PERU
EMPIRE OF THE INCAS
HIKING THE INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
LAKE TITICACA & CUZCO
Monthly Departures

On this multi-faceted diverse trip you explore Lake Titicaca, enjoy a homestay on Taquile Island, explore Cuzco, and trek our 5-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. In the Andes you discover splendid mountain panoramas, astonishingly diverse wildlife, and a rich human canvas spanning thousands of years. Cruise to a timeless island in Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world. Explore Cuzco's wondrous palaces, streets and plazas. Trek on the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the spectacular Lost City of the Incas. Each day you enjoy unforgettable wonders.

During the nights in cities and towns you stay in small, delightful hotels, and enjoy an unforgettable overnight in a native home on Taquile Island on 12,500-foot high Lake Titicaca. During the 5-day trek along the Inca Trail you enjoy our top-quality trail service with porters, cooks and full camp service. Our guides are talented English-speaking Peruvians who contribute enthusiasm and valuable personal insights into the past and present of this astonishing region. Join one of the most adventuresome programs you will find anywhere in South America as you explore the Andean world.

ITINERARY

PLEASE NOTE: Meals included on the Tour Cost are indicated B, L, D

Day 1/ Saturday  Arrive Lima
We meet you on your arrival in Lima airport and take you to a comfortable hotel for overnight. If you arrive in the morning, you have the afternoon open: you will have time to visit one or more of several excellent museums, or browse and shop for the best variety and quality of goods in all of Peru. (Note: Meals included in land cost are designated as Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).

Day 2/ Sunday Arequipa
We fly to Arequipa, an attractive city at 2,380 m./7,806 ft. We transfer to our hotel overlooking the Chili River, with the classic view of El Misti Volcano just to the west. You have the remainder of the morning free to acclimate.  Arequipa’s major points of interest are within easy walking distance of our hotel.  We spend the afternoon touring the most popular of these:  the Santa Catalina Convent, and the Museo de Santuarios Andinos, better known as the Inca Mummy Museum.  B

Day 3/ Monday Titicaca Lakeshore
We travel by van up into the highlands on a highway which climbs clockwise around the western flank of Chachani Volcano.  At Pampa Cañahuas, a high plain north of Chachani, we see troops of wild vicuñas, the graceful relative of the llama and alpaca.  The country is relatively dry, and we pass few signs of habitation along our route until we cross a 4,600 metre /15,088 ft pass and descend into the basin of Lake Titicaca.  The highest navigable lake in the world at 3,856 m/12,650 ft, Lake Titicaca is intensively settled around its whole margin.  The deep waters of the lake buffer the cold nights at this elevation, making the basin less harsh for agriculture than many highland zones of lesser elevations.   Looking across this huge inland sea, 110 miles in length and some 45 miles in width, we see the impressive snowpeaks of Bolivia’s Royal Range.  We visit the famous burial towers at Sillustani, then continue to our hotel overlooking the lake, just east of the city.  BL

Day 4: Tuesday Taquile Island
We board a launch for the 3½-hour cruise to Taquile Island. Taquile’s rocky, terraced slopes rise precipitously from the waters in the centre of the lake. We spend a delightful afternoon hiking on the island. Overnight in homes of the islanders. (B/L)

Day 5: Wednesday Taquile Island/Puno
We have a second day to explore this entrancingly beautiful and peaceful island. Only four miles long and less than a mile wide, the island has hidden beaches, hilltop shrines, and a gentle and industrious population of Quechua peasants who welcome us wherever we go. We depart by boat in the afternoon, and visit the astonishing floating reed island communities of the Uros Indians. Return to the mainland, overnight at hotel in Puno. (B/L)

Day 6: Thursday Cuzco
We travel westward across the northern Peruvian Altiplano, with a stop at the pre-Inca fortress at Pucara. The mountains gradually approach as we climb up to spectacular La Raya Pass (4,330 m). Crossing this pass we are in the headwaters of the Vilcanota River, which flows through the Sacred Valley, past Machu Picchu, and then becomes the Urubamba as it flows northward into the Amazon. Our major afternoon visit is the magnificent Viracocha Temple at Raqchi. We continue down into the narrow valley of Cuzco
(3,310 m/10,857'.) Overnight in hotel. (B/L)

