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INCA TRAIL EXPLORER Trekking Peru's Royal Inca Highway 10 Days

Locally Hosted Independent Tour Suggested Departure Day: Thursday April - November

ITINERARY (Subject to change without notice):

Thursday - Miami - Lima: Afternoon departure on flight south to Lima, arriving in the evening. Upon arrival meeting and assistance with getting to the Ramada Costa del Sol Airport Hotel  for overnight stay.

Friday - Lima - Cuzco: Morning transfer to the airport for flight over the snow-capped Andes to Cuzco, ancient capital of the Inca empire and considered to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Western Hemisphere. Transfer to Hotel Monasterio in the heart of the city. Morning to adjust to the altitude. Afternoon visit to the main points of interest in Cuzco, including the Korikancha, once the center of the royal Incas, and visit the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenkko, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara.

Saturday - Cuzco: Today you will enjoy a special hike to not only limber you up and help you to adjust to the altitude but also to experience two special sites: the Salinas of Maras and the agricultural laboratory of Moray. The Maras –Moray one day trek is a fantastic way of combining breathtaking Andean scenery, local farming techniques, Inca Ruins, ancient towns and the interesting Maras salt pans. The trek begins across the fertile plain of Chinchero, rich with grain, potatoes & beans, and gives a fascinating insight into traditional Andean agriculture. A picnic lunch is enjoyed at the circular Inca ruins of Moray before exploring these fascinating ruins. Moray is believed to be an Incan agricultural center used to improve high altitude crops – an essential food source for the Incan armies and road building teams throughout the vast Inca Empire. The trek continues along mule trails before passing through the ancient town of Maras with its outstanding Spanish door arches and vast church. Maras is famous for its spies due to its strategic location above the Sacred Valley. The trail then descends down into the Sacred Valley of the Incas. En-route are the incredible salt pans of Maras that were mentioned in the chronicles of the conquering Spanish. A vehicle awaits in the valley for the drive back to Cusco. (B/L)

Sunday - Begin Trekking the Inka Trail: Between 4:00 and 4:30 am, we will pick you up at your hotel in our own private bus. We will then drive to Piskacuchu (2700 masl), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco –Machupicchu railroad.  Starting at this point, we will cross the bridge and walk along the left shore of the Urubamba River as it flows north-west along the Sacred Valley.  Following the trail along a flat terrain, we will arrive in Miskay (2800 masl), to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the Inca city of Patallacta (2750 masl).  We will continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach our first campsite in the Wayllabamba village (3000 masl).  All along the way we will see spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 meters above sea level.  Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.   Meals: B, L, D
Trek quick facts: Total distance: 7,47 miles; Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours; Maximum altitude point: 9,840 ft; Campsite altitude: 9,840 ft)

Monday - Trekking the Inka Trail - Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo: We will wake up at around 6:00 am, and after breakfast we will leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km. Along this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s Pass), we will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at that altitude.  We will also cross an area of the so called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows and the Andean bear, which is also called the Spectacled Bear ( Tremarctus Ornatus). We advise that on this day specially, your day pack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness.  Immediately after the pass, we will descend into the Pacaymayo valley (3600 masl), where we will camp after approximately 6h of hiking. Meals: B, L, D
Trek quick facts: Total distance: 6,84 miles; Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours; Maximum altitude point: 13,776 ft; Campsite altitude: 11,480 ft)

Tuesday - Trekking the Inka Trail - Pacaymayo – Wiñaywayna: This day is the longest but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites that we will visit and learn about from our guide. From Pacaymayo we will climb to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3970 masl).  Half way up, we will visit the archaeological complex with the same name.  This site, located at 3800 masl, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served the purpose of a watchtower.  After going over the pass, we will descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud-forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca (3624 masl).  This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, we will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 masl). Along this climb we can appreciate the magnitude of the Incas´ ancient craft, by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain, and seeing rocks that fill up ravines in perfect order, saving the trail from the multileveled Andean geography. We go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the aforementioned pass and down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best-preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail to Machupicchu, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Curiously, Phuyupatamarca means ¨town over the clouds¨.  From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2700 masl).  solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley and the long descending stone steps along which we will continue on to Wiñaywayna (2700 masl). At this campsite we will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers.  The campsite has the same name as the complex located only five minutes away from the lodge.  Wiñaywayna is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. Meals: B, L, D
Trek quick facts: Total distance: 9,94 miles; Estimated walking time: 8 hours; Maximum altitude point: 12,792 ft; Campsite altitude: 8,692 ft)

Wednesday - Ttrekking the Inka Trail - Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu: On this fourth and last day we will get up at 4.00 am to leave Wiñaywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku, or The Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we will see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku we will descend into Machu Picchu, and 40 minutes later we will enter the citadel from the highest point through the ¨House of the Guardians¨.  We will then descend to the control point where we will register ourselves and leave our backpacks. We will immediately begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machu Picchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it, or visit the Temple of the Moon and the fabulous Inca Bridge. 
Trek quick facts: Total distance: 2,49 miles; Estimated walking time: 2 hours; Maximum altitude point: 8,829 ft; Machu Picchu altitude: 7,872 ft
   At the completion of the visit, take the shuttle down to Aguas Calientes and walk to the charming Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel for overnight. (B/L/D)

Thursday - Machu Picchu - Cuzco: Day at leisure to re-enter Machu Picchu or explore the area at your own pace. Late afternoon return to Cuzco on the Orient Express Hiram Bingham with cocktails, entertainment and dinner en route. Upon arrival at the Poroy station, meeting and transfer to Cuzco for overnight at the Hotel Monasterio. (B/D)

Friday - Cuzco - Lima: Transfer for morning return flight to Lima. Meeting and transfer to Miraflores Park Hotel for overnight stay. Afternoon visit to Lima, once the seat of the Spanish Vice royalty and often called "The City of Kings", including a stop at the Plaza de Armas to visit the impressive Cathedral, a visit to Santo Domingo Convent and a drive through the modern parts of the city. You'll also have a chance to visit one of the museums of Lima, such as the Mujica Gallo Gold Museum, the Larco Herrea Museum or the Archaeological Museum. (B)

Saturday - Lima - Miami: Morning transfer to the airport for your return flight to Miami where you clear immigrations and customs and make connections to your home city.

RATES and DETAILS: