Travel to Peru: Inca Trail Trek and Amazon

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Inca Trail Trek and Amazon

			DAYS: 13 GRADE: III define PRICE: From $4150 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Cusco Urubamba Valley Inca Trail Trek Winay Wayna Machu Picchu Tambopata rain forest ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges Wilderness Camp MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

On this active Peru adventure to the Andes and the Amazon we trek the Inca trail to the ancient city of Machu Picchu along the royal road built by the Incas 500 years ago. Discover native Quechua Andean life and explore Inca stone monuments in Cusco, the Urubamba Valley and on the ancient pilgrimage to Machu Picchu. We descend from the Andes to explore the Amazon rain forest based at comfortable jungle lodges in the Tambopata-Candamo, a region known for its high biodiversity, featuring giant river otters, monkeys, and over 500 species of birds. In close proximity to the world?s largest and most active macaw clay lick, we can observe scarlet and blue-and-gold macaws and learn about the research to preserve Amazon parrots. This Peru trip is an active rainforest adventure offering miles of jungle trails for biking and hiking, aerial platforms with a bird's-eye view above the tree tops and up-close wildlife viewing at parrot and mammal clay licks and well as kayak and canoe trips oxbow lakes.

DAY 1 :  LIMA
Arrive in Lima. Overnight in the Costa del Sol Ramada Airport Hotel just steps away from the main terminal.

Quechua woman selling textiles at the village market.

DAY 2 :  CUSCO
Airport transfer for early morning one hour flight to Cusco. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Your guide will also direct you to shops, museums and markets where you can explore on your own. Overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. [B]

Note: Optional upgrade option to the luxury Orient Express Monasterio Hotel, a restored 400-year old former monastery and one of the top rated hotels in South America.

DAY 3 :  URUBAMBA VALLEY
Full day private guided exploration through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Overnight in the serene Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna. [BL]

Note: Patacancha Village Hike add-on. We highly recommend adding another day in the Urubamba Valley. You can enjoy a beautiful, easy downhill day hike on local foot trails through the Andes to the native Quechua Indian villages of Hullioc and Patacancha (12,500? elevation) where crops are sown and textiles woven with simple hand tools and methods that have been in use for centuries. Ask about the mountain bike day trips from Moray past Maras and into the Urubamba Valley.

DAY 4 :  THE INCA TRAIL--LLACTAPATA
Altitude: 8500'-9000'/2575-2750m; Hiking time with rests: 5 hours; Hiking distance: 6 miles;Camp elevation: 9000'/2750m
We plan this day to explore a little known site in order to have an extra day of acclimatization and so that we get an early start the following day ahead of other trekkers starting the Inca Trail. This morning we drive from our hotel to the small village of Piscaycucho. Its an easy two hour hike up the mountain on a little-known Inca pathway to the ancient Inca ruins of Qente, a spectacular lookout and spiritual site perched high over the valley.  Descending back into the valley we follow the Urubamba River through the semi-arid Cusichaca River gorge, past native gardens and thatched-roof houses. Our camp is set near Llactapata, a large Inca settlement of agricultural terraces that probably supplied the entire Urubamba region including Machu Picchu during Inca times. Over your shoulder Mt. Veronica (18,975 ft.) rises in the background. [BLD]

For more information:
Why trek with Wildland Adventures on the Inca Trail?

DAY 5 :  LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Altitude: 9000-12,600'/2750-3820m; Hiking time: 6 hours; Hiking distance: 7.5 miles;Camp elevation: 12,600'/3820m
The trail winds slowly uphill through a small forest to reach the ancient site of Patallacta. After a short walk through the ruins we continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba. Winding up the trail through a narrow hanging valley we enter a cloud forest that harbors the Queua tree (Polylepis) an endemic species of the Andean forest. The trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. [BLD]

	Quente ruins and view of the Quente camp in the lower valley.

