INCA TRAIL TREK
Itinerary Overview Trek the Inca Trail to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu along the royal road built by the Incas 500 years ago. Discover native Quechua Andean life and explore Inca stone monuments in Cusco, the Urubamba Valley and along the former pilgrimage route to Machu Picchu. We overnight here and arise early the next day for a private guided tour of temples and living quarters leaving time to wander, photograph and contemplate the sacred city in our own time. DAY OVERNIGHT HOTEL MEALS HIGHLIGHTS 1 LIMA Costa del Sol 2 CUSCO Casa Andina Private Collection 3 URUBAMBA VALLEY Sol y Luna BL 4 LLACTAPATA Camp BLD 5 LLULLUCHAPAMPA Camp BLD 6 PHUYUPATAMARCA Camp BLD 7 MACHU PICCHU 8 CUSCO 9 DEPARTURE Machu Picchu Pueblo Casa Andina Private Collection Casa Andina Private Collection (Day Use) B BLD BL B Arrive Lima, assistance to hotel Fly to Cusco. Guided walk in the afternoon Guided full day tour of Pisac, Ollantaytambo and vicinity. Day hike to acclimatize. (9000ft) 5 hrs, 6 mi Hike to Llulluchapampa. (9700ft) 6 hrs, 5.5 mi Climb pass, descend to camp. (11,970ft), 8 hrs, 9.5 mi Descend to Machu Picchu. (7875 ft) 7 hrs, 6 mi Tour Machu Picchu, return to Cusco Fly to Lima, transfer for international departure -2-
Itinerary in Detail DAY 1: LIMA Arrive in Lima. Airport assistance and overnight at the Costa del Sol Ramada Airport Hotel just a short 2-minute walk outside customs. DAY 2: CUSCO AND VICINITY WALKING TOUR Airport assistance for one hour morning flight to Cusco. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Your guide will also direct you to shops, museums, and markets where you can explore on your own as well as our recommended restaurants to enjoy Peru s exquisite fusion cuisine. Overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection. [B] Optional upgrade option to the luxury Orient Express Monasterio Hotel, a restored 400-year old former monastery and one of the top rated hotels in South America. DAY 3: URUBAMBA VALLEY Full day private guided exploration through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Overnight in the serene Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna. [BL] DAY 4: INCA TRAIL ACCLIMATIZATION TO LLACTAPATA Altitude: 8500-9000 /2575-2750m; Hiking time with rests: 5 hours; Hiking distance: 6 miles; Camp elevation: 9000 /2750m We plan this day to explore a little known site in order to have an extra day of acclimatization and so that we get an early start the following day ahead of other trekkers starting the Inca Trail. This morning we drive from our hotel to the small village of Piscaycucho. It s an easy two hour hike up the mountain on a little-known Inca pathway to the ancient Inca ruins of Q ente, a spectacular lookout and spiritual site perched high over the valley. Descending back into the valley we follow the Urubamba River through the semi-arid Cusichaca River gorge, past native gardens and thatched-roof houses. Our camp is set near Llactapata a large Inca settlement of agricultural terraces that probably supplied the entire Urubamba region during Inca times including Machu Picchu. Over your shoulder Mt. Veronica (18,975 ft.) rises in the background. [BLD] DAY 5: LLULLUCHAPAMPA Altitude: 9000-12,600 /2750-3820m; Hiking time: 6 hours; Hiking distance: 7.5 miles; Camp elevation: 12,600 /3820m The trail winds slowly uphill through a small forest to reach the ancient site of Patallacta. After a short walk through the ruins we continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba. Winding up the trail through a narrow hanging valley we enter a cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree (Polylepis) an endemic species of the Andean forest. The trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. [BLD] DAY 6: PHUYUPATAMARCA Altitude: 12,600-13,776 /3820-4175m; Hiking time: 8 hours; Hiking distance: 9.5 miles; Camp elevation: 11,970 /3627m After a hearty breakfast, continue the steep ascent. The mountain valley opens up as we approach the Warmiwañusqa Pass (13,776 ft., Dead Woman's Pass), the highest point of the trek, where you can rest and revel with relief knowing you ve successfully negotiated the most difficult part of the trail. Descend into the Pacamayo River valley where you ll see a waterfall, creeks, and meadows. Then ascend to the Inca watchtower of Runcurakay. Continue up and over the second high pass (12,628 ft.). The trail descends down an ancient stone stairway into a cloud forest transition zone, and to the fascinating site of -3-
Sayacmarca, a compact, expertly-built ancient Inca town that you ll enjoy exploring. Later, pass through a rock tunnel carved by the Incas and follow the well-engineered trail to the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (Town Above the Clouds, 11,972 ft.). Campsite is located nearby. Magnificent Mt. Salkantay (20,574 ft.), the principal Apu or sacred mountain of local Indians, dominates the landscape on clear days. [BLD] DAY 7: WIÑAY WAYNA AND MACHU PICCHU Altitude: 11,970-7875 /3627-2386m; Hiking time: 5 hours; Hiking distance: 7 miles Your last day of trekking is an all day descent into thicker cloud forest including a continuous Inca stairway 2,300 steps long! After a few hours of hiking we arrive at Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), an Inca town perched on a steep forested slope high above the Urubamba River. This beautiful site is a large complex of ancient dwellings, terraces, and still functioning waterworks - an amazing feat of architecture. The final two hours on the trail leads to the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun), the Inca s main entrance to Machu Picchu. Looking out over the spectacular ancient city at 7,868 ft. elevation, it is just a half-mile walk below. Surrounded by emerald-green Andean mountains, the view is truly awe-inspiring. Walk through the ruins and take the bus further below to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we check into our hotel. Overnight at the charming Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. [BLD] Note: Optional upgrade to Sanctuary Hotel adjacent to Machu Picchu is available on request. DAY 8: MACHU PICCHU Be among the first to arrive in Machu Picchu on one of the early shuttle buses up to the site. Your guide will accompany you on an orientation walk through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent site. Enjoy the rest of the morning to wander through and explore the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes at your own pace. Visit the temples of Inca royalty and see the Intiwatana, the ancient stone sun