TRIP DESCRIPTION

The Inca Trail to Machu Pichu

An 11 day cultural and natural history trip along the fabled Inca Trail, culminating in the legendary Machu Pichu, World Heritage Site. Departures may be from Quito, Ecuador or Lima, capital city of Peru. The next 2 – 3 days are spent in and around Cusco,(11 200 ft), the centre of Tahuantinsuyo, the Inca culture, and the sacred valley of the Urrubamba. This allows plenty of time for acclimatization and to visit many of the extraordinary ruins found in this part of the Andes.

Rather than trying to complete the trail in 3 days, we spend a more leisurely 5 days trekking, giving our clients more time to accustomed to the altitude and enjoy the infinite variety of vistas, vegetation zones, snow peaked mountains and ruins that make this trial so unique.

Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer magnificence of Machu Pichu. Undoubtedly, the seventh wonder of the world, Machu Pichu is the spiritual centre of the Incan empire.

We stay here a full 3 days / 2 nights, either at the ruins or just below in Aguas Calientes, (the choice is yours), before returning to Cusco by train. The following day takes us back to Lima and to Quito or other destinations…

Level of difficulty is Easy / Moderate, (due to elevation).

The Jewels of the Empire, a cultural trip to Machu Pichu & Cusco

A short, 6 – 7 day trip, ideal for those that want to visit all the highlights this area of the Andes has to offer but doesn't have the time necessary to complete the Inca Trail.

By connecting flight from Quito, Ecuador, or starting in Lima, capital city of Peru on the Pacific coast, we fly directly to Cusco, enjoying some of the sights of the city, and surroundings that same day. Subsequent days are spent exploring the delights of the Urrubamba valley, the ruins as well as the thriving native villages and markets. After a morning walk through the town and ruins of Ollantaytambo, one of the last strongholds of Manco Inca in his rebellion against the Spaniards and the only town that retains its original geometric Incan layout, we set out by train to Machu Pichu itself.

Descending into the sub tropical rain forest we alight at the station of Aguas Calientes and continue by bus up to the ruins rediscovered by archaeologist, Hiram Bingham in 1911 during his search for the lost city of the Incas, Vilcabamba.  Its sheer grandeur leaves even the casual observer at a loss for words and is a fitting end for the traveller that seeks the jewels of a bygone civilisation. We return to Cusco, then Lima, and home or on to further destinations.

Level of difficulty is Easy / Moderate

FURTHER INFORMATIONMATION

Peru:  Cuzco and Machu Picchu

Cusco is the second highest city in South America.  It is located at 11,200 feet above sea level in the south east of Peru.     It is one of the most mystical and striking cities in the world, not just for its location and beauty, but also for its remarkable  history.  As the capital of the Incas, much of its architecture remains from that period and the layout of the city still retains that of its original builders.  Huge stone-carved walls are the foundations for later,  Spanish constructions.  The contrast between colonial and Inca Architecture make this city a fascinating archaeological site. 

Our trips to Machu Pichu normally start in Cusco from whence we visit other Inca ruins along the Urubamba or  Sacred Valley of the Incas, before arriving to Machu Pichu.

To absorb its intriguing history ,to visit the city, explore the winding streets, markets  and "rincones" of Cusco requires more than a single day, so our trips normally include the day of arrival and one full day on your own on the last day of your trip, before returning to Lima.   After the social and economic upheavals experienced by the Peruvians during the 80 s and part of the 90 s   Cusco is once again the thriving market town it once must have been during the times of it's Incan ancestors. The most popular time of the year to visit this part of the world is from May to September; however, we run trips throughout the year.

Machu Pichu:  2 hours and 15 minutes by train from Ollantaytambo one reaches the station of Aguas Calientes, a little town well known for its thermal springs and for being the closest settlement  to the Machu Pichu ruins.    From Aguas Calientes we take a bus up to the Ruins, from 6,600 feet to 7,920 feet.

Machu Pichu remains  an enigma. Whilst traditional historians claim that the site was built as a religious sanctuary where only the "chosen few", priests, virgins of the sun and of course the Inca himself were allowed to visit, newer theories propose it as the site of a cultural university; a place of learning, where "students" from throughout Tahuantinsuyo, the Inca empire, were taught astronomy,  agriculture and religion.

If one follows the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu it is easy to believe it was considered one the most sacred places for the Inca culture  and that the ruins leading to Machu Pichu were stops taken in preparation for the arrival to their  main destination, a cleansing necessary to enter the hallowed grounds of the temple.

We normally stay two days in Machu Pichu in order to make the most of our time there.   This provides the opportunity to hike up to Wayna Picchu complex or the Intipunku, the sun gate.  The second day is free for you to explore.  In the afternoon we return to Cusco by train. We also offer extensions to Titicaca and Bolivia, or the rain tropical forest of Peru.

We also offer extensions to Titicaca and Bolivia, or the rain tropical forest of Peru.

For further information click HERE

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