Inca Trail & Amazon (Semi-Private)
13 Days 12 Nights
Lima, Peruvian Amazon, Pisaq, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray, Classic Inca Trail, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Cusco
Combine the wildlife and nature of the great Peruvian Amazon with the famous and challenging Inca Trail. In this trip, you will get to see the most important Incan archeological sites including Machu Picchu.
Day By Day Itinerary:
Day 1: Welcome to Peru (Semi-Private)
Upon arrival into Lima Airport, you can be assured that we will have a private transfer waiting to take you to your hotel in Lima. Your driver and English speaking representative will welcome you into Peru ensuring you with a comfortable and safe ride.
Overnight in Lima. (Altitude: Sea Level)
Day 2: Lima to the Amazon Sandoval Lake Lodge (Semi-Private) (B,L,D)
In the morning, your private driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Lima Airport in time for 2 ½ hour domestic flight to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival at the airport, one of our representatives will take you to the Tambopata River Boat Dock to board a private powerful motorized canoe. After a scenic 30 minute river trip, you will arrive at the Tambopata Reserve from where we will walk one hour to get to the Sandoval Lake. Upon arrival our canoes will be waiting to take us on a nice short 10 minute scenic trip to our lodge. After enjoying lunch, you will explore the entire west end of the lake by private boat with an opportunity of our first encounter with the Amazon wildlife. At night and after an appetizing dinner, you may once again board a boat in search of black caimans, which are extremely rare in the Amazon, but still common in the protected lake.
Overnight in the Sandoval Lake Lodge. (Altitude: 400m, 1300ft)
Day 3: Amazon Sandoval Lake (Semi-Private) (B,L,D)
Today you will receive a pre-dawn wake up call to enjoy a spectacular sunrise on the Lake. Once there we will have the opportunity to see giant otters, fish, birds, monkeys and other Amazonian animals. In the jungle the animals are most active during the early mornings and the late afternoons as these are the times when they search for their food. We will then return to the lodge for a late breakfast. Afterwards we will set off on a short trail walk to enjoy the nature of the Amazon and to explore all the vegetation of the area. Today we will also meet a native family to learn about their daily activities and how they commerce the Amazon nuts. We will then return for a delicious dinner at the lodge. At night you have the choice to spot caimans on the lakes again or an opportunity to take a night trail walk in search of other creatures such as frogs, toads, spiders, owls, nighthawks, night monkeys.
Overnight in the Sandoval Lake Lodge. (Altitude: 400m, 1300ft)
Day 4: Amazon to Cusco (Semi-Private) (B)
Today after enjoying your breakfast, we will take you for a short private boat ride along the palm swamps of the west end lake in search of the residential giant otter family. From here you will see a glorious sunrise with its reflection in the open waters. We will then return to the Madre de Dios River and then finally to Puerto Maldonado Airport to catch your one hour domestic flight to Cusco. Upon arrival into the Inca Empire of Cusco in the morning, you will make your way via a private van to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is located at lower elevation and will help with acclimatization. Along the way you will make a number of stops to some fascinating and photographic view points. One of the stops will be to an animal recovery centre, which houses a number of beautiful animals to include: condors, pumas, macaws, llamas and tortoises. During your time here you can enter into the condor cage and see the flight of this large bird. Another stop will be to a llama and alpaca farm, where you will be able to get real up close and personal with these wonderful creatures and even be able to feed them. At this farm, they also produce high quality pieces from the wool, which you are able to purchase. You will then continue along the Sacred Valley where your hotel is located.
Overnight in Sacred Valley. (Altitude: 2900m, 9500ft)
Day 5: Sacred Valley of the Incas (Semi-Private) (B,L)
In the morning, your tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel for your private Sacred Valley tour. We will first drive to the Pisaq town, where on Sundays is the big market day when local villagers come from the mountains and sell their home-grown vegetables. In this market it is still possible to see how people practice the trade system used in the Incan times. Here, you will be able to get great prices for goods and souvenirs. We will also have the opportunity to visit the Incredible Pisaq Ruins and then drive to Urubamba to enjoy lunch in one of the best local restaurants in the Sacred Valley. After lunch, we will head to Ollantaytambo, one of the last Inca refuges, where you will notice that the houses and building still preserve a big part of the Inca Architecture. You will enter into an Inca house and see how they used to live. We will then take you to visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, temples and terraces. You will get to witness the abandoned stones and unfinished walls, due to the invasion of the Spaniards. This tour also includes a visit to a ´Chicheria`, where you will learn the old Incan technique of producing the most popular drink in the Andes. Here you will also get to see how locals farm guinea pigs in their homes which after a few months becomes a delicious dish. Finally we will return you back to your hotel.
