ITINERARY

SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
ADVENTURE RUN
INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
AND CIRCUIT AROUND MOUNT AUSANGATE
14 days (5 nights camping)

Departure/Return Date:
July 24 to August 6,1999

Day 1 Saturday — July 24: USA/Lima
Depart the USA on an afternoon flight to Lima where we will be met at the airport and transferred to a comfortable hotel for an overnight stay in the residential district of San Isidro.

Day 2 Sunday — July 25: Cusco
An early morning transfer to the airport for the one hour flight to Cusco; the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel and a traditional welcome cup of coca leaf tea is served to help with the acclimatization to the 11,150 feet altitude. Enjoy an afternoon of relaxing, shopping and sightseeing in beautiful Cusco. A tourist ticket valid for the length of the trip will enable you to visit the many archaeological sites, temples and other places of interest in Cusco. Welcome dinner and overnight in Cusco.

Day 3 Monday — July 26: Cusco
In the morning, we will have a guided sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the Cathedral, Coricancha; the most important temple of the Inca empire and the Santo Domingo Monastery. We continue to visit the archaeological sites around Cusco and finish with an easy downhill run. Overnight in Cusco. Today’s run: 3.5 miles

Day 4 Tuesday — July 27: Chinchero/Yucay
Departure to Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We travel across a high plain with splendid views of the Cordillera Urubamba to the ancient Inca town of Chinchero 12,350 feet. We will observe a demonstration of the traditional weaving process and shop for local handicrafts. We continue on to visit the salt mines of Maras and a run down to the Urubamba river. Overnight in the town of Yucay. Today’s run: 4.0 miles

Day 5 Wednesday — July 28: Llactapata
We leave by bus to Urubamba, the village of Ollanta and Ollantaytambo; the best surviving example of an Inca town. Most of its buildings sit upon Inca walls and the street plan is still the original laid out by its Inca builders with its stonework, narrow streets and family courtyards of Inca times. You will observe the Inca agricultural terraces that create small tiers of fertile land on very steep slopes. After a picnic lunch we continue our trip to the trailhead at Chilca (9,750’), where we begin our trek. A fairly easy 5.5 miles along the Urubamba River brings us to our camp next to the ruins of Llactapata “town on hillside” at 8,400 feet. Upon arrival in camp we enjoy hot coca tea and visit the agricultural terraces before dinner. Today’s run: 5.5 miles

Day 6 Thursday — July 29: Machu Picchu
Early breakfast and start of the “Inca trail run”. The trail crosses the Cusichaca river and follows it upstream on a gradual climb for about three miles leaving behind the Urubamba valley and a magnificent view of snow-capped Mount Veronica (18,865’), the highest peak in the Cordillera Urubamba. We reach the village of Wayllabamba at 9,100 feet, the last inhabited village on the Inca trail. Penetrating the spectacular Llulluchayoc gorge; the trail becomes steeper as we enter mossy woods and continue our uphil climb through a thick forest, before emerging into a large meadow “pampa” Llulluchapampa high above tree line at about 12,400 feet. We continue about a mile to Warmiwañusq’a pass “pass of the dead woman” at 13,779 feet, the highest pass in the Inca Trail. A short rocky descent into the valley brings us to the Pacaymayo river, we will have an aid station here. We begin the climb towards the second pass, on the way we encounter the Runkurakay watchtower ruins at 12,464 feet and pass by a small lake, before reaching the Runkurakay pass at 13,100 feet. From here you will have excellent views of the glaciated peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. Most of the climb is behind us; the trail descends rocky slopes and reaches the strategic fortress of Sayacmarca “dominant town” at 12,234 feet. Beyond Sayacmarca the trail enters dense groves and you will find impressive evidence of Inca road construction, with its six feet wide and carefully constructed stone-paved trails. An amazing engineering accomplishment! We will negotiate a 20 meter Inca tunnel with carved steps and soon the trail becomes a magnificent stone staircase leading to Phuyupatamarca “town in the clouds” at 11,674 feet. We summit the third pass and have our first look into the deep gorge of the Urubamba river. Just below, you find the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, we will have an aid station here. The trail follows down a series of hundreds of steps, passing by ceremonial Inca baths where mountain water still flows through carved stone channels. As we descend into the cloud forest, we will be surrounded by abundance of exotic varieties of plants, orchids and flowers until reaching the ruins of Wiñay Wayna “ forever young”. We run down a dirt trail for about three and a half miles to Intipunko, the “Gateway of the sun” at 8,860 feet. Suddenly, the full grandeur of the world greatest ruins are revealed, the domed peak of Huayna Picchu and the lost City of the Incas, MACHU PICCHU at 7,900 feet. Our evening includes Aguas calientes, where we will enjoy the thermal baths and a celebration dinner “Running the Inca trail in one day”, not an insignificant accomplishment, as most hikers take an average of 4 days. Overnight at Machu Picchu. Today’s run: 27.5 miles

Day 7 Friday — July 30: Machu Picchu/Cusco
We spend the early part of the morning with our expert guide, for a tour of the mysterious city, its magnificent temples, terraced hillsides, irrigation channels fountains, elaborate stone work and chambers of unknown purpose. As we listen to the theories about the mysteries of Machu Picchu we wonder how and why this city was built here, in such a remote place and what was its purpose. Fortunately, this outstanding citadel was never discovered by the Spaniards and was spared from destruction. An optional climb to Huayna Picchu “young mountain” at 9,000 feet, will treat us to spectacular views of Machu Picchu and the formidable scenery of the Cordillera Vilcabamba. We will have lunch prior to boarding the tourist train to Cusco. Dinner and overnight in Cusco, where we will rest and get ready for our exciting trip to the Cordillera Vilcanota.

