Ultimate Inca Trail (12 Day)

DAY 1:   LIMA
Lima Accommodations
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional tours to museums or to visit the city and surroundings sites.

DAY 2:   LIMA – CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
Morning transfer for departure flight to Cusco (10,856 ft.), center of the Inca Empire. Cusco arrival and transfer to your hotel. Balance of morning is free to relax. In the afternoon you will have a guided walking tour to visit the local sites of Cusco, the colonial Cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After we will depart for a tour of Cusco's temples and visit each distinct Inca sight. The fortress of Sacsayhuaman with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected the royal capital from attacks and the sacred water temple of Tambo Machay. Overnight Cusco hotel. (B)

DAY 3: CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY - CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
Full day guided excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop will be the picturesque town of Pisac and its open air market*; this is a great opportunity to get souvenirs. After lunch, we continue down the Urubamba valley to reach the charming town of Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.). Here we will have plenty of time to explore the town and the impressive Inca fortress that towers nearby. The Urubamba valley was an important agricultural area in Inca times, as manifested by the many Inca remains dispersed throughout the valley. Return to Cusco and overnight Cusco hotel. Evening briefing session to orient you to the upcoming trek. (B,L)
*Due to its popularity, there is a market at Pisac every day, with the largest market day being Sun, as well as Tue & Thu.

DAY 4:   CUSCO – PAROBAMBA
Camp
Up early for our scenic drive to Mollepata. On the way we will visit the ruins of Tarawasi with its long asymmetric Inca stonewalls. Afternoon arrival to Mollepata (9,512 ft.). We start hiking at this village for about an hour, until we reach our campsite at Parobamba (10,496 ft.). Overnight camp. (B,L,D)

DAY 5:   PAROBAMBA – SORAYPAMPA
Camp
The trail climbs sharply for about an hour until we reach Cruzpata (10,660ft.), where we get the first magnificent view of Mt. Humantay (19,410 ft.). The last part of trail brings us to Soraypampa (12,815 ft.), where there are small settlements of cattle herders. We camp here in the shadow of Mt. Salkantay. (B,L,D)

DAY 6:   SORAYPAMPA – SISAYPAMPA
Camp
An early departure starting with a slow uphill climb brings us to Salcantaypampa, below the terminal Moraine of Mt. Salkantay (20,575 ft.). This beautiful mountain, will dominate the views of the entire day. We start a steep ascent, slowly reaching the Incachiriaska pass (15,908 ft.). Leaving the pass, a steep descent brings us to our campsite at Sisaypampa (13,776 ft.). (B,L,D)

DAY 7:   SISAYPAMPA – PUACARCANCHA
Camp
Today the trail continues to a wider valley called Pampacahua, as we connect with the famed Inca Trail. We continue hiking to our first Inca site and campsite at Paucarcancha (10,332 ft.). (B,L,D)

DAY 8:   PUACARCANCHA – LLUCHAPAMPA
Camp
This morning we will pass the village of Huayllabamba (9,025 ft.), continuing up we enter a unique forest of Queñua tree, a native species, which nowadays is hard to find except in isolated areas. We have now entered the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and will see fewer people living in the area. Once out of the forest we reach our campsite at Llulluchapampa (12,300 ft.). (B,L,D)

DAY 9:   LLULLUCHAPAMPA – PHUYUPATAMARCA
Camp
A steady ascent up to the Warmiwañusqa pass (13,776 ft.), is rewarded with fantastic views. Another descent and ascent bring us to the ruins of Runkuraqay and the second pass (13,284 ft.). From here we trek down to the ruins of Sayacmarca (12,628 ft.), here we glimpse the first signs of the cloud forest. We continue our way along a marvelous section of the Inca Trail to the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca (12,000 ft.), where we camp nearby. (B,L,D)

