Day 1 – Saturday, August 30 – Home City to Lima
Fly from your home city today and arrive in Lima, Peru anytime today or in the morning hours tomorrow. Today accommodations only are included with no planned activities.
Day 2 – Sunday, August 31 – Lima
Known as the City of Kings, Peru’s capital city Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro on the Day of the Three Kings (Epiphany) in 1535. Join us for a bike tour of Lima. On this tour, we cover two very important areas of Lima, the neighborhoods of Barranco & Chorrillos. Along the ride, we show you amazing sights around the bay, including great views of the San Lorenzo Islands, the Morro Solar Hill and the impressive coastal cliffs of Lima. Once in the bohemian neighborhood of Barranco, we continue cycling around its mansions, churches, bars and parks, trying to get the feeling of the streets that once inspired the most renowned Peruvian writers and poets of past generations. We also visit the neighborhood of Chorrillos with its old fishing pier, beaches, and promenades, learning the history of the infamous Pacific war that left this heroic town in ruins back in the nineteenth century. We’ll share anecdotes, love stories and classic urban legends of the local folklore and the tour includes a snack in a traditional old bar or cafe of the area. Enjoy the many old houses and colonial mansions of great architecture, as well as some of the best restaurants of the culinary capital of Latin America.
This afternoon, meet up with others from the group at the hotel and explore Lima on your own. Take a cab to the Plaza de Armas and watch the changing of the Palace Guard. Walk the streets surrounding the Jirón de la Unión for great examples of Spanish-colonial architecture and to get a taste for life in a large South American city. The Plaza de Armas is the heart of old Lima, and it is here you find the Cathedral, Government Palace and Archbishop’s Palace. The Cathedral dates back to the 1700s and houses the remains of the conquistador Pizarro. Explore on your own or take an optional city tour visiting many of the city’s highlights.
Tonight, we begin our program with a Welcome and Orientation followed by a group dinner. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 3 – Monday, September 1 – Cusco
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco (the flight usually departs early – we may leave the hotel by 4:30 am).
Cusco is considered the mecca of Peru and rightly so. This beautiful colonial town offers much to the visitor with its nearby ruins, cobble-stoned streets, museums, churches and lively atmosphere. Today we let you acclimatize to the higher altitudes and offer optional activities, some more adventurous than others. These include: a city tour, horseback riding around archaeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara; white water rafting on the Urubamba River; and mountain biking down to the Sacred Valley, perhaps visiting an Inca ruin along the way.
This evening is free for you to explore the nightlife in Cusco. We’ll offer dinner recommendations and head off to the main square as a group for those who are interested.
Day 4 – Tuesday, September 2 – Sacred Valley / Ollantaytambo
Travel with our local guide through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. An important source of food for the Inca, the Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that continues to supply the city of Cusco with much of its produce. Visit the impressive Pisac ruins and the colorful artisan market. The day trip finishes in the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo, site of another large Inca ruin. Here we catch our breath and prepare for the hike ahead.
Ollantaytambo is your first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. The town and fortress of Ollantaytambo are strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. This major ruin site is known as the best surviving example of Inca urban planning and engineering. It is admired for its huge steep terraces guarding the Inca Fortress and for being one of the few places where the Spanish lost a major battle during the conquest.
Days 5-8 – Wednesday, September 3 – Saturday, September 6 – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Embark on a 4-day guided Inca Trail hike with visit to Machu Picchu.
Hiking:
The 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is physically challenging but worthwhile, and the excursion is within the ability of most reasonably fit. It is a 44-km (27 mile) hike, with 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4200m (13776 ft). The trail is often steep, and it may rain even during the dry season. The temperatures at night may fall below zero, so it is important to come prepared.
Depart Ollantaytambo for km 82 where we begin our walk in the footsteps of the Incas. Our local crew of porters, cook and guide look after us well for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear for the hike, so those passengers doing the hike only carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc. As you walk the trail that linked this ancient empire, admire breathtaking views at every step as we move from high plateau areas to dense cloud forest. Depending on the season, you may see a great variety of flora, including miniature and large orchids, and fiery rhododendron bushes.
You pass several smaller ruin sites, the first of which is Llactapata. The second day climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman’s Pass. The trail goes through some beautiful cloud forest on the gentle climb to the third pass, where you will walk through a causeway and a tunnel, both original Inca constructions. Soon you reach the serene ruins of Phuyupatamarca, or the ‘Town above the Clouds’, at about 3650 m (11972 ft) above sea level. We will camp either here or an hour and a half further along close to Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young) ruins, a grandiose terraced hillside site, with panoramic views of the valley below and just a short hike from Machu Picchu.
On the final day of the hike we climb the steps to the Sun Gate overlooking the peaks that surround Machu Picchu. When the morning is clear, there is no way to describe the feeling of the first views of Machu Picchu, as the mist rises off the mountains early in the morning and the famous site appears in front of you.
On the last night, we’ll enjoy a Farewell program and group dinner. (3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners included)
Distances of the Inca trail:
Day 1
Km 82 to Wayllambama
Approximate distance: 11 km
Estimated hiking time: 5-6 hrs
Day 2
Wayllabamba to Paqaymayo
Approximate distance: 12 km
Estimated hiking time: 6-7 hrs
Day 3
Paqaymayo to Wiñaywayna
Approximate distance: 16 km
Estimated hiking time: 8 hrs
Day 4
Wiñaywayna to Intipunku (Sun Gate)
Approximate distance: 4 km
Estimated hiking time: 1.5 hrs
Intipunku to Machu Picchu
Approximate distance: 1.5 km
Estimated hiking time: 45 min
Day 9 – Sunday, September 7 – Cusco
Our tour ends today. Depart at any time for your flight home.
Please Note:
1) You must be in good physical condition to participate in this tour
2) Hotels will be confirmed closer to departure date.
3) Highest Elevation on this itinerary is approximately 13,775 feet – You should check with your physician before embarking on this journey. Click here for more information on preparing for your Inca Trail hike.
All rooms are non-smoking where we match roommates. Items listed on this website are subject to change at any time. By providing payment you agree to the terms and conditions as outlined on this website.
Cancellation Policy: From the time of deposit, $250 will be kept on file as a “Lifetime Deposit” with our tour operator. The remaining $50 is non-refundable. From June 30 -July 29, 2014, the cancellation penalty is 50% of the total price with the exception of the $250 deposit which is kept on file as a “Lifetime Deposit” with tour operator. Cancellations made on or after July 30, 2014 and “no-shows” will receive no refund with the exception of the $250 deposit which is kept on file as a “Lifetime Deposit” with tour operator. There is no refund in the event of interruption or cancellation by the passenger after the start of the tour.
Cancellation insurance: Cancellation insurance is required. Information will be sent with your tour confirmation.
Pricing: Taxes are subject to increases as local governments require. Amazing Journeys reserves the right to change tour and air pricing until the package is paid for in full.
Passport and Visa Requirements: A Passport is necessary to travel on this itinerary. It must be valid for six months beyond the last day of the trip. At this time, no visas are necessary to enter Peru for those from the US, Canada or EU countries. If you are traveling to Peru and are a citizen of another country, please check the website for the Embassy of Peru to see if a visa is necessary.
This tour is operated by G Adventures
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