PROPOSED 12-DAY ITINERARY AFCA ITINERARY. With the Salkantay Trek

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Steven Quinn
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1 PROPOSED 12-DAY ITINERARY AFCA ITINERARY With the Salkantay Trek Day 1 Arrive Cusc / Overnight Cusc Tday is a free day allwing peple t arrive at any time. We will have a welcme briefing and dinner tday t give peple the chance t get t knw each ther. Accmmdatin Htel Tika Wasi r similar, Meals - Dinner Day 2 - Cusc City Tur / Pisac / Overnight Sacred Valley In the afternn, we will visit the San Blas artist quarter, ne f the city s ldest neighburhds where yu will be treated t spectacular views f the city and have the chance t visit a small lcal gallery. Frm here we walk t the Qricancha r Sun Temple but nt befre stpping t see the 12- angled stne, an amazing example f the Quechua s architectural prwess. The Qricancha was the mst sacred building within the entire empire and here we will be able t appreciate the finest architecture in Cusc within the remaining Inca temples. Hwever, as was custmary, the Spanish built a church ver this place f wrship which allws yu t appreciate the cntrast in the tw cnstructin styles. We als visit the San Pedr market where they sell everything frm extic fruits t live frgs, medicinal plants and turist suvenirs. This is the city s ldest market and despite the many turists wh nw visit it is still the mst imprtant lcal market in the centre. Our last stp tday is the Cathedral. Built ver a 100 year time frame, the cathedral is nt nly imprtant because f its religius significance but because f the huge cllectin f religius artwrk f the Cusquenian style which is a blend f Spanish art frm the 17 th century with Andean icngraphy. After the tur we will pick ur luggage up frm the htel and travel t the Sacred Valley f the Incas, stpping at Awanakancha, a cmmunity-run interpretatin centre where we will learn abut the Suth American camelids, traditinal dyeing techniques and be able t see wmen weaving textiles typical f the area. Frm here we cntinue half an hur t the the village f Pisac, famus fr its market, where hundreds f stalls crwd the central square -- marked by a small church, San Pedr el Apstl, and massive pisnay trees. We will share ur time here between having lunch and checking ut the wares. When we have finished in the village, we will travel half an hur t the Pisac ruins, sme f the finest and largest in the entire valley. Despite the excellent cnditin f many f the structures, little is cnclusively knwn abut the site's actual purpse. It appears t have been part city, part ceremnial centre, and part military cmplex. It might have been a ryal estate f the Inca

2 emperr (Pachacutec). It was certainly a religius centre and has the temples typical f imprtant religius sites. Time dependent we may be able t walk back dwn int twn afterwards but yur guide will discuss this with yu. We will nw travel thrugh the Sacred Valley t arrive at ur htel fr the evening in the Urubamba area. Accmmdatin Htel Villa Urubamba r similar, Day 3 Mray & Maras / Ollantaytamb / Overnight Sacred Valley Start the day climbing t the plains f Maras fr a visit t the Inca site f Mray. Althugh the exact use f this site is nt knwn, it is believed t be an experimental agricultural site used t dmestic crps. Its cncentric circles are a marvel t the eye and the flying stairs that yu will be able t experience are interesting architectural feature that are typical t rustic Inca cnstructins. After this visit we will travel thrugh farmlands t the twn f Maras and then the pre-inca salt pls. Fed by an undergrund spring f salty water, these pls and the methds used t extract the salt have been in existence since befre the time f the Incas. Yu will explre the area and taste the salt, if yu dare, nt t mentin take sme pretty amazing phts f this surreal envirnment. In the afternn we will visit the sleepy twn f Ollantaytamb. Despite the awe-inspiring archaelgical site and turist buses that at times fld the streets, this twn still mves slwly. They have riginal Inca r Quechua water channels that line the streets, a teeny main square with spectacular views and a hst f small restaurants and café where yu can sit and have a cffee. Our fcus will be n visiting the ruins with ur guide but yu will have time fr a wander thrugh the streets t get a feel fr this unique twn befre returning t Cusc fr the night. **The Maras & Mray tur can be dne by bike as well with a picnic lunch. This ptin wuld cst apprximately $40US per persn mre. Accmmdatin Htel Villa Urubamba r similar, Day 4 Cusc / Sraypampa / Syrcccha Yu will be picked up frm yur htel and then we leave Cusc early in the mrning t travel thrugh the prvince f Anta Cusc s dairy regin and descending int the rich and fertile valley f Limatamb befre climbing again t the twn f Mllepata, where we will stp fr breakfast and last minute supplies. We cntinue n t Sraypampa (3700m) where we meet ur wranglers and pack animals t begin ur trek. After an hur s walk ur first stp will be Laguna Umantay where we will have lunch. This pretty lagn prvides mirrr-like images f the surrunding

