Q26 WEB PAGE - Cusco Adventure 10D 9N

Arrival and transfer to your hotel.

Transfer to the airport. Flight to Cusco. Arrival and transfer to the Sacred Valley. En route, visit to Awanacancha, which is a weaving center with the goal to keep alive the traditional textile arts. Here you can see four members of the cameloid family - llama, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos; learn about the harvesting of the different wools and the natural dying techniques and have a chance to see native weavers from different areas showing their different weaving styles and dresses.

Then, you will be driven to Pisac, a Peruvian village full of color and tradition in the Sacred Valley on the Urubamba River. The village is well-known for its market, an event which attracts travelers from all over the world. Lunch at Huayoccari Hacienda. 

Morning departure from your hotel with a scenic drive to the agricultural terrace of Moray. You will explore the experimental Inca terraces and then will be driven to the salt panes of Maras. Lunch at Wayra restaurant. In the afternoon, visit to the massive fortress of Ollantaytambo, a formidable stone structure that climbs massive terraces to the top of a peak, was the valley’s main defense against the Antis and was the site of the Incas’ greatest victory against the Spanish during the wars of conquest. 

A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba Canyon, and then visit imposing, sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Huayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.

The trail climbs gently through the mountains through the last houses of Huayllabamba, and then more steeply past a rushing stream through enchanted native Polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the “puna”, the treeless grassland of the High Andes. After enjoying a hearty lunch, we start our steady ascent towards the highest pass, which is called Abra Warmiwañusca or “Dead Woman’s Pass”, at 13,850 ft. (4,221 m). We then descend for 90 minutes through the forested Pacaymayo Valley towards our eponymous camp at 11,900 ft. (3,620 m), where our staff will receive us with warm tea and a tasty dinner.

We ascend an old Inca stairway that passes by the intimate Inca site of Runkurakay towards the second-highest pass of the trip, which reaches 13,113 ft. From the pass, we enjoy a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks of the Pumasillo Range. Next, we descend the trail to the Sayacmarca archaeological site, which is an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas, and water channels perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba Valley. After enjoying lunch at a location named Chaquicocha, we continue our hike as the trail morphs into a massive, buttressed walkway composed of granite paving stones. The trail continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest, through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses, and ferns. At the third pass on our trip, we camp near a rock pinnacle topped with Inca viewing platforms, which overlook the archaeological site known as Phuyupatamarca (“Town of the Clouds”). This camp site allows for fantastic sunrise views of the gigantic, Matterhorn-like, snow-capped peak named Salcantay, the Vilcabamba Mountain Range, and a stunning view down the valley towards the steamy heat of the Amazon rainforest.

We explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways spilling down the mountainside at Phuyupatamarca, and then begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to the site of Wiñay Wayna (“Forever Young”), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail archaeological sites that we encounter before the relatively gigantic grand finale at Machu Picchu.
In the afternoon, we follow the last stretch of trail across a steep mountainside through a lush, humid cloud forest of giant ferns and broad-leaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Inti Punku (“The Sun Gate”) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry -a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu. We sleep in our  hotel, 

We return to Machu Picchu by shuttle bus up the switchback road to the site and spend the day in both guided and
individual exploration, visiting the best-known features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement. Some
will want to get up extra early to be among the lucky few who “make the cut” to be permitted to do the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, while others may want to investigate Machu Picchu's multitude of hidden nooks and corners. After a full-on experience of this glorious monument to the Inca achievement. Lunch will be up top at the restaurant of Belmond Sanctuary Lodge.

This morning, you will embark on a guided city tour of Cusco, visit the most important places of the Archaeological Capital of America which was the capital of the Inca's Empire. Observe the mixture of the 3 cultures: the native quechuas Indians, the Spanish conquerors and the actual people. We include the visit of the Main Square, the Cathedral, the church of "La Compañía", the attractive neighbourhood of  Santo Domingo Church former Koricancha Temple. Finally a visit to the surrounding ruins: Puka-Pukara, Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo y Tambomachay. Lunch on your account. Afternoon at your leisure. 

Transfer to airport.

Flight to Lima and airport assistance for your International flight.