The Lost City of the Incas, or Machu Picchu, awaits you, tucked away in the mountains of Peru. Rediscovered by the outside world in 1911, this pre-Columbian Inca ruin is the final destination of your walk. You will start in the enchanting valley of Soraypampa, from there hiking up and downhill, on flat terrain, through mountain passes and along river beds, while having access to a full array of mountain activities including day-hiking, trout fishing, mountain biking, guided mountaineering and rafting on the Apurimac river.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Lima, transfer to hotel. Overnight at Hotel El Pardo. Dinner on your own.
Day 2: After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for a mid morning 55 minute flight to Cusco, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Flights from Lima to Cusco and back are not included in the package. Rest of the morning free to acclimatize to the altitude, lunch on your own. An afternoon tour of the city and nearby ruins will educate you on the history of this fascinating city. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Novotel (colonial rooms).
Day 3: Spend a full day on a Sacred Valley excursion with lunch included, visiting Pisac and the Ollantaytambo ruins. If this day falls on a Tuesday, Thursday or Sunday you will also visit the Pisac market. Dinner on your own. Overnight at Sol y Luna.
Day 4: After breakfast, you will be picked up at 8 am at their hotel in Cusco by your guide and transferred to the Salcantay Lodge (about 3,5 hours drive). En route you will take a break to visit the impressive Inca ruins of Tarawasi near the town of Limatambo (approximative 1,5 hours from Cuzco). After leaving Limatambo, you pass through the mountain village of Mollepata before ascending a winding mountain track to the spectacularly situated valley of Soraypampa. The Salcantay Lodge takes its name from the majestic peak at the head of the valley, the most sacred peak in Inca mythology and, at 20,500 ft, the highest in the region. After a warm welcome by our friendly staff, you will be shown to your room for a quick refresher with a full lunch to follow. The first afternoon is spent at leisure to adjust to the altitude; guests may choose to participate in any of the optional activities offered at the lodge. An evening briefing by the fire is followed by aperitifs and dinner.
Day 5: This day is spent at leisure for rest or activities, depending upon guests’ level of acclimatization. You may do local hikes, fish a high glacial lake for rainbow trout with our fishing guide, or do a scramble to a viewpoint to take in the panorama. In the evening the guide will brief the trekking party on gear and the itinerary for the next four days. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken at the Lodge. A packed lunch is available for those choosing to venture out for the day.
Day 6: This is the big day: the start of the 4-day trek to Machu Picchu. After an early start you will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salcantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 14,700 ft. At the pass you stop to take in views of snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabama Range in every direction, the south face of Salkantay towering above us. Look for Andean condors, often visible in this area. From the pass you continue the descent toward Wayra Lodge, “the place where the wind lives”, our destination for the evening. A hot lunch is taken en route. Dinner and overnight at the Lodge (hiking time: 7-8 hours).
Day 7: Following the long first day you enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Huayraccmachay. The morning is free for exploration. Take an early lunch at the lodge and then hike downhill above the Salkantay river, through increasingly verdant scenery. Collpa Lodge is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. You will arrive in time for an optional excursion to a nearby hot spring. Dinner and overnight at the lodge. (Day’s hiking time, excluding hot spring, 3-4 hours).
Day 8: After an early breakfast you will head down the Santa Teresa river valley, through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations and orchards. You stop along the river for lunch. From the river it is a short climb to Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard. You arrive in time to allow for exploration of the village and meeting with members of the local community. (Hiking time: 5-7 hours).
Day 9: After an early start and a hearty breakfast, you tackle the last day of our trek heading uphill for 2 hours towards Palltayacta pass (2,600 m/8,500 ft). Shortly beyond the pass, you come upon a distant but quite special view of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse. You then begin the final descent to the Vilcanota River through lush bamboo forests, more orchards and coffee plantations (2-3 hour descent). Just before the end of the trek at the railway line, you will enjoy a final lunch with a view of a tumbling waterfall. Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short, scenic train ride away. Farewell dinner with guide at Pueblo Hotel. Overnight at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. (Hiking time: 5-7 hours).
Day 10: Morning tour of Machu Picchu with lunch (with Explorandes Guide). Afternoon train to Cusco. Transfer from Cusco train station to hotel. Overnight at hotel Novotel.
Day 11: Transfer to the airport, fly to Lima (flight not included). Transfer to hotel. Day use at Hotel Pardo. Transfer to airport for international flight home.
2008 Dates: March 4-14, March 18-28, April 1-11, April 15-25, June 29-May 9, May 13-23, May 27-June 7, June 10-29, June 24-July 4, July 8-18, July 22-August 1, August 5-15, August 19-August 29, September 2-12, September 16-26, September 30-10, October 14-24, October 28-November 7, November 11-21, November 25-December 5, December 9-19, December 23-January 2.
Meeting Point: Lima Airport. Transfers are included. Flights between Lima and Cusco are not included.
Difficulty of Walk: Varied terrain, through valleys, fields, along river and on mountain passes. Walking on elevations of 15,000 feet. Approximately 8-2 miles per day.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$3,395 per person, shared; $1,295 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 10 nights accommodations
- 8 days of guided walking
- All meals
- Non-alcoholic beverages
- Guide and luggage transfer
- Daily transfers
- Entry fees to archeological sites
- Tax.
Also see tour packages in:
South America
Peru
Walking Tours
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