Overnight in Sacred Valley. (Altitude: 2900m, 9500ft)
Day 6: Incan Laboratory & Salt Mines (Semi-Private) (B,L)
In the morning your private tour guide and driver will drive you off the beaten path to Maras, a typical Andean village. Here you will walk around the streets and get the sense that you have stepped back into time, due to the traditional clothing of the locals and old style buildings. If you have young children, we will surprise them with a short donkey ride around the town. We will then visit the very impressive San Francisco Church to include visits to the baptism room and bell tower, where you will have a great view of the village and its surrounding snow capped mountains. We will then drive you to the incredible Circular Terraces of Moray, which was used an Inca laboratory to acclimatize their crops. After that we will have a picnic lunch at a nearby strategic point with great views of the glaciers and mountains. Then we will head to the Salt Terraces of Maras to see and learn about an ancient pre-Incan method of producing salt. After this visit, you will have the choice of either a short hour trek to the Vilcanota River and then drive to your hotel or drive directly to your hotel.
Overnight in Sacred Valley. (Altitude: 2900m, 9500ft)
Day 7: 1st Day Inca Trail - Km82 to Wayllabamba (Semi-Private) (B,L,D)
Today very early in the morning you will start the mighty Inca Trail. Your private Inca Trail Tour Guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to KM82, 1 hour from Ollantaytambo. Here you will register and meet your chef and porters who will accompany you for the whole duration of the trek. From KM82 (2700m, 8850ft) you will make your way to the Wayllabamba Campsite. The first 2 hours of the trek is a lightly paced climb until you reach Miskay, a picnic area where your chef and porters will have lunch ready and waiting. After lunch, you will have 3-4 hours (depending on pace) of steady uphill climbing. Along the way you will pass the first Incan ruins of the trail Llactapata, where you have a good opportunity to stop and take some photos. Finally when you arrive at Wayllabamba the chef and porters will have set up the tents and even have dinner waiting for you. You will have the rest of the night to relax.
Overnight at Wayllabamba Campsite. (Altitude: 3000m, 9850ft)
Day 8: 2nd Day Inca Trail - Wayllabamba to Pacaymayo (Semi-Private) (B,L,D)
Early in the morning you will be woken up with a hot coca tea. Then you will enjoy a rich breakfast to get you ready for the very challenging yet rewarding day ahead. Today you will start from an altitude of 3000m, 9850ft and climb for 5 hours to reach an altitude of 4200m, 13800ft at Dead Woman´s Pass, where you will have a stunning panoramic view of the Andean mountains and its surroundings. After the toughest part of the Inca Trail you have an hour descent before reaching the picnic area where your chef and porters will have prepared lunch. After lunch you have another hour descent before reaching Pacaymayo Campsite, where you have the rest of the day to relax. During the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by the chef before relaxing some more.
Overnight in Pacaymayo Campsite. (Altitude: 3600m, 11800ft)
Day 9: 3rd Day Inca Trail - Pacaymayo to Wiñay Wayna (Semi-Private) (B,L,D)
After an early breakfast you will continue trekking the Inca Trail passing many archeological sites. The first part of today’s trek will take you from Pacaymayo (3600m, 11800ft) to the second pass, Runkuracay (3900m, 12800ft). After reaching this pass, the rest of the day´s trekking is mostly downhill, passing Saqaymarca, an inaccessible old Incan town before reaching a nice area for lunch. After lunch we will continue the trek until we reach the Wiñay Wayna Campsite, where you will have the rest of the day to relax. During the evening the chef will prepare your dinner.
