Don’t take our word for it!

Below are tales of their adventures to help you find out what you might be letting yourself in for and whet your appetite.

Angie Fisher - Inca Trail - Machu Picchu (Peru Trek)

I travelled to Cusco, Peru on the 5th August and after 3 flights taking more than 24 hurs, arrived at our destination where we would stay for 2 nights.

Cusco is one of the most well known cities of the ancient world with a population of 500,000 and is at an altitude of 3400m. Myself and colleagues suffered with headaches for the first couple of days, I’m not sure if it was altitude sickness or lack of caffeine (I forgot my English tea) and hours of travelling on aircrafts. After drinking Coca tea to help with the altitude my head had cleared by the time we commenced the start of the Inca trail on day three.

In a party of 29, plus our Global guide Stuart and four Peruvian guides headed by Willow, we started the four day trek. The first night we camped at 3000m and after a warm day of shorts and 11km uphill, the temperature dropped as the sun went down and night quickly descended upon us. Head torches were essential as we acclimatised to the cold and dark and crawling around the 2 men tents. We were able to wash with warm water and received pre dinner snacks and a lovely campsite meal cooked by the porters. My colleague hadn’t camped since being a child but really enjoyed the experience.

Day two was the most challenging as we climbed to 3,600m to Pacaymayo, definitely required some fitness and many of the group found it challenging. There were some tears and laughter but those who found it hard also felt they had achieved so much by the time we reached camp. Once dinner was over, everyone retired to bed by 8.30 pm. Porters would wake you up at 5.00 am each day with a cup of Coca tea and another bowl of water for washing. We would leave camp each day at 7 am.

On day four of the Trail and after a lot of stone steps ascending and descending we finally arrive at Sungate where the first sighting of Machu Picchu is seen and it feels spiritual as you individually go through the Sun Gate. Indeed most people had a tear in their eyes. Machu Picchu was so spectacular sitting among the Andes, I could imagine living there as an Inca with all their mysteries and beliefs.

I saw many Inca archaeology sites during the trip and hearing the history of the Incas was so amazing. The views were outstanding and the colours and cultures of Latin America were so different to what I have ever experienced. Global Challenges were well organised and the guides all excellent. The 10 people from LOROS and others in the challenged all gelled really well and will remain always in my memories. I can definitely recommend others to complete a challenge on behalf of LOROS.

Paul and Nicola – Cycling Vietnam to Cambodia

“When I saw an invitation by LOROS to ride a bike from Vietnam into Cambodia, finishing the challenge at the Angkor temples, I couldn’t resist.

“Both countries, and specifically Angkor Wat, were on my ‘bucket list’. Combine that with the chance to raise money for LOROS and it was a case of ‘So, at 57 years old - if you’re not going to do it now, when will you?’”

“Nicola, my 20-year-old daughter, joined up too in memory of Joyce, my mum and her grandma, who was cared for at LOROS over 10 years ago.

“Several months of training followed, around the lanes and cycle tracks of Staffordshire and in the gym at Staffordshire University.

“Cycling started at Ho Chi Minh City (formally Saigon), through the Mekong Delta, alongside rice paddies and through coconut groves. We then crossed the border to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, by speedboat! Nicola visited the Genocide Museum there and I visited one of the Killing Fields. Both were emotionally draining experiences. From Phnom Penh, we made our way further up the river basin to Angkor.

“The temples at Angkor quite literally took my breath away”, said Paul. “Along the way we were welcomed by local people and many children in both countries, ate snake in Vietnam and had the chance to try sautéed Tarantula in Cambodia!

“This was an absolutely amazing experience – two beautiful countries and beautiful, smiley people living in areas with such a troubled past.

“Back to back – this was the best 12 days of my life,”said Paul.

“I was completely overwhelmed when we finished this challenge”, added Nicola.

Gail and Tom – Sahara Trek...

Gail and Tom trekked an incredible 65 miles in the Sahara desert, raising almost £5,000 in aid of LOROS.

Their gruelling six day Sahara Trek challenge began with a five hour bus journey to the Sahara Desert and then a three hour trek to where they were to set up camp.

After sleeping outside under the stars they walked for five hours on their second day, six on the next.

By the fourth day Gail had ruptured her Achilles and the temperature had risen to over 40°C. But despite the tough conditions, scorpions and sand storms, Gail and Tom pushed on.

Tom wanted to complete the trek to give back to the charity that helped and supported both of his grandparents when they were terminally ill with cancer.

Gail talked about the experience, “We both felt very emotional and fulfilled that we had completed an incredible challenge and raised money for our local Hospice.”

To find out more about our upcoming treks and free information evenings please visit loros.co.uk/bucketlist. To request a trek brochure, let us know if you would like to attend an information evening, or find out more information about our overseas treks please email challenges@loros.co.uk, or call us on (0116) 231 8431.