Discovering the Lost Cities of the Incas 14 days and 13 nights

Day 01: Flight to Lima, Peru.
Our staff will meet you at the airport to accompany you to your hotel in the Miraflores area, your first night in Lima. Check in at the hotel.

Day 02: City Tour in Lima
Today we will have a city tour in Lima, visiting the church of San Francisco and its Catacombs, then we will continue to the main square. After the tour we return to Miraflores to enjoy a Peruvian Creole lunch. In the afternoon we will return to the hotel to rest.

Day 03: Flight from Lima to Cusco
 In the morning, we will leave the hotel early to take our domestic flight to Cusco after check-in at the hotel, in the afternoon we will start our walk visiting the most important places of the city. Temple of the Sun; the cathedral, the main square and its surroundings. Night in Cusco and dinner on your own. (B,L)

Day 04: Sacred Valley Tour
In the morning we will visit the village of Pisac and its famous indigenous market to do some shopping. After lunch we will drive through the Sacred Valley and visit the impressive archaeological centre of Ollantaytambo. Overnight in Cusco. Breakfast and lunch included (B,L)

Day 05: Cusco to Santa Rosa

• Bus: 4 hours
• Distance Hikind:13 miles
• Time: 7 hours
• Difficulty: Easy and Strenuous 
• Camp Elevation: 8000 ft.  

We leave Cusco very early in the morning and drive for almost 4 hours to Capuliyoq (trailhead). We will start the trek down into the Apurimac Canyon, to have our first views of Choquequirao, after three hours of descent we will stop for lunch in the Chiquisca area, then hike for 4 more hours all the way to Santa Rosa where we will camp for our first night (B,L,D).

Day 06: Santa Rosa to Choquequirao.

• Distance: 8 miles
• Time: 5-8 hours
• Difficulty: Very Strenuous
• Camp Elevation: 10’000 feet

This day is considered one of the hardest on the trail. We start climbing the trail every 4 hours to reach the Maranpata area. From this place we will have a breathtaking view of the Apurimac Valley and its surroundings. After lunch, we will hike for two more hours and finally we will approach the camping area of Choquequirao (10000 feet).
Tonight we will have a magical experience observing the milky way. (B,L,D)

Day 07: From Choquequirao to Pinchuiniyoq.

• Distance: 5 kilometres
• Time: 5-8 hours
• Difficulty: Very Strenuous
• Camp Elevation: 9000 feet

This special day we will explore Choquequirao and discover all the Inca elements and sacred architecture of this place, then we will have lunch enjoying a privileged view of Choquequirao.  In the afternoon we will continue to the pass above the city. From the pass we will descend to the terraced camp of Pinchuiniyoq. (B,L,D)

Day 08: From Pinchuyniyoq to Maizal

• Distance : 7 miles
• Time : 5-8 hours
• Difficulty: Very Strenuous
• Camp Elevation: 9600 feet

From our campsite we will continue down the canyon until we reach the Blanco River far below. This river is a perfect place to stop for a refreshing dip and relax.
After resting for a while, we will climb back up the other side of the valley towards our camp in the Maizal area (9480 ft). This day we will enjoy a spectacular ascent to our camp full of endemic tropical plants and birds (B,L,D).

Day 09: Maizal to Yanama

• Distance: 6 miles
• Time: 4-6 hours
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Camp Elevation: 11500 feet

Today is another tough and intense day on the trail, we will continue uphill to approach the San Juan pass, which is the second highest pass on the entire trek (15000 ft), then we will continue to the town of Yanama, where we will have our social project helping the local school children.
After lunch we will have a great experience interacting with the local children learning about the Peruvian Andean people (B,L,D).

Day 10: Yanama to Collpapampa

• Distance: 15 miles
• Time: 6-10 hours
• Difficulty: Very Strenuous 
• Camp Elevation: 9500 feet

This day we will take a one hour van ride to approach Yanama Pass (highest pass on the trail 15800 ft) along the ascent. We will see how the landscape changes drastically as we will be entering a different type of ecosystem.
After reaching the pass and having unique views of the surrounding mountains, we will head to the Colpapampa camp, an area where we return to a tropical and warm ecosystem.(B,L,D)

Day 11: From Collpapampa to Lucmabamba

• Distance: 10 miles
• Time: 5-8 hours
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Camp Elevation: 8000 feet

Our destination today is the rich valley of Lucmabamba, located 6 miles from our previous camp. On our way to Lucmabamba we will hike through small villages and fruit plantations. Our camp is in an area of coffee plantations, surrounded by banana, avocado and orange trees (B,L,D).

