P04 - INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU

9 days / 8 nights -- from US$ 0.-- / EUR 0.-- The most complete short trip to the Cusco region, combining ancient history and living culture. An exploration of the political and religious capital of the Incas: Qosqo (the “Navel of the Earth”), whose temples and palaces became the foundations of magnificent Spanish neo-Baroque churches. High above the city’s main square, we explore the magnificent Sacsayhuaman archaeological park and then visit the monumental sites of Ollantaytambo and Pisac in the Sacred Valley. Continuing our pilgrimage in the land of the Incas, we hike the famous Inca Trail to Machupicchu, the timeless and enigmatic city lost for centuries amid lush tropical vegetation, along a route regarded as one of the world’s ten best treks due to its ecological diversity and wealth of archaeological treasures. Ancient stone pathways lead us to archaeological remains, through a unique landscape filled with fascinating flora and fauna and surrounded by great snow-wreathed peaks.

ITINERARY DAY 1: LIMA - CUSCO (Free Day) Flight Lima-Cusco, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Free day for acclimatizing (3300 mts/10’900 ft) and optional visits. Afternoon briefing regarding the tour and for those interested a demonstration of how to prepare the typical Peruvian cocktail: Pisco Sour. Overnight in Cusco. DAY 2: CUSCO (Sacsayhuaman) Today we visit the impressive Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, once the Inca “House of the Sun”, with temples, palaces and important astronomical observatories. Many of the stones which form the walls weigh up to 200 tons and were placed with incredible precision. In the late afternoon we visit the Centre of Native Art to enjoy typical music and dances of the region. Overnight in Cusco. (B) DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS Early morning bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way we visit a weaving centre/museum, where the local weavers explain the textile making process from shearing, spinning and dying with plant extracts to the actual weaving. We continue our tour with a visit to the archaeological site of Pisaq, fascinating for its location and architecture. We will have plenty of time to explore this beautiful place. After visiting the colorful handicraft market in the village of Pisac, we enjoy a delicious lunch in the valley. In the afternoon we drive to the typical village of Ollantaytambo, often described as a living museum, for the descendants of the Incas continue to live in the houses built by their ancestors. Overnight in Ollantaytambo. (B/L) DAY 4: INCA TRAIL: KM 82 - HUAYLLABAMBA Early morning scenic bus ride to the start of our hike at Km 82 from where we follow an easy path along the Urubamba River towards the first archaeological site Llaqtapata (2650 mts/8’750 ft). After a rest we continue into the side valley of Cusichaca, where we enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we follow the Cusichaca Creek on a gentle climb to our first camp at the village of Huayllabamba (3000 mts/9’900 ft). (L/D) DAY 5: INCA TRAIL: HUAYLLABAMBA - PACASMAYO After an early breakfast we start our long and steep climb up to Warmiwañusca Pass (4200 mts/13’900 ft) which is the highest point on our hike. The ascent leads through different ecological levels that offer a variety of orchids and birds (many endemic to the area). From the summit we can view the second pass, the ruins of Runcuracay and our camp down in the valley which we will reach after a 2 hour descent. On a clear day the camp offers fantastic views towards the glaciers of Mount Veronica. (B/L/D) DAY 6: INCA TRAIL: PACASMAYO - WIÑAYWAYNA Today is the most diverse day of our adventure. We start in the morning with the climb up to the second pass at Runcuracay (3900 mts/12’900 ft) that offers fantastic views of the Vilcabamba Range with its glaciers, weather permitting. A 2 hour descent brings us to the fascinating archaeological site of Sayacmarca. After exploring this beautiful construction we continue - now on original Inca stone path - through high cloud forest with its lush vegetation, offering glimpses of waterfalls, valleys, canyons and glaciers like Salkantay. In the afternoon we arrive on the last high pass, Phuyupatamarca (3600 mts/11’900 ft), from where we get our first glimpse of Machupicchu and start the long and steep descent (over Inca staircases) towards the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, considered one of the most beautiful sites in the area due to its location and architecture. (B/L/D) DAY 7: INCA TRAIL: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHUPICCHU After breakfast we say goodbye to our Quechuan porters and continue our hike through high cloud forest with its diverse flora and fauna towards the famous Sungate or Intipunku. From here we can enjoy the first and best view of the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machupicchu (2400 mts/8’000 ft). We enjoy this enigma in a guided tour and will have some free time to explore the site individually before we descend to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon. Here we can choose to relax in the natural hot springs and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel. (B) DAY 8: MACHUPICCHU – CUSCO Free day to explore the site of Machupicchu optionally or do some hikes in the area. Afternoon train ride back to Cusco, transfer to the hotel and overnight. (B) DAY 9: CUSCO-LIMA Transfer Htl-Apt. for national flight Cusco-Lima and international connections. (B) OUR SERVICE INCLUDES: Transportation: 2 national flights Lima - Cusco - Lima Accommodation: 5 nights hotel (3-4*, double rooms) and 3 nights camping (double tents) Tours: As mentioned incl. transport, bilingual guide and entrance fees Inca Trail: Bilingual guide, cook, porters (in private service for personal gear too), entrance fees to national park & sanctuary of Machupicchu, camping equipment (double-, dining- and kitchen-tents, mats, etc.), Bus ticket Machupicchu-Aguas Calientes (roundtrip), Train ticket Aguas Calientes-Cusco and transfers Cusco Included Meals: All breakfasts, 1 lunch and full board on Inca Trail NOT INCLUDED: International flights, airport taxes, sleeping bags, not mentioned or optional tours/meals and extra services such as tips SEASON: March-January (during February the Inca Trail is closed for maintenance) DURATION: 9D/8N Lima - Lima FITNESS-LEVEL: Active strong (4200 mts/14’000 ft) DEPARTURE DATES 2012: Daily (Check Availability) TRIP COST 2012 2-3 Participants 4+ Participants Single Supplement Tours in Group Service English US$ 0.--/Pers. EUR 0.--/Pers. US$ 0.--/Pers. EUR 0.--/Pers. US$ 0.-- EUR 0.-- Private Service English US$ 0.--/Pers. EUR 0.--/Pers. US$ 0.--/Pers. EUR 0.--/Pers. US$ 0.-- EUR 0.-- Extra Porter: US$ 120.-- (€ 85.--) / Student Discount: US$ 40.-- ( € 30.--) For special group discounts or customized tours contact us: info@culturasperu.com PRINT THIS PAGE BOOK THIS TRIP