Peru, Sample Itinerary
Day 1 March 28
We meet at the Newark Airport at 12:00 noon for a 2:50 non-stop flight to Lima, Peru. We arrival in Lima at 10 PM local time and meet your guide Paul. After a short group meeting to get acquainted, we check into our Lima hotel for a good nights sleep.
Day 2 March 29
After breakfast in our hotel we transfer back to the airport for our first in country flight that takes us to Cusco, Peru. The Inca’s called Cusco the ombligo del mundo (the belly button of the world) because it was the center of the Incan empire. Upon arrival in Cusco, we need to drink plenty of water, hot tea and eat lightly to avoid altitude sickness. We then pass through Cusco on our way to the Sacred Valley, a very important part of the Inca territory. We will spend the afternoon in the charming and historical town of Ollantaytambo.
Day 3 March 30
Today we take a morning visit to Willoq for a community service project at a School. Teaming up with some of the local students, the goal is to paint the inside walls of two classrooms. It will be nice to bring notebooks, pens, pencils and other school supplies. Most children do not speak English or Spanish, only quichua. We’ll be working on our sign language. After lunch we explore the Pisaq runis. The ruins of Intiwatana Pisaca and K'alla Qasa demonstrate fine stone masonry. The agricultural terraces here are extensive and well preserved. The view of the Urubamba Valley from this site is magnificent.
Day 4 March 31
Today we begin our hike on the historic and famous Inca trail. First we transfer from our hotel to Chillca with your private guide. On the way we stop in Ollantaytambo for a rest. Back on the bus for a short drive to the trailhead and to start the hike of a lifetime! Porters carry heavy packs, you just carry a day pack with extra layers of clothes, rain gear, sun block, water bottle and camera.
During the hike our guides educate us in the local history the entire way. Everyday is a new and challenging experience that builds character. Don’t hesitate to ask questions because guides love them and it is the best way to really learn about new places. Each day we are fed three healthy and delicious meals and every morning we are given a snack bag. We advise travelers to bring energy bars as well for emergency tummy filling because we work hard on the trails. Usually an energy bar a day is good but it is up to the individual. We suggest organic Cliff bars!
The hike for the days is as follows:
Hike 5km to Llacta Pata (elev 9020') est time 1.5 hr.
Hike 7km Llacta Pata to Waylla Bamba (elev 7505') est time 2 hr.
In the following days descriptions listed below you see the estimated distances and times of each hike. Also the elevation passes.
Day 5 April 1
Hike 3 km Waylla Bamba to 3 Piedras Blancas (elev 9000') est time 2 hr.
Hike 2 km 3 Piedras Blancas to Corral Punku (elev 10266') est time 1.5 hr.
Hike 1 km Corral Punku to Llullucha Pampa (elev 12185') est time 0.5 hr.
Hike 2 km Llullucha Pampa to Warmiwanusqa (elev 13015') est time 2 hr.
Hike 3 km Warmiwanusqa to Pacay Mayu (elev 13769') est time 1 hr
Day 6 April 2
Hike 1 km Pacay Mayu to Runcu Raqay Ruins (elev 11677') est time 1 hr.
Hike 1 km Runcu Raqay Ruins to Runcu Raqay Pass (elev 12461') est time 1 hr.
Hike 3 km Runcu Raqay Pass to Sayac Marca (elev 13113') est time 1 hr.
Hike 1 km Sayac Marca to Chaqui Cocha (elev 12228') est time 1 hr.
Hike 2 km Chaqui Cocha to Phuyu Pata Marca (elev 11972') est time 1 hr.
Hike 7 km Phuyu Pata Marca to Winay Wayna (elev 12136') est time 2 hr.
Visit Winay Wayna Ruins (elev 8853') est time 1 hr.
Day 7 April 3
Hike 3km Winay Wayna to Inti Punku (elev 9020') est time 1.5 hr.
Hike 1 km Inti Punku to Machu Picchu (elev 7780') est time 1 hr.
From the mountainside ruins in Inti Punku, we get our first view of Machu Picchu. This is what we have been hiking for. To lay our eyes on one of the seven wonders of the world!!! Congratulations! We continue our trek downhill to the edges of Machu Picchu to get a fantastic view of the great city we shall enter tomorrow for an interpretive tour. Don’t be surprised if tears come to your eyes when you arrive at Machu Picchu. We will have walked four straight days to get here, passing numerous ruins on the way, and to enter this magical place that’s full of so much energy is brilliant. After taking our fill of photos, we head to our final campsite for rest, showers and dinner.
Day 8 April 4
After breakfast we take a bus to the gates of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival in Machu Picchu we take a morning interpretive tour of the ruins. There are no words to describe the experience. We spend the rest of the morning taking in the experience of Machu Picchu. It is a seemingly endless wonderland of history.
After our visit to Machu Picchu, we head to the town of Aguas Calientes for a nice lunch and then to board the backpacker train to Cusco. The train ride is around 4 hours and the views are fantastic. Upon arrival we check into our hotel and then head to town for our farewell dinner. Make sure you bring your cameras to take photos of this amazing city.
Day 9 April 5
Say goodbye to Cusco and take a short one-hour flight to Lima. From Lima we bid farewell to our guide and fly home with memories to last a lifetime from our Infinite Forest Peru adventure!
Day 10 April 6
Arrive home to the Newark Airport at 7:45 AM.