Peru Machu Picchu and Camino del Apu Ausangate Hiking Tour

Transcription

1 Peru Machu Picchu and Camino del Apu Ausangate Hiking Tour A 10-day Inn- and Mountain Lodge-Based Hiking and Cultural History Adventure to Machu Picchu and One of the Most Pristine Alpine Environments in the World! This tour encompasses history, culture and adventure beginning in Cusco, cradle of the Inca Empire. After a tour of the City s highlights, we visit a llama farm and textile center enroute to the Sacred Valley where we learn about the four South American camelid species and witness the traditional techniques of proud Andean weavers. We visit a local crafts market and the archaeological sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo before embarking for Machu Picchu, recently named one of the new seven wonders of the world. The second segment of this trip is a five-day, 32-mile trek in the remote Cordillera Vilcanota on a route we call the Camino del Apu Ausangate (Road of the Apu Ausangate). The Apu is the highest and most sacred mountain in the Cusco region and is considered to be the bearer of life and the guardian of one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems in the world. Our trek is accompanied by llamas and horses that carry our gear. On our hikes and in our unique Tambos or Andean lodges, daily meals will be prepared by experienced cooks, introducing you to a great variety of delicious Peruvian cuisine and produce. As for entertainment, authentic, vernacular music from members of the communities will enliven some of our nights in the "tambos. This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience-- do not miss it!!!! Note: Five days of this tour are above 14,000 feet in altitude and involve long ascents and descents. It is intended for those in relatively good physical condition who are comfortable being on the trail from 6-8 hours per day. T.W.O. owner s comment: When I scouted this trip in April 2009, I never saw another hiker outside of our group during the entire five days on the Camino del Apu Ausangate an experience I ve had nowhere else on this Earth! Day 1. Arrival at Cusco Airport and Cusco City Tour, Casa Andina Private Collection (private baths / / You re met upon arrival at Cusco Airport by a tour representative and driven to the Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel, where you can relax with a cup of coca tea and begin to adjust to the altitude of Cusco at 10,909 feet above sea level. The hotel is a renovated 16th century large colonial home and is located just a few blocks from the main square. After settling into your room and a short rest, we begin a private tour of the city and surrounding Inca ruins. Cusco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. Cusco s Andean culture remains alive with its colorful dress, exquisite weavings, busy markets and traditional fiestas. We wander through the ancient cobbled streets, visiting the main sites and monuments of this colonial capital city, including the main plaza, Cathedral built over the ruins of the Sunturwasi Temple and the Koricancha Temple which was the main temple during the Inca Empire. We also venture through the lovely streets of San Blas, the artesan district in Cusco, and visit its church with its hand-carved pulpit. We continue with a tour of Sacsayhuamán, located a mile outside of Cusco (10 minutes by road). A vast Inca fortress built on three levels, this was an important religious center and is the gateway to the Urubamba Valley and Machu Picchu. Constructed of incredibly massive stone walls, Saqsaywamán dramatically overlooks the city. We move on to Kenko (Quenko), another site of worship whose centerpiece is an enormous 20-foot high rock carved into the shape of a puma. Next up is PucaPucara, an Inca administrative center and military complex of buildings, stairways, passages and lookouts. We conclude with Tambomachay, famous for its natural spring and Inca-made waterfalls that still cascade into the ritual baths. Dinner tonight will be served at Incanto Restaurant Touring Historic Sites [approximately 4 hours] Day 2. Sacred Valley/Pisac/Cachiccata, Pakaritampu Hotel in Ollantaytambo (private baths / or / After breakfast we shuttle to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping along the way at Awanacancha, meaning The Palace of the Weaver. Awanacancha is a textile center whose goal is to keep alive the traditional techniques. Here we meet the four members of the camelid family llamas, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos. Alpacas have thick wool, the most commonly used in textiles and clothing. Vicunas are small and delicate with fur considered to be the finest. Llamas are quite large and are used to transport loads

2 while guanacos are a wild endangered species, living mostly in the Altiplano. We learn a great deal about these species of Andean animals--about their environment, the traditional techniques for obtaining and dying the wool and weaving it into creative and lovely textiles. After this visit we continue on to the ruins of Pisac where we gain insight into the Inca s advanced masonry skills. The Pisac ruins remain a mystery as to their purpose but it seems likely that they were part of a settlement along a vital Inca road. With the Amazon rainforest to the east of the mountains, it is generally believed that Pisac provided an important gateway between the highlands and the jungle. The Pisac ruins are quite large and remain in relatively good condition. Extensive terracing marks the ruins which are set among patterned fields. Steps and aqueducts carved from stone round out the complex, and the surviving Sun Temple is the most impressive structure. As you explore the Pisac ruins, you ll find the views of the mountains and valleys to be breathtaking. The Pisac market is our next stop. Here you can find unique and authentic souvenirs. The market offers a colorful atmosphere with many natives coming from the surrounding mountains outfitted in their elaborate traditional clothing. You can barter at the handicraft market for items such as sweaters, tapestries, blankets, rugs, ceramics and musical instruments. Locals also enjoy the thriving produce markets. The World Outdoors will buy a native tree Queuña, Tara, Aliso or Huaranguay and you can then plant it. A representative of the community will lead a short hike to the reforestation area, give each participant their tree and show you how to plant it. You receive a symbolic certificate and also have your name listed on the U.N. project s website. We wrap up a full day with a short hike to the town of Ollantaytambo and our lodge for the night, the Pakaritampu Hotel, where we will also be having dinner. Day 3. Ollantaytambo/Machu Picchu, Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (private baths / or / ) This morning we visit the Ollantaytambo fortress that crowns the town. Tradition has it that the Inca captain, Ollanta, who was in charge of the district fell in love with the daughter of Pachacutec, the reigning monarch of the time. They were forbidden to marry, however, and Ollanta responded by staging a rebellion, kidnapping the princess and retreating to his fortress. In the battles that followed Pachacutec was killed and Ollanta was on the verge of defeating the army of the empire when he was betrayed and turned back. As befits an epic of this type, in the end the new Inca ruler recognized both Ollanta's skill as a warrior and his love for the princess and allowed them to marry and live out their lives at Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo Ruins We then transfer to the small village of Cachiccata for a traditional lunch at Las Canteras restaurant. After lunch we visit the nearby botanical park to plant a tree as part of Cachiccata s reforestation project. The local inhabitants harvested the native trees for many years for wood fires for cooking and heating their homes and essentially clearcut the area in the process. The World Outdoors has partnered with our Peruvian operator, Apumayo, in a reforestation project that involves tourist participation as part of the Plant for the Planet project sponsored by the United Nations. After our visit to Ollantaytambo we transfer to the train station to take the one-and-a-half hour VistaDome ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, located at the base of the Machu Picchu Citadel. We immediately transfer to the lovely Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for check-in. After lunch at the hotel we take a 20-minute bus ride to the ruins of Machu Picchu for a guided tour of this majestic archaeological site. Machu Picchu, perhaps the best known site in all of South America, is stunningly perched atop a narrow mountain crest high above the Urubamba River and surrounded by the deep green cloudforest of the upper Amazon. You have plenty of time this afternoon to explore this spectacular archaeological site that still today holds many mysteries of the Inca civilization.

3 Machu Picchu Day 4. Machu Picchu/Cusco, Casa Andina Private Collection (private baths / / Choose today from several optional activities. You can return to Machu Picchu (for an additional cost of $79) and further explore the sight. You may want to hike to an aw*some viewpoint atop Huayna Picchu (1-1/2 hours) where you observe the vastness of Machu Picchu from a different perspective or even continue on to the Great Cave (3-1/2 hours total). Other options include a visit to a botanical garden with its orchid collection, a bird watching tour or to stroll through Aguas Calientes and do some shopping. After we re-convene for lunch at a local restaurant, we return to the hotel to collect our luggage and head for the train station. We exit the train in Ollantaytambo and are transferred back to Cusco by private transportat. Dinner will be served at the Inca Grill Restaurant During dinner a briefing will be held regarding our trekking adventure into the high Andes for the next five days.. Day 5. Cusco / Chillca Tambo (14,327 feet of altitude / private baths) After an early breakfast we leave Cusco through the fertile Vilcanota Valley to the town of Checacupe (1-1/2 hours). After a visit to the colonial Temple of the Immaculate, we ascend the Pitumarca Valley along the spectacular Japura Gorge that leads to Chillca (1-1/2 hours) an interesting road to say the least. The Camino del Apu Ausangate (Road of the Apu Ausangate) is our route for a five-day breathtaking trek (in more ways than one) in close proximity to the Ausangate Mountain (6,384 meters / 20,945 feet), the highest sacred mountain in the Andes of southern Peru. Set amidst one of the most pristine mountain ecosystems on our planet, the area is home to llamichus and pacocheros (llama and alpaca breeders), who represent one of the few remaining pastoral societies on the continent and are proud to share the land and spirit of their world. The Camino del Apu Ausangate lies in a remote and little visited region, high up at the frontiers of human habitat. Due to its altitude (mostly above 4,000 m / 12,000 feet) a large part of the area is not suitable for agriculture (apart from some Andean crops and a limited variety of potatoes). Since time immemorial, the shepherds from our partner communities of Osefina and Chillca have dedicated their lives to the breeding of the two domesticated species of auquenidos, the llamas and alpacas. The people still maintain many ancestral traditions, but at the same time are trying to generate new sources of sustainable development. By protecting and conserving the incredible beauty hidden in these mountains while making them accessible to travelers from around the world, the communities will be able to preserve and improve their lifestyles. Here we begin our short and easy walk to the first tambo. The hike begins through a narrow stream-filled canyon and emerges into a vast valley located between two mountain ridges. The village of Chillca is soon visible and hundreds of alpacas and llamas blanket the area. Chillca Tambo is nestled less than three miles from the end of the Cusco-Chillca road in the large glacier valley of Quencomayo and enjoys beautiful views of the Cayangates Mountains. It is a great place to acclimatize, to immerse oneself in a high Andean valley environment and to appreciate the highest potato cultivations in the world. You re likely to be met upon arrival by native women demonstrating their weaving skills and selling their sweaters, hats and table runners. You ll have time to relax before dinner and will enjoy music provided by the locals of Chillca. The word tambo signified to the Incas their resting places located along an amazing highway system that once covered large parts of South America. They offered lodging to the famous Chaskis, the fast Inca runners who sprinted unbelievable distances to deliver messages across their huge empire. These more modern-day tambos are eco-friendly, built recently of local stone and fully integrated into the breathtaking landscape of the towering Andes. The massive Eucalyptus logs and all the wood used in the construction had to be carried for many miles by laborers on foot from lower elevations since there is hardly any vegetation at this altitude. Each lodge houses 10 cozy double occupancy bedrooms, tastefully decorated with native textiles and local mahogany furniture. All rooms are equipped with thermal

4 duvets and a private bathroom with running cold and hot water (a little sporadic maybe) tapped from nearby springs. There is no electricity in the lodges (propane gas is used for cooking and firewood for heating). Candles and lanterns contribute to the ambience. There is nothing more invigorating than the magic of the Andean sky and the myriad of stars and constellations visible on a clear night. After a long day s journey, hikers will be warmed with a fire and a delicious local meal while enjoying spectacular views of the Apu Ausangate and other peaks in the Cordillera Vilcanota. As the result of labor contribution, land valuation and direct investment, the communities of Chillca and Osefina own almost a 20% share in the tambos. The profits generated are used to improve education and living conditions in general. The project has created 24 full-time jobs and 30 part-time employment opportunities. Furthermore, it creates a market for alpaca meat and fleece products as well as traditional woven textiles, manufactured by the women of the communities. Molino Viejo to Chilcatambo [2.1 miles / 250 feet of elevation gain] Chillca Tambo Day 6. Chillca Tambo to Machuracay Tambo (15,760 feet of altitude / private baths) The trek for the next four days involves approximately 6-8 hours per day on the trail with plenty of time for photography. You will need to carry a day pack (camera equipment, water bottle, extra layers, rain gear, and other items that might be needed on the trail.) Besides the llamas that carry your extra clothing, our group is followed by horses which are available to ride in the event that you become overly tired or have altitude symptoms. For safety considerations radio communications are available and oxygen and first aid supplies are carried on the trek. Our hike begins in the wide valley of Upis where impressive glaciated mountains loom above the valley. We see the rustic homes of the local shepherds, their llama dung-fired ovens, and many rock fences built with months and years of backbreaking labor as we make our way up the valley. The trail narrows as we approach the waterfalls descending from Santa Catalina Mountain and the climb begins. This path is mostly used by the wandering llamas and alpacas of the area and once we reach the small Paloma lagoon the countryside is dotted with these animals. After hiking along a second lagoon and crossing a long series of glacial moraines, we reach Machuracay Tambo, the highest lodge in the world and spectacularly set at the base of Ausangate. Chillca Tambo to Machuracay Tambo [9.3 miles / 1580 feet of elevation gain, 670 feet of loss, 530 feet of gain] Apu Ausangate Day 7. Machuracay Tambo to Anantapata Tambo (15,416 feet of altitude / private baths) After a demanding ascent of Palomani Pass at an elevation of nearly 17,000 feet, we descend to a glacier-fed lake, Ausangatecocha. Tremendous views of the glaciated south face of the apu inspire us. You re likely to see small sections of the glacier calve away and tumble to the rocky slopes below. Our destination, the Anantapata Tambo, is quite different from the other three with its pre-fabricated wooden structure built upon a solid stone base. Constructed by the Chillca community with a government grant, it is now integrated in the operation of the Camino del Apu Ausangate project. Machuracay Tambo to Anantapata Tambo [7.3 miles / 1130 feet of elevation gain, 1640 feet of loss, 160 feet of gain] Ausangatecocha Day 8. Anantapata Tambo to Huampococha Tambo (15,803 feet of altitude / private baths) A spectacular part of the trail awaits today as we approach the red, ochre, and blue strata of the Nevado del

5 Inca. This section offers a glimpse of an unmatched marvelous geological wonder and incredible natural beauty. Be on the lookout for groups of gracious vicuñas, as they are frequently spotted in this isolated area. We sleep tonight in the Huampococha Tambo, in the heart of large rock formations near a lagoon where huallatas (Andean geese) make their nests. The last of the four tambos lies within the community of Osefina. Together with their far away neighbors from Chillca they also participate in the lodges project. They are expert weavers and here we have the opportunity to enjoy their art. Anantapata Tambo to Huampococha Tambo [7.2 miles / 830 feet of elevation gain, 630 feet of loss, 715 feet of gain, 830 feet of loss, 300 feet of gain] Sandstone formations of Nevado del Inca Day 9. Huampococha Tambo to Congomire / Cusco, Casa Andina Private Collection (private baths / / After a last climb over the Anta Pass, we gradually make our descent. The landscape changes quickly as the red sandstone formations are followed by eroded carst limestone, forming a one-of-a-kind stone forest, and a perfect habitat for vizcacha (members of the chinchilla family). We soon begin to see the first crops and houses come into view as we near the end of our trek. By the time we get down the valley, our bus will be waiting for the return trip to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, we check in for our final night and celebratory dinner at the Casa Andina Private Collection. Huampococha Tambo to Congomire [6.6 miles / 300 feet of elevation gain, 3350 feet of loss] Day 10. Cusco / Flights Home After breakfast (or in the afternoon depending on your flight schedule) you are transferred to the airport in order to board your flight to Lima and connection to your flight back home.

6 Trip Details Trip Type: Inns and Tambos (Mountain Lodges) Trip Length: 10 days/9 nights 2011 Dates: April 24-May 3, September 25-October Dates: April 22-May 1, September 23-October 2 Price: $2898 per person double occupancy ($300 per person surcharge for total group size of 3; $1200 per person surcharge for total group size of 2) Single Supplement: $825 Day 4 Visit to Machu Picchu: $79 (this is the second visit to the site and is optional) Group Size: Minimum 2 / Maximum 12 Trip Rating: Challenging (altitude will range from to feet on Days 5-9 of the tour and strenuous climbs are involved) Activities: Cusco city tour (1/2 day), Inca ruins tours (two ½ days), Machu Picchu tour (one or two ½ days), handicraft market and weaving center visits, hiking (6-7 days), train rides Gateway City: Lima, Peru. Note that you must make travel arrangements from Lima to Cuzco (most fly on LAN Airlines) for the start of the tour. Meeting Place and Time: In Cusco at the airport anytime on Day 1, preferably before noon in order to make the city tour on time. Trip Conclusion: At the hotel in Cusco, anytime on the last day. Trip Fees Include: Accommodations as detailed in the itinerary, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 10, T-shirt, bilingual guide, all ground transfers as stated in the itinerary, all activities and entrance fees as listed in the itinerary, and 1st class train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back. Trip Fees Exclude: Airfares to, from and within Peru (i.e., Lima to Cusco), airport departure taxes (US$25 international and approximately 16 soles [US$5] per domestic airport), travel insurance, the Day 4 optional second visit to Machu Picchu ($79 extra), some beverages (sealed water bottles, sodas and alcoholic beverages), lodging in Lima if needed, hotel miscellaneous expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.), additional optional tours or services not specified in the tour itinerary, and gratuities (to porters, guides and cooks). The Next Step References Don t take our word for it that The World Outdoors trips are the finest in the adventure travel industry. Ask our past guests. Call about any of our trips and we ll be happy to refer you to someone who s been there with us. The Best Value in Active Travel Guarantee: We commit to you that all of our trips are of the highest quality at the best value. If you find a trip of equal quality that matches our itinerary and inclusions at a lower fare within 30 days of booking your trip with us, we will gladly refund the difference. A simple guarantee that assures you of the best trip at the best fare! How do I join this trip? Call The World Outdoors at (800) and a Trip Consultant will reserve your space(s) or register online at Your travel agent can also book your trip at no extra cost and provide other helpful assistance. Special Requests: If you have any special dietary needs or any special request that will make your trip more enjoyable, please be sure to notify your Trip Consultant or travel agent upon booking. Then Leave the Rest to Us... Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including your reservation payment receipt and confirmation, travel insurance application, suggestions for preparing for your trip, a packing list, information on pre- and posttrip arrangements, a guest questionnaire and a liability release agreement. Travel Protection: To make your trip with The World Outdoors even more carefree, we strongly recommend the purchase of our travel insurance plan. Offering comprehensive coverage and peace of mind, our travel insurance plan is designed to protect you in case of lost or damaged luggage, a sudden illness or death in the family, emergency medical expenses and transportation costs, and flight delays. We d be happy to arrange travel insurance coverage for you, so contact us at (800) with any questions. How do I book airfare for this trip? Call our in-house travel agent, Sherry Malanify, at from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time Monday through Friday or you can her at sherrym@theworldoutdoors.com. Sherry is also available to assist you with pre- and post-lodging needs. If Sherry is unavailable and your needs are urgent, please call James TravelPoints, a local travel agency, at Address: 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite D Boulder, CO Fax: fun@theworldoutdoors.com

7 and ask for Georgia (ext 251) or her at Be sure to tell her you are traveling with The World Outdoors. Alternatively, you are welcome to book your airfare online, directly with the airline or through your personal travel agent. General Information, Questions & Answers How difficult is this trip...really? No experience is required for any activity, but this is an action-oriented trip. This tour is mountainous and more challenging than our moderate tours. Intended for the active adult who feels comfortable being active 6-8 hours/day. Hikes are up to 9 miles with climbs in excess of 2000 feet at high altitude. What weather can I expect? Peru's climate can be divided into two seasons, wet and dry, which vary depending on the region. In the central Andean highlands where our tour is centered, the dry season lasts from April to October, with generally clear, sunny weather - daytime highs in the 70s and 80 s, nighttime lows in the 40s and 50s. But this varies with altitude, with lower temperatures at higher elevations (above 10,000 ), especially at night where freezing temps and snow are possible. Tour Operator: The World Outdoors operates this adventure through a Peruvian-based adventure travel company. All tours will include a bilingual naturalist guide. A tour representative will be your escort both to and from the Cusco International Airport on the first and last days of your tour. Emergency Contact Information: Our office in Boulder, Colorado is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time For emergencies outside of our normal business hours call Bill Marriner at , Sherry Malanify at , Darcie Carr at or Eric Wagner at Apumayo Expediciones is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 to 7:30 pm. They can be reached from the U.S. at , from outside Peru at or within Peru from Lima at or from Cusco at After hours, call from the U.S or , from outside Peru or or within Peru from Lima or or from Cusco or means you need to dial the appropriate international calling code for the country you are calling from before the rest of the number. Ask local information for the correct code. If all else has failed, you can call 24 hours per day to Katy ( from the U.S., from Lima or from Cusco) or Pepe ( from the U.S., from Lima or from Cusco). Visa and Passport Information A passport valid for at least 6 months is required for travel to and from Peru. No other visas or shots are required, though it is always a good idea to have the following anyway: typhoid, hepatitis A, cholera and yellow fever are all sensible precautions. Be sure to consult with your physician before deciding upon any medical treatments. Check-in for international flights to and from Peru is usually two hours before departure. Valuable items such as camera equipment or binoculars and essentials such as prescription medications should always be hand carried on all flights to avoid loss or damage. Checked luggage should be locked and properly labeled. Regarding accommodations The printed itinerary does not commit to the specific accommodations used. Although we tend to use set accommodations that fit the theme of the tour, changes are always possible due to ownership/management issues, availability of facilities, group size, etc. We recognize that many guests request a detailed Accommodations List for your records to leave behind with relatives, etc. We re more than happy to provide this when it is finalized (typically days prior to departure). This should give you plenty of time to contact relatives, etc. Pre/Post Trip Lodging: Please contact us if you need assistance with pre-post trip lodging. The below are recommended. Lima: Casa Andina $85 (single or double) Jose Antonio $154 (single) $176 (double) Sheraton $10*5 (single); $115 (double) Sol Melia Hotel $115 (single); $125 (double) Cusco: Casa Andina Private Collection Plaza $150 (single or double) We're Always Improving! While the information presented here details this trip's planned activities, routes, accommodations, departure and conclusion times, we are consistently seeking new opportunities to enhance this itinerary and your experience. Our actual activities and sites may vary due to season, special events, or weather. As a result, we reserve the right to alter the itinerary since unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Naturally, we will keep you up-to-date on any changes that may affect your arrival or departure times.