Extraordinary Active Circuit in 21 Days: Lima to Puerto Maldonado & Machu Picchu


The attractions that we will appreciate in the following circuit by the south of Peru. They are spectacular attractions that only with us you will be able to experience them like The Ballestas Islands, the Huacachina Oasis, the Nasca Lines, Santa Catalina Convent, the Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the 4-day Inca Trail, the citadel of Machupicchu and Lake Sandoval.

The expedition that we designed next was made for those people that look for to know the wonders of the Peruvian south, the archaeological and cultural inheritance and centers of much concentration of power that our ancestors left. The adventures that will be able to enjoy in this circuit, the Inca trails that were of great importance for the inhabitants of the ande will be part.

The wonders of Peru that we designed, is the best alternative of excursion that are very known and required by the whole world, for which it is satisfactory and comforting for those who want to break schemes of the traditional thing, putting a little more of determination and effort to know this enigmatic culture surrounded by landscapes and sacred mountains.

This circuit gets better because we pass to the city of Cusco to appreciate all its wonders, like its Cathedral, the Qoricancha Temple, the 4 nearby ruins, the Sacred Valley of the Incas with its imposing fortresses, we will make the impressive Inca trail and to finish, we will be in the Sacred Citadel of Machupicchu to see the world in a different way. We cannot leave Peru without visiting the Sandoval Lake in Puerto Maldonado.

Program:

Day

City

Program

01

Lima

Transfer in Lima airport to the hotel

02

Lima

Dinner and folcloric show in Lima
07:00pm – 10:00pm

03

Lima

Free day in Lima

04

Paracas, Ica, Nazca

Ballestas Island Tour
Sanboarding on Huacachina Oasis
03:00am – 09:00pm

05

Nazca

Overflight by the Nasca lines
08:00am
Bus Nasca to Arequipa
02:30pm – 12:30pm

06

Arequipa

Free day

07

Arequipa
Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon 1st day tour: Visit to Chivay and La Calera Hot Springs
08:00am – 06:00pm

08

Arequipa
Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon 2nd day tour: Visit to the Colca Canyon and the flight of the Condors
06:00am – 07:00pm

09

Puno

Titicaca Lake Full Day Tour
07:00am – 04:30pm

10

Puno

Route of the Sun: PunoCusco
06:00am – 05:00pm

11

Cusco

Traditional City Tour in Cusco
01:00pm – 07:00pm

12

Cusco

Sacred Valley Full Day Tour
08:00am – 07:00pm

13

Cusco
Inca Trail

Trekking km 82Piscacucho to Wayllabamba

14

Cusco
Inca Trail

Trekking “from Wayllabamba to Pacaymayu / Runkuraqay

15

Cusco
Inca Trail

Trekking “from Pacaymayu to Wiñayhuayna

16

Cusco
Inca Trail

Trekking “Wiñayhuayna – guided tour from Inti Punku and  Machupicchu

17

Cusco

Free day in Cusco

18

Puerto Maldonado

Transfer out hotel Cusco to the airport
Flight CuscoPuerto Maldonado
Transfer by the Madre de Dios river
Trekking to the lodge

19

Puerto Maldonado

Sandoval LakePuerto Maldonado

20

Puerto Maldonado

Breakfast in the lodge and transfer to Puerto Maldonado airport
Flight Puerto MaldonadoLima
Transfer to the hotel

21

Lima

Transfer to the Lima airpot

Important:

  • The Itinerary can change according to the availability, the climate and the state of health of the hikers.
  • A good physical condition is required since the Inca Trail includes walks of up to 9 hours a day.
  • The train schedule may change according to the availability of the train company.
  • There are only 500 spaces per day to the Inca Trail (200 approx for passengers and 300 for porters, cooks and guides)

ITINERARY


Day 1: LIMA – Free Day.  (Optional activities - City tour or Pachamac)

Welcome by our staff, reception and transfer to the selected hotel.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: DINNER SHOW

Breakfast at the hotel. Free day.

19:00 Hours.

At the agreed hour, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred by our driver assigned to a themed restaurant, where you can enjoy a buffet dinner + a spectacular dance show typical Peruvian women.

La Dama Juana restaurant is the perfect choice for this evening.

You will have as an option a variety of typical Peruvian dishes in a complete buffet dinner. Enjoy the show and of the exquisite dinner.

At the end of the dinner show, our staff will be waiting for you to return to the hotel.

22:00 Return to the hotel.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 4: FULL DAY PARACAS & ICA

Pick up time from hotel - 2:50 am

Our staff will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the bus station to Paracas.

The bus will leave at approximately 4:00 am, arriving after 3 hours in Paracas.

Reception and transfer.

Visit to the Paracas Reserve

This is a large protected area located southwest of the city of Pisco. The name of this beautiful place is derived from a Quechua word that means; sand rain, probably because of the strong winds that batter the nights in this place. The reserve of paracas is also very important as its waters are home to abundant amounts of zooplankton and phytoplankton, allowing a variety of fish to be caught industrial and artisanal. This is a very important activity in the town of Pisco.

