Multi-Activity Peru

Day 1: Arrive Cusco, walking tour of the city

Arriving in the former Inca capital of Southern Peru, we are met by our guide or a KE representative who will arrange the transfer to the group’s hotel. As we are now at an altitude of 3200 metres (10,500 feet), we spend most of today taking it easy in order to acclimatise to the rarefied air. We can try the local altitude remedy, coca tea. In the afternoon there is the option of taking a relaxing walking tour of the city. Every small street or alley-way that we enter and every corner that we turn, brings another surprise, in the form of superbly constructed Incaic walls or the rather more architecturally extravagant Spanish Colonial churches and palaces. The city, once capital of the extensive Inca Empire, has seen many changes since Pizarro took control of the city in 1535. In the evening, we can relax in one of the excellent restaurants, which overlook the main square - the Plaza de Armas. Note that meals are not included on this day.

Day 2: Sightseeing around Cusco

Cusco and its environs are simply packed with history and culture, not least in the many Inca sites which were built here in the former capital of the Inca Empire. We have a day of exploring these sites including the fabulous Inca fort of Sacsayhuaman. We use a mix of vehicles and travel on foot and we will also meet up with our horses for some fun easy horse-riding. For those who would rather not ride, our support vehicle will always be on hand. Today also gives us the chance to acclimatise to the rarefied air of the Andes and at the same time learn from our guide about the fascinating Inca civilisation. At the end of the day we return to the group hotel in Cusco. Included meals = Breakfast & Lunch (B,L)

Day 3: Drive to the Urubamba River, rafting

Driving out of Cusco we travel to the upper section of the Urubamba River where we will choose the best point to enter the river, depending on the water level. Full training will be given in the fun sport of whitewater rafting. Though we will certainly want to shoot some of the easier rapids, there is also plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. At the end of our river run we take a rarely used road along the Urubamba valley to Pisac where we will check into to our hotel and then visit the local artisan market. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Mountain biking

Today we have the option of completing one of the best day’s mountain biking in the Andes. A short drive takes us to Chinchero, the start of our largely downhill route. We pass the impressive circular ruins at Moray and drop down to the awe-inspiring salt mines at Maras, en route to the Urubamba River and our hacienda base. This is a superb day where the accent is on fun. It is suitable for novice mountain bikers but may not be appropriate for those who’s biking experience is limited solely to riding on tarmac. Anyone not wanting to ride can visit Moray and the salt pans in the support vehicle and possibly do a bit of hiking en route. After this great day of riding we transfer to our hotel in the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo located beneath another impressive Inca fortress. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Begin the Inca Trail trek

We drive to 'Kilometre 82' where we meet our team of Quechua Indian porters and begin our trek on the Inca Trail. We begin with an easy day following the Urubamba river to our first campsite near to the ruins at Llactapata (2288m). The ruins themselves, which include 116 buildings and 5 baths, are amongst the most important in the whole area and we will arrive her with plenty of time to explore. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Trek to Llulluchapampa

We begin an 800 metre ascent through beautiful patches of cloud forest, to the campsite at Llulluchapampa (3800m). There are great views of Huayanay during this part of our walk and we will also see many species of orchid, as well as some of the more than 250 varieties of hummingbirds that can be found in the Machu Picchu National Park. En route, we pass through the settlement of Huayllabamba and then follow the valley of the River Chaupihuayjo. The amazing gnarled trees of the stunted cloud forest provides plenty to look at during the rest stops up this tiring, stepped sections of trail. There are great views from camp make it all worthwhile. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Trek to Phuyupatamarca

After breakfast, we start the hour and a half climb towards the Warmiwanusca Pass (4200m) Dead woman’s pass affords superb views of the Pacasmayo Valley, which lies in front of us. Dropping down into this valley takes about two hours and then we start the ascent to Runccuracay, a small Inca “tambo” or inn. We have a large snack stop at Runccuracay or at Cochapata. This latter is an idyllic spot, beside a small lake, from here we climb to the Runccuracay Pass (3985m) where, weather permitting, we should have great views of the Vilcabamba range in the far distance. The trail here becomes wider, now paved with the original Inca stones and weaves through a forest which is becoming ever more luxuriant. We make a short detour to climb the 98 steps which lead up to Sayacmarca “the place with a dominant view” - an impressive Inca ruin which looks out towards the Aobamba Valley. Continuing our descent, we pass the small Inca site known as Qonchamarca to our lunch stop at Chaqicocha (dry-lake). The final trek to the so called “third pass,” is some of the finest on the trail. We pass through magnificent forests (and also negotiating a tunnel carved by the Incas) to our next campsite at Phuyupatamarca (3600m). The translation of the Quechua name is the ‘place above the clouds´: which sums up the incredible views of the Urubamba Valley ahead of us to the north and north-west. There are magnificent views of Salcantay (6271m), Humantay (5800m) and the whole Vilcabamba range. (B,L,D)

Day 8: To Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes

We make an early start to catch the amazing sunrise on the snow-capped peak of Salkantay from a viewpoint above camp. Then, after breakfast, we begin the descent of the more than 3000 steps which lead down to the beautiful settlement of Winay Wayna, a name which means eternally young. A detour away from the main trail leads to this wonderful citadel, where we will have lunch, overlooking the Urubamba River. A further hour of descent and a final 30 minute climb, takes us to the famous Inti Punku, or Sun Gate, where we will have our first, and most impressive view, of Machu Picchu (2400m), the famous ‘lost city of the Incas’. Passing through the Sun Gate, we descend to the citadel itself after savouring the moment and taking the classic photo from the watchman’s tower we pass through the ruins and catch the bus down to the local town of Machu Picchu Pueblo formerly known as Aguas Calientes. Here we will check in to a local hotel and there will be a chance to try out the hot springs. This evening we will enjoy a night out in this surprisingly lively little town. (B,L)

Day 9: Machu Picchu, then return to Cusco

An early morning start to catch the first bus back up to Machu Picchu – it is important to get back to the site as early as possible to take advantage of the spectacular early morning light. Our guide will give us the 'tour' of Machu Picchu and we will also have enough time to go exploring on our own. We can walk to the Inca Bridge, discover hidden corners of the ruins, or just soak up the atmosphere of one of the most famous places on earth. We will spend a full day in the citadel before catching the bus (or walking) back down to Aguas Calientes in time for the train. After a late lunch, we board the afternoon train for an exhilarating ride through the canyon of the Urubamba River to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where our waiting bus whisks us back to Cusco and our hotel. (B)

Day 10: A free day in Cusco

A free day for relaxation or to further explore this wonderful city. 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 Indian markets or just relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all. In the evening we can enjoy a meal taken in one of the city’s excellent restaurants and we will no doubt wish to explore Cusco’s vibrant nightlife. (B)

Day 11: Depart Cusco

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. (B)