Inca Trail Classic 2010/2011

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SUMMARY
Visit the Inca sites along the Sacred Valley or take an optional excursion white water rafting, relax in of the bars or cafes surrounding the main plaza in Cuzco, and take the classic four-day Inca Trail route to the ruined city of Machu Picchu. All this starting from just £849 per person.
	Day 1 Arrive in Lima, overnight Lima Day 2 Lima - Cuzco, overnight Cuzco Day 3 Option of ~ raftin gor tour in the Sacred Valley Day 4 Four-day Inca Trail Day 5 Wayllabamba – Warmihuañusca – Pacamayo Day 6 Pacamayo – Wiñay Wayna Day 7 Wiñay Wayna – Intipunku – Machu Picchu, overnight Cuzco Day 8 Cuzco - Lima, overnight Lima Day 9 Optional Lima city tour & depart Lima Day 10 Arriving back in the UK

ITINERARY

Day 2 Fly Lima – Cuzco (3,400m)
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to take the short morning flight to Cuzco. Set amongst stunning hillsides and boasting a lively and varied nightlife, Cuzco is a popular destination in itself. Its proximity to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu help in making it the most visited city in all of Peru. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore the city for yourselves and acclimatise to the altitude. (Tip: do remember to try the widely-available ‘Maté de Coca’ or coca leaf tea as it is said to help you adjust to the altitude).

Day 3 Optional White Water Rafting or Sacred Valley Tour Today it is essential you take some light exercise to help your body adjust to the altitude before the big trek. There are two options on offer, an optional half day’s rafting or for the more sedentary is our tour of the various breathtaking Inca sites to be found along the famous Sacred Valley. Option 1 White Water Rafting Ideal for thrill seekers - this is taken on the Urumbamba River near Ollantaytambo (in the Sacred Valley), on rapids grades 2 to 3. For this you will be collected after breakfast to join your group at approximately 9am and transferred by bus to the starting point at about 11 am. Equipment is provided and a short introduction and safety talk will be given. The rafting takes two hours and offers the chance to see the incredible scenery from a viewpoint only accessible from the river. On completion your group will enjoy a picnic lunch, which is usually followed by a friendly football match between group and guides! (This is all designed to get you ready for the big trek the following day). When ready, we will return on the bus to Cuzco passing through beautiful scenery on the way.

Option 2 Sacred Valley Tour
Today you start your relaxed tour of the Sacred Valley taken wholly in private. On the way you will visit Sacsayhuaman, one of the best existing examples of Inca stonework with spectacular views of Cuzco and far-away snowy peaks. From here we will travel to a variety of sites on the way into the valley including Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay, before arriving at the small, picturesque village of Pisac. This is the gateway to the Sacred Valley and home of the famous daily Pisac craft market. Here you have an opportunity to view the many artisans’ wares on display and because your tour is in private there will be ample opportunity to stop to take photographs along the way and to enjoy a leisurely lunch in a local eatery as recommended by your guide. You will then transfer back to Cuzco where you are free to relax and prepare for the start of your adventure!

In the evening following the day’s chosen activities you will be met by your Inca Trail guide who will run through the trek and answer any questions you may have.

Day 4 Cuzco – Km 82 – Wayllabamba
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel for the transfer by road from Cuzco to Km 82, the traditional starting point of the classic four day Inca Trail. Here you will join the group who will be trekking with you; and your porters will organize the food and equipment for your adventure, which includes weighing all bags to ensure they only carry the correct amount. The first walk is relatively easy as you follow the Vilcanota River with spectacular views of the snow-capped peaks of mount Veronica, before arriving at the archaeological centre of Patallacta for lunch. After lunch you will continue on to Wayllabamba (3,000 meters a.s.l.) where your porters will have set up the camp and have a welcoming hot drink waiting for you. Tonight you will spend your first night under the Inca stars. Today you have walked approximately 7 km.