The Reserve of Paracas is located in an area of 335,000 hectares and is considered one of the most important ecosystems on the planet. During our visit, we will be able to appreciate the beautiful cliffs and beaches, in this place we can learn about the marine flora and fauna of the Paracas Reserve.

We will take the bus back to Paracas and head to Ica for about 3 hours. Upon arrival in Ica we will continue with the tubular excursions by the dunes of the Huacachina, being a fantastic adventure in the middle of the desert where we will enjoy the high and low dunes and where you can feel the adrenaline rush on these natural desert roller coasters.

In the same tour through the desert, you will be able to practice sandboarding; our guide will instruct you so that you can do it safely and if in case you do not have experience in this sport, our guide will instruct you in such a way that you will feel safe to do so.

At about 06:00 pm we will take the bus to Ica where we will spend the night.

Overnight in Ica.

Day 5: NAZCA: FLIGHT OVER THE  MAJESTIC NAZCA LINES

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the previously agreed upon time, after breakfast in the morning we will pick you up from the hotel and leave for the Nazca airfield where we will board a light aircraft for an unforgettable aerial excursion over the Nazca Lines.

Our bilingual guide (Spanish / English) will assist you at all times until you board the plane.

From the sky we will observe the majestic lines and figures of the Pampas of San Josethat have 500 hectares and that have been studied for many years by Dr. Maria Reiche (According to Dr. Maria Reiche, who has dedicated a large part of her life to the study of these lines is the Calendar Astronomical world). The Nazca Lines are mysterious traces made.

From the Nazca Airfield, we will board a small plane that will take us to the mysterious Lines Nazca. Where 12 figures will be shown: whale, trapezoid, monkey, dog, condor, spider, hummingbird, alcatras, parrot, hands, tree, and the most mysterious The Astronaut among others in large dimensions that reach from 15 to 300 meters each and with a depth of approximately 30 centimeters.

The overflight lasts 30 - 35 minutes approximately.

At the end of the flight, we will have time to have lunch and take a bus to Arequipa at 02:30 pm arriving at our destination at 11:30 pm approximately.

We will be assisted on our arrival in Arequipa and transferred to the hotel where we will spend the night.

Overnight in Arequipa

Day 6: AREQUIPA COLONIAL CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will have the morning free to be able to rest, to walk a little for the center of the city and lunch.

Arequipeña (optional and additional tour)

At 02:00pm after a traditional lunch on your own, you will be picked up to start the tour, we will go to the district of Cayma visiting there the Carmen Alto Lookout where you can appreciate the beautiful valley of Arequipa, the Chili river and the three volcanoes that surround the White City.

Then we go to the district of Yanahuara to visit the viewpoint of the same name, built in ashlar as well as its church of mixed baroque style, continuing with our tour. We will pass by the Iron Bridge (Designed by Gustavo Eiffel), to go to the Sachaca viewpoint on which is the highest in the whole city from where you can see all the Arequipa countryside.

Then we will visit the Founder's Mansion which is a large house where the son of the founder of the city of Arequipa which was also taken by the Chileans in the war as a headquarters.

Then we go to the town of Sabandia here we can appreciate the hydraulic mill of Sabandia, used to grind the grain, this mill is from the colonial era, ending the tour

We will pass through the district of Paucarpata to observe its terraces and pre-Inca terraces. Then we will visit the Plaza de Armas where the day's excursion ends.

Overnight at hotel of your choiced in Arequipa.

Day 7: AREQUIPA: COLCA CANYON

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00am - 08:30am

At the previously scheduled hour, we'll leave to Chivay, where we will begin the tour of the on the way to Yura. Where we will admire the natural and cultural landscape of the area, we will border the majestic Chachani volcano and continue through the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve until arrive at Pampa Cañahuas. Where the guide will explain about the flora and fauna of the area. We will appreciate the natural habitat of the South American camelids within them LA VICUÑA.

We will continue with the tour until we arrive at a small stop in Patahuasi (house at the top) to drink the hot coca tea, very much for the altitude where we will be. We will continue the journey to the bofedales where different species of birds live both migratory to the area according to season. We will continue our journey until we reach Patapampa, the highest point of the trip located at 4900 m.a.s.l approx. which I also know how with the Mirador de los Andes, here you can see different volcanoes like Misti, HualcaHualca, Sabancaya, Ampato, Ubinas and Chachani.

At midday we will be arriving at the town of Chivay where we will have lunch and stop at followed by a transfer to the hotel, you will have some time to rest and then meet up and visit the thermal baths of La Calera. These open-air baths have thermal water where you can enjoy a very relaxing moment, after the bus tour of the tomorrow.

After a prudent hour, we will return to the hotel so that we can rest and spend the night in the town of Chivay.

 

Day 8: COLCA CANYON - CRUZ DEL CONDOR

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:00 am. approx. After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will start with the day's excursion to the Mirador de la Cruz del Condor, where you can observe the majestic flight of the condors and the canyon depth. On this trip, we will stop at the village of YANQUE to observe its colonial church, dances of the Wititi as well as the typical costume of the Zone.

Back to Chivay we will visit the villages of PINCHOLLO, MACA, ACHOMA, where the guide will explain us their different customs of the area as well as the Lito models, colonial churches and terraces.

11:30 am approx - Arrival in Chivay.

11:45 am approx - Lunch

01:30 pm approx. We will take the bus to Puno. The bus during the trip, makes small excursions in route, where we can appreciate a little more of the fauna and flora on the way to Titicaca Lake.

Upon arrival in Puno, we will be assisted and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight at selected hotel in Puno.

Day 9: PUNO: FULL DAY TO  TITICACA LAKE (UROS & TAQUILLE ISLANDS)

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel to go on a transport to the pier or port main. Around 7:00 am, we start the departure towards the floating islands of the Uros, currently considered the Lake Titicaca National Reserve. Also known as the lake the highest navigable area in the world. During the trip, you will be able to observe a beautiful panoramic view, landscape. Our specialized guide will tell you about the existence of the floating islands of the Uros.

Today the people of the Uros still maintain their own culture and tradition, as well as fishing especially the (CARACHI) and the silverside. When fishing is abundant, the fish drying them in the sun. They also hunt wild birds and collect eggs from duck. There are 75 islands living today, and each organized, after a long and nice visit, you will be saying goodbye to the Uros. Our next visit will be the natural island of Taquile.

Natural Island of Taquile - To get to our next visit, we will sail by boat for two and a half hours, to the natural island of Taquile; during the navigation you will be able to observe the mountain chain (the Cordillera Real), and not only that, the people of Taquile are very collaborative and well organized. This is the reason why the Taquileños have demonstrated their high level of progress in the textile industry, receiving their award for UNESCO. It should be noted that spinning and weaving are mainly done by men, starting at the age of eight and women make exclusively from yarn and fabric.

The visit will take an average of 2 hours, and 1 hour will have to taste a delicious typical lunch, if you really want to be part of this community, you can volunteer to help by buying some of his crafts. So that this community has, some means of sustainability, so that they can continue to show their existence to future travellers.

Finally, our guide will inform you of the time of return, arriving at 17:00 pm. in the city of Puno.

Overnight in Puno.

Day 10: PUNO – CUSCO (SUN ROUTE)

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:15am will be picked up from hotel and transferred to the bus at the Puno bus terminal, to start our excursion to Cusco.

The trip to Cusco lasts approximately 10 hours; we will have four excursions and guided tours to the most interesting places in the southern highlands visiting the temple of Andahuaylillas or Sistine Chapel of America, the Inka temple of Raqchi, the Raya at 4335 meters above sea level and the Inka Aymara Museum in Pukara. Each visit lasts from 20 to 40 minutes, where they can ask questions, take pictures and explore the attractions of the place, making this experience an unforgettable one.

We will be arriving in Cusco at 4:30 pm being picked up and transferred to the hotel where we will spend the night, where the passenger will asking questions, taking pictures and exploring the attraction at your own discretion, making this experience an unforgettable one.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 11: CUSCO: CITY TOUR + 4  NEARBY RUINS

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning free to acclimatize or do some shopping.

City tour in Cusco

Our staff will pick you up from your different rooms to start the City tour.

Tour 4 Ruins, the first place we will visit is the Archaeological complex of "Sacsayhuamán", this magnificent Inca construction located north of the city of Cusco is famous for its huge blocks of carved limestone joined with amazing precision, the whole complex comprises three large zigzagged terraces. We will give a small tour to the imposing statue of the white Christ, which is also a viewpoint of the city of Cusco.

Continuing with the City Tour we will go to Qenqo this place was a ceremonial center since it in the central part, there is a giant monolith surrounded by niches, where offerings were placed.

Finally we will visit two other important archaeological ritual ceremonial sites which are Puca Pucara is composed of a small square where you can see rooms, platforms, water channels and Tambomachay (tambo) means resting place and (machay) means underground cavity, east cave place fulfilled the religious function linked to the water and regeneration of the land Puca Pucara.

Once after this tour of the City Tour 4 ruins we will return to the city of Cusco.

Overnight at the hotel of your choice in Cusco.

Day 12: CUSCO: SACRED VALLEY

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 am - Pick up time from hotel.

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up by our, to start the day to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located on the banks of the Vilcanota River. We will have the opportunity to appreciate the Inca citadel of Pisac, where platforms and architectural structures located on the slopes dominate the landscape of that place and high up in the mountains, back to the traditional village of Pisac.

We will visit the traditional Indian market, where we will be able to appreciate closely the ancestral customs of its inhabitants. We will continue to the village of Urubamba where we will have a delicious lunch in one of the traditional restaurants located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a delicious lunch, we will visit the Fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo, established to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and to safeguard it from invasions coming from the eastern jungle.

