Trek Peru - provisional itinerary
Cusco
NB: This itinerary is based on our 2006 Peru Trek and we are expecting the 2010 trek to follow much the same route.
Immerse yourself in ancient Peruvian culture and trek along one of the world's most stunning trails. Experience diverse scenery such as tropical Andean rainforests, the snow-capped mountain ranges of the Andes and of course Machu Picchu, one of the world's most important archaeological finds. For those of you with a love of landscape, a passion for history and a sense of adventure, an unforgettable experience awaits you... Come trek with us...
Day 1
Fly London - Lima
Transfer to hotel in Lima or fly direct to Cusco, depending on flight schedule.
Day 2
Arrive Cusco
Morning arrival in Cusco; transfer to downtown hotel. After a trip briefing, the afternoon is free to gently explore the sites of this historic city, or simply adjust to the altitude by watching the world go by in one of the numerous cafés in the Plaza de Armas.
Llamas
Day 3
Tambo Machay - Cusco
Our first day's trek takes us from Tambo Machay, an ancient ruin high in the hills above Cusco. We pass some of the amazing Inca sites in the surrounding countryside as we walk downhill to Sacsayhuaman, the huge and impressive Inca ruin on the outskirts of Cusco, before returning to our hotel. As well as beautiful scenery and fascinating ruins, today's trekking offers excellent acclimatisation to the altitude.
Trekking time approx 5 hrs
Day 4
Cusco - Totora - Quisuarani
After a second night at altitude we should all be feeling ready for action! We leave Cusco behind us, heading out to Pisac and then along the Sacred Valley to Calca, from where we head into the mountains to Totora and the start of our trek. Our 3-4 hour trek takes us through a wonderful canyon along an old Incan trail, gradually twisting upwards to a height of 3800m, where we have lunch. After lunch we drive over the 4390m pass before descending towards Quisuarani. The bus will drop us off and we walk the final hour or so into camp (3700m).The location is amazing, with a number of snow-capped peaks towering around us.
Trekking time approx 5 hrs
Roadside stalls
Day 5
Quisuarani - Huchayccassa Pass - Bluff
Today sees our big climb, rising from 3700m to 4400m. We leave the thatched houses and stone llama enclosures of Quisuarani behind us and start climbing. This is a gradual ascent along good tracks. As we walk, we pass children herding llamas and alpacas high in the mountains. After an hour or so we reach Lago Kenuacocha, from where we have a good view of the steep track leading up the last 250m climb to the Huchayccassa pass at 4400m. The view west from the pass is spectacular, with turquoise lakes below us and white peaks in the distance. We descend from the pass to our lakeside lunch spot and then continue down to Cuncani, with its thatched stone houses. After a rest stop in the village we head out along a track that gradually climbs to Cuncani Punta and another pass at 4200m. From there we descend, passing a couple of lakes, to a flat open area where we camp. Camp in the mountains at approx 4050m.
Trekking time approx 8 / 9 hrs
Winai Winya ruins
Day 6
Bluff - Laguna Ipsayccocha - Patacancha
After a good breakfast we head out amongst the mountains again. We descend to the Huacahuasi valley along a track that descends quite steeply. There are wonderful views of the mountains, and stone houses and enclosures lie scattered along the valley bottom. The track leads to a beautifu waterfall and climbs out of the valley towards several small lakes, where our lunch spot lies below the pass. After lunch we head up towards the pass, following a gradually ascending track to a flat open area and from there to the Ipsayccassa Pass at 4400m. From here the views are again fabulous and for the first time we have a clear view of Mt Veronica standing at 5682m. We then begin the descent to Ipsaycocha Lake an then continue following a track that gradually descends through several small villages all the way to Patacancha and the finish of our spectacular trek. Camp at 3750m.
Trekking time approx 8-10 hrs
Machu Picchu
Day 7
Patacancha - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes
We leave camp early for the railway station (approx one and half hour's journey). There's a wonderful scenic journey to Aguas Calientes (approx 90 mins' journey). On arrival we check into our hotel and then head to Machu Picchu, where we enjoy a guided tour around this amazing site. There is no rush to leave as we are staying the night in Aguas Calientes. After visiting Machu Picchu there is the opportunity to bathe in hot springs, where we can soak those aching limbs before returning to our hotel for the night.
Day 8
Free day
After a good night's sleep we board the early morning train to Ollantaytambo, arriving around 10am, and then travel the last two hours back to Cusco by bus. The afternoon is free to explore Cusco and do any last minute shopping before the evening's celebration dinner.
Celebration dinner
Day 9
Cusco - Lima - UK
Morning flight back to Lima, linking up with the return flight to the UK
Day 10
Arrive UK
Due to the nature of the challenge, this complex itinerary is subject to change