Itinerary

DAY 1 :  LIMA
Arrive in Lima. Overnight in the Costa del Sol Ramada Airport Hotel just steps away from the main terminal.
 
DAY 2 :  CUSCO
Airport transfer for early morning one hour flight to Cusco. Airport reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon half-day guided orientation of ancient Inca temples, Spanish churches and the surrounding ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Puca Pucara and Tambo Machay. Your guide will also direct you to shops, museums and markets where you can explore on your own. Overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. [B]

    Note: Optional upgrade at extra cost to El Monasterio, a luxurious colonial-style hotel.

DAY 3 :  URUBAMBA VALLEY
Full day private guided exploration through the Sacred Valley of the Incas including the village of Pisac and the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo. Visit Quechua villages where highland Indians tend their fields and sell handcrafts in outdoor markets. Overnight in the serene Urubamba Valley at the Hotel Sol y Luna. [BL]

    Note: We highly recommend adding another day in the Urubamba Valley. You can enjoy a beautiful, easy downhill day hike beyond the valley floor on local foot trails through the high Andes to the native Quechua Indian village of Patacancha (12,500 elevation) where crops are sown and textiles woven with simple hand tools and methods that have been in use for centuries. Ask about mountain bike day trips from Moray past Maras and into the Urubamba Valley.

DAY 4 :  THE INCA TRAIL--LLACTAPATA
Altitude: 8500'-9000'/2575-2750m; Hiking time with rests: 5 hours; Hiking distance: 6 miles;Camp elevation: 9000'/2750m
We plan this day to explore a little known site in order to have an extra day of acclimatization and so that we get an early start the following day ahead of other trekkers starting the Inca Trail. This morning we drive from our hotel to the small village of Piscaycucho. Its an easy two hour hike up the mountain on a little-known Inca pathway to the ancient Inca ruins of Qente, a spectacular lookout and spiritual site perched high over the valley.  Descending back into the valley we follow the Urubamba River through the semi-arid Cusichaca River gorge, past native gardens and thatched-roof houses. Our camp is set near Llactapata, a large Inca settlement of agricultural terraces that probably supplied the entire Urubamba region including Machu Picchu during Inca times. Over your shoulder Mt. Veronica (18,975 ft.) rises in the background. [BLD]

For more information:
Why trek with Wildland Adventures on the Inca Trail?

DAY 5 :  LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Altitude: 9000-12,600'/2750-3820m; Hiking time: 6 hours; Hiking distance: 7.5 miles;Camp elevation: 12,600'/3820m
The trail winds slowly uphill through a small forest to reach the ancient site of Patallacta. After a short walk through the ruins we continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the Andean community of Huayllabamba. Winding up the trail through a narrow hanging valley we enter a cloud forest that harbors the Queua tree (Polylepis) an endemic species of the Andean forest. The trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. [BLD]

DAY 6 :  PHUYUPATAMARCA
Altitude: 12,600-13,776/3820-4175m; Hiking time: 8 hours; Hiking distance: 9.5 miles; Camp elevation: 11,970/3627m
After a hearty breakfast, continue the steep ascent.  The mountain valley opens up as we approach the Warmiwausqa Pass (13,776 ft., Dead Woman's Pass), the highest point of the trek, where you can rest and revel with relief knowing youve successfully negotiated the most difficult part of the trail.  Descend into the Pacamayo River valley where youll see a waterfall, creeks, and meadows.  Then ascend to the Inca watchtower of Runcurakay. Continue up and over the second high pass (12,628 ft.).  The trail descends down an ancient stone stairway into a cloud forest transition zone, and to the fascinating site of Sayacmarca, a compact, expertly-built ancient Inca town that youll enjoy exploring.  Later, pass through a rock tunnel carved by the Incas and follow the well-engineered trail to the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (Town Above the Clouds, 11,972 ft.). Campsite is located nearby.  Magnificent Mt. Salkantay (20,574 ft.), the principal Apu or sacred mountain of local Indians, dominates the landscape on clear days. [BLD]

DAY 7 :  WINAY WAYNA AND MACHU PICCHU
Altitude: 11,970-7875/3627-2386m; Hiking time: 5 hours; Hiking distance: 7 miles
Your last day of trekking is an all day descent into thicker cloud forest including a continuous Inca stairway 2,300 steps long!  After a few hours of hiking we arrive at Wiay Wayna (Forever Young), an Inca town perched on a steep forested slope high above the Urubamba River.  This beautiful site is a large complex of ancient dwellings, terraces, and still functioning waterworks - an amazing feat of architecture.  The final two hours on the trail leads to the Intipunku (Gate of the Sun), the Incas main entrance to Machu Picchu.  Looking out over the spectacular ancient city at 7,868 ft. elevation, it is just a half-mile walk below.  Surrounded by emerald-green Andean mountains, the view is truly awe-inspiring.  Walk through the ruins and take the bus further below to the town of Aguas Calientes, where we check into our hotel.  Overnight at the charming Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel . [BLD]

Note: Optional upgrade to Sanctuary Hotel adjacent to Machu Picchu is available on request.