Day 7: Friday Cuzco
Your morning is open to explore the city's fascinating streets, palaces and temples. Many of the streets retain the stone Incan walls of the former palaces which made up the heart of the city. In the afternoon join a guided tour which includes the important Inca sites in the hills around the town: Tambo Machay, Kenko, and the massive fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Cuzco is full of surprises and color during the day; during the night there is musical entertainment to satisfy every taste. (B)

Day 8: Saturday Trek Briefing
Prior to departing for the trek, we meet for an orientation briefing by our guide. You have the remainder of the day to visit the museums and colonial sites that have tempted you during your city tour of the previous day. (B)

Day 9: Sunday Commence Trek
We depart Cuzco by private van to our trailhead at Chillca in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. With our Quechua porters transporting the camp gear, we walk carrying only light packs. The first day’s route is mainly level as we hike along the turbulent Vilcanota River, with magnificent views to Nevado Veronica (5,900 m/ 19,000'). Explore the Inca city of Llactapata, and continue up the Cusichaca River to camp at 3,000 m/
(9,842'.) (B/L/D)

Day 10: Monday Warmiwañusqa
We climb steeply up into magical forest of endemic Polylepis trees, with gnarled trunks and reddish, papery bark. At last we emerge above the tree line, where the views from Warmiwañusqa Pass (4,250 m/ 13,950') justify all the hard work. You gaze east to the Huaynay peaks and west to the rugged Vilcabamba Range. We descend to out camp in the valley bottom by the Paccaymayo stream. (3,720 m/ 12,200'). (B/L/D)

Day 11: Tuesday Sayaqmarka
Soon after leaving camp we encounter the Inca outpost of Runkurakay, a small fortification. The trail continues steeply upward until we reach the second pass at 3,860 m/12,661', and enjoy views north to the 18,000’ peaks of the Urubamba Range, and the even higher peaks of Pumasillo in the western Vilcabamba Range. We descend to the restored ridge top townsite of Sayaqmarka (3,580 m /11,745'.) From Sayaqmarka onward, for the most part, the trail is finely paved granite ashlars. Camp on a spectacular ridge top above the ruins of Phuyopatamarka (3,495 m/ 11,460') with magnificent views down to the Vilcanota River and the Vilcabamba Range. (B/L/D)

Day 12: Wednesday Machu Picchu
Climb to an ancient ceremonial lookout on a granite knoll directly above our camp. From here, priests undoubtedly saluted the spirit of the sacred mountain Salcantay (6,275 m/20,580') directly south of us. We descend on a fine Inca road through exotic cloud forest habitat. Orchids and hummingbirds are common along this spectacular section of the trail high above the river. We emerge at the Gate of the Sun for our first view of Machu Picchu (2,430 m/ 7,970') from high above the city. Stroll down the royal road for a suitably regal entrance to the Lost City of the Incas. Tonight we are in camp by the river at the base of the ruins. We visit the nearby town of Aguas Calientes for an optional soak in the hot spring. (B/L/D)

Day 13: Thursday Machu Picchu
Enter the ruins early for a full day exploring this unforgettable site. Return to Cuzco by train in late afternoon. Overnight in hotel. (B/L)

Day 14: Friday Lima
Fly to Lima, and transfer to our delightful small hotel in the quiet Miraflores or San Isidro district. In the afternoon we tour colonial and modern Lima, from the impressive Plaza Mayor to the catacombs of the San Francisco Monastery. Overnight in hotel. (B)

Day 15: Saturday Home
Airport transfer for passengers who depart today.

Optional Extension - Amazon Wilderness Adventure

Day 14: Friday Amazon Lodge
We take a 30-minute flight east over the Andes to Puerto Maldonado, and travel by canoe up the Tambopata River to the Libertador Tambopata Lodge in the Tambopata-Candamo Reserve. After late lunch, we have a short walk on a nearby trail to introduce you to this habitat. In the evening you go out in the forest again, to experience fluorescent fungi and other tropical night wonders. (B/L/D)

Day 15: Saturday Amazon Lodge
We hike to nearby Lago Condenado, an oxbow lake where you may see a variety of birds along the margin of the lagoon. Our guides introduce to you the enormous natural energy and complexity of the world's largest tropical wilderness. In the afternoon you have an opportunity to swim in the clear waters of a stream near the lodge. (B/L/D)

