Peru, the land of the Andes and home to the Inca Civilization, in the heart of South America: this is where it all began for a great civilization, art, culture and history. Join us on this exciting adventure as we have close encounters with Peru’s magic and mysticism. Follow the footsteps of the Incas through their monuments, temples and ruins. History and culture come alive as you spend time with their descendants. This Off The Map Adventure is the way to explore Peru.
Highlights: | Lima, Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, |
Major Cities/Towns/Islands: | Lima, Urubamba, Aguas Calientes, Cuzco |
Cultural Impact: | Great opportunities to learn, about nature, environment, geology, history, and culture. Connect with locals of the Sacred Valley on a highly immersive cultural exchange experie |
Variety of Transport: | bus/van, walk, hike and train |
Activity: | Moderate: Hike required to climb up Machu Picchu requires moderate level of physical fitness.Moderate to Difficult : Hike along the Inca trail can be a challenging walk and requires a good level of physical fitnes |
Unique Local Experiences: | The Optional Extension tour provides you with an opportunity of homestay with local families. |
| # | Tour | Meals | Overnight |
|---|
| Day 01 | Toronto – Lima – AC-1946 (Dep 5:50 pm) | | |
| Day 02 | Arrive at Lima (00:45 am) Fly Lima – Cuzco | | Hotel |
| Day 03 | Rest and Briefing Day | B | Hotel |
| Day 04 | Trek Day 1: Salkantay Trek | B+L+D | Camp |
| Day 05 | Trek Day-2: Salkantay Trail | B+L+D | Camp |
| Day 06 | Trek Day-3: Salkantay Trail – Aguas Calientes | B+L+D | Camp |
| Day 07 | Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Cuzco | B+L | Hotel |
| Day 08 | Rest Day – Optional tour/Sacred Valley | B | Hotel |
| Day 09 | Cusco – Fly Home | | |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
Day 01 Toronto – Lima – AC-1946 (Dep 5:50 pm)
Depart for your international flight to Lima.
Day 02 Arrive at Lima (00:45 am) Fly Lima – Cuzco
Arrive at Lima airport. Depending on the time of your next flight you will connect with your flight to Cusco. Once in Cusco, you will be transferred to your hotel where you will rest for the remainder of your day.
Day 03 Cusco: Walking Tour & Briefing Day
After breakfast today, you can rest and give your body a chance to acclimatize. You will have the opportunity to meet with your trekking guide for a short briefing about your Trek.
Optional: Walking Tour of Cusco
You also have the option to take a short walking tour of Cusco: Once the capital of the Inca Empire. The city was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1983. Since then it has seen a tremendous number of tourists increasing every year. Cuzco sits at an altitude of 3400 meters, which means that it is actually a thousand meters higher in elevation than Machu Picchu (2430 m). Our tour today starts with a visit to the famous Basilica Cathedral, built in 1560 by the Spaniards. It is a Baroque style jewel of colonial architecture, with its ten chapels, largest altar and a collection of more than 400 paintings. Later we will visit Koricancha the main Inca temple dedicated to the supreme sun god. The name Koricancha in Quechua language means “a gold enclosure”, probably named after its inside wall that was exquisitely decorated in gold.
Day 04 CUSCO – MOLLEPATA – SAYLLAPATA- SALKANTAY PAMPA- ANDENES
Early in the morning we will depart from Cusco to the town of Mollepata. This four hour drives takes us over the Pampas or Yawar Anta Pampa (Pampa de la Sangre). The pass is historically remembered for a fierce battle between the Incas and Chancas for control of Cusco city. We will continue our journey to Mollepata, where we will stop for breakfast and take a short break. We will continue our journey through Cruz Pata at 3200 meters to reach Soraypampa 3800 meters, the starting point of the trek. Here we will meet our wranglers and horses. After a short introduction, we start our hike towards the base of Mt. Salkantay 6271 meters. From here a steep accent for the next two hours to Soyroccocha. The walk rewards you with wonderful views along the magnificent Salantay Glacier. Continuing uphill, we reach Abra Huayracmachay, at 4600 meters the highest mountain pass along this trek. From here you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding glaciers and the snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range. While the south face of the towering Salkantay looks right down at you, there is a good chance to spot chinchillas and condors in their natural habitat. From this point, we start descending towards a more tropical climate and into the so-called cloud forest. A long though easy descent brings us late afternoon to our first campsite at Andenes 3500 meters. Your camp staff is ready to serve you freshly cooked dinner.
