- Itinerary Days 1 - 5
- Days 6 to 10
- Pricing
- Bookings
Tour
Length: 10
days
/
09
nights.
Activities: Trecking, Outdoor,
Archaeological, Ecological.
Spots to visit: Lima
/ Cusco / Inca Trail to Machu Picchu / Tambopata Reserve.
Best day Departures: Every
Saturday of 2008 / 2009
Domestic
or Int'l flights: Not
included.
Min.
Paxs: 02
pax,
max.
14
pax.
Day
1 LIMA-CUSCO
Arrival,
meeting and immediate connection
flight to Cusco, arrival
and transfer to selected
hotel. P. M Half day tour visiting
Sacsayhuaman- an impressive
Inca fortress-and Quenko
then on to the Temple of
the Water -Tambo Machay-
finally a visit to the
Cathedral with its unique
paintings of the Cusqueña
School.
Day 2
CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
After a delicious breakfast departure to Huambutio; a brief lesson on
padding from our crew and then set off on a wet and
wild morning for rafting on the Urubamba river. After
a picnic lunch, hike to the Pisaq ruins where will
visit the best architectonical work of the Incas, late
afternoon arrival and overnight at a cozy Inn in Ollantaytambo.
Day 3 OLLANTAYTAMBO KM 82- WAYLLABAMBA
Breakfast.
Between
8:00-08:30
am we will
pick you up
from your hotel
and transfer
to Piskacuchu
(2700m) which
is a small
community located
82 along the
railroad from
Cusco to Machu
Picchu (also
known simply
as km82). Hikers
cross the VilcanotaRiver
and follow
the trail to
the right as
it climbs steeply
up from the
river. After
passing through
the small village
of Miskay,
the ruins of
the Inca hill
fort of Huillca
Raccay come
into view high
above the mouth
of the river
Cusichaca ('happy
bridge'). It
is a simple
descent down
to the Cusichaca
River. From
parts of this
trail there
are great views
of the Cordillera
Urubamba and
the snow capped
peak of Veronica
5860m. You'll
also get a
great view
over the extensive
Inca ruins
of Llactapata
(also known
as Patallacta
on some maps).
Llactapata
2750m means
'upper town'
in Quechua
and was first
discovered
by Hiram Bingham
in 1911 and
was primarily
an agricultural
station used
to supply Machu
Picchu with
maize, the
staple crop
of the Incas.
The settlement
comprised over
one hundred
buildings,
houses for
the workers
and soldiers,
including five
baths. For
a further 7
km the path
follows the
left bank of
the river up
to the small
village of
Wayllabamba
(3,000m). The
name in Quechua
means 'grassy
plain'. This
is the last
place along
the trek that
you can buy
snacks and
drinks.
Day 4
WAYLLABAMBA-PACAMAYO
We will wake up at about 6:00 am and after breakfast we will leave Wayllabamba behind and begin the most difficult part of the trek. Following the left bank of the LlulluchayocRiver for about 1 hour brings you to 'Tres Piedras' (three stones) and a small bridge over the Huayruro river The
stream is named after the Huayruro which
is an ornamental tree. It's seeds are red
and black. Many of the porters from the
Ollantaytambo district are also known as
Huayruro because of their traditional red
and black ponchos! A little further
on you'll enter a beautiful cloud forest
passing a waterfall. A further three
hours trek through steepening woods and
increasingly spectacular terrain brings
you to the tree line and a meadow known
as Llulluchapampa (3,680m). It is another
1½ hours climb to the first and
highest pass of the trail (Abra de Huarmihuañusca
or 'Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,200m. Once
in the top hikers can celebrate having
completed the most difficult section of
the trail. The decent from the pass
is steep although not difficult, following
the trail on the left side of the valley
to the valley floor and to the 2nd night's
campsite at Pacamayo (3,600m). There are
toilet facilities here.
Day
5 PACAMAYO-WIÑAY HUAYNA
This day is the longest but also the most impressive
and most interesting due to the many Inca ruins that
we will visit along the way. From the campsite at
Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up
to the ruins of Runkuracay (3800m). These small circular
ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the
Pacamayo valley below. Another 45 minute hike
will bring you to the top of the second pass: Abra
de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that
you are walking along the trail of the Incas with
paving, for the most part, being original. The descent
down the steps from the pass is steep so take care.
This section of the trail, up till the 3rd pass,
is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high
stone embankments and skirts deep precipices. After
about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca
(3624m) by way of a superbly designed stone staircase.
The name Sayacmarca means 'InaccessibleTown' and
describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected
on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the
exact purpose of these ruins. From here on the path
descends into magnificent cloudforest full of orchids,
hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through
an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock,
on the way. The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass
(3,700m). The view from the pass offers excellent
views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay
(6,180m) and Veronica (5,750m). A few minutes after
the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca
ruin so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds'.
Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs
passing six 'Inca Baths' probably used for the ritual
worship of water. Leaving the site via an impressive
Inca staircase you descend a thousand or so steps.
Be careful with your knees which will feel the strain
by the end of the day. After about an hour of
walking through cloudforest you may just be able
to see the tin roof of the trekkers
Hostel at Winay Huayna, although
it probably won't be for another 2 hours
until you arrive. Winay Huayna is the
last official campsite before Machu Picchu;
there is a restaurant where you can purchase
drinks and even a well deserved cold beer,
as well as hot showers ($1.5) and toilet
facilities. A short trail leaves
from the southern end of the hostel to
the ruins of Winay Huayna. The name
in Quechua means 'forever young' and is
named after a variety of pink orchid which
grows here. The ruins comprise magnificent
agricultural terraces set in an impressive
location. There are also many buildings
of good quality stonework and a sequence
of 10 baths, suggesting thin the site was
probably a religious center associated
with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing
may have taken place here for pilgrims
on the final leg of the trail to Machu
Picchu.
