Cusco and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 11 days

Day-by-day itinerary - Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail to Machu Picchu:

Day 1: Transfer to the hotel in Lima

Cusco, the archaeological capital of the Americas and the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent lies in exceptionally beautiful Andean countryside. It is 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, which was built between 1560 and 1654 on the site of the palace of the Inca Wiracocha. It is a magnificent example of European art made by the indigenous population. Its main altar is completely covered in silver, and the church contains many fine paintings from the Cusco School of religious art. From the cathedral we move on to Qoricancha, the Inca Temple of the Sun, where we will be able to see some of the finest remaining examples of Inca stonemasonry. We will also visit the Santa Catalina convent, and 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, to visit the magnificent carved cedar pulpit of the San Blas church.

We will explore this ancient Inca sanctuary with its immense monolithic walls built from stones that weigh up to 130 tons each, all joined perfectly together. Sacsaywaman witnessed great events and bloodshed during the siege of Cusco at the time of the conquest. We will 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, with the beautiful Urubamba River far below.

Chinchero market is only open on Sundays. Chichero is a traditional village with an interesting early colonial church built on what was once an Inca temple, the niches of which are still visible from the main square.
The colourful markets of the valley are open during the mornings, when you will be able to buy Peruvian crafts, jewellery and textiles, and see the traditional produce market where 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. This process takes one month, until a 10 cm layer of salt has formed. 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
The village of Ollantaytambo retains the original street plan of the Inca town, making it the only surviving example of Inca urban planning. Our tour will include a visit to the agricultural areas around the village, the irrigation system, granaries and the fortress-temple built by Inca Pachacuteq using stonemasons from the Colla culture around Lake Titicaca.

A complete network of interconnecting roads linked Cusco to its provinces and other kingdoms and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was part of that system. Today it has become the most famous and popular trek in South America due to the variety of attractions it offers.
This spectacular trail runs from high mountains down to cloud forest, passing through a number of diverse ecological zones filled with an enormous variety of plants and birdlife. The route is also studded with archaeological sites which lead the visitor to the lost city of the Incas; Machu Picchu.

Cusco / Chilca / Huayllabamba

Our vehicle will take us to the trail head at Chilca. From here the trail follows the left bank of the Urubamba River from where we will see beautiful views of snow-capped Veronica (5850m). After lunch we will visit the ruins of Llactapata where we will camp for the night.

From the village of Huayllabamba the trail climbs through high Andean woodland to a plain called Llulluchapampa just before the first pass, from where there are excellent views of the Huayanay mountain chain. We will camp at Llulluchapampa.

After two hours walking we reach the pass of Warmiwañuska (4050m/13,280ft), before descending as far as the canyon of the Pacaymayo River. After a short rest we will descend slowly along a paved Inca road to the ruins of Runcuracay and Sayacmarca, which have been recently restored. Here we enter the cloud forest and in the afternoon the trail descends via a stone staircase to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, where we will make our camp.

Day 8: Phuyupatamarca / Machu Picchu

Today will be dedicated to visiting the city. In the company of our guide we will visit the temples, houses, agricultural terraces and palaces and also have some time to explore the ruins independently.
In the afternoon return to Cusco by train.

Day 10: Free day

Day 11: Transfer to airport.