THE HIGH INCA TRAIL

Itinerary

• Flight Inclusive itinerary
• Land Only itinerary

Day 1

Fly to Lima.

Day 2

To Cuzco. An early departure for the short and scenic flight to the Inca capital. (The air-ticket for the internal flights is supplied in Lima). Cuzco is among the most attractive cities in South America, with many interesting buildings, museums and sites. This afternoon there will be a leisurely tour of central Cuzco, including the Qoricancha - the Temple of the Sun.

Day 3

Cuzco ruins walk. The hills above Cuzco city are dotted with some of the most interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest and return on foot to Cuzco via Tambomachay, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy acclimatization walk to get used to the altitude. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins. (Entrance fees to the cathedral, San Blas Church and the religious art museum are not included).

Day 4

Cuzco. Free day in Cuzco to relax and further acclimatise before starting the tour. If feeling energetic, rafting, cultural tours or a visit to the Rainbow Centre can be organised.

Day 5

Start Trek. A few hours drive via the interesting Inca remains of Tarhausi takes us high to the hill town Mollepata. We start by walking from Mollepata to our campsite near Marcocasa where we spend our first night under canvas. The total driving time is approx. 3 hours.

Day 6 - 8

Pampa Cahuna Valley. Further along the valley bottom Salcantay reappears in a new profile. We pass the huge ridge of terminal moraine, once the snout of the East Salcantay Glacier. A little further, and the river suddenly becomes dead straight, canalized by the Incas centuries ago. We camp at Paucarcancha (an Inca Fortress) or near Huayllabamba village. We normally have a free afternoon here to relax and buy a beer and prepare for the second half of the trek.

Day 9

Join Inca Trail. Today we join the main Inca Trail, the classic trek to Machu Picchu. A long climb takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman) pass at 4,234m. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in the scenic Pacasmayo valley (3600m).

Day 10

Inca Trail. Another easier climb, past the ruins of Runquracay, takes us over the Runquracay Pass, and from now on the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of Sayajmarca and suddenly enter cloudforest; the Trail passes at one point through an Inca tunnel before crossing onto the Amazon side of the continental divide. We normally camp on the ridge above the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (4000m) to benefit from the views of sunset and sunrise, and to avoid the crowded Wiñay Wayña campsite.

Day 11

Inca Trail and 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, 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. Descending to the city, we have an introduction to the site before descending to the river to relax in camp at Puente Ruinas, near Aguas Calientes, a busy village with thermal springs.

Day 12

Machu Picchu at dawn. We return to Machu Picchu early for a guided tour having the site almost to ourselves until the trains from Cuzco start arriving around mid-morning. After lunch and free time to explore the ruins individually, we board the afternoon train to Chilca or Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, then transferring to our hotel.

Day 13

Sacred Valley. A day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We visit the famous ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac; or we can take an easy, optional river-rafting trip on the Urubamba river (approximately US$25-35). Returning by road to Cuzco for the night.

Day 14

Free time to relax in Cuzco after the trek or for shopping, sightseeing or rafting.

Day 15

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

Day 16

Arrive London.