Itinerary
(B)= breakfast / (L)= lunch / (D)= dinner
Day 1: Arrival LIMA
Assistance on your arrival in Lima and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to rest and prepare for starting your trip around this magical country. Overnight.
Day 2: LIMA / CUSCO - City Tour + 4 -Ruins (B)
Early in the morning, transfer to airport to take a flight to Cusco. Assistance on arrival in Cusco and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to take a short rest to be acclimatized to the altitude. In the afternoon, city tour of Cusco visiting the Main Square and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha. Then, drive out of the city to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built strategically on a hill overlooking Cusco; famous for its enormous carved stones joined with astounding precision to form the outer walls. Some of these stones stand over 9m / 30ft tall and weight over 350 tons. You will receive a briefing about the trail by the guide in our offices or in your hotel.
Day 3: Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Incas. (B) (L)
Excursion to the "Sacred Valley of the Incas", a succession of picturesque towns, agricultural terraces and archaeological sites. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, we’ll have the opportunity to bargain with vendors or stroll at the Pisac's typical Indian market, with a catholic mass service on Sunday (celebrated in Quechua, the native language).
Lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon pass through Calca and Urubamba towns to arrive to the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, which was built to guard the entry of this part of the valley and protect it from enemies of the lower jungles; consisting in a series of superimposed terraces of carved stones accessed by long staircases.
We will have the opportunity to walk through the quaint streets of the nearby town, religious and agricultural centre during the Inca Empire, and get a clear idea of the military strategy against possible invasions. On our way back to Cusco we will visit the picturesque Andean village of Chinchero where the remains of what was the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lies. Admire its well preserved Inca Wall at the Main Square, visit the beautiful colonial temple built on Inca foundations, with interesting frescoes on the portico. Back to Cusco in the afternoon. Overnight.
Day 4: Cusco – River Rafting. (B) (L)
Early in the morning we pick you up from your hotel and drive through the Andes to South part of Cusco to Chuquicahuana (1 hour half), here you will receive your safety talk and equipment and you have a fantastic opportunity to raft in some Class III and IV rapids. Here the rapids move and lot faster and they are constant Class III and IV for around 11 kms.
In the take out we dry off and change cloths, we will have a picnic tent lunch at the side of the river. (Toilet facilities). Return to Cusco and transfer your hotel.
Day 5: Cusco – Piscacucho – Wayllabamba Or Alternartive Trek (Salkantay, Lares) (B)(L)(D)
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning, to take bus to the city of Chilca to begin your trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After approximately three hours walking you will stop for lunch. Then you will continue walking towards your first camp at Wayllabamba, on the way you will have a guided tour of the archeological complex of Llactapata. Dinner and overnight in tents at the campsite.
Day 6: Wayllabamba - Warmiwañusca - Pacaymayo (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast, the toughest part of the trail begin, walking towards the highest point in the Inca Trail where you will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and will observe different types of microclimates. After a 3 hours walk you will reach the first pass, named Warmiwañusca or Dead Woman's Pass, at approximately 4,200 m.a.s.l. Here, you will have a tremendous feeling of achievement mixed with relief on reaching the top. After lunch you will continue your walking down to Pacaymayo where you will camp and have dinner.
Day 7: Pacaymayo - Puya Patamarka - Wiñay Huayna (B)(L)(D)
After breakfast start the descent towards the second most important pass of the trail at 3,850 m.a.s.l. having a guided visit at the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca. Continue your trekking towards Puya Patamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where lunch will be served. After a short break you will continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young) for a guided visit of this impressive archaeological complex with a spectacular setting. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 8: Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu - CUSCO (B)
After breakfast, have a very early start to arrive in time for sunrise at Machu Picchu. After a one hour walk through the forest towards the Inti Punku or the Gate of the Sun, also known as the Entrance Gate to Machu Picchu, where you will have the most impressive panoramic view of the citadel. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, three-hours guided tour around the citadel, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around, then you will meet with the rest of the group to drive by bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, transfer by train to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco transfer to your hotel. Overnight.
Included / Not Included
TOUR INCLUSIONS
All hotel and lodge accommodations based on double occupancy.
All scheduled transportation.
All transfers.
All scheduled excursions with English-speaking guide services.
All entrance fees.
Meals as specified in the itinerary.
NOT INCLUDED:
International Domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature, domestic flight.
Gallery of Photos
Galley Photos
