Special 2: Explore the Path of the Inca

You will be picked up at the airport and taken to your comfortable hotel where you are advised to rest for a while to acclimatize to the high altitude. In the early afternoon you will be taken on a Cuzco city tour and will visit Sacsayhuaman, a local archeological site. You will return in the early evening to relax and eat in one of the many restaurants where you can enjoy the local Andean cuisine and hospitality of the local people.

After an early breakfast and early start you will be taken through the Sacred Valley of the Incas where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. You will visit the impressive ruin of Ollantaytambo and have the opportunity to visit a local artisan market in Pisac to enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale and observe the traditional dress worn by many, not just for tourists, but as part of their heritage of the local people. Before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon you will have the opportunity to eat typical Andean food in a local restaurant.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin the Inca Trail: bus to Chillca, hike to Wayllabamba. The first day the trail leads along the Urubamba River, offering you spectacular views of snow-capped mountains and stunning vegetation.

From Wayllabamba you hike to pacaymayo. The second day is more challenging as you climb a 4.200-meter high pass, often covered in mist.

From pacaymayo you walk to Wiña Wayna. A stone path guides you through a dense cloud forest to Wiña Wayna, passing many Inca ruins along the way.

You arrive at the Inca “Sun Gate” just before sunrise, the fog lifts and you are looking down onto Machu Picchu just as the Incas did centuries before you. The sight is awe inspiring - a sprawling temple bathed in sunlight.

You are now able to visit the site and see the carved hitching post of the sun, the contoured walls fitting into every curve of the natural rock, the amazing jigsaw puzzle of individual building blocks in which no mortar was used and which have withstood centuries of earthquakes, the steep thousand meter high mountain- up which these blocks were raised- high above the valleys, the intricate irrigation system and terraced fields. This structured, intricate citadel is in complete contrast to the wild vision of mountain tops and gorges. Although you surely will not yet be ready to, in the afternoon you can take a comfortable train back to Cuzco, or as an option, you may stay overnight in Machu Picchu- which we highly recommend.

Breakfast at the hotel and take a train or plane further into the Inca heartland-Puno. Otherwise, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight out.

• 3 nights at comfortable hotels based on US standards.
• 3 nights of camping.
• Guided visits with English speaking tour guides. The Inca Trail guide is bilingual and fully trained.
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts. 4-star and up hotels offer breakfast buffets.

• Transportation:
  • private transport to km 82
  • Transfer from the train station to the hotel
  • Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
• Camping equipment:
  • high quality spacious igloo tents
  • foam mattresses, tables and seats
  • Dinner tent and Kitchen Tent
  • First aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle
• Team:
  • at least one cook and cooking equipment
  • professional bilingual guide
  • porters for equipment
• Food:
  • 3 x breakfast, 3 x lunch, 3 x diner, coffee and thee. Mineral water is not included.
• All transfers and entrance fees.

*If you are interested in hiring a personal porter, please contact a Travel Advisor for details.

• A hat to protect you from the sun
• Sunglasses and sun block
• Insect repellant
• Sleeping bag - can be rented
• Warm sweater and warm socks for sleeping
• Small flashlight for using the toilet during the night. Also the last part of the trek will begin before the sun rises so that you reach Machu Picchu at sunrise.
• Chocolates and candy. Sugar boosts are great for keeping you going
• Your camera with extra memory and batteries!
• Disposable plastic water bottles are not allowed on the trail so you should bring a canteen or similar for the trek.
• For more information, please check our FAQ section at FAQs- Cuzco and FAQs- Inca Trail

We recommend that you book at least one extra day in the Inca imperial city of Cuzco. There are so may things to see and do in this magical city. You may add any of our additional services or just stay to relax and wander around on your own meeting people from all over the world and the charming colorful locals.

Have an extra day to visit the ruins on your own, relax at the local hot springs, and walk around the orchid gardens. The enormous beauty of Machu Picchu certainly deserves an extra day!.

There are many who believe that to stay overnight in the beautiful countryside of the Sacred Valley will fill you with the aura of spiritual awakening that inspired the Incas to choose the valley as the home of their sun god.

Horseback riding across the Sacred Valley to Maras Moray Salt Mines. This is our most recommended additional service. Price per person- private service (includes transfer to the Sacred Valley):

Located between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the campsite is at a height of 2800m and close to the Vilcanota River. From here you can see the archeological site of Ollantaytambo and walk about 30 minutes to get there. The following day, you can walk to the train station, only 15 minutes away, to take the train to Machu Picchu.
Campsite is accessible by road, by rafting on the river Vilcanota or by trekking.

• Stationary tents
• dining area
• bathrooms
• hot showers
• potable water
• campfire
• pachamanca lunch
• hammocks
• soccer field, badmitton court, volleyball court, petanque (a game similar to bowls)

Take a horse-back ride through the valley from the Inca bridge to the Quarries of Cachicata and return to camp. This trip lasts about 4 hours.

Includes: First aid kit, walkie-talkie, guide service and horses completely equipped.
Not included: bottled water, food, tips.

Take a bike-ride through the valley where you will visit the Quarries of Cachicata as well as the villages on the banks of the river, such as Sillque, Chillca and others. We will return to our campsite during a pleasant 2 hour journey on the other side of the river, passing through the villages of Phiri Podra and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Includes: bicycles, helmets, gloves, first-aid kit and guide service

Not included: bottled water, food, tips.

Raft on the River Urubamba with category 2 and 3 currents, suitable for everyone, with or without experience. Trip lasts approximately 2 hours.

Includes: first-aid kit, guide service, canoeing kit, life- jackets, oars, waterproof pants, transportation from and to campsite
Not included: bottled water, food, tips.

Get on a boat and have a wet and wild rafting experience through the Sacred Valley. Our tour guides are fully trained and bilingual. Transfers and lunch included.

This site, constructed by the Incas, is the oldest known horticultural experimental center in the world. Each terraced level gives a different micro climate in which different crops can be grown. Remember that when you eat your potatoes you are eating a Peruvian creation. The terraces built into the natural surrounding landscape are magnificent. Price per person- private service:

This horseback riding tour will take you to the beautiful country side around the city of Cuzco. (minimum 2 people)

Watch professional Peruvian dancers and musicians amuse you with traditional Andean music and dancing.