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HIGHLIGHTS
A quick look about this trip!
DURATION
10 DAYS
COMFORT
STYLE
LANGUAGE
RATING
  • Hiking the Inca Trail, following in the footsteps of the Incas
  • Explore the enigmatic stone ruins of Machu Picchu, South America's most awesome archaeological site, and spend two nights at the footsteps of the famous citadel
  • Visit the major Inca monuments near Cusco, a charming, colonial city and ancient capital of the Incas
ACTIVITIES ON THIS TRIP
Primary: Hiking, Trekking
Other: Historical Sites, sightseeing, Urban Exploration, Machu Picchu, museums, climbing, Walking Tour
$3995USD
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ONGOING PROMOTIONS
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Applies to Departures Between:
4/25/2012 and 1/1/2013
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From 4/25/2012 To 6/1/2012
TRIP MAP
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Machu Picchu Trek: Inca Trail & Beyond—Hike Peru's famous Inca Trail to the ruins of Machu Picchu!

Join us in hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s classic and most historic trails—an experience that is a must for any adventurer.
One glimpse of the morning light on Machu Picchu's exquisite stone ruins is enough to send shivers down your spine and make you believe in the power of spirits. Nestled below misty peaks and hidden from the outside world for centuries, this haunting citadel is perhaps the greatest mystery of the Inca Empire. Inexplicably abandoned by the Incas, then reclaimed for centuries by the jungle, it was rediscovered by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911.

Our four-day trek is a pilgrimage echoing those of the ancient Incas, a journey through time and into the heart of a world whose hallmark is mystery. History unfolds before us as we hike up and down steep stone staircases past numerous ancient Inca outposts, each ruin more impressive than the last. We’ll learn the facts and legends of the Incas and come across ruins of villages, temples, and messengers’ rest stops that you can’t see any other way except on foot. On the fourth day we arrive at the portals of Intipunku, the “Gate of the Sun,” and are greeted with the breathtaking view of the splendid temples of Machu Picchu floating in the mists below us—a classic sight that, without a doubt, lives up to its famous reputation. Depending on departure, we will spend up to two days at the ruins, ample time to absorb and appreciate the Incas’ sophisticated ideas and technology before returning by train to Cusco for the famous Inti Raymi—the Festival of the Sun. This was the most important festival of the Inca Empire, celebrating the return of the sun at winter solstice which would provide food, life, and health to the Incan people. This dazzling festival is complete with street dances, a pageant held at Sacsayhuamán, and processions of brilliantly costumed people. Before the trek, we’ll visit the major Inca monuments near Cusco and hike to out-of-the-way villages, markets, and ruins in the Urubamba Valley.

This classic trek remains one of our most popular trips (and rightfully so). On this comprehensive trip, designed to include several days of exploring and acclimatizing before the trek, you’ll experience the very best of Peru, complemented by excellent regional food (especially while camping—you won’t believe what the camp cooks can whip up!) and the finest accommodations, including the five-star Hotel Libertador in Cusco. We’ve been operating treks and tours to Peru since 1971, with trip leaders—all natives of the region or long-standing residents—who are the best in the business. We also subscribe to the highest standards of environmental sensitivity (we carry out all waste) and support the Instituto Machu Picchu (IMAPI), a Peruvian non-profit association dedicated to the conservation of natural and cultural resources in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and Cusco region.
Day 1: Arrive in Cusco, via Lima
Arrive in Lima by 5:00 a.m. You will be met by a Mountain Travel Sobek representative who will assist you with your connecting flight to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco, your trip leader will meet you outside the baggage claim area at the airport. Transfer to the Hotel Libertador, located in the historical center of the city just three blocks from the main square. Afternoon guided tour of this charming, red-roofed city—the ancient capital of the vast Inca Empire. The Spanish conquistadores destroyed significant portions of the Inca civilization while leaving their mark on Cusco. Ornate cathedrals, adobe walls, carved balconies, hidden courtyards, and cobblestone streets add to the historic richness of the ancient Inca city. Choose from many fine restaurants for dinner, then stroll around the central square where colorful Quechuan handicrafts are offered for sale.

