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DETDETAILS

Be amazed by cloud forests, canyons, and snow-capped peaks!

Hike in the footsteps of the ancient Incas on this seven-day Peruvian adventure. Begin your journey in Cuzco, the vibrant capital of the Incas. Witness the fascinating juxtaposition of ancient indigenous culture and colonial Spanish architecture. Sip on coca tea, learn a few words of Quechua, and soak in the incredible history and natural setting of this town nestled high in the Andes mountains. Venture into the Sacred Valley for a trip to the famed Pisac market as well as to Ollantaytambo, the oldest living town in the Americas. Test your limits with three full days of trekking on the Inca Trail. Ascend through lush jungle along rugged mountains to incredible archeological sites such as Phuyupatamarca (‘Town in the Clouds’) and Winay Wayna. At each day’s end on the trail, enjoy a comfortable camp setting complete with gourmet meals prepared by your professional chef. After 26 miles of trekking, reach Inti Punku (‘Sun Gate’) and be greeted with a jaw-dropping sunrise view of Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. As if that weren't enough to excite you- Visit the beautiful town of Puno, and Lake Titicaca, which is is one of the highest lakes in the world.

START:

Cusco, Peru

FINISH:

Puno, Peru

·       CULTURE

·       HIKE

TALK TO AN ADVENTURES EXPERT

 Michelle Massara

Adventures Program Coordinator1.888.640.1528adventures.support@theclymb.com

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ITINERARY

DAY 1 ARRIVAL

A representative from Valencia Travel will be waiting at the Cusco airport to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will have the option to take a free walking tour of Cusco, or simply take the day to relax and enjoy the city and it surroundings. The walking tour starts at 3:00pm and includes highlights such as the Main square of Cusco, Wall of 12 Angles stone and San Pedro market.
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Andina or similar

DAY 2 OPEN DAY/SACRED VALLEY TOUR

After breakfast, should you choose to participate in tour of the Sacred Valley, you will be picked up from your hotel at 8:00am. This is a full day excursion to the Urubamba Valley visiting the colorful Indian market in Pisac where you can appreciate the mixture of color and tradition and have an opportunity to test your bartering skills, interact with the local craftsmen and purchase their hand-made souvenirs. Pisac is located at the entrance of the Sacred Valley. The Valley is 19mi from Cusco, and at an altitude of 9,700 ft. Followed by Pisac is Urubamba where you have a delicious buffet lunch at Tunupa restaurant, then continue through to Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied town on the American continent. The narrow streets of Ollantaytambo, along with their canals, have not changed much from the time of the Inca Empire. They evoke their ancestral inheritance and give you a feeling of what it would be like to live during this time. The last visit will be the Chinchero market. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Its major claim to tourism is its colorful Sunday market which is much less tourist-orientated than the market at Pisac. In the late afternoon, return to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. Tonight will be the Inca Trail briefing at 7:00pm in the hotel lobby.
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Andina or similar

DAY 3 INCA TRAIL BEGINS

Rise early for a 4:30am start and travel by bus to Piskacucho, where the trail starts. There will be a breakfast stop in Ollantaytambo to load up on energy. Upon arrival, we will have some time to organize ourselves, then start the trail around 8923ft, as you cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy (a warm-up on the 'Inca flat' terrain) and we will have great views of the site of an Inca Fortress (‘Huillca Raccay'), the vast and incredible Inca site ‘Llactapata', the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle and the Andes and the beautiful snow-capped peak of 'W'akay Willca', known in books as Veronica. The first campsite will be at the small village of Wayllabamba (9842ft) in the temperate green valley.
Total distance: 7mi. (5 to 6 hours) Accommodations: Tent camping

DAY 4 INCA TRAIL

After breakfast, start a steep ascent towards the highest pass (Abra de Warrmihuañusca/'Dead Woman's Pass’ – 13779ft). A real sense of achievement is felt after reaching the top! Take a rest, then begin the descent to the lunch stop which is located at Pacaymayu (11646ft). On the way up to the pass you will be able to see lots of hummingbirds and other various types of wildlife. Also we will have the time to appreciate an incredible variety of native plants and trees such as the ′Polylepis′ or Q'ueuña trees, which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 11972 ft. After lunch begins the second 2 hours steep climbing to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4000 meters), arrive at your campsite by 5 pm.
Total distance: 9mi. (8 to 9 hours) Accommodations: Tent camping

DAY 5 INCA TRAIL

Sstart the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’) and to reach the third highest point on the trail (12, 073 ft). The views from here of the mountains, canyons and surrounding area are spectacular. The Inca site, ‘Phuyupatamarca’, is located a few minutes walking from the third pass and after visiting this, you'll continue walking (3000 steps!) through the cloud forest and the impressive agricultural Inca site of ‘Intipata’, until you arrive at our third campsite: Wiñay Wayna (8792ft). A short distance from the campsite is the Inca site of the same name ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’).
Total distance: 6mi. (5 hours) Accommodations: Tent camping

