Day 1 |
Arrival in Lima, Peru
Pick up at airport and transfer-in to hotel in Lima.
Night in hotel.
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Day 2 |
Lima – Cusco
Morning transfer to the airport and flight to Cusco. Transfer to the hotel. Free afternoon for acclimatizing to the altitude of Cusco city. Cusco is a beautiful city with well-preserved colonial architecture, evidence of a rich and complex history. The city itself represents the centre of indigenous Quechua culture in the Andes, and by merely walking the streets one sees the layers of history. Spanish colonial buildings erected directly atop Inca walls line the square, while the modern tourist nightlife flourishes in their midst.
Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 3 |
Cusco & city tour
Today you will have a city tour in Cusco included.
First we will visit the Marked place, San Pedro where there will be a lot of folkloric activities and great photo opportunities. From here visit to Sacsayhuamana.
Once back in Cusco again we will visit San Blas (the neighbourhood of artist in Cusco), the 12 angles stone, Plaza la Armas and finally Qorikancha (Sun temple).
Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 4 |
Cusco – Tomacaya (3075 m) – Tinkoq (4154 m)
From Cusco, we drive toward Limatambo, past the Tika Tika Pass where we will get our first view of the majestic Mount Salkantay and Humantay on the horizon, just before crossing the Anta plateau. Driving past breathtaking panoramas of this vibrant agricultural region with views of rugged snowcapped peaks in the background, we will arrive at the ruins of Tarawasi. After a visit to this important Inca ceremonial center, with its long asymmetrical stone walls, we will continue our drive (40 minutes) toward the trailhead at the village of Tomacaya (3075 m), where we’ll begin our trek. This day’s hiking is all uphill. As we gain altitude, we’ll observe how the ecosystem changes starting in relatively warm temperatures by a sheltered valley where crops of fruits and vegetables thrive, then onto higher plateaus where native potatoes are grown. Finally, as we reach our campsite at Tinkoq (4154 m), we’ll observe herds of sheep and camelids grazing the highland meadows.
Night in tent.
Ascent: 1079 m / Distance: 11,1 Km. / Activity duration: 6-7 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 5 |
Tinkoq – Tocto Pass (4900 m) – Pampaccahuana’s viewpoint (3902 m)
Leaving Tinkoq, we will head up the valley and take the left side of the trail to begin a long uphill climb toward the pass. As the day warms up during our climb, we may see some Andean bird species, including Condors as they prepare to fly high above the mountains. After 3-4 hours of steady climbing, we will arrive at the Tocto Pass (4900 m) where we will enjoy incredible views of the south face of Mt. Salkantay while enjoying the solitude that comes with knowing that there are almost no other tourists around. We begin our descent along the Pampacahua Valley toward our campsite at Pampaccahuana’s viewpoint (4000 m), all the time accompanied by amazing views of the eastern face Mount Salkantay. If the weather cooperates, we will have wonderful views of Mount Salkantay up the valley to our left and Mount Veronica down the valley toward our right. Sleep surrounded by the Mt. Salkantay in our Pampacahuana campsite (3902 m).
Night in tent.
Ascent: 746 m / Descent: 998 m / Distance: 15 Km. / Activity duration: 8-9 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 6 |
Pampaccahuana’s viewpoint – Llactapata – Meskay (2763 m)
We’ll take our leave of imposing Mt. Salkantay and continue our hike downhill along an ancient Inca canal flowing down the center of the Pampacahuana Valley, passing through a landscape dotted with small farm settlements. At the end of the valley, we’ll once more begin to observe a greater variety of vegetation as we descend past the tree line before arriving in Paucarcancha, a remote Inca site at the confluence of the Pampacahuana and Q´esca valleys. After a short visit to explore the Inca stone walls and remnants of ancient houses at the site, we’ll continue our journey downhill and join the first stretch of the famed Inca Trail, descending toward Meskay.
Meskay is located close to the Llactapata ruins, and we will have a chance to explore these ruins. These ruins were once an important rest stop for the Inca on the way to Machu Picchu. Campsite at Meskay (2763 m).
Night in tent.
Descent: 1139 m / Distance: 14 Km. / Activity duration: 7 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 7 |
Meskay – Pistakucho (2656 m) – Ollantaytambo (2845 m) – Aguas Calientes (2050 m)
At this point, we will be on the edge of the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary. After visiting the ruins of Huayna Q’ente, with its amazing Inca terraces and impressive landscaping, we will leave the National Sanctuary through the town of Qoriwairachina and head towards Pistakucho, where the main entrance to the Inca Trail is located (Km. 82). The trail will take us alongside the Vilcanota River and through several more ancient archaeological sites. In fact, this is the same path that Hiram Bingham used when he was first led to Machu Picchu by local people living here in 1911. From here, we’ll travel by car (30 minutes) to Ollantaytambo, and then take the afternoon train (1,5 hour) to the village of Aguas Calientes (2050 m), where we’ll spend the night before visiting the magical citadel of Machu Picchu.
Night in hotel.
Descent: 107 m / Distance: 4,5 Km. / Activity duration: 3 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 8 |
Machu Picchu (2450 m) – Cusco
We enjoy an early morning visit to the fabled ruins, spending the day with both guided and individual exploration. After we visit the most fascinating features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement, some will want to take the optional hike to an amazing overview of the site, while other may prefer to investigate Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners. After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement, we return to Aguas Calientes and take the return train to Ollanataytambo and road transfer (2 h) to Cusco (on certain seasons and according to availability, there si the possibility to take the train to Poroy and then a shorter road trip (30 min.) to Cusco).
Total road distance from Ag. Calientes to Machu Pichu by tourist bus: 25 km / Initial altitude: 2100 m / Final altitude: 2450 m
Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 9 |
Cusco
Free day in Cusco for own plans.
Included meals: Breakfast
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Day 10 |
Cusco – Upis (4408 m)
Early departure from the city of Cusco, heading around 100 km. South-East, towards the Vilcanota mountain range where the famous Ausangate trek is located. The drive takes about 4 h, passing the settlements of Urcos and Tinqui (4050 m). The transport will stop about 30 minutes further ahead from Tinqui. After a short break to get ready for the hike and arranging the pack animals, a 1,5 h hike by the Vilcanota Valley from the Mapacho River and up to the small mountain settlement called Upis (4400), where the night will be spend. There are hot-springs close to the settlement and it is a great spot to further acclimatize and a panoramic view over to the Vilcanota range with Ausangate and Colqe Cruz peaks.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 350 m / Highest altitude: 4400 m / Activity duration: 1,5 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 11 |
Hatun Pucacocha Lake (4500 m)
After a good breakfast and a first night in altitude, the group will start the hike up to Arapa mountain pass (4850 m), the first pass of the trek. The hike follows a well-marked gravel trail up to the highest point which is a magnificent place for picture to the Norther flank of the mountain range. A moderate descend to a group of lakes and lagoons at the base of the range, the biggest one known as Hatun Pucacocha. The camp will be setup on the shores of one the lakes.
Night in tents.
Ascent: 442 m / Descend: 300 m / Highest altitude: 4850 m / Distance: 12 km / Activity duration: 5-6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 12 |
Anantapata (4650 m)
Today the aim is to ascent to Pucacocha pass (4910 m),the hike takes about 2 h with gorgeous views of turquoise lakes and the Ausangate glacier. From the pass the Chillca Valley opens up below with grazing alpacas and llamas, in the distance it is possible to see the base of Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain and its striated colors. Then a gradual traversing long descend into the Chillca Valley where the Anantapata camp is located (4650 m).
Night in tents.
Ascent: 360 m / Descend: 260 m / Highest altitude: 4910 m / Distance: 15 km / Activity duration: 6-7 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 13 |
Rainbow Mountain/Vinicunca (5030 m) & Ausangatecocha (4650 m)
One of the trek’s highlights is to reach Vinicunca or Rainbow Mountain (5030 m), famous for the amazing varied striated colors. The day’s hike leaves the Anantapata camp ascending to Warmisaya pass (4985 m), also known as Pitumarca, a short descend to Kayrawiri Lake (4780 m) and then up again to Vinicunca’s view point (5030 m). It is one of the most colorful sceneries one can imagine in the mountains, product of the composition of various minerals making different colors on the stones. The valleys around are also very colorful and in the background the stunning Vilcanota range. Then a long descend to Ausangatecocha camp (4650 m) just at the foot of Ausanaget peak (6384 m) and its hanging glacier. It is one of the most dramatic landscapes on the itinerary.
Night in tents.
Ascent to Warmisaya pass: 335 m / Descend to Kayrawiri Lake: 205 m / Ascent to Vinicunca: 250 m / Descend Ausangatecocha Lake: 380 m / Highest altitude: 5030 m / Distance: 15 km aprox. / Activity duration: 7-8 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 14 |
Jampa Camp (4700 m)
After a well deserved rest, the trail will lead the team up to the next mountain pass known as Palomani (5120 m), the highest pass on the trek, and which ascents takes about 3 hours. Once on the pass, the landscapes changes drastically and new peaks come into sight: Mariposa and Caracol, plus all the South-East mountain range. Down below the green Pampacancha (4500 m). The descend is gentle and very enjoyable, once at the bottom of the valley, the trail follows the Jampamayo River up to the village of Jampa where the next camp is (4700 m).
Night in tents.
Ascent to Palomani pass: 470 m / Descend to Pampacancha: 620 m / Ascent to Jampa Camp: 200 m / Highest altitude: 5120 m / Distance: 12,9 km / Activity duration: 7 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic, Dinner
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Day 15 |
Pacchanta (4280 m) – Cusco
Last day of the trek start hike up the valley, passing beautiful mountains like: Hauyruropunco, Jampa, Puka Punta, Pacchanta, Hatun Uma and Ninaparaqu. The ascent is progressive and ends at the Jampa pass (5071 m), the second highest in the trek, with astonishing view to both side of the range. After a good break to enjoy the landscape, The group will descends towards Pacchanta (4280 m) by a nice valley that changes vegetation as it looses altitude.
The team will be picked up in Pacchanta and drive back to Cusco (4 h).
Night in hotel.
Ascent: 371 m / Descend: 791 m / Highest altitude: 5071 m / Distance: 13,9 km / Activity duration: 6 h
Included meals: Breakfast, Picnic
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Day 16 |
Cusco – Lima – Departure
Transfer to Cusco airport, flight to Lima. At your arrival in Lima transfer to the international departures to make the check in. Return home.
Included meals: Breakfast
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