Machu Picchu Adventure
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Three Treks to Choose From:
Trek #1: July 30 - Aug 11, 2008 - **SOLD OUT**
Trek #2: August 6-18, 2008 - **SOLD OUT**
Trek #3: October 1-13, 2008 - **Only 5 Spaces left**
Voted one of "The 25 Best New Trips in the World" by National Geographic Adventure Magazine. See why this trip is considered the only way to see Machu Picchu and as Tom Clynes describes in his article, this is "Machu Picchu - The Cool Way".
"Every year, I design a new adventure that meets my life goals of traveling everywhere and seeing everything this wonderful planet has to offer...."
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About the Machu Picchu Adventure
This 13-day adventure to Peru offers broad exposure to Peruvian history and culture, and features a 6-day, 5-night lodge to lodge trek along an authentic Incan route to Machu Picchu.
Follow the footsteps of the ancient Incas on a trek through Andean foothills to the beautiful and haunting lost city of Machu Picchu. This Peruvian journey will take us along an original and secluded Incan route through alpine hills, green valleys and high jungle, past rivers, glacial lakes, and stunning historical marvels. Each leg of the trek will conclude at a traditional mountain lodge designed in the same spirit as the Incan lodges of the past – to welcome and restore travelers after their day’s voyage. Unlike the original Incan lodges, however, these are endowed with modern luxuries such as Jacuzzis, eiderdown bedding, hot showers, and chef prepared meals. The warmth and comfort of these lodges will reinvigorate us for the next day’s hike, and give a real sense of Peruvian hospitality.
Before embarking on the four-day trek to Machu Picchu, we will be introduced to Peruvian culture, both modern and ancient. After a brief stay in Lima, the city of Cusco awaits and will be our base as we explore Incan ruins and contemporary Andean life in the Urubamba, or Sacred, Valley – the cradle of Incan civilization. Here we will experience bustling artisan markets, secluded hilltop villages, and thousands of years of human history.
After this introduction to Peru’s past and present, we will be ready to venture even further back in time on our trek to Machu Picchu. A variety of additional activities will be available and plenty of free time to do your own exploration. The finest guides in Peru will lead us and enrich the trip with their unmatched knowledge of local history, natural surroundings, and the best way to reach Machu Picchu by foot. In addition, the trekking party will be accompanied by a local chef, who will prepare delicious hot meals, both Peruvian and international, to be enjoyed along the trail.
After six days, our gourmet adventure will bring us to the impressive and mysterious treasure of Incan civilization. Nestled in the green of the surrounding hills, the hundred-acre city of Machu Picchu remained untouched and undiscovered by Spanish conquistadores. Home to temples, houses, stairs and terraces, the ruins represent some of the most inspired structures to be built by human hands. The city is now believed to have been a retreat for Incan nobility, and the pervading sense of peace throughout the city will make it clear why. The pinnacle of our trip will conclude with a scenic train ride back to Cusco, as we begin our trip from the ancient land of the Incas back to modern civilization.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Lima
Meet at airport and transfer to the Ramada Inn at the Lima Airport. Rest and prepare for the next day’s trip to Cusco. Dinner on your own.
Day 2 – Early flight from the Lima airport to Cusco.
Meet at Cusco airport and head to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a lush agricultural region that was once a major Incan settlement. There you will visit the Pisac ruins, home to beautiful stone terraces and the impressive Sun Temple. You will also visit the classic Andean village of Pisac and its weekly market, where villagers from miles around come to sell and barter their wares. The night is spent at Hotel Posada del Inca in the Urubamba Valley. Breakfast & Lunch included.
Day 3 –Visit to the Ollantaytambo Ruins and Kuychi Charity.
The well-preserved and remarkable Ollantaytambo fortress is a superb example of Incan military strength, and is located in what was a strategic defense location, as well as a sacred religious site. The village of Ollantaytambo has retained its original Incan houses, layout, irrigation system and street names, allowing visitors to glimpse how original Incan villages functioned, and how Incan design is used in modern times.
Lunch will be had together at the Kuychi Charity Orphanage, which provides relief and support for extremely deprived children in Urubamba. The Kuychi Charity is our chosen Give-Back for this trip, and is a wonderful opportunity to see the community that our donations will help support. Travel back to Cusco and spend the night at the Casa Andina Private Collection. Breakfast & Lunch included.
Day 4 – Morning tour of Cusco and visit to surrounding ruins.
