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Inca Trail And Jungle Adventure

Peru

Starting From

$2,390/person

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Book this tour through our partner: World Expeditions

From historic Cusco to jungle adventures in the Amazon and the classic Inca Trail trek.

Itinerary

Join Cusco, drive to the Sacred Valley

This morning you will be collected from your hotel in central Cusco at 9am (please ensure you advise your reservations consultant of your pre tour hotel details if you have not booked this with World Expeditions). We leave Cusco and head to the Chinchero Plateau to explore Chinchero, an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Visit the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing center that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are over 3000 salt pools all carved into the mountain side. Discover Moray's mysterious concentric circular terraces which, according to some scholars, would be an agricultural research center. When the tour is over, we will end up in the Sacred Valley near a good restaurant where we can savour dishes made with locally grown produce. After a leisurely lunch we head for our hotel in the valley. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy beauty of this famous valley. Overnight: Tika Wasi Hotel or similar.*NB: There will be a pre-trip briefing the night before your trip starts held in the group hotel (TBA) at 6pm. If you are unable to make this, please let your reservations consultant know and we can organise your kitbags and jackets plus any other relevant information to be sent to your hotel.

Exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas in Ollantaytambo

Today we enjoy another day in the beautiful Sacred Valley with a tour of Ollantaytambo. During our time in Ollantaytambo we visit its remarkable temple/fortress set high on a ridge above the village. We also explore the quaint village itself with a fascinating mixture of Inca and Colonial architecture. This evening we have a pre-trek briefing with our trekking guide at our hotel and prepare for the trek. Overnight: Tika Wasi Hotel or similar.

Commence Salcantay trek (alternative trek)

After an early breakfast we visit the Tarawasi Archaeological Site near the town of Limatambo. Pass through the mountain village of Mollepata, where we stop for coffee before ascending a winding mountain road to Challacancha (3,870m). Here we will meet our mule driver and begin our trek to Soraypampa (3,900m) where we have lunch. Continue the climb towards Humantay Lake (3,869m). Return back to Soraypampa, which will be the first campsite, and from where we enjoy magnificent views of Salkantay Mountain (6,270m). One of the most sacred peaks in Inca mythology. Overnight: campPLEASE NOTE: The exact day to day itinerary on the Salkantay Trek might vary slightly and is dependent on the departure date and group size.

Trek to Andenes

This is the main day! After an early breakfast, we hike up to the highest point on the trek which is the Salkantay Pass (4,638m). There we will stop to enjoy the amazing views of snowcapped peaks of the Vilcabamba Mountain Range in every direction, and the glaciated south face of Salkantay towering above us, where Andean condors can be seen. From the pass we descend towards Wayracmachay to lunch and then continue our descent along the left bank of the Salkantay River. Observe the landscape become increasingly green, changing from highland to jungle or cloud forest. Feel the warm air rising from the jungle, accompanied by colourful butterflies and striking orchids, while arriving to the second camp at Andenes (2,890m), a beautiful spot surrounded with vegetation. Overnight: camp

Trek to Lucmabamba

Today we will hike along the Santa Teresa River Valley, through more populated rural areas. We pass through banana, granadilla, avocado and coffee plantations. A hot picnic lunch is served along the way. After lunch, we hike for about 2 hours before a private vehicle meets us for a short drive to the beginning of the Llactapata Inca Trail (30min approx). From the head of the newly restored Inca Trail we easily make our way to the last campsite at Lucmabamba. In the evening we try some of the local coffee with our host, a local family. Dinner will be served and then spend the night in the camp. Overnight: camp

To Aguas Calientes

After breakfast, we will head uphill for 2-3 hours towards Llactapata Pass (2,735m) and descend to the archaeological complex of the same name. Enjoy a distant but spectacular view of Machu Picchu Sanctuary from the southeast, a view few travelers get the chance to admire. Lunch is served in a scenic viewpoint, looking out to Machu Picchu. Later we begin the final descent to the Aobamba River through lush bamboo forests, orchards and coffee plantations. Finally, we will get to the Hydroelectric Power Station, to board the train to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night.Overnight: El Mapi Hotel or similar.*Important: Peruvian authorities have implemented entry restrictions to protect Machu Picchu from the impact of its immense popularity. As of January 2018 there are two time slots (morning and afternoon) in which patrons can enter Machu Picchu for a limited number of hours and must follow one of three predetermined routes. Additionally, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide at all times. These changes have been made to improve the visitor experience and in an effort to deal with overcrowding. World Expeditions endeavour to ensure you get the most of your Machu Picchu experience regardless of these restrictions.