Hotel Libertador - Cusco
Lodging Hotel Libertador
Description Facing the Sun Temple "Koricancha," this romantic, personalized hotel is a traveler's favorite, reaching 11th place on Condé Nast Traveler's list of top South American hotels. Rooms furnished in a classic, traditional style ensure the hotel maintains its serene character despite its central location. 
Day 2: Inca ruins in the Cusco area
Today we'll make a morning visit to several Inca ruins in the vicinity of Cusco, which may include the zigzag channels of Kenko, the ceremonial bath of Tambo Machay, and majestic Sacsayhuamán fortress, most impressive of them all with its perfectly fitted, mortarless stone blocks and zigzag walls. (Tambo Machay is the highest, at an elevation of 12,267'.) We’ll have lunch in the town of Pisac, where we visit its colorful market, then explore Pisac’s Inca ruins, the largest fortress-city complex of the Incas and one of the largest of ancient America. Pisac is at the same elevation as Cusco and is perched upon a high ridge overlooking the valley. Its ruins extend from a fortress to a temple complex where we can see some of the finest Inca stonework in existence. Terraces extend up from the river perhaps 2,000 feet and we’ll descend through a network of stairs, walkways, tunnels, and temples to the valley floor at 9,500'. We'll then continue to our hotel in the Urubamba Valley. (Approx. hiking time: 2 hours)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Posada del Inca
Lodging Posada del Inca
Description The 87-room Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a one-hour drive from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and close to Machu Picchu.
Day 3: Chinchero
Today we take a scenic drive into the Urubamba Valley and up onto a highland plateau to visit the market town of Chinchero (12,398'). En route we’ll pass through farmland areas with a patchwork of pretty fields and adobe houses with red-tiled roofs, and enjoy views of snowcapped mountains in the distance. Chinchero is famous for a massive Inca wall located in its town square, with ten of the largest trapezoidal niches known among Inca monuments. Continue to Moray, a large experimental agricultural station where the Incas dug concentric circular terraces (the ancient terraces are pre-Inca in origin, but the Incas took it over and enlarged and refined them). Here we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we'll hike from Maras to the salt pans of Salinas, used for salt extraction since the time of the Incas. Continue to our hotel in the Urubamba Valley.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Posada del Inca
Lodging Posada del Inca
Description The 87-room Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay is located in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a one-hour drive from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco and close to Machu Picchu.
Day 4: Visit Ollantaytambo and begin trek
In the morning we'll visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, one of the few Inca towns that have survived in much the same form as when Incas designed it several hundred years ago. Here we can see Inca canchas, enclosures of multi-family living quarters that share just one exit to the street, ingenious stonework, cobbled streets, and an extensive communal water system that survives to this day. We continue by vehicle to Km 82 and, after passing the control point, cross a footbridge and begin our trek along a trail following the Urubamba River, heading inland and slowly uphill at the Cusichaca Valley. Fortunately, the Incas left a marvelous path, including stone staircases up through cloud forests and open grasslands. We continue trekking to the small village of Huayllabamba (9,800'), enjoying some great views back towards the Urubamba Valley along the way. (Approx. hiking time: 4-5 hours)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Camp
Day 5: Cross the Warmiwanusqa Pass
Hike steeply through three vegetation and climatic zones over the Warmiwanusqa Pass (“pass of the dead woman”—13,776'), the first pass and highest point on the Inca Trail. We pass through harvested fields, a relic forest of queñua trees, and finally reach the puna or alpine grasslands. From the pass, there are wonderful views of the surrounding ridges and peaks. Descend to Pacamayo (11,800') and camp. (Approx. hiking time: 6 hours)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Camp
Day 6: Phuyupatamarca
A steady climb takes us over Runkuraqay Pass (12,900'), with commanding views back toward Warmiwanusqa. Descend to the remarkably situated ruins at Sayacmarca, a fortress city located on an unassailable promontory between two valleys, in an area where overgrown Inca ruins are still being uncovered! After a picnic lunch, we'll hike across a third (and last) pass to camp at Phuyupatamarca (“town at the edge of the clouds”) at 11,906 feet. Phuyupatamarca has remarkable views of the Urubamba Valley and interesting ruins lie just below the campsite. The afternoon is free to explore the area. (Approx. hiking time: 6 hours)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Camp
Day 7: Arrive at mysterious Machu Picchu
From Phuyupatamarca we'll descend steeply to the jungle-bound ruins of Winaywayna (“Forever Young”), perched on a promontory above a gorgeous waterfall and featuring a series of ceremonial baths. The descent is mostly on a stone-hewn staircase that zigzags down the mountainside. From there we continue to Intipunku (“Gate of the Sun”) at about 9,400 feet, the original entrance to Machu Picchu.