The morning tour of Cusco includes a visit to the city Cathedral, a place rich with Spanish art and history, and the Koricancha temple, an original Incan temple that is now a fusion of Incan culture and European influences. Today also includes visits to four ancient Incan sites: Sacsayhuaman, an Incan fortress and perhaps the Incan site second only to Machu Picchu in its beauty, wonder, and preservation; Puca Pucara, an Incan military complex which offers expansive views of the Cusco Valley; Kenko a site of worship whose centerpiece is an enormous 20 foot high rock carved into the shape of a puma which dominates a series of canals and passageways painted with animals; and Tambomachay, famous Incan baths which are still used by locals. Overnight at Casa Andina Private Collection. Breakfast included.
Day 5 – Travel to Soraypampa Valley, visiting the impressive ruins of Tarawasi. After leaving the ruins, you will have lunch in the mountain village of Mollepata before ascending a winding mountain track to the valley of Soraypampa. Spend the night at the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort, where a leisurely afternoon will acclimate you to the altitude and precede an evening briefing and dinner. All meals included.
Day 6 – Soraypampa. This day is reserved for leisure or lodge activities – hiking local trails, taking in panoramic views. A guide will brief you in the evening on the gear and itinerary for the next four days. All meals included.
Day 7 – The start of your trek to Machu Picchu. After an early start, you will hike up the Rio Blanco valley, circling Humantay Peak across from Salkantay. The highest point on the trek is a pass at 15,000 ft. At the pass you will stop to take in views of the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range in every direction, keeping your eyes open for Andean condors. Stopping for a hot lunch along the way, the day concludes at the Wayra Lodge. All meals included.
Day 8 – Huayraccmachay to Collpapampa: early morning free for exploration before hiking downhill above the Salkantay River, through increasingly verdant scenery. The Colpa Lodge is located in an open promontory at the confluence of three rivers. After arrival, there will be enough time before dinner for an optional excursion to a nearby hot spring. All meals included.
Day 9 – Collpapampa to Lucmabamba: Today you will head down the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas with coffee plantations and orchards, and stop for lunch along the river. From the river, it is a short climb to Lucma Lodge, set in an avocado orchard, where you will spend the night. Before dinner, you will have the chance to explore the village and meet with members of the local community. All meals included.
Day 10 – Lucmabamba to Aguas Calientes: A hearty breakfast will start you off for the last day of your trek. You will head uphill for two hours towards Llactapata pass (8,500 ft), where you will stop for lunch. Shortly beyond the pass, you will be greeted by a distant but quite specialview of Machu Picchu from the southwest, a view few tourists ever glimpse. The recently restored Llactapata Ruins are an added bonus to the day. Your final descent to the Vilcanota River will take you through lush bamboo forests and more orchards and coffee plantations. Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are a short, scenic train ride away. Upon arriving from your train trip, you will be met by guides who will bring you to Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you will have dinner and spend the night. All meals included.
Day 11 – Machu Picchu: Today is your day to explore the ancient site of Machu Picchu. A full-day guided visit to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary allows you to fully explore and appreciate this marvel of human civilization. Overnight at the Machu Picchu Pueblo. All meals included.
Day 12 – Free Day at Machu Picchu and/or Aguas Calientes. Today you can return to the ruins for some independent exploration, or spend your day exploring Aguas Calientes. An afternoon train brings you back to Cusco where you will spend the night at the Casa Andina Miraflores. Breakfast included.
Day 13 – Cusco to Lima to USA: After a flight from the Cusco airport back to Lima, you will be met and brought to the Hotel Casa Andina Miraflores where you will have a day-use room until transferring to the Lima airport and returning home. Breakfast included.
OCSC’s Machu Picchu Trekking Adventure Details:
Two treks in 2008 to choose from:
Trek #1: July 30 – August 11
Trek #2: October 1 – October 13
Maximum group size: 12
Total land cost: $3,895
Space is limited. A deposit of $500 is due by February 15, 2008 to secure your spot. Deposit is fully transferable, but not refundable.
What’s included?
- Licensed professional guides fluent in English
- All hotel and lodge accommodations as noted in the itinerary.
- Meals as noted
- All group airport transfers as noted.
- Sightseeing as noted in the itinerary
- Vista-dome train and bus tickets
- All Entrance fees and permits
What’s not included?
- International airfare – app. $800
- Flights within Peru – app. $240
- Meals not noted in itinerary – approx. $150
- Tips – $150
- Donation to Kuychi Orphanage Charity – $100
- Airport taxes – approx. $20
- Items of a personal nature – alcoholic beverages, laundry, additional baggage fees, etc.
For further information, please visit:
http://mountainlodgesofperu.com/index_mpl.html
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