Lima – Cusco – Machu Picchu Inca Trail – Puno Titicaca Lake

DAYS: 12D/11N
CODE:
PERIODE:
MINIMUM NUMBER OF PASSENGERS:

D1. ARRIVAL TO LIMA, TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL.

Arrival in Lima. Our guide will welcome our guests and transfer them to the hotel in the Miraflores neighborhood.

D2. LIMA ½ DAY CITY TOUR IN SIC (POOL). ENTRANCE FEES ARE INCLUDED.

½ day Shared (in pool) city tour in Lima visiting the ANCESTRAL LIMA at the Huaca Pucllana, an archaeological precinct build in the IV century A.C., we will have a panoramic view of this magnificent ceremonial and administrative centre which was considered by the Incas a holy village. COLONIAL LIMA. Our trip includes the Paseo de la Republica (Promenade of the Republic), Plaza San Martin (San Martin Square) and the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), with their different buildings: Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace), Palacio Arzobispal (Archbishop’s Palace), the Basilica Catedral (Cathedral Basilica) and the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace). We will enter the monumental Convento de San Francisco (Convent of Saint Francis), which displays the biggest collection of religious art in America. We can admire the Choir Room and the Monks’ Library, the Sacristy, with its collection of Zurbaran and Rivera paintings. The Big Patio of the Main Cloister, decorated with Sevillan styles from the XVI century, its beautiful Moorish arches and its subterranean crypts known as The Catacombs, where you will feel the presence of Lima's colonial past. CONTEMPORARY LIMA: Visit to the most traditional residential areas in the capital: The Olive Grove of San Isidro, Miraflores and Larco Mar a new distinctive tourist centre of contemporary Lima. B.

D3. LIMA - CUSCO

In Lima, we organize a morning transfer to the airport for your flight to the Imperial City of Cusco. Up on arrival we transfer you to the hotel. In the afternoon we organize a shared (in pool) ½ day city tour in Cusco visiting the Plaza de Armas, The Cathedral, the beautiful Koricancha Inca temple located on the Santo Domingo church and finally we visit to the nearby Inca Ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenquo and Tambo Machay. B.

D4. CUSCO – INCAS SACRED VALLEY - CUSCO

Full day Shared (in pool) tour to visit the Incas Sacred Valley of Urubamba. On the way down to the valley we stop at Korao and Taray to have a nice view of the valley. Then we will visit to the colorful Pisac Indian Market and then stop in Urubamba for lunch (on your own). We then will continue our drive to the Ollantaytambo town where we will visit the impressive Ollantaytambo Inca Fortress and enjoy the small Inca Town where we can appreciate the Inca architecture. Transport back to the Hotel in Cusco with a stop at the charming Inca town of Chinchero. Hotel in Cusco. B.

D5. CUSCO – INCA TRAIL (IN SIC - POOL): CUSCO – PISCA Q´UCHU (KM 82) – WUAYLLABAMBA (PRAIRIE–GREEN PLACE).

The day begins early with the passengers pick up from their hotel in Cusco. After a 21/2 hours drive we will arrive to Urubamba where we will stop for a coffee (on your own). Then continuing with a 1 hour drive by car we will arrive at Kilometer 82 (2600m/8528ft). At this point where the first control is located, all tourists have to register to be able to start the trek. From this place, 42 kilometers of mountains, Andean valleys, rivers and tropical forests separate us from Machu Picchu. In our way to our first camp at Wuayllabamba village, the first part of the trek is mainly flat, with slight ascents and it will take approximately 2 ½ hours till we reach the Llactapata’s (town in the heights) archaeological group. Then we will continue to enter to the valley of the Kusichaca River from where the route follows a slight ascent up to Wuayllabamba's camp located at 3100 meters (10168feet). (LB, D).

D6. INKA TRAIL. WUAYLLABAMBA CAMP – PACAYMAYO CAMP

After breakfast, we start our second day considered by many trekkers the most difficult since it is necessary to do an ascent of 1,100 meters up to the highest point of the whole circuit, the Warmihuañusca (“dead women”) high pass at 4200m (13776ft). The slow ascent will take about 4 ½ and 5 hours approximately. From the pass we can enjoy an astonishing view of the surroundings and the magnificent landscape. This is a windy area so is important to wear warm cloths. Overcoming the pass we continue our way down to the Pacaymayo Camp located at 3500m (11480ft). (B, LB, D).