Explore Machu Picchu and return to Cusco

This morning we get up early to savour the views and atmosphere of the mystical morning light over Machu Picchu. We are treated to a unique visit to Machu Picchu including a guided tour. After the official tour ends, you will have more time in the company of the guide to continue exploring this incredible site. In the afternoon or early evening we depart from Machu Picchu for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco. Overnight: Casa Andina Cathedral Hotel or similar. NB - depending on train schedules, we may arrive into Cusco very late at night.OPTIONAL HUAYNA PICCHU CLIMB OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN CLIMB - For the more adventurous, you can purchase an additional Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain permit (ask us for costs), and forego the guided tour of Machu Picchu which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Please be aware that this is NOT a guided climb, and it takes minimum 3 hours return. Both climbs are very steep (including many small and narrow steps) and can be slippery and are very exposed with vertiginous drops. Before purchasing the permit on your behalf (non-refundable and non-transferable), we require any passengers to sign a waiver form. Note - there are limited Huayna Picchu permits and they sell out fast, if you are interested in this option, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible.NOTE: This evening, please be sure to re-pack your luggage for the jungle. Dependent on your accommodation in the jungle the luggage policy differs. Please see pre-departure information (under 'luggage') for more details. You will also be advised on arrival in Puerto Maldonado on the applicable luggage regulations.

Fly across the Andes to Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon Jungle

Transfer to the airport in Cusco for your short flight to Puerto Maldonado (flight not included in trip cost). This provides an opportunity to experience a real jungle frontier town. On arrival you will be met at the airport and taken to the office of the lodge to leave our main bags to be stored for our return. We continue to the river wharf where we board a 30-40 foot open launch for a short river journey to one of our lodges. During this journey which can take between 45 minutes and 2 hours (depending upon the lodge and availability) we can relax and watch the river bank and jungle canopy for the particularly abundant bird life in this region. Among the birds we may expect to see (dependent on weather and river height) are horned screamers, raptors, plovers, terns, macaws, parrots, kingfishers and toucans. Depending on the lodge you are staying at, you may walk for approximately 1 hour to Lake Sandoval and take a canoe for a 25 minute journey on the lake before you arrive at your lodge in the middle of the jungle. The lodges we use are beautifully positioned and apart from being our jungle home, they also serve as a base for naturalists to work from. The rainforest (both pristine primary and secondary growth forest) surrounding the lodges are a naturalist's paradise. During the remainder of the day we go for walks with our naturalist guide along forest trails. After dinner we get a chance to relax and discuss with resident naturalists the research projects taking place in the area. Serenaded by a chorus of jungle noises we go to sleep in our comfortable bedroom. NOTE: It is important to be aware that the lodges are comfortable but basic - only some of the lodges have electricity or hot water for a few hours a day. Please note that due to demand it is sometimes necessary to use an alternative lodge in this area. While staying at the jungle lodge you may be with other people from other operators worldwide in a group.

Exploring the Jungle

The day is spent enjoying jungle walks to find monkeys and capybaras and also taking canoes out on to some of the jungle lagoons in the area. There is a particularly abundant bird life - including anhinga, hoatzin, horned screamers, raptors, plovers, terns, macaws, parrots, kingfishers and toucans. We can almost guarantee we will see lots of monkey including troops of capuchin, dusky titi, spider & howler, plus possibility of seeing large caymans and giant river otter. Before the evening meal we head out for a short river trip using torches to look for caymans - this always proves to be exciting. PLEASE NOTE: The program may vary according to flight schedules, weather, river height, group sizes, etc and participants should be aware there is no guarantee of seeing specific animals or birds and in general you may not see much wildlife since the rainforest provides such good camouflage for its inhabitants - but you will have a good chance to experience true Amazon rainforest first hand.

To Puerto Maldonado airport where trip concludes

This morning we will farewell our lodge and take a final riverboat journey down the Madre de Dios river to Puerto Maldonado. After collecting our main luggage at the lodge office we will be transferred to the airport where our trip concludes.

Additional Information

From historic Cusco and the Sacred Valley to jungle adventures in the Amazon and the legendary Inca Trail trek, this incredible trip does it all. Enjoy the stunning drive from Cusco to the Sacred Valley via Chinchero and the salt pans at Maras before commencing one of the finest short treks in the world. The Inca Trail includes the beautiful trek to Hatunchaca, over the first pass to Pacaymayun and on over the second and third pass to Phuyupatamarca, the enchanting city in the clouds, where the views of the Andes will astound even the most seasoned trekker. From here the trail winds through the Gateway of the Sun to Machu Picchu, where we spend ample time exploring this amazing and enigmatic site. The spectacular flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado in the rainforest is a highlight as is the river boat journey and rainforest walk to our Jungle Lodge - the perfect base for rainforest walks, wildlife spotting and exploration of the Lake Sandoval by canoe. This memorable journey concludes with a boat trip to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado.

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Starting From

$2,390/person

Book Now

Details

Duration

10 Days

Starts

Peru

Group Size

2-16

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