Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Arrive in Lima at any time throughout the day. Transportation is included from the airport to the corresponding hotel, and there are no activities planned for this day until our welcome meeting in the late afternoon, most likely in the hotel lobby.

Day 2: Lima/Cuzco

Take an early flight to Cuzco, the “Navel of the World”. Explore this ancient city with its cobblestone streets, colonial churches, and Inca archaeological sites. Alternatively, enjoy a drink on a balcony around the Main Square. This cosmopolitan city has great night life where you can meet people from every corner of the world.

Comidas Incluidas: 01 desayuno

Day 3: Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo

This morning we will head east to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping at established viewpoints along the way to see both the luscious landscape and typical Andean crops of quinoa, kiwicha and potatoes. We will then have the chance to visit the indigenous Andean community of Ccaccaccollo, which is assisted and supported by our non-profit organization, OYE. Here you will learn about the traditional customs of the people living in this area, and they will teach you the ancient weaving techniques that they have practiced for many centuries and continue to use today to support their community. Later in the morning we will head to Awanacancha, another great place to observe llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos.

Around midday we will visit the Inca citadel of Pisac, which is located directly above the town with the same name. The citadel is well-known for its magnificent agricultural terraces and for the Intihuatana (hitching post of the sun). We will then descend to the colonial town below, which is highly popular for its traditional market and elaborately dressed locals. This is a good place to shop for handicrafts.

After a one hour drive we will arrive in the best preserved Inca town, Ollantaytambo. This town is distinguished by its massive fortress and ceremonial centre, its ruins and its narrow cobblestone streets. When viewed from above, the town has the shape of a corn husk, and the fortress the shape of a llama.

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Day 4,5,6: Inca Trail.

Depart from Ollantaytambo and drive alongside the Urubamba River until we arrive in the small town of Piscacucho. This is the check point where the world’s most famous trek begins. Our adventure from here will take four days and three nights in total.

This hike is for individuals with at least average physical fitness. The total distance to hike is 43km/27 miles. The trail crosses valleys, mountains and three high passes. On the second day, we will reach very high elevation hiking at 4,200m/13,769 ft above sea level, through Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman Pass). Visit the archaeological site of Runkurakay, a semicircular ruin with a great view of the Paqaymayo valley. The third day the path becomes gentler, heading uphill to cross the last high pass, where we will then start descending to the ruins of Puyupatamarca, the “town above the clouds”. On clear days it is possible to see both the Urubamba valley and the Vilcabamba mountain range, with its beautiful snow covered peaks. Our last camp is close to the ruins of Wiñaywayna (Forever Young), which obtained this name due to the abundant orchid that blooms and grows here year round.

Our staff of professional guides, cooks, and porters will make sure this adventure is worry-free. The camping gear provided is top quality. Our porters carry the majority of the equipment, but please expect to carry a day backpack with your camera, snacks, raincoat and jacket.

Fact: The Inca Empire was originally linked by more than 40,000km/25,000 miles of trails, crossing deserts, mountains and jungles.

Meals Included: breakfast (3), lunch (3), and dinner (3)

Day 7. – Machu Picchu – Cuzco.

We will rise very early in the morning and hike the last 7km/5 miles until we arrive at Intipunku (Sun Gate) where we will have the once in a lifetime experience to watch the beams of the rising sun swim into every crevice of ancient Machu Picchu. Words will not be able to describe the beauty of the view ahead, and you will see the worth of all of the hard work put into the trek to get here. Also, during most of the year it is possible to overlook Machu Picchu while mist rises off of its regal structures.

Visit Machu Picchu in a guided two hour tour of the most important temples and sectors of this great ruin. Then explore on your own the wonders of the Lost City of the Incas. Later this afternoon we will return to Cuzco by train and bus.

