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13 Day
This unique adventure follows a series
of
forgotten Inca roadways through some of the wildest country in the
world. We
carefully avoid 'the Inca Trail' that every group travels. We trek or
ride
horseback through medieval villages, past cascading waterfalls, over
high
passes and among ancient ruins. Our route traverses the Andes at
altitudes
between 7,000 and 15,000 ft., taking us well above timberline before
finally
descending into the high cloud forest and mystical Machu Picchu. We
observe
varieties of delicate orchids, rare birds, plants and seldom visited
Inca
ruins all amid spectacular scenery. By using sturdy mountain horses, we
are
able to climb over high passes beyond the capabilities of most trekking
groups.
Includes: All lodging, meals, equipment and guides. Dates: April, June - November Difficulty: Moderate |
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| Day 1 | Depart USA. Depart USA and spend the night on plane. |
| Day 2 | Lima - Cusco. Arrive in Lima where we are met and guided to our flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. In Cusco we are transferred to the hotel. Following a brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea, we organize an afternoon introductory trek around town. Most will need the time to rest and recover from yesterday's travel. Refreshed and eager, we meet for dinner at a favorite restaurant, our guide tells the story of legendary Manco Inca and the lost cities of Vilcabamba. Some may opt for evening festivities in this bustling international city. Overnight Hotel Inka Tambo or Los Andes de America (or similar). (B) |
| Day 3 | Cusco - Ollantaytambo. Drive by van to the nearby Sacred Valley, location of the major Inca temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo. Probably built by the great Inca ruler Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro's defeat by Manco Inca in 1536. Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and ryolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction. Large worked blocks, some weighing as much as 100 tons, were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba River several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet uphill to the construction area. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries. Time and interest permitting, we will also visit the site at Pisac. We overnight at a comfortable small inn in the valley at an altitude of 9,000 ft. Clean sheets, traditional Peruvian dinner and chilled Cusquena beer complete the day. Overnight Hotel Hammer (or similar). (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | Ollantaytambo - Cordillera Vilcabamba A short bus ride delivers us to the remains of an old Inca bridge crossing the Urubamba River where we meet our horses and expedition support crew. Our guide gives a riding lesson and trail instructions for the day as duffels and gear are expertly sorted and matched to mule loads by a colorful group of Quichue speaking wranglers. Leaving tents and baggage to follow on the mule train, we set off up a winding trail into the remote Cordillera Vilcabamba range accompanied by a wrangler who brings the saddle mounts behind as we climb. We allow the group to split into fast and slow hikers so that each may travel at their own pace. Riders may form a third group. If weather permits, spectacular views of geometric Inca fields dominate the valley below. This is our most difficult day. Starting at 8,500 feet, we climb more than 3,200 feet over a pass to camp near an abandoned Inca road overlooking a vast gorge or quebrada. Travel time is 6-8 hours with an estimated distance of 12 miles. All but the strongest hikers will ride some of this steep route. Overnight Cordillera Vilcabamba camp. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | Cordillera Vilcabamba - Nevado Huayanay. This is a short day. A leisurely, late departure following breakfast places us in camp by mid-afternoon. Crossing a high, grassy ridge, we follow parts of an Inca trail into a broad glaciated valley below the massive ice walls of Nevado Huayanay where we make an early camp. The staff will set up a large dining tent with table and stools. One or two persons are assigned a four person sleeping tent. Meals are prepared from fresh meats, grains and vegetables. The day begins with coffee or tea served at your tent. Before the evening meal, we enjoy happy hour with popcorn and assorted hot beverages. Travel time is four hours. Camp is at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Overnight Nevado Huayanay camp #1. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | Nevado Huayanay - Milpucasa Pass. After a hearty breakfast, those who wish can visit a small herder's village down the valley for photo's and a look at mountain life. We will then begin our steady climb to Puerto Huayanay Pass at 14,950 ft. Climbing a switchbacking trail, we follow an old stone paved Inca road to the ruins of Incarakay. After a lunch of cocoa, tea, boiled potatoes, roasted corn and avocado salad served inside the ancient walls, we will begin a steady and sometimes steep climb to Milpucasa at 15,250 ft. We then go one hour downhill to 13,340 ft. to camp for the night. Overnight Milpucasa camp. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | Milpucasa Pass - Pampacahuan. After breakfast we will begin trekking to our high point of the day, Milupampa Pass at 14,970 ft. From here we will have stupendous views of the glaciers and ice fields from the snow peak of Salkantay, the highest peak in the Vicabamba. After spending some time here we will begin our steady climb down to our camp at Pampacahuana at 12,530 ft. As we descend in altitude, herder's huts and small farms (chakras) become numerous. At Pampacahuan we set up camp beside an ingeniously designed Inca canal. Travel time 7 - 8 hours. Overnight Pampacahuan Camp. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | Pampacahuan - Paucarkanca - Llactapata. It's all down-hill today as we leave Pampacahuan. As we descend in altitude the abundance of wildflowers and small songbirds appear as evidence of the warming climate. Lunch is served along side Paucarkanca. Paucarkanca is a classic example of "Frank Lloyd Wright" architecture reflecting the Inca genius of enhancing natural topography and blending design with stone. The site is located on a ridge dividing two major valleys and was probably the home of someone important. We have ample time to explore the U-shaped terraces, and stone houses. We then continue down a well-traveled trail to the start of the infamous backpacker "Inca Trail". Camp will be in a eucalyptus grove near the Inca site, Llactapata at 8,370 ft. Travel time is 6 hours, mostly downhill. Overnight Llactapata. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9 |
Llactapata - Machu Picchu. Bidding horses, mules, cooks and
wranglers good-bye, we cross the roaring Urubamba River on the new
government
suspension bridge in time to catch the morning train heading down
valley. An
interesting hour of click, clack and sway with all of the accompanying
sounds
and smells of rural Peru takes us on the train track to Quillabamba.
Jumping
off here and leaving the river and forest behind, we climb steeply
1,500 ft.
up a winding zig-zag trail. Although steep, the pace is slow and the
distance
short. Views of the towering Wakaywilca and the ice crested Urubamba
range
leave us more breathless than the steady climb. Winaywayna, one of
Peru's
most impressive archeological sites, is today's destination at 8,620
ft.
Situated on the ridge of a hanging hillside valley, two groups of
finely made
buildings are connected by a series of 19 baths or fountains, more than
any
other Inca site. Inca scholar Johan Reinhardt describes the site as a
ritual
stopping place along the route Machu Picchu. We have ample time over
lunch to
explore and photograph. Another two hours travel along a finely
constructed
Inca trail takes us to Intipunku at 9,000 ft., the famous Gate of
the Sun
overlooking the mysterious "Lost City", Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is
one of
the most magical and mysterious places on Earth!
We then take a bus down to the bustling backpacker town of Aguas Calientes. Again we avoid the tour groups and head for the small comfortable inn, Hotel Presidente (yes, there is plenty of hot water). Dinner is on our own tonight, perhaps pizza and beer at a local nightspot or dinner and pisco sours and dancing. Overnight Hotel Presidente (or similar). (B,L) |
| Day 10 | Machu Picchu - Huayna Picchu - Cusco. Machu Picchu - the famous lost city of the Inca is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth. Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak towering some 2,000 feet above the roaring river below, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced through by the powerful equatorial sun. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievements of the new world. The morning is yours to explore and photograph. As we meet on the highest point, Huayna Picchu, our guide concludes the story of the raise and fall of the ancient civilizations of the Andes with the tragic end of the Inca and the unresolved mystery that this "lost city" remains. We return to Cusco on the afternoon helicopter flight, arriving at 4:00pm in Cusco. Overnight Inka Tambo or Los Andes de America (or similar). (B,L,D) |
| Day 11 | Cusco. This is the day to shop and wander around Cusco. The city abounds with small shops and street side vendors selling their wares. Colorful weavings and hand made alpaca sweaters are popular gifts for friends at home. We meet for a final dinner then migrate to Barry's Cross Keys, Cusco's only authentic English Pub, for drinks and lively conversation with the resident congregation of expatriots and adventurers from far corners of the universe. Overnight Inka Tambo or Los Andes de America (or similar). (D) |
| Day 12 | Cusco - Lima. Transfer to airport for a flight to Lima where we are met and taken to a day room at the Hotel Senorial (or similar) in the suburb of Miraflores. We have the day to relax or explore the area on our own. In the evening we are taken back to the airport to catch our flight back to the USA. Overnight on board. |
| Day 13 | USA Arrival. We arrive in the USA early in the morning. |