11 Day – The Magic of the Andes
Easy
These activities are a walk in the park! You will be able to enjoy the scenery, history, and time with loved ones without exhausting yourself. You do not need any special training, gear, or acclimatization for an “Easy” trek or tour. Terrain will be generally flat and comfortable, highly traveled.
Mild
A step up from “Easy,” these tours require a little more physical effort but are still 100% manageable to anyone with or without adventure experience. Again, you do not need special training, gear, or acclimatization for a “Mild” trek or tour. Terrain is generally flat but with possible gentle up- and downhills.
Moderate
Before embarking on a “Moderate” trek or tour, you should be at least partly acclimatized to the high altitude of the Andes as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. These tours are still very manageable without special training as long as you have spent a day or two at high altitude. Terrain often includes moderate up- and downhill walking with possible rough patches or infrequently-traveled sections.
Challenging
“Challenging” treks or tours require that you are acclimated to the Andes’ high altitude before leaving as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. Spending 2-3 days or more at high altitude will help you on the trek. You will need hiking shoes and possibly trekking poles for these treks. You will need to be in good physical shape, and it’s recommended that you train at least some beforehand, possibly with running, biking, or strenuous workout videos. Terrain is often rough, sometimes with steep up- and downhills and often not highly traveled. Generally, these last several hours.
Formidable
These “Formidable” treks are our most difficult treks and require serious effort but are also the most rewarding. It is necessary to be in pristine physical condition. Again, you must be acclimated to the Andes’ high altitude before leaving as it affects your oxygenation, energy levels, and hydration. Spending 4-5 days or more if possible at high altitude will help you on the trek. You will need hiking shoes and possibly trekking poles for these treks. It is important to train physically before these treks so that your body is prepared for the strenuous nature of the trip. Generally, these last at least an entire day in infrequently-traveled areas with rough paths.
Highlights
11 Day – The Magic of the Andes
Magic Tour Peru: feel the magic that reverberates in the sacred Inka city of Cusco. Pass through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Inka, interact with the living ancient culture, and arrive to the enigmatic city of Machu Picchu. Navigate Lake Titicaca through the floating inhabited islands of the Uros and the island of Taquile. Discover the magic that enshrouds the Andes and its cultures.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Upon your arrival in Lima, a representative of Inkayni tours will wait for you at the airport to assist you with transportation to your respective hotel. There will be the option that afternoon to visit Lima’s historic downtown. UNESCO declared Lima the “City of Kings” and a World Heritage site. The following key locations may be visited:
- Huaca Pucllana (Ceremonial and archaelogical site)
- Lima’s historic center
- Colonial Architecture (main square, goverment palace, the archbishop offices, and cathedral)
- Museum of the Central Bank.
- San Francisco
Lodging: Lima Hotel ***
DAY 2: FLIGHT TO CUSCO – INKA MUSEUM AND KORICANCHA
Shuttle from the airport to hotel. The rest of the morning will be reserved for resting to adapt to the altitude, approximately 3400 meters (11,000 feet). In the afternoon we will visit the Inka Museum, home of thousands of years of Andean culture. Here we will become more familiar with the origens and beginnings of Andean civilizations.
Continuing with the tour we will move onto the temple of Koricancha, the famous Sun Temple of Qosqo, that was and still remains the pinaccle of organization, architecture, and religion of Inka civilization. During its construction they had already achieved the greatest advances of their time, and this temple may have been the exact representation of the center, or “Navel of the World” and therefore the center of the world, as dictated by the pre-hispanic Andean cosmovision.
Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.
DAY 3: SAQSAYHUAMAN – TEMPLE OF THE MOON – TRANSFER TO AGUAS CALIENTES
We will begin our day with the journey to Saqsayhuaman. This Inka architecture with its magnificient qualities and colossal stones is considered in humanity’s history one of the greatest constructions on the face of the Earth. From here we will continue on to the Temple of the Moon, a place for spiritual connection and encounter with the feminine energy of the Moon Goddess.
Places to visit:
- Sacsayhuaman
- Tambomachay
- Temple of the Moon
In the afternoon we will travel by car to the town of Ollantaytambo where the train station to Machu Picchu awaits our transfer to the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes).
You will have the option to visit and enjoy the hot springs.
Lodging: Aguas Calientes Waman Hotel *** or similar.
DAY 4. MACHU PICCHU
Today we will rise very early for breakfast and ascend to the citadel Inka of Machu Picchu (approx 25 minutes by bus) to appreciate sunrise in this magical place, a famous masterpiece of architecture and engineering, believed to have been a santuary and energetic center. Today Machu Picchu is recognized by UNESCO as one of the seven wonders of the world and a World Heritage site.
OPTIONAL: The trek to the peak of Huayna Picchu, a rigorous climb on steep trails with impressive ruins and spectacular views, a round-trip of 2 hours.
Lodging: Aguas Calientes Waman Hotel *** or similar.
DAY 5: OLLANTAYTAMBO – MORAY
Return to “living” Inka town of Ollantaytambo by train and continue by car to Moray, an ancient construction designed for agricultural investigations and studies of different crops in a range of altitudes. Here the many concentric “rings” of terraces produce a fine gradient of micro-climates; the warmth of the lowest central ring slowly dissapates as the rings ascend outward and upward, creating reductions in temperatures until reaching the ground-level norm.
Lodging: Chinchero Casa de Barro Lodge.
DAY 6: CHINCHERO (TEXTILE INTERPRETATION CENTER)
Chinchero: the rainbow village, home of the ruins of the royal palace of the Inka Túpac Inca Yupanqui, a picturesque community located on a high plateau overlooking the many snowcapped peaks of the Cusco region.
