Summit For Impact: Machu Picchu, Peru
Join the adventure of a lifetime and trek to the Lost City of the Incas while supporting women-led social entreprises. Get ready to trek April 19-25, 2026.
A hiker enjoying the stunning views on the Peru trek.
Challenge Yourself. Hike with Purpose.
Imagine trekking with an incredible group of people - who are also committed to accelerating youth innovation for good - through lush jungle, cloud forests and panoramic mountain views, on an unforgettable 5 day journey along the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World.
Stay in unique, eco-friendly accommodation (including Jungle Domes and Sky Camps) and enjoy Peruvian food in the middle of stunning nature. Together we will be transported back in time through breathtaking sites with historical, spiritual and architectual significance; all while propeling social impact forward.
More interested in going to Africa? Check out the Summit for Impact: Kilimanjaro happening in March 2026.
Dates et échéances
Date limite d'inscription et de dépôt
1er octobre 2025
Date limite pour la collecte de fonds
March 1, 2026
Date de l'ascension
April 19-25, 2026 in Peru!
Détails de l'ascension
Important Dates & Deadlines
1er octobre 2025 :Date limite d'inscription
Register online with a $500 CAD deposit to secure your spot.
March 1, 2026: Fundraising deadline
In total each individual will fundraise a minimum of $4,500 CAD to participate in this challenge, but we encourage you to set higher goals! This amount includes the deposit.
Itinerary
Jour 1 : Arrivée
You’ll meet up with the group at our hotel in Cusco, where you will stay the night and be briefed on the itinerary alongside a team dinner! Note that it is strongly recommended to arrive in Cusco at least 2-3 days before the trek starts to acclimatize, as the city itself is already at a very high altitude (~3,400m).
Day 2: First trekking day
Prepare for an early pick-up and 2-hour drive to Challacancha. After a hike to Soraypampa, settle into the Sky Camp lodging, enjoy lunch and then trek to Humantay Lake. End the day with a dinner at camp, followed by a night under the stars in your Sky Camp igloo, offering a view of constellations and the majestic Apu Salkantay.
Day 3: Second trekking day
Wake up early, energize with coca tea, and have breakfast before embarking on a trek to the Salkantay Pass. Enjoy breathtaking views of Salkantay Mountain and surrounding peaks. After descending to Huayracmachay for lunch, enter the Amazon jungle on a rocky trail, experiencing a dramatic landscape change. Reach the exclusive Mountain Sky View campsite at Chaullay for a well-deserved rest.
Day 4: Third trekking day
Start the day early to trek to La Playa through the Santa Teresa Valley, enjoying a scenic walk with downhill sections. Pass through Colpapampa and descend into the lush jungle, observing waterfalls, hot springs and diverse flora and fauna. Arrive at Lucmabamba, with time to explore, visit an organic local coffee farm, and rest in the brand-new Super Jungle Domes.
Day 5: Fourth trekking day
Put on your hiking boots for the final trekking day. Walk along a portion of the original Inca Trail, reaching Llactapata for stunning views of Machu Picchu. Descend to Hidroeléctrica, passing a stunning waterfall. Enjoy the final walk to Aguas Calientes, exploring Inca sites along the way. Spend the night in a comfortable hotel in the town.
Day 6: Final trekking day
Rise early to hike and explore Machu Picchu, one of the 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a two-hour guided tour through the ancient citadel, marvelling at Inca engineering and architecture. After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and catch a train to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private bus to Cusco, arriving back at the hotel in the evening. Reflect on an unforgettable experience over a final dinner with our group!
Day 7: Departure
One final breakfast and then back to the airport for your departure or onward travel in Peru!
Costs & What's Included
Pour participer à l'événement Summit for Impact, chaque personne doit collecter au moins $8500 CAD. $4,500 CAD.
Ce qui est inclus :
- Machu Picchu entrance tickets
- Trek guides, cook, and additional support staff
- 2 nights of hotel accommodation in Cusco (pre and post trek) and all accommodations on the trek itself
- Most meals on the trek (details will be provided)
- Filtered water, tea and snacks every day of the trek
- Rain covers, overnight duffle bag and cloth snack bag
- Emergency health and evacuation insurance
- Duffle bag for overnight items, rain covers and cloth snack bag provided by trekking company
- Large donation to YCI and the HerStart Catalyst Fund for women entrepreneurs!
Ce qui n'est pas inclus :
- International airfare to and from Cusco
- Entry visa (if required; not required for most Canadians or Americans)
- Required/recommended vaccinations and medications
- Tous les repas et boissons non mentionnés
- Hiring of personal equipment for the climb (including sleeping bags and walking poles)
- Personal travel insurance for flights and belongings (highly recommended)
- Gratuities for the guides – Please see FAQs for tipping guidelines
Fundraising
Fundraising from the Summit for Impact event goes directly to accelerating youth innovation for good with YCI. This includes the HerStart Catalyst Fund, which provides seed funding for young women entrepreneurs.
