Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Lima
Welcome to beautiful Perú! At the airport, look for your Juve Travel Peru host holding a sign with your name on it. They will escort you to your hotel.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Miraflores Centro
Day 2: Fly to Cusco-Sacred Valley Acclimatization
After breakfast, we will take you to the airport for a spectacular one-hour flight over the Andes Mountains to Cusco. From the airport in Cusco, we will drive in our private transportation to the Sacred Valley for some unique Peruvian experiences. This day will help your acclimatization to the higher altitude. The journey from Cusco follows a beautiful mountain with views of the stunning valley below, formed by the Urubamba River. After we descend into the Valley, our first stop will be at the Pisac market where we will see colorful Peruvian handicrafts. Then we will go to the Pisac archeological site for a walking tour of the Inca site. From there we will continue through the Sacred Valley for lunch and on to the hotel to relax and spend the night.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Valley Sagrado (L)
Day 3: Sacred Valley
This morning we go in our private transportation to Chinchero, a place sacred to the Incas because it is the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Inhabitants live amongst almost untouched Inca constructions in the same way that our ancestors lived. In this weaving village, local people have preserved a living heritage expressed in the handcrafted textiles. Artisans from Chinchero are happy to show you their ancient technique of how the wool of alpaca and sheep is prepared, washed, spun, dyed and woven into their works of art. Then we will go to Moray, an important Inca site whose multi-terraced architecture made it an advanced bio-agricultural laboratory in its time. Enjoy the natural beauty while you marvel at the mysterious circular terraces which some historians believe created mini-microclimates used to grow different crops. After exploring Moray, we will go to the incredible salt ponds of Maras. Originally mined by the Incas, these ancient and colorful pools are now individually owned and tended by local people. Enjoy lunch in Urubamba before continuing to Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining Inca cities in the Sacred Valley that has retained its original Inca urban planning. We will climb up the terraces toward the Temple of the Sun where we can enjoy views of the valley and see the quarries which provided the stones for Ollantaytambo. Return to your hotel in the afternoon and relax on your own.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Valle Sagrado (L)
Day 4: Start the Inca Trail Trek
We will pick you up from your hotel at the prearranged time to travel by private transportation to Km 82, the starting point of the trek. The trail follows the Urubamba river valley with magnificent views of snowcapped mountains. On the way we will pass by Wilkarakay Inca site with impressive views of the beautiful Inca site Llaptapata. We will leave the Urubamba valley to follow the Cusichaca valley to reach our first campsite Hatunchaca. Our team of porters will set up the tents at each camping site.
Total distance trekking: 9 Km / 5.60 miles
Campsite altitude: 2850 m / 9350 ft
Overnight and breakfast: At the campsite in tents (L,D)
Day 5: Dead Woman Pass to Pacaymayu
This is the most strenuous day on the route, ascending through the Wayllabamba valley, passing houses inhabited by local people. We climb steeply through beautiful native vegetation to Warmiwañusca Pass (Dead Woman Pass) at 4200 m / 13,780 ft, the highest pass on the trail. The magnificent stone trail descends to the camping site at Pacaymayu.
Total distance trekking: 11 Km / 6.84 miles
Campsite altitude: 3600 m / 11, 811 ft
Overnight and breakfast: At the campsite in tents (L,D)
Day 6: Runkurakay Pass to Phuyupatamarka
Considered the best day of the entire hike, and the shortest. After a healthy breakfast we will hike over the second-highest point of the trail, Runkurakay Pass (3900 m / 12,800 ft). After the pass we descend to explore the Inca site Sayacmarka. Our hike will be through beautiful cloud forest and over the original stone-paved Inca trail, which shows the master craftsmanship of our ancestors. We continue along the ridge with beautiful landscapes and views of Mt. Salkantay and Mt. Pumasillo to our campsite at Phuyupatamarka, situated above the clouds and with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Total distance trekking: 7 Km / 4.35 miles
Campsite altitude: 3650 m / 11,975 ft
Overnight and breakfast: At the campsite in tents (L,D)
Day 7: Sun Gate-Machu Picchu- Aguas Calientes
The day we have been waiting for, when we reach the Sun Gate for the first view of Machu Picchu. We wake up early with the spectacular sunrise, then descend through the cloud forest to explore the impressive Inca site Wiñay Wayna. After lunch, we continue on the Inca trail to Inti Punku (Sun Gate) for one of the best panoramic views of Machu Picchu and some time to enjoy the magical Inca city at sunset. Then we go by bus to Aguas Calientes, where our hotel and dinner will be waiting for us.
Total distance trekking: 12 km / 7.45 miles
Aguas Calientes altitude: 2050 m / 6726 ft
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Machu Picchu (L, D)
Day 8: Machu Picchu to Cusco
After an early breakfast at the hotel we will take the bus back to Machu Picchu for the complete guided tour of the magical city. Our guide will explain the significance of the stone structures, temples and the most important places. Later, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch and then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. From there, our private transportation will take us back to the hotel in Cusco.
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Cusco Plaza
Day 9: Cusco and nearby Inca Sites
Today we will explore the nearby Inca site of Sacsayhuaman where you will view the impressive architecture of the Incas and the massive stones used in the fortress overlooking Cusco. We will visit Qenqo, a labyrinth with carved stone walls. Then continue to Puka Pukara, which is believed to be a defense fortress and is made up of large walls, terraces, and staircases. The last site we will visit is the Inca bath and water temple of Tambo Machay. Spend the remainder of the day shopping, dining and exploring the diversity and rich culture of Cusco!
Overnight and breakfast: Casa Andina Cusco Plaza
Day 10: Cusco to Lima
Enjoy a last morning to explore Cusco at your own pace. Our tour leader will be happy to offer suggestions for places to go and sights to see. We will take you to the airport in our private transportation for your flight back across the Andes to Lima to connect with your flight home.
WHAT WE RECOMMEND BRINGING:
- Current passport is required. If your passport expired between booking and starting your tour, bring both the old and new passports!
- Short-sleeved shirts, long-sleeved shirts, fleece, thermals, wool socks, lightweight pants, warm hat
- Small pack to carry things that you will need during the day
- Rain gear or poncho
- Hiking boots with ankle support
- Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
- Camera, film and batteries (batteries die faster in cold conditions)
- Hydrating face and body lotion
- Sun block and insect repellent
- Water bottles (Nalgene or metal ones are required, plastic bottles are not allowed)
- Toilet paper and tissues