dial. You can hike up the precipitous stone stairs of towering Huayna Picchu peak to get a breathtaking view of the setting. After lunch, return on the afternoon train to Cusco, where you are met and transferred to overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection. [BL] DAY 9: LIMA Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Lima. Airport reception and transfer in to Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection in Miraflores to use as a day room until your evening transfer to the airport for your departing flight. [B] Recommended add-on: Half-day tours of colonial Lima and a museum are available on request. Observe the blend of cultures in one of South America's oldest capital cities on a guided tour of the old colonial center of downtown Lima, the church and catacombs of San Francisco and the cathedral. The most comprehensive museums in Lima that feature Peru s archaeological heritage are the Gold Museum and the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology. END OF SERVICES Actual routes and activities may vary. Local trip coordinators reserve the right to change accommodations to similar quality alternatives. See more information about the Inca Trail below. -4-
2012 PRICING GROUP SIZE LAND COST PER ADULT 2-3 $3150 4-5 $2895 6+ $2795 Single Supplement: $675 Internal Airfare: Approximately $375 per person for roundtrip Lima-Cuzco. INCLUDED SERVICES All guided tours and excursions English-speaking naturalist guides Airport-hotel transfers, land transportation Porters with tents and camping gear (except sleeping bags) on trek Inca Trail permits 9 nights hotel, camping and lodge accommodation as indicated Meals as indicated [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner] Wildland Adventures travel consultation and pre-departure services NOT INCLUDED SERVICES International airfare Internal airfare Lima-Cusco-Lima of approx $375, Wildland can assist in booking this Tips and gratuities Sleeping bag for the Inca Trail Trek Airport departure taxes ($30 international, $6 local) Drinks, alcoholic beverages, and meals other than listed above Personal expenses for extra services, optional activities, or changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control Travel insurance for trip cancellation, medical services, or evacuation Any other items not mentioned above MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INCA TRAIL: Click here: Why Trek the Inca Trail with Wildland Adventures Click here: Inca Trail Trek Frequently Asked Questions Inca Trail Permits Required in Advance: Peruvian Inca Trail regulations limit the number of people allowed on the Inca Trail each day. Permits are given on a "first-come, first-serve" basis only, so booking early is essential. Inca Trail permits are non-refundable and require your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number immediately upon confirmation. If you don t have a current passport we need your expired passport number in which case you need to bring both passports on the trip. -5-
Accommodations COSTA DEL SOL RAMADA, LIMA Located within the Lima airport complex, the Costa del Sol is an easy stop after a late arrival from Quito. The hotel features 130 guest rooms all with high speed Internet access, air conditioning and a marble bathroom. Enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant offering a variety of local and International cuisine or relax in the pool. CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION, CUSCO In the heard of Cusco a mere three blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Casa Andina Private Collection offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel with the comforts and services of a larger property. Rooms are tucked away around three interior courtyards, each with a private bathroom, free Wi-Fi, and oxygen available upon request. Relax in the lounge next to the fireplace, take a walk to the Temple of the Sun, or take pleasure in a candlelit dinner at the Alma restaurant, which features Novo Andino (New Andean) cuisine with local ingredients from the Sacred Valley. SOL Y LUNA, URUBAMBA VALLEY Nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the Hotel Sol y Luna combines comfort with a rustic Andean ambience. Clustered in a landscape of flowers and majestic Andean peaks, individual hotel bungalows offer doubles, family bungalows, and one suite. Each bungalow features a colorfully decorated interior, private bathroom and shower, king-sized beds and a private terrace. The hotel features a swimming pool, restaurant with brick oven pizza, and the welcoming warmth of an open fireplace, featuring typical Peruvian dishes as well as international plates. INCA TRAIL TREK CAMP Our tents are spacious, 3-person dome tents used for 2 trekker (or single on request). All community camping gear is provided including inflatable ground pads and all dining accoutrements. Sleeping bags are available for rent, although we recommend bringing your own if possible. Dining tent, chairs and tables are provided and a toilet tent is set at each camp. All camp chores, tent set up, and gear is handled by staff. You just carry a day pack with personal needs each day like water, clothing, lunch and camera. -6-
MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO, MACHU PICCHU The Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate 85-cottage luxury hotel in sprawling Andean style village within the secluded 12 acres of exquisite beauty, where guests follow stone pathways to their rooms, located in comfortable one- or two-story whitewashed casitas. The hotel has the world s largest native species orchid garden open to the public with over 372 species. A lush garden, stone-paved paths and canals flowing with spring water set the tone for a relaxing atmosphere. Large and bright rooms are furnished with wooden furniture specially made by local craftsmen. The UNU Spa features massage, sauna and aromatherapy. CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION, MIRAFLORES The Casa Andina Private Collection is a contemporary hotel located in the Lima suburb of Miraflores. Surrounded by the greatest density of restaurants, shopping and nightlife, Miraflores has become the most fashionable, upscale district of Peru s cosmopolitan capital, renowned for its gastronomic scene. Spacious rooms are well-equipped featuring cable TV, Wi-Fi access, a safety deposit box, and air conditioning. The property features two restaurants, a coffee shop, spa, gym and heated swimming pool, all available for your convenience and relaxation. -7-
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