The soaring peaks of the Andes and the cultural legacies of the Incas are two of Peru’s most compelling attractions. We discover both and much more on this amazing 2 week adventure.

After savouring the historical and cultural highlights of Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas whilst taking our time acclimatising, we commence our trek. For a week we explore the wilderness following trails to 5000m in the Cordillera Vilcabamba and establishing camp beneath the spectacular 6220m Mount Salcantay. This stunning trail is much quieter than the busier Inca Trail and is highly regarded by past trekkers. On the final day we join the classic Inca Trail for the dramatic view of Machu Picchu from the ‘Sun Gate’. Rather than rushing back to Cusco, we spend a night in Aguas Calientes for a well deserved soak in the hot springs before heading back to Machu Picchu at the best time of day, as the sun is rising.

This trip is run in conjunction with Malcolm (Mal) Law of Running Wild, a New Zealand based adventure tourism company with a philosophy of helping people who because of ill health cannot enjoy the outdoors the way that so many of us can. Along with the Trip Cost, each participant is to raise funds for the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. Mal has set your goal at $2,500 - so have a chat with us about how to reach your goal!

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive Lima

We will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel where you are free to rest in the hotel or just wander around Miraflores, the area of Lima where our hotel is located. Some of Lima’s best galleries and shops and restaurants are found in this area. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima is the oldest capital in South America, with a superb combination of Spanish Colonial and 19th century European architecture. If you have time to visit a museum we would recommend the Museo de La Nacion or the Larco Herrera Museum.

• Accommodation: Central Lima hotel

Day 2. Fly to Cusco and transfer to Ollantaytambo

Today we will visit of the village of Huilloq and then walk down to the small hamlet of Marcacocha to watch a traditional weaving demonstration and enjoy an Andean Feast - a ‘pachamanca’ before walking back into Ollantaytambo.

• Accommodation: Ollantaytambo lodgings
• (B, L)

Day 3. Visit the village of Huilloq nad the hamlet of Marcacocha

Today we will visit of the village of Huilloq to visit a school that World Expeditions helped build and then walk down to the small hamlet of Marcacocha to watch a traditional weaving demonstration and enjoy an Andean Fest - a ‘pachamanca’ before walking back into Ollantaytambo.

• Accommodation: Ollantaytambo lodgings
• (B, L)

Day 4. To Cusco via Pisac

A leisurely day as we take our time travelling back to Cusco. We will stop in the lovely town of Pisac. The town is located on the Urubamba River. The area is perhaps best known for its Incan ruins, known as Inca Písac, which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley. The ruins are separated along the ridge into four groups: Pisaqa, Intihuatana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiracay. Intihuatana (the Temple of the Sun) includes a number of baths and temples.

• Accommodation: Cusco hotel
• (B, L)

Day 5. Tour of the city and nearby ruins

Every alleyway we enter or corner we turn brings another surprise or enigma in the form of the superbly constructed Inca walls or the more architecturally extravagant colonial churches and palaces. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Francisco Pizarro’s men took the city with such apparent ease in November 1533. We also take a short drive to visit the monolithic walls of Sacsayhuaman, spectacularly set above the city. In the afternoon you may have time to explore some of the central parts of the city and a chance to look at some of the great varieties of local craft work on sale in open air stalls and shop. In the afternoon we will prepare for our upcoming trek.

• Accommodation: Cusco hotel
• (B)

Day 6. On the trail to Salcantay and Machu Picchu

Early morning departure for the beautiful 5-hour drive north to the trailhead at Mollepata 11,200’ (3,400m), where we meet up with the muleskinners and their pack animals. After a picnic lunch we start hiking (3 to 4 hours) steadily upwards towards our first night’s campsite below Soraypampa 12,300’ (3,750m). We also get our first views of Salcantay’s sister peak - Humantay 19,700’ (5,950m).

• Accommodation: Soraypampa campsite
• (B, L, D)

Day 7. Trek up the valley between Salcantay and Humantay

Early in the morning we have a wake-up call with a cup of tea brought to our tent. A relatively early start to the day’s hiking begins just after breakfast. Up to the lunch spot will involve about 3 hours of hiking steadily gaining altitude. We stop for lunch at Salcantaypampa 13,600 (4,150m), set at the foot of an enormous glacial moraine. Two or three more hours of steady hiking after lunch brings us to Ichupata 14,400’ (4,400m), set on the flanks of the great 20,574’ (6,271m) peak, Salcantay (‘The Maker of the Skies’) which dominates the skyline for most of the trekking days. This camp tends to be fairly cold because of its proximity to the Salcantay Massif, but since our pack animals and cooks will have set out earlier, we should find the camp already set up and a fresh pot of tea awaiting our arrival!

