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This Inca Trail trekking adventure includes the Inca Festival of the Sun, celebrated each year during the winter solstice; an authentic celebration to worship Apu Inti Taita, the Sun God. Processions, music and dancers in traditional clothing will offer their praises for the return of the Sun, the source of life. 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. Day 1 Monday - June 15, 2015 Lima/Cusco You will be met at the Lima airport 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, 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. This afternoon we will have a guided sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the Cathedral, the Inca temple Qorikancha, 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. Overnight in Cusco. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 2 Tuesday - June 16, 2015 Cusco/Yucay 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. Our tour continues on a scenic drive to the Andean village of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. 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.
Overnight: Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel in Yucay, Peru's Leading Boutique Hotel in 2011, 2012 and 2013 (World Travel Awards). Day 3 Wednesday - June 17, 2015 Ollantaytambo/Llactapata This morning 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. After an early lunch we continue our drive to the trailhead at km 82 "Piscacucho," where we begin our trek above the Urubamba River. The trail reaches 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. Overnight: Camp at Llactapata. Day 4 Thursday - June 18, 2015: Llulluchapampa The trail continues along the Cusichaca River and follows it upstream on a gradual climb 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 Quechua village of Wayllabamba at 9,680 feet, the last inhabited village on the Inca trail. Entering spectacular Llulluchayoc gorge, the trail becomes steeper. We continue our uphill climb through a thick, mossy forest, before emerging into a large meadow - Llulluchapampa high above the tree line. We camp for the night at about 12,450 feet. Overnight: Camp at Llulluchapampa. Day 5 Friday - June 19, 2015: Phuyupatamarca Today is our most challenging day as we reach Warmiwañusq'a pass "Pass of the Dead Woman" at 13,779 feet, the highest pass on the Inca Trail. If the weather is clear you will be delighted with the views of the Cusichaca Valley and the Pacaymayo "Sunrise" gorge ahead of us. A descent into the valley brings us to the Pacaymayo River at 11,880 feet. We begin the climb toward the second 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 12,234 feet. 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. Just below, we find our camp in Phuyupatamarca. Overnight: Camp at Phuyupatamarca. Day 6 Saturday - June 20, 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 an abundance of exotic varieties of plants, orchids and flowers until reaching the ruins of Wiñay Wayna "Forever Young." We hike 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). Overnight: El Mapi Hotel Machu Picchu. Day 7 Sunday - June 21, 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 Machu Picchu Pueblo - Aguas Calientes. You may also choose from several additional (unguided) activities such as a moderate hike 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 Monday - June 22, 2015: Chinchero/Yucay This morning we board the train to Urubamba. Upon arrival we drive to the ancient Inca town of Chinchero at 12,350 feet. Chinchero is a picturesque community that combines both Inca and colonial architecture. We will visit a highland home and observe a demonstration of the traditional weaving process and shop for local handicrafts. After lunch, we will spend the afternoon relaxing in Yucay and its surroundings. Overnight: Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel in Yucay, Peru's Leading Boutique Hotel in 2011, 2012 and 2013 (World Travel Awards). Day 9 Tuesday - June 23, 2015: Yucay/Cusco We hike on trails above the Inca agricultural terraces behind Yucay. Several options will be offered, including hiking to the village of San Juan. You will enjoy beautiful views of the valley. After lunch we continue to Cusco. The afternoon is free for shopping and enjoying a very festive Cusco – in preparation for the festival.. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 10 Wednesday - June 24, 2015: Inti Raymi Today we will be participating in the celebration of the Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun, celebrated each year during the winter solstice. An authentic celebration that dates back from the Inca times to worship Apu Inti Tayta the Sun God. This is the most important Inca festival and Cusco will be filled with parades and processions. First we go to the temple of the Sun "Qoricancha", where the Inca will begin the celebration and then follow to the Sacsayhuaman archaeological site, where we have excellent reserved seats to watch the ceremony and spectacular festival. Tonight we have our farewell dinner in one of Cusco's finest restaurants. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 11 Thursday - June 25, 2015: 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 trek 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 hike 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 hike to Huahuayocrumi (14,765'), before descending into Upis at 14,400 feet. We camp by thermal pools. Overnight: Upis Camp. Day 12 Friday - June 26, 2015: Ausangatecocha We start early this morning crossing the green Upismayo valley, filled with grazing llamas and alpacas. We begin our climb up to the Arapa pass at 15,585 feet and descend to Laguna Pucacocha at 15,080 feet. 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 a descent to our camp in Ausangatecocha. Overnight: Camp at Lake Ausangatecocha. Day 13 Saturday - June 27, 2015: Jampamayo Valley We start our day going up Palomani Pass at 16,600 feet, our highest pass. From the southern face of Ausangate, we will have a fantastic view of Santa Catalina peak. 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. These remote mountain areas are also refuges for the protected vicuña. We descend towards Pampacancha (14,900'). We continue to Uchuy Finaya on the south side of Mount Ausangate and hike along the Jampamayo River valley and camp before reaching the village of Jampa. The views are overwhelming with the glaciers and the snow-capped mountains surrounding us; Colque-Cruz (19,554') and Tres Picos (19,990'). Overnight: Jampa Valley Camp. Day 14 Sunday - June 28, 2015: Pacchanta A short climb brings us to Jampa at 15,500 feet from where we continue our climb up 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 in Pacchanta for the night and enjoy the local hot springs. Overnight: Pacchanta Camp. Day 15 Monday - June 29, 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 pass 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. Overnight in Cusco. Overnight: Costa del Sol Ramada Cusco (Previously Picoaga Hotel). Day 16 Tuesday - June 30, 2015: Cusco/Lima 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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