Private Guide Cusco & Inca Trail 9 days

Inca_Trail-Day_1-Peru-Greg_Goodman-AdventuresofaGoodMan-2014-04-18-10-03-25

Enjoy this beautifull trip with your Private guide Machu picchu, Inca trail. From the colonial and pre-Columbian grandeur of Cusco, with  all the comforts it offers to travellers from  all over the world, we explore the land of the Incas. The Sacred Valley of the Incas was the fertile heart of the Inca Empire and its people still farm amid the ruins of their  ancestors’ culture  and trade in their colourful markets. We then travel to Machupicchu as Inca pilgrims once did: on foot along the world famous Inca Trail, a spectacular trek  through the biodiverse Machupicchu Historical Sanctuary, with  its fascinating archaeological remnants of the Inca culture.

Day 1 Private Guided Tour Cusco

Private Guide Cusco.

Cusco lies in exceptionally beautiful Andean countryside at 3400 metres above sea level and its legacy as the hub of the Inca Empire is readily apparent: Most of the city streets are lined with Inca-built stone walls and crowded with Quechua-speaking descendants of the Incas.
The city of Cusco on foot (half day)
We begin our tour with a visit to the cathedral, followed by Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, which boasts the finest remaining examples of Inca stonemasonry. We will also walk through streets lined with Inca walls on our way to the San Blas neighbourhood, famous today, as it was in Inca times, for its skilled craftsmen.

Day 2: The ruins of Saqsaywaman (half day)

We will explore this ancient Inca sanctuary with its immense monolithic walls, then visit the amphitheatre  at  Qenqo,  the  fortress  of  Puka Pukara  and the ritual Inca baths at Tambomachay.
Afternoon visit of Pisaq Ruins (half day)
Pisaq ruins stand high above the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and comprise an Intiwatana, a temple complex, residential areas and extensive agricultural terracing.

Day 3: The ruins of Chinchero

Chinchero market, the Saltpans of Maras and Ollantaytambo (full day)

Chinchero is a traditional village with an interesting early colonial church built on what was once an Inca temple. The colourful markets of the valley sell crafts, jewellery and textiles, as well as traditional produce which local people trade.

The Saltpans of Maras (full day)
The salt mines at Maras consist of 3000 small pools. A number  of salt water springs  emerge from the hillside and are channelled along canals using the natural gradient. This process is repeated every three days and the water evaporates leaving behind the salt which slowly solidifies.  The  salt  is then  packed  into  plastic sacks to be sold in the region’s local markets and exported as far away as Japan.

Ollantaytambo
Enjoy this beautifull trip with your Private guide Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo  is the only surviving example of Inca urban planning. We will visit the agricultural areas around the village, the irrigation system, granaries and the fortress-temple  built by Inca Pachacuteq.

Day 4: Private Guide Inca Trail

Enjoy this trip with your Private guide Machu picchu .

DAY 4: CUSCO TO KM 82 (with a private bus) – KM 82 TO WAYLLABAMBAPick up from your hotel is very early in the morning (5:30 am). Once we’ve left Cusco by private bus we’ll drive through the famous Sacred Valley (Chinchero, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo) and will arrive after about 2 ½ hours at “km 82” that is the start of the trail. On our way from Cusco to km 82 our bus usually stops for around 30 minutes in Ollantaytambo in order to give our customers the opportunity to have breakfast or to buy something else (snacks, drinks etc.). Having arrived at km 82 at around 09:00 am you are going to cross the Urubamba river and follow the left bank of the river for about 1 ½ hours. The first little climb will be to Wilka Rakay; from here there is a spectacular view of the Inca site Patallapta and the Kusichaca Valley. The subsequent descent down to Kusichaca river is very simple. On the way to our first camp side there are great views of the Urubamba mountain range with the snow-capped Peak Veronica (5’750 m, Wakay Wilka). We’ll follow Kusichaca Valley for approximately 7km up to Wayllabamba (3’000 m), where we will spend our first night.Trekking distance: 12km

