Land cost per person: $2,495
9 days (1 night camping)

July 11 to July 19, 2010
July 10 to July 18, 2011

(We also offer a longer version of this adventure. See the Chasqui Challenge Adventure Run.)

How strong a runner do I need to be?

Options for couples and friends.

Peru Flight Information

On the way to Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail

Interactive Inca Trail Map

Where We Go

RETURN TO TRIP SUMMARY Land cost. Flight Info (PDF) $2,495 Single Supplement, if requested. *Does not include single tent on the Inca Trail $495* TRIP FEE INCLUDES: • Airport check-in and baggage assistance in Perú. • All airport transfers as scheduled on itinerary. • All ground transportation in comfortable private buses. • All meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Vegetarian meals can be accommodated (please request in advance). • All sightseeing tours and park entrance fees to destinations on the itinerary. • All off-trail accommodations in Perú are in fine hotels. When camping, we use roomy, high quality tents. All accommodations are based on double occupancy. • If you are traveling alone and prefer single accommodations you must pay the single supplement. If you are willing to share accommodations, we will try our best to find a roommate and if that is not possible you will pay only 75% of the single supplement cost. • Inca Trail, Salcantay trail, Ausangate circuit and Huaraz: First-class camping and trekking services by experienced Andean guides, camp and cook staff, Huayruro porters on the Inca Trail and Quechua arrieros with their pack animals in Salcantay, on the Ausangate circuit, and in Huaraz. Horses are available in Salcantay, on the Ausangate circuit, and in Huaraz. All group camping equipment: quality tents, thermarest pads, dining and kitchen tents, tables and camp stools, toilet tents, etc. All meals: Wake up tea, breakfast, lunch, tea meal and dinner. • All tips to porters, animal handlers and cooks. Andes Adventures pays their salaries and all their tips. • The services of professional tour guides. • Our local leaders and guides are knowledgeable about the language, customs, culture and history of their country. They are detail oriented and take great pleasure in sharing their insight and expertise. They help make sure everything runs as safely and smoothly as possible. NOT INCLUDED: • International airfare, internal flights, transfers for independent arrival or departure, airport departure taxes in Perú (approx. $41 U.S), travel insurance (highly recommended) for which an application will be included with your confirmation, passport fees, excess baggage fees, optional tips to trip leader, guides and local staff. All items of personal nature such as: sleeping bag, personal gear, laundry, telephone calls, beverages, etc. Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. Andes Adventures can assist you with air ticketing or trip participants may make their own arrangements for air travel. Suggested flight routings and airlines will be provided. Please check with our staff before purchasing tickets. We need to verify your flight schedule and confirm that we have enough participants to guarantee the departure. Note: All itineraries are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control including, weather, road or trail conditions and flight schedules. 1323 12th Street, Suite F Santa Monica, CA  90401 Toll Free (800) 289-9470 Phone (310) 395-5265  FAX (310) 395-7343 Request Information © 2000-2010 Andes Adventures, Inc. All Rights Reserved. CST #2030675-40 Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Plan your 2011 Travel Adventure today!

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.

Day 1 Sunday — July 11: Lima/Cusco

This morning you will be met at the Lima airport 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. This morning 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. Welcome dinner and overnight in Cusco.

Overnight: Picoaga Hotel in Cusco.
Meals: L, D.
Today's run: None scheduled.

Day 2 Monday — July 12: 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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's run: 4.5 miles.

Day 3 Tuesday — July 13: Chinchero/Yucay

Continuing 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. Overnight in the town of Yucay.

Overnight: Sonesta Posada del Inca Hotel in Yucay.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's run: 5 to 8 mile options.

Day 4 Wednesday — July 14: 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.

Overnight: Camp at Llactapata.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's run: About 6.5 miles along the Urubamba River with a shorter option available.
Note: The point of entrance to the Inca Trail is subject to change due to permit requirements.

Day 5 Thursday — July 15: 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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's run: 27.5 miles

Day 6 Friday — July 16: 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 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 a steep climb to the airy summit of Huayna Picchu at 9,000 feet.

Overnight: El Mapi Hotel Machu Picchu.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's run: Optional distances.

Day 7 Saturday — July 17: Ollantaytambo/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.
Meals: B, L, D.
Today's run: Optional distances.

Day 8 Sunday — July 18: Cusco/Lima/Flight home

After an early breakfast, transfer to the Cusco airport for the flight to Lima. We will be met at the airport and transferred to a hotel in the residential district of Miraflores, where a day use room is available. After lunch, we are picked up at the hotel and taken 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 transfer to the airport and depart on homeward-bound flights.

Overnight: Hotel San Agustín Exclusive in Miraflores.
Meals: B, L.
Today's run: None scheduled.

Day 9 Monday — July 19: Flight home

Those departing today will be transferred to the airport this morning.

Meals: B

(Or continue on Extension).