Machu Picchu was recently honoured to be part of the New 7 Wonders of the World and, as well as many of our other destinations on this journey, is one of the World Heritage sites on UNESCO’s prestigious list. In spite of this, it is not mentioned in any of the chronicles from Spanish colonialism. No one knows its function and even though it has been studied by scientists for decades, many questions remain unanswered. The town was forgotten for centuries and covered by dense vegetation until July 24th, 1911, when an 11 year old native boy led the American historian Hiram Bingham to the site where he made the re-discovery of this phenomenal structure. It was all done by accident as Bingham was actually in search of the lost town of Vilcabamba.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Passengers who are either not interested or not able to hike the Inca Trail can choose to spend 2 days in Cuzco and then travel by train to Aguas Calientes. They may take an early bus the following morning to the entrance of Machu Picchu and meet the hikers there. Please advise your travel agent or Footprint Expeditions while booking if you decide not to hike the Inca Trail.

Also note that the Inca trail will be closed for general maintenance during the month of February every year. In addition, inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control may occur and the original itinerary might change.

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Day 8: Cuzco Free Day

This is a free day to relax or to keep exploring this city. There are several optional excursions available, or you can have a nice massage at one of the local spas; it may be needed after the long trek!

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Days 9, 10, 11: Rafting en el Río Apurímac

Salimos de Cuzco temprano en la mañana rumbo al Cañón del Río Apurímac, y tras el arribo recibiremos instrucciones de seguridad y de técnicas de canotaje por nuestro guía. Serán tres días de aventura, pasando por rápidos de clase I, II, III, IV y V, incluido el más famoso rápido de la zona, el “Dolor de Muela”.

Meals Included: breakfast (3), lunch (3), and dinner (2)

Day 12: Cuzco

Tras el último día de rafting en el Río Apurímac, retornamos a Cuzco donde tenemos un día libre para descansar, antes de seguir con nuestro programa.

Comidas Incluidas: 01 desayuno

Days 13, 14, 15: Mountain Bike

Empezamos el día con un traslado en bus hacia el Valle de Paucartambo, al pueblo de Colquepata. Aquí comienza un descenso de 30 kilómetros hasta el pintoresco poblado de Paucartambo. La acomodación en esta primera noche es básica.

En el segundo día emprendemos la subida a Tres Cruces, hasta superar la última montaña de los Andes, y un descenso de 80 kilómetros a través del bosque nublado. El tercer día empieza con un traslado de vuelta a Tres Cruces, de donde haremos el descenso a Paucartambo antes del regreso a Cuzco.

Meals Included: breakfast (3), lunch (3), and dinner (2)

Day 16: Cuzco/Lima

Take a flight to Lima, have some free time to do some last minute shopping and enjoy our farewell dinner.

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Day 17: Partida desde Lima

There are no planned activities for today. Have a safe journey whether you are headed home or to explore another destination!

Meals Included: breakfast

INCLUDE

• Tour leader
  • This individual will specialize in Peru and Bolivia’s regions and cultures, and will lead the group throughout the entire trip.
• Included meals
  • Breakfast (16), lunch (9), dinner (7)
• Accommodation
  • Hotel (9), camping (5), Lodge (2)
• Transport
  • Airplane, private and local buses, train, boat, bike and the power of your own feet!
• Activities, entrances and fees
  • tourist ticket to Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu entrance fee, National park of Manu
• Local guides
  • Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, River Rafting, Mountain Bike
• Airport transfer
  • Transfer from the airport upon arrival in Lima is included if you provide us with the flight information at least five days in advance.

Does not include:

• International Flights
• International Airport Taxes
• Visas
• Meals not listed
• Optional or Extra Activities during free time
• Transfer for optional or extra activities
• Tips
• Items for personal use
• Pre and post Accommodation
• Sleeping Bag
• Inflated mattress
• Suggested Budget for Meals not Included:
  • USD 3500.00 for not included meals.

We Recommend you to Bring:

• (02) Long trousers
• (04) t-shirts
• (01) Wind braker
• (01) Rain coat or plastic poncho
• Items of personal use
• Camera
• Warm jacket
• Hiking Boots
• Flip Flops
• Swimming Suit
• Walking Sticks
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Bug repellent
• Sun Block
• Day Bag pack
• Sleeping bag