Machu Picchu Expedition

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 $3,500 per person 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?

Those participating in the Machu Picchu Expedition will need to be in Peru on Aug. 14, and we'll depart from Peru on Aug. 22.

What is our schedule and route?

We'll be spending two days full days in Cusco after we arrive on Aug. 14. On Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, we'll rest and acclimatize while we tour the Sacred Valley and the archaeological site of Qenqo. On Aug. 17, 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. On the third day of our hike, 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. On our final day of trekking, we'll climb about an hour and a half to Intipunku, the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu, where 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 to the town of Aguas Calientes to rest. The following day, we'll take a tour of Machu Picchu and return to Cusco.

Check out photos from the 2016 Machu Picchu Expedition to see what the trip is like.

The application period for this expedition is now closed.

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 to create an ongoing support network long after the Machu Picchu Expedition is complete. In addition, you will have access to our Facebook group, which will include participants from this expedition, as well as those who participated in 2016 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. The Inca trail is almost entirely on old stone, and each day has hours of climbing up or down stairs. While the team travels quite slowly, you will need to be able to ascend and descend on a hard surface. You should plan to train by going up and down stairs with a pack on. You can read about the recommended training program on the Alpine Ascents website to see if the training seems right for you.

I have more questions. Who can I talk to?

Contact our Expeditions team via email at expeditions@taps.org or by phone at 800-959-8277.