Footloose Adventure Travel: Peru, llama trekking to Chavin

Day 1

Arrival and transfer to your hotel. On early arrival optional tours available to visit modern and colonial Lima. There are also many museums and private collections. Lunch and dinner on your own, overnight stay at hotel.

Day 2

Transfer to the airport to board your 55-minute flight to Cusco, center of the Inca world. Once in Cusco, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the morning free to acclimatize to the altitude (3,400 m.a.s.l./11,400 ft.). An afternoon tour of the city and nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko and Tambomachay will educate you on the history of this astonishing town. Lunch and dinner at your own expense.

Day 3

Leaving the city behind our vehicle heads north over the plateau of Chinchero. View of the snow-capped peaks of Pitusiray, Sawasiray and Chicon descending into the Urubamba Valley visiting the Inca fortress of Ollantaytambo on the way. We continue about another hour to the roadhead from where our hike starts. We walk along across the snowcapped peak of Mt. Veronica (Waka WWilqa), then we cross over at the 82nd Km and pass by the ruins of Sallapunku and Torontoy to reach Qoriwaynachina. From here the small bridge brings us over to Q'ente where we will camp. A chance to visit the surrounding archaeological remains of Q'ente and Machu Q'ente - located amidst Inca Terracing. (Time: 4-6 hours, Distance: 11 kms).

Day 4

The trail winds slowly uphill through a small forest to reach the site of Patallacta. After a short visit we continue up the Cusichaca Valley passing houses of settlers to finally reach the andean community of Huayllabamba. From here the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass, where we camp. Here we have a breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. Along the trail up this narrow hanging valley we begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree, a rare forest to be found in the Andes. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa. ( Time: 6 hours. Distance: 9Kms.)

Day 5

Spectacular day, the trail ascends at an angle of 30 degrees towards the pass across the hillside of Puna grassland as we leave our campsite at the edge of the treeline behind, bringing us to Warmiwañusca pass (4,050 ma.s.l./13,280 ft.). The trail descends to the Pacaymayo River and then climbs slowly past Runkuraqay ruins. From here over a lower pass to Sayacmarca, the "waiting village" A clear Inca Trail across a causeway on a now dry lake past a cave, we continue our way along a ridge to finally reach Phuyupatamarca (Translation from Quechua=the town at the edge of the clouds) were we camp. (Time:8 hrs. Distance 9 Kms)

Day 6

After continuing along a buttress and passing Phuyupatamarca ruins, the flagstoned trail winds sharply down into the cloud forest to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna located below the ridge on the same water course as the previous site, it has well restored Inca Ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest covered Inca Trail we arrive at Machu Picchu the way the Incas used to come across this magnificent citadel at our feet from Intipunku, the door of the sun. Overnight camp or optional hotel.

Day 7

The whole day can be dedicated to explore these extraordinary Inca remains, including a visit to Wayna Picchu the mountain overlooking the site. The mid-afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, transfer to your hotel. Dinner at your own expense.

Day 8

Transfer to airport for your ongoing flight to Lima or elsewhere and assistance with any connections anywhere in Peru.

NOTE:

Overnight at Machu Picchu on day 6 at a first class hotel not included. Limited space available for an additional charge of US$105 with meals included (single supplement US$68).

SEASON: March - November Departs every Friday.

SERVICES INCLUDED: Transportation by vehicle to start and from the end of trek to the city of departure, hotel night at the beginning and end, two-man tents including sleeping pads, porters, kitchen crew and commissary gear with all meals included. Bilingual guide on the trek, who will handle the first aid kit.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED: Meals in the cities, alcoholic beverages, extras, tips, taxes, laundry service, additional tours, insurance and airline tickets (where applicable), sleeping bags, hiking boots and other personal gear.