Ancient Trails of Peru

Trek both the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and the stunning Cordillera Blanca

Two classic treks! First, you explore the Incan civilization that was based in south-central 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.

Then, continue to the Cordillera Blanca in the northern Peruvian Andes, considered to have the world's largest concentration of glaciers within a tropical zone. Along its over 100 mile length, 20 to 30 peaks rise above 18,000'. Thirty other peaks are higher than 17,000'. The Cordillera is interrupted by 15 glacial valleys creating ideal routes which lead past peaks west of the main crest into the center of this majestic range .

2009 Departure Dates: Every Tuesday between April and October

All trips depart on Tuesdays, and return on Fridays two weeks later, with an option to spend Friday night in Lima & return on Saturday for a small additional cost

2009 Prices:

• $3400 per person based on double occupancy

Above rate includes Inca Trail Fees**

DUE TO RECENT TRAIL REGULATIONS, TO RESERVE SPACE ON THIS PROGRAM, WE MUST HAVE YOUR FULL PASSPORT NAME, PASSPORT #, BIRTH-DATE AND NATIONALITY ALONG WITH YOUR DEPOSIT TO REQUEST AND CONFIRM SPACE**

Itinerary:

Day 1/Tues: Arrive Lima, where you are met and assisted to the nearby airport hotel Costa del Sol for a one night stay.

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 the Albergue Ollantaytambo 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 20 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 your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley to Piscaycucho. Start hiking for about 5 hours through a little visited section of the trail. We will stop at Q’oriwayrakina for lunch and then cross the Urubamba River at Q’ente, with an option to visit Wayna Q’ente and Machu Q'ente., then keep on walking until we reach Llaqtapata archaeological site, in whose vicinity we will camp amidst Inca terracing. (Time: 5-6 hours, Distance: 11 km). (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. Continue through Machu Picchu, and take the shuttle buses down to the village to check-in to your hotel. Overnight at el Presidente hotel or similar in Machu Picchu Pueblo included. (Optional upgrade to El Pueblo, Sumaq, or Sanctuary deluxe hotels available). Trek 8 hrs/9 KM or 5.5 miles. (B, L)

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/Friday: Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Lima (flights not included in cost). On arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Optional tours are available today, or you can explore the city on your own. Overnight. (B)

Day 12/Saturday: Our guide will meet you in the morning to assist help you with the check-in and airport formalities for your flights to Huarazy. Departure time approximately 8:30 AM, arriving Huaraz at 9:40 AM. On arrival you are met and transferred to the Hotel Andino or similar for one night. Free day to explore Huaraz & acclimatize. (B)

Day 13/Sunday: Leaving early in the morning we drive down along the Santa Valley passing several villages until we reach present-day Yungay. The road winds slowly up into the gulley between the Huascaran massif and the Huandoy three-pronged peak. As we reach the overhanging valley we arrive at the boundary of Huascaran National Park. Llanganuco, as the area is known, has two lakes, Chinancocha and Orconcocha which have turquoise waters. We continue on this narrow road as it twists and turns to the pass at Portachuelo of Llanganuco at 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft.) From this point, if the evening is clear, we will get a spectacular view of Mt. Huascaran, Huandoy, Pisco and Chacraraju, We continue down until about 40 minutes before our first campsite at Vaqueria 3700 m.a.s.l. (12,136 ft) where will undertake a short hike.. (B, L, D)

Day 14/Monday: The day starts with a leisurely walk down towards a trail which makes its way to the left over a small ridge into the Huaripampa Valley. As we slowly head up this valley we pass a small settlement of farmers, going by their agricultural activity and Andean vegetation. The snow-capped peak of Chacraraju, Taulliraju will come into view passing meadows and fields along the way. Camp in the vicinity of Paria or Tuctu. (Time 5-6 hours. Distance 11 Kms.) (B, L, D)

Day 15/Tuesday: The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,750 m.a.s.l. (15,580 ft.) This old trail was heavily used in pre-columbian and Colonial times as a route for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley. As we approach the pass, Mt. Taulliraju will loom above us and on the other side its glacial lake and glacier will add color and contrast to the amazing view down the Santa Cruz Valley. The peaks of Quitaraju, Artesonaju and Rinrijirca will come into view as well as the two lakes of Ichicocha and Jatunconcha. The trail descends into Taullipampa where we will camp at 4,100 m.a.s.l. (13,448 ft.). (Time:7 hours. Distance: 13 Kms.) (B, L, D)

Day 16/Wednesday: Today we continue our hike down the Santa Cruz Valley, past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha with great views of snow capped mountains including Mt. Alpamayo. The landscape changes, and scree slopes appear on each side of the now marshy meadow as well as rock boulders fallen from the eroded walls above us. Finally towards the end of the day we walk out of the ever-narrowing canyon into Llamacorral, where we will camp at 3,500 m.a.s.l. (11,480 ft.) (Time: 6 hours. Distance: 16.5 Kms.) (B, L, D)

Day 17/Thursday: A steep descent brings us to Cashapampa in the early morning. We meet a vehicle that will take us back to Huaraz saying good-bye to our camp crew as the road winds slowly down to the main valley, arriving in the afternoon. Transfer to your hotel and dinner on your own. (Time: 2:30 hours. Distance: 7 Kms.) (B, L)

Day 18/Friday: Morning transfer to the airport for flights to Lima. Departure time is approximately 10:10 AM, arriving Lima 11:20 AM. Our local driver will meet you after you claim your luggage, and transfer you to the Miraflores area of Lima where we have reserved you have a hotel reserved for your use until late check-out (or overnight if needed). Free afternoon to explore the area, enjoy a nice lunch or some last-minute shopping. Late evening transfer back to the airport for your return flights.

Day 19/Saturday: Transfer to the airport for your return, or on-going flights (B)

For those who are staying in Lima one more night

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, (flights are required Lima-Cusco-Lima and Lima-Huaraz-Lima --approximate price is $650) 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. A complete clothing and equipment list will be provided once you are confirmed on a trip.

Trip Notes:

• The Inca Trail is considered a moderate to strenuous trek, including consistent uphill hiking at altitudes of 10-13,000 feet. The Cordillera Blanca is a bit more strenuous at higher elevations of 11-15,000 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-Lima-Huaraz-Lima. Our office in Lima will make these arrangements. Ticket prices average between $650 round-trip, and will be confirmed once we have your trip deposit.

• This trip begins and ends in Lima, Peru, which can be reach by daily flights on a wide variety of airlines.

• 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!

• Latin American Escapes offers excellent discounted international airfares from most US cities, local airpasses, and complete land packages through-out Latin America.

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.