Imperial Active Circuit: Lima – Cusco - Puno in 10 days

DAY 1: Lima

Airport pickup and transfer to your hotel.

The tour begins with the gathering of our passengers from their hotels in Lima, then we stop at the Intihuatana Park, located on the Malecon of Miraflores, where we will observe the Pacific Ocean. We start our tour by modern residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro. We observe outside the Huaca Pucllana, ceremonial pre-Inca temple pyramid shaped that has survived the urban sprawl of Lima.

We will continue our journey to the park El Olivar and the Financial Center then we drive to the Historic Center of Lima, declared by UNESCO in 1991 Cultural Heritage of Humanity, where the center of the Spanish colony was established in the sixteenth century and erected the first buildings. Know the Plaza San Martin, balconies and old houses, the Plaza Mayor and its most important buildings like the Government Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop's Palace and Municipal, Desamparados Station, among others

We enter one of the most important monasteries of the seventeenth century. Where the relics of the three Peruvian saints Santa Rosa de Lima, San Martin de Porres and San Juan Macías are preserved. then return to Miraflores and ending our tour will have the option to stay in the Indian market in Larcomar or return to your hotel.

DAY 2: LIMA - CUSCO

Breakfast at hotel

At the scheduled time transfer to Lima airport.

Flight Lima Cusco (on behalf of the Paxs)

Reception at Cusco airport and transfer to your hotel.

Free afternoon to acclimatize to the altitude or activities on their own.

DAY 3: SACRED VALLEY

Breakfast at the hotel.

The tour begins with the gathering of our passengers from their hotels, visit, on the Vilcanota River and the Sacred Valley overlooking the Inca citadel of Pisac formed by group of platforms and architectural structures scattered on the slopes and at the top mountain, then visit the Indian market of Pisac where we will have the opportunity to learn about the customs of its inhabitants. Lunch at a local restaurant in the Sacred Valley. In the afternoon we visit the fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasion from the tribes of the jungle.

Night accommodation in Sacred Valley.

DAY 4: TREKKING KM 82 “PISCACUCHO TO WAYLLABAMBA”

Today begins your adventure of a lifetime. We will pick you up from your hotel in our private van very early in the morning at 5:30am. You will be transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, where our van going to take us to Piskacucho, which is called kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. On the way, we stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo at 6:30-7am to load up on energy for our start of the trail. (Breakfast is not included). Upon arrival at kilometer 82 at 11:30am, we will have some time to organize ourselves, At the Inka Trail first control point be ready to show your entrance tickets, passports and (if paying a student rate) your student card. At the start of the trail (2720m/8923ft) we cross the Vilcanota River and follow its route to the right. The first day is relatively easy, a warm-up along the Inka flat terrain. There are great views of the Incan Fortress (‘Huillca Raccay’), the vast and incredible Inka site of Llactapata, (officially called ‘Patallacta’), and the beautiful snow-capped peak of ‘W’akay Willca’ (5860m/19225ft) known in books as Veronica. Our first campsite is in Wayllabamba (3000m/9842ft) in the temperate green valley with the same name. Temperatures at night are around 5ºC depending on the month. During the day, we will enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains Veronica, (5,860m/19,337ft), the lush green valley around us and a myriad of flora and fauna. Meals: Lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner. Accommodation: Camping facilities. Distance: 11kms/6.8 miles (6 hours more or less of hiking) Difficulty: Easy/Moderate. Walking Time: Approximately 6 hours (including picnic lunch in route) Walk and Terrain: Walk, canter on open roads, some steep ascending.

DAY 5: TREKKING “WAYLLABAMBA TO PACAYMAYUC/ RUNKURAQAY”

•    Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and Dinner.
•    Accommodation: Camping facilities.
•    Distance: 16kms/10mls (9 hours more or less of hiking time)
•    Difficulty: Moderate/challenge.

After waking up at 5 to 5:30am and enjoying a hot breakfast, we start a steep ascent towards the highest pass, abra de Warmihuañusca or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4200m/13779ft.  On this day, you will feel a real sense of achievement upon reaching the top! After a well-deserved rest, we begin the descent to where we stop for lunch, which is located at Pacaymayu (3,550m/11,646ft).
On our way up to the pass, we will be able to see an arrange of hummingbirds and a combination of other species of bird life. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and the ´Polylepis´ or Q’ueuña trees which grow in the astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft! After lunch, begins the second two-hour steep climb to Runkuraqay pass (almost 4,000m/13,123ft). We arrive at our campsite by 5:00 pm. Temperatures at this campsite are around 4ºC during the night.
 

