INCA TRAIL TOUR AND MACHUPICCHU DISCOVERY

Overnight in LIMA (Altitude: Sea Level)
Meals: Breakfast

Overnight in LIMA (Altitude: Sea Level)
Meals: Breakfast

To get a real flavor for the country, you will be whisked around the wonderful city of Lima to discover the ancient and the modern seamlessly blended together. Your tour  begins in the lively seaside disctrict of Miraflores. There, you will visit the Huaca Pucllana archaeological site. Afterwards you will head to the historic center of town to see the Monastery of San Francisco where you can discover the twisting underground catacombs. You continue to the Plaza de Armas, a brilliant architectural open space. Finally we will take you through the bohemian disctrit of Barranco where you will enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean. After all this great culture and history you will be returned to the hotel to relax before your inca trail tour begins.

Overnight in CUSCO (Altitude: 3350 m. – 10991 ft)
Meals: Breakfast

You will be scorted to the airport where you will be flying inland on a domestic flight  to Cusco which only takes about one hour. Another representative will greet you and give you a cup of hot peruvian coca tea and some great information about the city and its history before checking into your next accommodation. Once you have dropped your bags off and settled in, you can start your own discovery of Cusco city. You can visit some of the many museums, pick up some authentic souveniers for family and friends before enjoying the tastes of Cusco in a restaurant for an evening meal. This evening you meet your trekking guide to get all the information regarding to your inca trail tour.

Overnight in CUSCO (Altitude: 3350 m. – 10991 ft)
Meals: Breakfast

Today you meet your guide to explore Cusco city and several Inca ruins surrounding it. In the heart of Cusco you will explore the magnificent Sun Temple, or Coricancha, whose inside stone walls were once concealed with gold leaf. We explore San PedroMarket, a hive of local trading activity, to experience the local life. A ten-minute drive will bring you to the vast sacred sanctuary of Sacsayhuaman, a huge inca complex that overlooks Cusco. It was constructed out of enormous rocks (some of them weighing about 30 tons) which all fit without mortar. Close by, you will visit Qenqo, an ancient worship site that showcases evidence of the inca’s impressive talent for carving.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo (Altitude: 2950 m. – 9800 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today will see you visiting mountainous towns and villages to get a real feel for how the past civilization in this has influenced the modern peoples. We stop in Chinchero for a weaving demonstration. It is well known for its traditional women weavers that still design the ancient patterns. They use only natural alpaca fiber, natural dyes from plants and the cochineal bug that creates red dye, to manufacture high quality textiles. After this enriching experience, you visit Maras salt pans to behold the fascinating system of platforms used since the days of the Incas to extract salt from a natural salty spring. Furthermore, we stop for an Andean lunch in a beautiful location before visiting the circular stone terraces of Moray, an archaeological site used by the Incas for adaptation of crops to high altitude. Finally you will then be scorted to your hotel for the evening.

Overnight in Wayllabamba (Altitude:3000 m. – 10000 ft)
Meals: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

We will depart from Ollantaytambo by bus to Piscacucho – the starting point of the inca trail tour. A gentle hike is on the agenda today as you begin to acclimatize to the surroundings altitudes. You will get to see some amazing sights as you meander around the hillsides. Walk by the ancient hilltop fort of Huillcaraqay and the beautiful inca site of Llactapata. Along the way, you will take in stunning views of the snow-capped Veronica peak. This truly is hiking and camping with a difference. You will be part of a team who caters to your Inca trail to Machu Picchu experience in spectacular fashion. They will carry everything from the tents and cooking equipment to a portable toilet!

Overnight in Pacaymayo (Altitude: 3600 m. – 12300 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

An early start is required today and after breakfast the inca trail tour begins and lasts for a full 9 km. Day two will entail the most difficult part of the trek as we climb up to Warmiwañusca, or Dead  Woman’s pass (4200 m, 13500 ft). Here, the trail changes from dirt to steps and stone pathways and marks the true beggining of the historic Inca Trail. You will see the vegetation change as you ascend, and both llama and alpacas can be seen in the local area as you appoach the mountain pass. At the close of the day two, we will make a steep descent into the valley below to our campsite at Pacaymayo.

Overnight in Wiñaywayna (Altitude: 2600 m. – 8200 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A long but rewarding day awaits you!. Today you can expect a flurry of natural history and human civilization in equal measures. Not only will you see archaeological sites, but also the best flora and fauna the inca trail tour has to offer. Your day will unfold like this:

· Ascend from Pacaymayo to Abra Runkurakay.

· Descend to Yanacocha, enter the cloud forest before arriving at Sayacmarca.

· Ascend to Abra Phuyupatamarca via an Inca tunnel carved into the rock.

· Descend to Wiñaywayna where you’ll camp for the final night.

This section of the Inca trail tour to Machu Picchu is possibly one of the most spectacular around and we ensure your experience exceeds any expectations you have at every twist and turn. A truly memorable day!!

Overnight in CUSCO (Altitude: 3350 m. – 10991 ft)
Meals: Breakfast

On the fourth day of this inca trail tour you will leave the camp at sunrise and climb up to the Sun Gate named Intipunku. From this amazing vantage point, the best views of the valley can be seen before descending straight into that ancient city of Machu Picchu. You will be given a very informative tour of the site and you will have the chance to ask any burning questions to your knowledgeable tour guide.

After this, you have a few free hours to do whatever you like- explore the surrounding views from different vantage points, climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or visit the Inca Bridge. You will then descend to the close town of Aguas Calientes where you can relax in the hot springs before jumping on the train back to Cusco.

Meals: Breakfast

You will be taken back to the airport in Cusco for your flight to Lima, and from there continue your journey to the rest of South America or catch a connecting flight back home. Whatever you decide to do next, we know that your vacation in Machu Picchu will be one you will never forget. End of our services