Classic Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, and Posada Amazonas

13 Days/12 Nights

From $3,039 per person

(Dbl. Occupancy, Not Incl. Airfare)

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Overview

Accept the challenge of hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and you will be rewarded with amazing mountain scenery, watching the sunrise from Inti Punku, and a sense of accomplishment. You will have time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley to acclimatize before the hike, and explore the many archaeological ruins, and then continue on to Posada Amazonas after the hike to learn about the plants and animals that inhabit Peru’s Amazon rain forest, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth.

Lodging and Meals: This tour includes accommodations for 12 nights (3 nights in Lima, 3 nights in Cusco, 3 nights of camping on the Inca Trail, 1 night in Machu Picchu, and 2 nights at Posada Amazonas), and 17 meals (12 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 6 dinners).

Best Time to Go: April-October.

Destinations: South America and Peru.

Interests: Adventure, Camping, Culture & History, Hiking & Trekking, and Wildlife Viewing.

Places Visited: Lima, Cusco, The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Puerto Maldonado & the Southern Amazon.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Lima.

Depart to Lima. After passing through immigration and customs, proceed to the reception area, where our inbound services representative will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will be greeted and then transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: Lima-City Tour.

In the afternoon, you will have a city tour of Lima. The tour begins in Miraflores with a stop at the Parque del Amor, a seaside park with a huge statue of a kissing couple and continues with a drive by of the Huaca Huallamarca, a restored adobe pyramid dating from the pre-Inca period located in San Isidro. The next stop is the Plaza de Armas in downtown Lima, where you will visit City Hall (Palacio Municipal), the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno), and the Cathedral of Lima. The last stop is the Convent of Santo Domingo. Following the tour, you will be returned to your hotel. Overnight in Lima. (B)

Day 3: Lima-Cusco-City Tour.

Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Because of the high altitude (10,912 feet above sea level), we recommend that you rest for a short period. In the afternoon, you will have a city tour that includes a walk-through of the Cathedral, the Koricancha (‘site of gold’), typical streets, and the four ruins that surround the city: the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, Kenko, Puca Pucara, and Tampumachay. Overnight in Cusco. (B)

Day 4: Cusco-Sacred Valley-Awanakancha-Pisac Market-Ollantaytambo.

Today you will have a full-day excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The tour begins at Awanakancha, a living museum of the Peruvian Andes, where you can observe traditional textile dyeing and weaving techniques and the four types of camelids that are native to the region. You will also visit the Indian artisan market in Pisac and have lunch at a local restaurant (included). The last stop is the impressive Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo that served as both a fortress and ceremonial center, and is the site of a short-lived victory by the Incas over the Spanish. Overnight in Cusco. (B,L)

Note: The Indian market is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from October to March, and daily from April to September. On the days of the week that the market is not open, you will be taken to the Inca ruins above the village.

Day 5: Cusco-Chilca-Inca Trail.

Early morning transfer by minivan to the town of Chilca (km. 82), the start of the Inca Trail. We begin escorted by native “quechua” porters going through semi-arid terrain along the Urubamba River with magnificent views of snowcapped mount Veronica (18,636 feet). We walk past the Inca hamlet of Huayllabamba, an ancient Inca citadel that protected the entry to two valleys. Overnight on the Inca Trail. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Inca Trail-Warmiwañusqa-Pacamayo.

We will begin to climb the first pass, Warmiwañusqa (13,776 feet), where there is a spectacular view of the valley below. At this pass we move from the dry puna ecology to elf forest, the highest of the tropical forest types where gnarled trees grow to two meters amid fog and low clouds, habitat for a profusion of orchids and strange animals. On this night, we will camp along river Pacamayo at the bottom of the pass. Overnight on the Inca Trail. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Inca Trail-Runku Rakay-Sayacmarca-Wiñayhuayna.

After breakfast, we will hike towards Runku Rakay and traverse the second pass of the same name (12,464 feet). We will descend to Sayacmarca, an important archaeological complex, where we will have lunch. We will spend the night near the ruins of Wiñayhuayna, which means ‘city above the clouds’. Overnight on the Inca Trail. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Inca Trail-Inti Punku-Machu Picchu.

