Inca Trail & Apurimac River Rafting:

Places Covered:

Lima, City Tour, Gold Museum, Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo Fortress, Cusco, Piskacucho, Yunkachimpa.

Duration:

13 Nights / 14 Days

Detailed Itinerary:    

Peru…home to one of the earliest and most advanced civilizations in the Western Hemisphere…Under the rule of powerful kings, an incredible people known as the Incas amassed an empire that built systems of winding mountain roads, remarkable cities, and an unforgettable legacy. One is still mystified today by their amazing accomplishments, as can be seen at the hidden and fascinating Machu Picchu…Take a trip back in time and explore the roots of an ancient civilization that left behind some of the most interesting and awe-inspiring construction in the world.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is rated among the best trekking trips in the world because of the exquisite beauty of its natural surroundings. These include different ecological areas from high deserts to Andean tropical rainforest. Following this ancient Inca trail we will be walking through mysterious archeological sites, half covered by jungle overgrowth, that looks like you are discovering them for the first time and finally arriving to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Day 01: Arrival in Lima

A city bustling with living history is an ethnic melting pot featuring a rich mixture of Andean, colonial and modern cultures and traditions. It is a premiere showcase of centuries old colonial architecture in the Americas. Upon arrival at the airport a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and help you in registering.

Day 02: City Tour and Gold Museum

Breakfast at your hotel. Tour of Colonial and Modern Lima and a Visit to the Gold Museum - This half day tour visits both the colonial and modern sections of this "City of Kings." Colonial sites include the lovely Plaza de Armas with its cathedral and palace, and the exquisite Torre Tagle Palace modern day seat of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In modern Lima, drive along the exclusive residential areas of Miraflores and San Isidro. Then visit Peru's famous museum which houses a priceless collection of pre-Colombian gold artifacts as well as the private armory of Miguel Mujica Gallo. Some of the cultures represented in this collection are the Chavin, Paracas, Nazca, Tiahuanaco and Inca. (B)

Day 03: Lima / Cusco

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the airport in Lima for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, a host will meet and assist you in transferring to the hotel and help you in registering. Free morning in Cusco for independent activities - Wandering through this lovely city, exploring the astonishing narrow streets on this tile roof colonial town will be your unforgettable experience. Great buys are the traditional Peruvian handicrafts, alpaca-wool sweaters and rugs, ponchos, pottery, gold and silver jewelry, leather goods, etc. Because there are such a variety of products, we strongly suggest that when you like any particular item, you should by it - you may not find the same item in other store. Afternoon Tour of Cusco and its Ruins - This tour visits the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. It includes not only the major landmarks of Cusco--the Cathedral, Santo Domingo Church and the Plaza de Armas, but also the nearby ruins of Kenko, Puca-pucara, Tambomachay and the Sacsayhuaman Fortress. Once the center of the Inca civilization, modern Cusco is a delightful combination of Inca and colonial architecture. (B)

Day 04: Pisac Indian Market and Ollantaytambo Fortress

Breakfast at your hotel. Full Day Excursion to the Pisac Indian Market and the Ollantaytambo Fortress (Tu, Th, Su) -Morning departure for a drive through the fertile countryside to the colonial village of Pisac. During your visit to the bustling marketplace you will have the opportunity to bargain with the natives for many different types of Peruvian handicrafts and jewelry. After lunch the tour continues to the village of Ollantaytambo for a visit to its impressive Inca fortress. (B,L) The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is rated among the best trekking trips in the world because of the exquisite beauty of its natural surroundings. These include different ecological areas from high deserts to Andean tropical rainforest. Following this ancient Inca trail we will be walking through mysterious archeological sites, half covered by jungle overgrowth, that looks like you are discovering them for the first time and finally arriving to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu.

Day 05: Cusco / Piskacucho / Yunkachimpa

We will depart from Cusco and go on to Urubamba where we have a brief stop, then on to Chillca to start the trekking. We will have lunch in Miskay with an additional rest of a half hour approximately, after which we start our trek to the first campsite. Along the way we will visit the archeological site called Llactapata. (B,L,D)

Day 06: Yunkachimpa / Warmiwañuska / Runkurakay

We will have breakfast early and start trekking to the highest point of the Inca Trail, where we can see different ecological zones and enjoy changing climates. We will cross the Warmiwañuska pass at 4200 meters above sea level. After lunch we will continue on to the campsite at Paqaymayo and enjoy dinner and a well deserved rest. (B,L,D).

Day 07: Runkurakay / Chaq'icocha / Wiñaywayna

We will walk approximately 45 minutes up to reach the second pass at 3850 meters above sea level, and will visit Runkurakay along the way. We will also visit the Sayacmarka archeological group and then go on to the Phuyupatamarka ruins. After lunch we head to Wiñaywayna where we will spend our last night. (B,L,D).

Day 08: Wiñaywayna / Machu Picchu

After an early breakfast, we start on the final leg of the trek to Machupicchu. We will arrive at Intipunku where we will have a panoramic view of the Machupicchu citadel. After a short hike down to Machupicchu, we register and start on our 3 hour guided visit. After enjoying the remains, we will be transfer back to the picturesque town of Aguas Calientes were we spend the night. (B).

Day 09: Machu Picchu / Huayna Picchu / Cusco

Early morning rise and after breakfast we'll take a bus up to visit the lost city of Machu Picchu. An optional hike for the more dynamic persons on the group would be to hike up to Huaynapicchu, the pyramid shape peak that overlooks Machu Picchu. Afternoon train back to Cusco (B).Apurimac River Rafting Expedition: This four-day exciting, whitewater rafting expedition is rated among one of the best world-class rivers. Drive across the Andes down to the Apurimac River (Speaker of the Gods) to begin your expedition from a spectacular and isolated canyon where you may find river otters, bob cats, foxes, torrent ducks, cormorants and, with some luck, the majestic condor. Most runs are rated class III and IV with some reaching class V.

Day 10: Whitewater Rafting

We meet at 9:00 am in Cusco. From Cusco we drive 4 hours through the Andes to the put-in point at Huallpachaca bridge (2,000 meters altitude) It will take us about two hours to prepare all the equipment, self-bailing rafts, oars, paddles, coolers, helmets, lifejackets, wet suits etc. You will be given a safety briefing, explaining different rafting techniques and safety procedures. We will put emphasis on training all the participants, especially on paddling techniques, how to get back into the raft, responses to a raft flip, how to safely swim a rapid. We will raft for 2 or 3 hours, including Class II and III rapids. Then camp in a narrow gorge with impressive rock walls . Here the guides will prepare dinner, as you relax around the campfire (L,D).

Day 11: Whitewater Rafting

After a healthy breakfast we stat rafting around 10:00am. Today we will be in the water for about 4 1/2 hour doing mostly class III and IV rapids, dealing with another short portage stopping for lunch and arriving to camp between 3:00pm and 4:00pm, today we will have tea time and sleep on a sandy beach under the night sky of the southern hemisphere (B,L,D).

Day 12: Whitewater Rafting

After a good breakfast we are going to be rafting through a couple of class V rapids with names such us ¨tooth ache¨, ¨you first¨, ¨last laugh¨, after 3 or 4 hours of rafting we will arrive to camp at another nice sandy beach at river night, lunch and happy hour before dinner are included. (B,L,D).

Day 13: Whitewater Rafting

After a good healthy breakfast, we will float down and encounter rapids class V such as "tooch ache", "you first", and arriving for lunch at the take out where we pack all the equipment and drive back to Cusco arriving around 6:00pm. (B,L)

Day 14: Cusco / Home

Transfer from hotel to the airport for departure. (B)