Ancient Trails of Peru

ITINERARY GUIDE: DAY 01 Arrive in Lima. Transfer to hotel and overnight. DAY 02 Early transfer to the airport to board the plane for the fight to Cusco. On arrival transfer to your hotel. Rest of the morning free to relax and slowly acclimatize. In the afternoon a short city tour to orient yourself to the magnificence of the city and its Inca and Colonial monuments and evening briefing session. Lunch and dinner on your own. DAY 03 By train or bus to Qoriwayrachina or Chillca where our porters await us for a day of walking along the Urubamba river across from the snow-capped Mount Veronica. We reach Patallacta soon after lunch with time for exploration of the surrounding archaeological site and neighboring farmland. DAY 04 A slow climb until we reach the Indian community of Huayllabamba; then the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass, where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mount Huayanay. DAY 05 A couple of hours of hiking bring us to Warmiwañusca pass (4,050 m /13,280 ft). The trail descends to the Pacamayo River and then climbs slowly past Runkuraqay and over a pass to Sayacmarca ruins until reaching a dry lake where we camp. DAY 06 After continuing along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply down an Inca staircase into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. We arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come, watching the magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. Camp and overnight below the ruins (Optional hotel overnight available). DAY 07 Whole day can be dedicated to explore these extraordinary remains. Mid afternoon train takes you back to Cusco and your hotel. Dinner on your own. DAY 08 Early transfer to the airport for flight to Lima. Transfer to your hotel. Free day to shop and relax or take an optional tour. Overnight. Lunch and dinner on your own. DAY 09 Bus drive to Huaraz, 400 km. First north along the Pan-American Highway passing fertile valleys until we reach the Fortaleza River. At this point the road slowly winds up the coastal valley rapidly ascending to 4,000 m (12,450 ft) above sea level to reach the Conococha Pass. As we slowly descend we get our first glimpse of the snow-capped mountains of the Cordillera Blanca following the course of the Santa river all the way to Huaraz. Overnight at hotel. Dinner on your own. DAY 10 Drive northward via Yungay to Lake Llanganuco entering the Huascarán National Park. Short afternoon acclimatization hike. Across a 4,750 m (15,400 ft) pass where the view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks of Huascarán, Huandoy and Chacraraju is breathtaking. Down to Vaqueria where tents will be set up for our first camp. DAY 11 Over a ridge to the Huaripampa valley towards Paria below the Punta Union pass. View of the Chacraraju and Taulliraju mountains from the southwest. Camp at Tuctu or nearby, in the heart of the Huascarán National Park. DAY 12 The trail starts ascending towards Punta Union, a pass at 4,700 m (15,711 ft). This old trail was heavily used in pre-Columbian and Colonial times as a route for transporting goods from the eastern side of the Andes to the main valley. As we approach the pass, Mount Taulliraju will loom above us and on the other side its glacial lake and glacier will add color and contrast to the amazing view down the Santa Cruz Valley. The peaks of Santa Cruz, Quitaraju, Artesonaju, will come into view as well as the two lakes of Jatuncocha. The trail descends into Taullipampa or Jatuncocha, where we will camp at 4,000 m (13,200 ft). DAY 13 Past the side-valley of Arhuaycocha, we continue down the Santa Cruz Valley. The landscape changes, and scree slopes appear on each side of the now marshy meadow as well as rock boulders fallen from the eroded walls above us. Finally towards the end of the day we walk out of the ever-narrowing gully into Llamacorral, where we will camp. DAY 14 Reaching Cashapampa in the early morning, we meet a vehicle that will take us back to Huaraz, arriving in the afternoon. Dinner on your own, overnight at hotel. DAY 15 Morning bus ride to Lima, box lunch on the way. Late afternoon arrival. Connecting program available or transfer to the airport for flight home.

Trip Code: PAT Trek Grade: + Trek Duration: 15 days NOTE * This itinerary can be turned around to end in Cusco, no additional cost. * Overnight at Machu Picchu on Day 6 at a first class hotel can be arranged for $105 with dinner and breakfast included.