DAY 6 :  PHUYUPATAMARCA
Altitude: 12,600-13,776/3820-4175m; Hiking time: 8 hours; Hiking distance: 9.5 miles; Camp elevation: 11,970/3627m
After a hearty breakfast, continue the steep ascent.  The mountain valley opens up as we approach the Warmiwausqa Pass (13,776 ft., Dead Woman's Pass), the highest point of the trek, where you can rest and revel with relief knowing youve successfully negotiated the most difficult part of the trail.  Descend into the Pacamayo River valley where youll see a waterfall, creeks, and meadows.  Then ascend to the Inca watchtower of Runcurakay. Continue up and over the second high pass (12,628 ft.).  The trail descends down an ancient stone stairway into a cloud forest transition zone, and to the fascinating site of Sayacmarca, a compact, expertly-built ancient Inca town that youll enjoy exploring.  Later, pass through a rock tunnel carved by the Incas and follow the well-engineered trail to the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (Town Above the Clouds, 11,972 ft.). Campsite is located nearby.  Magnificent Mt. Salkantay (20,574 ft.), the principal Apu or sacred mountain of local Indians, dominates the landscape on clear days. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  WINAY WAYNA AND MACHU PICCHU
Altitude: 11,970-7875/3627-2386m; Hiking time: 5 hours; Hiking distance: 7 miles
Your last day of trekking is an all day descent into thicker cloud forest including a continuous Inca stairway 2,300 steps long!  After a few hours of hiking we arrive at Winay Wayna (Forever Young), an Inca town perched on a steep forested slope high above the Urubamba River.  This beautiful site is a large complex of ancient dwellings, terraces, and still functioning waterworks - an amazing feat of architecture.  The final two hours on the trail leads to the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun), the Incas main entrance to Machu Picchu.  Looking out over the spectacular ancient city at 7,868 ft. elevation, it is just a half-mile walk below.  Surrounded by emerald-green Andean mountains, the view is truly awe-inspiring.  Walk through the ruins and take the bus further below to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we check into our hotel.  Overnight at the charming Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel . [BLD]

Note: Optional upgrade to Sanctuary Hotel adjacent to Machu Picchu is available on request.

	Wildland Adventures Inca Trail Trekking guide Wilfredo at the Sun Gate.

DAY 8 :  MACHU PICCHU
Be among the first to arrive in Machu Picchu on one of the early shuttle buses up to the site. Your guide will accompany us on an orientation walk through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent site. Enjoy the rest of the morning to wander through and explore the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes at your own pace. Visit the temples of Inca royalty and see the Intiwatana, the ancient stone sun dial. You can hike up the precipitous stone stairs of towering Huayna Picchu peak to get a breathtaking view of the setting. After lunch, return on the afternoon train to Cusco, where you are met and transferred to overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. [BL]

For additional information see:
Inca Trail Trek Frequently Asked Questions

Observe a variety of macaws.

DAY 9 :  TAMBOPATA
Morning airport transfer for flight to Puerto Maldonado. Meet our rainforest naturalist guide and after stopping to store extra luggage, drive to a local port along the Tambopata River and board a comfortable motorized dugout canoe. We travel 2 1/2 hours up river, past the native community of Infierno and into the Tambopata National Reserve, a protected area of over 3 million acres. Watch the banks for thirsty capybaras; the world's largest rodent pausing for a drink as the scenery varies between red-earth cliffs and low banks thick with Cecropia trees. We'll also catch the occasional glimpse of children and fisherman from native villages and spot a variety of birds: herons, hawks, cormorants, and vultures flying overhead or fishing in the churning waters. Boxed lunch is served while en route. In the afternoon we reach our simple yet charming Amazon home for the night at the Refugio Amazonas, a 32 room lodge built on a private reserve. Relax and refresh before dinner and time permitting, enjoy a post-dinner walk along jungle paths or boat ride along the river's edge, searching for night monkeys, caiman, kinkajous, tarantulas and well-camouflaged amphibians with the beams of our flashlights. Overnight at Refugio Amazonas. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  JUNGLE BIKING, BOAT TO TAMBOPATA RESEARCH CENTER, BAMBOO FOREST TRAIL
Rise at dawn to the distant roars of red-howler monkeys. With our private guide, we travel a short distance from the lodge to explore the jungle on mountain bikes, along a 6.5 mile trail through mature forest and numerous creek beds. (Rubber boots provided. Be prepared to get muddy!) After lunch we continue up river by boat (1.2 hours) to the Tambopata Research Center, crossing the Malinowski River and leaving traces of human settlement behind. With only 18 rooms, this jungle lodge and research center attracts scientists and wildlife enthusiasts due to its proximity to the world's largest macaw clay lick.

