Amazon Jungle and the Inca Trail

High Level Itinerary:

DAY 1: Welcome to Peru!

A Kusa Treks representative will meet you at the Lima airport and transfer you to your hotel.

DAY 2: Flight to Cusco and City Tour

In the morning, you will be transferred to the Lima airport for your flight to Cusco. A Kusa Treks representative will be waiting for you at the airport in Cusco, and will drive you to your hotel. You will have a free afternoon to explore Cusco. NOTE: The flight to Cusco included in price.

DAY 3: Sacred Valley Tour

Today you will venture outside of Cusco, by private van, through the Sacred Valley. You will tour many Inca archaeological sites and visit local communities scattered throughout this fertile valley. Our tour will end in Ollantaytambo.

DAY 4: Inca Trail, Day 1

Pick up from your hotel in Cusco. 2 hour drive to Trail Head. 6-7 hours of hiking through beautiful scenery to Wayllabamba, your first campsite.

DAY 5: Inca Trail, Day 2

Early start. Most challenging day on the trek. Hike to the top of Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of your trip. Your campsite will be in the stunning Pacaymayo Valley.

DAY 6: Inca Trail, Day 3

The prettiest day of hiking! Incredible views all day. Tour of the Runkuraqay Ruins & Wiñay Wayna, location of the last campsite.

DAY 7: Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Early wake up and quick hike to the Sun Gate. Full day tour of the world famous Machu Picchu. Train ride back to Cusco, arrival between 7-8pm.

DAY 8: Cusco Tour

You will have a free morning in Cusco to relax and explore the city on your own for a bit. In the afternoon your guide will pick you up for you tour of Cusco, which served as the capital of the Inca Empire. You will visit the most important sites of the city, including the ruins that surround Cusco from above.

DAY 9: Flight to Puerto Maldonado, Boat Ride to Eco Lodge

You’ll start today with a flight from Cusco to the jungle town of Puerto Maldonado. From here, you’ll journey down the river to an eco-lodge, located in the heart of the jungle. Observe an abundance of wildlife during the trip.

DAY 10: Forest Trails And Wetlands

The first full day in the jungle will be spent on walking trails to reach Lake Condenado.

DAY 11: Deeper Into The Jungle

We’ll venture deeper into the jungle today to spot more wildlife, including hundreds of different species of birds, caiman and giant river otters!

DAY 12: Journey Back Down the River and Then to Lima

One final breakfast at the lodge and then you’ll journey on the river back the way you came to Puerto Maldonado. You will be taken to the airport for your return flight to either Cusco or Lima.

NOTE: The hotels listed are subject to change based on availability, number of people in your group and time of year. However, the accommodations provided will be similar to the hotels listed below.

Details For Each Day

DAY 1: Welcome to Peru!

• Accommodations: Casa Andina in the Miraflores district of Lima
• Meals Included: None

AFTERNOON/EVENING

A Kusa Treks representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

NOTE: If you booked your own international flights, please provide us your flight details prior to your arrival.

DAY 2: Flight to Cusco

• Accommodations: Hotel Rumi Punku
• Meals Included: Breakfast

MORNING

You will enjoy breakfast at your hotel, followed by a private transfer to the Lima Airport. The flight from Cusco to Lima is just over one hour. You will arrive to Cusco between 10AM – 12PM, upon arrival a Kusa Treks representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel, where you can relax. You will have the rest of day free to explore Cusco on your own.

DAY 3: Sacred Valley Tour

• Accommodations: Samanapaq Lodge in Ollantaytambo
• Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
• Entrance Tickets: Included

MORNING

A Kusa Treks guide will pick you up from your hotel lobby in Cusco at 8AM. Your tour will be in private van as you drive from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. The first stop on the tour will be at a famous point called El Mirador (the Lookout Point). From this vantage point, you will be able to see the majority of the Sacred Valley as it stretches out below you. It’s an incredible site! Your guide will tell you about the importance of the Scared Valley to the Inca Empire along with some of its history.