After appreciating such an impressive place of return to Cusco, we will appreciate the traditional town of Chinchero, where the remains of the royal estate of Túpac Inca Yupanqui are located. We will appreciate its very well preserved Inca walls in the main square and also appreciate the beautiful temple with interesting frescoes in the portico, built on the foundations of an Inca construction, this town is a beautiful example of the mestizo and colonial style and at the appointed time we will return to Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 13: TREKKING KM 82
  • Meals: Lunch, snacks and dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities.
  • Distance: 11kms / 6.8 mls (6 hours or so of walking)
  • Difficulty: Easy / moderate.
  • Walking time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch on the route)
  • Hiking and terrain: Hiking on open and steep trails.

Breakfast at the hotel, at a coordinated time you will be picked up from the hotel to be transferred by ITEP transport from Cusco through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, finally we will arrive at Km 82 "Entrance to the Inca Trail".

Trekking Km 82 "Piscacucho to Wayllabamba”

We will pick you up from your hotel at 5:00 am. We will join you at the departure point, Plaza Regocijo, at 5:30 am to board our private bus. Be sure to bring your original passport or document that you booked with.

Our trip from Cusco to Km 82 (Piscacucho) will take about 3 hours. The trip has many beautiful views of the Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, Andean villages, and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo.

On this stretch, we will stop to stretch our legs, use the bathroom, and enjoy a small breakfast, before continuing to Piscacucho, where the start of our excursion is... the Inca Trail.

We will meet our camping team of cooks, porters and helpers who will carry the necessary camping equipment (two-person tents, dining and kitchen tents, as well as kitchens, utensils and fresh food for the 4 days on the mountain.

Those who request it will have porters to carry their belongings during our excursion (35-mile - 43 km). Arriving at Km 82, with your passports in hand, we will go through the official Inca Trail checkpoint, cross the suspension bridge on foot across the Urubamba River, and begin our hike with a gentle climb. This easy trail passes through a forest of cactus and native bushes. At Miskay, we take the trail to the left, gradually ascending towards Willkaraccay, well above the mouth of the Cusichaca River and through the Inca village of Llactapata (Pueblo de Terrazas).

Our vantage point will be from a flat cliff above this site, which was built as a fortress because it protects the entrance to the Cusichaca Valley. The terrace system was used during Inca times for the cultivation of corn, quinoa and other cereals, prestigious crops in dry highlands needed for irrigation. After a short break, we continue for another 15 minutes to have lunch at our site in Tayaroc.

From here, the trail is adorned with native flowers, lichens and bromeliads, growing on rocks along the left side, majestic views of the mountains and the two valleys. Walking times are always approximate, depending on weather conditions, the ability of the group and other factors. After lunch, 3-4 hours more, we will arrive at the small town of Wayllabamba.

You will be rewarded upon arrival at the camp with a hot drink, the popular -Te Macho and then a delicious dinner will be served. The guides will present the plans for the next day.

Day 14: TREKKING
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities.
  • Distance: 16kms / 10mls (9 hours or so of walking time)
  • Difficulty: Moderate.

After a hearty breakfast, around 8:00 am, we will start our hike towards the Ayapata Valley. It will take you 1 hour to reach this sector known for its high Andean valley microclimate, followed by a gradual climb through the woods and bushes and along a stream (3,300 m/10,824 ft).

Today is the day when we will have our biggest challenge, which is to reach the summit, the main pass is at 4,200 meters above sea level, (13,776 ft) but we will have plenty of time to enjoy and delight in this extraordinary landscape. It will be hard because you will climb 1,200 meters in elevation, done in two stages. We will be rewarded with spectacular views as we climb the mountain, part of which includes an ancient Inca staircase made of stone and surrounded by impressive snow-capped peaks (Huayanay Mountain is behind us, as if watching our steps).

You will then make a 2-3 hour hike with several stops to catch your breath and reach our place for lunch in the Llulluchapampa Valley with spectacular views all the way. We will ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone, where you can see some species of birds. With luck, we will see small hummingbirds, falcons, buzzards, eagles, and suddenly we could see the king of the heights, the Condor, highly respected and revered in the Andean villages.

Soon we will enter a beautiful cloud forest, or the Polylepis Forest (with small Queñas and Chachacomos trees) and the treeless grassland of the Puna region, inhabited by deer -tarucas and pumas. From here, you will be able to see the highest peak in front of you, which is called the Warmiwañusca Pass (Dead Woman's Pass).

In Llulluchapampa, our field team will be waiting for you with a delicious lunch of Peruvian cuisine. After lunch, there is time to rest and maybe take a short nap. Then we will continue our hike for 2-3 hours more, for a 600-meter ascent of this mountain, Warmiwañusca Mt. located at 4,200 meters/13,776 feet above sea level.

