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Note: You will need to depart a day earlier. The trip begins at the airport in Lima, on Day 1. We can make any additional reservations for you in Lima or Cusco. Detailed information will be included with the pre-departure information. Check with our staff BEFORE buying any airline tickets. Day 1 Saturday — June 2: Lima/Cusco Early morning arrival at the Lima airport, where you will be met by an Andes Adventures representative, who will assist you with connecting flights to Cusco. Depart on a one-hour flight to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire and the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city. Upon arrival in Cusco, we transfer to the hotel where a traditional welcome cup of coca leaf tea is served to help with the acclimatization to the 11,150 feet altitude. After a welcome lunch we will have a guided sightseeing tour of the city, visiting the Cathedral, Qorikancha, the most important temple of the Inca Empire and the Santo Domingo Monastery. You will receive a tourist ticket valid for the length of the trip enabling you to visit the many archaeological sites, temples and other places of interest. After lunch enjoy shopping and sightseeing in beautiful Cusco. Dinner and overnight in Cusco. Overnight: Picoaga Hotel in Cusco. Day 2 Sunday — June 3: Cusco Morning visit to the archaeological sites surrounding Cusco, beginning with the fortress and temple of Sacsayhuaman, perched on a hillside overlooking Cusco at 12,136 feet. It is still a mystery how this fortress was constructed. Gigantic stones, some of them weighing 125 tons, were carved into huge trapezoidal blocks that fit together with extraordinary precision. The tour continues with visits to the semicircular shrine of Kenko, Puca Pucara and the Royal Baths of Tambomachay, a beautiful ceremonial bath, adorned with waterfalls, which continues to flow 500 years after being built. Following the tour, we run downhill to Cusco, passing through the village of Yuncaypata, and the Temple of the Moon. We enter Cusco through San Blas and finish at the Plaza de Armas. After lunch, we will spend the afternoon relaxing, shopping and sightseeing in beautiful Cusco and its surroundings. Overnight: Picoaga Hotel in Cusco. Day 3 Monday — June 4: Chinchero/Yucay Our tour takes us on a scenic drive 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 at 12,350 feet. There, we will visit a highland home and observe a demonstration of the traditional weaving process and shop for local handicrafts. Acclimatization run, starting on flat terrain, passing through the salt mines of Maras and finishing down a scenic trail leading to the Urubamba River. We prepare for the Inca Trail marathon and spend the afternoon relaxing in Yucay and its surroundings. Overnight in the town of Yucay. Overnight: Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel in Yucay. Day 4 Tuesday — June 5: Ollantaytambo/Llactapata We visit 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. Its stonework, narrow cobbled streets, family courtyards and water system is exactly as it was built in Inca times. You will be able to appreciate the Inca agricultural terraces that create small tiers of fertile land on very steep slopes. We have a light lunch in Ollantaytambo and continue on a short ride by bus to the trailhead at km 82 "Piscacucho," where we begin our run to km 88 "Qoriwayrachina." There we enter the Machu Picchu Sanctuary National Park. About a mile later we arrive at our camp in the archaeological site of Llactapata "Town on Hillside" at 8,400 feet. Upon arrival in camp we enjoy hot coca tea and a great view of the Urubamba mountain range. Note: We no longer offer rafting on the Urubamba River - Sacred Valley in Cusco because pollution of the river has increased, and the water quality may not always be suitable for rafting. Overnight: Camp at Llactapata. Day 5 Wednesday — June 6: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu Marathon Early breakfast and start of the "Inca Trail Marathon." The trail continues along 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 uphill 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. Ascending steps, we begin the climb toward Runkurakay pass. On the way we encounter the Runkurakay watchtower ruins at 12,464 feet. We 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 Intipunku "Gateway of the Sun" at 8,860 feet. Suddenly, the full grandeur of the world's 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 Machu Picchu Pueblo (previously known as Aguas Calientes), where we will enjoy a celebration dinner. "Running the Inca trail in one day" is a significant accomplishment, as most hikers take an average of 3 days. Overnight: El Mapi Hotel Machu Picchu. Day 6 Thursday — June 7: Machu Picchu We spend the early part of the morning with our expert guide, for a tour of the mysterious city, its magnificent temples, terraced hillsides, archaeological curiosities, 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 in such a remote place and what its purpose might have been. Fortunately this outstanding citadel was never discovered by the Spaniards and was spared from destruction. After a great lunch at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, continue exploring the ruins of Machu Picchu, or relax in Aguas Calientes. You may also choose from several additional (unguided) activities such as a moderate hike or run to the Inca Bridge; a more strenuous hike to the 9,500 feet summit of Machu Picchu mountain; or an optional climb to the airy summit of Huayna Picchu at 9,000 feet. Overnight: El Mapi Hotel Machu Picchu. Day 7 Friday — June 8: Pisac/Cusco This morning we board the train to Urubamba. We have lunch in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we continue by bus to visit the Andean village of Pisac. Our guide takes us through the village to visit its colorful market where extensive selections of colorful weavings, ceramics, sweaters and other handicrafts are sold at bargain prices. The afternoon is free for shopping and enjoying Cusco. Dinner and overnight in Cusco. Overnight: Picoaga Hotel in Cusco. Day 8 Saturday — June 9: Cusco/Lima/Flight home After breakfast, transfer to the Cusco airport for the flight to Lima. Upon arrival we are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel in Miraflores, where a day-room is available. After checking-in we go to lunch and from the restaurant, we continue on a sightseeing guided city tour of colonial and modern Lima. Highlights include Lima's Cathedral, government palace in Plaza Mayor, San Francisco monastery, San Isidro, Miraflores and a scenic view of the coastline. Those departing tonight have a day-room and a transfer to the airport in the evening and depart on homeward-bound flights. Day Room: Hotel San Agustín Exclusive in Miraflores.