We will arise very early so that we may watch the sunrise from Inti Punku and have our first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu ‘the Lost City of the Incas’ (7,900 feet). This mountaintop citadel, which served as both a center of worship and an astronomic observatory, is located in the middle of the cloud forest overlooking the Urubamba River. There are both agricultural and urban areas constructed with the precision stonework that the Incas are known for. The agricultural area consists of terraces and food storehouses, and the urban area contains temples, squares, and royal tombs. Guided tour followed by lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. In the afternoon, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. (B,L)

Day 9: Machu Picchu-Cusco.

This is a free day to explore Machu Picchu on your own. You may want to hike Huayna Picchu or enjoy another activity. Mid-afternoon, you will depart from Machu Picchu by train to Poroy Station in the Sacred Valley, and then be taken to your hotel in Cusco. Overnight in Cusco. (B)

Note: Hiking Huayna Picchu requires a permit. To ensure availability, we recommend purchasing the permit at the time of booking.

Day 10: Cusco-Puerto Maldonado-Posada Amazonas-Canopy Tower.

Depart to Puerto Maldonado. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed at the airport and driven ten minutes to the Puerto Maldonado headquarters of Posada Amazonas. Here you can leave non-essential items, which will help to keep the boats light. You will be taken to the Tambopata River Port, entering the Native Community of Infierno. The port is a communal business. Boxed Lunch. The forty five minute boat ride from the Tambopata River Port to Posada Amazonas will take you into the Community´s Primary Forest Private Reserve. Upon arrival, the lodge manager will welcome you and brief you with important navigation and security tips.

Canopy Tower. A twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas leads to the 30 meter scaffolding canopy tower. A bannistered staircase running through the middle provides safe access to the platforms above. From atop you obtain spectacular views of the vast expanses of standing forest cut by the Tambopata River winding through the middle. Now and then toucans, parrots or macaws are seen flying against the horizon, or mixed species canopy flocks land in the treetop next to you.

Ecotourism Lecture. A daily presentation on the Infierno ecotourism project is available every night from a staff member. Overnight in Posada Amazonas. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Posada Amazonas-Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake-Parrot Clay Lick-Ethnobotanical Tour-Night Walk.

Tres Chimbadas Oxbow Lake. Tres Chimbadas is thirty minutes by boat and forty five minutes hiking from Posada Amazonas. Once there you will paddle around the lake in a catamaran, searching for the resident family of nine giant river otters (seen by 60% of our lake visitors) and other lakeside wildlife such as caiman, hoatzin and horned screamers.

Parrot Clay Lick. This clay lick is only a twenty minute walk from Posada Amazonas. From a blind located about twenty meters away you will see dozens of parrots and parakeets descend on most clear mornings to ingest the clay on a river bank. Species such as Mealy and Yellow-headed Amazon, Blue-headed Parrot and Dusky headed Parakeet descend at this clay lick. The clay lick is active at dawn, during the late mornings and mid-afternoons. Lunch.

Ethnobotanical Tour. A twenty minute boat drive downriver leads you to a trail designed by the staff of the Centro Ñape. The Centro Ñape is a communal organization that produces medicines out of forest plants and administers them to patients who choose their little clinic. They have produced a trail which explains the different medicinal (and other) uses of selected plants. Dinner.

Night Walk. You will have the option of hiking out at night, when most of the mammals are active but rarely seen. Much easier to find are frogs with shapes and sounds as bizarre as their natural histories. Overnight in Posada Amazonas. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Posada Amazonas-Puerto Maldonado-Lima-Folkloric Dinner Show.

You will retrace your river and road journey back to Puerto Maldonado, the office of Posada Amazonas, and the airport for your return flight to Lima. Depending on your airline schedule, this may require a dawn departure. Upon arrival in Lima, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening, you will enjoy a Folkloric Dinner Show at Junius Restaurant. Overnight in Lima. (B,D)

Day 13: Lima.