Here you may discover that you have some special feelings at the top like suddenly the sanctity of this point or maybe you have problems to cope with the lack of oxygen in your brain. The path climbs long stairs, some of which are re-laid to protect the mountain from erosion. They can walk at their own pace, stopping to catch their breath whenever they want.

This last stretch is hard before reaching the Warmiwañusca Pass...they are there! When our whole group reaches the summit, we will all take a short rest before starting our descent into the Pacaymayo Valley for approximately 2-3 hours all the way down to our campsite for the night. This site has an incredible view over the valley, a waterfall on the left side and snow covered peaks.

Little by little, we will notice that our energy returns as we continue along this softer segment of the trail. We will find our campsite ready for a well deserved rest, then time for a rum tea, and a delicious and healthy buffet dinner. Feel free to walk at your own pace. The campsite is popular with other hiking groups and although the facilities are good, with two toilet modules, unfortunately there are no showers but there are buckets of hot water provided by our staff so you can wash up a bit. Have a good rest.

Day 15: TREKKING
  • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Accommodation: Camping facilities and cold showers.
  • Distance: 10kms / 6.2mls (5 hours or so walk)
  • Difficulty: Moderate (5 hours or so of walking)

After a hearty breakfast, around 7:00 am, the trail climbs very steeply from the Pacaymayo camp on a well-preserved cobblestone road.

Here the Inca Trail takes 1 hour to reach the ruins of Runcuracay, a circular structure with rectangular out buildings located at the end of the valley, an old Inca Tambo, it is here that the chaskis rested and stocked up on food and other materials. Here there is a guard post, a lookout point, and a ritual building, its buildings facing east. From this site, you have a better view when you continue the stairway to the left bank.

The second pass (3,950 m/12,956 ft), also known as the Abra de Runcuracay, is about an hour away, and beyond it, there are a series of false summits, and above them a series of steep stairs. Just before reaching the real pass, the trail winds between two small lagoons where Andean gulls occasionally gather. The second pass is a wide platform, which has exceptional views, and with clear weather, you can look back at Warmiwañusca and have an amazing view of the snowy peaks and the road you have traveled. Forward to the 6,000 meter high mountain - Pumasillo (La Garra de la Puma) massif. From here, most of the road is downhill. After descending through a small tunnel, the trail begins with a series of tight zigzags, descending rapidly until it reaches a small lookout point above the promontory. Beyond, the descent is more gradual and the path winds and coils across the slopes.

To the right of this pass is a long lake covered with seaweed, and in front of you, the imposing Inca town of Sayacmarca is visible. You are now in time to explore and learn interesting things from the explanations of your guides. After these talks, we will continue to descend and the trail will take us to Chakicocha (3,400 m/11,000 ft), where we have a quiet camp where we can rest and have lunch.

There are toilets here. From here, after lunch the excursion becomes breathtakingly beautiful as we pass the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, and then descend to Wiñaywayna and Intipata, to enjoy spectacular views of the Aobamba Valley. This extension of the trail is made of well-maintained paved granite stone, still in good condition even after many centuries. Your lungs will appreciate the fact that today's hike is much lower than the one above, and is significantly shorter than yesterday's hike. To reach Phuyupatamarca (El Pueblo de las Nubes), we pass through the first of two short natural tunnels in the mountains.

After visiting this site, we descend about 2,000 cobblestone steps to the Wiñaywayna citadel. If you did not have knee problems until now, you will suddenly have problems after this descent. If you have knee injuries, we recommend that you hire a carrier to carry your things from the beginning. Use trekking poles to help your legs. Then, there is an additional short hike to the Intipata complex, another important Inca site that has agricultural terraces, before arriving at our campsite for the night. At about 5 pm, we will arrive at our campsite in Wiñaywayna (2,700 m/8,856 ft). We will set up our things in the tents, and before it gets dark, we will hike for another 20 minutes to enjoy the wonderful views and take a tour of the site. This Inca complex is the largest and most preserved of the other Inca sites on the Inca Trail. There are also many hikers at this camp, preparing for the final excursion to Machu Picchu early tomorrow morning.

Therefore, we recommend that you take extra care of your personal belongings here. Keep an eye on your backpacks and do not leave anything outside your tent at night. Now it is time for tea and a buffet dinner. Please note that the hostel here that has been in existence for decades is closed. Here you will only find cold showers, no drinks and basic toilets.

Day 16: TREKKING
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Distance: 8.9kms / 5.5mls "By bus in 25 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy.

We will wake up very early around 4:00 am to go to Inti Punku (The Sun Gate), which overlooks Machupicchu so that we can appreciate the first rays of sunshine over this Inca Sanctuary. This last walk will take 1-2 hours, and with extensions further up during the last part of our excursion.

You will be walking in the dark for an hour, so we recommend that you take a head torch. Please follow your guide's instructions and watch where you walk. From Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), an easy 50 minute descent to the citadel itself, the first steps take us to the upper southern sector of Machupicchu (the Guardian's houses).