Overnight in Wiñay Wayna Campsite. (Altitude: 3700m, 12150ft)
Day 10: 4th Day Inca Trail – Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu (Semi-Private) (B,L,D)
Another early breakfast to prepare for the Inca Trail, from Wiñay Wayna you will trek for 2 hours until you reach the Sun Gate, ´Inti Punku´, where you have finally arrived at Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the Sun Gate, you have officially completed the Inca Trail and from here you get a panoramic and breathtaking view of the ´Lost City of the Incas`. You will then transfer to your hotel in Aguas Calientes to have the morning to relax and to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, you will transfer back to Machu Picchu and enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. You will learn about the history of this truly fascinating Incan sacred site and visit some temples such as the sun and the condor. You will visit, whilst learn some interesting facts about the Incan sacred terraces, aquaducts and houses.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (Altitude: 2000m, 6500ft)
Day 11: 5th Day Inca Trail - Machu Picchu to Cusco (Semi-Private) (B)
Today you have another chance to visit Machu Picchu where you have plenty of time to explore this truly magnificent site on your own. There are many short trek options, such as a the one to the Sun Gate for an impressive view of Machu Picchu or a visit to the Incan Bridge, a secret entrance for the Inca Army. The most adventurous should not miss the Wayna Picchu ´young mountain climbing, which requires a very early start (5.30am) as only 400 people are permitted on this climb each day. If you prefer not to return to the Machu Picchu ruins today, you also have some trekking options around Aguas Calientes such as the easy walk to the Wandor Falls or the really challenging Putukusy Mountain climb for an impressive view of the Machu Picchu citadel. In the afternoon you will take the hour and a half Train to Ollantaytambo, where your private driver will be waiting for you to transfer you to Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco. (Altitude: 3400m, 11150ft)
Day 12: Cusco City & the Incan Empire (Semi-Private) (B,D)
In the morning your tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel to begin your private city tour of this wonderful city. You will visit the well-known and beautiful Incan temple of Sacsayhuaman, where you will be amazed with the great construction work of the Incan empire and there is still mystery of how they managed to move and fit each large and heavy stone so perfectly into each other. As part of your city tour, you will also visit Cusco Cathedral, which has an UNESCO World Heritage status and is located in Plaza de Armas. Here you will see many holy Christian artifacts and artwork derived from the `Escuela Cuzquena´ (Cuzco Art School). Your tour will then take you to the Temple of the Sun, ´Koricancha`, located in the Avenida Sol. This Incan site was one of the most worshipped and most respected temples of the city. Finally we will let you experience the local life by taking you to the San Pedro market, where you will see a whole range of goods, such as gifts, crafts, clothes, meats, juices, fruits, vegetables and more. You will then return to your hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. In the evening you will be invited to a farewell dinner in a local restaurant to enjoy some exquisite cuisine.
Overnight in Cusco. (Altitude: 3400m, 11150ft)
Day 13: Cusco to Lima (Semi-Private) (B)
Today your private driver will pick you up at your hotel 2 hours before your domestic flight to take you to Cusco Airport. You will take an hour flight from Cusco to Lima in time for your international flight.
Your Cultural Immersion Peru Package Includes:
- Domestic flights
- Small and intimate group of 2-8 people
- Return transfers from hotel to train station
- Professional English speaking Inca Trail tour guide
- All entrance tickets to the attraction sites including the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu
- Meals as indicated (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner)
- Snacks and drinks
- Great food throughout the tour
- Bottled water daily
- 3 nights in comfortable double tents
- 1 night at a quality bed and breakfast type hotel
- Equipment: new professional camping tents, comfortable air mattresses, dining tent, tables, chairs, cooking equipment, first aid kit and oxygen bottle.
- Porters to carry camping and cooking equipment
- 2 bus trips from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes and 1 bus trip up to Machu Picchu
- Train from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo
- Local Taxes
Your Cultural Immersion Peru Package Does Not Include:
- International flights
- Airport taxes (US$6 domestic departures, US$30 international departure)
- Extra porter to carry personal belongings (please request – additional payable)
- Tips and extras
- Additional add on activities
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Due to popular demand and limited spaces, we advise that you book this trekking adventure at least 3 months in advance to avoid disappointment.