D7. INCA TRAIL. PACAYMAYO – RUNKURACAY – PHUYUPATAMARCA - WIÑAYHUAYNA:

The third day besides being the longest also is the most interesting. It begins with one hour and a half ascent to the Runkuracay's Pass located at a height of 3950 m (12916ft). On the way on we will visit to the interesting ruins known as Runkuracay (oval building) at 3800m (12464ft). Once overcoming the pass, the rest of the way basically will descend towards the interesting ruins of Sayacmarca located at 3,600 meters. On the Inca times this was used as a place of control post of the roads connecting to Machu Picchu. Then along a beautiful cloud forest, we will continue up to the pass of Phuyupatamarca, (“town above the clouds”) at 3670m (12038ft). From here we will descend on an impressive way of endless rock steps until we arrive near the Inti Pata's remains located at 2850m (9348ft), a complex of terraces and platforms built in the middle of the hillside of a mountain covered by thick vegetation. The trail finally leads to Wiñayhuayna's camp (“Forever Young”) located at 2700 m (8856 ft). (B, LB, D)

D8. INCA TRAIL: WIÑAYHUAYNA CAMP – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

The day begins earlier than usually at about 04:30 hrs in order to make our final trek towards the city of Machu Picchu. After one and a half hour we arrive to the Inti Punku (“Sun Gate") at 2700m (8856ft) from where we will have the first impressive views of the majestic Inca City of Machu Picchu. From here it is only 1 km more to arrive to the citadel and enjoy a guided visit to the most important places. At about 13:00 we will be transported by bus from the citadel down to the village of Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon we take our train back to the city of Cusco. Hotel. B.

D9. CUSCO FREE DAY

Free day in Cusco to enjoy by yourself the Imperial City of Cusco, once the capital of the great Inca Empire. You can visit the several Indian markets, the main Plaza or just walk and enjoy the narrow cobbled streets of the town. Hotel. B.

D10. CUSCO - PUNO BY BUS (SIC - POOL).

Comfortable tourist bus Inka Express transport to the city of Puno. On the way visit first to Andahuaylillas where we find the charming Chapel of Checacupe. Afterwards we continue towards Raqchi to visit the Temple of Wiracocha. Then we stop in Sicuani town for lunch and afterwards continuing to the communities of Puca Pucará and La Raya where Vicuñas can be seen. Arrival in Puno and transfer to the Hotel. (B, L).

D11. PUNO – TITICACA LAKE (UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS) - PUNO. SHARED TOUR (SIC IN POOL).

In the morning by boat travel to Uros, the floating islands on Titicaca Lake. The Uros natives, as their ancestors, are still living on the islands built from reed. Later on our tour continues for a visit to the Taquile Island, where we find living descendants from the Incas and who spin the finest woven goods in Peru. Enjoy magnificent landscapes. Return to the hotel in Puno. (B, L).

D12. PUNO – LIMA – FLIGHT BACK HOME

In the morning, transfer to the airport in Puno for your flight to Lima where you arrive in time for your international flight connection back home. B.

NET PRICE PER PERSON:

- 1 person: US$ 1130.- pp (in Single Room and Single Tent) - 2 persons: US$ 890.- pp (in twin bed or Double bed room and Double Tent)

INCLUDED:

: all transfers, English/Spanish speaking local guides, Shared Tours as per program, all entrance fees, train back packer Aguas Calientes - Cusco, noted meals (B=breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner).

NOT INCLUDED:

Domestic and international flights, tips, extra meals, personal expenses, extras.

FLIGHTS:

- Lima – Cusco: us$ 150.- pp (can be changed) - Puno – Lima: us$ 150.- pp (can be changed)

AIRPORT TAXES:

- Lima International: aprox. us$ 35.- (can change) - Other airports domestic flights: aprox. Us$ 8.- pp.- (can change)

HOTELS:

Lima: Hostal La Castellana, Hotel Monte Real or Hotel Embajadores Cusco: Inkarri Hostal or Hostla Saphi II Puno: Hotel Balsa Inn