Trek Machu Picchu to raise funds for Autism Jersey

Sunday 17 June 2018

Trekking up to the lost city of Machu Picchu is on many a bucket list, and with good reason. It is also the destination picked by Autism Jersey for its latest trekking challenge set for October 2019.

The ten-day trip, which has been rated as ‘tough’ and described as ‘gruelling yet rewarding,' will leave on 7 October 2019 and run through the half-term.

Using the organisation Charity Challenge, the ten-day Trek Machu Picchu will follow the spectacular and uncrowded Lares Valley route, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, raging rivers, hot springs and remote mountain communities. This is a route which is off the beaten track, but it joins the Inca Trail on the last day for the 3,000-step ascent to the Sun Gate, where you see Machu Picchu for the first time.

Accompanied by an experienced leader and guides, the hike is slow, allowing for acclimatisation to the altitude and the opportunity to enjoy the unique surrounds and traditional Peruvian culture.

Pictured: The ten-day trip will leave on 7 October 2019.

Dr Helen Miles, the vice-chair of Autism Jersey who is joining the trek with her husband Richard, said: "Like the Kilimanjaro Trek in 2014 and Morocco in 2017, this trek will be a real adventure – an opportunity to challenge yourself to do something a little different to raise money for an important cause – a purpose-built centre that will improve services for people with autism in Jersey."

The trek is being supported by Ocorian, whose Global HR Director Richard Summerfield said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Autism Jersey on this challenging expedition. Seeing the fantastic levels of effort and fundraising for the Ocorian-sponsored Trek Morocco completed in 2017 created a strong case for us continuing with our affiliation. I am sure that all trekkers, which will include Ocorian employees, will have a life-changing experience in Machu Picchu whilst helping to give so much back to local families who are affected directly or indirectly by autism."

Autism Jersey are now looking for people to sign up to help raise funds for the charity. The last trek, to the summit of Mount Toubkal in the High Atlas Mountains in September 2017, raised £24,600 for Autism Jersey.