PERU CLASSIC TOUR AND 4 DAYS INKA TRAIL

Reception at the airport of Lima and transfer to the selected hotel.

Morning we travel 4 hours to Pisco, by private transport (Privet VIP service) or luxury public bus - At 11am tour to the national reserve of Paracas, coastal landscape with sea fauna. Short hike inside of this reserve, where we will visit the Cathedral, is a natural rock formation around the sea, Mirador de lobos is located at the top of the huge cliff, with nice view of the Pacific Ocean. Late afternoon come back to the selected hotel in Pisco or Paracas (B).

Excursion to Ballestas islands (8/10am) by speedboat, on this trip we appreciate the sea wildlife of this part of the Pacific Ocean and view of the candelabrum, is a figure drawing on the slope of the huge sand dune, located in front of the islands - Transfer to the Huacachina Oasis and Sandboarding / Dune buggy tour on the hundreds sand dunes - 2 hours travel to Nasca, by private van or luxury public bus - Stay at the hotel of Nasca (B).

In the morning flight over the Nasca Lines in light plains to observe the mysterious and enigmatic line and figures drawing on the flat driest land by the ancient Nasca culture. At 11am land trip to Chauchilla cemetery where there are real mummies as old as 2000 years, located on the right bank of the Chauchilla valley - In the evening travel to Arequipa by luxury public bus - Overnight in the bus to Arequipa (B).

Reception at the bus station and transfer to the hotel - Morning city tour to visit the Santa Catalina Monastery and the museum of Santuarios Andinos, were is the Juanita mummy; also know such as "The ice maiden". Afternoon is leisure for your personal activities - Stay at the selected hotel (B).

Departure to the Colca canyon in our private 4WD, travel to see the rest of the north part of Desierto de Atacama and drive up to the highlands crossing the valley of Vitor, Alto Sihuas, El Pedregal - short explore the remains of Wary culture named Huacan - Visit the south part of the Volcanoes range named Pampa Qerqe - Ampato mountain viewpoint (4300m). Arrival to Cabanaconde (3280m) and lodging in the hotel - Afternoon is at leisure - Stay at the selected hotel of Cabanaconde (B - L - D).

Early morning short hike to the Condor Cross - After wait for the Condors flights - Visit several remote villages on the left bank of the second deepest canyon in the world - Arrival to Chivay (3600m) to have buffet lunch and then 6 hours travel in private 4x4 vehicle to Puno (3800m) - Stay at the hotel of Puno (B - L).

After breakfast we will be transferred to the port in Puno to start our Titicaca tour, we will use a speed motor boat to visit the floating Islands of Los Uros, and head towards Amantani where we will become one more islander. Tonight we will be welcome with an Andean party, with local musicians. Stay in a family home (B - L - D).

After breakfast we will board our boat to move to Taquile Island, explore hiking the biggest Island of this highest navigable lake in the world - After lunch come back to Puno - Hotel in Puno (B - L).

Early breakfast and then private transfer from hotel to Juliaca Airport (45 min), there we aboard the plane around 8am and flight to Cusco (45 min).

Welcome reception at Cusco airport and the aboard our private van to Visit the Sacred Valley of The Incas. Where we visit Inca archaeological sites and Andean markets of Pisaq, Calca, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo - Hotel in Ollantaytambo town (2700m), located in the heart of the sacred valley of the Incas (B - L).

Around 8am you will be from the hotel and 1 hours travel by private transport to the trailhead at Kilometer 82. In this place where we will meet the second part of our camp staff (porters and cooks), also here is the checkpoint to get in The Inca Trail. Officials from INRENA or INC check all users of the Inca Trail Network identify themselves with their original Passports and the valid entrance fee.

The hikers cross the Vilcanota River and follow the trail on the right as it climbs steadily up from the river. After passing through a small village, the ruins of the Inca hill fort of Huillca Raccay come into view high above the mouth of the river Cusy Chacca. From parts of this trail there are great views of the Urubamba mountain range and the snow capped peak of Veronica (5870m).

Here we also have a good view over the extensive Llactapata Inca ruins. Llactapata means "Upper town" in Quechua and was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. We continue hiking 8 km on the left bank of the river up to the small village of Wayllabamba "Grassy Plain", 3000m. We will eat dinner and spend the first night here (L - D).

After breakfast, following the left bank of the Lluyuchayoc river for about 1 hour we climb up to three stones and cross a small bridge over the Wayruro river. There is a toilet facility. The stream is named after the Wayruro, an ornamental tree.

Hiking up 4½ hours, you will see spectacular views of Lluyucha Pampa (3680m). Continuing up you will get to the first and highest pass of the Inca trail, called Abra Huarmy Wañusca meaning "Dead Woman's Pass" (4200m). At the top hikers can celebrate having completed the most difficult section of the trail with a warm and delicious lunch. We then do a steady decent following the trail on the left side of the Paqaymayo valley. Our dinner and second campsite is at 3600 meters over sea level (B - L - D).

After breakfast we climb up for one hour to the ruins of Runkuracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Paqaymayo valley. Another hour hiking we will be at the top of the second pass, called Abra de Runkuracay at 4000m. The descent down the steps from the pass is steep. This section of the trail is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep precipices. After about one hour walking we will arrive at the pass called Sayaqmarca = "Inaccessible Town". This describes the position of the ruins perfectly, protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of these ruins. After lunch, we level out into cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel.

We then climb up to the 3rd pass called Puyupatamarca = "Town in the Clouds" (3700m). Here excellent views are offered of several snow-capped peaks, Salkantay Mountain (6180m) and Veronica Mountain (5750m). Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six Inca Baths, probably used for the water ritual.

Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins, you will descend a thousand steps. Take care with your knees. After three hours walking through cloud forests you will arrive to Wyñay Wayna. This is our last campsite before Machu Picchu. There is a restaurant, a patio bar to buy drinks and well deserved hot showers.

That afternoon we go to the ruins of Wyñay Wayna "Forever Young".

The ruins located on a nice slope comprise magnificent agricultural terraces. There are many buildings of quality stonework, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water (B - L - D).

At 4am we will wake early, have breakfast and hike up to the last pass at to Inti Punku "Sun Gate" to get Machu Picchu before sunrise. From here you will appreciate Machu Picchu ruins, Wayna Picchu and the low canyon called Aguas Calientes. We will spend an hour watching a spectacular sunrise over the ruins.

Continuing down the trail to the best views of the ruins, you will have plenty of time to take photos of Machu Picchu. We then descend to the main entrance, where you can safely check your large backpacks. Following a guided tour for two hours of the major sections, you will have free time to explore the ruins alone or to climb to Wayna Picchu (2 hours to go up and down).

At 1:30pm the entire group together hikes down through low jungle and continue hiking on left bank of the river to Aguas Calientes. There you will have a short time to buy some lunch, drinks or go to the toilet. The train departs at 4pm from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo (Sacred Valley) and from there we take a tourist bus to drop you to the hotel in Cusco, arriving around 8pm (B).

Today the tour begins after breakfast (8am). The tour include 4 hours of guided tour and private tourist van to visit the plaza de Armas, colony Churches, Qorikancha sun temple, Saqsayhuaman moon temple, Qenqo, Pucapukara, Tambomachay.

Around 1pm pick up from the hotel and transfer to airport and catch the flight to Lima and end of the service (B).

NOTE: If you like to stay one more night in Aguas Calientes after the Inca Trail or in Cusco, please tell us at the booking time to make reservation in the hotel.

B = American breakfast / L = Buffet lunch / D = Tourist dinner / S = Snack