The Sacred Valley was one of the main areas the Incas settled because it provided an incredible abundance of fertile plains in the high-lands of the Andes.

After this beautiful site, you drive to the ruins of Pisac where you learn about Inca culture. In Pisac you will see amazing works of stone art and impressive agricultural terraces. After touring this site, you will drive down below the ruins of Pisac to the actual town of Pisac to visit a bustling handicraft market. Your guide will show some good booths where you can sharpen your bargaining skills with the local merchants.

AFTERNOON

Following your visit in Pisac, you will take a quick drive to the town of Urubamba, where you will enjoy lunch at a local Andean restaurant. If you prefer a different restaurant, please let your guide know.

After lunch the tour will continue with a drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Upon reaching Ollantaytambo, you will visit a massive set of Inca ruins. This site was built during the height of the Inca empire and is an incredible example of Inca ingenuity and construction.

After visiting the Ollantaytambo Fortress you will be able to walk right to your hotel where your luggage will be waiting. Your guide will provide a Trek Briefing from 5-6PM where he will go over the itinerary for your upcoming trek. Following the briefing you will have the rest of the evening to eat dinner, relax or double check your packing.

DAY 4: Inca Trail, Day 1

• Accommodations: Kusa Treks camp
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
• Max Altitude: 9,843 ft. (3,000m)
• Min Altitude: 8,438ft. (2,572m)
• Distance Traveled: ~7.5 miles (12 km)
• Ascent: +1,405ft (+428m)
• Walking Time: 6-7 hours

Note: Our trekking times are approximate and will vary depending on: weather conditions, group ability and other factors.

MORNING

Your trek will begin with a 7:00AM pick-up at your hotel! Make sure to have your original passport (and Student ID card if applicable). The drive from Ollantaytambo to Piscacucho takes ~1 hour and includes beautiful views of the Sacred Valley.

Once you reach Piscacucho, you will start a life-changing journey. Here you will meet your camp crew and porters who will be carrying your belongings during the 26 mile (43 km) trek along the Inca Trail. Passports in hand, you will clear the official Inca Trail check point, cross a suspension footbridge across the Urubamba River, and begin the trek with a gentle climb.

Today’s hike starts with three hours of relatively level terrain (what we call “Inca Flat”) as the trail follows the course of the river. You can enjoy marvelous views of Mount Veronica (18,865ft / 5,750m) in the distance. Your “leisurely walk” will pass through a forest of giant cacti and native bushes. At Miskay you will take the trail left and gradually ascend to Willkaraccay high above the mouth of the Kusichaka River and across from the Inca town of Llactapata (Terrace Town). You will take a break on a flat bluff high above this extensive site, which was built as a fort, as it commands the entrance to the Kusichaka Valley.

AFTERNOON

This will be your first encounter to the unique terracing system that the Incas used to irrigate maize (corn) in the high mountain climate. You will spend 15-20 minutes to rest and take pictures of these incredible ruins before heading down to today’s lunch site at Tayaroc. This lunch will be your first time eating the amazing the food prepared by your incredible chef!

After lunch, you will have another 3-4 hours of hiking to reach a Kusa Treks’ private campsite in the village of Wayllabamba (9,843ft / 3,000m).

EVENING

At the end of each day, you will share a “family tea time” while you wait for dinner to be prepared. During tea time, you will enjoy hot chocolate, a variety of teas (including the traditional Matcha Tea), delicious finger foods and pleasant conversation. An exquisite dinner will be prepared by our professional chef and served buffet style.

After dinner your Tour Guides will go over the plans for the next great day. Buenas Noches!

DAY 5: Inca Trail, Day 2

• Accommodations: Samanapaq Hotel in Ollantaytambo
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
• Max Altitude: 13,780ft (4,200m)
• Min Altitude: 9,840ft (3,000m)
• Distance Traveled: ~7.4 miles (12 km)
• Ascent: +3,953ft (+1,205m)
• Walking Time: 7-8 hours

MORNING

Your day will start early. A Porter will wake you up with a fresh cup of hot tea at 5:30AM. The Kusa Treks crew will then pack up camp as you gather your belongings and eat a nutritious, warm breakfast. After breakfast you will hike for about an hour to the Ayapata valley. After arriving to the valley, there will be a soft, uphill climb through the forest and along a scenic stream. At this point, you will be walking at an elevation of 10,824ft (3,300m).

Today will be the most challenging day of hiking, but you will be able to take your time and enjoy breathtaking scenery along the way. After a short break in Ayapata Valley, you will start the most strenuous climb of the trek, with an ascent of 3,937ft (1,200m) planned in 2 stages. You will be trekking on 400 year-old Inca stone steps, with large gaps between each step, which can make walking a challenge.

Your efforts will be rewarded with spectacular views, as this stretch of the trail is surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountain peaks (Apu Huayanay Mountains). It will take 2-3 hours to hike the first stage, which includes several breaks to catch your breath and enjoy the views.

AFTERNOON

Your lunch stop will be in Llulluchapampa Valley, which has absolutely stunning views. To reach it, you will ascend steeply uphill through the Corralpunku Valley to the Llulluchayoc Zone.

If you’re lucky, you may see some of the hundreds of species of birds that inhabit this area; including: hummingbirds, falcons, and the Condor, also known as the king of the Andean Mountains. Your group will then enter a beautiful cloud forest, also known as the Polylepis woodlands, or the treeless grasslands of the Puna Región, home to the tarucas (Peruvian deer) and pumas. From here, you can see the highest pass of our trek: Dead Woman’s Pass.

Upon reaching Llulluchapampa, the camp crew will be waiting for you with a delicious Peruvian lunch, set against a stunning visual backdrop. After lunch you will have time to rest and recoup before continuing onto the second stage of the climb for another 2-3 hours. The trail continues with large, stone steps, some of them newly laid to protect the mountain from erosion.

You will walk at your own pace and stop to catch your breath, all while enjoying the truly marvelous vistas. You will gain another 1,968ft (600m) in elevation to reach the top of Warmiwañusca Mountain (Dead Woman’s Pass), which marks the highest elevation of our journey at 13,780ft (4,200m). Here you will experience an unforgettable moment, as the top of this mountain is a sacred place for the ancient Inca’s, or maybe the lack of oxygen is finally catching up with your brain! Either way you’ve made it through the hardest part of your journey!

Once your entire group reaches the top of Dead Woman’s Pass, you will take a short break to capture a family picture.

EVENING

After everyone summits Dead Woman’s Pass, there will be a 2-3 hour descent [yay!] into the Pacaymayo Valley to reach camp for tonight. This campsite is home to one of the most incredible vistas of the entire trek, as it stretches over a valley, with views of nearby waterfalls and snow-covered peaks.

Once you arrive, you will enjoy a “Family Tea Time” and another incredible and rejuvenating buffet dinner. After dinner your tour guide will show you the amazing Inca constellations that stretch out overhead (weather dependent).

DAY 6: Inca Trail, Day 3

• Accommodations: Kusa Treks Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Max Altitude: 12,300ft (3,750m)
• Min Altitude: 8,856ft (2,700 m)
• Distance Traveled: ~9.9 miles (16 km)
• Descent: -2,930ft (-890m)
• Walking Time: 7-8 hours

MORNING

Another early morning with hot tea and a smile arriving to your tent around 5:30AM. You will have breakfast and prepare for the most visually stunning day of the hike. After breakfast concludes (around 7:00AM), you will pick back up on the Inca Trail, which starts with a steep, but short climb (~1-hour), to the Runkuraqay Ruins.

These ruins have a circular center with rectangular outbuildings. It’s perched on the edge of a valley, which commands a strategic vantage point. It served as an Inca-Tambo, which is where chaskis (or runners) would rest, guard the post, or serve as lookout. After a short tour of the ruins, you will continue uphill for another hour to reach our second pass: Abra de Runcuracay (12,956ft / 3,950m).

The hike continues as the path winds between two mountains where Andean gulls will sometimes gather. You will approach a third pass, boasting exceptional views. In clear weather, you can look back to the Dead Woman’s Pass and look forward to a breath-taking sweep of snow-capped peaks, which includes the Pumasillo Mountain (Puma’s Claw) (19,685ft / 6,000m). From here, most of the trail is downhill and will lead you through a short tunnel. You will then encounter a series of tight switchbacks, dropping elevation quickly until you reach a small viewpoint atop a promontory.

AFTERNOON

After reaching the promontory, the descent becomes more gradual, as the path begins to curl across the slopes. To the right of the trail lies a large, algae-covered lake, and up ahead you will see Sayaqmarka, an ancient Inca town. The group will stop here to explore and listen to your guide who will provide interesting historic facts as well as local legends passed down through the ages. Once rested, your trek will continue its descent until reaching Chaquicocha (11,000ft / 3,400m), where you will eat another expertly prepared lunch.

After lunch the hike becomes exceptionally beautiful. You will pass the Phuyupatamarca ruins and descend to Wiñay Wayna and Intipata, all while enjoying dramatic vistas of the Aobamba Valley. This stretch of the trail is made of well-preserved paved stone and is still in great condition considering the many decades of trekkers that have crossed its path. Your lungs will appreciate that today’s hike is steadily lowering in elevation and significantly shorter than yesterday’s.

The trail will eventually lead to Phuyupatamarca (the Town of the Clouds), but first, you will pass through a short, natural tunnel in the mountain. After visiting this site, you will descend ~2,000 stone steps to Wiñay Wayna, known as Baby Machu Picchu. This site is almost as impressive in its majesty as Machu Picchu and infinitely less crowded.

Wiñay Wayna is another important Inca site, located just north of our camp. It is one of the best preserved and largest Inca sites along the Inca Trail and has one of the most breathtaking views of the entire trek.

EVENING

After taking a family photo and enjoying the incredible vistas, you will hike a short distance to tonight’s campsite. Tea time and another delicious buffet dinner will serve as a fitting end for the last full day on the trail.

DAY 7: Machu Picchu

• Accommodations: Rumi Punku in Cusco
• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Max Altitude: 8,856ft (2,700m)
• Min Altitude: 7,972ft (2,400m) (Machu Picchu)
• Distance Traveled: ~5 miles (8 km), plus exploration of Machu Picchu
• Walking Time: 6-7 hours
• Entrance Tickets: Included

MORNING

This is the day you’ve been waiting for! It will be the earliest day of your hike, starting with a wake up call at 4:00AM in order to get to the Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) ahead of the crowds. This ancient entry-way overlooks Machu Picchu, and you will reach it as the first rays of the sun strike one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The hike from camp to the Sun Gate will take 1-2 hours, with significant uphill stretches in the last half. You will be hiking in the dark for about an hour, so bring a head lamp and listen to your guides.

From the Sun Gate, we will have a leisurely 50-minute walk downhill to the south sector of Machu Picchu (The Guardian houses). The trail ends at a series of terraces, which provide the classic vantage point of the entire city. After enjoying a panoramic view and taking a family picture, you will need to walk straight down to the entrance of Machu Picchu Park to enter the city.

After a few minutes in a security line, you will finally arrive to the heart of Machu Picchu where you will enjoy a professional, unique guided tour from your Lead Guide. The formal tour will end in the late morning.