DAY 8 :  MACHU PICCHU
Be among the first to arrive in Machu Picchu on one of the early shuttle buses up to the site. Your guide will accompany us on an orientation walk through the mysterious maze of streets and stone buildings of this magnificent site. Enjoy the rest of the morning to wander through and explore the most impressive archaeological monument in the Andes at your own pace. Visit the temples of Inca royalty and see the Intiwatana, the ancient stone sun dial. You can hike up the precipitous stone stairs of towering Huayna Picchu peak to get a breathtaking view of the setting. After lunch, return on the afternoon train to Cusco, where you are met and transferred to overnight at the Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco. [BL]

For additional information see:
Inca Trail Trek Frequently Asked Questions

DAY 9 :  TAMBOPATA

Morning airport transfer for flight to Puerto Maldonado. Meet our rainforest naturalist guide and drive to the port along the Tambopata River to board a comfortable motorized dugout canoe.  We travel to the confluence of the mighty Madre de Dios river and head downstream for approximately 2-3 hours to the Peru-Bolivia border.  After completing border formalities, we continue for another 2 hours up the remote and mysterious Heath River.  Watch the banks for thirsty capybaras as the scenery varies between red-earth cliffs and low banks thick with Cecropia trees.  We'll also catch the occasional glimpse of fisherman from native villages and spot a variety of birds -- herons, hawks, cormorants, and vultures -- flying overhead or fishing in the churning waters.

 

In the late afternoon, we reach our Amazon home at the Heath River Wildlife Center, located along the Bolivian shore of the Heath River.  Relax and refresh before dinner. Walk along jungle paths, searching for night monkeys, kinkajous, tarantulas and well-camouflaged amphibians. Overnight at Heath River Wildlife Center. [BLD]

DAY 10 :  TAMBOPATA

Rise at dawn and travel a short way by boat to witness one of nature's most fantastic spectacles -- a tumultuous gathering at a clay lick of brightly-colored macaws and parrots, often congregating in the hundreds.  Completely concealed behind a floating blind, we comfortably enjoy our own breakfast as the parrots continue their morning meal, ingesting the clay for the essential minerals that neutralize toxins in their diet.  En route back to the lodge, we explore the extensive network of forest trails. Pass beneath giant Brazil-nut, kapok and fig trees while our guides identify and explain the medicinal and commercial uses of dozens and plants and trees. 
 

After lunch, hike or bike the forest trails winding through two unique ecosystems; the Amazon rainforest and the Pampas de Heath, the largest remaining tropical savannah in the Amazon.  Rare species, such as the endangered Maned Wolf, call this region home. Ascend a raised platform for excellent views of this vast grassland and jungle. The nocturnal forest awaits those of us who wish to visit a nearby mammal lick after dinner in hopes of seeing a Lowland Tapir.  Weather permitting, we may camp here with our guide and truly experience a full night in the heart of the rainforest! Overnight at Heath River Wildlife Center. [BLD]

DAY 11 :  TAMBOPATA

We vist the macaw clay lick a second time before a canoe trip on Cocha Moa, a wildlife-rich oxbow lake just downstream from Heath River lodge. Observe red howler monkeys and spider monkeys peering down from the canopy, or scan the shoreline for herons, Anhingas and the colorful yet ungainly Hoatzin that favors the lake's low hanging-branches.

 

After a delicious lunch, board motorized canoes and travel downriver to visit the native Ese'Eja community of Sonene. We interact with the local people, sharing stories or engaging in an impromptu game of futbol while learning their traditions.  Handicrafts can also be purchased.  Flashlight in hand, we'll take an evening trip on the river to search for the endangered black caiman. Overnight at Heath River Wildlife Center. [BLD]

DAY 12 :  LIMA

Rise before dawn for an early breakfast and depart downriver, keeping a sharp eye on the riverbanks during this peak hour for wildlife spotting.  We may spot families of Capybara or even a rare jaguar on this last morning in the Amazon rainforest.  At the Madre de Dios, re-enter Peru and continue upstream to Puerto Maldonado, where we transfer by van to the airport for our flight to Lima. Airport reception and transfer in to Hotel Casa Andina Private Collection in Miraflores to use as a day room until evening flight or overnight and transfer out for next morning departure. [B]

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