Peru – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu & Lake Titicaca

Cusco is the place to start your exploration of the Inca culture. Cusco was the Incan capital, the centre of their empire. For many, trekking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu is the most important element of a trip to Peru. But there is a wealth of exciting places on offer to the visitor, this itinerary embraces a few.

Hike the Inca trail to Machu Picchu for 4 days or take the easy option of a bus ride. For the less active traveller there is an alternative of a bus ride most of the way through the Urubamba valley and then a bus ride up the hill to Machu Picchu.

If you want to trek but are not wanting it too difficult, porters can be hired to carry your main backpack, whilst you carry a day pack.

The Spanish destroyed many of the Inca buildings in Cusco, but they built their new city on the Incan foundations. The Incan foundations were laid without mortar and have withstood more than 500 years of wrenching earthquakes. Cusco is cosmopolitan, of manageable size, and the springboard for excursions in all directions. The main Incan attraction in Cusco is Koricahcha, the Incan empire's richest temple. The Church of Santo Domingo now covers most of the site, but you can still see Koricahcha's three side chambers dedicated to the moon, thunder and the rainbow.

The last section of this trip is spent in the Lake Titicaca area, which is rich in culture as well as being very scenic.

Machu Picchu was connected to the capital city of Cusco and other cities by well constructed paths.

The climate is relatively mild all year round, with heavy rains from November to March, and dry, hot weather from April to October, which is the popular time to visit. The average annual minimum temperature ranges between 5°C and 11°. In the months of June, July and August the temperature can drop below zero, at altitude. The annual maximum temperature generally ranges between 20°C to 26°. In late June there is the annual Sun Festival (Inti Raymi) - book early if you want to include this period.

The wildlife is abundant and varied. The existence of a number of species in danger of extinction such as the spectacled bear (termarctos omatus), the cock-of-the- rock (rupicola peruviana) and the dwarf deer (pudu mephistopheles), promted the government into declaring the area a conservation zone. The park also includes puma, Andean fox, river otter, taruka (unemul deer), wildcat, ferret, as well as birds like the cara cara, hummingbird, torrent duck, parrot, wild turkey and many other smaller birds.

There are also reptiles like the jergon bothrops and the coral micrurus snake (lethal), lizards, frogs, and numerous Andean and jungle fauna which inhabit the sanctuary. This abundant wildlife makes the sanctuary ideal for tourists and researchers who wish to watch or study animals.

The flora is magnificent as there are large natural areas that are filled with a variety of forest species which vary according to the habitat.

The forest vegetation is represented by trees such as cedar, romerillo or intimpa, laurel, etc. There are also ocotea, pedocarpus, guarea, weinmania, clusia, cedropia, cinchena, eritrina or pisonay, and llex among others.

The decorative plants have made the sanctuary famous. Experts have identified more than 90 species of orchids, and many species of begonias and puya cacti. Most of the area is covered by herbaceous, shrubs and arboreal plants. The varied conditions have created an ideal environment for the growth of diverse plant life that runs from the cloud forest to the sparsely covered mountain tops.

In addition to Machu Picchu there is also the Inca's cultural heritage and ruins in various other locations that we visit. The lnca Trail, which was very well built, crosses dense forest and drops deep into canyons. There are 18 archaeological complexes dotted along the trail. These consist of housing, irrigation canals, agricultural terracing, walls and shrines, which are irrefutable proof of the existence of important human settlements.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1 Lima.  Arrive and transfer to your hotel.  If your flight schedule does not warrant a stay in Lima the cost of the hotel can be deducted (£16 / $25 single, or £19 / $30 double).

Day 2  Lima to Cusco.  We transfer you to the airport and fly to Cusco (3,330m).  After settling into your hotel we take you on a tour of the town, including the Temple of the Sun, the most important building when the city was the centre of the Inca world.

Day 3  Cusco.  During the morning we go to the ruins of  Sacsayhuaman, once an impressive military complex, which may have housed as many as 5,000 Inca soldiers.  After lunch we visit the ruins of Pisac, famed for it’s ritual baths which were once fed by the now dormant aqueducts.  The Inca cemetery here is one of the largest known.

Day 4  Cusco to Pisac and and Ollantaytambo - Cusco.  Excursion to the Incas Sacred Valley: 1st day, we will visit the town of Pisac, from where we will do a short hike of 3 hours to reach the ruins on the top of a hill.

Day 5  Cusco to Huayllabamba (Wayllabamba).  Our vehicle takes us to the starting point of our trek, the trail then follows the left bank of the Rio Kusichaca.  There are wonderful views of Mount Veronica in front of us and around us we will see tombs, aqueducts, terracing and a canyon.  At Llactapata there are ruins which we can explore, before we continue upstream to the Indian community of Huayllabamba (2272m) with its splendid aqueducts. 4 hours walking to cover 9km.

Day 6  Huayllabamba to Pacaymayu. From our camp the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass where we have lunch. Hiking gradually up hill in about two more hours we get to Warmiwañusqa Pass (4,200m /13,280ft) the first and the highest pass with breathtaking view of Mount Huayanay.  From here a quick descent by a recently restored trail with stairs take us to Pacaymayu River where we camp. 8 hours walking to cover 7km.

Day 7  Pacaymayu to Winay Wayna.  Today is the longest and the most interesting, the trail climbs to the impressive ruins of Runkuraqay.  There is a walled complex that provided a guardpost and a place of worship.  Then we continue slowly to the second pass (3,800m) with incredible views of the Vilcanota mountain range. Now the trail descends and then rises again to Sayaqmarka (3,500m), a pre-Hispanic complex with narrow streets and buildings erected on different levels, shrines, patios, canals and a protecting outer wall. It is a place filled with mystery and enchantment.

We continue to Phuyupatamarka (3,680m) constructed near the third pass with extraordinary views of the Mountain chains and the Urubamba canyon. At one point in the flagstone path the Incas have built a tunnel that astonishingly was carved through the solid rock.  The ruins here are better preserved than the earlier examples.  Now the  trail winds sharply down through the cloud forest arriving to Winay Wayna.  The ruins here are almost as impressive as Machu Pichu with wonderful agricultural terraces, a small religious sector, and the residential area. 9 hours walking to cover 14km.

Day 8  Winay Wayna to Machu Pichu.  A two hours hike will take us to Inti Punku pass (the gate of the Sun) where we see the magnificent lost city of the Incas at our feet. One hour more downhill and we get to the ruins.  3 hours walking to cover 8km.  Once at Machu Pichu we take a fascinating tour of temples, houses, terraces for growing crops and even gardens. All the words and pictures will never do this place justice, truly a magical place. Train to Cusco, arriving ata bout 9pm.

Day 9 Cusco, a day free to explore the town at will. Rafting trip available (extra cost - approx $30).

Day 10 Cusco to Puno.  You will take the bus to Puno. Along the way you will see wonderful landscapes, snow-capped mountains and Andean valleys. You will arrive in Puno in the late afternoon. Transfer to your hotel.

Day 11  Titicaca Lake   In the morning, you will take a boat to visit Uros and Amantani islands. The first stop is Uros islands, known as the "floating islands" because it are made with "totora" reed by its inhabitants. Then, we will take you to Amantani island by boat also. There, you will be welcomed by the community, and you will stay with a local family in their house. After lunch, we will take you to the top of a hill in the island, from there you will see the sunset on the lake. In the evening, you will be the guest of a party with the local people. Overnight on Amantani with a family (Homestay).

Day 12   Titicaca Lake    After breakfast, a 1 hour boat ride to arrive at Taquile Island.  Home of an ancient community, where the people still wear . This is a good spot to buy gifts and souvenirs like hats, gloves, vests, etc.  You will be back in Puno late in the afternoon. Overnight in a Puno hotel.

Day 13  Puno  Today, we will take you to the archaeological sites of Sillustani and Chucuito. Sillustani is a cemetery built by the Incas, with tombs in the shape of towers. Chucuito is a town with an Inca temple dedicated to fertility, with phallus shaped stone sculptures, it's very curious.

Day 14 Transfer to Puno Airport to fly to Lima.  Depart on your international flight, if it is late afternoon, otherwise overnight in Lima (not included, but can be arranged).

Price Guide per person in GB£ / US$:

From £ 650 to £750 / $900 to $1200    Email for current price

Porters: to carry your rucsac while trekking: £27 / $50 each, for the whole trek.

Single supplement: £36 / $65

You can book as an individual, but we need a minimum of 2 for the trip to proceed. The maximum size of the group on this trek is 12, unless special arrangements are made.

Dates: Every Saturday from April through November. let us know when you would like to go and we will check availability and give you the current price.

Favoured periods - Late June (Sun Festival) and July. Book early if you want this period.

What is included
The price allows for joining in Lima and includes, Tented Camping - fully supported with all food, non alcoholic drinks for 4 days and group camping equipment led by a local crew. Hotels in Lima (1), Cusco and Puno all with breakfast only. A tour guide for every day except the first and last. Internal flights, transfers to hotels / airports. Train fare - MP to Cusco. Transport to Puno.

What is not included
International airfare, lunch and evening meals while in hotels. Porter to carry your personal items during the trek only (available as an extra - £28 / $50). Personal insurance. Visa fees (if required). Vaccination costs. Personal clothing and equipment. All items of a personal nature. All drinks, except those provided whilst trekking.

Airfare (From the UK)
As a guide, the international airfare should be in the range £460 - £700 for economy class.

Visas
A visa is not required for passport holders of most First World countries.

Travel Insurance
Comprehensive personal insurance, including search and rescue is required on this trip. We recommend the BMC policies www.thebmc.co.uk