3 muntains and is the perfect place fr self-reflectin. Frm here we cntinue acrss Salkantaypampa, just belw glacial mraines, befre starting a fairly steep sectin f switchbacks knwn as the the 7 vueltas r 7 turns, which will take us up t 4300m. Frm here the path is almst flat t Syrcccha, where we will camp just belw Munt Salkantay. This campsite ffers spectacular views f the glacier and, if the weather is clear, an unparalleled view f the suthern sky, but is high and usually very cld. *Nte the the campsite fr tnight will depend n the grup s pace thrughut the day. Srycccha 4400m / ft abve sea level. Day 5 Syrcccha / Clcapampa After an early breakfast we will start the trek t the Salkantay Pass at As yu take in the panrama yu will be able t see nt nly Salkantay but als the snw-capped peaks f the Crdillera Vilcabamba, Pumasill, and the Huayracmachay valley. There is als the ptin t d sme alpine scrambling and t visit a secnd glacial lagn near the base f the Salkantay glacier. Frm the pass we start ur descent int the valley. As we travel, the vegetatin changes frm the sparse grasses f the puna and muntain passes t lush clud-frest hme t butterflies, hummingbirds, and a wide-variety f flra. After lunch we will cntinue dwn thrugh the valley t Clcapampa fr a warmer night f rest. Clcapampa 3000m / ft abve sea level Day 6 Clcapampa / Lucmabamba Tday is a relaxing day. We will have a gradual descent alng the river t La Playa, a small cmmunity where many peple camp. Depending n the seasn there may be wild strawberries grwing and butterflies crwding the path, vying fr the mineral rich sil that they need t cmplement their diet. We will cntinue n t Lucmabamba at the start f an riginal Inca Trail. *There is als the pssibility f a lcal hmestay cnsidered part f Cusc s la Ruta del Café, where yu can learn abut artisan cffee prductin. This is a highly recmmend alternative!! Lucmabamba 2000m / 6561ft abve sea level Day 7 Lucmabamba / Aguas Calientes We start early t avid the mid-day heat with a walk thrugh cffee plantatins and past an artisan cffee mill n ur way t Llactapata. Here we fllw a wide, well-preserved Inca Trail which nce ran all the way t Quit. Fllwing the trail up the side f the ridge, we may see a multitude f butterflies, citrnella, rcky streams, and stunning vistas f the Santa Teresa valley. Frm the pass it is a shrt walk t Llactapata and a view f Machu Picchu that few thers get t see. We will explre the site, still cvered in vines and jungle vegetatin, befre descending t the Ri Abamba and n t the train statin at Hidrelectrica. Frm there, we will catch the train t

4 Aguas Calientes and check int ur htel. In the evening, there are plenty f restaurants, markets, and the ht springs t enjy, r simply relax in yur htel. 5 hurs walking, 2150m-1900m. Aguas Calientes 2000m / 6561ft abve sea level Day 8: Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Cusc We will get up early in rder t catch ne f the first buses up t Machu Picchu in time t watch the sunrise ver the muntains. After enjying the views, we will have a tw hur tur f the Inca citadel, visiting the principle sites. After the tur we recmmend the fllwing activities: Climbing Huayna Picchu and visiting the Temple f the Mn r climbing Machu Picchu Muntain (require an additinal pass and must be reserved at time f bking). Hiking t the Sungate where the first rays f sun shine n the winter slstice. Visiting the Inca Bridge where yu will be able t marvel and the incredible engineering skills and ingenuity f the Incas. Sitting n the terraces belw the Temple f the Cndr and taking in the energy f the site. Walking thrugh the site again, ducking int hidden crners and little-visited rms t be able t refine yur wn thery abut Machu Picchu. Yu are free t return t Aguas Calientes at any time, making sure that yu are there t meet yur guide at the assigned time t catch the train which will bring us t Ollantaytamb r Pry where we will be picked up and transferred t Cusc. Accmmdatin Htel Tika Wasi r similar, Day 9 Free Day / Overnight Cusc Tday is free t mre deeply explre the fascinating city f Cusc by wandering thrugh its cbblestne streets r perhaps t just relax while enjying a cup f lcally-grwn cffee. There are massages t be had, suvenirs t be purchased and fd t be enjyed. Fr thse lking fr a cultural experience, yu might think abut getting a cca leaf reading r participating in an Offering t Mther Earth ceremny fr a deeper cnnectin with the envirnment and yurself. Accmmdatin Htel Tika Wasi r similar, Day 10 Cusc / Puert Maldnad / Overnight Amazn Jungle Ldge In the mrning yu will be transferred t the airprt fr yur 30 minute flight t Puert Maldnad. Upn arrival, yu will be met yur naturalist guide wh may be meeting thers frm yur grup as well. Guides are assigned t a maximum f 10 peple which means grups smaller than 10 peple will be merged with ther grups under ne guide.

