Trek Machu Picchu: Irulan’s story

In April 2026, a group of seven of us travelled to Peru to trek the Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu, raising money for Dorothy House along the way.

On paper, Trek Machu Picchu was an adventure challenge: two full days of travelling there and back, and eight days in Peru, high altitude trekking through the Andes, early mornings, steep climbs, challenging altitude, tired legs and eventually reaching Machu Picchu after four days on the trail. But the real reason we were there ran much deeper.

Although many of us had only briefly met before the trip, there was an immediate understanding and bond between us. Five members of the group had all experienced loss and were connected to Dorothy House in some way. Katy lost her husband Adrian, Kasia her husband Brian, and Ann her husband Kevin. I lost my brother Elton, while Marcus lost his wife, Sue. Amy had previously worked at Dorothy House, and brought along her friend Ellie to join the challenge and support the group.

We were incredibly lucky to be supported throughout by Liv from Different Travel, whose encouragement, genuine care and humour helped carry us through some of the toughest days, and our local guide Rolando, whose knowledge, warmth and passion for his country were inspirational.

Life on the trail

Over the course of eight days, we spent time in a traditional village, helping to harvest potatoes. We then crossed the Salkantay mountain pass at 4,630 metres above sea level, walking through cloud forests and remote villages, all while battling altitude sickness and navigating the physical challenge of the trek together.

The scenery in Peru was extraordinary, but it was the people around me, and knowing I was raising funds for Dorothy House, that made the experience unforgettable. Oh, and the food.

We ate incredible four-course meals in a tent on the side of a mountain. The support team included three chefs and four horsemen, and despite the conditions, we were unbelievably well looked after. But this wasn’t an easy trip. We slept in tents, walked through mud, wind and rain, battled altitude sickness and even descended from the Salkantay pass in the dark.

Trek Machu Picchu moments we’ll never forget

On the very first day of the trek, we saw a condor soaring above us, known in Incan culture as the messenger to the gods. It was a very moving moment for all of us. We spotted viscacha, often described as Peruvian chinchillas, hopping across the rocks, fed alpacas and llamas and I bought a bracelet in each town or village along the trail.

Some of the other highlights included reaching Humantay Lake early in the morning before anyone else arrived, giving us the entire place to ourselves and the chance to marvel at the perfect symmetry of the mountain’s reflection in the water. Reaching the top of the Salkantay pass after one of the toughest climbs many of us had ever faced. Walking through cloud forests felt slightly easier, however traversing landslides along the way was still testing. Then finally, seeing Machu Picchu for the first time was unforgettable.

There were moments where we laughed until we cried and cried until we laughed. Amy constantly kept us going with her enthusiasm and humour. Ann somehow managed to get caught out on every wild wee stop. Marcus dished out the best hugs just when you needed one. Kasia always looked immaculate and took the best selfies. Ellie stood in awe of the endless stars above us. Katy found me a pillow when I was struggling to sleep in a tent. Liv worked tirelessly whenever we found Wi-Fi. Each person brought a special part of themselves to the trek and helped create memories I know we’ll all treasure forever.

But some of the moments I’ll remember most were the quieter ones. Sharing stories around the table at the end of long days, talking openly about grief and the people we had lost and sharing our hopes and dreams for the future.

Of course, there was pride in completing the challenge itself. But there was also a strong sense that we had done something meaningful for the people we had lost, and for the hospice that had cared for them and supported our families through some of the hardest moments of our lives. Grief can feel incredibly isolating. This trip reminded me that connection can come from the most unexpected places.

One final step

Collectively, we’ve raised £46.4K for Dorothy House so far through Trek Machu Picchu, something all of us are hugely proud of. With £50K as our original goal, we’re hoping to take one final step and reach it. If you would like to help us reach that target, you can sponsor us here. You can also find out about the next Dorothy House trek, Trek Sahara, here.