Machu Picchu trek FAQs

How much do I have to raise?
There is a non-refundable registration fee of £199 and a minimum sponsorship of £3,100. £2,000 is due ten weeks before the event and the remaining £1,100 is due five weeks before the event. Once you have signed up for a Scope event, we will send you a comprehensive sponsor pack and Scope’s experienced fundraising staff have lots of ideas to help you. You can choose to fundraise the full amount, pay it yourself or do a bit of both.

How do I go about raising the minimum sponsorship?
Once you have signed up for a Scope event, we will send you a comprehensive sponsor pack to make your fundraising as easy as possible. Have a look at our fundraising tips page for a few ideas. Scope's experienced fundraising staff are only a phone call away and have lots of ideas to help you.

What happens if I can't raise the money?
If you cannot raise the money we will ask you to make up the balance yourself, in order to keep your place on the event. If you do have to cancel from the event, we can refund your sponsor money directly to your donors if required. Please do phone us for advice and ideas, if you are experiencing difficulties.

Why would people want to sponsor me to take part in a Scope challenge?
Because not only are you dedicating your spare time to fundraising the minimum sponsorship, which is a challenge in itself, you are also undertaking a difficult and intense physical challenge, which will require lots of training, plus both physical mental strength whilst on the trip itself. If Scope didn't have people like you raising such vast sums of money for us then we wouldn't be able to support as many disabled people as we currently do.

How much do the events cost?
There are costs for travel, accommodation, equipment and guides. Some of the event costs will be met from your registration fee and the remainder will come from part of your sponsorship. This varies according to the destination and full details are included in the information pack for each event. If you feel unhappy that part of the money raised is used to meet your costs, you may like to think about paying a part or all of the costs yourself. Please make sure your sponsors are aware that part of their sponsor money may be used to meet costs.

What is covered by the minimum sponsorship?
Flights, transfers, all meals apart from during ‘free time’, all accommodation, UK and local guides, doctor and support team, trek and park fees.

What is not included in the minimum sponsorship?
Travel insurance, personal kit, local airport taxes, tips for guides.

Do I get a chance to meet other people before we go?
We organise an Information Day a few months ahead of each trip. This is a really good opportunity to talk about fundraising, meet other Scope participants and hear more about the event itself from the tour operator. You can also join the Facebook group for your event and start getting to know people this way.

What's the average age of people on the events?
We have participants of all ages from 18 - 70. The majority will be between 25 and 55.

How do I know what kit to bring?
We'll provide you with a packing checklist detailing everything you'll need. This will include good trekking boots and a sleeping bag.

Will I be able to keep up?
Your event is not meant to be a race - the aim is to finish, at your pace. You don't need to be an athlete but you should be aware that Scope events are designed to suit people who are reasonably fit and have trained to take part.

What's a typical day like whilst camping on an event?
After an early wake-up call you'll be brought tea/coffee and a warm bowl of hot washing water to your tent. You'll then have breakfast with the rest of the group in the mess tent and get ready to start trekking by about 8am. You'll trek for about four hours in the morning stopping frequently for water breaks and rest stops before having lunch with a break for at least an hour. You'll then trek for a further 3/4 hours before getting back into camp, where you'll have a chance to relax and unwind with the rest of the group before dinner, and then after a hard day, you'll be ready for an early bed.

How much training will I need?
This challenge requires a good level of fitness to walk the route and will be at high altitude. Therefore, we recommend that you undertake a training programme so that you are confident you can take on this challenge.

How safe are the events?
We work with extremely reputable UK-based tour operators, who are experts in organising charity events overseas (check out our partners pages). A representative from the tour operator, plus Scope staff, accompanies every trip and the events are led by experienced, English-speaking local guides. A doctor or medic accompanies the ten-day treks and bike rides.

Can I extend my stay after an event?
Yes. We will put you in touch with the tour operator, Action Challenge, once you have signed up to make any travel arrangements. You will need to get in touch with them well in advance and remember places may be limited.