PERU TOURS: THE SACRED INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

TOUPECUSITMP - 9 day/8 night

Departure Day:  SET DEPARTURE DATES
2004:    December 24
2005:    March 21, April 25, June 27

A newly opened Inca trail follows the Urubamba River through its imposing granite gorge to just below Machu Picchu, then climbs up to the Historical Sanctuary passing through the temple site of Winay Wayna. The route culminates with the stunning spectacle of Machu Picchu viewed from the imposing sun gate Intipunku, perched high above the lost city. We have designed this new program for those who seek the essence of Inca Peru within limited time and budget while avoiding the overcrowded, overused INCA TRAIL that every tour group and backpacker travels. AND NO HIGH PASSES...! Beginning with an introduction to Inca Peru through narrated visits to Cusco, Pisac and Ollantaytambo, we hike four days along the reconstructed trail beside roaring rapids of the Urubamba visiting seldom seen ruins along the way. The trail passes through pristine CLOUD FOREST vegetation hosting a multitude of interesting and colorful birds. Over-nighting in the bustling backpacker, pizza and beer town, Aguas Calientes, we explore MACHU PICCHU before the tourist hoards arrive then return to a shopping and rest day in Cusco.

SUITABILITY: This adventure is safari style using porters to carry your gear and supplies. Bilingual naturalist guides, professional staff cooks and local Quechua speaking helpers accompany a small group of guests. Comfortable camps offer delicious meals in a cozy dining tent and a pan of hot water with a mug of coffee or tea served at your tent to greet each day. Hiking is at altitudes between 9,000 ft and 7,000 ft. on good trails. We may hike up to 10 miles on the longest day with some moderate up and down. The longest climb is about 1,500 ft from the river to Machu Picchu. This route avoids the cold and snows of the high trials. We require that all participants be in good health and good physical condition.

Daily Itinerary & Program

Day 1     Cusco
Arrive in CUSCO, ancient capital of the Incas. We greet you at the airport. Following a brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea, we organize an afternoon introductory trek around town. Most will need the time to rest and recover from yesterday's travel. Refreshed and eager, we meet for dinner at a favorite restaurant. Some may opt for evening festivities in this bustling international city. We lodge in a comfortable hotel close to the historic center.

Day 2     Sacred Valley
Drive by van to the nearby Sacred Valley, location of the major Inca temple/fortress of OLLANTAYTAMBO. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro's defeat by Manco Inca in1536. Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and royalties blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction. Large worked blocks, some weighing as much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba river several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet up hill to the construction area. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries. Time and interest permitting, we will also visit the site at Pisac. We overnight at a comfortable, small inn in the valley at an altitude of 9000 ft. Clean sheets, traditional Peruvian dinner and chilled, Cusqueña beer in owner Nick Asheshovs Explorers Bar complete the day. (B,L,D)

Day 3     Sacred Valley
We drive a short distance to OLLANTAYTAMBO to meet our colorful band of Quechua porters at the site of an Inca bridge spanning the Urubamba river. The porters take charge of all the heavy baggage leaving us free to move unburdened along the gentle riverside trail. We soon pass below the Inca quarries where pink ryolite blocks were cut and carried great distances to the temple above the town. The trail winds through small farms and fields cultivated by the Quechua farmers who still use farming methods developed by their Inca ancestors. Above, the glacier covered peak of Wakaywilca (Veronica) appears from the mist to dominate the skyline. We enjoy a picnic lunch then continue on to make evening camp beyond the settlement of Chilca. Pre-dinner cocktails and popcorn are in order as our professional cooks prepare a 3 course dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 4     Sacred Valley
A hot cup of coca tea or fresh brewed coffee followed by a pan of warm wash water delivered to the door of your tent starts the morning. A breakfast of eggs prepared as you like, accompanied by bacon and Andean hard bread follows. Fresh fruit, yogurt, and cooked Quinoa are served as an option. We enjoy a leisurely morning as Torrent Ducks and White-capped Dippers play below in the river. Today we walk through arid cactus gardens alive with hummingbirds. The ground is covered in a variety of terrestrial bromeliads . In the morning we'll pass the large Inca ruin of Llactapata and there is time to explore this with your guide. We'll arrive at our camp in time for lunch below the little known and seldom visited ruins of Huayna-Quente. Those who wish can relax in camp and enjoy the view, but for the adventurous there is an 4 hour afternoon excursion to the Huayna-Quente ruins. (B,L,D)