The trail ends at a series of terraces, which present the classic views of the entire citadel. After enjoying these panoramic views, we have to walk down to the entrance of Machu Picchu to check in. A few minutes later, we will continue to explore this magical site, with explanations from the expert guides. The formal tour will end at midday and then we will have a few hours to explore more independently if you wish, or you can rest under a tree in the area of the central plaza.

Additional Options: If your legs, lungs and energy are still holding out after our four-day tour, it is possible to climb the Huaynapicchu mountain. However, special permits are required and are issued in limited quantities. So if you are interested in climbing the Huaynapicchu, please book and pay in advance for this ticket and apply for the second shift at 11:00 am. There are also options to do an excursion to the Inca Bridge and other trails around Machupicchu. In the early afternoon, we will board a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes.

Return to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes or Machupicchu town and then board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo train station. "The train departure time may vary depending on the schedule and availability of the train". At the Ollantaytambo train station, you will meet our transport and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

Day 17: CUSCO – FREE DAY

Breakfast at the hotel

Ideal day to do personal activities or take optional activities such as visiting the Mountain of Colors, the Humantay Lagoon or Maras Moray.

Overnight in Cusco

Day 18: CUSCO - PUERTO MALDONADO

Breakfast at the hotel

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by our guide and transferred from the airport or bus station to our main office in the city, where you will be able to select and pack only what is necessary for your stay in the jungle. The main luggage can remain in our security deposit. We also offer you rubber boots in the rainy season, then we go to the river port of Madre de Dios River, we embark on a motor canoe with our guide downstream approximately 45 minutes and on the way we enjoy our Amazon lunch with a typical dish of the region (JUANE), arrive at the entrance to the Tambopata National Reserve with the destination of Lake Sandoval, the path takes us to 1.6 miles (3 kilometers) on foot.

As we advance the jungle changes from secondary forest to primary forest of natural bamboo, habitat of monkeys, sloths and macaws, until we reach a small channel where we board our paddle canoes, paddle for 100 meters (almost the same in yards) through a swamp of palms, abundance of "aguajes" (mauritia palms) those palms provide the most popular fruit of the Peruvian jungle, highly consumed by the locals in drinks and ice cream.

Once we reach the mirror of the lake, we will cross to the other end to our Lodge, where we will settle into our cabins and rest for a while in hammocks with a beautiful and relaxing view of the lake. Then we leave to explore part of the lake, looking for monkeys or black caiman (black caimans are the largest of the caiman family, and the largest view in the lake is 6 meters long / 20 feet). In the flooded palm forest, we can see hundreds of red-bellied macaws when they are returning to sleep (one of the few species of macaws that live in herds and swamps of water palms, as the one found in Sandoval Lake).

Day 19: PUERTO MALDONADO: COLPA DE PALMERAS

This day we wake up in the middle of a bird singing concert and start our adventure towards the attraction - COLLPA DE GUACAMAYOS EN ARBOLES DE PALMERAS, crossing the lake by canoe for about 30 minutes and then taking the short road along the main trail, 1 km where we will arrive at the special place where every morning parrots and macaws congregate to eat tree bark.

Very rich in minerals, dozens of blue, yellow and red macaws take turns eating minerals from dead palms or from the palms, they nest in. Returning from the show, in the middle of the lake we have the chance to see the friendly family of giant otters that are very active at this time, which feed on an average of 8 pounds of fish per day. Lake Sandoval offers abundant wildlife, including six species of monkeys, black caimans, over 40 species of birds living on the lake shore, and the most abundant group of hoatzin, all animals here are easy to photograph from the canoe.

We return to the Lodge to enjoy a well deserved breakfast, Then we will go for a walk in the middle of the jungle observing on the way giant trees more emblematic of the Amazon as the LOPUNA (kapok) CHIHUAHUACO (iron tree) LA CASTAÑA (Brazil nut). The guide will explain about how this product is harvested extremely important for our local economy.

After this experience we return to the Lodge at noon, to enjoy our delicious lunch and a brief rest, in the afternoon we will enjoy a beautiful sunset ( SUNSET ) appreciated from a viewpoint, to close the day we will make a night walk to see insects, tarantulas and snakes, finally dinner and rest.

Day 20: PUERTO MALDONADO - LIMA

05:00 am

The last day we will start very early to make a last tour around the lake in search of the river otter and in search of more diversity of flora and fauna that live in the majestic Lake Sandoval, we will take advantage of the last walk to capture in our cameras the unforgettable moments of our tour. Finally we will return to the lodge for breakfast and then we will start our return trip to the city of Puerto Maldonado and then to Lima.

To enjoy this tour more we must take into account that we must take

  • Rain poncho
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sunscreen
  • Flashlights
  • Long sleeve polo shirt
  • Cap to cover us from the sun on the lake
  • Swimsuit

We must not take
Alcoholic beverages.

Breakfast at the hotel.

At the appropriate time transfer to the airport in Lima.