Day 12: Lucmabamba – Llactapata-Aguas Calientes

• Distance: 15 miles
• Time: 5-8 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Camp Elevation: 7000 feet

Today is the final leg of the trek before reaching Aguas Calientes at the base of Machupicchu.
The main attraction today is a visit to the Inca site of Llactapata, located on the mountainside. Taking an original trail we will reach Llactapata and enjoy an incredible view of the ruins of Machu Picchu on the other side of the mountain from our location.
After visiting Llactapata we will head back up the mountainside to the hydroelectric station from where we will hike the last few kilometres to Aguas Calientes (B,L,D).

Day 13: Machupicchu
After an early wake up we will take the bus back to Machupicchu, to enter the site and start our walking tour exploring every corner of this unique place in the world.
We will give you some options to visit Machupicchu and explore the site.
After lunch we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo station and then transfer to Cusco city. Farewell dinner is included. (B,LD)

Day 14: Flight back to Lima
This morning we will transfer you back to Cusco airport for your domestic flight back to Lima.

• Return domestic flight Lima-Cusco-Lima.
• First night of accommodation in the city of Lima.
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in the city of Cusco, 1 night in the town of Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu (4 star hotels).
• Farewell dinner in Cusco.
• Walking tour in Cusco and ancient sites.
• Tour of the Sacred Valley.
• Choquequirao entrance fees and private tour.
• Private transportation, entrance fees, feet, tours.
• Private local guide.
• Train tickets to Machupicchu, bus, entrance fees, guided tours, etc.
• All meals provided during the trek, camping equipment, etc.
• Horses, mules and horsemen to carry equipment, (passengers only carry a small backpack with essentials for the day’s trek).
• Professional cook and cooking equipment.
• Authentic locally sourced meals.
• Transfers from airport, hotels, etc.

• International airfare.
• Single occupancy option, unless specifically requested.
• Gratuities for guides, porters and cooks.
• Personal drinks, snacks and gifts.
• Meals during the trip.
• Expenses incurred due to delays beyond our control.
• Individual travel insurance (compulsory).

• 20 to 30 litre day pack.
• 3 litre water bag.
• Sleeping bag -20 f minimum (synthetic recommended).
• Sleeping pads – inflatable and/or closed cell foam.
• Travel bags, vinyl or canvas, large size, to be carried by mules.
• Extra bag, to leave at the hotel with a clean change of clothes.
• Footwear: light hiking shoes or trainers.
• Camping shoes.
• Warm hat.
• Gloves.
• Waterproof trousers.
• Waterproof jacket.
• Fleece jacket.
• Insulated jacket.
• Long sleeve T-shirt.
• Light trekking trousers.
• Shorts and/or swimming costume for hot springs and river.
• Capelin/polypropylene top and trousers.
• Visor sun hat.
• Socks at least 5 pairs.
• Sunglasses.
• Hygiene/bathroom kit – small.
• First aid items – we provide a large first aid kit for the group.
• Head torch with spare batteries.
• Trekking poles – highly recommended.
• Camera.
• Nalgene bottle.
• Food to supplement standard meals.
• Ear plugs.
• Insect repellent with Deet (important, there are flies near the river).
• Sunscreen of at least 30-45 SPF.
• Plastic bags – rubbish bags for your travel bag to protect you from the rain.
• Small camp towel.
• Disposable wipes.
• Hand sanitizer-small.
• Bandana – optional.
• Duct tape, blister, knife – multi-tool.
• Donation items for school children, pencils, crayons, etc.
• Tip money. This is optional, but will be much appreciated. The guideline is approximately $150 for the entire walk.
• 2 photocopies of your passport.
• Label all equipment.

• Best time of year to visit: March-November.
• Starting altitude: 4000m/ 12500ft.
• Maximum altitude: 5200m/ 160005ft.
• Walking distance: 40km/ 22miles.
• Overall Difficulty: Difficult/ Challenging. 
• If you want to design your own itinerary based on your personal interests we will be happy to help you!
• Acclimatization is highly recommended.