PL- 05 INCA TRAIL TO MACHUPICCHU
(9 Days / 8 Nights)

Flight Lima-Cusco, reception at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Day in Cusco (3,300m/10,900ft) to relax and get acclimatize and optional visits. Overnight.

Day to visit the most important buildings in Cusco City like the Cathedral from the early 17th century, it is a fine example of colonial baroque art, the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun the most important temple built in the Incan time continue the excursion with the visit to the nearby Inca remains of Tambomachay with their water fountains; Q’enqo the religious center; Puca Pucara the red fortress and finally the impressive Sacsayhuaman  “House of the Sun”, with temples, palaces and important astronomical observatories. Many of the stones which form the walls weigh up to 200 tons and were placed with incredible precision. In the late afternoon we visit the Centre of Native Art to enjoy typical music and dances of the region. Overnight.

Full day tour we go in a bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way we visit a weaving centre/museum, where the local weavers explain the textile making process from shearing, spinning and dying with plant extracts to the actual weaving. We continue our tour with a visit to the colorful handicraft market in the village of Pisaq. Leaving Pisaq bus ride to the restaurant to have lunch after lunch we ride again to the typical village of Ollantaytambo, often described as a living museum, for the descendants of the Incas continue to live in the houses built by their ancestors. Overnight.

In the morning bus ride to the trailhead at Piscacucho (Km 82) where porters await for us for a walking day along the upper banks of the Urubamba River cross from the snow-capped peak of Mount Veronica (5,900m/19,500ft.) towards the first archaeological site Llaqtapata (2,650m/8,750ft.). After a rest continue upon the Cusichaca Valley (8,500ft.) observing several Inca agricultural terraces and irrigation channels. We enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we follow the Cusichaca Creek on a gentle climb passing houses of settlers reaching the picturesque village of Huayllabamba which is our fist camp (3,000m/9,900ft).

After an early breakfast we start our walk the trail ascends steeply to a small pampa just below the first pass Llulluchapampa (3,660m/12,000ft.). A 300m/1000 ft. climb brings us through three different vegetation zones to the summit of Warmiwañusca pass (4,200m/13,800ft) our first and highest pass. From the summit the trail descends steeply to the Pacaymayo Valley and we can view the trail going down into the valley and the second pass that we walk the next day after two hour descent we reach the camp site (3,600m/11,800ft.).

One of the nicest days after breakfast we climb slowly to Runkurakay pass (3,990m/13,100 feet).  We continue over the Runkurakay pass then down Inca stone steps to the beautifully situated Inca ruins of Sayacmarca. This small ruin, perched on the top of a cliff at about 3,600m/11,800 ft, has nicely restored Inca ritual baths and excellent views of the Vilcanota and Vilcabamba Ranges. We walk to Chaquicocha to enjoy a delicious lunch and have some rest before we go on along the original Inca path to get to our third pass Phuyupatamarca at 3,690m/12,100ft which is the camp site.

After breakfast we say goodbye to our Quechuan porters and continue our hike, a flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñaywayna (forever young) at 2,640m/8,650ft. one of the most beautiful of the Inca ruins and the last one before reaching Machupicchu. The trail climbs to Intipuncu the famed Gate of the Sun. Suddenly the four days of trekking rewards us with our first view of Machupicchu a vivid and unforgettable for all those privileged to be there. We arrive at Machupicchu the way the Incas used to come, staring in awe at the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipuncu. We spend a few minutes in Machupicchu to enjoy it before we go in a bus down to Aguas Calientes Town here we can choose to relax in the natural hot springs and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel.

In the morning bus ride to Machupicchu for a guided tour around this marvelous citadel after the tour free time to explore a little bit more this wonder. In the afternoon train ride back to Cusco, transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Transfer Htl-Apt. for national flight Cusco-Lima and international connections. (B)