Machu Picchu Itinerary

Machu Picchu Itinerary

September 13 - 20, 2010

In order to embark on this trail you need to have a reasonable level of fitness – age does not matter! The most important factor is acclimatizing to the altitude. The maximum height above sea level along the trail is 13,779 feet. The itinerary for Machu Picchu starts on day 1 when we arrive in Cusco.

Day 1 - Sept. 13

We will spend the first day adapting to the altitude in Cusco before we start our four day trek up to Machu Picchu. During this time we can explore the wonderful city which is a UNESCO World Heritage We can sit and relax with a Pisco Sour in the evening in the courtyard of the hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 2 -Sept. 14

From Cusco we will begin our Machu Picchu itinerary when we whitewater raft on the Urubamba River. The Urubamba flows from the Andes of southern Peru. The whitewater is rated at II – IV. We will be there during the dry season so class IV may be stretching it. (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 3 - Sept. 15

Cusco (3,350m) – Km82 (2,800m) – Wayllabamba (3,000m)

We rise early in the morning so will can start our trek up to Machu Picchu. During this trek, we will be well attended by the cooks, porters and guides. Here we enjoy the view of Veronica Snow Mountain (5,720m). We then commence walking for about three hours, when we take lunch close to Llactapata Ruins. These ruins were just rediscovered in 2003. It has a plaza with ceremonial doorways that align to Machu Picchu, which can be seen in the distance. It was an important rest stop and roadside memorial on the trip to Machu Picchu for the Incas. Then we continue our trek through lush farmland and woodlands to our first camp at Wayllabamba.

 

All your meals are cooked for us and we will be in tents. There will be two members per tent. We will be sleeping under an incredible crystal clear night sky not hindered by light pollution.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 4 - Sept. 16

Wayllabamba – Warmiwañusca (4,200m) – Pacaymayo (3,600m)

We continue our Machu Picchu trek itinerary after breakfast. This trail marks the toughest part of the trail to Machu Picchu, as we pass through Warmihuañusca (literal translation “where the woman dies.”) at 13,779 feet. We have a beautiful panoramic view of the area. After lunch we continue down to Pacaymayo where we set up camp and have a nutritious dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

We will arrive at Inca Ruins of Runkurakay, a lookout post. Then onto the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca which means the inaccessible city, was an Incan university dedicated to astronomy. We will have a guided tour through both of them.

Ruins of Runkurakay

We will then continue your adventure trek to Puya Patamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where lunch will be served. From above, one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations, and also impressive views of the Urubamba River valley. We will continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young), a beautiful Inca construction. We camp near to the ruins and have well deserved nutritious dinner. This is where we will camp for the night. Imagine the night stars from this vantage point. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 

Day 5 - Sept. 17

Pacaymayo – Phuya Patamarka (3,600m) – Wiñay Huayna (2,700m)

Today we ascend towards the second most important pass on the trail which lies at 4,000m. We reach the Inca Ruins of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca.

We continue the trek towards Puya Patamarka (Cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument,  where lunch will be served. After a short break we continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young), a beautiful Inca construction. We camp near to the ruins and have well deserved nutritious dinner.

(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

 Wiñay Huayna Campsite

Day 6 - Sept. 18

Wiñay Huayna – Machupicchu  

We will start really early to arrive at Machu Picchu just as the sun is coming up. We walk for about an hour through the forest before arriving at the Inti Punku (the Sun Gate), where we will have our first inspiring view of Machu Picchu. We admire the view before setting off for the short walk into the ruins. There will be a 2 hour fully guided tour around the ruins, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour we will have free time to wander around and explore by ourselves.

Machu Picchu 

After spending the day at Machu Picchu, we will be driven by bus down to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included). There are three good restaurants here ranging from Peruvian food to pizza. We will look around and see where we can get in and what we want to eat. Prices are $5 to $13 for lunch. Then of course if we want a cold beer, oh yeah, take that into account. In the afternoon we take the Vista Dome train back to Cusco, where we will be transferred back to the hotel. (Breakfast)

Vista Dome Train

Day 7- Sept. 19

After a much need good night’s sleep, we will go into Cusco and watch the incredibly different Warachicuy Inka Festival. This is a little known festival to celebrate young men coming of age in the Inca tradition. It is like the Olympics of the Inca with pageantry, fighting and music. Singles Adventures has the inside scoop on when this is suppose to occur. There are no guarantees, as they normally do not plan this Festival till sixty days in advance. However, we have been assured that this is the time it will take place. (Breakfast)

Day 8 -- Sept. 20

Today we conclude our Machu Picchu Itinerary as  we check out and say our goodbyes to head home. (Breakfast)

Included:

8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners (vegetarian options available)

Hotel DBL OCC - Day 1, Day 2 and Day 7

Transport to start of white water rafting

Whitewater rafting

Helmets, life vest, and splash jackets for whitewater rafting

Private Transportation to the start of Inca Trail

English speaking Guide

Pre-briefing the night before trail departure date

Duffels to put your luggage into including plastic bag to keep your gear dry during rainy season

Water from lunch-time on the 1st day on the trail to the end of the Inca trail (boiled water).

Bowl of warm water in the mornings to freshen up provided to each person.

Entrance fee onto Inca Trail and into Machu Picchu Sanctuary

Bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes

Spacious tents and sleeping mats

All camping other camping equipment

Emergency oxygen bottle and first aid kit

Porters to carry the group equipment (food, tents, tables, etc.)

Porter to carry 15 pounds of your equipment.

Vista Dome train ticket back to Cusco 

Private transfer from train station to hotel.

Does not include:

International airfare to Lima, Peru

Airfare between Lima and Cusco and Puna and Lima

Bottled water and other beverages

Sleeping Bag (can be rented for $20 for the Inca Trail)

If we want your own personal porter that will carry 30 lbs of your equipment, the cost is an extra $120.

Backpack

Meals other then specified

Travel insurance (mandatory)

Personal expenses

Airport departure taxes and fees paid at airport (Domestic airport tax of about US$6 per person AND International Flights of about US$30)

 

Permits are subject to availability. Due to Inca Trail regulations that limit the number of trekkers on the Inca Trail it should be noted demand for spaces on the trek far outweigh the number of available trek permits. Permits CAN NOT BE ISSUED on payment basis only. [IMPORTANT: the name provided must be the same as shown on passport.]

The Peru government requires that you bring your original passport (must be and keep it on you during the trek up Machu Picchu. These permits cannot be transferred to another person.  The Peru government requires that you provide immediately on payment to Singles Adventures the following information: