Peru Trekking | Experiencing the Incas
Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca Tour & Nazca Flyover
November 5 – 20, 2010
Our Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Lima where you’ll be met by a WorldWide Trekking representative and transported to our hotel in Miraflores. Dinner at a exciting local restaurant.
Day 2
Private vehicle and fully guided transfer to Nazca (aprox 7 hours). Overnight in Nazca.
Day 3
Nazca Lines Flyover: Since their discovery 70 years ago, these puzzling drawings in the earth have intrigued visitors and scientists. To get a birds-eye view of the Nazca lines we’ll take a short flight this morning. Afterwards, it's off to Chauchilla cemetery where thousand year old mummies lie in the open and ancient bones and pottery shards litter the ground - an archeologists playground! This evening, a long bus ride back to Lima. Overnight in Lima.
Day 4
Transfer to the airport and flight to Puno. On the way we’ll visit the Sillustani ruins. Overnight in Puno.
Day 5
Lake Titicaca and the Floating Islands: Today we’ll take a boat to Amantaní, and on the way visit the floating islands of the Uros people and stop for the night on Amantaní Island. Here we split into small groups and overnight with local families. A night on Amantaní is a journey 500 years into the past. Residents till the dry soil by hand and weave all their clothing on small wooden looms. Share in the hospitality of the Aymara Indians and experience a short day in their lives. Overnight in Amantaní.
Day 6
After breakfast with our families, we make our way back to Puno. Overnight in Puno.
Day 7
Private bus (with guide) ride to Cusco and cross the 14,403 feet La Raya pass. Grab a window seat and enjoy Peru's altiplano! On the way we’ll stop to explore a small Inca site and walk among a herd of llamas and alpacas. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 8
This old capital of the Inca Empire offers everything from traditional markets, quality textile, art shops and more. Tonight, we might be brave enough to try the Andean delicacy called cuy – roasted guinea pig – or just sip the local Pisco sour. Overnight in Cusco.
Day 9
This morning we wind our way past snowcapped mountains and down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At Pisac, you’ll see Inca terracing climbing the steep valley walls, and the ruined temples command panoramic views of the sharp granite mountains. In the pueblo below we'll test our bargaining skills with the locals and enjoy one of the best textile markets in the Andes. After lunch we head way off the beaten track to explore the seldom-visited town of Maras and the pre-Columbian salt mines of Moray. Overnight in Ollantaytambo.
Day 10
Trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: We transfer from our hotel in the Sacred Valley to Piscaycucho. Start hiking through a little visited section of the trail. We will stop at Q'oriwayrachina for lunch and then cross the Urubamba River at Q'ente, with an option to visit Wayna Q'ente and Llaqtapata archaeological sites, in whose vicinity we will camp amidst Inca terracing. (Hiking time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 6.5 miles)
Day 11
We trek up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass, where we’ll setup camp with a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley we’ll see the beginning of the cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree (polilepis), a rare forest found only in the Andes. Overnight at Llulluchapampa. (Hiking time: 6 hours. Distance: 5.5 miles)
Day 12
A steady ascent on the Inca Trail brings us to the Warmiwañusqa pass at 13,692’ and affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. We descend on a restored section of the Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River to then ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass at 13,200’. From here we walk down to the site at Sayacmarca at 12,551’ on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. A beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures. We continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and the silhouette of Mt. Pumasillo on the horizon. Walking through a rolling flag stone trail we arrive at Phuyupatamarca (the village on the edge of the clouds) for our camp. (Hiking time: 7-8 hours, Distance 8.5 miles)
Day 13
An early departure today will have us trekking along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins where the flag stone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. After a two hour walk through the cloud forest covered Inca Trail, we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, from Intipunku, the door of the sun. We’ll quickly pass through the area and board our bus to the Village of Aguas Caliente for an overnight.
Day 14
The whole day can be dedicated to exploring these extraordinary Inca remains, including a visit to Wayna Picchu, the hill overlooking the site We’ll take a mid-afternoon train back to Cusco, then transfer to our hotel.
Day 15
Private transfer to the airport and our return flight to Lima. Upon arriving we have a private city tour of Lima. Overnight in Lima.
Day 16
Depart for home.
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