Trekking the Sacred Valley to
Machu Picchu
9 days /8 nights
From $2660 per person double occupancy
in 2009. Includes domestic airfare, accommodations, communal
camping equipment, guided excursions and meals as specified
All Lost World Adventures itineraries are
privately guided, and may be modified to suit personal
travel dates, interests and budgets.
Day 1: US –
Lima
Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Overnight
accommodations at the new (opened June 2007) Hotel Costa
del Sol Ramada Lima, with daily buffet breakfast included.
Conveniently close to the airport, this four star hotel
features 130 rooms, restaurant, bar, business center,
wireless internet, spa, and beauty salon.
Day 2: Lima
- Cuzco
Fly to Cuzco this morning (10,750 ft), the oldest continuously
inhabited city in South America and capital of the Inca
Empire. Much of colonial Cuzco was built on Inca foundations,
and your guide will point out Inca stonework along the
many streets. Overnight accommodations at the centrally
located Posada
del Inca Hotel.
After settling in set off on a tour of
Cuzco and the nearby Inca ruins. Cuzco, the oldest continuously
inhabited city on the continent, was the capital of the
Inca Empire and is considered by many Quechua peoples
to be the spiritual center of the world. Much of colonial
Cuzco was built on Inca foundations, and your guide will
point out Inca stonework along the many streets. Visit
the main square, the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church,
as well as a first introduction to Inca stonework at the
ruins of Puka-Pukara, Qenqo, Tambo Machay, and the renowned
fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cuzco and the surrounding
valley. (B)
Day 3: Pisac &
Ollantaytambo Day Trip
This morning, depart with your guide for a full-day excursion
to the village and ruins of Pisac located 20 miles from
Cuzco. After exploring the ruins you will visit a colorful
Indian market where you'll be able to trade with locals
for a variety of handicrafts, including woolen sweaters
and ponchos. Lunch will be served in Urubamba, followed
by a tour of the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo located
in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. (B,L)
Day 4: Sacred
Valley
Upon arrival at Chilca, the head of the Inca Trail, you'll
meet your native "Quechua" porters and set off
along the Inca Trail! Your trek through semi-arid terrain
begins along the Urubamba River with magnificent views
of snowcapped Mount Veronica (20,000 ft). You’ll
reach your first camp at the ruins of Llactapata (7,550
ft) in the early afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Llullucchapampa
After a hearty breakfast, you'll start the slow uphill
climb to the Inca hamlet of Huayallabamba, a small agricultural
community. Camp at Llullucchapampa with breathtaking views
of Mount Hayanay. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Chakicocha
Today the uphill trek continues to Warmiwañusqa
pass, which is the highest pass on the trail at 13,276
feet. Pass the ruins of Sayacmarca and camp at a small
lake. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Machu
Picchu
The trail continues along a buttress past the Phuyupatamarca
ruins before joining a remarkably well preserved flagstone
path built by the Incas. The terrain and vegetation change
dramatically, giving way to dense tropical cloud forest.
Afternoon arrival at Inti Punku, the Gates of the Sun,
which overlooks the magnificent ruins of the Lost City
of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Continue to the town of Agua
Caliente. Overnight at Machu
Picchu Pueblo Hotel, or for an additional charge,
upgrade to the Machu
Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located adjacent to
the ruins. (B,L)
Day 8: Machu
Picchu - Cuzco
Set in the saddle of a high mountain 1000 feet above the
Urubamba River, Machu Picchu remained "lost"
in jungle undergrowth until it was rediscovered by American
explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Consequently the city
escaped ransacking from the Spaniards and is reasonably
well preserved. This morning you'll set off with your
guide to explore the walls, stairways, temples and terraces
of Machu Picchu.
In the afternoon, you'll transfer to the
train station, and set off on a four-hour scenic ride
back up the Urubamba Valley to Cuzco. Disembark at the
Poroy Station where you will be met and transferred to
your hotel. Overnight at the Posada
del Inca Hotel. (B)
Day 9: Cuzco
– Lima - Int'l Departure
Hotel pickup and transfer to the Cuzco airport for your
flight to Lima.
Upon arrival, proceed on your own to the
international terminal for your departing flight. (B)
Contact
us for a customized itinerary of travel in Peru.