MORE INFORMATION


LIMA

  • Transfer IN/OUT in Lima airport – hotel - airport
  • 03 nights hotel in Lima with breakfast
  • Dinner and folkloric show in Lima

PARACAS, ICA, NASCA

  • Transfer OUT from the hotel to the bus station
  • Bus Lima - Paracas
  • Ballestas Island tour
  • Bus ParacasIca
  • Tour in the Huacachina Oasis and sandboarding
  • Bus Ica - Nasca
  • 01 night hotel in Nasca with breakfast
  • Nasca lines overflight
  • Bus Nasca - Arequipa

AREQUIPA

  • Transfer IN Arequipa bus station – hotel
  • 02 night hotel in Arequipa with breakfast
  • 01 night hotel in Chivay with breakfast
  • Colca Canyon 2 days / 1 night tour
  • Entrance fee to the Colca Canyon
  • 02 lunches and 01 dinner in Chivay
  • Touristic bus ChivayPuno via 4M

PUNO

  • Transfer IN/OUT in Puno bus station – hotel - bus station
  • 02 nights hotel in Puno with breakfast
  • Titicaca Lake Full Day Tour + buffet lunch
  • Route of the Sun Tour Puno - Cusco

CUSCO

  • Transfer IN/OUT in Cusco bus station – hotel - airport
  • 05 nights hotel in Cusco with breakfast
  • Afternoon City Tour with visit and entrace fees to Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Pukapukara
  • Sacred Valley Full Day Tour with buffet Lunch; with visit and entrace fees to Pisaq, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero.
  • Pre-departure briefing: You will meet your royal Inka Trail guide and group in our office for an orientation before your trek. At this time, we will provide you with the duffle bags, which will be carried by our Porters. The meeting will be at 6:00 PM the evening before the trip begins. In case you can´t come at this time “please let us know” to coordinate another time.
  • Touristic Transport: You will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco in the morning and will travel by private transportation to PISCACUCHO the starting point of the Royal Inka Trail to Machupicchu.
  • Adventure Experienced Royal Inka Trail Tour Guide: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. They all grew up in this region and have a true passion to teach others about their heritage. Your guide will explain the culture and surroundings along the entire route, including leading your group in ancient ceremonies! He or she will keep you safe, sound, and comfortable on your trek so that you can enjoy your time along the Inka path and will ensure you are safe and happy.
  • Tour Guide in Machupicchu Cultural Experienced: English speaking, professionally educated, and official tour guide with tourism certification. For visit the sacred city of Machupicchu.
  • Private campsites: Each campsite is carefully choosed for have a local experience.
    • Night 1: Enjoy the 1st night in Wayllabamba on the route Royal Inka Trail and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you do not have to bring in dirt.
    • Night 2: Enjoy the 2nd night in Pacaymayo on the route Royal Inca Trail and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.
    • Night 3: Enjoy the 3rd night in Wiñayhuayna on the route Royal Inka Trail and sleep in our 4 season Pro Aconcagua Doite tents. All our tents are 4 man tents, but ONLY sleep 2, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bags. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking sticks so you don’t have to bring in dirt.

Note: It is not usual that the campsites, lodges or hotels change after the confirmation, however it can vary per government regulations and authorization, also for bad weather conditions and maybe because physical condition of our visitors: any changes in this matter ITEP travel will be informing you previously and as soon as possible.

  • Camping equipment: Dining and kitchen tents, tables, chairs, and cooking equipment (all carried by our porters and horses).
  • Entry ticket to The Royal Inka Trail
  • Entry ticket to Machu Picchu Inka Site
  • 1 Duffle Bag: Duffle bag will be provided as complementary so you can arrange your personal belongings, please in case you need extra porter there will be an extra charge to carry it during the tour please let us know in advance.
  • Professional Trekking Chef: A professional chef specialized in cooking on the trail, with an assistant, will prepare all of your delicious meals along our journey on the Trail to replenish your energy every day. You will never go hungry!
  • Meals: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 3 Dinners (Vegetarian, vegan, or special menus are available at no extra cost) Please be in mind (1st breakfast and last lunch is not included”
  • Boiled Water: Beginning from your first lunch until your last breakfast, Inka Trail Expeditions will supply all the water needed. This water will be boiled, filtered and then cooled, before distributing. You must supply your own water bottles or camel back. We recommend carrying about 3L worth. We will refill our waters at each meal.
  • Wake up tea: Every morning at the campsite, you will wake up with a cup of coca tea! Our staff will bring the tea to your tent so that you will be warmed from inside out before you start your day.
  • Tea time daily during the Trek: Every afternoon before dinner, the cooks will provide our tea time with popcorn, biscuits, coffee, hot chocolate, teas, hot water, etc. After a long day of hiking, you will not have to wait until dinner to relax, warm up, and enjoy a bite to eat!
  • Products for hygiene: You will be provided with a small towel before each meal to clean your hands and every morning will be also a bucket with warm water for washes your personal hygiene.
  • Medical kit and Oxygen bottle: Our crew will bring a first-aid kit, including emergency oxygen bottle.
  • Train tickets: From Aguas CalientesMachupicchu village” to Ollantaytambo train station (departure time is confirmed the day of briefing and it´s subject to availability)
  • Transfer back to Cusco: Private touristic transport from Ollantaytambo train station to your hotel in Cusco (Day 4)
  • 24-hour guest service: We have telephone service available 24 hours/day for ease of communication and preparation with the agency leading up to your trek.

