TREKKING THROUGH THE HEART OF PERU WITH CHASING SUMMITS!

OUR JOURNEY BEGINS - THE INCA TRAIL - MACHU PICCHU - SEPTEMBER 2025

THE JOUNEY BEGINS – FROM THE UK TO CUSCO

There’s something about arriving in Cusco that hits you right in the chest — maybe it’s the altitude, or maybe it’s the energy of a city that still hums with ancient Inca spirit. After leaving the UK on the 11th of September 2025, our group touched down in Cusco on the 26th, ready to begin our acclimatisation and our long-awaited Peru adventure.

We spent our first few days exploring the cobbled streets, taking an open-top bus around the city, and soaking up its vibrant atmosphere. Llamas on street corners, panpipes echoing through the plazas, and colours so vivid they make your camera work overtime — Cusco is the perfect warm-up for what lies ahead.


EXPLORING CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY

Our journey through the Sacred Valley began in Pisac, an archaeological wonder that feels almost suspended in time. The terraced ruins climb the mountainsides like giant steps to the sky — a living example of Inca engineering at its finest. After exploring the site, we wandered through the colourful artisan market below, stalls overflowing with hand-woven textiles, jewellery, and ceramics.

Next came Chinchero, a traditional Andean village famous for its textiles and deep Quechua roots. We visited local weaving families who still use centuries-old techniques, dyeing wool with natural plants and creating intricate patterns that tell their stories. Feeding llamas and alpacas was a highlight for everyone — equal parts hilarious and heart-warming.

Our final stop was the Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras) — thousands of salt pools carved into the mountainside, glimmering in the afternoon sun. These pre-Incan terraces are still operated by local families, and the view across the valley is simply unforgettable.

That evening, we returned to Cusco for a good night’s rest before the challenge we’d all been waiting for.


THE INCA TRAIL – A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY

The traditional four-day Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu is more than just a hike — it’s a spiritual pilgrimage. Each step takes you deeper into Peru’s past, through cloud forests, high mountain passes, and ancient ruins hidden in the mist.

From the tough climb over Dead Woman’s Pass (the highest point of the trail at 4,215 m) to quiet moments shared among our group, every day brought something new — laughter, challenge, and awe.

Reaching the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at dawn on the final day is pure magic. The clouds part, and suddenly there it is — Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, glowing in the morning light. That moment never fails to take my breath away, no matter how many times I’ve guided it.


MACHU PCCHU – THE LOST CITY REVEALED

Our guided tour of Machu Picchu brought the ruins to life — temples perfectly aligned with the sun, terraces clinging to the mountainside, and stories of how this extraordinary civilisation thrived.

When it was time to leave, we boarded the glass-roofed train through the Sacred Valley, watching snow-tipped peaks and lush green hills roll by. It’s the most relaxing way to end such an intense journey.

That evening, we returned to Cusco for well-earned rest, good food, and one last night of laughter with the group.


RAINBOW MOUNTAIN – PERU'S HIDDEN GEM

As if the Inca Trail wasn’t enough, the next morning we set out for Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) — one of the most spectacular day hikes in South America. At over 5,000 m, it’s a serious climb, but every step is rewarded with surreal, striped mountain scenery that looks painted by hand.

Standing at the summit, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and those unbelievable colours, it’s impossible not to feel humbled. After descending, we stopped for a buffet lunch before heading back to Cusco — tired, exhilarated, and full of gratitude.


REFLECTIONS FROM THE ANDES

Some clients chose to stay on in Cusco a few extra days to unwind and soak it all in. Others headed home, tackling the 20-hour flight back to the UK — but every one of them left changed.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain isn’t just an adventure. It’s a reminder of what humans can do when we push beyond our comfort zones.

For me, guiding this trek is pure joy — watching people discover their strength, form lifelong friendships, and stand on top of the world with tears in their eyes and pride in their hearts.


