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Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 11 Days from $2350 Weekly Departures April 14-October 15 Classic Trek 11 Days: Wednesday & Sunday with 5 Days/3 Nights Trekking & Camping Discovery Trek 11 Days: Wednesday with 5 Days/3 nights Camping

Important Note: For the adventurous, the trek to Machu Picchu is an exhilarating experience filled with incredible views of the Andes. You will never forget camping at remote Inca tambos (way stations) and walking on the same trail as Inca messengers did centuries ago. The extremely high altitudes of the trek (Cuzco at 11,300 ft. and one pass at over 13,500 ft.) make preparation an imperative, which is why we include three nights in Cuzco for acclimation prior to the trek. This extra time in Cuzco is sufficient for most people and considered a minimum, unless you live at 5,000 feet altitude or more. There are important factors to consider if you are contemplating an Inca Trail Trek, such as age and overall fitness. You should also prepare at least one month in advance with a regimen of rigorous hiking for five miles three times a week. However, none of these factors hasten acclimatization. Only time matters. As a general rule, you need one day for each 1,000 feet over 10,000 feet altitude. Without this, the result is soroche, or altitude sickness, which causes mild to severe flu-like symptoms and can ruin your trip. After proper acclimatization, people are thrilled as they complete the final steps of the trek, enter the Royal Gate at the very top of Machu Picchu, and marvel at the grandeur of the sacred site below.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Lima Start your adventure into the Land of the Incas.
Day 2: In Lima Familiarize yourself with Lima on this half-day tour of the colonial highlights, followed by a visit to the Archaeological Museum for a chronological presentation of the many civilizations that flourished in Peru. Displays include important collections from the Chavin, Mochica, Chimu and Nazca cultures. (B)
Day 3: Lima to Cuzco Early morning flight to Cuzco and transfer to your choice of hotel in downtown Cuzco. Balance of the day free to adjust to an altitude of over 11,000 feet. Take it easy! (B)
Day 4: Cuzco Tour This afternoon take a motorcoach tour of colonial Cuzco, including the Temple of the Sun, Cathedral and Plaza de Armas. Visit Koricancha, the Inca Sun Temple, and see how the church was built right on top of the intact temple. Next, ascend the hills surrounding Cuzco to visit the Inca ruins of K'Kenko, Pucapucara, Tambo Machay and the great stone fortress, Sacsayhuaman. (B)
Day 5: In Cuzco Another full day in Cuzco to acclimate before you commence your Inca Trail Trek. (B)
Day 6: Cuzco to Huayllabamba - The Trek Begins! Morning pick up at your Cuzco hotel and transfer by bus to the trailhead at Chillca, on the Vilcanota River. Hike along the Vilcanota River beneath the impressive snow-capped Nevado Veronica through cactus gardens and fields of corn to the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata. Continue up a side valley to camp in the hamlet of Huayllabamba. 12 kms., 7 hours of hiking. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Huayllabamba to Paqaymayo This will be the most strenuous day of hiking. Climb through steep fields and forest, then emerge above the tree line to reach Warmiwanusqa Pass (13,776 feet). Enjoy magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks of the Huaynay Range and Inca ruins, then descend to camp in the valley. 11 kms., 8 hours of hiking. (B, L, D)
Day 8: Paqaymayo to Wynaywayna You will cross a second pass (12,661 feet) and follow a fine Inca road (left) down to the exquisite ridge-top ruins of Sayaqmarka. Further on, pass through a tunnel amid luxuriant cloud forest vegetation. Camp at superb ruins overlooking the Vilcanota River far below. 15 kms., 8 hours of hiking. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Arrive Machu Picchu This will be the easiest day with only six kms. and two hours of hiking before reaching Machu Picchu.The Royal Road descends steeply through an orchid-laden cloud forest. The final stretch of the trail approaches Machu Picchu from the back of the mountain. You will enter Machu Picchu in the early afternoon from the original gate at the top of the ruins, just as the Incas did centuries ago! You'll have the day to tour the Lost City of the Incas with your guide. Overnight at the Standard and First Class hotels will be in the village of Aguas Calientes (right), at the base of the ruins. Deluxe category overnight will be at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, just at the ruins. (NOTE: Dinner and lunch the following day are also included for those staying at the Sanctuary Lodge.) (B, L)
Day 10: Machu Picchu to Cuzco You have almost another full day to hike in and around Machu Picchu before your afternoon train departure for Cuzco. Transfer to your selected hotel in Cuzco.
NOTE: Bus transfers from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and admission to the ruins are NOT included this day. (B)
Day 11: Cuzco to Lima Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Lima. Meeting service and transfer to your hotel. (B)
Day 12: Homeward Bound All good things must come to an end but you can extend this one! Book a trip to the Amazon Jungle or an excursion to see the archaeological wonders of the northern or southern desert oases of Peru, such as the Lord of Sipan or the mysterious lines and drawings of the Plains of Nazca. Travel by train to Puno on Lake Titicaca, then by boat across Lake Titicaca, with special overnights on Sun Island and Huatajata, ending with two nights in La Paz.