Day 16: Sunday Amazon Lodge
We take a short canoe excursion downriver, then hike in to Lago Sachavacayoq, another oxbow lake which is home to a family of Giant otters one of the rare endangered species which has been hunted to oblivion in most other places in the Amazon. (B/L/D)

Day 17: Monday Lima
We return to Puerto Maldonado, and fly back over the Andes to Lima, arriving in mid-afternoon. We transfer you to a comfortable hotel in Miraflores for overnight. (B)

Day 18: Tuesday home
Transfer to the airport for your flight home

PRICE: 15 Days, $2,050 USD double occupancy, no charge for singles who are willing to share with a same gender room mate, $470 USD single supplement for your own hotel room & tent, $70 USD single tent only

2009 DATES: Mar 21-Apr 4, Apr 11-25, May 2-16, June 6-20, July 4-18, Aug 1-15, Sept 5-19, Oct 3-17, Nov 7-21, 2009, Dec 19-Jan 2, 2010

TOUR COST INCLUDES: all land transportation, airport transfers on scheduled arrival and departure days, entrance fees to museums and sites mentioned in itinerary (except Machu Picchu fee), comfortable hotels, one night homestay on Taquile Island, meals as indicated (B/L/D), tips for group baggage handling, tents, pads and trekking bags.

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: international and internal airfare, airport taxes, all beverages, meals not specified in itinerary, entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Travel Insurance

APPROXIMATE ADDITIONAL CHARGES: Please understand that these prices may change without notice and are payable in cash in Peru.
Machu Picchu Park fee - $90
Tipping - We suggest $120-150 USD for the total tip to be divided among staff
Domestic Flight - $298, Lima/Juliaca and Cuzco/Lima (subject to change)
Airport Departure Taxes - $5 domestic, $30 international

IMPORTANT:  At the time we confirm your participation on this trek, we register your complete given name (exactly as it appears on your passport) and your passport number with park authorities on the official Trek Permit.  The Trek Permit is a legal document with specific restrictions limiting changes.  You must bring this same passport with you on the trek.  If for whatever reason you cannot bring the passport that is registered on the permit at the time of your original booking, or if you change your passport and cannot bring the original document, or if the information you originally supplied differs from what actually appears on your passport, park authorities may refuse access to the Inca Trail. Please double check your documents!

WEIGHT RESTRICTION ON TREK: You will be given a trek bag for your overnight clothing, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, and the porters carry these trek bags to each camp for you. The weight limit for a full trek bag is 22 lbs., and any extra will have to be transferred to your daypack. To plan your gear, deduct 2 lbs. for the trek bag, 4 lbs. for the rental sleeping bag, and 2 lbs. for the sleeping pad. This leaves you with 12-14 lbs. for your clothing, toiletries and overnight gear. Remember, you will be carrying your rain gear, camera, warm sweater, etc. in your daypack, so this should not be too hard for just four days.

3 DAY AMAZON EXTENSION

PRICE: $400 USD

TOUR COST INCLUDES: all meals, daily nature excursions with English-speaking guides, twinshare lodge accommodation.

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: internal airfare, airport taxes, Amazon park entrance fee (currently $10), meals en route to/from the lodge, meals in Puerto Maldonado, tree climbing with harnesses and ropes, drinks purchased from the bar, all beverages, meals not specified above,tips to guides and staff, insurance, laundry, and other items of a personal nature.

AIRFARE TO PUERTO MALDONADO: $149 USD (approx. & subject to change)

NOTE ON ADDITIONAL FEES: We do our best to be as accurate as possible with the additional fees that are not covered in the Tour Cost. Please understand that these prices may change withour notice to us, and that you will be responsible for any additional amount above the stated price.

Check out our other Peru Tours:
Peru Andes & Amazon: 10 day hiking tour (no overnight trekking or camping) includes Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the Amazon
Andes, Lake Titicaca the Amazon : 15 day (no overnight trekking or camping) trip to Lake Titicaca, Cuzco, Machu Picchu and the Amazon.
Peru Bike Tour: 13 day biking tour from Lake Titicaca to the Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu includes 3 nights camping, 1 overnight on Taquille Island & 8 nights hotel, hiking tours in the Inca Ruins of Machu Picchu, Pisaq & Cuzco, and visits to the local markets in Chinchero and Pisaq.