If your legs and lungs still have energy after four days of hiking, you have the option to climb to the peak of Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, which offer incredibly unique perspectives of Machu Picchu. Please note: Special permits are required to do this “hike”, and they are issued in limited quantities, so if you are interested you will need book and pay in advance for this permit.

NOTE: Due to new regulations (effective Jan 1. 2019), the paths that lead through Machu Picchu are all “one-way”, meaning you are not able to backtrack during your visit to Machu Picchu. Each visitor without a permit to climb Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have ~4 hours to spend inside the park and those with permits to climb either Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain will have 6 total hours to spend inside the park (including the 2 hour climb).

AFTERNOON/EVENING

After touring Machu Picchu, your guide will take you to the bus stop just outside the gates of Machu Picchu Park. You will take this bus to Aguas Calientes. Depending on your train departure time (see below), you will either need to head straight to the train station, or you can go to one of the many fantastic restaurants in Aguas Calientes for lunch (not included).

There are several train class options for the ride back to Cusco. The main two trains are the “Expedition Train” (included in the price) and the “Vista Dome Train” (additional $70 USD per ticket). We usually try to get tickets for a train leaving in the 15:00 (3PM) hour, which will have you back to your hotel in Cusco around 19:00 (7PM).

If you have a preference for departure/arrival time, and provide us with 4+ months notice, we are able to book tickets for the following departures:

Expedition train departure times (train ticket included in price):

• 15:20, 15:55, 16:20, 18:10

Vista Dome train departure times (additional $70 USD per ticket):

• 13:37, only available for those who do not do the Huyana Picchu hike
• 15:20, 16:20, 17:10, 18:20

All trains that depart from Aguas Calientes will arrive at one of two stations:

1. Ollantaytambo station, 2 hour drive back to Cusco
2. Poray station, 30 minute drive back to Cusco

Your arrival station will depend on the time of year of your trip, departure time and class of train. Once you arrive to either station, a Kusa Treks van and driver will be waiting for you at the station to take you back to your hotel.

NOTE: Train times depend on: the number of people in your group, the time of year of your trip and the class of train you prefer.

DAY 8: Tour of Cusco

• Accommodations: Rumi Punku in Cusco
• Meals Included: Breakfast
• Entrance Tickets: Included

MORNING

Free morning at your hotel to relax, perhaps schedule a massage at the hotel as a well earned reward after 4 days of hiking.

AFTERNOON

A Kusa Treks van will pick you up at 1PM from your hotel lobby. The tour starts with a quick drive to the Plaza de Armas, which is located right in the heart of the historic city! After being dropped off, you will take a 2 minute walk to the Catholic Cathedral, where you will enjoy a guided tour.

After visiting the cathedral, you will walk down the Avenida El Sol to the very center of the Inca Empire: Coricancha (Q’oricancha), known as the Temple of the Sun. At this incredible site you will witness a stark contrast between the Inca and Spanish methods of construction. This temple was the spiritual center of the Incas and the point from which their entire empire spread.

After touring Coricancha, you will take a 20-25 minute van ride to the outskirts of Cusco, where you will use your Tourist Ticket to visit 4 Inca archaeological sites. The first site you will visit is  Sacsayhuaman, which is covered in, 200 ton monoliths. This incredible site will challenge your imagination as you ponder how it was possible for the Incas to build such a city over 500 years ago. Your guide will provide several explanations and interesting facts, after which you will have time to explore this vast site on your own.

From Sacsayhuaman you will take a five minute van ride to the Q’enqo Inca site, which is famous for being home to several Inca Alters. You will not spend as much time here as you did at Sacsayhuaman but enough time to receive a guided tour.

Your next site is another five minute drive to Puca Pucara, a small, circular Inca post built as a lookout.

The final stop on this tour is Tambomachay, which was built by the Incas as a Water Temple. It has several impressive water fountains, which are thought to have been used by the Incas for bathing.

The tour ends with a drive back down to your hotel in Cusco.

EVENING

Enjoy an evening on your own.