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Empire of the Inca
This exciting trip takes you to the very heart of the Inca Empire. You?ll discover a land of staggering contrasts and enormous variety where a profusion of culture, history, peoples and landscapes exist. From the coastal desert you head inland to idyllic Arequipa surrounded by snow-capped volcanoes and high plateau. A day?s drive brings you to Colca Canyon, where condors can usually be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals. Fertile valleys and rushing rivers herald your arrival in Cusco, the seat of Inca rule for some 500 years. Continuing through the Sacred Valley you join the Inca Trail and set off on a four-day trek through dramatic mountain scenery to the lost city of Machu Picchu isolated amongst jungle-clad mountains and swirling mists. Leaving the solitude of Peru?s most enchanting Inca citadel, you return to Cusco. As a final contrast, we offer an optional extension to the Amazon rainforest, home to a diversity of life unequalled anywhere on Earth. |
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| Price Includes |
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Flights |
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Accomodation |
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13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 evening meals |
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| Price Excludes |
| Local Payment 350 USD, Optional Excursions, 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 evening meals (16 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 evening meals for travellers taking our Amazon option) are included. Vegetarians cat be catered for on the Inca trail trek. You must pay for all other meals yourself (you can eat quite well for £10-15 per day). |
| Suitability / Level |
Moderate |
| Max Group Size |
16 |
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Itinerary & Highlights
DAY 1 - FLY TO LIMA: After your flight, you transfer to your first night's accommodation and check in. Discovered in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, Lima was the principal city of Spanish South America for three hundred years until the wave of independence swept the continent. You stay in the pleasant coastal suburb of Miraflores where shady parks, bustling cafes and the South Pacific coastline all lie within easy reach. Hotel - 1 night
DAY 2 - AREQUIPA: Rising early, your destination today is Arequipa (2400m). As you fly south over the magnificent Andes, a group of volcanic peaks herald your arrival. This colonial city enjoys a warm and sunny climate and is situated in a beautiful valley overlooked by the perfect, snow-draped cone of El Misti (5,882m). This afternoon you take the opportunity to visit the walled enclosure of the Convento de Santa Catalina, a miniature town occupying an entire block and which remained isolated from the rest of the city until 1970. Nowadays it provides a fascinating record of ecclesiastical life in bygone days. Hotel - 1 night (B)
DAY 3 - COLCA CANYON: Leaving your main luggage behind in Arequipa, you rise early and begin the 4 hour drive to the Colca Canyon. The mountains to the south-west are dominated by the glaciers of Ampato and Hualca Hualca, while the volcano Sabancaya can often be seen smoking in the distance. The road meanders across wide open vistas of rocky, parched landscapes, where huge cacti and thorny scrub fringe seemingly bottomless, gaping valleys. The landscape is breathtaking with pre-Inca terracing and Andean peasants tending huge herds of Ilamas. Many of the hamlets you pass through are extraordinarily grand, underlining the importance of this region's silver mines to the Spanish during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In the national reserve of Pampa Canahuas you can see groups of vicunas - the rarest and most timid of the American cameloids. As you descend, you take a short side route to the largely unvisited village of Canocota. From here a 3-hour walk follows the rim of the upper canyon, allowing you spectacular views over the river below. The walk ends at the thermal springs of La Calera where you can enjoy a relaxing dip in the piping hot waters (optional) before boarding the vehicle once again for the short trip to the village of Chivay (3600m), where you spend the night. Hotel - 1 night (B)
DAY 4 - AREQUIPA: Rising early, you drive to one of the most spectacular parts of the Colca Canyon (1 hrs) and find the perfect spot to look down 1,200m at Mirador Cruz del Condor. It's here that the legendary condor, the bird with the largest wingspan in the world, can be seen rising and circling on the morning thermals, silhouetted against the magnificent backdrop of the mountain scenery. The canyon is of mythical proportions - controversy still rages over whether or not this is the world's deepest! In some parts it is more than one kilometre from cliff edge to river bottom. Passing back through the valley, the vastness and sheer beauty of the area is astounding. On your return to Chivay you visit the picturesque villages of Maca and Yanque with their Baroque-fronted churches overlooking quiet village squares, and marvel at the extensive series of agricultural terraces that dominate the hillsides, and which are still used today by the Colca villagers. After lunch in Chivay you return to Arequipa, driving over the highest point on your journey where the road passes over the Patapampa pass at an altitude of 4,900m. From here, views of the surrounding volcanoes are spectacular. Once back in Arequipa you have the opportunity to try one of the city's many delightful restaurants. Hotel - 1 night (B)
DAY 5 - CUSCO: Depending on your flight time you will probably have this morning to further explore Arequipa before a short flight takes you north to Cusco. Cusco, once the imperial capital, was laid out in the rough shape of a puma. Today, its orderly streets bear witness to the extraordinary skill of Inca stonemasons - many are still lined with precisely interlocked stonework, which serves as the foundation for later buildings from the colonial era, creating an atmospheric pastiche of contrasting architectural styles. Hotel - 1 night (B)
DAY 6 - THE SACRED VALLEY: You spend this morning exploring the vast fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The skilfully constructed outer walls consist of massive blocks of stone, the largest weighing over 350 tonnes. Close by you also visit some of Cusco's outlying Inca sites - Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay. A short drive of about 30 minutes brings you to Pisac where the local Thursday market fills the main plaza with bustle and brightly-coloured costume. Sitting high above the town perch the ruins of Pisac with sweeping terraces and spectacular views. After a 40 minute drive through the heart of the valley you arrive in Yucay, your base for the next two nights. Hotel - 2 nights (B)