PUERTO MALDONADO

  • Transfer IN/OUT airport to the lodge and to the airport
  • 02 night at Maloka LodgeSandoval Lake
  • 02 breakfast / 02 lunches / 02 dinners
  • Entrance fee to the Natural Reserve of Tambopata
  • Transportation in a bote by the Madre De Dios river
  • Professional tour guide.
  • Internacional and local light tickets
  • Not mentioned meals
  • Sleeping Bags: You can rent one from our company if you do not have your own. Our sleeping bags are effective and durable to protect from temperatures as low as -18°C (0°F). They are mummy form and include a sleeping liner. The bags are cleaned after every use.
  • Bus Consettur to Machupicchu inka City: Most of the times the wait to board the bus to Machupicchu is from 1 hour to 1:30 min, So we prefer that you decide a day before your visit to the Inca city of Machupicchu. If you wish to take the bus considering the waiting time. Alternatively, if you prefer to do the last stretch of ascent walking up 45 to 1 hour "everything will depend on your physical state, after the trekking done".
  • Walking Sticks: You can rent a set from our company if you would like.
  • Day 1: Breakfast: Approx. USD 5 to Usd 10.00, Price can vary according your selection.
  • Last Day: Lunch and Dinner in Aguas Calientes. Approx. USD 20.00 to 25.00, Price can vary according your selection.
  • Personal clothing and gear
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for our staff: Please note that our agency staff is well paid so please feel free to tip or not as you wish “Recommendation USD 6 to USD 8 per day per traveler for all the trek staff”- Once again it is optional and can vary according your satisfaction.
  • Additional costs or delays out of control of the management (landscape, bad weather condition, itinerary modification due to a safety concern, illness, change of government policy, political instability/strike, etc.)

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
There are several optional upgrades you can include in this trip. Below is a quick list of it, but check our overview section for more details.

  • Sleeping Bag – $25.00 USD per person per trek (It will be clean and warm)
  • Walking Poles – $12.00 USD per pair per trek (Professional Poles that can be extended)
  • Vistadome Train Upgrade “Panoramic train” – $ 50.00 USD per person (Return Only)
  • Huayna Picchu Sacred Mountain – $75.00 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
  • Machu Picchu Sacred Mountain – $ 75.00 USD per person (Please request when you book your Trek)
  • Buffet Lunch Celebration in Santuary Lodge on the last day in Machupicchu. $40.00 USD per person (all fresh drinks are included)
  • Original passport
  • Sleeping bag
  • Hiking shoes
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Sweater, globes and hat
  • T – shirts and shirt
  • Confortable pants
  • Sun hat
  • Sun glasses
  • Sun block
  • Camel bag or bpttle
  • Water
  • Insect repelent
  • Personal medicines
  • Camera
  • Lightters
  • Short pants
  • Walking poles
  • Money in cash

For availability of spaces for this service, please contact us info@salcantay.org and we`ll send you detailed information, prices, terms and conditions.

Please keep in mind that significant price reductions are available for groups. All our tours are fully guaranteed, departure every day. Contact us for more information for the tour that you are choosing, or to begin customizing your own itinerary. recommendations:

"ITEP TRAVEL is a tour operator travel agency in Peru and the city of Cusco, We really know what we do and offer, We are well managed, with several offices in Peru and a long list of travel destinations , offering all travel alternatives in Perú, from family trips, honeymoon trips and luxury travel, including adventure tours and exploring trips to the jungle, for almost any budget

NOTE: ITEP TRAVEL, specializes in organizing the ideal travel plan to Peru, with hotels and destinations that you choose, because we have all confidential and promotional rates. For guidance on how to organize your custom package. Please write us.


RESERVATIONS

If you want to make a reservation, please fill out our Passenger Details Form.

*** Each reservation requires a USD $ 200.00 deposit as a down payment per person + 10% transfer tax (Total USD $ 220.00). The final balance can be paid at our Local office in cash during your briefing a day or two before your trip.

Once the deposit will be confirmed we will send you your contract voucher.


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*** USD $ 200.00 is not the price of the Trek, is only a down payment.

REVIEWS

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TripAdvisor Ranking #45 of 329 Outdoor Activities in Cusco
Most Recent Traveler Reviews
  • Oct 16, 2016: “Good fun, good trip!!!”
  • Aug 17, 2016: “Hiking the Inca trail at 62 (...”
  • Aug 14, 2016: “2D-1N Inca Trail Trek”
  • Aug 5, 2016: “Above and beyond!”
  • Jun 29, 2016: “An Unforgettable Adventure!”
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