DAY 10:  PHUYUPATAMARCA – MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu Accommodations
Leaving Phuypatamarca, we traverse a ridge with magnificent views of the surrounding cloud forest below. This little known trail will bring us past the newly opened site of Intipata, and then ends at Wiñay Wayna (8,855 ft.), where we have lunch. Continuing on, our trek bring us to the Inti Punku, 'Door of the Sun', with a spectacular view of Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.), below. Overnight at hotel in nearby Aguas Calientes. (B,L)

DAY 11:  MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Cusco Accommodations
Early morning bus ride brings us to the ruins for incredible photos and the opportunity to climb the famous peak of Huayna Picchu (8,900 ft/2,720 m), beautifully situated, overlooking the Machu Picchu ruins. Afterwards we have a guided tour of the ruins (3 hrs approx). The rest of the day can be dedicated to exploring this extraordinary site at your leisure. The mid-afternoon Vistadome train (3-4 pm approx) returns us to Poroy (3 hrs), where a private bus is waiting to transfer us the 20 minutes back to Cusco and your hotel. Overnight Cusco hotel. (B)

DAY 12:  CUSCO – LIMA
Morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight (End of Services). Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can also be arranged. (B)

Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

Physical Requirements: Involves moderate to strenuous trekking/hiking at high elevations (above 10,000 ft.) and in varying temperature conditions. Good walking/aerobic fitness is required.

Note: Any physical activity at high altitude can be a challenge. It is the traveler's responsibility to best evaluate their physical ability to meet the stated Physical Requirements.

PRICING & ADDITIONAL DETAILS

TRIP COST:   (per person / 2 passenger minimum - with private tour & custom dates)

$2295   (3 star hotels)
$2650   (4 star hotels)
$2825   (5 star hotels)

- All departures feature First Class transport and tour services; passengers have the option to choose different levels of accommodations.

Price includes:  Bilingual guides on trek for all tours as noted, all airport/hotel transfers, all land transport during the itinerary, cost of entry/permits for all scheduled tours/treks and archaeological sites, all hotel accommodations, all meals as noted, accommodations and support staff on trek.

Not included:  International round-trip airfare to/from Peru, internal airfare (will be quoted with trip proposal), sleeping bag, hiking boots and other personal gear, lunches and dinners in the cities (unless otherwise noted), personal expenses (tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, medical or travel insurance, laundry, airport taxes, etc.).

Cash Price: Prices listed are cash prices. Credit card payments are subject to a 3% processing fee.

Single Supplement (hotel/lodges): Trip cost is based on twin shared hotel accommodations, a single supplement charge is assessed for those traveling alone or preferring single hotel/cabin accommodations.

Trip Extensions: Peru Day Tours and Peru & Amazon Multi-Day Tours are a great way to complement your Machu Picchu experience.

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ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The Trek: We hike roughly 5-6 hrs/day. Hikers have plenty of time to walk at their own pace! Trekkers are expected to carry only a small daypack with their camera, spare film, water bottle and rain gear if the weather looks bad at the start of the day. Our porters carry additional clothing, personal effects and the camping equipment. All trekkers are provided with a quality tent and sleeping mat. Free from a large pack, trekkers have more time for photography, observation and discovery on this Inca Trail Peru tour.

Trekkers are awoken early in the morning with a cup of tea brought to their tent along with a bowl of hot water for washing. Expert trail cooks, who for years have been presenting hearty trekking food using fresh vegetables, beef and chicken, prepare your meals. Vegetarian offerings are also available.

We start trekking around 8am and try to get the majority of the walking done before the lunch stop. We aim to arrive at the campsites by mid afternoon to give trekkers plenty of time to unpack their duffel for the night and to enjoy the surroundings. At no point do the hikes become forced route marches. Trekkers have ample time to walk at their own pace. This tour is a trekker's dream.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Restrictions: The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is limited to 500 permits per day (including guides, cooks and porters). That equals roughly 180 clients hiking the Inca Trail. For those interested in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, it is essential that you reserve your trip dates well in advance in order to obtain the proper permits. The issue of permits is strictly enforced. Trekkers can only hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with licensed outfitters.