DAY 6: TREKKING “PACAYMAYUC TO WIÑAYHUAYNA”

•    Meals: Breakfast, water, lunch, snacks, afternoon tea and dinner.
•    Accommodation: Camping facilities and cold showers.
•    Distance: 10kms/6.2mls (5 hours more or less of hiking)
•    Difficulty: Moderate

This is the most impressive day so far; keep this in mind as you ascend on day three! We wake up for breakfast at 6am and start the day with a gentle climb to visit the archaeological site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’ (meaning ‘Town in the Clouds’).  Here we reach the third highest point on the Inka trail (3680m/). The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular! The Inca site of ‘Phuyupatamarca’, is located a few minutes’ walk from the third pass.  After visiting this site, we continue walking down 3000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Incan site of ‘Intipata. After taking some time to visit this site, we continue until we arrive at our third campsite Wiñay Wayna. (2680m/8792ft). Today, we will only walk about 4 to 5 hours.  We arrive at camp by lunchtime!  Temperatures during the night are about 12º C. A short walk from our campsite is the famous Incan site of ‘Wiñay Wayna’ (‘Forever Young’). Even if you are feeling tired after your day’s trek, it´s a moment you cannot miss, the most impressive site on the Inca trail.
 

DAY 7: TREKKING “WIÑAYHUAYNA – INTI PUNKU & MACHUPICCHU GUIDED TOUR”

Meals: Breakfast
Distance: 8.9kms/5.5mls “By Bus in 25 minutes”
Difficulty: Easy

At around 4:00am it´s time to wake up, have breakfast and start day 4 on the Inka trail to get to Machu Picchu on time. This is the final part of your journey, arriving by 6:00am to reach Inti Punku or The Sun Gate. At that point, the majestic Machu Picchu Citadel is in front of us with its intense beauty – an incredible sight for all to see. The reality of what the Inca people must have encountered on their taxing journey to this expansive temple of Machu Picchu. At this point, we walk downhill towards the Machu Picchu Citadel. (2400m/7872 ft.) After walking 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the “House of the Guardians”. From there we proceed to the control point where we register and leave our belongings. Your professional guide will direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made from stone. Machu Picchu is considered as the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have free time to explore the site on your own.

You will also have time to indulge in a few of the following activities on your own if you choose (not included in the price)
•    Climb up Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain and appreciate the beauty and magnificence of Machu Picchu from there.
•    Other optional activities in Aguas Calientes include a visit to the new local museum or   bathe in the hot springs.
Back to Cusco: You will descend to Aguas Calientes and later board the Expedition train to the Ollantaytambo Train Station “Train departure time can vary according train schedule and availability”. In Ollantaytambo Train station you will meet our private van and be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

*** Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountains hike depends on availability; please let us know if you want to add one of these extra hikes at the time of your booking.
*** We only take ITEP EcoTravel clients in our vans / cars – We do not use public transport.
 

DAY 8: CUSCO PUNO

Breakfast at hotel
At the appropriate time, transfer to the bus station to Puno. If the hotel category is 4 or 5 star the trip will be by train Perurail Titicaca, these outputs are only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, if different. The trip from Cusco to Puno will be in tourist bus.
Reception in Puno.
Night stay in Puno.

DAY 9: PUNO: TITICACA LAKE

Breakfast at hotel
At the proper time, we will take to make this circuit, where we will offer to meet 2 of the islands most visited Titicaca, an ancient village "The floating islands of the Uros" currently living in the middle of the cattail (aquatic plant of the Altiplano), and has more than 90 islands. Then we go to the island of Taquile where we will make a walk of approximately 35min there will know its history, customs and taste a delicious lunch. The trip will be less heavy and we'll get in a short time and will return in 1 hour and 30 minutes from Taquile to Puno and we will have more time to visit both islands.
Return to Puno and night accommodation.

DAY 10: PUNO OUT

Breakfast at hotel
At fixed time, transfer to the airport.