LAKE TITICACA & THE INCA TRAIL

Itinerary

• Flight Inclusive itinerary
• Land Only itinerary

Day 1

For those on non-group flights that arrive late at night (particularly those arriving on Continental), it may be best to wait at the airport for the connecting flight onto La Paz, please check with Exodus.

Day 2

La Paz. Unfortunately, there are not any well-timed direct flights from Lima and we must get a very early departure. Only a quick rest at the hotel in Lima will be possible before we head to the airport for check-in. On arrival in La Paz's El Alto International Airport, we go to our hotel in central La Paz (3,636m) for some well-deserved rest. Hostal Ñaira is located just off the Plaza San Francisco, close to the main plaza and the native market district; is ideally located for exploring the city. After a brief orientation meeting, you have the remainder of the day free to adjust to the altitude and explore the city at your own pace.

Day 3

Cordillera Real. For our first taste of the Cordillera Real, we enjoy an exhilarating acclimation hike through fascinating eroded badlands between the city and Nevado Illimani. We first drive to the wealthy neighbourhoods in the valley bottom, 600 vertical metres down and a world apart culturally from the Aymara neighbourhoods beneath the lip of the altiplano. Just beyond the city, we pick up a trail through the ravines with astonishing views to Illimani. Return to the city in the afternoon with some free time.

Day 4

To Lake Titicaca. Drive from La Paz to Copacabana. Travel along spectacular mountain roads with superb views over the lake to Illampu and Ancohuma until we cross the Tiquina Strait by ferry to Copacabana. We spend the afternoon exploring the fascinating cultural remains of pre-Inca and Inca cultures while enjoying our first taste of bucolic pace of rural Bolivia. Because Copacabana was already an important pilgrimage site in pre-Conquest times, the Spaniards built a large Catholic sanctuary in this striking town. Its most sacred image, the Virgin of Candelaria, is the patron saint of Bolivia. Afternoon hike in the hills around town for sunset.

Day 5

Island of the Sun. We take a motor launch to the Island of the Sun, and visit the ruins on the south end of the Island, Pilco Kaina, and the Fuente del Inca. The island's contemporary inhabitants are Aymara-speaking campesinos who live in hamlets and isolated homes scattered across the rocky, terraced island. Enter Peru in the afternoon, drive along Lake Titicaca's spectacular southern shore to Puno.

Day 6

To Cuzco. We start the morning on lake Titicaca to visit the Urus floating islands and their people before our, long drive west through the high Andes to Cuzco. Several short walks at various sites visited during the drive: Pucara and Temple Viracocha.

Day 7

Cuzco and surrounding ruins. Morning guided visit to the massive Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman above the city, and the ceremonial centre of Kenko. The afternoon exploring the great plazas, narrow cobbled streets, bustling markets and extraordinary Inca monuments of Cuzco.

Day 8

Sacred Valley. Visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. For those that want to walk in the Sacred Valley there is a route from ruins of Moray over rolling countryside to the Maras salt ponds and down into the valley. Visiting the fortress site of Ollantaytambo is usually part of today's activities. SH (B)

For those that would like to, we will also visit the Rainbow Centre in Urubamba. This is a centre set up for children with special needs. You will be shown round the school, meet the volunteers and children and get told more about the project. Please note that this is entirely optional. If you would like to bring anything for the children or donate to the project, this would naturally be very well received. For more details on the project, please see the introduction.

Day 9 - 12

Arrive Machu Picchu. From the ridge we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayña, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Inca Gate of the Sun. From here we get our sudden first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind. Passing around the ruins, we descend to the river and Puente Ruinas for a well-earned rest, and possibility of a shower.

Day 13

Dawn at Machu Picchu. We return early for a guided tour of the ruins at their quietest and most evocative (before the day trippers arrive from Cuzco). After free time to explore individually, we then board the train in the afternoon (though its timings are somewhat erratic and the journey may be partly in the dark). The ride follows the rapids of the Urubamba River, enters the Sacred Valley, then climbs onto the altiplano to Cuzco.

Day 14

Cuzco. Free day in Cuzco to enjoy the many optional activities available (Sacred Valley tours, biking, rafting and others – please ask your guide in advance) or simply to relax in this beautiful city.

Day 15

We return by plane to Lima in the morning. The group flight departs in the evening and arrives in London the next day.

Day 16

Arrive London.