Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Itinerary in Brief:  Cusco & the Sacred Valley, then the classic Inca Trail

• Explore and acclimate in Cusco
• Warm up hike in the Sacred Valley
• 3 nights camping on the Inca Trail
• You carry only a daypack
• Great meals, first class camping
• Truly outstanding, experienced guides
• Stay at premier hotel just below the ruins
• Please call or email us with questions

Day by Day Itinerary

Included meals are indicated in parentheses: (B,L,D)

Day 1       Lima

Arrive to Lima, former capital of the Spanish empire in the Americas, and transfer to your first class hotel ideally located in the Miraflores district, Lima’s main cultural and commercial district. This is the best area of town for strolling around and is home to many of Lima’s best restaurants. (If you are interested and time permits, private tours of Lima or visits to any of Lima’s museums can be arranged.)
Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection Miraflores

Day 2     Cusco

You will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight over the Andes to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival in Cusco, you will be met for transfer to your hotel. You have the afternoon free to acclimatize to the altitude and explore a bit on your own.  Cusco is at 11,000 feet and you’ll have the next 2 nights here to get accustomed to the altitude as you prepare for your trek.  Dinner on your own out at one of the city’s excellent restaurants. 
Aranwa Boutique Hotel (B) (upgrade to Hotel Monasterio is available)

Day 3       Cusco

Today you have a privately guided tour of this fascinating city, visiting the historical highlights and also making a visit to the massive fortress of Sacsahuaman that sits on the hill overlooking all of Cusco. This fortress is where the Incans made their feircest stand against the Spanish conquistadors. You’ll have the option to walk down from Sacsahuaman to central Cusco by way of the San Blas neighborhood. 
Aranwa Boutique Hotel (B)

Day 4       Sacred Valley of the Incas

Today you have a privately guided tour to visit some of the most impressive sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. You’ll get out and see the Sacred Valley on your own two feet, and have the chance to do some acclimatization walking (your private guide will be there to accommodate whatever level of additional hiking you want to do). In the late afternoon you’ll be dropped off at your hotel in the heart of the Valley. Your small hotel is one of the finest in the region.
Hotel Sol y Luna (B,L)

Day 5 Begin Inca Trail

Today you start the Inca Trail part of your trip. You will be transferred in the morning to Km 82 of the railway from where we will trek for approximately 4 hours along a little visited section of the trail, following the Urubamba River. We will arrive to Chamana, where we will make our camp in the area of Llactapata and spend the night. In the afternoon, we will hike to some of the nearby Inca sites. Our guide will make sure that everyone is feeling well and is properly acclimitized, so that we can all make the most of our experience. (Hiking Time: 4-5 hours; distance: about 5 miles).
Camp at Chamana (B,L,D)

Day 6 Llulluchapampa

After reaching the site of Patallacta you continue up the Cusichaca Valley, passing local settlers, and finally arriving to the small community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends to to a large pampa (grass field) where you will camp for the night. (Hiking Time: 6 hours; distance: about 5.5 miles)
Camp at Llulluchapampa (B,L,D)

Day 7 Phuyupatamarca

Today you will ascend to the highest pass on the trek, Warmiwanusca (13,692 ft.), before descending to the Pacaymayo River and past the Runkuraqay ruins. This day is filled with breathtaking views as you walk through the Andes, finally reaching Phuyupatamarca (which means “the town a the edge of the clouds” in Quechua), where you will make your final camp. (Hiking Time: about 8 hrs; distance: about 8.5 miles)
Camp at Phuyupatamarca (B,L,D)

Day 8       Machu Picchu

You start your hike out with views out towards the Vilcabamba region and its snow capped peaks. As the trail winds downward you will enter into a cloud forest, arriving to the Inca site of Winay Wayna. After about 2 more hours of hiking you will find yourself at Intpunku, the Gate of the Sun, where you have a magnificent view of Machu Picchu. After descending to the ruins along the final stretch of the Inca Trail you will catch a shuttle down to the town of Aguas Calientes for the night.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 9       Machu Picchu and Cusco

Today you make a return visit to Machu Picchu in the early morning to observe the ruins. This is a great way to experience the site when there are far fewer people around. After visiting the ruins you will make your way down to the train station for your afternoon train back to Cusco.
Aranwa Boutique Hotel (B)

Day 10       Return Home

In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival to Lima you will have assistance at the airport in making your connecting flight home. If you have extra time in Lima, we often arrange a driver for our clients so you can go out to eat or see some of Lima prior to your departure.
(B)