Day 5 Wayllabamba – Warmihuañusca – Pacamayo In the morning you will break camp after breakfast and start one of the most strenuous paths of the trek by 8am. You will climb steadily to Warmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ which at 4,200 meters is the highest part of the trail. This is where you will a well-deserved break with spectacular views of the surrounding Vilcabamba Range and the Huayanay Glacier. Continuing your trek you will make the easier descent to the Pacamayo valley campsite (3,600 meters a.s.l), where a hot cup of tea will be waiting for you! Today you will have walked 7 hours and completed the most challenging day of the trail!

Day 6 Pacamayo – Wiñay Wayna
After breakfast you will take a 30 min ascent to the archaeological centre of Runquracay, a beautiful round building which is thought to have been possibly a signal or resting station where we will enjoy our first break of the day. From this point onwards you will be climbing in the footsteps of the Incas as we now enter the paved pathway that ends in Machu Picchu itself. On the way you will discover Sayacmarca a fine Inca ruin before entering the tunnel, which brings you out at Phuyupatamarca or ‘The Cloudy Place’. The flagstone trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest and the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, which means ‘Forever Young’ in Quechuan. This is where we will make camp for our last night under the Inca stars.

Day 7 Wiñay Wayna – Intipunku – Machu Picchu A very early start will be rewarded with spectacular views of Machu Picchu at the break of dawn. A flat, comfortable walk takes you through the cloud-forest enveloped trail before it rises sharply for the last big push on the flight of Inca steps up to the magnificent sight of Intipunku – ‘The Sun Gate’ and your first glimpse of the lost city of Machu Picchu; from here we descend from here and enter the ruined city as the Incas did. You will have some time to refresh and use the toilet facilities before your guide will take you on your tour of the site to bring to life the mysteries and stories surrounding this amazing citadel. After your tour you will have some free time to take the trail to the Inca Bridge or just to sit, rest and take in the magnificent surroundings. Alternatively, if you’re feeling energetic you could even to make the demanding climb to the summit of Huayna Picchu (the small peak that rises behind the city itself), please be aware however that this route is quite steep and exposed in parts – not for the faint hearted! You will then descend to a pre-arranged meeting point the small village of Aguas Calientes to take your train back to Cuzco, allowing you to enjoy the scenery and put your feet up! On arrival in Cuzco, transfer to hotel where the remainder of the night is free at leisure.

Day 8 Cuzco - Lima
Today you will take a short flight back to Lima where you will be met and transferred once again to the Hotel Faraona. Your afternoon in Lima is free to rest and recuperate following your adventures on the trail. Your guide will be happy to meet you in the evening, if requested, and escort you to the area of Barranco where you can enjoy some of Lima’s best restaurants and cliff-top coastal views before returning you to your hotel.

Day 9 Depart Lima
This morning you will need to prepare for your departure before your international return flight. You may like to do some last minute shopping for gifts or mementoes of your time in Peru, or alternatively you could to take our optional Lima city tour; your options can be discussed with your guide at the time and would be a local payment to guide. At the appropriate time your Peruvian Secrets Tour Controller will meet you and transfer you to the airport for your international departure.

FURTHER DETAILS

Price Guide: The price of this tour as stated in the itinerary starts at only,

Option 1 White Water Rafting ~ £1050 per person based on two people sharing
Option 2 Sacred Valley ~ £1100 per person based on two people sharing

What's included?
• All transport as per the itinerary
• All accommodation on a specially selected three-star basis
• Breakfast daily in Peru
• Fully inclusive of your four-day Inca trail trek including transfers, meals, (not inc. snacks), tents, camping mats, porters and guide services
• The services of your Peruvian Secrets Tour Controller
• Personal bilingual guides (unless stated local payment to guide).
• Tours and excursions included as stated (unless optional with a local payment)
• National park entrance fees
• ‘Safe Seat’ Travel Fidelity Policy issued in association with the Travel Trust Association (this is for your financial protection only and is not a certificate of personal travel insurance)

Not included:
• International flights to Lima and back to the UK
• Peruvian international departure tax (approx $32) and domestic flight taxes ($7)
• Sleeping bags for the Inca Trail (although these can be hired in Cuzco on request)
• Optional excursions marked local payment to guide
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Lunches and evening meals (unless otherwise stated)
• Personal expenses - alcoholic beverages, tips and laundry services

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