In the afternoon we join our guide to hike along the Overlook Trail, on a path above the Tambopata River and through old bamboo growth. Howler and duskey titi monkeys are often spotted here. After dinner at the lodge, local scientists and researchers who may be on site join us in an in-depth discussion of the biology of macaws, their feeding habits, theories for clay lick use and learn about ongoing breeding and conservation efforts here. This discussion prepares us for the journey to the clay lick tomorrow morning. Early to bed tonight we head to the clay lick at dawn! Overnight at Tambopata Research Center. [BLD]

DAY 11 :  MACAW CLAY LICKS, KAYAKING TAMBOPATA RIVER
Rise early to witness a spectacle of nature a tumultuous gathering at a clay lick of brightly-colored macaws and parrots, often congregating in the hundreds to ingest minerals in the clay that neutralizes toxins in their diet. This extraordinary wildlife display occurs at only a handful of sites on the upper Amazon Basin, and is one of the largest known macaw licks in the world. Our guides carry a tripod-mounted spotting scope to view the action up-close or obtain the perfect telephoto picture with even the simplest camera.

After breakfast, join the guide on a 3 mile hike along the Flood Plain Trail. Beneath immense figs, shihuahuacos and ceibas, we observe squirrel, brown capuchin and spider monkeys peering down from the canopy. Peccaries are often spotted quietly drinking at the pools and creeks crossing the forest floor. In the afternoon we take to the water, following our guide paddling kayaks down the Tambopata. Slipping silently through the water, scan the shoreline for herons, anhingas and the colorful yet ungainly hoatzin, a prehistoric looking bird that favors the lake's low hanging-branches. The evening presents the option of relaxing in a hammock, socializing with other guests in the community space or joining our guide on a nocturnal walk with flashlights in hand. Overnight at Tambopata Research Center. [BLD]

DAY 12 :  CANOPY CLIMBING, BOAT TO REFUGIO AMAZONAS
Replicating the daily work of macaw researchers, we have an opportunity to ascend 100 feet into the forest canopy using a rope, climbing harness and special ascending device called a jumar. The ascent is hard work, but worth the reward as the vantage point at the top is a macaw?s eye view of the entire forest and tree tops. Return to the lodge and board the motor craft for the 3 1/2 hour journey back down river to Refugio Amazonas. Our last afternoon in the rainforest is spent paddling the silent waters of a wildlife-rich oxbow lake. Scan the waters for giant river otters and watch the shoreline for caiman and horned screamers. Macaws are frequently heard squawking as they fly overheadto roost for the evening. After dinner, join lodge naturalists to learn about rainforest ecology of the Tambopata, ongoing research projects and conservation initiatives. Overnight at Refugio Amazonas. [BLD]

DAY 13 :  PUERTO MALDONADO, LIMA, DEPARTURE
After breakfast (or at dawn depending on flight departure), we leave the forest and return to Puerto Maldonado. Collect our stored luggage and proceed to the airport with check-in assistance for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival in Lima, airport reception and transfer in to Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection in Miraflores to use as a day room until evening flight or overnight and transfer out for next morning departure. (Note: Depending on flight times, a day-room at the airport hotel in Lima may be substituted.) [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Kirsten Gardner 1(800)345-4453