Here we can admire the well-preserved Inka walls of the main square as well as the many altars. We will also visit the beautiful colonial church, unique for its interior artwork and imagery. Moving on we will participate in a wonderful introduction and learning experience of the art of Andean textiles; throughout the afternoon we will become acquainted with the wisdom of Andean weavings as maintained since long before Inka times. Traditional food will be prepared for lunch here.
Lodging: Chinchero Casa de Barro Lodge.
DAY 7: ANIMAL SANCTUARY – PISAQ – PISAQ MARKET
Travel to the Sacred Valley of the Inkas towards the town of Pisaq. We will stop on the way to visit the animal sanctuary of Cochawasi: here we may observe many of the native Andean species such as the puma, Andean cóndor, alpacas, and many more. Further en route we will stop for at a spectacular viewing location to observe the Urubamba river as it curves like a serpent through the mosaic-like agricultural lands.
As we continue towards the town of Pisaq, we may also observe the construction design of the archaelogical site of Pisaq, which many say portrays the profile of a condor. Pisaq is known mainly for two reasons – for its famous craft market and for its archaelogical site. Here we will have free time for wandering the market to interact with the many local artisans. The ruins of Pisaq, high above the modern town on the mountain, are one of the most important of the Sacred Valley.
Lodging: Cusco Tandapata Boutique Hotel *** or similar.
DAY 8: DEPARTURE TO PUNO (ROUTE OF THE SUN)
In the morning we will depart from the bus terminal and head towards Puno. This is a special journey by bus which allows us to visit the many diverse locations along the way on the route of the sun. There will we planned stops to visit the following:
- Andahuaylillas: (the sistine chapel of the Americas, this temple is one of the best examples of the fusion between Catholic and Andean religions)
- Raqchi: A Inka temple dedicated to the god Wiracocha, construction of monumental dimensions, an estimated 100 meters long, 26m wide, 14m high. This is the only known temple dedicated to the God Wiracocha, creator of the Universe.
- La Raya: Midway point on our journey and highest point on the road – 4335 m.s.n.m. The impressive views here allow us to admire the rugged high altitude, full of tall peaks, many of which are snow-capped, and herds of llamas, alpacas and vicuñas. This is the geografic border between two cultures, the Quechua of Cusco and the Aymara of Puno.
- Pucara: This ceremonial center is one of the oldest and most important of the high plains, well known for its lithic structures and tombs.
Lodging: Puno Qalasaya Hotel **** or similar.
DAY 9: UROS (FLOATING ISLANDS) – AMANTANI ISLAND
A full day of boat excursion afloat Lake Titicaca. We will visit the ancient culture of the Uros and step foot on their floating islands. The islanders will give us a presentation about their lifestyle upon their man-made islands, built using the totora reed which grows among the shores of the lake. We will learn about their existence on these small islands and how they have adapted to its conditions.
Continuing across the lake we will arrive to the island of Amantani. Here we will meet the Quechua families that will offer us a cosy home-stay style lodging and prepare us traditional food for lunch. After lunch we will make the short ascent to the two hilltops of the island while observing the daily lifestyle of the local people. Atop of the island we will visit two ancient pre-Inka temples, Pachatata and Pachamama (father & mother cosmos). In the evening after dinner the community members will hold a small welcoming party for us.
Lodging: Amantani (HOME STAY)
DAY 10: TAQUILE – PUNO
After breakfast on Amantani we will board the boat again to make the short trip to the neighboring island of Taquile. Here we will ascend the beautiful stone paths to the community, a small and quite shy population, not to mention very hard-working and wise, a culture full of art and tradition. Taquiles’ people are cheerful and proud of their origen and culture, happy to share with us the beautiful atmosphere of island life upon the immense lake Titicaca.
Lodging: Puno Qalasaya Hotel **** or similar.
DAY 11: PUNO – JULIACA – FLY TO LIMA
A brief transfer from Puno to the neighboring city of Juliaca. Upon arrival in Lima there will be assitence for an international connecting flight, or if prefered, transfer for a hotel. (End of tour)
What´s Included
INCLUDED:
- Intra-flights. (Lima- Cusco / juliaca- Lima).
- 10 night’s accommodations 3 stars hotels.
- 10breakfasts.2 lunches.2 dinners
- All transportation.
- All transfers.
- City tour in Lima.
- Bus to Puno.
- Uros,Amantani,Takile tours.
- Turistic bus to Puno.
- Train to Machu Picchu.
- Tourist ticket
- Buses to Machu Picchu.
- Andean ceremonie in Temple of the moon
- Andean Master.
- All entrances in Cusco.
- Private guided tour in Machu Picchu.
- Entrances to Machu Picchu.
- Tour leader during whole trip
NOT INCLUDED:
- International flights.
- Meals where are not stated
- Gratitudes
- Huayna Picchu entrance fee US$35
- Travel Insurance – you are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
THINGS TO BRING:
- Original Passport
- Current University Card (if you are a student and want to qualify for the discount)
- Waterproof jacket / rain poncho
- Warm jacket
- T-shirts
- Comfortable Trousers
- Sun hat
- Sun cream (factor 35 or higher)
- Insect repellant
- Personal medication
- Camera and film
Availability
“CONFIRMED DATES FOR 2019”
Useful Things
PACKING LIST
Sturdy shoes, a good raincoat, and warm layers for the evening are the only essential items. Bring comfortable and modest clothes for the time in Cusco. There is no need to bring a sleeping bag or any gear as you’ll be staying in lodges throughout the expedition.
Documents and Logistics:
- International flights booked and confirmed to Cusco
- Flight information submitted
- Passport valid through end of trip (*Passport and entry receipt must be carried at all times during expedition!)
- Medical insurance card
- Cash for tipping guides, buying souvenirs, incidental costs, etc. (*Note: Please bring crisp US bills. Many places will not accept torn, wrinkled, or worn bills)
