ITINERARIES IN PERU - PROGRAMS OF OUR PARTNERS |
| CORDILLERA BLANCA 5 DAYS |
Minimum 2 passengers
Season: From April to November
The Cordillera Blanca is, without question, one of the most magnificent
mountain ranges in the world. Protected as Huascarán National
Park, the Cordillera is one of the earth's treasured natural resources.
It is also the highest mountain chain in the Peruvian Andes. Hundreds
of multicolored glacial lakes, dozens of crystal clear rivers and
waterfalls make it one of the most attractive mountain destinations
on earth. Over 20 snow-capped peaks rise above 6,000 m/19,680 ft.
Its highest peak, Huascarán (6,768 m/22,205 ft), is also
the world's highest mountain in a tropical zone and Peru´s
highest peak. At the upper end of Quebrada Santa Cruz, perched high
above a wide wall of glaciers, stands the glorious pyramid of Alpamayo.
Starting in Lima, we will drive North along Peru's desert coast
and turn East into the Andes. From the charming mountain town of
Huaraz, the route passes through the Callejón de Huaylas
(narrow river valley) to arrive at the trail head. The trek includes
spectacular peaks, valleys, scattered queñual forests and
2 passes over 4,500 m/14,760 ft. We will also visit small traditional
communities and see ecologically diverse flora and fauna... Detailed
Information
| INCA TRAIL 4 DAYS |
Category: Easy to moderate trek
Season: April to December
Trip Duration: 4 days - 3 nights
Transportation: Bus and train
Accommodation: 3 nights of camping
Highlights: Inca archaeological sites, four-day trek and
Quechua culture
At its height, the Inca empire had an extensive network
of roads running the length and breadth of the Andes. These stone-paved
trails connected the highland valleys with the coast. After the
Conquest, some of these paths were used as roads and continue in
this function until today. The modern Pan-American highway and the
routes leading Eastward into the Andes are good examples. In the
highlands, some of these trails are in their original condition
and used by local people to reach the fields. Others have been forgotten
and reclaimed by the jungle.
The Inca Trail is one of the world's most popular treks. This 4-day
walk goes from the highlands of 4,200 m/13,000 ft through the cloud
forest before arriving at Machu Picchu (2,380 m/7,800 ft). Hidden
under the dense foliage of a highland jungle, forgotten by the Inca
themselves, Machu Picchu escaped the Conquistadors and eluded treasure
hunters until Hiram Bingham brought "The Lost City of the Inca"
to the world's attention in 1911. Further exploration uncovered
an ancient highway: a royal road that connected Machu Picchu to
Cusco: the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas.
Camp with striking views of the high sierra and dense selva (jungle).
Finally, after crossing two high passes, arrive at Intipunku (Sun
Gate) for the first view of Machu Picchu spread below. This sight
will remain etched in the memory forever. Detailed
Information
| HUCHUY Q´OSQO 3 DAYS |
Season: Year Round
Trip Duration: 3 days - 2 nights
Transportation: Bus, train and horses
Accommodation: One of camping, one night of lodging
Highlights: Inca archaeological sites, great Andean scenery,
Machu Picchu
and Quechua culture
This is a walk that traverses the high Andean plateau into the Sacred Valley of the Inca. We pass through the Chinchero high mesa toward Lake Piuray. The views of the Urubamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges all along the way are nothing less than spectacular. We also visit the quarry where Inca masons extracted and finished stones for the site of Huchuy Q'osqo. Numerous examples of these finely crafted stones are still scattered around the area. The communities of weavers and farmers located along the lake shore are excellent examples of true Andean traditional living. A chance to meet these unique people, take part in their daily activities and have the opportunity to purchase some of their one-of-a-kind handicrafts is an experience never to be forgotten
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| MACHU PICCHU 5 DAYS |
Season: April to November
Trip Duration: 5 days - 4 nights
Transportation: Bus and Train
Accommodation: Hotel and three nights of camping
Highlights: Great Andean scenery, Machu Picchu and Cusco
This five-day trip is a perfect alternative for those unable to book the Inca Trail. The Vilcabamba area was the holdout for the crumbling Inca rebellion. The trail traverses the high Andean plateau, crossing passes as high as 4,750 m/15,585 ft for an up-close view of the sacred Inca peak, Salcantay (6,280 m/20,598 ft). The route then descends into the beautiful Aobamba valley with its tropical climate and vegetation. All along the way there are native Andean villages that time seems to have passed by. After a marvelous train ride, arrive at the spectacular citadel of Machu Picchu for a never to be forgotten guided-tour of this architectural marvel. Hidden under the dense foliage of a highland jungle, forgotten by the Inca themselves, Machu Picchu escaped the conquistadors and eluded treasure hunters until Hiram Bingham brought the "Lost City of the Inca" to the world's attention in 1911. The intricate stonework of these enigmatic ruins is one of the finest examples of Inca masonry. To this day, scholars are in disagreement as to its function and why it was eventually abandoned. Be that as it may, it remains the crown jewel of Inca architecture.
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| CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 4 DAYS |
Minimum 2 passengers
Season: Available whole year round
The Vilcabamba region is located northwest of Cusco, between the
Apurimac and Urubamba rivers. Salkantay (6271m/20,575 ft) towers
above the other peaks and turbulent rivers crash down granite gorges
on their way to the rainforest of La Convencion. The Vilcabamba
range offers the unique opportunity to trek down from an environment
of glaciers, into the Amazon basin in just a few days. For over
40 years, this region of cloud forest served as a refuge and natural
fortress for the 16th century Inca resistance movement trying to
regain control of Tahuantinsuyo from the Spanish invaders. The typical
customs and clothing of the local people reflect a mixture of cultures.
Their language and textiles, with Inca and pre-Inca motives, give
clear evidence of the Quechua influence. Vilcabamba is also the
region where the largest concentration of pre-Colombian archaeological
treasures are found, including Choquequirau and the famous citadel
of Machu Picchu. A network of Inca roads run through the region
and connect Vitcos, Rosaspata and Espiritu Pampa: last of the Inca
strongholds. Among the panoramic views are: ice-capped peaks, sharp
ridges, deep gorges, raging rivers, lush flora and the sub-tropical
rainforest; teeming with wildlife. Please see datailed
information here.
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