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Day
6 DAY WIÑAY WAYNA -MACHU PICCHU
We'll
wake early at 4.15am, have breakfast
and set off on the trail again by 5.15am
to get to Machu Picchu before sunrise.
The sky starts getting light by 5:30am
and the first rays of the sun reach
Machu Picchu at about 7:00am. The trail
contours a mountainside and drops into
cloudforest before coming to an almost
vertical flight of 50 steps leading
up to the final pass at Inti Punku
(Sun Gate). From this point you will
be able to see sunrise over Machu Picchu
which is spread out before, an unforgettable
experience. From Inti Punku we will
descend for about 40 minutes to Machu
Picchu. When you arrive in the ruins
you'll have plenty of time to take
photos of Machu Picchu from the classic
view point. Most groups wait at this
point for a while so most of your
photos should be 'tourist free'.
When the group is return together
again we descend to the main entrance
where we will have to register and
where you can safely leave your large
backpacks. You can also go to the
toilet and have a quick coffee in
the restaurant just outside the entrance.
With just your daypack on the group
will re-enter the ruins with the
same guide for a complete tour of
the major sectors. The tour takes
about 2 hours so by about 10:30 you'll
have free time to explore the ruins
alone. The train return to Cusco
departs from Aguas Calientes which
is the nearest village to the ruins
of Machu Picchu. The train departs
at approximately 16:30 (time can
vary) and you'll arrive return in
Cusco for about 21:00. Included in
our standard service are the tourist
bus from Machu Picchu down to Aguas
Calientes, the train return to Cusco
and a transfer from the station to
you hotel. Sometimes, however, we
buy train tickets just return as
far as Ollantaytambo and then bring
you return to your hotel in Cusco
by private bus. The later method
usually works out about 30 minutes
quicker. We suggest that after visiting
Machu Picchu that you take the bus
down to Aguas Calientes by 15:30. Buses
depart every 15 minutes; check
with the guide for actual times. This leaves
you plenty of time in the ruins to climb
Wayna Picchu (the mountain that you see in
the background). It takes about 1 hour to
climb and 40 minutes to descend. Most people,
however, leave the ruins at about 13:30 and
return to Aguas Calientes for lunch (in the
ruins there is only one restaurant and it's
very expensive). There are several small
restaurants in Aguas Calientes to satisfy
all budgets. You may also wish to visit
to the town's famous thermal springs which
feel great after finishing the trail. Entrance
to the springs costs US$ 2, allow 2 hours
to really enjoy them. Overnight in Aguas
Calientes.
7
Day MACHU PICCHU-CUSCO
Breakfast,
return to Machu Picchu for a full day
of exploration at your own ( free day), return to
Cusco by train. Arrival and transfer to selected
hotel. Lunch.
8 Day CUSCO-PUERTO MALDONADO
Breakfast.
Transfer to the airport, flight to Puerto Maldonado.
Arrival and transfer to Corto Maltes Lodge.
Welcome drink. Short walk to a small Lagoon and return
in time to enjoy a jungle sunset at a sunset point
from where you will return to the lodge to board
our dugout canoes for a short night ride to spot
caimans on the river banks with flashlights, lunch
and dinner.
9 Day PUERTO MALDONADO
Breakfast. Excursion to
the Cocococha Lagoon. On the way, you will observe
exotic plants and insects, colorful butterflies and
birds, monkeys and with some of luck perhaps the
largest mammals . Return to the lodge. Lunch. Afternoon
free for leisure, lunch and dinner.
10 Day PUERTO MALDONADO-LIMA
Breakfast.
Early wake up. Transfer to Puerto Maldonado, departure
to Lima. Arrival, meeting and transfer to Miraflores,
rest of the day at leisure; at proper time meeting
and transfer to the airport , international departure.
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- In Cusco: City Tour and nearby ruins.
- Rafting and trek to Pisac ruins, Ollantaytambo.
- Overnight at Ollantaytambo.
- Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days 3 nights.
- 3 days 2 nights Jungle trip in Puerto Maldonado.
- 04 nights accommodation at the selected hotels.
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
- All bilingual guided tours as described in the itinerary.
- All entrance fees.
- All transfers and land transportation.
We reserve the right to make changes in the itinerary in order to assure the success of the trip, without prior notice due changes in climate conditions, river water levels, flight or bus arrival and departure times or any other reason relevant to the best development of the trip.
All our programs may be tailored accordingly your requirements, whatever the length of your staying, or any special interests, or specific activities, flight reservations, optional destinations or tours.
- Domestic flight.
- Airport Taxes
- Alcoholic drinks, soda or bottled mineral water.
- Other Items stocked in the Hotel mini-bars.
- Personal expenses.
- Tips.
- International or National personal telephone calls.
- Laundry.
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| First Class ***** |
1804 |
1750 |
1700 |
| Standard **** |
1573 |
1520 |
1470 |
| Economy *** |
1443 |
1399 |
1350 |
We do have the lowest prices according the level of services. We will meet or beat any internet published rates from companies outside Peru for all package tours. All HOTELS and TOURS are based on US standards.
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NEWS & EVENTS
3/12/2008
Inca Xpress Peru Offers Cultural and Traditional Tours as well as the Best Treks in Peru
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PDF]
|
1/29/2008
The Inca Trail to Machu Pichhu is open again for the 2008 Season
[Download
PDF]
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1/18/2008
Peru is luring more and more people
[Download
PDF]
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| More Articles > Click Here |
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