| |
Day 1: Lima
|
Arrival in Lima. Pick up and transfer to your lodge, the Hotel or similar, located in downtown central Lima. This is a beautiful colonial home in the colonial heart of Lima and a great base to explore the museums and historical sites of the capital (depending on your time of arrival).
Day 2: Lima – Cusco (B)
After an early breakfast, we will take you to the airport for your short flight to Cuzco. After the 1 hour flight, you will land in heady Cusco (3400m or 11,000 feet). We will pick you up and transfer you to your lodge, the Hostel or similar, located in the centre of Cusco. This lovely lodge for example is located in the San Blas region of Cusco and is the ideal starting point for your visit to the ancient capital of the Incas. Lunch on your own (we recommend something light on your first day at high altitude).
Free day to explore Cusco and to acclimatize to the altitude.
|
|
Day 3: Cusco (B)
In the early afternoon, you will start a fully guided visit with an English speaking guide to the four ruins outside of Cusco, the Sacsayhuaman Fortress; Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay. Also included in the tour will be the Main Square, the Cathedral and the Koricancha Sun Temple. Free evening to enjoy Cusco, its bars and restaurants and its bustling nightlife.
Day 4: Sacred Valley (B & L)
A healthy breakfast before pick up for your full-day tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The tour is best on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays (because the markets are busier) although this tour runs every day of the week. Our first visit will be to Pisac, founded during Colonial times. Free time to shop or simply watch the locals going by their everyday lives. After the visit, we will have a great buffet lunch with emphasis on locally grown organic produce in the Urubamba. After lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the ancient Inca town with impressive ruins built into the mountain side. Return to Cusco. Briefing on your fantastic adventure of a lifetime, the up and coming Inca Trail. Tonight we recommend an early night to prepare ourselves for the coming days of adventure.
Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included on the trek)
Day 5. Cusco - Wayllabamba (B, L & D)
After an early morning breakfast, trip to Chilca by bus, to meet with your Quechua porters.
Cross the turbulent Vilcanota River, with magnificent views of Mount Veronica (5,900m/19,000ft) where you will continue the expedition admiring the Llactapata archaeological site, and stopping at the Huayllabamba river for lunch. Visit the sites of Patallacta, Qente, and the valley of Cusichaca and the magical Polylepsis forest. Overnight on the trail with dinner.
Day 6. Wayllabamba – Pacaymayu (B, L & D)
Today is the toughest days of the trek as you climb up through the first pass at 4,200 m/13,750 feet at Warmiwanusqa. Passing 3 ecological zones such as the Yunga, Quechua and Puna, you will climb 1000 metres in 5 hours. Today camp and dinner near Pacaymayu.
 |
Day 7. Pacaymayu – Winaywayna (B, L & D)
After breakfast, trek down through the valley of Pacaymayu, today. the longest but not the hardest day of the trek. Visit the famous archaeological site of Runquraqay. Continue to the second pass and the restored town site of Sayaqmarka ("Town in a Steep Place") and explore the ruins. The Inca Trail in this section is a white granite roadway, traversing a thickly forested mountainside. Descend to the magnificent archeological Phuyupatamarka ("Cloud Level Town") and have lunch. Descend to Winaywayna where a visit of the ruins and dinner will conclude the day.
Day 8. Winaywayna – Machu Picchu (B)
Early morning wake up at 4:30 a.m. for breakfast and to begin the trek to be the first at the archaeological site of Machu Picchu for the sunrise. Descend rapidly from cloud forest into high jungle habitat. Orchids and hummingbirds are commonly seen along this spectacular section of the trail high above the river. Arrive at Intipunko "Gate of the Sun" to observe the sunrise over Machu Picchu from an elevated vantage point. Continue down to the royal road and at last the awesome Machu Picchu, "Lost City of the Incas". A guided tour of the marvelous city visiting the Main |
| Plaza, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of Three Windows, the Circular Tower and the Sacred Sun Dial and Burial Grounds. After the guided tour, you can enjoy the early afternoon a leisure in the site. In the afternoon, return to Cuzco by train. Pickup and transfer to your hotel. |
Day 9: Cusco – Lima (B)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima. Arrival to Lima airport for your connecting flight home or if you have several hours spare, we can arrange a transfer into Lima for you (enquire about this when booking).
End of services.
|
|
