Heights of Machu Picchu

Trip Highlights

Our 2-week adventure in PERU explores the very heart of the pre-Columbian Empire of the Sun. It includes LAKE TITICACA, the birthplace of the Inca civilisation, and the spectacular ruins of MACHU PICCHU. LAKE TITICACA AND CUSCO Flying up to Juliaca, we skirt the shores of LAKE TITICACA (3856m), the highest navigable body of water on earth. From Puno you can choose to visit the Uros Indians who live on floating reed islands and the more remote community on Taquile island. Then we travel across the altiplano by train to the Inca capital, CUSCO, where we explore the huge city-fortress of Sacsayhuaman and visit the bustling market of Pisac. INCA TRAIL TREK TO MACHU PICCHU Threading our way through the Cordillera de los Andes, we should enjoy marvellous views of the ancient cloud forest and glaciated peak of Salkantay (6271m) - the 'Maker of Awesome Skies'. We'll camp near crumbling Inca sites where the only access is on foot. Finally, we descend the winding stone steps to MACHU PICCHU itself: straddling two peaks of the ANDES, the terraces, residences and temples perfectly preserve the ancient world of the Incas. After exploring this unique site, we board the train back to CUSCO.

Price Details

Price

From: GBP1699 per person (15 Days)

Price Includes

• Flights from London
• Accomodation

Price Excludes

• Local payment from 320USD

Itinerary

Among the many highlights on this tour, we particularly mention:
LAKE TITICACA
The highest navigable lake in the world.

ALTIPLANO RAILWAY JOURNEY
From Puno to Cusco.

SILLUSTANI
Visit the chullpas.

CUSCO
Guided walking tour including Koricancha, 12 Angled Stone and Saqsaywaman.

CUSCO
Visit Pisac market.

5 DAY INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
Trek through stunning scenery and visit old Inca ruins of Llactapata, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarka, Winay-Wayna, and the ‘Lost City’ of Machu Picchu.

DAY 1. SUNDAY. Join tour Lima

Arrive Lima and check-in at hotel.
Overnight hotel.

DAY 2. FLY TO JULIACA; drive to Puno

We fly up to Juliaca on the high Altiplano, then make a short drive to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3810m, and also the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. The local Aymara, Quechua and Uros people have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles. This has enabled them to adapt to high altitude living. En route to Puno we visit the 'chullpas' (funeral towers) of Sillustani, which probably date from the 14th century. 2 nights hotel.

DAY 3. IN PUNO; optional boat trips to the Uros Islands and Taquile island

From Puno we may take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros people who live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totora, a reedlike papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We then continue to the less visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage and the islanders still speak the language of the Inca – Runa Simi or Quechua. Alternatively, there is the opportunity to visit the British built Yavari Steamer now under restoration (optional).

DAY 4. TRAIN TO CUSCO

Today we board a train to take us north to Cusco (3415m), built on the foundations of the old Inca capital. One of the great railway journeys of the world, the full day journey covers some spectacular scenery over the high altiplano, and we expect to see flocks of llama and alpaca, grazing on the windswept land between adobe villages. 2 nights hotel.

DAY 5. IN CUSCO

The old capital of the Inca Empire survives only in its ruins, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. The Spanish-style city of today, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones. The interlocking stones, assembled so carefully that a knife blade cannot be forced between the multi-sided joints, were highly functional as well as beautiful – they are earthquake-proof! During our stay, we plan to visit the remarkable market at Pisac, perhaps the most famous indigenous market in Peru.

We will also visit Cusco’s temple-citadel Saqsaywaman which broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire. 20,000 conscripted workers toiled for 90 years to finish it. We also plan a walking tour of this lovely city to see important Inca monuments, such as the Inca wall of Hatunrumiyoc with its famous twelve-sided stone. The stone, measuring some 5 feet across, has the typical bevelled joints which create the patterns of light and shadow on Inca walls.

DAYS 6 TO 9. INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

We drive to 82km, stopping at the Inca site of Ollantaytambo. The major highlight of the trip is without doubt the trek along the Inca Trail. The trail was first explored by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and opened for walkers in 1970.

The famous ruins of Machu Picchu are not the only historical remains within the area: many other interesting sites are hidden in places which can only be reached on foot, and have scarcely been explored. Our trek starts by crossing the Urubamba river, then follow its rapids down the Sacred Valley of the Incas to Llaqtapata (2700m). Here we camp below the ruins of Llaqtapata. 1st Camp (6 km 2.5 hours). Following the course of the Kusichaca river the trail leads to Huayllabamba, a quiet village of Inca origins and the last settlement on the route.

We continue to Llulluchapampa (3800m) which affords stunning views of the snowy peaks around us. Here we set up camp for the night. 2nd Camp 3,800m (10km 5.5 hrs). Today we trek over the Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman) Pass (4200m), to the valley of the Pacamayo river with its tropical vegetation. We then cross the Runkuraqay Pass (3950m). Here the selva (jungle) becomes visible on the slopes of the mountains. Sayacmarca ruins are on a rocky promontory. They command an imposing view and have only one means of access, a narrow granite stairway. Our trail goes through cloud forest with vines, exotic flowers (among them orchids) and luxuriant trees, then on through an Inca tunnel and along a ridge above the Urubamba river to the lovely Phuyupatamarka ruins (3579m). The views of the Urubamba and (if we are lucky) the snowcapped peaks of Veronica (5750m) and Salkantay make these ruins one of the most beautiful places on the trail. 3rd Camp 3600m (15km 8 hrs).

We descend to Winay-Wayna ruins (2591m), a small Inca city which, like Machu Picchu, was abandoned for unknown reasons. Then from Inti Punku – the Gate of the Sun – there is a sudden and fantastic view of the ‘Lost City’ itself, Machu Picchu, set in a grandiose landscape that amazes all spectators. We walk down through the site, then travel down to our simple accommodation in the town of Aguas Calientes situated on the valley floor below Machu Picchu. One night hostal (11km 6 hrs).

DAY 10. IN MACHU PICCHU TO CUSCO

Our final morning is spent at Machu Picchu, probably the most astounding feat of engineering in all of ancient America. Temples, stairways, palaces and gabled stone dwellings are scattered everywhere, testifying to the energy and ingenuity of the builders. Train permitting, there may be time to climb the steep peak of Wayna Picchu to look down on the Temple of the Sun. Later we return to Cusco by train and then by bus. 3 nights hotel.

DAYS 11 & 12. IN CUSCO

We have time for personal exploration, perhaps visiting some of the sites within a bus ride of the city. For those interested in archaeology, the Inca sites of Qenko, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay are readily accessible. A longstanding favourite is to do some exciting white water rafting (grade 2–3) on the Urubamba river (optional). No previous experience is necessary as instruction is given and all safety equipment is provided.

DAY 13. FLY TO LIMA

Founded in 1535 and called the City of Kings, Lima today is both ancient and modern. We can take an optional city tour, stroll through Plaza San Martín and Bolívar and enter the fascinating Catacombs of the convent of San Francisco. Passing through the colonial squares and under the intricate modern balconies of old Lima, we see some of the city’s best surviving examples of colonial architecture.(Optional). Overnight hotel.

DAY 14. SATURDAY. Tour ends Lima

Other Info

Accommodation Details

9 nights hotel
1 night hostal
3 nights camping
4 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 3 dinners included.