Cusco Adventure
10 days 9 nights
Day 01 Lima Cusco
City Tour
Assistance on arrival to
Cusco and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to
take a short rest to get acclimatized to the altitude.
In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of Cusco visiting the
Main Square, the Cathedral and the Temple
of the Sun or Korikancha; take a pleasant walk in the
bohemian District of San Blas, house to the most re-known
craftsmen of Cusco, visiting its beautiful church, that
houses an impressive pulpit, a filigree woodcarving bearing
the fruits of the region and visit some artisans workshops
located in its small Main Square. On the way back, pass
by the Hatunrumiyoc Street where you can appreciate the
Twelve-angled stone.
Then, drive out of the City to visit the Inca sites of
Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress
of Sacsayhuaman, built strategically on a hill overlooking
Cusco; famous for its enormous carved stones joined with
astounding precision to form the outer walls. Some of
these stones stand over 9m / 30ft tall, and weight over
350 tons.
Meals Included: None
Day 2 Sacred Valley
of the Incas
Breakfast. Full-day excursion to the "Sacred Valley
of the Incas", by the Vilcanota
River. We will have the opportunity to share closely the
peasants' customs and bargain with vendors at the typical
indian market of Pisac, held on Tuesdays, Thursdays and
Sundays. Lunch in a local countryside restaurant.
After lunch, passing through the Towns of Calca and Urubamba,
we visit the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo,
built to guard the entrance to this part of the Valley,
and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes
in the Lower jungle. The Fortress consists of a series
of stepped carved stone terraces accessed by long
staircases. Later on you can walk through the quaint streets
of the nearby Town, and get a good idea of what this Strategic
Military, Religious, and Agricultural Centre was like
during the era of the Inca Empire. On our way back to
Cusco we stop of at the picturesque Andean Village of
Chinchero where the ruins of
the Royal Hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui lie. You can
admire the well preserved Inca Wall in the Main Square,
and visit the beautiful Colonial temple built on Inca
foundations, with interesting frescoes in the portico.
Overnight in Cusco.
Note: The visit to the Village of Chinchero depends on
the time available.
Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Day 03: Cusco –
Markoq’asa
We will leave Cusco at 5:00 am. In our private bus, and
drive to Mollepata. Along the four and a half hour drive
we will stop in the town of Limatambo (2,100m) an important
point of accses to the city of Cusco during the time of
the Inca empire. Here we will visit the archaeological
remains of Tarawasi, where we can appreciate an Inca Usno,
or place where ceremonies for Mother Earth were conducted.
We will leave Limatambo and drive up a beaten track along
the right shore of the Apurimac river, to reach Mollepata
(2,800 m) where we will stop for lunch. In the afternoon,
we will start the ascent on foot towards Cruzpata (3100
m) along a slight climb where we will appreciate various
plants, native birds the Apurimac river Canyon (Which
is one of the deepest in Peru), and a communitarian irrigation
canal. In Cruzpata we will set up our first camp.
Day 04 : Markoq’asa
– Salkantaypampa
We will depart at around 8:00am. In the direcction of
Salkantaypampa along a climbing trail with many levels
variations and along which we will see little groups of
houses, flora, small wild birds and spectacular views
of the
Humantay snow peak (5902m) after approximately six hours
of walking we will arrive at our campsite is Salkantaypampa
(4,120m) from here we can appreciate the majestic Apu
Salkantay (6271m) we will camp near of this mountain.
Day 05 : Salkantaypampa
Pampacahuana
We will leave the campsite at around 7:00 am to start
the four hour steep climb towards the Inca Chiriasqa pass
(4850m), the highest of the entire trail, and from which
we will have impressive views of the Salkantay snow peak,
we will immediately dessend towards the Pampacahuana community,
next to to which exist an original Inca Canal. We will
camp and have dinner at this place
Day 06 : Pampacahuana
– Wayllabamba
We will leave camp at around 8:00am to start a down hill
walk along the shores of the Pampacahuana river following
it’s course towards the Wayllabamba community (3000
masl) on the way down we will visit the Incaraqay archaeological
complex (Paucarcancha) which is made up of rectangular
constructions, plazas, retaining walls arrive in Wayllabamba,
where we will camp and have dinner.
