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Cusco, the Inca Trail & Machu
Picchu - 8 days /
7
nights - Sundays
The Incas built a vast
network of roads to communicate with the four regions of their
vast empire…It’s called QAPAC ÑAN or the sovereign’s highway or
the Inca Road that also link between the real and the
supernatural, between the earth and the Gods within a cultural
universe spanning from the North of Ecuador to the South of
Chile and Argentina
Day 1. Sunday:
Upon arrival of our flight in
Cusco, we are greeted at the airport and transferred to a local
hotel, or restaurant, for a cup of coca tea to help become
acclimated to the altitude. After a short time of rest we depart
to the village of Pisac, located in the Sacred Valley of the
Incas, for a visit to the colorful Indian market where people
gather from different places around Cusco to barter subsistence
products. Both men and women of the numerous communities
attending the Sunday fair wear colorful and varied clothes and
also offer their handmade crafts. After lunch (included at
TUNUPA Restaurant) tour the ruins at Ollantaytambo, walk though
cobblestone streets, squares and visit the Temple of the Sun and
other fine-buildings of cyclopean size. At the end of the day we
are transferred to Yucay for overnight at hotel selected. (L)
Day 2. Monday:
After breakfast,
transfer from the hotel to train station at Ollantaytambo for a
train ride of approximately 65 miles, just passing the community
of Piskacucho. The walk starts here and one should take it easy
in the beginning. After a few minutes, we reach and cross the
hanging bridge of Cusichaca, on the Urubamba River, and later
the Llactapata (Village in the highland) archaeological
site at the foot of a mountain situated on the left bank of the
Cusichaca River. It has many cultivation terraces that probably
served to feed people from other places and also keep full the
"Ambos" (storehouses) of the Inca Road. We camp out at
Huayllabamba
(Green field), a small indigenous village surrounded by
fields of corn, potatoes and other foodstuffs. The first day can
be cloudy, almost rainy, but easy to walk because of the level
and beautiful trail while darkness slowly creeps up the majestic
peak of the Salkantay in the distance. (B, L, D)
Day 3. Tuesday:
This is the most difficult part of the trek. We climb abruptly
upwards until we reach the Warmihuañusca Pass (Where the
woman dies) at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level.
Along the climb, we appreciate the changing ecology, as we leave
the reasonably mild valley behind and reach the treeless
pastures in the cold high areas. Normally, there are strong
winds and low temperatures at this altitude. Once we cross the
pass, we need an additional rest to recover before hiking down
towards the Pacasmayo River valley where we again camp and
overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 4. Wednesday:
Today we trek
what is considered the longest part of the trail. A second high
pass must be overcome before reaching the impressive
archaeological site of
Runkuracay, situated at 12,467 feet above sea
level. Runkurakay takes its name from its half circle shape with
a single entrance way with seven door-holes leading off into
seven different rooms. Then, we descend towards the
Yanacocha Lake
(the Black Lake) arriving at Sayaqmarca (the Dominant
village), an interesting Inca ruin, with its narrow streets,
solid staircases and surrounded by exotic plants such as orchids
and lichens, with a panoramic view over the Acobamba Valley and
the snow-clad Pumasillo peak. After a short rest, we continue
uphill until the third and last pass along the trail, the
citadel of
Phuyupatamarca (Village above the clouds), which
is undoubtedly one of the most original citadels along the Inca
Trail. Here, we find many cultivation terraces and ceremonial
fountains with fresh water. From this point we start to wind
downwards to one of the most interesting urban centre before
arriving Machu Picchu, the
Wiñayhuayna,
(forever young), located at 8,675 feet above sea level. The
ruin is divided into four principal parts: the living quarters,
the area holding Ritual fountains, the area with cultivation
terraces and the Tower area. We camp out and overnight at this
site. (B, L, D)
Day 5. Thursday:
This day we observe the
landscape has now changed from the typical Andean to the
Amazonian. At this last part of the Inca trail, we see how the
Urubamba River finds its way down from the high Andes to the
deep Rainforest, passing freestanding cliffs, many of which are
hundreds of feet tall and covered by luxuriant vegetation. Visit
the Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. A small complex of small
buildings that apparently seem to have been used as a control
and outlook post before entering the Lost City of the Incas,
the Citadel of Machu Picchu. A guided tour around Machu Picchu
takes us to visit the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Tomb, the
Ceremonial Fountains, the Royal Palace, the Temple of the Three
Windows, the Intiwatana (the Tying Place of the Sun), and the
Main Square. Go by bus to Aguas Calientes, some thirty minutes
zigzagging the mountain ridges, for lunch and overnight at hotel
selected. (B, L)
Day 6. Friday:
Day at leisure to
visit for a second time the ruins. Entrance fee of US$30.00 not
included. Visit the local handicraft market or take a bath at
the thermal spring waters in Aguas Calientes. Early afternoon we
return to Cusco by train and bus. Transfer to hotel selected for
overnight. (B)
Day 7. Saturday:
Breakfast at the
hotel. No activities are scheduled during the morning hours.
This will give us some time to explore the city of Cusco on our
own pace. In the afternoon, City tour of Cusco including visits
to the Cathedral of Cusco, the Temple of the Sun or Koricancha,
and a visit to the nearby ruins at the Sacsayhuamán Fortress,
Kenko, a great example of skillful Inca work used as
amphitheater and place for ritual sacrifices, Puca-Pucara,
served to lodge travelers and store goods, and the Inca Bath at
Tambomachay, consisting of four-leveled walls linked by stairs
and adorned with crystalline waterfalls. In the evening, dinner
is served at LA CAVA DE SAN RAFAEL restaurant followed by a
folkloric show. Overnight at the hotel selected. (B, D-show)
Day 8. Sunday:
After breakfast,
we have time to wander around Cusco’s main tourist attractions,
go shopping to one of the local handicraft markets or just relax
at the hotel. In the afternoon, we are transferred to the
airport for our flight to Lima. (B)
Package includes
- All transfers to
and from airports / hotels
- One night hotel in Pisac
- Three nights Inca Trail
- One night hotel in Aguas Calientes
- Two nights hotel in Cusco
- Sightseeing as indicated
- Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Package DOES NOT Include
- International and domestic airfare (can be quoted
separately)
- Any type of insurance
- Tips to porters, driver or Tour Guide
- Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages
- Domestic airport taxes of US$6.00 at each airport in Peru and
International departure taxes of US$31.00 upon leaving Peru
- Any other services not mentioned in itinerary |
