INCA TRAIL & LAKE TITICACA 10 DAYS

• Lima Airport Transfer: Arrive in Lima at any time. Our representative will be waiting for you at Lima airport with a customized sign with your name on it and private transfer to your hotel.
• There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and rest up.

• Breakfast at Hotel; free morning to rest or visit the city.
• At 14:00pm pick up and transfer to Lima historical center. We’ll take you to a fascinating walking tour. We will show you Palaces and castles our city hides, we also going to take you to our great Saint Francisco Monastery and the impressive underground Catacombs!
• Also we visit “The Main Square”, Archbishop’s Palace and the Municipal Palace, other great places you will visit are: the Train Station Palace, unique old fashioned “Cordano Bar”, colorful mansion palaces, Jiron del Union Pathway, Post Office Palace, Dominicans tower, Historical Rimac Bridge and lovely surrounded wooden Balconies and the next big project in the City the Under river subway.
• Our historical center is considered a World Heritage protected by the UNESCO; we will show you the Original Spain Mansion Palace and enjoy its great collection of 18th Century paintings, its impressive sculptures, wooden varandas, trendy gilded mirrors and great original terrace.
• After the tour we will take you back to your hotel.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
• Meals included: Breakfast.

• Breakfast at hotel; at 07:30am pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas.
• On arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transport to your hotel, where the rest of the day is free time to rest in hotel in order to avoid altitude sickness.
• There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and rest up.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: Breakfast

• Breakfast at hotel; pick up from the hotel at 08:00am our private transport drives us to local Andean community of Taucca populated by 20 families and located at an elevation of 3,850 meters. The villagers will share with you their traditional Andean way of life through different activities you can engage in, like weaving demonstrations, plowing with Andean tools, etc. In addition, you will see them spin and dye wool thread using natural dyes as well as weave fabric following their ancient techniques.
• After having an unforgettable experience with these people we will move towards Moray archeological site. This site houses enormous circular and Pre-Incan semi-circular agricultural terraces that were constructed with the intention of being used as a botanical laboratory to carry out experiments on plant domestication and foreign crop acclimatization. The area stretches so long and widely that at least 3000 plant varieties, including potatoes and corn, may have been grown there.
• Afterwards, we will carry on visiting the largest salt pans in the region “Las Salineras de Maras” that have been mined continuously, dating all the way back to the Incan Empire. This site has been exploited since the time of the Incas as a source of economic exchange.
• After the salt pans, you will pass through the village of Pichingoto, which was once the top salt producer during the Spanish colonial era followed by drive through the Sacred Valley to admire its corn fields and green prairies.
• Finally, we will meet our vehicle again beside the Urubamba River. Back to Cusco, arriving time to Cusco around 17:00pm.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
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• Breakfast at hotel. Pick up from the hotel at 05:00am and transfer to the head of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, Km 82 (2,850m/9,350ft) where we will meet the porters. The car trip from Cusco to Piscacucho takes around 3 hours. Our vehicle usually stops at the town of Ollantaytambo on the way for about an hour so that people can have breakfast. 
• We begin our trek of the Inca Trail by crossing the suspended bridge over the Urubamba River. We then hike on the shore, left of the Urubamba River as it runs northwest towards the Sacred Valley. We will continue on a flat surface to Miskay. As we continue on we will have the opportunity for an aerial panoramic view the inspiring Inca City of Llactapata from a vista adjacent to these amazing Ruins.
• Resuming our trek through the valley, carved out by River Kusichaca, we will begin our ascent for around five hours until we arrive at the archaeological site of Huayllabamba (3,000m/9,840ft) where we will camp for the night. Throughout the journey we will enjoy the extravagant sights of the fantastic Vilcanota ridge which is located on the far side of Urubamba River. The imposing Veronica peak looms over us standing tall at (5,832m/19,134ft) over sea level. The first day of the Trail is simple and offers sufficient training for the days ahead.
• Overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Approximate walking distance: 10.5 km (6.52 miles)

Estimated time walking: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point: 2,970 m (9,744ft)

Campsite altitude: 2,970 m (9,744ft)

• This day is without a doubt the toughest and highest in terms of altitude on the trail, which includes a sudden and sheer ascent that goes on for about 11 km, so inexperienced hikers are allowed time to settle in. We recommend that you make special preparations for this day by packing your day bag with plenty of chocolates or candies to keep your blood sugar level high and curb the threat of altitude sickness.
• After breakfast we will begin our demanding day with a sharp climb to the Warmiwañusca Pass, also called the Dead Woman´s Pass (4,200m/13,776ft). Along this path, the surroundings begin to transform to a mountainous terrain where we may see local alpacas and llamas grazing on the Ichu grass. 
• We will continue downhill from here using a winding path that bypasses a valley beside our next campsite. We will also go by an area known as the cloud forest, a habitat for various species of birds such as sparrows, hummingbirds and also the Andean bear better known as the Spectacled Bear.
• After 6 hours of trekking we will descend into the valley of Paqaymayu (3,500m/11,480ft) where we will find our campsite. You will enjoy a wonderful meal and rest after an exhausting day. 
• Overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

