Day 1 | CuzcoPlease ensure you arrive in time for the important welcome meeting at 10.30am. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. This will be followed by an orientation walk and an optional group dinner: a great time to try the local specialties.
Your leader will collect your local payment at this meeting. Please bring notes/bills in large denominations.
In the afternoon we take an orientation walking tour and introduce you to some of the fascinating lesser known sights of this wonderful city. This includes a visit to a coca shop and a taste of a very special coca tea, and also the local San Pedro market.
The Cuzco region truly is the heart and soul of Peru. The city itself is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and was the home of the Incas for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today, Cuzco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. Inca-built walls line the central streets and many of the elegant colonial buildings are built on or around Incan foundations. This is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend and is a perfect base for outdoor activities and optional explorations into the Incan world.
Take the time to acclimatise to the city's 3,400m (11,150ft) and explore the many baroque churches and ancient temples that dot the city. The cathedral, built on top of an Inca palace, dominates the Plaza de Armas, Cuzco's picturesque heart. The cathedral is one of the city's greatest repositories of art and houses an elegantly carved choir stall and a gold-covered Renaissance altar. Also worth visiting are the churches of La Compania, La Merced and San Blas.
There are several impressive Inca ruins within the city, the most easily accessed being Coricancha, once the Inca Empire's richest temple. Once plated in thick gold, the Spaniards built a Dominican Church atop its sturdy walls. The stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman is also worth a visit. Looking over the city from its hilltop position, the fortress is built out of massive stone blocks and is the ultimate example of the Inca's military strength.
We stay in a hotel in the heart of Cuzco, only a few blocks from the Plaza de Armas and other major attractions, with comfortable ensuite rooms.
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Day 2 | Sacred Valley/OllantaytamboTravel by local bus through the Sacred Valley (approx 1.5 hours total drive today), on the outskirts of Cuzco. Known as Wilcamayo to the Incas, the lush, fertile valley has long been the main source of food for the high Andes. Maize crops can be seen surrounding the river and covering the terraces carved high into the valley walls.
We will head to a community along the Valley to learn about local lifestyle and activities and if our visit coincides with market day we can spend time browsing the stalls in search of hand-painted beads or warm ponchos and maybe practising some of the local language, Quechua.
After the visit to the community we wait at the bus stop for the next local bus to Ollantaytambo, the biggest town in the Valley, situated at 2,792m above sea level. Here you will have free time to take an optional visit to an ancient Inca fortress.
We spend the night in Ollantaytambo at the far end of the valley. This geometrically perfect town is a magnificent example of Incan urban planning. It is especially admired for the huge terraces that guard the great temple-fortress that clings to cliffs. This is one of the few places the Incas defeated the Spanish.
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Days 3-6 | Inca Trail/Machu PicchuThe four day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a demanding but incredibly rewarding trek. We catch a bus (approx 1.5 hours) to the 82km marker and are joined by a crew of local porters, cook and guide. Take advantage during the 4 days of the trek to get to know your porters. You will realise they work the hardest on the team and are gentle people willing to share with you their culture, language and trek experiences.
Accommodation on the trek is camping (3 nights). Double tents (twin share) and foam camping mats will be provided. Tents are set up by the porters. Meals are prepared by the trek cook.
The trail is part of a series of Inca highways that linked the empire all the way from Quito in Ecuador, to Santiago in Chile. As we hike from high plateau to dense forest, you will see the ruins of ancient villages, temples and inns, the first of which is Llactapata, burnt to the ground by the last Inca Emperor to discourage Spanish pursuit down the trail.
TREK DETAILS:
The starting point of the trek is located at 2,850m. Our first day includes some uphill trekking to the campsite - over 3,000m.
The second day is the most challenging of the trek as we ascend a long steep path (approx 4 hours) to reach the highest point of our trek, Warmiwanusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at a height of 4,200m (13,779ft), before descending to the Pacaymayo Valley at 3650m.
Next is a climb up to the second pass known as Runkuracay at 3,980m - an approximately 90 minutes uphill from the Pacaymayo Valley. From here we can enjoy views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba before descending to the arqueological of Sayacmarca (2-3 hours). Lastly for today, there is short walk to the Chaquicocha campsite at 3,620m.
On our third day we continue over the third pass and soon reach the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the 'Town above the Clouds' at 3,850m (90 minutes walk approximately). From here we start our descend along Inca steps (2 hours) to reach our final night's camp by the Winay Wayna, or 'Forever Young' archaeological site at 2,750m. Grab a beer and enjoy the panoramic views of the valley below.
On our fourth day we take a short final hike (approximately 2 hours) to the Sun Gate where we can watch the ruins emerge from the mist below. The feeling you get as you see the ruins for the first time is indescribable.
While it is thought Machu Picchu was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Incan nobility, there is evidence this had been a sacred Incan site for much longer. Another school of thought is that this was an astronomical observatory. There is plenty of time for you to decide for yourself as you wander around the many temples, palaces and living quarters. You will have a guided visit (1.5-2 hours) with plenty of free time afterwards. After taking advantage of the seemingly endless photo opportunities, it is time to return to Cuzco for a well deserved shower and glass of Pisco Sour.
The trail is within the abilities of most reasonably fit people, but do come prepared: the trail is 45km (28 miles) long and often steep. Generally the journeys consist of 7 hours walking on average (both uphill and downhill), plus stops for snacks and lunch. Normally trekking starts at 7am (except for the fourth morning) and you reach the campsite around 4-5pm. There is always the possibility of rain, even in the dry season and temperatures may fall below freezing at night. The trail traverses three passes, the highest being 4,200m (13,779ft).
For those travellers not interested or unable to hike the trail it is possible to spend an extra 2 extra days in Cuzco then travel by train to Aguas Calientes. The following morning there will be a bus to Machu Picchu where you join the rest of the group for a guided tour. This option must be arranged at the time of booking or local fees will apply.
We return to our hotel in Cuzco for the evening.
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Day 7 | CuzcoEnjoy free time to relax, shop and explore more of Cuzco's sights. Rest weary legs at a cafe on Plaza de Armas or head out to see more fascinating ruins at Tambomachay and Puca Pucara. For those who can't get enough active adventure there are plenty of opportunities to go mountain biking, horse riding or white water rafting on the Urubamba River.
For lunch or mid-morning coffee and cake head to Yanapay restaurant on 415 Ruinas St. This restaurant uses all its profits to support children in Cuzco through Aldea Yanapay and its social projects. For more info on Aldea Yanapay visit http://yanapay.facipub.com/
Alternatively a visit to the ruins of Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo or Tambomachay is recommended.
You can depart at any time today. Check out time is 10am.
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Itinerary DisclaimerPlease note: occasionally our itineraries are updated during the year to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers' comments and our own research and may change with no prior notice.
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