For runners continuing on the Lake Titicaca & Colca Canyon ExtensionDay 8 Saturday — June 9: Cusco to Puno - Lake Titicaca Those taking the extension travel south to Puno on a private bus. You will enjoy the Andean scenery and go by small villages and farms along the way as well as stops at various ruins. Among other villages you will drive by Urcos, Raqchi, Tinta and Sicuani before reaching the pass at La Raya at 14,240 feet (4,340 meters). We pass the villages of Santa Rosa, Ayaviri, Pucara, Juliaca and reach the city of Puno at 12,560 feet (3,925 meters). Lake Titicaca region is inhabited by Quechua and Aymara people, whose way of life has not changed over the centuries. This afternoon we will visit the "floating islands" of the Uros people who build the famous "totora" reed boats. The Uros and other lakeside dwellers depend extensively on the totora reed. It is used to make fishing boats and homes as well as the famous floating islands of reed. Overnight: Casa Andina Tikarani in Puno Day 9 Sunday — June 10: Puno/Colca Canyon/Cabanaconde This morning we travel to Colca Canyon. Colca Canyon is 11,155’ deep – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon and one of the deepest in the world. At the highest point, the road reaches the Mirador at 16,142 feet (4,920 meters), from where you can see the surrounding volcanoes, among them Ampato (20,930’), Sabancaya, Hualca-Hualca, Chachani and other. The road descends to Chivay. The valley has many small towns that preserve their ancestral traditions of farming on terraces along the walls of the canyon. We will pass by Yanque, Achoma, Maca, Pinchollo, before reaching Cabanaconde at 10,500 feet. Overnight: Hotel Kuntur Wassi Day 10 Sunday — June 11: Race in Colca Canyon – Cabanaconde This morning we participate in the 16.5 mile “4ta Maraton Internacional Princesa del Ampato 2012” - Cabanaconde. This very tough race is organized by Andes Adventures and the town of Cabanaconde, with the enthusiastic support of the local communities. The elevation gain/loss on the run is about 8,325 feet! We start at the Plaza in Cabanaconde and we descend about 3,800 feet down the Colca Canyon to the village of San Juan de Chuccho, from there it climbs to the village of Tapay at 9,520 feet and descends to the villages of Malata and Cosñirgua. From there it descends to Sangaye located at about 6,550 feet and finish with a final climb to Cabanaconde at 10,500 feet. We will enjoy a festive award celebration at the Plaza in Cabanaconde. Overnight: Hotel Kuntur Wassi Day 11 – Monday, June 12- Cross of the Condor/Arequipa/Lima/Flight home This morning we visit the "Cross of the Condor" where you can view the majestic flight of the condors floating on thermals rising from the canyon. The Andean condor is the largest flying bird with a wing span of about 9 to 10 feet. We will continue our drive passing by Pampa Caňuahuas and the Aguada Blanca reserve where we will most likely see Vicuňas, a relative from the family of llamas and alpacas that you will see on your trip. We continue our drive to Arequipa, also known as the White City. This is because of its magnificent Spanish architecture, made with a white volcanic stone "sillar". The city is at the foot of “El Misti” (19,100’) the majestic snowcapped volcano, Chachani volcano (19,931’) and Pichu Pichu volcano (18,372’). The downtown area of the city features Mixed Baroque churches and mansions from the Colonial Period like the Monastery of Santa Catalina, a Spanish city in miniature with stone streets, beautiful patios and plazas. We arrive in Arequipa at 7,680 feet for a late lunch and transfer to the airport for the flight to Lima and connection with your flight home. Meals: B, L.Today’s run: None scheduled. Today’s drive from Cabanaconde to Arequipa: 216 Km, approximately 5 1/2 hours. (Or continue on Extension).
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