Inca Trail of Peru

The spectacular Andes were the center of the vast and prosperous Incan Empire, which flourished in the 15th and 16th centuries. Radiating from their capital of Cusco, engineers created over 5,000 miles of stone roads, tunnels and bridges that enabled people, messages and products to move rapidly across the empire. The Incas named this system Capac Nañ, which means beautiful road--an accurate description of this amazing system.

Travel the routes of the Incas while experiencing cultural and scenic treasures. In order to provide you with the best in-depth experience, we have designed itineraries around this trek to include acclimatization time, and visits to nearby important sites.

2007 Departure Dates:

• Every Tuesday between March and November
• All trips depart on Tuesdays, and return on the following Saturday (or Friday night, depending on your flight preference)

2007 Prices:

• $1600 per person based on double occupancy
• $1950 per person based on single occupancy (Cusco hotel-San Agustin Plaza. For Casa Andina add $155)
• $1569 per person based on triple occupancy (sharing on trek)
• Above rate includes Inca Trail Fees
• Four or more people traveling together will receive a complimentary upgrade to private tours in Cusco and the Sacred Valley

Itinerary

Day 1/Tues : Arrive Lima, where you are met and transferred to the Hotel Grand Faraona located in the suburb or Miraflores, or similar.

Day 2/Wed: Early morning flight to Cusco (not included in cost). Transfer to Hotel Casa Andina, San Agustin Plaza or similar. Morning free to rest and acclimatize to the 11,600' altitude. Afternoon group tour of city and the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay will give you a good background of the incredible history and culture of the region. (B)

Day 3/Thu: Full day guided group tour to visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. (Note: you should leave un-needed clothing & gear for these next two days in a locked suitcase in luggage storage at your Cusco hotel) Visit the colorful Indian market in Pisac, full of textiles, and handicrafts. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before you head won the valley to visit Ollantaytambo--a small town surrounded by Incan ruins. Tour the adjacent great fortress for a spectacular view of the Urubamba Valley. Spend tonight at at the San Agustin Urubamba or similar (B, L)

Day 4/Fri: River rafting in the Sacred Valley (Class III). A half hour bus ride brings you to the put-in point of today’s river trip. A half-day of rafting will bring you to our lunch spot on the banks of the river. Picnic lunch included. Return to your hotel in Cusco for a two-night stay. (B, L)

Day 5/Sat: Today is free to further allow you to acclimatize to the high elevations in preparation for your trek on the Inca Trail. You can explore the museums & nearby ruins, go mountain biking or horseback riding, or enjoy a nice day hike. There are also many shops, markets & restaurants to explore as well. Lunch & dinner on your own. Tonight you will have a briefing session & orientation for your upcoming trek. (B)

Day 6/Sun: Begin your trek on the Inca Trail! Your gear should be packed in duffel bags no more than 25 pounds in weight, including your sleeping bag. This gear will be transported by porters. (all un-needed clothing & gear should be stored in a locked suitcase & left in luggage storage at your Cusco hotel) You will need to carry your own personal daypack for water, camera, raingear, etc. We transfer you from the hotel to the Cusco train station to take the train that brings us to the Km 88. From here we cross the small bridge over to Q’ente where we will camp. Before lunch we will walk through the archaeological site of Patallacta (also known as Qentemarca) – a large Inca settlement for storage of grain and protected by a fortress type structure. In the afternoon we visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Qente and Machu Qente – located amidst Inca terracing Trek 4-6 hrs/11 KM or 6.6 miles. (B, L, D)

Day 7/Mon: The trail winds slowly uphill through a small forest to reach the site of Patallacta. After a short visit you continue up the Cusichaca Valley to finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba. From here, the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass, where we camp tonight. From here you’ll have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley you will begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree-a rare tree found in the Andes. Camp at Llulluchapampa. Trek 6 hours/9 KM or 5.5 miles (B, L, D)

Day 8/Tues: A steady ascent on an Inca Trail up to the Warmiwañusqa pass at 4,200m (13,692 ft) affords a magnificent view of our ascent and the trail ahead of us. We descend on a reconstructed Inca Trail down to the Pacaymayo River to then ascend again to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass at 4,050m (13,200 ft). From here we walk down to the site at Sayacmarca at 3,850m (12,551 ft) on the original Inca Trail, passing a dry lake and the first signs of the cloud forest. A beautiful location overlooking the Aobamba Valley, it affords a respite for a leisurely walk through its imposing structures. Continue along the ridge through amazing landscapes, viewing Mt. Salkantay from the western side and Mt. Pumasillo, a silhouette to the north on the horizon. Walking through a rolling flagstoned trail we arrive at Phuyupatamarca (the village on the edge of the clouds) in whose vicinity we camp. (Trekking: 7-8 hours, Distance 14KM/8.4 miles) (B, L, D)

