Machu Picchu 2008 Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Depart home for Lima
Depending on individual flight schedules, you will either arrive in Lima in the evening or very early the next morning. Those arriving in the evening will overnight in a hotel in the suburbs of Lima (Miraflores) and return to the airport early the next morning for the flight to Cusco.

Day 2: Cusco
Check into hotel. In the afternoon you will have a guided visit of the nearby ruins of Sacsahuaman. Overnight at Hotel San Agustin.

Day 3: Cusco/Urubamba
Morning visit to the Pisac Market for some shopping. After lunch we will visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo. Overnight in Cusco again.

Day 4: Pacchar to Chilipahua
Hike time: 6 hours
Elevation change: 2,000 ft
Estimated distance: 5 miles
Camp at 11,400 ft.

Early morning bus will take us to the Pacchar trailhead to begin our trek up the Inca Trail. The trail climbs via a small ‘pampa’ at Amparaki to the Watuq’asa pass (3900m) where we will pass an Inca wall and fortress known as Qosqoq’awarina (the place where one can see the surrounding the pass). There are also great views of the Vilcabamba massif, 3 large mountains in a row. Descend from the pass to a small valley with a stream running through it called Anapahua, and then head up the valley to your campsite at the small settlement of Chilipauhua.

Day 5: Chilipahua
This is our day of community service for the Chilipahua village.

Day 6: Chilipahua to Ankascocha
Hike time: 7 hours
Elevation change: 2,200 ft
Estimated distance: 5 miles
Camp at 14,000 ft

A long day of hard trekking to the second highest pass, Pampaq’asa. Once over the pass, a further hour down brings you to the lunch spot by the Silque River. After lunch, walk a further 2-3 hours downhill until you reach your campsite at Ankascocha, near a scenic alpine lake.

Day 7: Ankascoha to Keska
Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: +1000ft, -1500 ft
Estimated distance: 5 miles
Camp at 11,800 ft

The day begins with a steep ascent to the Ankascosha Pass. Passing a beautiful glacial lagoon, we will have magnificent views of snow capped peaks as well as the Silque Valley. The trail descends past small farmsteads and patchwork fields to the Keska Valley and a recently restored Inca site that was once a checkpoint at the confluence of the Keska and Pampacahua Valleys. Overnight near the village of Keska.

Day 8: Keska to Q’ente
Hike time: 4 hours
Elevation change: -3,000 ft
Estimated distance: 4 miles
Camp at 9,000 ft

The trail now follows the Cusichaca Valley through Huayllabamba, a village of corn fields to Q’ente which overlooks the Urubamba River. This area is dotted with Inca sites. The scenery will change dramatically as you leave the snow capped peaks behind and enter the tropical surroundings with strong scents of eucalyptus. Overnight in a sweet spot on the edge of the Urubamba River.

Day 9: Q’ente to Machu Picchu
Hike time: 5 hours
Elevation change: +2,000, -1,000
Estimated distance: 4 miles

This morning we will wake from camp and make our way over to the train station where we will take a 40 minute train ride to Km 104 and begin our final push up to the holy site. A very steep 3 hour trail will bring us to the famous Inca ruin of Winay Wayna. Here we join the standard Inca Trail which cuts across the ridge to the Incan ‘Gate of the Sun’ and the first exhilarating view of Machu Picchu. From the gate, you will travel downhill to Machu Picchu. Just a few minutes to enjoy the sun setting around this amazing place and then a short bus ride down to Aguas Calientes where we will lodge at the Machu Picchu Inn.

Day 10: Machu Picchu to Cusco
Morning guided tour of Machu Picchu with lunch. This afternoon take the train back to Cusco (3hours). Overnight in Cusco at the Hotel San Augustin.

Day 11: Cusco to Lima to Home
Take morning domestic flight back to Lima, afternoon tour of Lima. Evening or late night international flight back to US.

Day 12:
Arrive home early morning or afternoon.