Description:
From Cusco we explore rarely visited ruins on foot, raft the fun Urubamba river, descend into the Sacred Valley of the Incas by mountain bike, hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and finally visit the Amazon Rainforest.
Activites:
Cultural Exploration, Biking, Hiking, Trekking, Nightlife, Boating and Canoeing
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Lima
Arrive Lima. Transfer to hotel and rest up.
Day 2: Fly to CuscoEarly morning flight through the Andes to Cusco, transfer to your hotel and start acclimatizing to the altitude of this beautiful city (3326m). In the afternoon, we take a short walking tour of the city.
Day 3: White Water Raft
From Cusco we drive to the upper Urubamba, the sacred river of the Incas for some fun grade III-IV rafting. Full instruction and safety talks are given so no previous experience is necessary. We return back to our hotel in Cusco.
Day 4: Downhill biking
Today we enjoy a fun mountain bike descent down into the spectacular Sacred valley of the Incas. This dirt road trip is designed to suit riders of all abilities – plus we’ll have a vehicle on hand for any weary/non-riders. We spend the night in a charming old Hacienda on the banks of the Sacred Urubamba river.
Day 5: Downhill biking
A short transfer up to Chinchero for the start of probably the best one-day mountain bike adventure in Peru. Again largely downhill, we pass Lake Huaypo, famous for UFO sightings and enjoy great views of the Vilcanota mountain range. We enjoy a fantastic downhill on old Inca trails to the village of Maras and then a “descent of a life time” on donkey trails into the spectacular salt pans. For those not wishing to bike there is a hiking option available. We arrive back at our hacienda for a late BBQ lunch and time to relax in the lovely garden.
Day 6: Begin the Inca Trail Trek
Our Inca Trail guides pick us up this morning for a tour of the impressive Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. After an interesting drive to the end of the road at Chilca we have lunch and meet our support team of traditional porters before embarking on the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu. The afternoon trek is along the banks of the fascinating Urubamba river and we camp the night at Llactapata (2,288m) beside spectacular ruins. This is camping and trekking in style. While you walk all you need to carry is a day pack: all camping equipment is carried by the porters. All camp chores are done for us and delicious food is served by a cook and his helpers.
Day 7: Cusichaca Valley
We trek up the Cusichaca Valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. The path continues on up beautiful Inca path, past hummingbirds and stunted cloud forest. Our camp is at Llulluchupampa (3680m) - a beautiful grassy area with outstanding views down the valley.
Day 8: Warmiwanusca
Possibly the hardest day of the trek, we rise early and head to the top of Warmiwanusca (Dead woman’s pass 4200m). This is the highest point of the trail before we descend into the Pacasmayo valley and then climb again passing the first of many Inca ruins Runkuracay. Our second pass of the day (3998m) gives us spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range. Walking on a well-preserved Inca pathway we pass Sayacmarca ruins with plenty of time for an in-depth tour and explanation before passing through a tunnel and a gentle climb which brings us to Phuyupatamarca ruins where we camp (3650m).
Day 9: Inti Puncu
After an early morning chance to catch the sunrise on the surrounding snow capped mountains, we say a farewell to our porters with a traditional song and dance. Our final day hiking brings us down into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairway to Winay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. And so to Inti Puncu, the gateway of the Sun and our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. We pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to our hostel in the colorful town of Aguas Calientes and celebrate our return to civilization.
Day 10: Machu Picchu
Returning first thing in the morning we have Machu Picchu virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, with time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu or else just wander through the ruins, soaking up the amazing atmosphere. After a late lunch we board the afternoon train for an exhilarating ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas back to Poroy. Here our waiting bus whisks us back to Cusco and our hotel. Then if we have the energy we can enjoy Cusco’s excellent nightlife.
Day 11: Free in Cusco
There is so much to see and do in Cusco that we dedicate a whole day to doing just that. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in local crafts markets or just relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all.
Day 12: Fly to the Jungle
A short flight over the Andes brings us to Puerto Maldonado, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Here we travel by boat, on foot and by canoe to reach our Jungle lodge on the shore of Lake Sandoval. After lunch and a quick siesta, we set out to explore the lake with our expert guides, taking a canoe ride along its shores in search of Monkeys, many species of bird life and hopefully the very rare Giant Otter. If desired, evening educational entertainment is videos of all the wildlife documentaries filmed in the local area.
Day 13: Amazon Rainforest
Up at dawn, we continue our exploration of the lake, and by foot into the pristine rainforest. Here, our resident naturalist guides will explain the amazing flora and fauna of the Amazon to us. Another siesta and for those who wish, a further trip on the lake to search for the six foot long Giant Otters and after dark go in search of caiman.
Day 14: Fly back to Lima & Home
We transfer back to Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Lima in time to connect with your international flights home.