• Accommodation: Ichupata Campsite
• (B, L, D)

Day 8. Trek over Incachiriasca pass to Acobamba

After a hearty cooked breakfast we set off for the first and, at 15,970’ (4,870m), the highest pass - Incachiriasca. Superbly set on one of Salcantay’s ridges, this ‘classic’ mountain pass affords wonderful views of the dramatic surroundings. After a relaxing photo stop and rest at the pass, we start to head down to follow the ancient trail to our next camp set on a lovely little plateau at Acobamba above Sisaypampa.

• Accommodation: Acobamba Campsite
• (B, L, D)

Day 9. Descend to Paucarcancha and up to the village of Q’esca

From the foot of Salcantay at Acobamba we descend the Pampacahuana valley with its small and primitive shepherds homes and its impressive pre Inca canal to the fairly extensive set of ruins at Paucarcancha set at around 11,000’ (3,350m). After a short visit to this outpost of the Inca empire we start to trek up a beautiful hanging valley, through the village of Q’esca towards the Ancascocha Pass. We camp just above this small village – home to shepherds and potato farmers. (We might also consider staying higher up and taking an alternative route to Q’esca).

• Accommodation: Q’esca Campsite
• (B, L, D)

Day 10. Trek over the Ancascocha Pass 15,400’ (4,695m)

Another early morning as we say farewell to the Q’esqa valley and start climbing up to our second pass. Called Ancascocha Casa - this pass affords us superb views of three mountain ranges including the Vilcabamba, Vilcanota and Urubamba. From the pass we descend fairly steeply past two lovely lakes - from above we often see large trout in their deep waters - to the village of Ancascocha itself. We camp near this classic farming village.

• Accommodation: Ancascocha Campsite
• (B, L, D)

Day 11. Descend to the Sacred Valley at Chilca

From Ancascocha we head down a narrow valley whose rivers run right down into the mighty Amazon. As we descend the vegetation becomes less alpine and we start to encounter larger trees - a good chance to spot some of the most common Andean birds in this region - black throated flowerpiercer, great sapphirewing, rusty fronted canastero, creamy crested spinetail, and, if we remember to look up, the Andean condor - the heaviest flying bird in the world! Near the end of our days trek we reach Hatunrumiyoq which affords us perfect views of the large snow peak of Veronica - 19,500’ (5,980m). We camp near the large village of Chilca. If time permits the cooks will prepare a ‘pachamanca’ - a traditional feast of meat and potatoes cooked in the ground.

• Accommodation: Chilca Campsite
• (B, L, D)

Day 12. To Kilometre 104 for final days trek to Machu Picchu

After a good night’s sleep at this lower altitude, and an early breakfast, we start the last day of the trek. Early morning trek down to railway at Chilca and then take the tourist train to Kilometre 104 on the railway line. From here we trek up to join the last few hours of the fabulous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. On the way we’ll take time out to explore the recently cleared extensive ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Our walk today takes along an incredibly well preserved section of the trail all impressively set in high jungle. We finally reach Inti Punku (The Gateway to the Sun) awe-inspiringly set above the ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu before heading down past great walls made of impossibly large stone blocks and staircases to the this monumental site. Your first view of the ruins really does take your breath away! After a brief ‘first look’ at the ruins, we head down by bus to our hotel in Aguas Calientes for a well deserved soak in the nearby hot springs (optional).

• Accommodation: Aguas Calientes hotel
• (B, L)

Day 13. Explore Machu Picchu then return to Cusco

Today we start early to thoroughly explore these remarkable and truly enigmatic ruins. After a professionally led tour of the site we’re free to explore the rest of the amazing sights. Mid-afternoon we depart from Machu Picchu for the extremely pretty train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco. Here we transfer to our hotel for two nights.

• Accommodation: Cusco hotel
• (B)

Day 14. Cusco - free day & farewell dinner

A good day to relax, re-pack after the trek and perhaps a chance to do some ‘tourist shopping’, selecting from a great variety of expertly made craft work - including alpaca sweaters and hats, ceramics, weavings and traditional Andean instruments. This evening we will have a farewell dinner with our guide.

• Accommodation: Cusco hotel
• (B, D)

Day 15. Head home!

After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our outbound flights.

• (B)

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