On this run, we will traverse an incredible Inca highway consisting of over 125 km (77.7 mi) of ancient roads. The activities include trail running, enjoying the tranquility of nature, and exploring two amazing and enigmatic archaeological sites. We will cross through highly varied terrain of diverse ecosystems: from majestic rivers at 1500 meters above sea level (4921 feet above sea level) to high mountain passes at 4650 masl (15,256 fasl); from tropical rainforests to imposing glaciers; from the territory of the endangered spectacled bear to the skyways of

majestic condors in flight; all combining to make this a unique and memorable experience. The route begins in the town of Capuliyoc and passes through the famous archaeological complex of Choquequirao. We’ll visit small villages along the route, running lightly over intact Inca paths winding through the mountains, and ending at the mystical ancient citadel of Machu Picchu.

This running retreat adventure is open to ages 15 and up of any pace or level of runner. Must be able to complete 8-15 miles/day of hiking/running, including 1,000-6,000 feet of elevation gain per day. Optional 12-week training package available from an experienced running coach to ensure you're trained and ready to go for this adventure of a lifetime! 

Itinerary:

Day 1 Cusco - Lamay

Day 2 Lamay - Pumamarca - Ollantaytambo.

Day 3 Lamay - Capuliyoc

Day 4 Capuliyoc / Chiquiska / Maranpata / Choquequirao

Day 5 Choquequirao / Pincha Unuyoc / Maizal / Abra San Juan / Yanama

Day 6 Yanama / Abra Mariano LLamojas / Totora / Lucmabamba

Day 7 Lucmabamba / Llactapata / Hidroelectrica / Machu Picchu Village. Machu Picchu visit

in the afternoon and return train to Cusco

Day 8 Transfer Out to next destination

About the guides:

Diego Casabonne:

Diego ´The Running Cuy (Guinea Pig)´ Casabonne went from being 20 kg. overweight to finishing among the top 20 competitors in the 250 km. Marathon des Sables Peru, one of the world’s most challenging races.  His story goes back 5 years, when he took leave of his sedentary life, put on his running shoes, and conquered every challenge he took on since! In the past two years, he has completed over 10 ultra-marathons, including the 160 km. Patagonia Run, the 250 km. Marathon des Sables, the 125 km. Half-Marathon des Sables,  the 125 km. Ultra-Trail Harricana, both the 50 and 80 km. Endurance Challenges, the 100 km. El Cruce de Los Andes (Crossing of the Andes), and the 120 km. Ecuador Trail Tour, finishing among the top 20 competitors in each! Diego, today, has become a professional runner who divides his time between Lima and Cusco, seeking a balance between his city life and his new mountain life. An industrial engineer whose areas of expertise include self-improvement, self-motivation, strategy, training, and nutrition, Diego considers it his mission to share his knowledge with others to help them overcome any and all of the personal challenges they are facing in life.

Domingo Elias:

Domingo Elias has profound experience as an adventure tour leader and guide. He has led groups of trail-runners in the Peruvian Andes for the past five years, facilitating unforgettable experiences for his groups in some of Peru’s most rugged and remote wilderness areas.  Among his athletic accomplishments are:  

• Finishing both the Boston and New York marathons seven times. 
• Finished both the full and half-Marathons des Sables Peru (250-km. and 120 km., respectively) 
• First place in his age category for the Pucón Trail 50k run 
• Brand ambassador for Columbia Sportswear, Powerade, and Agua Glacial  

He has acted as a guide for internationally known runners, including Dean Karnazes (the “ultra marathon man,”) Michael Wardian, Darcy Piceu, and Jeff Fuchs, world-renowned Canadian adventurer, author, and tea expert.  Domingo is the Founder and Director of the non-profit “Yo Soy Sus Ojos” (I am your eyes), an organization dedicated to the teaching and empowerment of visually impaired athletes. He is highly committed to protecting and improving the environment and to providing his groups with the highest quality and safest trail-running experiences while helping them to increase their mountaineering and wilderness skills and form lifelong friendships on the trail. 