READY FOR YOUR OWN PERUVIAN ADENTURE?

Join me and the team at Chasing Summits for our next expedition to Peru. Whether it’s your first big trek or another mountain to add to your list, this journey will stay with you forever.

Dates so far in 2026 - 17th April and the 18th September.

✨ Challenge. Connect. Conquer.
📩 Start your adventure: www.chasingsummits.co.uk/inca-trail

MOUNT TOUBKAL - A JOURNEY TO THE ROOF OF NORTH AFRICA

By Nicola Brown • November 30, 2025
OCTOBER 2025 - CHASING SUMMITS ADVENURES

Climbing Within - How Physical Challenges Forge Emotional Intelligence

By Nicola Brown • July 3, 2025
There’s something transformative about standing on a summit, breathless and sweat-soaked, gasing out over ridgelines and valleys below. It’s not just the view that takes your breath away—it’s the emotional clarity that comes from the climb itself. At Chasing Summits , we know first-hand how mountains do more than just challenge the body; they awaken the mind and strengthen the soul. Physical challenges—particularly those faced in the great outdoors—have a powerful way of building emotional intelligence. The Mountain as a Mirror When you're on a tough ascent—say up Scafell Pike , England’s highest peak, or navigating the awe-inspiring route to Snowdon via Crib Goch —your true self shows up. Fatigue strips away the layers. Every step forces you to face your limits, your thoughts, your inner dialogue. There’s no signal, no distraction—just you, your team, and the trail. This intensity encourages emotional awareness . You learn to notice how fear, frustration, and doubt creep in. More importantly, you learn to manage them. You become familiar with your internal landscape just as much as the physical one surrounding you. This is emotional intelligence in action - recognising what you feel, understanding why, and managing your response to keep moving forward. Resilience and Regulation Climbing isn’t easy. Neither is life. But mountains teach us resilience like nothing else. A day trek in the Lake District , for instance, can be unpredictable—weather can turn, paths can vanish, and plans can shift. It’s in these moments that emotional regulation becomes crucial. You learn to breathe through the panic, to make calm decisions, and to re-centre yourself under pressure. These are the very same skills that help us handle stress in everyday life—at work, in relationships, and in our own mental health battles. Empathy and Team Spirit One of the most beautiful aspects of expedition life is the people you meet along the way. Whether you're on a private guided hike with us or joining one of our open group adventures , you’re not climbing alone. Mountains create a shared struggle, a collective experience that binds strangers together. Encouraging someone who's ready to give up, or accepting support when you're the one struggling, naturally fosters empathy. You develop patience, compassion, and the ability to read the emotional needs of others. These are key pillars of emotional intelligence, and they flourish in the raw, honest environment of the trail. Mindfulness in Motion For many of us, including our founder Nic, the mountains offer peace. The mind goes quiet. The noise of modern life fades away and all that remains is the rhythmic crunch of boots on rock and the steady beat of your heart. It’s a form of mindfulness—present, grounded, and connected. Take our Ben Nevis Challenge , for instance. As the UK’s highest mountain, it requires focus, grit, and respect. But it also gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself in a way few experiences can. You leave the peak changed—stronger, calmer, more self-aware. More Than a Climb At Chasing Summits, we don’t just guide you up a mountain—we guide you into a deeper connection with yourself. Whether it’s a short day hike or a more demanding expedition like the Welsh 3000s Challenge , every route is an opportunity to build confidence, self-awareness, and emotional strength. The next time you find yourself craving clarity or feeling overwhelmed by life’s chaos, consider heading to the hills. Your body will feel the burn, yes—but your mind and heart will thank you for it.  Ready to start your journey within? Explore our guided hikes and challenges at www.chasingsummits.co.uk and discover how the outdoors can reshape your inner world—one summit at a time.
No better place to be than in Nepal for Everest Base Camp

CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING THROUGH OUTDOOR CHALLENGES: UNLOCKING TEAM POTENTIAL

By Nicola Brown • May 2, 2025
Corporate team building in the growing technological work environment nowadays has changed from more traditional office activities to something more engaging and meaningful that is more about creating bonds among employees. Among aspects that can be witnessed in boosting a team, trust and communication lie outdoor challenges – in which participants take their activities outside the office and into nature. For example, outdoor hiking activities can offer a team something that indoor exercises simply cannot provide if they wish to bring every small piece together. The Power of Outdoor Challenges for Corporate Teams Outdoor team challenges hold strong promises of exciting and new experiences for teams. Hiking is perhaps the most popular such outdoor activity. It is more than just attending the meetings in their meeting rooms: much happens outside as employees interact in an informal atmosphere where teamwork is natural. Whether climbing a rough trail or trying to figure out the solution to a problem together, outdoor challenges help to create opportunities for collaboration and communication, two of the most important skills that a team needs in any workplace. Strengthening Team Bonding Team bonding is one of the major advantages of outdoor challenges. At the workplace, employees tend to interact with each other within the parameters of assigned roles, tasks, or projects, which limits their opportunity for more genuine personal bonding. Outdoor activities eliminate these constraints. Hiking or some other physical challenge provides team members the opportunity to view each other through a more personal lens during moments of vulnerability, triumph, and support. Such memories forge stronger personal bonds, which translate into a tighter, better-working team in the office. Improved Communication and Collaboration Something more important than communication is an internal challenge. Teams will need to work closely as they find their way around whatever it is they have to do. Suggestions may have to be given, directions may have to be given, or encouragement will be offered to others. For example, a team trekking needs to be communicating to be able to summit. This whole scenario really mimics real life, transforming the problem-solving and collaborating in real time into learning skills transferable to the workplace, where clear communication and teamwork are really vital for success. Enhancing Leadership and Trust Another fruitful arena to foster leadership characteristics and engender trust in the group is outdoors. Employees are put into situations where they must rely on each other’s strengths and talents to accomplish a common goal. Limited knowledge of the individuals in question and the sometimes unpredictable nature of these conditions give rise to natural leaders: not necessarily those of the highest rank but those who are capable of intentionally and successfully motivating, guiding, and supporting the others in the terrain. It is here that all leaders in the team's eyes have a multitude of meanings, be it putting their hand up to lead through a crisis or carrying valuable insight at a moment when it is most needed. Here too is where the work of instilling trust goes on, for team members learn to rely on one another and carry shared responsibility for success. Boosting Mental and Physical Wellbeing It’s no secret that spending time outdoors is good for the mind and body. Fresh air, physical exercise, and exposure to nature have been proven to reduce stress and increase happiness. For a corporate team, these outdoor challenges provide a much-needed break from the daily grind, recharging the group and improving overall wellbeing. Hiking and other outdoor activities also encourage physical activity, which has been linked to improved focus and productivity once back at work. It’s a win-win situation. Chasing Summits: Your Partner in Corporate Team Building If you’re looking for an unforgettable team-building experience, look no further than Chasing Summits. Specialising in outdoor adventures designed to bring corporate teams together, they offer bespoke hiking challenges tailored to your team’s specific needs. Whether you're looking to enhance communication, foster leadership, or simply enjoy a day out in nature, Chasing Summits provides an environment that encourages growth and connection. Their expert guides ensure that every challenge is not only physically rewarding but also mentally stimulating, making for a truly enriching experience that will stay with your team long after the day is over. Ready to Transform Your Team? Corporate team building is about more than just fun activities – it’s about creating real connections, fostering trust, and developing skills that benefit both the team and the organisation. Outdoor challenges like hiking offer the perfect opportunity to do just that. If you’re ready to take your team on a transformative journey, visit Chasing Summits today to learn more about their tailored outdoor challenges for corporate teams. Get outside, get active, and watch your team thrive!