5 Transfer frm the airprt t the ldge s ffice where yu will be able t stre unnecessary luggage befre transferring t the Tambpata River Prt 20 kilmeters away, entering the Native Cmmunity f Infiern. The prt is a cmmunal business. The ldge is a frty five minute bat ride taking us int the Cmmunity s Primary Frest Private Reserve. Yu will receive an rientatin talk upn arrival as the ldge manager welcmes yu and briefs yu with imprtant navigatin and security tips. In the afternn we head ut int the jungle fr a small walk in rder t bserve the flra such as immense Irnwd r Kapk trees and birds such as Trgns, quails and wild turkeys. Dinner is served in the cmmunal dining rm. After dinner yu can stay in the cmmn area r head back t the cmplete quiet f yur rm. Once night falls we can als find spiders such as tarantulas and ther ncturnal creatures. Accmmdatin Intawa Ldge r similar, Day 11 Amazn Jungle Ldge La Trre Clay Lick - We leave the ldge very early n the mrning t g fifteen minutes upriver in rder t bserve the activity f the macaws, parrts, parakeets and the ccasinal mammal feeding n the earth. La Trre Clay Lick is a mud bank abut fur meters high and twenty meters wide crisscrssed with veins f mineral rich clay essential t the diet f these animals. On site we have a hideut at a distance f thirty meters which keeps us hidden while at the same time allwing us an unbstructed view f the display in frnt f us. During the phenmenn we need t stick t the rules and guidelines set by ur guide the previus evening. Returning t the ldge we will have breakfast and after a shrt rest head fr Tres Chimbadas Lake. Tres Chimbadas Lake - Its entrance is lcated fifteen minutes dwnriver frm INOTAWA. We then walk abut 45 minutes t the lake lcated deep in the jungle. We will pass an ec-turism cncessin held by the native peple f the Infiern cmmunity. They guard and maintain the area thanks als t the incme generated by entry fees frm turists. At the lake itself we will bard a traditinal catamaran with a single ar in rder t mve arund n the lake fllwing the rute indicated by ur guide. We can see luscius vegetatin and birds such as Snakebirds, herns, kingfishers etc. We might als find reptiles and mammals, abve all the illusive giant river tter. The lake happens t be the territry f a clan that can frequently be sptted. It is als pssible t practice catch and release fishing and maybe catch a piranha. Farm - In the area traditinal agriculture is practiced. We will visit Dn Aureli and his family. This is a great pprtunity t see harvest and try varius extic fruits frm the amazn such as Cpazu, Arazá, Pijuay, Yucca, and Pineapple. There are als varius herbs such as pallil and false cilantr as well as a range f medicinal plants such as pinn, cana cana and piri piri that are traditinally and widely used by the lcal peple.

6 The farms als create pen spaces fr papaya and banana plantatins. This is the preferred habitat fr birds such as silver beaked tanagers, riles, rpendulas, tucanets and varius wdpeckers. Ncturnal bat ride - At night we head ut in the bat t enjy urselves and the sunds f the Amaznian night, we might see a thunderstrm spilling ut n the hrizn r marvel at cnstellatins like the Suthern Crss r Scrpin. We are als carrying a pwerful searchlight in case we cme acrss sme ncturnal animals such as caimans, bats, nightjars r capybaras n the banks and meanders f the Tambpata River. Accmmdatin Intawa Ldge r similar, Day 12 Amazn Jungle Ldge / Puert Maldnad This mrning yu will return t the ldge s ffice in Puert Maldnad where yu will pick up the rest f yur gear and wait fr yur transfer t the airprt. Yur guide will help yu with yur checkin fr yur nward flight. Services end at the Puert Maldnad Airprt. **Please nte that yur jungle itinerary may vary depending n which ldge is available. Accmmdatin N/A Meals Breakfast INCLUSIONS All services are private Arrival and Departure Transfers with assistance 11 Nights f accmmdatin - 8 in 2*/ 3* accmmdatin and 3 nights f camping Private grund transprt as listed in itinerary including the train frm Machu Picchu Walking tur f Cusc Guided tur f Pisac Ruins & Market Guided tur f Mray, Maras & Ollantaytamb 5-Day / 4-Night Salkantay Trek including: Private Transfer frm yur htel t the start f the Trailhead All camping equipment including a camp mattress. Sleeping bags must be brught r rented. 1 Night f accmmdatin in Aguas Calientes in 2-3* accmmdatin Bilingual, prfessinal trekking guide wh accmpanies yu in Machu Picchu and back t Cusc. All meals which will be catered t dietary requirements, ht drinks and anther refreshment served with meals, and biled water t refill water bttles starting with dinner n Day 1 Water in the mrning and befre meals t wash up First aid kit including an xygen tank and guides with tw-radis Guided tur f Machu Picchu 3-Day / 2-Night stay in a jungle ldge and activities as described in the itinerary. (Please nte that activities vary frm ldge t ldge and this will depend n availability at time f reservatin.)

7 Inclusins cntinued Prfessinal bilingual guide fr all f the activities All meals frm Dinner n Day 1 t Breakfast n Day 1 Entrance fees as required NOT INCLUDED Dmestic and Internatinal flights and assciated taxes Gratuities Meals nt listed Additinal services such as but nt limited t additinal turs, meals, alchlic beverages, laundry and cmmunicatin

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