Day 8 Saturday — July 31: Tinqui
This morning, we are picked up at the hotel for a 4 1/2 to 5 hours drive to the trailhead of the Ausangate circuit, in the highland village of Tinqui at 12,400 feet. We drive by the Andean towns of Andahuaylillas, Huaru, Urcos and finally Ocongate before reaching the village of Tinqui. Tonight we camp in Tinqui.

Day 9 Sunday — August 1: Upis
We start our uphill run crossing the Mapocho river. The terrain turns into open arid grasslands known as puna. Scattered clumps of coarse grasses collectively called ichu characterize the treeless puna (this highland grass is used for roof thatch and fodder for grazing llamas and alpacas). We run over rolling hills passing by stone walls and a few thatched houses. The trail continues up towards the north face of Mount Ausangate (20,905’), considered by these highlanders as the sacred Apu “ Mountain spirit “. We will run to Huahuayocrumi at 14,765 feet, before descending into Upis at 14,400 feet. We camp by the thermal pools. Today’s run: 8 miles

Day 10 Monday — August 2: Jampa
We start early this morning crossing the green Upismayo valley, filled with grazing llamas and alpacas. We climb up to Arapa pass at 15,585 feet and descend to Laguna Pucacocha at 15,080 feet, we will have an aid station here. We have excellent views of the surrounding lakes and the glaciated west face of Mount Ausangate. We will continue up the Apacheta pass at 15,750 feet and descend to Lake Ausangatecocha, followed by the highest pass, the Palomani pass at 16,600 feet; with great views of Ausangate (20,905’) and Santa Catalina (19,055’). In these high mountains, we might see the giant condor soaring high above the blue skies, and a variety of highland birds like coots, Andean geese, cacaraca, hawks, puna ibis as well as the marmot like vizcacha and others. These remote mountains areas are also refuges for the vicuña. We descend towards Pampacancha at 14,900 feet, we will have an aid station here. We continue to Uchuy Finaya on the south side of Mount Ausangate and hike along the Jampamayo river valley, passing the remote village of Jampa. The views are overwhelming with the glaciers and the snow-capped mountains surrounding us; Colque-Cruz (19,554’), Puca Punta and Tres Picos (19,990’). A short climb brings us to Jampa, our highest camp at 15,500 feet.  Today’s run: 21.5 miles

Day 11 Tuesday — August 3: Pacchanta
Today we climb the Campa pass (16,400’), where we will be surrounded by views of glaciers and ice covered peaks. Looking down on our descending trail, we will see Lakes Comercocha and Caycocha. From the pass, we descent to Lake Minaparayoc. A moderate downhill takes us to the village of Pacchanta at 13,950 feet. We will enjoy a specially prepared traditional “Pachamanca” dinner feast, prepared in an ancient Quechua method of cooking meat and vegetables underground with heated stones. We camp for the night and enjoy the local hot springs. Today’s run: 9.5 miles

Day 12 Wednesday — August 4: Tinqui/Cusco
Our last day on the circuit we continue to enjoy magnificent alpine scenery, with views of Mount Ausangate and the nearby snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota range. We run by the small communities of Cullpacata, Yanama, Mojonpata and Quimsapuccio giving us our last chance to see remote Andean villagers. Herds of llamas, alpacas and their herders, in their colorful traditional clothing, work along the hillsides. Most speak no Spanish, only the ancient Quechua language. After returning to Tinqui we drive back to Cusco. Tonight we’ll have our farewell dinner in one of Cusco’s finest restaurants. Overnight in Cusco.  Today’s run: 6 miles

Day 13 Thursday — August 5: Lima
After breakfast, an early transfer to the Cusco airport for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival, we‘ll join our local guide for a tour of the Gold museum; a display of one of the largest and finest collections of pre-Columbian artifacts in the world. A day room is available. Tonight we transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Day 14 Friday — August 6: Lima/USA
Early morning arrival in the USA.

TRIP FEE INCLUDES:

• Round trip airfare from Los Angeles or Miami, including U.S. airport fees and taxes.

• Internal flights; Lima - Cusco - Lima.

• Baggage assistance in Perú.

• All airport transfers and ground transportation in Perú on scheduled days.

• All accommodations in Perú are in comfortable quality hotels or First Class tents, based on double occupancy, 2 persons sharing a room or tent. Single rooms are available at a supplemental cost.

• All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Boiled water during camping. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated (please request in advance).

• All sightseeing tours and park entrance fees to destinations on the itinerary.

• The services of professional tour guides.

• Inca Trail Trek, Ausangate Circuit and Huaraz Trek:
 First Class camping and trekking services by experienced Andean guides, camp and cook staff, Huayruro porters on the Inca Trail and Quechua Indian Arrieros with their pack animals in Ausangate mountain and in Huaraz. Riding horses are available. All group camping equipment. All meals included.

• Single Supplement includes single room and single tent on trek if available and requested.
 

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airport departure taxes (approximately $35.00 U.S.), traveler’s insurance (recommended), passport fees, medical immunizations (not required), optional tips to professional tour guides, sleeping bag, and personal gear. All items of personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, carbonated drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, etc.

• Expenses incurred due to flight delays, cancellations, missed connections or lost luggage. The purchase of trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended. See application included with your pre-departure information.

Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules.