LIMA, CUSCO WITH SHORT INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU

Day 01 LIMA

Arrival in Lima. Reception and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit to Colonial and Modern Lima. Guided tour through the historic center of the city. Admire the beauty of San Martin and Major squares, the Cathedral, the Government Palace and visit the Convent of San Francisco and its catacombs, a religious building from the end of the XVI century. Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Day 02 LIMA – CUSCO

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cusco. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the morning at leisure to adjust to the high altitude (11,000 feet). Afternoon city tour and nearby ruins. Visit Main Square, the Cathedral and its religious Art Museum, the Church of Santo Domingo or Koricancha. Includes visits to the Sacsayhuaman and Puca Pucara fortresses, the temple and amphitheater of Kenko and the water shrine of Tambomachay. (Breakfast).

Day 03 CUSCO – MACHU PICCHU

Peru’s best-known hike visited by thousands of tourists every year. This still thrilling 2-day program covers a 13-km Inca Trail, joining the classical 4-day route at the impressive archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, continuing through the famous Inti Punku or Sun Gate, and finally devoting the second day to a full day visit of the world-famous Inca citadel of Machupicchu. This program is recommended for those having less time or those looking to hike a shorter version of the Inca Trail without camping.

We will pick you up at your hotel at 5:30 am and take you to train station to board the train that will take us 104 kilometers on the Cuzco – Machu Picchu railroad (starting point of the trek), where we will arrive around 10 am. We start visiting the Chachabamba archeological complex (2,150 meters above sea level), located very close to the control point, to then embark upon an 8-kilometer ascending trail, which after four hours will take us to the archeological complex of Wiñaywayna (2,700 meters). This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector. On the way up, we will have magnificent views of the Urubamba River valley and the Choquesuysuy archeological complex located on the other side of the river and also of a beautiful waterfall located just a few minutes away from Wiñaywayna. We will climb to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we will contemplate the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku, we will descend to Machu Picchu and then by bus to Aguas Calientes. Accommodation and overnight at the selected hotel. (Breakfast – Lunch).

Total distance: 13 km (8,08 miles)

Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours

Maximum altitude point: 2,650 m (8,692 ft)

Campsite altitude: 2,400 m (7,872 ft)

Day 04 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

We wake up early and board a bus to Machupicchu where we begin a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel that will take approximately two hours. You will then have free time to walk around, climb up the Huaynapicchu Mountain, where one can experience spectacular views of all of Machupicchu, the valleys and mountains that surround it (please note that there are only 400 visitors allowed per day), or visit the Temple of the Moon or the impressive Inca Bridge.

In the afternoon, we meet in the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo where, if you like, you can visit and relax in its hot springs. From here we take the train back to the Sacred Valley, then by car to Cusco where we arrive after nightfall. (Breakfast)

Note: Entrance tickets to Huayna Picchu are not included. Please advise at time of booking (subject to availability)

Day 05 CUSCO – LIMA

Transfer to the airport in time to take the flight to Lima. Reception and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon guided shopping tour taking you to the famous handicraft markets. (Breakfast).

Day 06 LIMA – HOME

Transfer to the airport for your international departure flight or continue on the extension of your choice. (Breakfast). 

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