***Please visit the retreat host's profile on WeTravel to see more offerings!***

https://www.wetravel.com/profiles/liz-gill

www.Runcation.org

This trip requires a minimum of 6 to run. Please do not purchase flights until confirming with retreat organizer. 

- Transportation

- Professional bilingual guide

- Train from Machu Picchu Village to Cusco

- Bus ticket Machu Picchu – Machu Picchu Village

- Double occupancy tents with Thermarest sleeping pads

- Guided tour in Machu Picchu

- All meals during trek

- Non-alcoholic drinks

- Kitchen and dining tents

- Cook and field staff

- Horses and drivers

- Entrance ticket to mentioned attractions

- Solar energy lamps

- Eco toilets

- Adequate garbage disposal

- First aid kit and oxygen tank

- Personal travel insurance

- Laundry service

- Airline tickets

- Sleeping bags (rent available)

- Personal gear

- Alcoholic beverages

- Additional services

- Tips

- Extras

Trip Minimum:

This trip requires a minimum of 6 participants to run. In case of trip cancellation, a full refund is issued to all participants. After booking, please contact the trip organizer before booking your flights and other travel plans. 

Passport:

Must have a valid passport valid through 6 months upon date of travel.

Travel Insurance:

Must have travel insurance prior to start of trip. 

Fitness/Pacing:

While there are guides to accommodate every pace of attending runner, this trip requires participants to be able to run/hike for 7-15 miles on trails at a time in mountainous climates with an elevation gain of 1,000-6,000 feet per day. Training for this trip is essential in order to be able to complete and enjoy the trip. It is highly recommended that you participate in the 12-week group training program designed specifically for this trip as a package add-on to ensure you're able to tackle the trails and get maximum enjoyment of this running retreat!

Weather:

Although this time of year is the dry season in Peru, weather in the mountains is variable and trail conditions are subject to change. Routes and itinerary subjective to change based on the safety of conditions and climate of the trail at the time of the trip. Please pack layers and options for multiple climates accordingly (a detailed packing list will be sent upon registration).

Day 1: Cusco – Lamay

The group will be arriving to the ancient Inca city of Cusco this morning, giving us the chance to meet at the delightful Pachapapa Restaurant at 12:00 hrs, where we’ll introduce ourselves and enjoy a welcome lunch together. After lunch, we’ll enjoy a gentle post-prandial walk around Cusco, visiting its main attractions. You’ll be struck by the unlikely yet intriguing combination of ancientness and modernity in this urban wonderland, as you traverse its streets and feast your senses on its eclectic sights and sounds. A city replete with history on every corner, the ancient Inca capital is among the most visited urban areas in South America. Fashionably dressed modern Cusqueñans stride down the streets, intermingling with campesinos, or country folk, often dressed in traditional garb and leading alpacas or donkeys, while carrying great bundles on their backs. During this half-day tour, we’ll visit the most important sites of this folkloric Andean city. You’ll traverse cobblestone streets lined with original Inca walls on the way to the ancient Inca Temple of the Sun (Qoricancha) found inside the Church of Santo Domingo. Once completely covered in gold, and housing hundreds of golden artifacts, the sight of Qoricancha so excited the lust of the conquistadors that they had thousands of irreplaceable artworks and sculptures melted down so that they could send the gold to the king and queen of Spain. Visit the Plaza de Armas, once the Inca’s main city center, and learn about its dramatic and sometimes violent history. Two churches stand on the Plaza, the Cusco Cathedral, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cusco, dating from 1654; and the even more ancient Church of the Triumph, which was built on top of the Suntur Wasi, an Inca religious temple. Note the significant works of art depicting Mary and the infant Jesus, saints, and apostles from the Cusco School of Painting, There is a “Last Supper” painting that depicts the main course in the center of the table as a guinea pig or cuy; it was painted by Quechua artist Marcos Zapata in the 18th century. The Plaza de Armas is a gathering place for locals, especially on weekends, and boasts lovely flower gardens, benches for the repose of locals and tourists, and central statuary. The tour will proceed at a gentle pace to give you time to acclimatize to the high- altitude and to present questions to your guide. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the picturesque town of Lamay, where we’ll spend the night at a local boutique hotel. Dinner on your own.

(L)

Duration of the City Tour: 4 hours

Driving distance: 45 km (28 mi) – Time: 1 hour

Day 2: Lamay – Pumamarca – Ollantaytambo – Lamay

We’ll depart early from your hotel, heading past the Sacred Valley town of Ollantaytambo, to Pallata, where we begin our trail running. The trail climbs upward as we pass members of the local community, getting a brief glimpse into their daily lives, to reach Pumamarca, overlooking the verdant Patacancha Valley. The Inca chose this place well, as a high vista point overlooking the surrounding valleys and the convergence of two rivers far below. 

The archaeological complex of Pumamarca comprises ancient stairs and walls, ceremonial buildings, and enclosed storage areas, all replete with Inca stonework. After time to explore the site, we’ll continue our run through the terracing complex of Musqa Pukyo, accompanied by sweeping, panoramic views of the surrounding Andean landscape the whole way down. Our descent through the terrain of these functional yet beautiful farmed terraces will bring us to the village of Ollantaytambo. This picturesque town still displays much of the original Inca infrastructure from centuries back and is a monument to the soundness of Inca urban planning. The town is divided into well-preserved canchas (blocks) of communal living quarters, each with only one entrance (usually a stone doorway), which leads into a central courtyard. The original Inca drainage canals that line the walkways are also still in use. Peak into the home of one of the residents and observe the guinea pig room: a section where colorful cuy run wild, until they are selected for family feasts! We’ll enjoy our Lunch, after which we’ll have a chance to explore the local market and traverse the spectacular mountainside ruins. We’ll climb the ancient stone steps of the Inca fortress, which is arranged as a series of terraces and platforms with amazing views of the surrounding mountains.

(B / L)

Distance in car (Cusco): 150 km (93.2 mi) 

Running distance: 14 km (8.6 mi)

Min Alt.: 2917 masl (9570 fasl) 

Max Alt.: 3417 masl (11,211 fasl) 

Ascent: 575 m (1886 ft) 

Day 3: Lamay – Capuliyoc

After an early breakfast, we´ll do a morning run in Lamay, passing through some charming local communities and enjoying great views of the Sacred Valley. On our way back, we´ll visit the town of Lamay before enjoying a sumptuous lunch together. Departing from Lamay by car, we’ll head north and enter a terrain of natural Andean landscapes. Soon we will be within view of the imposing snow-capped peaks of Salkantay, Humantay, Pitusiray, Chicon, and Veronica. Crossing the roaring Apurimac River, we’ll pass through the village of Cachora, until reaching Capuliyoc at 2970 masl (9744 fasl), where we’ll enjoy our first night camping under the stars. From our campsite, we’ll get a glimpse of the Apurimac Canyon and the exciting road that awaits us the next day.

(B / L / D)

Driving distance: 208 km (129 mi) – Time: 4.5 hours

Day 4: Capuliyoc - Chiquiska - Santa Rosa - Maranpata - Choquequirao 

The anticipated day has arrived, and we are excited to get an early start on the first day’s trail. After a nutritious breakfast, our attentive Explorandes staff will provide us with box lunches, and we’re off!

We’ll start with a descent of almost 9 km (5.6 mi), getting our blood circulating and our legs warmed up, until we reach the Apurimac River, the lowest point of the route (1584 masl / 5197 fasl). We can take a plunge into the waters and cool off for a bit, before beginning our first climb of almost 1400 m (4593 ft) of positive slope in only 6 km (3.7 mi) – the first time we´ll be thankful for having brought walking poles. We’ll know the exhausting climb has been worth it as soon as we reach the sign and entry booth displaying the words "Welcome to Choquequirao," and in the distance, a complex of stone ruins that takes up our visual field. The excitement of arriving is so great that we’ll unconsciously quicken our pace, finding ourselves only a few moments later atop some historical Inca platforms, with a feeling of palpable excitement permeating the group. Once in Choquequirao, we’ll soak up the incredible energy of this archaeological complex, only 10% of which has been sifted through, leaving many new surprises for us to discover. Among these are whimsical figures of humans and llamas built right into the rock walls bordering the stone terraces. The day ends with a hot shower, a stretching session, and a delicious dinner (vegetarian options available). Sleep and dream well because we have a long and challenging day ahead of us tomorrow!