Estimated time: 6-7 approx.
Maximum altitude: 3000m
Campsite altitude: 3000m
DAY 5: WAYLLABAMBA TO PACAYMAYUAfter an energetic breakfast we will start climbing up for about 1 hour to Tres Piedras (The Three Stones). A little farther we will enter into the beautiful cloud forest. After having trekked for around 2 hours through spectacular vegetation we will reach the tree lines and Llulluchapampa at 3’800m. Here we will stop to have a short break with some tea or coffee and some sandwiches to regain your strengths. You’ll need them for the next 1 ½ hours of hiking that will bring us to the highest point of the Inca Trail – Abra de Warmihuñusca or dead woman pass (4’215m). Predominant flora of this part of the trail is the vast grassy land that you’ll cross when getting closer to the pass. Once we have reached the summit of the pass, we’ll celebrate all together for having completed the most difficult part of Inca Trail. The following 2 hours descent will bring us to the base camp in Pacaymayo (3’600m) where we will spent the second night.Trekking distance: 12km
Estimated time: 6-7 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 4215m
Campsite altitude: 3600m
DAY 6: PACAYMAYU TO WIÑAYHUAYNAThe third day starts with a 40 minutes hike from Pacaymayo to Runkurakay. These small ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking Pacaymayo valley and offering a very nice view. Another 45 minutes hike will bring you to the top of the second pass, Abra Runkurakay (3’950m). The descent down to Sayacmarka (3’500m) takes around 1 hour. From here the trail descends into the magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging moss, ferns and native flowers. It takes 30 minutes passing by the small Inca site Conchamarka and then reaching Chaquicocha (3’550m), where we will have lunch. On the way to Phuyupatamarka pass (3’700 m) we will follow for approximately 1 ½ hours a paved stones road that also leads us through an Inca tunnel carved into the rocks. From the top of the pass we have a spectacular view of the snow-capped peaks Salcantay (6‘271m), Veronica (5’750m) and also of Machu Picchu mountain. The descent to the last camp site Wiñayhuyna (2’650m), close to Machu Picchu will take us around 2 ½ hours.Trekking distance: 15km
Estimated time: 8-9 hours approx.
Maximum altitude: 3950m
Campsite altitude: 2650m
DAY 7: WIÑAYHUAYNA TO MACHUPICCHUOn the fourth day we will wake you up very early (at 4:00 am) to have breakfast and to be able start our hike to Machu Picchu at 5:30 am. Like this we’ll be in Machu Picchu for the sunrise. From Wiñayhuyna it will take us around 1 hour to get the sun gate (Inti Punku at 2’720m). From here you will see magnificent Machu Picchu for the first time. It is another 40 minutes walk down to Machu Picchu and to get to the classical viewpoint. From here we’ll be able to overlook and admire the entire Machu Picchu complex. This is also the spot where you’ll be able to take the classical post card picture with its terrific view of Machu Picchu. Now we have to descend to the main entrance to leave our backpack in the deposit (10 minutes). We will then return to the Inca site to start the guided tour of Machu Picchu with your guide. The tour takes approximately 2 hours. After that you will have free time to explore the site on your own again. Once you feel that you have seen every corner of Machu Picchu you will take a bus down to the village of Aguas Calientes to have lunch. Usually we take the bus at around 13:00 pm. The bus ride takes around 25 minutes and your guides will give you the ticket. Make sure that, before you leave Machu Picchu by bus, the guides give you time and location of the restaurant where the group meets in Aguas Calientes. You will get your train tickets back to Cusco.Trekking distance: 6km
Estimated time: 2 hours
Maximum altitude: 2720m
Machu Picchu altitude: 2400m

Day 08: Free day.

 

Day 09: Private Transfer to airport.

Included:

  • All necessary land transport.
  • All tours and transfers with English-speaking tour guide. Entrance fees for all tours and excursions, parks and museums.
  • Accommodation at selected hotel with private bathroom (double room basis).
  • Single supplement includes: single room where available. Meals according to itinerary.
  • Trekking services, including: camp cook, porters and camp assistant(s).
  • All group camping equipment, double tents and Thermarest, kitchen and/or dining tent, and toilet tent.
  • All our trash produced during the trek, returns to Cusco. First-aid kit.

Not Included:

  • Airport taxes approximately $6 USD for each domestic flight and $28 USD for the international flight.
  • Drinks.
  • Tips to the staff.
  • Travel insurance.
  • Personal expenses: clothing and sleeping bag, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
  • Meals not included in the program.