May 23 Depart USA - via Lima to Cusco. Details in Trip Tips. ** Recommended flight that arrives before 11am to Cusco or fly in a day early to relax.
May 24 CUSCO, SACRED VALLEY ARRIVAL L, D
Welcome to Cusco! Upon arrival you will be assisted and transferred to your Sacred Valley hotel, on the way you will visit Awanakancha, a handicrafts store where you can also see the local fauna. Then, continue to Hacienda Sarapampa, which has a privileged location in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the property is only 40 minutes from the city of Cusco. Hacienda Sarapampa offers visitors the opportunity to have a unique cultural experience around the traditions associated with corn production practices in an authentic and natural environment. Enjoy a 3-course lunch, a farm-to-table experience based on local and family culinary recipes while learning about the culture of Cusco's giant white corn production in the Sacred Valley. Finally, you will be transferred to your hotel in Sacred Valley and check-in for the next two nights. Dinner included at the hotel tonight.
Overnight at Sonesta Posada Del Inca Yucay Hotel, Standard room (2 Nights) www.sonesta.com
May 25 SACRED VALLEY B, L
Breakfast at Hotel. Enjoy your day at leisure or opt for mountain bike or kayaking.
OPTIONAL: Full Day River Rafting Ollantaytambo with Lunch
Level: Class 2-3 rapids, Duration: 1 ½ hours approx. in the river, Sacred Valley - Cusco Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you until we reach our private river put-in located in Pachar. Here you will receive your rafting equipment and a safety briefing. (Toilet facilities are available).
After a brief period, practicing on the flat parts of the river, we will start our journey on easy waters, while we admire the spectacular view of the mountains and archaeological remains. We will continue towards Ollantaytambo and its amazing Inca terraces, at the time we will experience class 2-3 rapids, to finish with “El Resbaladero” (The Slide), a strong class 3 rapids that includes waves and small whirlpools. We will then have lunch in a traditional restaurant located on the riverside owned by the local community. This is a great chance to enjoy the Andean cuisine while supporting community projects. Finally, you will return to your hotel. Expensive, but all loved it. USD $160.00 NETT per person (based on min. 10) INCLUDES: Private transportation from hotel to the starting point and from the end of the adventure back to hotel, Lunch in a local restaurant, Top of the Line rafting equipment (V river rafting gear) and self-bailing rafts, Safety and professional river procedures, Best class V river guides (international training, swift-water rescue, and wilderness first responder courses), Safety kayak, Professional First Aid Kit, Environmental care
May 26 YOUR TREK BEGINS! INCA TRAIL HIKE - SACRED VALLEY- HUAYLLABAMBA B, L, D
Note: Your luggage will be taken to your hotel in Cusco, please indicate if there is something valuable, fragile, medicines and review that the luggage is in good condition.
Breakfast at the hotel and then this morning group will start their 3 night/ 4 Day Inca Trail Hike
INCA TRAIL
You will be picked up from your hotel in Sacred Valley and transferred to Ollantaytambo, where you will have time to do some last-minute shopping before starting your trek. You will then head to Piscacucho community, at Km. 82, where you will find the starting point of your excursion. You will take the course and walk about 3 hours along the Urubamba River, enjoying unparalleled landscapes and beautiful wildlife along the route. You will arrive to Willca Racay at the archaeological complex of Llaqtapata, where you will have some time to enjoy and appreciate the ruins have lunch and rest before continuing with your walk. You will resume the journey to ascend to the community of Huayllabamba, where the camp will be established.
Hike: 5.5 hours approx. Walking distance: 12 km, Min height: 2700 masl / Max height: 3000 masl Difficulty ranking: 2 of 5.
Included in the Inca Hike: Camping gear: Brand The North Face tent Four Season Mountain 25, Inflatable mattress Therm-a-rest, Personal duffle bag 7kls / 15.43 lbs., Dinning, tent, cook tent, bathroom tent, Kitchen dishes
- Bilingual speaking guide (Spanish – English)
- Entrance fee to the Inca trail,
- Private transportation to Piscacucho (where the trek begins)
- Transportation from Ollantaytambo to Sacred Valley hotel or Cusco hotel. (Fourth day), Bus one way (fourth day), Vistadome train until Ollantaytambo (Fourth day),
- Full meals during the trek (3 Breakfast, 3 wake up tea, 3 snacks, 3 Lunch, 3 Teatime ,3 Dinners)
- Filtered and boiled water
- Chef and supporting staff
- Porters for passenger’s luggage and camping equipment
- First aid kit, walkie-talkies, oxygen and sleeping bags
May 27 INCA TRAIL HIKE - HUAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO B, L, D
After a healthy breakfast, you will begin to ascend towards the first and highest pass of the Warmiwañusca route (4215 m.a.s.l.), from where you will have a spectacular view of the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota Mountain ranges. This ascent will take you almost all morning, arriving at Lllulluchapata at lunchtime. After having time to rest and eat, you will continue your walk to Pacaymayo, where the camp will be set up at 3600 masl, basically the most challenging day of the walk.
Hike: 8 hours approx. Total walking distance: 11 km Min height: 3000 masl / Max height: 4215 masl Difficulty ranking: 2 of 5.
May 28 INCA TRAIL - PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA B, L, D
Your third day of trekking will begin with an ascent to the second step, Runcuracay, which is a little lower than the first one (4000 m.a.s.l.). Then, you will descend for a couple of hours to Phuyupatamarca, where you can rest and have lunch surrounded by the beauty of the place. At the end of your lunch, you will continue your journey to Wiñaywayna, enjoying the view of the snowy mountains and the valley as you go. Finally, you will arrive at the area where you will camp, This day is the longest of the entire walk, passing through cloud forests and visiting few archeological sites built by The Incas.
Hike: 9 hours approx. Total walking distance: 16 km Min height: 2650 masl / Max height: 4000 masl Difficulty ranking: 4 of 5.
May 29 INCA TRAIL - WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO B, L
Your last day will also start very early and with an energetic breakfast. The journey will start towards Inti Punku, or Sun Gate, from where you will have an impressive view of Machu Picchu. You will walk a little more and you will find yourself inside Machu Picchu, where after a short break your guide will explain the history, organization, and mysteries of the place. At the end of the almost 2-hour tour, you will board the bus that will take you to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have lunch and some free time. Then, you will board the Vistadome train that will take you back to Ollantaytambo station, from where you will be taken to your hotel in Cusco to check-in.
Hike: 3 hours approx. Total walking distance: 6 km Min height: 2400 masl / Max height: 2700 masl Difficulty ranking: 2 of 5 Distance.
Overnight at Novotel Cusco, Standard room (3 Nights) www.novotel.com
May 30 CUSCO – HALF DAY WALKING TOUR B, D
Everyone always loves Cusco. Breakfast at hotel and today enjoy a half-day private walking tour through the streets of Cusco.
Take a tour of Cusco, the imposing Imperial City, example of the harmonious coexistence between the Andean and Spanish cultures. You will start with a visit to the Main Plaza, where you will visit the Cathedral, the most important temple in the city. Then, you will continue by foot until you reach the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, on which the order of the Dominicans built a church, which remains standing to this day. Your tour will finish with a visit to the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, also known as “the artists' district”, cradle of well-known folk artisans, with its narrow and winding streets and its popular art and knick-knacks shops. Incredible retail therapy here.
Later at night, you will be transferred to Tunupa Restaurant to enjoy a farewell dinner. Tunupa is in the heart of the majestic Inca city of Cusco, offers you an impressive view of the main square and its surroundings. We toast each other goodby with a journey well done until next year.
May 31- Depart for home. Transfer to airport for flights home.