YCI provides a user-friendly crowdfunding platform, templates and tips from our years of experience to ensure you can reach (or exceed!) the goal of $4,500 CAD.
Tous les dons supérieurs à $20 recevront automatiquement un reçu fiscal canadien. Malheureusement, les dons internationaux ne donnent pas droit à un reçu fiscal.
Step-By-Step Process
1. Register online at this link and submit the $500 CAD deposit to secure your spot by October 1. ✅
2. Within a week, you will receive a welcome package from YCI over email, outlining more details, next steps and important information for your participation. 📧
3. It’s now time to fundraise and start prepping for the adventure! 🏃➡️
4. Participants will receive regular emails from YCI supporting your preparations! A Zoom call and WhatsApp group will also be set up to connect further with the group. 🙌
5. See you in Peru! 🇵🇪
Un aperçu de l'aventure
FAQ
Answers to common questions about the YCI Summit For Impact: Peru event:
Who is YCI and what is HerStart? How do I learn more?
A propos de Youth Challenge International (YCI)
YCI is a non-profit organization accelerating youth innovation for good. Together with young leaders and innovators, we are creating a better future where people, planet and profit can thrive. We are going all in on the bold ideas, skills and ventures that will get us there.
In over 30 countries, YCI has teamed up with young people and partner organizations to transform complex challenges into sustainable solutions; collectively, we learn fast, fail smart and turn insights into action. We believe that a better world can – and will – be built by the next generation.
Learn more about:
About HerStart
HerStart is a YCI initiative advancing gender equality, innovation and economic empowerment on a global scale.
Through the HerStart: Innovate the Future program, YCI delivers dynamic entrepreneurship and leadership training, mentorship and seed funding for young women to build businesses with positive community impact in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda. We co-design and co-implement HerStart with local partners in each country, who contribute their unique expertise and advance their own organizational learning.
Learn more about:
What do the Summit for Impact events support?
Summit for Impact events support YCI to accelerate youth innovation for good around the world. This includes funding grants within our HerStart Catalyst Fund to propel women-led social enterprises forward.
Women in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda who have joined our HerStart program are eligible to apply for seed funding, coaching and business mentorship through the HerStart Catalyst Fund. The Fund helps to kickstart businesses as they scale up driving a more equal, climate-resilient and inclusive economy.
Read about YCI's impact here and explore stories from real people and partners involved in our work on The Feed.
Are there other Summit for Impact events?
Yes! YCI organizes Summit for Impact events almost every year.
We are currently also promoting an event to summit the infamous Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. More interested in going to Africa with us? Check out our upcoming Sommet pour l'impact : Le Kilimandjaro happening in March 2026.
What is included? What is not included?
Below is an overview of what is covered by the total fundraised amount, and what is separate from that in terms of costs to participate.
Ce qui est inclus :
- Machu Picchu entrance tickets
- Trek guides, cook, and additional support staff
- 2 nights of hotel accommodation in Cusco (pre and post trek) and all accommodations on the trek itself
- Most meals on the trek (details will be provided)
- Filtered water, tea and snacks every day of the trek
- Rain covers, overnight duffle bag and cloth snack bag
- Emergency health and evacuation insurance
- Duffle bag for overnight items, rain covers and cloth snack bag provided by trekking company
- Big donation to YCI and the HerStart Catalyst Fund for women entrepreneurs!
Ce qui n'est pas inclus :
- International airfare to and from Cusco
- Entry visa (if required; not required for most Canadian or Americans)
- Required/recommended vaccinations and medications
- Tous les repas et boissons non mentionnés
- Hiring of personal equipment for the climb (including sleeping bags and walking poles)
- Personal travel insurance for flights and belongings (highly recommended)
- Gratuities for the guides – Please see FAQs for tipping guidelines
Comment collecter des fonds ?
YCI vous fournira une plateforme conviviale et une boîte à outils utile pour mener à bien votre collecte de fonds. Nous vous encourageons à faire preuve de créativité dans vos idées de crowdfunding et nous sommes là pour vous soutenir tout au long du processus.
Tous les dons supérieurs à $20 donnent droit à un reçu fiscal canadien.
Inscrivez-moi ! Comment s'inscrire ?
S'inscrire ici by October 1 to join the Summit for Impact in Peru from April 19-25, 2026.
Vous devrez fournir vos informations de base ainsi qu'un dépôt de $500 CAD pour compléter l'enregistrement.
Quelles sont les étapes qui suivent l'inscription ?
Once you have registered, you will receive a few emails over the coming months with a detailed welcome package and forms to complete.
YCI will provide you with all the resources and information you need leading up to departure to help you fundraise and prepare for the travel and trek itself!
L'acompte ou la collecte de fonds sont-ils remboursables si mes projets changent ?
No, the deposits or any funds raised are not refundable. We are working with an excellent company in Peru to facilitate the best trip possible for our group and early deposits are required for this process.
All additional funds that are raised are not refundable, as these are charitable donations that are tax receipted.
Are there age limits to join? Can kids participate?
There is no upper age limit to join YCI's Summit for Impact events. For the Peru event, children over the age of 16 who are accompanied by their parents or a guardian, are able to sign up as well.
Read the next question about fitness levels and altitude challenges to best inform your decision to sign up!
Quel est le niveau de forme physique requis pour l'ascension ?
A good level of fitness is required due to long days of walking, high altitude and rough terrain. People of all ages and backgrounds have completed this trek. Anyone who leads an active and moderately healthy lifestyle should be able to do it.
Altitude sickness can be one of the biggest challenges; this is why arriving at least 2-3 days earlier is important to help with acclimatizing and will help you to have a good trekking experience.
There are also several opportunities to pay small amounts to take trains/busses/mules for parts of the trek instead of walking, if necessary.
The more you exercise before the climb, the better, as it will give you that extra boost!
Que dois-je emporter ?
YCI fournira une liste de bagages détaillée, basée sur des années d'expérience, sur ce qu'il faut (et ce qu'il ne faut pas) emporter pour l'ascension. Cette liste fera partie de votre dossier de bienvenue.
Nous sommes également heureux de répondre à toute question spécifique concernant l'emballage pendant que vous vous préparez !
Peut-on louer du matériel pour l'ascension ?
Yes! Some essential equipment is available for low-cost rental and will be ready for you upon arrival in Peru. This includes walking poles and sleeping bags. You will fill out a form before the trip to let us know if you want to rent these items, or if you have your own.
Overnight bags for your belongings (sized for the weight limit carried by porters/mules), cloth snack bags (to avoid plastic) and rain covers will also be provided free of charge.
Où dormirons-nous pendant l'ascension ?
During the trek we will be staying in unique campsites and lodges that are adapted to the environment. Toilets and showers are available at each campsite.
- Day 1: Pre-trek and stay at hotel in Cusco
- Day 2: Sky Camp (glass igloos) are located in front of the mountains
- Day 3: Mountain Sky View camp is surrounded by tropical mountains and rocky rivers under the stars
- Day 4: Brand-new Jungle Domes allow you to immerse yourself in the green environment
- Day 5: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Day 6: Hotel in Cusco
Comment se dérouleront les repas pendant l'ascension ?
5 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches and 4 Dinners are included with the trekking company. They have incredible chefs that cook delicious, Peruvian inspired meals at each campsite along the way.
The following food and drink are also included:
• Filtered water during the hike
• Wake up tea
• Tea Time or Happy Hour
• Snacks on the trail daily
The team will accommodate allergies and food restrictions to the best of their ability. This information will be collected by the YCI team. Reach out to YCI if you have concerns.
Do we need a visa to enter Peru?
Under current policies, both Canadian et American citizens have visa-free entry to Peru for tourist purposes.
If you are from another Nationality or Citizenship, please research any entry requirements that may be needed in advance.
Ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity after the travel dates. It’s also wise to carry proof of onward travel or accommodations for a smooth process.
How is safety managed? Is Peru safe?
During your trek, safety is our number one priority. The guides are highly experienced at monitoring any health issues and can help you assess and respond to any issues.
YCI also provides emergency medical and evacuation insurance to cover each participant during the trek. More detailed information will be provided after registration.
La Tanzanie est en général un pays sûr et sans problèmes. Cela dit, vous devez prendre les précautions d'usage lorsque vous voyagez à l'étranger.
What are the guidelines for tipping on the trek?
Tipping is common practice for all the hard work guides, cooks and other support staff put into each trek (you will be amazed). YCI will arrange and collect an appropriate tipping amount (suggested by the trekking company head office) to give as a group near the end of the experience.
How can we be responsible tourists on the trek?
Nous avons soigneusement sélectionné une entreprise exceptionnelle pour diriger l'ascension qui suit des normes de voyage éthiques et durables.
It is important to use minimal plastic and leave no rubbish behind on the trek. We follow the local guidelines on cultural and environmental protection.
Y a-t-il d'autres façons de soutenir ou de s'impliquer dans YCI ?
YCI is always looking to grow and expand our network of talented and passionate individuals around the world who are committed to accelerating youth innovation.
You can check out current event and program opportunities with YCI here, or contact us directly if you are interested in exploring how to support in a different way. All job and board member opportunities are listed on our website here.
La collecte de fonds et les dons constituent un moyen important de soutenir YCI. En vous inscrivant à un événement, en faisant un don ou en vous inscrivant à un événement, vous pouvez soutenir YCI. créer son propre cercle d'impact pour la collecte de fonds (even without doing a trek) is a great way to contribute to youth innovation around the world!
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Photo: Climbers on the Salkantay Trek in Peru.
