Peru: Inca Trail Trek

Upon arrival at Lima airport, your guide will greet you and accompany to the hotel located near the airport. Along the way, your guide will answer any questions you may have and provide information about your flight to Cusco next day.

Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, you will be greeted with a warm
welcome by our friendly guide, who will escort you to the hotel
located in the scenic Sacred Valley of the Incas. This is a vast green
land that sprawls out far below Machu Picchu. En route, soak in
spectacular views of the valley at the archeological site of Pisaq. The
valley has a variety of challenging microclimates, forcing the Incas to
adapt an innovative technique called vertical agriculture. This type of
practice allowed the Incas to cultivate a wide variety of crops, and because they were so successful, the land became one of
the most important food production centers that fueled the growth
and expansion of the Incan Empire. Many continue to live in this place today as they have for hundreds of years.

In the afternoon we will head to your hotel.

Begin your day in the town of Chinchero, with an elevation of 3,780 meters (12,402 ft). In this village, the ancestral art of textile making is passed down from generation to generation, and we can learn the process of textile weaving from a local cooperative.

Next, visit Moray, an Inca site made up of circular terraces. An extraordinary feature of the site is the vast difference in temperature between the upper and the lower levels of the site, leading researchers to believe that the temperature differences were possibly used by the Inca to study the effects of different climatic conditions on crops. The pinnacle of our adventure will be to see over 4,000 salt pans cascading down the mountain side at Salineras (Salt Pans of Maras), which are still in use today.

We will return to our hotel in the afternoon.

Very early in the morning, we will head to the community of Totora,
where we will be welcomed by the local inhabitants, who
will accompany us with their llamas and alpacas throughout our walk.
After a colorful welcome, we will visit the Ancasmarca archaeological
complex, situated at an altitude of 4,150 masl (13,616 ft.). Built on the
steep mountain slopes, this site was inhabited by pre-Inca and Inca cultures.

After a snack, we will continue downhill along the section of Qhapac
Ñan or Inca highway that crosses the Totora canyon. We will take time to contemplate the extensive Inca agricultural terracing, typical local flora, and the crystalline waters of streams that flow down from the snowcapped mountains, forming waterfalls. This unique adventure allows us to reforest the trail with native trees and enjoy a typical lunch at the table of a local family. Filled with new knowledge of the living history of the Andes, we will return to our hotel.

This fabulous experience begins with the journey to Km 82, the
starting and control point for the Inca Trail. Our team will
be waiting for us, as we set off along the right bank of the Urubamba River. On the way, we will stop to enjoy a snack and observe archaeological complexes including Salapunku and Kanabamba.

Enjoy lunch in the open air, enjoying mountain views and the refreshing breeze that rises from the valley. After hiking for around three and a half hours, we will spot our first campsite, situated on the slopes of the sacred mountain Casamentuyoc, and with an exceptional view of the archaeological complex of Llactapata.

After taking the time to appreciate these beautiful sights, and after a
delicious dinner, it will finally be time to rest. See you tomorrow!!

Waking up with a hot drink and enjoying breakfast surrounded by
mountain scenery is the best way to start our second day. We will begin the morning following the Cusichaca Valley along a relatively flat trail along the river, passing through woodland and small villages, and
looking back at snowcapped Mount Verónica. After three hours, we will arrive at the village of Huayllabamba, where we will rest and have a snack. From here, we will continue ascending through farmland. Upon our arrival at Ayapata 3,400 meters (11,155 ft.), our cook will be waiting to delight us with a delicious lunch. Finally, we will continue for two more hours along stone Inca stairways, through a forest of native trees until we reach Llulluchapampa, the location of our second campsite, at 3,800 masl (12,467 ft.) Here, we can relax and enjoy the sunset over the green valley before eating dinner and going to
our tents to rest at the end of a great day.

This is the longest and most challenging day, but definitely the most spectacular! We will get up very early to have breakfast and begin the 2-hour ascent to Warmiwañusca Pass (“Dead Woman’s” pass, in Quechua). At 4,200 masl (13,770 ft.), this is the highest point of our adventure.

After a short rest and a snack, we will continue to the Runkurakay archaeological complex and on to the second pass at 3,900 masl (12,795 ft.). You’ll feel a change in temperature, as well as in the biodiversity of the cloud forest ecosystem. Along the way, the Sayacmarka archaeological site awaits us. After lunch, the last two hours are the most spectacular, as we pass through a beautiful section of trail surrounded by orchids, birds, native trees and snowcapped mountains, until we reach our campsite at 3,600 masl (11,811 ft.) with its fabulous 360-degree view. Thousands of stars overhead invite us to dream of the constellations and wake up for a new adventure. Paqarinkama! (“See you tomorrow,” in the language of the Incas.)

We will begin our day by visiting the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca, a sacred place with ceremonial fountains. We will then pass Intipata, an Inca site composed of extensive terraces with an impressive view of the Urubamba Canyon. We will then continue
via a gentle descent, until we reach Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young” in Quechua), where we will stop for lunch. The majestic complex owes its name to a beautiful orchid that blooms all year round.

The final part of the Inca Trail leads us to Inti Punku the “Sun Gate”, from where we will see in the distance the imposing citadel of Machu Picchu. This marvelous view will encourage us to continue to the Machu Picchu viewing point, before heading back to our hotel in Aguas Calientes.

Before the large crowds arrive, we'll take the bus up to Machu Picchu where we will have a delightful walk and explore this breathtaking Incan city. This stunning site will give us a chance to understand some of the spiritual, astronomical, religious and administrative meanings of Machu Picchu. This vast set of Inca dwellings has a unique beauty because of its privileged location.

Then we will board the bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before we say goodbye to this
magical ancient city, and make our way to Ollantaytambo by train
and then drive back to Cusco.

Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel.

At the agreed time, your host will accompany you to Lima airport and
assist you with your check-in before your flight to USA, as you end
your Peru adventure.

Depending on the time of your flight we can suggest some tours,
or you can simply enjoy the capital of Peru at your leisure.