(B / L / D)

Running distance: 19 km (11.8 mi) – Time: 6 Hours

Distance exploring Choquequirao: 6 km (3.7 mi) – Time: 3 hours

Day 5: Choquequirao - Pincha Unuyoc - Maizal - Abra San Juan - Yanama 

Arising early, we will prepare for our day’s journey to Yanama, passing through Choquequirao again to take our leave of this incredible place. We will be full of energy after having rested, and we’ll start out with a short climb to 3300 masl (10,827 fasl) to then begin a descent of almost 7 km (4.3 mi), passing among some Inca platforms where we’ll pause for a few moments to appreciate the landscape. From there, we´ll continue our descent to the second-lowest point of the route, 1950 masl (6395 fasl) where the Yuracmayo (Río Blanco) River awaits us. Here begins the good part: 12 km (7.5 mi) of steadily ascending slope. We’ll traverse more than 2200 m (7218 ft) of positive slope until finally reaching San Juan at almost 4200 masl (13,780 fasl); we’ll attain this point with a smile from ear to ear and very tired legs, knowing that the hardest part is finally over! On the way, we’ll enjoy the incredible views and amazing landscapes this route has to offer, including Maizal, a natural balcony with an exceptional view of Yurahmayo and Yanama; and the Victoria mine, an Inca and later colonial mine surrounded by a sea of clouds. A few kilometers further on, after crossing the pass, we’ll arrive at the beautiful and ancient town of Yanama, where we will wrap up the day’s activities with a good dinner and a shower to warm us before hitting the hay.

(B / L / D)

Running distance: 24 km (15 mi) – Time: 8 hours

Day 6: Yanama - Abra Mariano LLamojas - Totora - Lucmabamba 

The roosters begin their cacophony early, waking us up to let us know that the day we cross the mountain range by the highest point has arrived. We begin our ascent at 1000 m (3281 ft), traveling for 10 km (6.2 mi) until we reach Mariano Llamojas at 4600 masl (15,092 fasl); having crossed a deep ravine surrounded by the majestic glacier peaks Quriwayrachina, Kiswar, and Pumasillu. This pass is the gateway to the incredible valley of Totora where our transportation will be waiting us for a 33 km (20.5 mi) drive. Along the way, we will find excellent coffee and local fruits in this region, due to the tropical climate. The day will end after an astonishing winding descent to Lucmabamba, where we can sample this region’s excellent locally grown coffee. Very tired after this beautiful day’s run, we will eat dinner early and turn in for some well-deserved rest. 

(B / L / D)

Running distance: 17 km (10.5 mi) – Time: 6 hours 

Day 7: Lucmabamba - Llactapata - Hidroelectrica – Machu Picchu Village - Machu Picchu - Cusco 

After trail running for so many kilometers, our legs will be quite sore, but nothing will get in the way of arriving at the magnificent sanctuary of Machu Picchu. We’ll start this day’s route with a short climb to Llactapata, an exciting vista point from which we can see extraordinary views of Salkantay and Machu Picchu Mountain beckoning in the distance. Very excited now, we’ll begin our descent to the hydroelectric dam, until we catch our train to reach Machu Picchu Village. Here we will take our bus to get to the top and explore one of the most ancient and powerful civilizations in south America. After exploring to our heart’s content, we’ll return to Machu Picchu Village, where we’ll take the train to Cusco; having completed one of the most amazing adventures of our lives!

(B / L)

Running distance: 10.5 km (6.21 mi) – Time: 2 hours

Train ride: 8 km (5 mi) – Time: 45 minutes

Bus ride to Machu Picchu: 6.2 km (3.9 mi) – Time: 30 minutes

Train ride from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo: 32 km (19.9 mi) – Time: 2 hours

Driving distance Ollantaytambo to Cusco: 79 km (49 mi) – Time: 2 hours

Day 8: Cusco / Out

The day has arrived where we must take our leave of magical Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, carrying with us memories that will enrich our lives for years to come.