The window to the heart of the Andes

Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Lima – Cusco - Sacred Valley (Urubamba) - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Lima

After exploring Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas we will hike along the world famous Inca Trail to the most spectacular archaeological site in all of South America, all the while enjoying hiking and camping in style.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

On arrival from our international flight, we will be met by our representative at the airport in Lima and transferred to the Miraflores Park Hotel, located in the Miraflores district, which is one of the most elegant middle class and commercial districts of Peru’s capital.

Miraflores Park Hotel – Lima
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Day 2: Lima city tour

We will have all day to visit Lima’s capital, which was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1535 and known as the City of Kings. We will drive through a number of districts on our way to the historic center of the city, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the main places of interest, including the 17th century San Francisco church and convent, with its catacombs. We will lunch at La Rosa Nautica, a charming restaurant located on the pier where we will have an opportunity to try traditional Peruvian cuisine from the coastal region. In the afternoon we will visit the Larco Herrera Museum, which houses some 4,500 pieces of pre-Columbian art from several pre-Inca cultures.

Miraflores Park Hotel – Lima
Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Cusco highlights

This day begins with a transfer to the airport for the one hour flight to Cusco. On arrival we will be transferred to the Hotel Monasterio with time to rest before our guide escorts us on our first sightseeing trip in Cusco. This tour includes the Inca Temple of the Sun, or Qorikancha, the magnificent Main Square with its imposing 17th century cathedral and, high above the city center in the surrounding hills, we will see the remains of the monolithic fortified temple complex of Saqsayhuaman.

Hotel Monasterio – Cusco
Breakfast

Day 4: Sacred Valley of the Incas - Urubamba

Today we leave the city for a full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is the setting for many Inca archaeological sites, as well as stunning scenery comprising of agricultural terraces crowned by high peaks. The valley floor is home to traditional villages where many aspects of local life continue unchanged. Our guide will share with us his great knowledge of local history and culture. We will visit the Awanacancha ranch, with its llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas, and then continue to the village of Pisaq. Here we will have plenty of time to visit the colorful local market of this peaceful colonial village, before lunching at the exclusive Casa Hacienda Orihuela, with its collection of Inca artifacts and colonial-era art. After lunch we will drive through the Sacred Valley to the village of Ollantaytambo, which is the last remaining example of Inca urban planning; here we will visit the fortress temple of Ollantaytambo as well as the village itself.

Sol y Luna Hotel – Urubamba
Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Urubamba – Km 82 – Patallacta

We leave our valley hotel after breakfast to drive to Km 82, which is the start of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Today will be an easy day to walk; we will hike for a short distance only (about 4 miles) on relatively flat terrain on the left bank of the Urubamba River as far as the archaeological site of Patallacta, where we will camp (9240 ft / 2800 m).

Campsite – Patallacta
Breakfast, Lunch, Tea Time and Dinner

Day 6: Patallacta – Llulluchapampa

When trekking in the Andes we normally wake up early so we can begin the day by walking before the sun is strongest. Today we will begin by hiking uphill for about seven miles to a beautiful location above the valley with fine views of the surrounding mountains and snow-capped peaks. We will camp at Llulluchapampa (12210 ft / 3700 m), which is usually quite cold, but the views will make the uphill trek worthwhile.

Campsite – Llulluchapampa
Breakfast, Lunch, Tea Time and Dinner

Day 7: Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarca

Today will be the longest day of the trek to Machu Picchu, as we will walk ten miles. We will hike up to the highest point on the Inca Trail to Dead Woman’s Pass (13860 ft / 4200 m). We will hike for about six hours on an original Inca highway, visiting the archaeological sites of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca on the way; after lunch we find our self walking for another one and a half hours along a paved Inca highway through cloud forest vegetation to the next campsite. We will camp at Phuyupatamarca (12210 ft / 3700 m), overlooking the Urubamba river valley. At this spot the sunrises are often spectacular. From here we also have fine views of Mount Salkantay, which is the highest mountain in the region (20694 ft / 6271m).

Campsite – Phuyupatamarca
Breakfast, Lunch, Tea Time and Dinner

Day 8: Phuyupatamarca – Machu Picchu

Today we will make an early start for the last six miles to Machu Picchu. The trail descends for about two and a half hours to Wiñaywayna (8910 ft / 2700 m). This is often described as the most beautiful Inca site on the entire Inca Trail. After visiting the site we will have lunch and in the afternoon we will hike for another two hours through the forest to the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu, from where we will get our first panoramic view of the Inca city. When we arrive at Machu Picchu (8085 ft / 2450 m) we will check in at the Sanctuary Lodge and as soon as we are ready we can go and explore Machu Picchu with our tour guide.

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9: Machu Picchu – Cusco

We will get up early to enjoy the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Because our hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the ruins, all we need to do is get up, grab our cameras and stroll to the city! Today we can choose to visit Machu Picchu again or opt to hike up the mountain known as Huayna Picchu (which appears in all the classic photographs of Machu Picchu). Other options include the thirty-minute hike to the Inca drawbridge.

In the evening we will take the luxury Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco. During the train ride a four-course a la carte dinner will be served onboard. On arrival at the train station in Poroy we will be transferred by private vehicle to the Hotel Monasterio in Cusco.

Hotel Monasterio – Cusco
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10: Cusco – Lima

Morning free to relax or wander around Cusco’s historic center.

In the afternoon we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Lima, where we will be met by our representative, who will assist us with our international flight home.

Breakfast

Tour includes:

Tour does not include:

Program rate:

The price for the Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is: Contact Us per person, based on a double occupancy.

Program Important Note:

Prices are subject to foreign exchange fluctuations and airfare changes. Any sightseeing is an additional cost. Extension rates can be requested along with regional flights. Single supplement available on request

Program reservations:

Please contact us via email info@pachatoursperu.com

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Pacha tours & trips E.I.R.L.
Private and Custom Made Travel to Peru and Southamerica
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Cusco - Peru
Phone: +51 84 237289
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Email: info@pachatoursperu.com

Pacha tours & trips EIRL, Travel Agency and Tour Operator, Cusco - Peru . Copy Right 2008 - Tailor made travel to Peru