Maximum altitude: 4600 M
Minimum Altitude: 3500 M
Distance traveled: 18 km
Approximate time of walk: 8 to 9 hours.
Day 05 ANDENES – CHAULLAY – LA PLAYA- LUCMABAMBA
Today we continue our hike with an easy downhill walk along the Salkantay River, enjoying the increasingly lush vegetation, passing waterfalls, passion fruit and coffee plantations. The arid highland landscape begins to transform into a cloud forest filled with trees and bromeliads. In approximately two hours we arrive at Chaullay, and another hour to the town of Collpapampa. From Collpapampa, the Salkantay River becomes the Santa Teresa River. After a rest, we continue our descent to the banks of the Totora River, then passing the waterfalls at Coripacchi, the settlement at Wiñaypoko, the bustling small town of La Playa and finally our second camp at Lucmabamba 2100 meters. On the way we can see plantations of banana, coffee, and avocado, as well as exuberant local flora. We enter spectacled-bear territory and we will probably be accompanied by flocks of parrots as we descend. At dinner we can enjoy a glass of wine by the light of the camp-fire.Note: La Playa is not a remote campsite – for those that want to get away from the crowds you should talk to your guide about camping at Lucmabamba.
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Maximum altitude: 3500 M
Minimum Altitude: 2100 M
Distance traveled: 20 km
Approximate time of walk: 7 to 8 hours.
Day 06 LUCMABAMBA – LLACTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
After breakfast we will begin our walk, where we will see the remains of an Inca trail. Continuing east along an ascending path towards Llactapata. Our trek will take us through coffee, bananas, and avocado plantations. From here we can see beautiful view of the valley of Santa Teresa. From here we ascend for the next few hours to the highest point of Llactapata at 2700 meters. We will stop for a short rest and to enjoy the splendid views of the mountain of Machu Picchu. For the next two hours w will descend into the valley to reach the Hydroelectric Power Station (1870 m). Here we will have our last camp lunch with our camp team and staff. From here we will take our short train ride to Aguas Calientes, the base camp of Machu Picchu. Here you will be staying at a local hotel or hostel. You will have the time to explore this bustling town, which offers many bars, cafes, local souvenir shopping.
Maximum altitude: 2700 M
Minimum Altitude: 1870 M
Distance traveled: 12 km
Approximate time of walk: 6 to 7 hours.
Day 07 AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHUPICCHU – OLLANTAYTAMBO-CUSCO
Early morning, we will arrive at the bus station of Aguas Calientes where we take our bus to the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. This short bus ride takes only 20 minutes and drives along an unpaved, steep and winding road. Finally we will arrive at Machu Picchu. Here you will meet your local guide who accompanies you on an informative tour of this beautiful citadel. The walkers will have free time to explore the city on your own to your taste. You will have enough time to walk up to the Sun Gate for some amazing views of the Machu Picchu complex and its surroundings. In the afternoon we return to the station to catch the train to Ollantaytambo. From here our transport will bring you back to Cusco.
Day 08 Rest Day – Optional tour/Sacred Valley
You can take one of our optional tours to explore the Sacred Valley or just rest and relax and do some last-minute shopping.
Day 09 Cusco – Fly Home
We will transfer to the airport for your return international flight.
Services include:
- Accommodation: Our unique select hotels/guest houses with clean rooms, reliable service and safe for foreign travellers.Meals: Meals as mentioned in the program outline, are included
- Meals: As mentioned with the program.
- All entrance fees for sites are included in the tour with the exception of those that are mentioned otherwise.
- Air-conditioned transport throughout the tour (as per sightseeing program and hotel transfers).
- Experienced and professional chauffeurs.
- Sightseeing as mentioned with the tour details.
- English speaking guide and/or trip leaders.
Services do not include:
- Entry visas (if applicable).
- If you book your flights yourself, you may be required to pay an additional cost for the airport transfers. Please contact our office to confirm.
- International Airfare (except mentioned otherwise).
- Domestic Airfare (except mentioned otherwise).
- Personal expenses such as phone calls, drinks, use of mini-bar at the hotels, laundry or personal medications.
- Any expenses that may arise due to unforeseen natural or political situation.
- Insurance: We strongly recommend that all clients consider buying Trip Cancellation/Interruption + Medical Travel Insurance. Contact our office for a quote.
- Tips and gratuities to porters, guides, drivers and trip leaders.
NOTE:
- This trip may only operate with a minimum number of participants.
- Sudden changes in the foreign currency rates can impact the prices. We can only protect our prices as long as they do not change over 5%.