Day 5     Sacred Valley
This is a contrast to other days. After a leisurely breakfast, we walk through a magical world of verdant cloud forest, rare orchids, towering erythrina trees and multicolored birds. If lucky, we catch glimpses of rare Trogons, Quetzals, Andean Guans, the unbelievable Cock-of-the-Rock and a wide variety of other birds. Swimming Torrent Ducks and an occasional Highland Motmot glide across the river below. The trail winds up and down through increasingly dense vegetation over looking the roaring rapids below. We have ample time for photos and cloud-forest exploration. In late afternoon, we make camp on a grassy plain surrounded by a multitude of sounds from the nearby forest. Camp is near the start of the climb to MACHU PICCHU. This day is a leisurely 5 hour hike. (B,L,D)

Day 6     Aguas Calientes
Leaving river and forest behind, we climb steeply 1,500 ft. up a winding zig-zag trail. Although steep, the pace is slow and the distance short. Views of towering WAKAYWILCA and the ice crested Urubamba range leave us more breathless than the steady climb. Discovered by the Fejos/ Viking fund expedition in the 1940s, WINAY-WAYNA, one of Peru's most impressive archeological sites is today's destination. Situated on the ridge of a hanging, hillside valley at an altitude of 8,800ft., two groups of finely made building are connected by a series of 19 baths or fountains, more than any other Inca site. Inca scholar Johan Reinhardt describes the site as a ritual stopping place along the route to MACHU PICCHU associated with the worship of sacred water. We have ample time to explore and photograph, awed by the silent beauty of our imposing surroundings and the enigmatic mystery that its abandonment represents. Two hours travel along a finely constructed Inca trail takes us to INTIPUNKU, famous GATE OF THE SUN overlooking the mysterious `Lost city'. MACHU PICCHU. This is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak towering some 2,000 ft. above an entrenched meander of the roaring river below, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced by the powerful equatorial sun, the INCA GOD INTI. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. The afternoon is yours to explore and photograph. We bus down to the bustling backpacker town of Aguas Calientes. Again, avoiding the tour groups and the overpriced, noisy Hotel Machu Picchu, we locate at a small comfortable inn (yes there is plenty of hot water). Dinner is pizza and beer at a local nightspot. Some of us may opt for after dinner pisco sours and dancing at the place on the hill. (B,L,D)

Day 7     Ollantaytambo / Yucay / Sacred valley
We catch the early morning bus back up to MACHUPICCHU. Arriving long before the tourist hoards disgorge from the morning trains and overrun the pathways, we have the site to ourselves as nearby HUAYNA PICCHU peak rises from the clearing mist inviting spectacular, early light photos. We meet on the highest point, Inti Huatana, our guide concludes the story of the rise and fall of the ancient civilizations of the Andes with the tragic end of the Inca and the unresolved mystery that this "lost city" remains. We hop aboard the afternoon train and return to Ollantaytambo on the afternoon first class tourist train , arriving at around 5:00pm. We’ll be in our hotel the Sacred Valley of the Incas for a spectacular sunset at a modest 2600 meters elevation. B:L: D early enough to join evening festivities. We lodge again in a small, comfortable hotel. (B,L)

Day 8     Cusco
Leisurely breakfast by the pool with stunning views. We’ll drive to Cusco via Chinchero and the traditional Sunday market. This is the day to shop and wander around Cusco. The city abounds with small shops and street side vendors selling their wares. Colorful weavings and handmade alpaca sweaters are popular gifts for friends at home. We meet for a final dinner then migrate to the Cross Keys, Cusco's only authentic English Pub, for drinks and lively conversation with the resident congregation of ex patriots and adventurers from the far corners of the universe. (B

Day 9     Depart
Transfer to the airport for the morning flight. (B)

Included:

All hotels where mentioned

Transfer to and from hotel in Cusco

Top quality camping equipment where relevant with sleeping pads (except sleeping bag)

Bi-lingual mountain guides, experienced cooks, camp and field staff.

All terrestrial transport on a private basis

All food except lunches and dinners in Cusco

Not Included:

INSURANCE NOTE: Cancellation policies are strictly enforced! We highly recommend to protect your travel investment should you need to cancel your trip. We have designed an exclusive insurance plan to provide broad protection!