DAY 6 MACHU PICCHU

Leave the last campsite around 5:30am on your final day on the trail. It is an early start in order to get to ‘Inti Punku’ (‘Sun gate’) before sunrise. This is the place from where you will have your first dramatic view of Machu Picchu (7873ft) with the sun rising over it! After some time there, walk down the last part of the trail to the spot where you can take the classic photo (picture postcard shot) of this ancient city. Finally, you've made it to Machu Picchu! Walking tour (approximately 2 hours) is given by your guide, then afterwards you can explore the mysterious city by yourselves. You will meet your guide in Aguas Calientes (it can be reached by bus or on foot) for lunch and to be given your train tickets back to Cusco. The train will take you to Ollantaytambo, and then you'll take a bus to Cusco. The train will leave Aguas Calientes in the afternoon and you'll need to arrive at the train station 30 min prior to its departure.
Total distance: 3mi. (2 hours) Accommodations: Hotel Casa Andina or similar

DAY 7 LAKE TITICACA

In the morning you will be transferred to the bus station to start your tour of four interesting sites along the way:
Andahuyalillas: Sistine chapel of South America: this church is one of the most beautiful examples of Andean popular religious art.
Raqchi (Wiracocha God Temple): This was an Inca church of monumental dimensions; 100 meters long, 26 meters wide and 14 meters high. The temple is divided in two naves and each nave shows 11 giant columns.
La Raya: This is the half-way point between Cusco and Puno and also the highest point (4335 meters above sea level). The landscapes here are stunning and typical Andean animals like the llama, alpaca and vicuña are common. It is also the geographic border between the two cultures - Quechua and Aymara.
Pukara: This is the most important and oldest ceremonial center of the altiplano. There are interesting lite-sculptures and tombs.
Return to the town of Puno to rest up for the next day's adventures.
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Andina Puno or similar

DAY 8 FLOATING UROS AND TAQUILE ISLANDS

Transfer from the hotel to the port in the morning and by motor boat, visit one of the legendary Uros Islands where you can observe the lives of the Uros people who live on floating reed islands- some only 20 meters in length. After a beautiful 3hr boat ride, reach Taquile Island where we will break into smaller groups to stay with the local families. You have the opportunity to trek to the top of the mountain (4150 m.a.s.l) to see the Temples of the Pachamama and Pachatata and enjoy the traditional customs of the island people. Food and authentic music prepared and performed by your designated family. Then we return to Puno and transfer back to your hotel..
Accommodations: Hotel Casa Andina Puno or similar

DAY 9 DEPARTURE

After breakfast, depending your flight itinerary Valencia Travel will take you to Juliaca (JUL) airport for your return flight back to Lima followed by your connection flight home. Alliteratively you can take a bus ride back to Cusco (about 7 hours).

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MEET YOUR GUIDES

Valencia Travel

The hike to Machu Picchu was an unforgettable experience. We were overwhelmed by the service, food, and support we received

Valencia Travel Cuzco is dedicated to providing unparalleled quality and service to adventure seekers from around the world. With a combination of local expertise and international standards, Valencia Travel will tend to every detail necessary to provide the best and most exciting travel experiences. Guides and employees bring years of experience and formal tourism education to each and every service provided. Core values also include a devotion to best green practices and an overall dedication to sustainable tourism. When it comes to Peru, Valencia Travel is the go-to adventure travel expert!

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FAQ

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Oficial papers:
Valid and Original passport
Travel insurance - You are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.

Sleeping Gear:
Sleeping bag (can be rented from Valencia Travel)
Thermal rest mattress (can be rented from Valencia Travel)

Clothing:
Mid weight fleece or wool sweater
Fleece pants or tights
Mid weight thermal underwear tops and bottom, synthetic or wool
Hiking pants
Hiking shorts
Long-sleeve shirts
T-shirts
Underwear and casual socks
Hiking socks
Liner socks, synthetic
Swim suit

Clothing accessories: 
Cap
Fleece hat
Bandana
Fleece gloves
Waterproof jacket/rain poncho

Footwear:
Sturdy hiking boots, waterproof, lightweight, broken-in, aggressive tread
Camp shoes such as tennis shoes or sandals or other comfortable footwear to use in our campsites

Travel Accessories:
Bottle of water or Camelback
Flash light
Watch with alarm or travel clock
2 roll of toilet paper
Sunglasses and retainer strap
Sun block and lip balm
Toiletry kit
Small Washcloth
Personal first-aid kit
Hand sanitizer gel
Insect repellent and appropriate clothing for mosquitos
Several Ziploc plastic bags