Perth work colleagues Grant Ager and Susan Bell shrugged off rain-lashed days and altitude sickness to reach Machu Picchu in Peru.
The Fairfield Housing Co-operative pair’s efforts have raised more than £11,000 for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Scotland.
They formed part of a 27-strong team which signed up for a challenging six-day trek to Peru’s Unesco World Heritage Site.
After the long-haul flight to Lima, they flew on to Cusco before facing a four-hour bus journey and an exhausting first-day tester trek to reach 4,200 metres.
Mr Ager, 51, chief executive of Fairfield Housing, said: “There were tough times along the way but it was amazing reaching Machu Picchu.
“I have to admit I was quite emotional. The Inca capital was even more spectacular than the photographs I had seen.
“People have been incredibly generous with their sponsorship so my biggest fear had been the slagging I would take from mates if I failed to make it or had to be helped onto a mule along the way.”
He continued: “The Salkantay Pass, at 4,650 metres, is actually higher than Machu Picchu and there was an 11-hour final day on the trail. Guys who had been up Kilimanjaro said this was tougher but we had excellent leaders and a team pushing on ahead to set up the tents and prepare meals.
“They were needed because you were using up thousands of calories a day.
“We had plenty of company when we reached our destination because it’s a major tourist attraction. But we had time to take in one of the wonders of the world and reflect on achieving our goal.”
Mother-of- two Mrs Bell, 37, was thrilled to eclipse the initial £6,000 fundraising target, with contributions still flowing in.
“We helped push each other on,” she said.
“Everyone was determined to complete the journey.
“The first few days were horrendous because altitude meant you were left breathless by the simplest of tasks. It was pouring down as we progressed through the Cloud Forest so getting anything dry at the overnight campsites was a challenge.
“Temperatures dropped to minus five overnight but thankfully the weather improved because the terrain was rough at times.”
The challenge was inspired by political researcher Gordon Aikman as he promoted awareness of MND before succumbing to the condition earlier this year at the age of 31.
The Scottish group’s Peruvian expedition has generated £142,000 in total.
Donations can be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/companyteams/GrantandsusanMachuPicchu or by phoning 01738 630738.
