Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Titicaca Lake
The Inca Trail hike, though undoubtedly beautiful, is not the only way to reach Machu Picchu. For those who want to discover a more scenic and lesser-trodden trail, or those who find the Inca Trail is fully booked (due to restrictions on the number of trekkers allowed), we have a seriously attractive alternative for you: the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu. Though it is nowhere near as well-known as its famous counterpart (the Inca Trail) it is, unquestionably, just as magical. On this sample tour through the Andes, you will travel around the serene Sacred Valley where age-old ways of living and working with the land are still practiced, meet the local inhabitants (both the human and animal varieties), and delve into the world of the Incas. Finally, embarking on the Salkantay Trek you’ll ultimately reach what for many is the top bucket-list destination: Machu Picchu!
Arrival in Lima.
Upon arrival in Lima airport, our staff will assist you at the domestic terminal or airport, directing you to your hotel.
City Tour in Lima. B.
Lima – Cusco. B.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas. B, L.
This valley was the key agricultural to the Incas, for the agreeable climate and fertile plains in the high Andes. In this 60 km length area you will know the archaeological ruins of Pisaq and its touristical market. After lunch, the tour will visit the nice archaeological site of Ollantaytambo with its impressive temples and palaces from Inca times. Overnight at your selected hotel in Ollantaytambo.
The Piscacucho – Huayllabamba. B, L, D.
The trekking is beginning in Piscacucho town (km 82 of the railroad from Cusco to Machu Picchu). Your guide will take you through wonderful landscapes and paths watching the Inca ruins of Llaqtapata and the Veronica glacier. Overnight in Huayllabamba Community (12 km. in 5 to 6 hours).
Huayllabamba – Pacaymayu. B, L, D.
This is probably the hardest day, because you’ll get the 4,200 m. or Warmiwañisca pass, After enjoying nice panoramas, you’ll walk downhill sleeping at 3,700 m. (9 km. in 7 hours.).
Pacaymayu – Wiñayhuayna. B, L, D.
Today you will pass through the Inca sites of Sayaqmarca and Phuyupatamarca; It is going to be the longest walking distance of 15 km. Tonight we will meet up the staff of porters, who in a ceremony will say us good bye, because the day after very early will leave us at 5.00 am or before. (15 km. in 8 hours)
Wiñayhuayna – Machu Picchu. B.
The last day we’ll walk for 2 hours getting Machu Picchu around 7.00 am, through the famous Inca Sun Gate. We will visit of the Inca City for 2 hours. In the afternoon possibility to take a bath in the springs of Aguas Calientes town ( 6 km. in 2 hours); so do not forget your bathing suit. Late in the afternoon return to Cusco city by train. Overnight at your selected hotel in Cusco.
Cusco – Puno. B. L.
This is basically a traveling day in bus. You will need to empty the rooms, taking your valuables and luggage with you. This ride along pretty scenery will take 10 hours approximately. On the route we will meet a colonial humble church with impressive murals and paintings belonging to local artisans in colonial times, it is called the Sistine chapel of South America. The next stop will be the town of Raqchi to visit the Wiracocha Temple (one of the many Inca gods). Before to get Puno, we’ll visit the museum of the preinca culture Pucara; the place displays a nice collection of preinca and Inca lithic objects. We’ll reach Puno around 5 pm. Overnight at your selected hotel in Puno.
Uros and Taquile Islands. B. L.
Our visit today will be the Uros floating island in our speedboat, islands where the locals still are working offering us their handicrafts. You can also go between two islands on a reed boat at an extra cost. The tour still is going to take us to Taquile Island where we are going to have the delicious local lunch, in the place the local people will tell us their history, showing us part of their tradition. A short hike will be nice as a complement in this place. In the afternoon, back to Puno’s hotel.
Puno, Juliaca, Lima. B.
Transfer to Juliaca’s airport to fly to Lima, where you will connect the international flight back home. End of our services.
- Shared tours in english or spanish and entrance fees.
- Detailed excursions on the itinerary.
- Professional tour guides.
- All the transfers and ground transportation.
- All mentioned meals.
- All accommodations based on double or triple room at selected hotels. (The Inca trail offers us 3 nights in tents on campsites).
- Machu Picchu train ride in standard class category.
- Surprises of erudition.
NOT INCLUDED:
- International and national flights.
- Meals not detailed.
- Personal expenses, drinks, medical and travel insurance and tips.
- Not mentioned expenses.
- We will of course cover the points in more detail along the way in little briefings
- Please feel free to see us if you need any help.
- Original passport.
- Binoculars.
- Flashlight and extra batteries.
- Small back pack and confortable shoes.
- Rain jacket or poncho (December – April).
- Three complete change of clothing.
- Sport sandals or water shoes.
- Personal hygiene products.
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun.
- Sun block (sun protection cream).
- Insect repellent.
- Snacks, chocolate, dried fruit, etc.
- Camera, plenty of film and batteries.
- Sunglasses
- Extra Money (soles).
- Swimwear.
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