Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival to Cusco, Inka Museum and Koricancha
Shuttle from the airport to hotel. The rest of the morning will be reserved for resting to adapt to the altitude – approximately 3400 meters (11,000 feet). In the afternoon you'll will visit the Inka Museum, home to thousands of years of Andean culture. Here you will become more familiar with the origins and beginnings of Andean civilizations.
Continuing with the tour you will move onto the temple of Koricancha, the famous Sun Temple of Qosqo, that was and remains the pinaccle of organization, architecture, and religion of Inka civilization. During its construction they had already achieved the greatest advances of their time, and this temple may have been the exact representation of the center, or "Navel of the World" and therefore the center of the world, as dictated by the pre-hispanic Andean cosmovision.
Lodging: Cusco
Tandapata Boutique - or similar
Day 2: Free Day - Optional Activities
Free day to explore the old capital of the Inca Empire, the legendary navel of the world. Colonial churches, multiple parks and squares, and colonial mansions built atop perfectly constructed original Inca walls. Artesian stores full of souvenirs of all kinds - weavings, jewelry, stonework and more. And of course, local restaurants with the best of Andean cuisine
Lodging: Cusco
Tandapata Boutique or similar
Day 3 - 6: Four-day Inka trail to Machu Picchu
The Inka trail to Machupicchu, the last dwelling of the Incas, is undoubtedly the most fascinating and spectacular route in the Peruvian Andes, especially in Cusco, the navel of the world in Inca times. This ancestral roadway is not only filled with unique archaelogical sites, but also combines an extense sacred geography home to a beautifully biodiverse flora and fauna. In Inca times this sacred road was reserved only for select and well-prepared individuals, on their way to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The Four-day, three-night 43km trail itinerary is as follows:
First Day: Piscacucho to Wayllabamba (12km)
After breakfast you will travel to the starting location of the trail, known as kilometer 82. This first day is relatively easy-going and smooth as you move along visiting ruins such as the city of Patallacta. This ruin, constructed at the foot of a mountain, was a very important center that had administrative, economic, and religious functions. You'll also visit Willkarakay, a military post located above the site of Patallacta.
After visiting these two sites you will enter the valley of Wayllabamba, walking along the banks of the Cusichaca ("happy bridge") River, also observing the Inca terraces that belong to the previous archaelogical sites. Continuing the gradual walk upward you will arrive to your first campsite in Wayllabamba.
Second Day: Wayllabamba to Pacaymayu (11km)
You will begin your day very early to reach the highest point on the Inca trail by the end of the day, the mountain pass of Warmihuañusca (dead woman's pass).
The trek in the morning is rather physically intense, more so for those who are not accustomed to hikes in this altitude, though it is also one of the most spectacular. The first part of the trail you'll walk approximately one-and-a-half hours through the cover of a densely vegetated Andean forest before arriving at the campsite of Three Stones, where we will take a short rest.
Continuing on your ascent, the habitat will begin to change as you enter the inter-andean forest full of Unca trees, unique to this area. Two hours later you will arrive to another campsite, Llulluchapampa, where you'll take an extended rest with snacks and hot drinks. From here begins the final ascent to the pass of Warmihuañusca at 4,215 meters (13,829 ft), the highest point of the trek, a great opportunity for fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding valleys below, before descending a few hours to the next campsite in Pacaymayu for the night.
Third Day: Pacaymayu to Wiñayhuana (15km)
You will ascend for about 45 minutes to the arhcaelogical site of Runkurakay, located mid-mountain, that was in ancient times a tambo, or resting place. Another 45 minute ascent will take you to the second highest pass of the Inca trail, Runkurakay (3950m, 12,959ft), after which you'll descend to the beautiful archaeological site of Sayacmarca, constructed in a strategic location. After a thorough visit we will continue down the beautifully paved road to our lunch site at Chaquicocha.
From here onward to Phuyupatamarca you will enter the high Andean cloud forest, a maravillous display of Nature's beauty. Here the trail continues a narrow ridge until arriving to the pass of Phuyupatamarka, a natural viewing area where it is possible to see the Sacred Valley and numerous mountain peaks, as well as your final destination of Machu Picchu. From here you will descend to the last campsite, passing a very important archaeological site and temple designated for offerings to the sacred mountain spirits of the area, as well as a large terraced area for agriculture. Slightly beyond is the campsite for the night, Wiñayhuayna.
Fourth Day: Wiñayhuayna to Machupicchu (5km)
You will rise very early to complete the final stretch of the Inca Trail, which brings you to Inti Punku or the Sun Gate, the principal entrance of the crystal city of Machu Picchu. The trail here is fairly easy going and after about an hour you'll arrive to Inti Punku, an awesome location to observe the citadel of Machu Picchu and, weather permitting, sunrise in the Andes.
Afterwards, a 45-minute descent will take you into the higher area of Machu Picchu, a natural lookout point for the "famous" classic picture and an opportunity for a group picture. Here you will enter as a group to the main entrance for registration before returning to the site for the main tour to learn more about this magical place of beauty and culture left by our ancestors. The tour will last approximately two hours, then you will have time to explore the citadel by yourselves and you can also climb the Huayna Picchu moutain (at an extra cost and have to be booked in advance). In the afternoon you will descend by bus to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch, then return to Cusco by train.
Lodging: Cusco
Tandapata Boutique *** or Similar.
Day 7: Free Walking Tour - Fly to Lima.
Free morning to relax or free walking tour. The walking tour will visit the following places:
- Plaza de Armas / Main Plaza, which is home to the main cathedral and colonial houses
- Plaza Nazarenas
- San Blas neighborhood
- The twelve angle stone
- San Pedro local market
Afternoon transfer to the airport for your departure to Lima.
Includes:
- Before the Inca Trail:
- All transfers
- All breakfasts in accommodation
- All transportation
- Professional English-speaking tour guide
- Three nights accommodation in three-star hotels
- For the Inca Trail:
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Assistant Tour Guide for groups of 9+
- Chef
- Porters to carry cooking and camping equipment
- Pick-up from your hotel
- Transportation by bus to Km82
- Return transportation by train and bus to Cusco
- Water (excluding the first Day of the trek when you need to bring your own)
- 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Afternoon Snacks (happy hour) and 3 Dinners. If you have a dietary request such as vegetarian food please let the merchant know.
- Dining tent with tables and chairs
- 4 man tent for every 2 trekkers
- Inflatable sleeping mattress -(you need to carry this unless you hire a personal porter)
- Oxygen bottle
- First aid kit
- Entrance to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
What you need to bring:
- Passport
- ISIC card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Walking boots
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- Hat and gloves
- T-shirts
- Comfortable trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Toiletries and hand sanitiser
- Personal medication
- Camera
- Torch with spare batteries
Departure dates:
August 2017: 18th
September 2017: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
October 2017: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
November 2017: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
December 2017: 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
January 2018: 5th, 12th, 19th, 24th.
About Inkayni Peru Tours:
Inkayni Peru Tours is an ecological organisation with sustainable values at the heart of their business. They're a fully licensed tour operator that organise authentic Peru packages to give you a real taste of what life in Peru is all about. You'll have a local Peruvian tour operator kitted out with all the equipment necessary for whatever your tour may entail, including spacious tents and air mattresses. All of the food provided is 100% organic, and the groups are small, with no more than 10 people, ensuring your trip is a fantastic experience.
