Garry Tutte
The Trail
Piscacucho to Machu Picchu
Every level is a point on the trail. Tap any marker to explore each camp and pass, and the training level that gets you there.
- 1Cusco, Acclimatize 3,399 m
- 2Piscacucho 2,572 m
- 3Huayllabamba, Camp 1 3,000 m
- 4Dead Woman's Pass 4,205 m
- 5Pacaymayo, Camp 2 3,590 m
- 6Runkurakay Pass 3,950 m
- 7Wiñaywayna, Camp 3 2,700 m
- 8Machu Picchu 2,435 m
From 2,572 m at Piscacucho to 4,205 m at Dead Woman's Pass.
Distances from the trail map. The map gives no distance for Runkurakay Pass or the 3,630 m point, so those two are placed approximately between Pacaymayo and Wiñaywayna. Cusco, level 1, sits before the trail and is not part of the 39 km.
Itinerary
Seven days, Cusco to Cusco
Three nights in hotels, three nights camping on the four-day Inca Trail. Small group, graded 4, Demanding.
Day 1
Cusco
Arrive in Cusco at any time and settle in.
Day 2
Cusco to Ollantaytambo
A full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley, with a women's weaving co-op, a local pottery-making community and lunch at the Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. In the afternoon, an optional hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses or time on the cobblestone streets.
Day 3
Inca Trail
By van from Ollantaytambo to km 82, where the trail begins. A gentle first day of meandering streams, Andean scenery and Inca ruins.
Day 4
Inca Trail
An early start up the long, steep climb to Warmiwañusca, Dead Woman's Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon.
Day 5
Inca Trail
Two more passes: Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft), with views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba on a clear day, then a gentle climb through cloud forest and original Inca construction to 3,700m (12,136 ft). Camp near Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds", or continue to Wiñay Wayna at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Day 6
Machu Picchu to Cusco
A pre-dawn start to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise and the first view of Machu Picchu. A guided tour of the ruins, then the train back towards Cusco.
Day 7
Cusco
Depart at any time.
Included
- Accommodation: hotels (3 nights), camping (3 nights)
- Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners
- Sacred Valley guided tour and pottery-making demonstration
- Guided Inca Trail hike with cooks and porters (4 days)
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- All transport between destinations, by train, private van and on foot
International flights are not included. Tentative 2027 dates: June 1 to 9 or June 7 to 16. Price TBA.
Itinerary based on G Adventures' The Inca Trail (SPIT). Subject to change by the operator.
How it works
- Choose your charity. Each climber picks one of our seven partner charities.
- Raise $5,000. You fundraise through your charity's CanadaHelps page, so every gift goes straight to the charity, which issues the tax receipt.
- Pay your own way. Each climber pays for their own trip, so every fundraising dollar goes to the cause. Trip cost: TBA.
- Train together. Follow our StairMaster training levels and packing list below. Info sessions: TBA.
Inca Trail permits are limited and are bought by name, with passport details, so apply early. Space on the team is limited. Deposit amount and deadlines: TBA.
Training
Dream Team Stair Training
Ten levels, from Cusco to Lead Guide. One standard for every StairMaster and every stairwell. Only up counts.
1 floor is about 16 steps and 3 m of climb. Only the climb counts.
The ladder
Ten levels to the summit of your training
Train in a stairwell or on a StairMaster. Same ten levels, same standard.
One set is 450 stairs. On a StairMaster, one floor is 16 steps, so each 450-stair set is about 28 floors.
Stairwell levels are based on a 32-storey building. Only the climb is timed, yet the walk back down matters just as much, because the Inca Trail descends as often as it climbs. For that reason, the stairwell is preferred over the StairMaster.
Your building
Not 32 floors? Build your program
Every set is one climb of a 32-storey building. Enter the floors you climb in one lap of your stairwell and we will convert all ten levels for you.
My Dream Team stair program
| Level | Name | Laps | Target per lap | Total climbing time | Notes |
|---|
Only the climb is timed. Walk back down after every lap; the descent is part of the training.
Calculator
Find your level
Or enter stairs per floor instead (16 steps = 1 StairMaster floor)
Packing List
What to pack
From the 2016 Dream Team list. Some items can be adjusted to your preference, how you regulate your body temperature, and budget. Tap an item to tick it off. Your progress is saved on this device.
In addition to everything here, bring a suitcase of city clothes for Cusco and Lima. You can store it at the Cusco hotel while you hike.
On the Trail Daily
What you will wear every day.
Additional Layers
Options to rotate and layer.
Camp and Sleep
Camp clothes stay dry, worn only at camp.
Daypack
On you all day. 15 lb allowance, including 2 to 3 L of water.
Camp Gear
Toiletries and Sundries
Documents and Money
Optional Comforts
Luxury items, if they earn their weight.
Packing Tips
- Line your duffel or porter pack with a garbage bag to keep gear dry.
- Consider 1 or 2 small compression bags.
- Consider Ziploc bags for your clothes: waterproof, compressed and see through.
- Think versatility and layers when choosing your clothes.
- Think functional clothes that make it easy to get dressed.
- Collaborate with your tentmate to avoid duplicate items like sunscreen.