  Approximate walking distance: 7.5 km (4, 66 miles)

  Estimated time walking: 6-7 hours

  Maximum altitude point: 4,210 m (13,812ft)

  Campsite altitude: 3,600 m (11,811ft)

• After Breakfast we will make our way along the longest and most remarkable part of the trail. The presence of numerous archaeological sites as well as the green cloud forest and the rich presence of Andean flora and fauna will take your breath away. We will make our way from Paqaymayu to Abra Runkurakay, the second pass (3,955m/12,975ft).
• Midway along the Inca trail, you will come upon the remains of Runkurakay, a semi-circular Inca domicile overlooking the Paqaymayu valley. After a short visit we make our way into the Cloud Forest to the Archaeological site of Sayacmarca where you will have a chance to explore. Continuing the hike we will approach the third mountain pass at Abra Phuyupatamarca and descend to the archaeological site of Phuyupatamarca, also known as “The Town in the Clouds” where you will have a chance to explore this astounding Inca vestige. 
• Next, we will make our way down a long stone stair case that will lead us to Wiñayhuayna (2,700m/8,858ft), an inspiring Inca center consisting of a thriving agricultural complex, an urban sector and a religious hub in close proximity of our camp. Wiñayhuayna becomes the last official camp before Machu Picchu. Ensure that you are well rested so that you wake up in time to catch the marvelous sunrise at Machu Picchu.
• Overnight in camp.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Approximate walking distance: 10.6 km (6. 58 miles)

Estimated time walking: 7-8 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3,955 m (12,975 ft)

Campsite altitude: 2,700 m (8,858 ft)

• At around 04:00am you will get up, have breakfast and continue on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. This is the last part of the journey so we will arrive to the Sun Gate by 06:00am.
• Out of the blue every part of Machu Picchu will materialize before your eyes stuttering with its immense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The sight is overwhelming and you can imagine what the ancient Inca must have perceived after their taxing expedition to this expansive temple. At this point we move downhill towards Machu Picchu (2,430m/7,972ft), after a period of 40 minutes we will enter the citadel through the “House of the Guardians”.
• We then proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings.
• At 08:00am the guided tour begins, your guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered to be the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom.
• From 10:30am to 12:00pm once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, relax, or meditate.
• From 12:00 to 13:00pm take bus to Aguas Calientes.
• From 13:00pm to 14:30pm take lunch at local restaurant in Aguas Calientes.
• Return to Cusco: later board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Ollantaytambo Station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Expedition Train schedule — Aguas Calientes (15:20pm) – Ollantaytambo (17:08pm)

Approximate walking distance: 4.4 km (2.73 miles)

Estimated time walking: 2 hours

Maximum altitude point: 2,670 m (8,759 ft)

1. Train tickets; we will attempt to book tickets on this train but this depends on availability; if there is no availability, we will book other train schedules with the same train service.
2. New rules to visit Machu Picchu; Peru’s Ministry of Culture announced the new entrance rules for visiting Machu Picchu. From July 1, 2017 entrance tickets to Machu Picchu will be split into 2 entrance times. AM entrance from 6am – 12pm and PM entrance from 12pm – 5:30pm
3. About Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain;

• Entrance times to Huayna Picchu Mountain from 7 to 8am and 10 to 11am.
• Entrance times to Machu Picchu Mountain from 7 to 8am and 9 to 10am.

* Departure and arrival times are approximated.

** Campsites are subject to change according to the designation of the governmental institution regulating the use of the Inca Trail as well as to our guide’s criteria and the group progress.

• Breakfast at hotel; you will be picked up at 06:00am from your hotel in Cusco and then transferred to the bus station where you will board the bus to Puno.
• Enjoy spectacular views of the countryside on this full day of travel from Cusco to Puno, through the high Altiplano.
• You will enjoy several shorts stops to take in panoramic views and visit a historical ruin in Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, La Raya, Pucara and Sicuani where you’ll have a delicious buffet lunch and taste its unique Andean flavor.
• Upon arrival, reception and transfer to your Puno Hotel.
• Overnight at the Hotel in Puno.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Bus schedule — Cusco depart (07:00am) – Puno arrival (17:00pm)

• Breakfast at hotel; you will be picked up from your hotel at 07:00am and transferred to Puno´s port. Our journey will begin with the Uros Floating Islands. The Uros are the native people who live on these man-made islands made with cattail which is grown on Lake Titicaca. The houses are built atop, while the cooking is done outside to avoid fires. 
• After spending an hour on the Island of Uros, you will proceed to the Island of Taquile. Here you will become aware that these locals speak Quechua instead of the predominant Aymara. The Island of Taquile was once a part of the Inca Empire, which still influences the style of the buildings today. Upon arrival to the island, you will receive some brief information as well as a tour until lunchtime.
• In the afternoon, the boat will take you back to Puno. From Puno´s port, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
• Around 17:00pm you will be collected from your hotel in Puno and transferred to Juliaca airport.
• Take flight to Lima then connect at home at the same airport – Lima International departure.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Suggested flight schedule — Juliaca (19:55pm) – Lima (21:29pm)