Day 9/Wed: An early departure today will have us trekking along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. Overnight at a hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo included. (Optional overnight at el Pueblo or Sanctuary luxury hotel available). Trek 8 hrs/9 KM or 5.5 miles. (B, L, D)

Day 10/Thu: Morning tour of the ruins, with free time for photography or a climb up Huayna Picchu before boarding the afternoon train back to Cusco. Arrive early evening; transfer to your hotel. (B, L)

Day 11/Fri: Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Lima (flights not included in cost). You will be met and transferred to your hotel (day room for those departing on late night flights) with the remainder of the day free to explore Lima on your own. (B)

B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner

Included: Hotel accommodations as specified, all meals while on the trek, excursions and land transfers as specified, guiding, porters, and common camping equipment.

Not included: Flights and airline taxes of any kind, departure taxes, insurance, and items of a personal nature, such as laundry, phone, personal beverages, excess baggage charges, and gratuities. Additional expenses caused by the delay or extension of a trip due to weather, political disputes, or other causes beyond our control.

In general, we provide twin tents, foam mattress, all communal camping gear. Passengers must supply their own sleeping bags, day-packs, and duffel bags for transporting their gear. (Sleeping bags can be rented with advance notice) A complete clothing and equipment list will be provided once you are confirmed on a trip.

Extend your stay in Peru with an extension to the Amazon rainforest.   Our Taste of the Amazon or Manu Wildlife Center itineraries offer excellent 4 and 5 day programs.

For longer, more in-depth options, try our Tambopata Research Center or Wildlife Expedition options.

Special Note:

• The Inca Trail is considered a moderate to strenuous trek, including consistent uphill hiking at altitudes of 10-13,000 feet. Participants should be in good physical condition, and maintain a regular exercise program at for at least 3 months prior to their trip. Previous hiking experience, as well as a pair of broken-in hiking boots are also required!
• This trip requires an addition of domestic flights Lima-Cusco and Cusco-Lima. Our office in Lima will make these arrangements. Ticket prices average between $236 to $280 round-trip, and will be confirmed once we have your trip deposit. Guaranteed airfares DO NOT APPLY in Peru, which means if there is a price increase after you have purchased your ticket, you are subject to pay the difference at check-in for your flight. While this rarely happens, you do need to be aware of the possibility.
• This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines. We offer excellent discounted international airfares!
• You can join the group one or two days early in Lima to allow time to explore the museums and historical sites of the city. Please specify this option at time of booking

To confirm reservations:

A deposit of $300 per person is required to confirm reservations. In addition, the following payment procedures apply:

Payment for airline tickets is due at the time tickets are issued, but no later than time of final payment.

Last Minute Bookings: Last minute reservations (less than 30 days before departure) will be accepted, subject to availability, if payment has been received, and documents can be delivered. Any special communication costs and delivery charges will be at the client's expense.

Revision Fee: Revision fees will apply once the initial deposit has been received. Charges will vary based on itinerary, and extent of changes, with a minimum charge of $50. Changes requested after documents have been issued (generally with-in 30 days) will incur a minimum $100 change fee, plus additional services requested.

International bookings: We gladly accept bookings from passengers outside the US. However, an additional surcharge of $50 per booking is applied to cover additional shipping charges.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS --At the time we receive written notification that you must cancel your trip, money will be returned less the following cancellation fees:

Note Special restrictions apply to Peru departures:

Trip Documents: Trip documents will be forwarded approximately 3 weeks prior to travel, and once all payments and completed application forms have been received.

Risk and Responsibility

In arranging these trips, Latin American Escapes, Inc. acts only as the agents for the owners, contractors and suppliers actually providing tour services for these trips with whom Latin American Escapes, Inc. has no legal connection or joint ownership. These local tour operators attempt to conduct these trips as described in the preceding itineraries. However, it is possible that due to transportation schedule changes, weather, delays and unforeseeable acts of God, humans or nature, itineraries may vary from what is described. Participants are responsible for extra costs due to travel delay or itinerary changes for reasons beyond our control and assume all risks, whether identified in advance or unforeseen, as described under Limitation of Liability, and Trip Member Responsibility, located in our Terms and Conditions, which all travelers agree to sign. Traveler's insurance is not included, but is offered, and is strongly recommended. CST # 2023695-40.