DAY 7 - SACRED VALLEY: The Sacred Valley was the heartland of the Inca Empire, full of farmer's fields, mountain views and quiet rural charm - you have the whole day to enjoy its delights. There is plenty to do in the valley; you can take to mountain bikes for a stunning ride from Chinchero via the Inca ruins of Moray before descending past the salt pans of Maras; alternatively you can explore on horseback or go white water rafting on the Urubamba River, stretch your legs with some stunning walking or relax and enjoy the peace (all optional). (B)
DAY 8 - INCA TRAIL: Driving along the valley, you pass many buildings that show the highly developed organisation of the Inca - nowhere more so than the terraced complex of temple, fortress and granary at Ollantaytambo, guarding the entrance to the Urubamba gorge. At Chilca, where the gorge narrows, you meet your guide and crew and start the trek. Stretching your legs you follow the Urubamba riverbank below the snow-capped peak of Mt Veronica. After lunch you head away from the river; a gentle climb soon brings you to a pleasant campsite at Llactapata (2,850 m). You carry only a daypack as a team of porters carries all other equipment. You camp in tents and your porters take care of all camp chores with the assistance of a cook and helper. A mess tent and a toilet tent are provided at camp. About 4/5 hrs easy walking today. Camp - 3 nights (BLD)
DAY 9 - INCA TRAIL: You are woken with a hot drink and a bowl of warm water at your tent. Getting into a good walking rhythm, you follow the course of the Cusichaca River, ascending a broad valley to the village of Wayllabamba ("Grassy Plain" - 3,000m), the last human habitation on the trail. Your porters go ahead and prepare your lunch. After pausing to rest, you climb steadily and steeply to Llulluchupampa (3,680 m) - a beautiful flat area of pasture. About 5/6 hrs moderate uphill walking. (BLD)
DAY 10 - INCA TRAIL: The tough day! An initial steep climb takes you across the highest point on the trail at Warmiwawa (Dead Woman's Pass - 4,200m); the views back along the valley certainly make the climb worthwhile. You descend to the Pacamayo River and a second ascent leads to Runkuracay Pass (3,998m); from here on the trail is largely downhill and you encounter the first long stretches of original Inca paving which makes for easier going. You cross the Aobamba River below Sayacmarca ruins, high on a rocky spur. After a final easy ascent, with spectacular views over the Urubamba Valley far below, you emerge above Phuyupatamarca ruins. About 7/8 hrs moderate and demanding walking (BLD)
DAY 11 - MACHU PICCHU: You awake to a spectacular vista and set off this morning on one of the most beautiful parts of the trail. A steep downhill section of some 2000 Inca steps brings you to your lunchstop at the picturesque ruins of Winay Wayna - meaning "forever young" - considered by many to be their favourite ruins. Excitement mounts as you conquer a steep flight of steps and arrive at Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. The toil of the day is forgotten at a stroke as you are treated to a spectacular view of Machu Picchu below. After lingering to admire the panorama, you walk through the site and catch a bus down the narrow access road to rejoin the Urubamba River in the village of Aguas Calientes where you check into your accommodation and enjoy a well-earned long shower. About 4/5 hrs walking today, mostly downhill. Basic Hotel (BL)
DAY 12 ? MACHU PICCHU & CUSCO: Rising early this morning your group has Machu Picchu ruins largely to itself before the train brings in day-visitors from Cusco. The magnificent lost city, discovered by American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911, stands on a high saddle dominated by the jungle-clad peak of Wayna Picchu. You have time to make the vertiginous climb to its summit for dramatic views of the city spread out below or simply just wander the myriad of steps and stairways of the site, revealing as they do a vast complex of immense structural, historical and archaeological worth. Later in the day you catch the train back to Cusco. Hotel - 2 nights (B)
DAY 13 - CUSCO: A walking orientation tour this morning reveals more of Cusco?s historical and archaeological treasures. The imperial city was laid out in the rough shape of a puma. Today, its orderly streets bear witness to the extraordinary skill of Inca stonemasons; many are still lined with precisely interlocked stonework which serves as the foundation for later buildings from the colonial era, creating an atmospheric pastiche of contrasting architectural styles. With your local guide, you explore the inner city on foot. The rest of the day is free for you to wander and make your own discoveries. (B)
DAY 14 - LIMA / FLY TO LONDON: You catch a morning flight back down to Lima on the South Pacific coast. This afternoon your local guide will show you something of the bustling old city, with its impressive colonial architecture. The Presidential Palace stands, like the cathedral, on the great central square of the Plaza de Armas, on the site of Pizarro's house. Peru's conqueror was assassinated here - it is said that he drew a cross in his own blood and kissed it before he died. Later you visit the archaeological museum for a fascinating overview of the cultures that flourished in Peru long before the arrival of the Spanish. In the evening you return to the airport for the flight back home. Hotel (day use only) (B)
DAY 15 - ARRIVE LONDON
(BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner). |
Accommodation & Center
Details
Transport & Accommodation
Minibus/small coach, domestic flights, on foot and train. Hotels (10nts), camping (3nts) 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 4 dinners included. Flights (Schedules & airlines can change.) Indirect flights with Iberia Airlines from London Heathrow. Depart UK 07.25, Return UK 16.45. UK domestic add-on and regional flights available.
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| Holiday Extras! |
Please click on the links below to book holiday
extras from Car Hire to Travel Insurance. |
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| Trip: |
Empire of the Inca |
| Duration: |
15 Days |
| Company: |
The Adventure Company
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| Location: |
Lima |
| Region: |
Peru,
South America |
| Price: |
From
GBP1,539
p/p |
| Flights: |
Included
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| Availability: |
March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, December, |
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