INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU WITH "INTI RAYMI" FESTIVAL TREKKING ADVENTURE

Land cost per person: $2,600 (2008 price)
12 days (3 nights camping)

June 15 to June 26, 2009

Interactive Inca Trail Map

Peru Flight Information

RETURN TO TRIP SUMMARY Land cost (2008 price) Flight Info (PDF) $2,600 Single Supplement, if requested. $395 TRIP FEE INCLUDES: • Airport check-in and baggage assistance in Perú. • All airport transfers as scheduled on itinerary. • All ground transportation in comfortable private buses. • All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated (please request in advance). • All sightseeing tours and park entrance fees to destinations on the itinerary. • All off-trail accommodations in Perú are in fine hotels. When camping, we use roomy, high quality tents. All accommodations are based on double occupancy. • If you are traveling alone and prefer single accommodations you must pay the single supplement. If you are willing to share accommodations, we will try our best to find a roommate and if that is not possible you will pay only 75% of the single supplement cost. • Inca Trail, Ausangate circuit and Huaraz: First-class camping and trekking services by experienced Andean guides, camp and cook staff, Huayruro porters on the Inca Trail and Quechua arrieros with their pack animals in Ausangate mountain and in Huaraz. Horses are available in the Ausangate circuit and in Huaraz. All group camping equipment: quality tents, thermarest pads, dining and kitchen tents, tables and camp stools, toilet tents, etc. All meals: Wake up tea, breakfast, lunch, tea meal and dinner. • All tips to porters, animal handlers and cooks. Andes Adventures pays their salaries and all their tips. • The services of professional tour guides. • Our local leaders and guides are knowledgeable about the language, customs, culture and history of their country. They are detail oriented and take great pleasure in sharing their insight and expertise. They help make sure everything runs as safely and smoothly as possible. NOT INCLUDED: • International airfare, internal flights, transfers for independent arrival or departure, airport departure taxes in Perú (approx. $41 U.S), travel insurance (highly recommended) for which an application will be included with your confirmation, passport fees, excess baggage fees, optional tips to trip leader, guides and local staff. All items of personal nature such as: sleeping bag, personal gear, laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc. Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. Andes Adventures can assist you with air ticketing or trip participants may make their own arrangements for air travel. Suggested flight routings and airlines will be provided. Please check with our staff before purchasing tickets. We need to verify your flight schedule and confirm that we have enough participants to guarantee the departure. Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules. 1323 12th Street, Suite F Santa Monica, CA  90401 Toll Free (800) 289-9470 Phone (310) 395-5265  FAX (310) 395-7343 Request Information © 2000-2008 Andes Adventures, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CST #2030675-40 Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Plan your 2008 Travel Adventure today!

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: You will need to depart a day earlier. The trip begins at the airport in Lima, on Day 1. We can 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: Lima/Cusco

This morning 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. Our trip leader will meet you at the Cusco airport. 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. Welcome dinner and overnight in Cusco.

Overnight: Picoaga Hotel in Cusco.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: None scheduled.

Day 2 Tuesday - June 16: 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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: None scheduled.

Day 3 Wednesday - June 17: 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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: 4 miles – 3.5 hours.

Day 4 Thursday - June 18: 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 Huayllabamba at 9,650 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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: 7 miles 0r 6.5 hours

Day 5 Friday - June 19: 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 short rocky descent into the valley brings us to the Pacaymayo River at 10,950’.

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 13,100 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 11,674 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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: 9.5 miles or 9 hours.

Day 6 Saturday - June 20: 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 Aguas Calientes, where we will enjoy the thermal baths.

Overnight: Machu Picchu Inn Hotel.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: 6.5 miles or 6 hours.

Day 7 Sunday - June 21: 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. After lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, 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 to the Inca Bridge; a more strenuous hike to the 9,500 feet summit of Machu Picchu mountain; or a steep climb to the airy summit of Huayna Picchu at 9,000 feet.

Overnight: Machu Picchu Inn Hotel.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: Optional distances.

Day 8 Monday - June 22: 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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: None scheduled.

Day 9 Tuesday - June 23: River rafting/Cusco

We are picked up at the hotel for a 2 hour whitewater adventure on the Urubamba River where everyone shares in the paddling. Trained river guides will give us a safety and familiarization orientation. Instead of the rafting you may choose to take a nature walk. After lunch we continue to Cusco. The afternoon is free for shopping and enjoying a very festive Cusco – in preparation for the festival.

Overnight: Picoaga Hotel in Cusco.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: None scheduled.

Day 10 Wednesday - June 24: 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: Picoaga Hotel in Cusco.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's hike: None scheduled.

Day 11 Thursday - June 25: Cusco/Lima

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Cusco airport for the flight to Lima. We will be met at the airport and transferred to a hotel in Miraflores, where a day use room is available. After lunch, we are picked up at the hotel and taken 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. Those departing tonight transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flights.

Overnight: Posada del Inca Miraflores Hotel.
Meals: B, L.
Today's hike: None scheduled.

Day 12 Friday — June 26: Lima/USA

Those departing today will be transferred to the airport this morning.

Meals: B

(Or continue on Extension).