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Note: The trip begins in Cusco on Day 1. You will be greeted on your arrival to Lima and will be greeted on your arrival in Cusco and transferred to the hotel. We will make any additional reservations for you in Lima or Cusco. Detailed information will be included with the pre-departure information. Check with our staff BEFORE buying any airline tickets. Day 1 Saturday — August 1, 2015: Lima/Cusco Early morning arrival at the Lima airport, where you will be met by an Andes Adventures representative, who will assist you with connecting flights to Cusco. Depart on a one-hour flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. Upon arrival in Cusco, we transfer to the hotel where a traditional welcome cup of coca leaf tea is served to help with the acclimatization to the 11,150 feet altitude. After a welcome lunch we will have a guided sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the Cathedral, Qorikancha, the most important temple of the Inca Empire and the Santo Domingo Monastery. You will receive a tourist ticket valid for the length of the trip enabling you to visit the many archaeological sites, temples and other places of interest. After lunch enjoy shopping and sightseeing in beautiful Cusco. Dinner and overnight in Cusco. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 2 Sunday — August 2, 2015: Cusco Morning visit to the archaeological sites surrounding Cusco, beginning with the fortress and temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco at 12,136 feet. It is still a mystery how this fortress was constructed. Gigantic stones, some of them weighing 125 tons, were carved into huge trapezoidal blocks that fit together with extraordinary precision. The tour continues with visits to the semicircular shrine of Kenko, Puca Pucara and the Royal Baths of Tambomachay, a beautiful ceremonial bath, adorned with waterfalls, which continues to flow 500 years after being built. Following the tour, we run downhill to Cusco, passing through the village of Yuncaypata, and the Temple of the Moon. We enter Cusco through San Blas and finish at the Plaza de Armas. After lunch, we will spend the afternoon relaxing, shopping and sightseeing in beautiful Cusco and its surroundings. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 3 Monday — August 3, 2015: Chinchero/Yucay Our tour takes us on a scenic drive to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We travel across a high plain with splendid views of the Cordillera Urubamba to the ancient Inca town of Chinchero at 12,350 feet. There, we will visit a highland home and observe a demonstration of the traditional weaving process and shop for local handicrafts. Acclimatization run, starting on flat terrain, passing through the salt mines of Maras and finishing down a scenic trail leading to the Urubamba River. We prepare for the Inca Trail Running Adventure and spend the afternoon relaxing in Yucay and its surroundings. Overnight in the town of Yucay.
Overnight: Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel in Yucay, Peru's Leading Boutique Hotel in 2011, 2012 and 2013 (World Travel Awards). Day 4 Tuesday — August 4, 2015: Ollantaytambo/Llactapata We visit the village of Ollanta and Ollantaytambo, the best surviving example of an Inca town. Most of its buildings sit upon Inca walls and the street plan is still the original laid out by its Inca builders. Its stonework, narrow cobbled streets, family courtyards and water system is exactly as it was built in Inca times. You will be able to appreciate the Inca agricultural terraces that create small tiers of fertile land on very steep slopes. We have a light lunch in Ollantaytambo and continue on a short ride by bus to the trailhead at km 82 "Piscacucho," where we begin our run to km 88 "Qoriwayrachina." There we enter the Machu Picchu Sanctuary National Park. About a mile later we arrive at our camp in the archaeological site of Llactapata "Town on Hillside" at 8,400 feet. Upon arrival in camp we enjoy hot coca tea and a great view of the Urubamba mountain range. Note: We no longer offer rafting on the Urubamba River in Cusco because pollution of the river has increased and the water quality is not suitable for rafting on any section of the river. Overnight: Camp at Llactapata. Day 5 Wednesday — August 5, 2015: Phuyupatamarca Early breakfast and start of our Inca Trail run. The trail continues along the Cusichaca River and follows it upstream on a gradual climb for another three miles leaving behind the Urubamba valley and a magnificent view of snow-capped Mount Veronica (18,865'), the highest peak in the Cordillera Urubamba. We reach the village of Wayllabamba at 9,680 feet, the last inhabited village on the Inca trail. Penetrating the spectacular Llulluchayoc gorge; the trail becomes steeper as we enter mossy woods and continue our uphil climb through a thick forest, before emerging into a large meadow "pampa", Llulluchapampa high above tree line at about 12,350 feet. We continue to Warmiwañusq'a pass "Pass of the Dead Woman" at 13,779 feet, the highest pass in the Inca Trail. A descent into the valley brings us to Pacaymayo River at 11,880 feet. We will have an aid station here. Ascending steps, we begin the climb towards Runkurakay pass. On the way we encounter the Runkurakay watchtower ruins at 12,464 feet and pass by a couple of small lakes, before reaching the Runkurakay pass at 13,000 feet. From here you will have excellent views of the glaciated peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Most of the climb is behind us; the trail descends rocky slopes and reaches the strategic fortress of Sayacmarca "Dominant Town" at 11,880 feet. Beyond Sayacmarca the trail enters dense groves and you will find impressive evidence of Inca road construction, with its six feet wide and carefully constructed stone-paved trails. An amazing engineering accomplishment! We will negotiate a 20 meter Inca tunnel with carved steps and soon the trail becomes a magnificent stone staircase leading to Phuyupatamarca "Town in the Clouds" at 12,000 feet. We summit the third pass and have our first look into the deep gorge of the Urubamba River and reach our camp in Phuyupatamarca. Overnight: Camp at Phuyupatamarca. YouTube video of this day by runner Jan Vandepoele. Day 6 Thursday — August 6, 2015: Machu Picchu The trail follows down a series of hundreds of steps, passing by ceremonial Inca baths where mountain water still flows through carved stone channels. As we descend into the cloud forest, we will be surrounded by abundance of exotic varieties of plants, orchids and flowers until reaching the ruins of Wiñay Wayna "Forever Young." We run down a dirt trail about three and a half miles to Intipunku "Gateway of the Sun" at 8,860 feet. Suddenly, the full grandeur of the world's greatest ruins are revealed, the domed peak of Huayna Picchu and the lost City of the Incas, MACHU PICCHU at 7,900 feet. Our evening includes Machu Picchu Pueblo (previously known as Aguas Calientes), where we will enjoy a celebration dinner. Overnight: El Mapi Hotel Machu Picchu. Day 7 Friday — August 7, 2015: Machu Picchu We spend the early part of the morning with our expert guide, for a tour of the mysterious city, its magnificent temples, terraced hillsides, archaeological curiosities, irrigation channels, fountains, elaborate stone work and chambers of unknown purpose. As we listen to the theories about the mysteries of Machu Picchu, we wonder how and why this city was built in such a remote place and what its purpose might have been. Fortunately this outstanding citadel was never discovered by the Spaniards and was spared from destruction. Continue exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu, or relax in Aguas Calientes. You may also choose from several additional (unguided) activities such as a moderate hike or run to the Inca Bridge; or an optional climb to the airy summit of Huayna Picchu at 9,000 feet (the optional climb has to be arranged in advance). Overnight: El Mapi Hotel Machu Picchu. Day 8 Saturday — August 8, 2015: Ollantaytambo/Pisac/Cusco This morning we board the train to Urubamba. We have lunch in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we continue by bus to visit the Andean village of Pisac. Our guide takes us through the village to visit its colorful market where extensive selections of colorful weavings, ceramics, sweaters and other handicrafts are sold at bargain prices. The afternoon is free for shopping and enjoying Cusco. Dinner and overnight in Cusco. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 9 Sunday —August 9, 2015: Cusco/Tinqui/Upis This morning, we are picked up at the hotel for a 3 hour drive to the trailhead of the Ausangate circuit, in the highland village of Tinqui at 12,400 feet. We enjoy authentic Sunday markets as we drive by the Andean towns of Andahuaylillas, Urcos and Ccauri. We continue to Ocongate before reaching the village of Tinqui. Upon arrival in Tinqui we meet our Quechua arrieros with their pack animals. After loading our duffel bags on the horses, we start our uphill run crossing the Mapocho River. The terrain turns into open arid grasslands known as puna. Scattered clumps of coarse grasses, collectively called ichu, characterize the treeless puna. This highland grass is used for roof thatch and fodder for grazing llamas and alpacas. We run over rolling hills passing by stone walls and a few thatched houses. The trail continues up toward the north face of Mount Ausangate (20,905'), considered by these highlanders as the sacred Apu "Mountain Spirit." We will run to Huahuayocrumi at 14,765 feet, before descending into Upis at 14,400 feet. We camp by the thermal pools. Note: We are sending our camp staff a day before to have everything ready upon our arrival in our camps. The complex logistics were developed over a period of 10 years. We will have 2 sets of camps and 2 sets of staff to be able to offer this mountain adventure. For years this was our # 1 running adventure. Overnight: Upis Camp. Day 10 Monday —August 10, 2015: Jampamayo Valley We start early this morning crossing the green Upismayo valley, filled with grazing llamas and alpacas. We climb up to Arapa pass at 15,585 feet and descend to Laguna Pucacocha at 15,080 feet. We will have an aid station here. We have excellent views of the surrounding lakes and the glaciated west face of Mount Ausangate. We will continue up the Apacheta pass at 15,750 feet and descend to Lake Ausangatecocha, followed by the highest pass, the Palomani pass at 16,600 feet; with great views of Ausangate (20,905') and Santa Catalina (19,055'). In these high mountains, we might see the giant condor soaring high in the blue skies, and a variety of highland birds like coots, Andean geese, cacaraca, hawks, puna ibis as well as the marmot-like vizcacha and others. These remote mountains areas are also refuges for the vicuña. We descend toward Pampacancha at 14,900 feet, we will have an aid station here. We continue to Uchuy Finaya on the south side of Mount Ausangate and run along the Jampamayo River valley, passing the remote village of Jampa. The views are overwhelming with the glaciers and the snow-capped mountains surrounding us; Colque-Cruz (19,554'), Puca Punta and Tres Picos (19,990'). Note: We will have a limited number of horses available for those that need assistance on the high passes. Overnight: Jampa Camp. Day 11 Tuesday — August 11, 2015: Pacchanta A short climb brings us to Jampa at 15,500 feet and then we continue to Campa Pass (16,400'), where we will be surrounded by spectacular views of glaciers and ice covered peaks. Looking down on our trail, we will see Lakes Comercocha and Caycocha. From the pass, we descend to Lake Minaparayoc. A moderate downhill takes us to the village of Pacchanta at 13,950 feet. We will enjoy a specially prepared traditional "pachamanca" dinner feast, prepared in an ancient Quechua method of cooking meat and vegetables underground with heated stones. We camp for the night and enjoy the local hot springs. Overnight: Pacchanta Camp. Day 12 Wednesday — August 12, 2015: Tinqui/Cusco Our last day on the circuit we continue to enjoy magnificent alpine scenery, with views of Mount Ausangate and the nearby snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota range. We run by the small communities of Cullpacata, Yanama, Mojonpata and Quimsapuccio giving us our last chance to see remote Andean villagers. Herds of llamas, alpacas and their herders, in their colorful traditional clothing, work along the hillsides. Most speak no Spanish, only the ancient Quechua language. After returning to Tinqui we drive back to Cusco. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping and enjoying Cusco. Tonight we'll have our farewell dinner in one of Cusco's finest restaurants. Overnight in Cusco. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 13 Thursday — August 13, 2015: Cusco/Lima/Flight home After breakfast, transfer to the Cusco airport for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival we are met at the airport and we continue on a sightseeing guided city tour of colonial and modern Lima. Highlights include Lima's Cathedral, government palace in Plaza Mayor, San Francisco monastery, San Isidro, Miraflores and a scenic view of the coastline. We end the tour at the restaurant for lunch and from there we go to check-in at the hotel in Miraflores, where a day-room is available. Those departing tonight have a day-room and a transfer to the airport in the evening and depart on homeward-bound flights. Day Room: Hotel San Agustín Exclusive in Miraflores. (Or continue on Extension). |
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