Nestled between striking peaks high above the Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu exists as an incomparably well-reconstructed ruin of staircases, terraced hillsides, altars, temples, fountains, and incredible vistas. We should arrive by the late afternoon, when the gentle light casts shadows on the impressive ruins below. We'll enjoy dinner and overnight at Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, located in the small town of Aguas Calientes on the banks of the Urubamba River. In 2006 it was rated by readers of Travel & Leisure as one of the top 500 hotels in the world. (Approx. hiking time: 5 hours)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Lodging Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Description The Machu Picchu Pueblo is the ideal base of exploration for the ruins of Machu Picchu. Surrounded by 12 acres of cloud forest on the banks of the Urunbamba River, the hotel's spectacular scenery is matched by an incredible rich flora and fauna.
Day 8: Machu Picchu
We’ll awake early to catch the bus to the ruins in time to experience the morning light over Machu Picchu and explore the ruins in depth before the train arrives with day visitors. We’ll have a thorough walking tour of Machu Picchu, visiting the various main structures and learning about their importance in the lives of the Incas.

After lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Hotel, you'll have the afternoon free to explore some more on your own. Those who like can hike up the steep peak of Huayna Picchu (9,000') for dramatic vistas of the ruins, the Urubamba Valley, and the Cordillera Vilcabamba, or you can walk out to see the “Inca Bridge,” an ancient drawbridge leading to the jungle. You can also return to our hotel via bus and stroll its lovely gardens containing more than 372 species of orchid, native palms, ferns, begonias, fruit trees and medicinal plants.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner / Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Lodging Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Description The Machu Picchu Pueblo is the ideal base of exploration for the ruins of Machu Picchu. Surrounded by 12 acres of cloud forest on the banks of the Urunbamba River, the hotel's spectacular scenery is matched by an incredible rich flora and fauna.
Day 9: Machu Picchu and return to Cusco
The morning is free to relax at the hotel, return to Machu Picchu, or take short hikes in the immediate vicinity. After lunch at the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, we’ll catch the return train to Cusco (about a four-hour ride). Once in Cusco we'll transfer to the Hotel Libertador. You'll have the evening free to relax or spend time exploring this charming city.

Breakfast, Lunch / Hotel Libertador - Cusco
Lodging Hotel Libertador
Description Facing the Sun Temple "Koricancha," this romantic, personalized hotel is a traveler's favorite, reaching 11th place on Condé Nast Traveler's list of top South American hotels. Rooms furnished in a classic, traditional style ensure the hotel maintains its serene character despite its central location. 
Day 10: Fly home
Transfer to the Cusco airport and fly to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to the Casa Andina Private Collection, where dayrooms will be available. The remainder of the day is free to relax before returning to the airport in the evening for your homeward-bound flight (most U.S.-bound flights depart in the evening), or to shop and explore on your own. You may want to visit the exceptional Gold Museum with its numerous gold artifacts, from earplugs to dazzling jewelry.

Breakfast / Casa Andina Private Collection—Miraflores
Lodging Casa Andina Private Collection—Miraflores
Description The Casa Andina Private Collection—Miraflores hotel is the top of its class in every aspect. Once the Miraflores César's, Lima’s fondly remembered, original five-star hotel, this modern icon was dramatically transformed in 2008 into the capital’s newest luxury hotel. Its quintessential Limeño flavor reverberates in the exquisite art collection of contemporary local artists and prized colonial-era antiques, in both public spaces and accommodations.
TRIP INCLUDES
  • expert leadership
  • accommodations as noted in itinerary (or similar)
  • tent or safari accommodations and all arrangements in the field, including camp and cook staffs, comfortable and roomy two-person tents, kitchen and dining tents, and other community equipment
  • meals as noted in the itinerary
  • airport transfers
  • sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
  • ground transportation
  • additional guides and porters where necessary
  • tips for lodge, hotel, or camp staff
  • entrance fees and permits, unless noted separately in costs
  • basic medical and evacuation insurance
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE
  • International airfare
  • meals not noted on itinerary
  • insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance)
  • optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff
  • excess baggage charges
  • airport taxes (international—varies by location)
  • cost of medical immunizations
  • items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).
  • internal airfare
  • Inti Raymi festival & holidays for private groups only.
CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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