Day 07 : Wayllabamba
- Pacaymayu
We will wake up at around 6:00 am and after breakfast
we will leave wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult
part of the trek which consist of an abroupt and steep
ascent that stretches for 9 Km. Along this climb, the
landscape changes from sierra to puna. On the way to the
first pass, the Warmiwañusqa ( Dead woman’s
pass ) 2,400 masl. from this point we will see the the
Veronica mountain. We advise that on this day specially,
yor day pack is well stocked with candies,chocolates and
coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and
help wiht altitude sickneess. Inmediately after the passs,
we will desscend into the Pacaymayu valley ( 3,600 masl
), where we will camp after approximately 6h of hiking.
Day 08 : Pacaymayu
- Wiñayhuayna
This day is longest but also the most interesting, due
the number of archaeological sites that we will visit
and learn about from our guide. From pacaymayu we will
climb to the second pass, the Runcurakay pass (3970 masl
)half way up we will visit the archaeological complex
with de the same name. And after the pass we will desscend
towards Yanaqocha ( black lagoon ) and enter the cloud
forest to finally arrive at Sayaqmarka ( 3624 masl ) this
is beautfull complex made up of a semicircular construction.
Continuing up an easy climb, we will arrive at the third
pass, the
abra de Puyupatamarka ( 3,700 masl ).
Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the
incas ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached
from the mountain, and seeng rocks that fill up ravines
in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveved
andean geography. To later arrive at the archeological
complex of the Phuyupatamarka ( town over the clouds ).
From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex
made up of water fountains with solid fundations. And
olso impressive views of the Urubamba river valley and
the along descending stone steps to Wiñayhuayna
Camp site.
Day 09: Wiñayhuayna–
Machupicchu – Cusco
On this last day we will get up at 4:00 am to leave Wiñayhuayna
an hour later and climb to Intipunku, or the sun gate.
This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat
stones on the adges of cliffs in highland jungle. From
this fabulous spot we willl see the sinrise over the sacred
citadel of Machupicchu, and 40 minutes later we will enter
the citadel from the highest point through the “
house of the guardians ” we will then descend to
the control point where we will register ourselves and
leave our backpacks. We will inmediately begin a complete
guided tour of the Inca Citadel thet will take approximately
2 hours. You will then have free time to walk around,
climb to Haynapicchu
mountain, where one can experience spectacuklar views
of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that
sourround it, or you can visit the Temple of the Moon
and the fabulous Inca bridge. In the afternoon we will
meet in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like
, you can visit and relax in the thermal
baths. From here we will take the train to the city of
Cusco, where we will arrive after nightfall. * Departures
and ariival times are approximated.
* Campsites are subject to change according to the destination
of the gobernmental institution regulating the use of
the Inca Trail, as well as to our guide’s criteria
and the evolution of the group.
Departures:
Fixd departures every days exeption: one-month closing
period of the classical Inca Trail route in Februry, during
which an alternative trail ia used from days 5 to 7.
Day 10 : Cusco
After breakfast, transfer assistance on your departure.
Included In Cusco
• Turist Ticket
• City Tour
• 3 night Hotels
• In and out transfer
• All aplicable taxes
• Bilingual guided tours (English / Spanish)
• Entrance fees for the excursions mentioned above
• Lunch at the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes,
other meals as indicated in the itinerary
What is included: in the inca trail
* Pick-up from you hotel in the morning and transfer in
private bus to Mollepata, the starting point of the trek.
* Inca trail and Machupicchu entrance fees.
* Igloo tents. 2 people in each 3 people capacity tents
to allow for higher confort and a safe keeping of backpacks.
* One mattress per person.
* Dinning tents with tables and chairs.
* Kitchen tent.
* English speaking professional guide (2 guides for groups
over 10 persons).
* Cook and cooking equipment.
* Horseman and horses (to carry tents, food and cooking
equipment) only Sakantay route.
* 1 horse for emergency.
* Porters (carry tents, food & cooking equipment)
only Inca Trail.
* Acommodation for our guides, cook, porters and horseman.
* Meals (06B, 06L, 06D tea time and snack service every
day).
* First-aid kid including emergency oxigen bottle.
* Bus ticket from Machupicchu to Aguas Calientes.
* Train ticket (backpaker service) from Aguas Calientes-Cusco
* Extra Porter
What is not included:
* Lunch & dinner on the last day.
* Sleeping bag.
* Visit to the hot spring.
* Tips.
NOT INCLUDED:
• International and Domestic flights (Lima / Cusco
/ Lima: US$ 150 aprox.)
• Airport taxes ($30.25 for international flights
and $6.05 for domestic flights)
• Baggage excess
• Alcoholic drinks, soda or bottled mineral water
• Personal expenses
• Tips
• International or National personal telephone calls
• Additional nights for bad weather o flight cancellation
• Snacks
• Laundry
