Machu Picchu Expedition
September 1 - 9, 2016
After the death of a loved one, the entire landscape of life changes - routine becomes rigorous, familiar becomes foreign.
This, after all, was not the plan. This was not on your map.
But maybe, in those dark moments where you've felt small and powerless, you've also sensed that you are meant to do something big.
It's not like you're in your comfort zone anyway.
Share a truly fearless journey with TAPS survivors as we trek to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. Every step on this ascent will move us farther away from feelings of doubt, fear, and insignificance. As guests of the mountain, we will be led to consider what we really can control. We will learn to trust our guides, our team, and our gear. Our choices will matter.
Join us as we find new purpose, gain radical perspective, and remember what it feels like to live with determination.
FAQS
Who can attend?
TAPS Expeditions are open to all adult survivors over 18 including parents, widows, adult children, siblings, battle buddies, extended family, etc.
How much does it cost?
Expeditionary costs are NOT covered by TAPS. The price will be $3450 for the trek and does not include your international airfare to/from Peru, visas or passport fees. Fees for the trip will be paid directly to our trekking guides at Alpine Ascents.
When do we leave?
The TAPS Expedition team will need to be in Peru on Sept. 1, and we'll depart from Peru Sept. 8.
What is our route?
We'll be spending two days after we arrive in Cusco, Peru resting and acclimatizing while we tour the Sacred Valley and the archaeological site of Qenqo. On the third day of the trip, we'll travel to the Inca trail and begin our trekking journey. We'll spend the night in the semi-tropical valley of Huayllabamba. The following day, we will ascend to the Warmiwañusca pass, known by many as the world's highest cloud forest before resting for the night in our second camp at Pacaymayo. The following day we'll climb out of a valley into the Runkuracay pass. At this point, the trail changes from a dirt path to a narrow stone roadway, containing the exact stones that were in place when the Incas walked the trail. We will travel to Wiñaywayna ("Forever Young") where we will enjoy our dinner and settle for the night. Our final day of trekking we'll climb about an hour and a half to Intipunku, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu. After three and a half days of trekking, we will look through the rectangular doorway of the Sun Gate and take in the first views of Machu Picchu. From there, we will descend into Machu Picchu, where our guide will give us a thorough, three-hour tour. Afterwards, you will have free time yourself we we will return to Cusco.How do I apply?
Participants who want to make the TAPS Expedition journey will be asked to fill out an application, which you can do by clicking on the application button at the bottom of this page. Applications are due by Friday, Feb. 12. Applications will be reviewed every two weeks, so we encourage you to apply early. If more applications are received than we have slots available, we will do a random drawing from qualified applicants.
I don't know anyone else on the team. What if I don't fit in?
There will be monthly team meetings via conference calls or video calls that are mandatory for participants in order to form a team bond and gain familiarity with each other. We fully expect for your team members to become your family and an ongoing support network long after the TAPS Expedition is complete. In addition, you will have access to our online Facebook group, which will include participants from this expedition, as well as those who participated in 2015 so you can ask questions and learn from their experience.I have no climbing or trekking experience, can I still go?
The Machu Picchu expedition requires no mountaineering experience, but does necessitate that you be physically fit and healthy. You can read about the recommended training program on the Alpine Ascents website and see if the training seems right for you.
I have more questions. Who can I talk to?
Contact Kyle Harper or Gabriel Rao via email at expeditions@taps.org or by phone at 800-959-8277.