The Inca Trail is rated amongst the ten best trekking trails in the world due to its striking beauty, ancient Inca ruins and diverse ecological zones.
Our ultimate destination is Machu Picchu - the “Lost City” of the Incas - one of the world’s most fascinating and important archaeological finds and one of the New 7 Wonders of the World! |
 Day One - London to Lima
Fly from London to Lima, via Madrid. There will be dinner upon arrival at the hotel.
Day Two - Lima to Cusco
Flight over the Andes to the historical city of Cusco where there will be dinner and an overnight stay in a hotel.
Day Three - Cusco
Explore Cusco with a free day in the city and a walking tour, as you get acclimatised to the altitude. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day Four - Cusco
One day optional tour to visit the Sacred Valley, the Inca site and market town of Pisac with a warm up hike over part of the Inca Trail. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day Five - Cusco to Ollantaytambo to Huayllabamba
Travel by coach to the market town of Ollantaytambo, to stock up on 'magic sticks' (walking sticks), chocolate, coca leaves etc. ready for the big challenge! You will start the trek at an altitude of 2500m, and trek for 2 hours until lunch, and then another 2-3 hours after lunch to the overnight camp at Huayllabamba.
 Day Six - Huayllabamba to Warmiwanuska (Dead Woman's Pass) to River Paqaymayo
Trek for 2 hours before a nice break by the River Llullucha, before a further 2 hours through the magnificent cloud forests until you will stop for lunch at Llulluchapampa. After lunch there is another 2 hours until you reach the highest point of the trek, travelling over the Warmiwanuska and then down to the overnight camp in picturesque surroundings near the River Paqaymayo.
Day Seven - River Paqaymayo to Runkuracay to Phuyupatamarca to Winay Wayna
Trek from the River Paqaymayo, alongside two lakes, and stopping at a small archaeological site for a slice of culture to the well preserved Inca Ruins at Sayaqmarca. After another brief cultural intermission, you will continue into the lush forest valley to the lunch spot at Chaquiqocha (dry lake). After lunch there is a steep, followed by a gradual ascent to the 'town above the clouds', Phuyu Pata Marca, where you will stop to admire the incredible views before travelling down through another cloud forest to the campsite.
Day Eight - Winay Wayna to Intipunku to Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes
An early start today, to reach Intipunku (Gates of the Sun) for sunrise. From here you will catch your first glimpse of the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. After a group photo there will be a guided visit for 2-3 hours, before a free afternoon with many optional activities. There will be day access to a number of hotel rooms so that you can freshen up before we take the train at 2pm, to Ollantaytambo with spectacular mountain scenery en route, and then transfer to Cusco. That ngiht there will be a celebratory meal together in a restaurant in town before heading back to a hotel to sleep!
Day Nine - Cusco to Lima to London
A morning flight from Cusco to Lima, and a transfer to the city centre for some shopping and lunch before an evening flight back to London, via Madrid.
Day Ten - London
Arrive back in the UK!
(Arthur Rank Hospice Charity is acting as an agent of Classic Tours ( A.T.O.L. number 3379) in respect of the travel for the overseas challenges in question)
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