Check out at noon. Transfer to the airport for your return flight to your final destination. (B)

B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

About the Inca Trail

The Incas built a vast network of roads to communicate with the four regions of their vast empire. The network was called Qapaq Ñan (the sovereign’s highway) or Inca Road, and was made up of stone paths suitable for two or three people with trains of llamas. Rivers were crossed by hanging bridges and the steep slopes were mastered with steps and ramps. There are remains of the Qhapaq Ñan throughout Peru that are still used to this day by local villagers and farmers. One of the most impressive and best preserved roads is the trail that links Cusco and Machu Picchu. Today, hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu allows the visitor to step back in time and walk through a variety of eco-systems and dazzling scenery. The length of the 39 kilometers (24 miles) includes unforgettable views, archaeological remains; 400 different species of orchids and begonias, exotic trees like the pisonay, the queñual and innumerable species of fauna in their natural habitat, such as the cock-of-the-rocks, llamas and vicuñas, the white-tailed deer, the vizcacha and, if visitors are lucky, the endangered and vegetarian spectacled bear. The Inca Trail is one of the world’s leading trekking and camping routes. (Source: PromPeru)

A Note About Your Free Day in Machu Picchu

On your free day, you will be on your own. If you choose to revisit Machu Picchu, you will need to purchase a second entrance ticket, which currently costs $74 per person. If you are staying in Aguas Calientes, you will also need to purchase a round-trip bus ticket ($28 per person) for transportation to the site. The first bus departs at 5:30 AM. As an alternative to visiting Machu Picchu again, you can hike Huayna Picchu (a +/- 60 minute hike), or partake in another activity. The cost for hiking Huayna Picchu is $13 (in addition to the second entrance ticket). At the end of the day (mid-late afternoon), you will walk to the train station for the return ride to Poroy train station, where our local representative will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel in Cusco.

What's Included

Price Includes

South American Vacations’ expert pre-departure planning services and documentation.
Airport/hotel transfers including baggage handling.
Hotel accommodations including taxes and service charges.
Excursion to Machu Picchu including overnight stay and transportation via Vistadome train.
Inca Trail and other excursions as indicated on the itinerary including all applicable entrance fees.
Double occupancy tents.
Camping equipment: Bathroom tent, kitchen tent, dining tent, chairs, tables, and comfortable mattresses.
Cook, porters to carry food, tents, and cooking gear.
Porters for personal belongings (one for every two passengers).
Coffee breaks during the trek, first aid kit/oxygen.
Meals as indicated on the itinerary.
Local, English-speaking tour guides.

Price Does Not Include

International airfare.
Domestic airfare.
Meals not indicated on the itinerary.
Gratuities to tour guides, porters, drivers, and hotel staff.
Gifts and personal items.
Travel insurance.

We will be happy to quote the cost of airfare and travel insurance and to make these arrangements for you.

Accommodations

Lima

3 Star – Casa Andina Classic Miraflores Centro

4 Star – Jose Antonio Deluxe Hotel

5 Star – J.W. Marriott Hotel Lima

Deluxe – Miraflores Park Hotel

Cusco

3 Star – Casa Andina Classic Cusco Plaza

4 Star – Hotel Novotel Cusco

5 Star – Libertador Palacio del Inka

Deluxe – Hotel Monasterio

Machu Picchu

3 Star – El Mapi Hotel

Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel, Machu Picchu, Peru

4 Star – Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel

Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Machu Picchu, Peru

5 Star – Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu, Peru

Deluxe – Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge

Puerto Maldonado

Posada Amazonas

Additional Details

Group Private: All transfers in Lima and Cusco are private, and the city tours of Lima and Cusco, Sacred Valley of the Incas excursion, and Machu Picchu guided tour are group tours for single passengers and 3 Star accommodations, and private for 4 Star, 5 Star, and Deluxe accommodation levels. The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu hike and the Posada Amazonas excursions are operated on a group basis.

Elevations: Cusco is 10,660 feet (above sea level), the Sacred Valley of the Incas is 8,944 feet, the Inca Trail varies from 8,528 feet to 13,776 feet, and Machu Picchu is 7,900 feet.

Acclimatization: In order to acclimatize to the higher altitude of Cusco, we suggest that you travel first to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. If you are interested in this option, which would add one day to your tour, please ask your travel counselor to provide you with an itinerary.

Passport/Visa: U.S., Australian, Canadian, and EU citizens require a passport valid for at least six months from date of entry and return ticket for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of other countries are advised to contact the Peruvian embassy in their country before traveling.

Travel Insurance: In order to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. We offer Allianz Travel Insurance’s Classic and other plans. The Benefits and Coverage Limits are summarized on our Travel Insurance page. Call your travel counselor if you have any questions or to purchase a plan.

To Book This Trip: We require a non-refundable deposit of $850 per person plus the cost of airfare (if we make the arrangements for you). The balance of the trip cost is due 60 days prior to departure.