Moonstone Inca Trail Trek, Peru Essential InfoTrek the Inca Trail a different way on a 9 day inca trail trek and tour. From delightful Arequipa you visit the incredible Colca Canyon where there is a good chance of spotting Andean condor soaring above the canyon's cliff-face. Home to many highland Indians who have preserved their traditional way of life, visit the floating islands of Lake Titicaca before heading to Cusco for a classic train ride to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Overview
Machu Picchu and its mythical trek have become synonymous with adventure throughout the world. As travellers visit Machu Picchu and the traditional Inca Trail in record numbers, we have developed this unique alternative route through the Andes to the Inca Citadel, Machu Picchu. This trek offers spectacular mountain scenery and rich archaeology without the crowds, along with the same sunrise experience over the ruins of Machu Picchu. The Inca trail is probably one of the most rewarding hikes in the world and the perfect gap year activity.
Accommodation Twin share in an hotel. Single travellers will be matched with a fellow passenger of the same sex.
Getting ThereThe programme begins in Lima. If you would like assistance with your flights, we can assist with sourcing the best value flight options, just indicate on your booking form.
When To GoDeparts May to October. Please contact us for prices and availability.
Why Xtreme Gap?If you thinking of waiting to book until you get out to the country you planning on travelling to think again. This is why you should book with us. Booking with Xtreme Gap ensures you will do it! Sounds obvious, but many people who put off booking prior to departure, find out that their chosen programme is full. By booking your programme up front, you can have peace of mind that you will achieve what you set out to do an because we are the best value gap year company booking with Xtreme Gap stretches your travel budget further, remember we are the best value gap year company.
Price and Dates
Contact us for prices. There is an extra charge: US$ 350 Local payment.
Permits to hike the Inca Trail sell out many months in advance we therefore advise you to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Included
- Services of English/Spanish speaking tour leader
- Transportation by private vehicle plus local trains & flights
- All 13 nights hotel included
- Train ride to/from Machu Picchu
- Boat ride on Lake Titicaca
- Entry to Machu Picchu and archaeological sites as per the itinerary
- Flight from Lima to Arequipa, Cusco to Lima
- 13 breakfasts (other meals paid locally)
Excluded
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Note there are local payments totaling $350 Tips (allow euro30)
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If you like trekking you might also be interested in: Andes Climbing | Flight of the Condor trek in Peru | Everest Base camp trek |
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FLEXIBLE ITINERARY
Inca Trail Trek Day: 1 Arrive Lima
On your arrival into Lima, make your way to the group hotel, located in the colonial section of Lima within easy walking distance of the Plaza de Armas. In the afternoon you are free to independently explore the colonial heart of Lima centered on the elegant Plaza de Armas with the president's palace and the cathedral. Nearby is the Monastery of San Francisco, where you can explore the vast catacombs.
Meals: Paid locally | Accommodation: Hotel included
Inca Trail Trek Day: 2 Cusco
After an early morning transfer to Lima airport, you board your flight to Cusco. Touching down in Cusco, the scenery and altitude will take your breath away. Historic colonial buildings and churches cast shadows over the narrow cobbled streets that are thronged with local artisans, entertainers, markets and cafes. Allowing time to acclimate to the high altitude (3,360 metres), the day is yours to relax and explore.
Meals: Breakfast included | Accommodation: Hotel included
Inca Trail Trek Day: 3 Cusco
A group meeting will also be held at 10.30am today to discuss the Inca Trail hike. Rest of day free. Cusco and the surrounding area is full of museums, markets, artisans, shrines and entertainments of old and new. Our local representative will help you arrange any activities that you are interested in.
Meals: Breakfast included | Accommodation: Hotel included
Inca Trail Trek Day: 4 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek
The morning of the hike we travel across the high Anta Plain to reach our starting point at the fascinating sacred Inca shrine known as Quillarumi (Moonstone in the Quechua language of the Incas). Nearby is our trailhead at the Huaraconda River valley at nearly 3,650 metres elevation. We meet our trail crew who arrive from local communities. We hike to Huatta, a substantial pre-Inca fortress dominating the crest of the ridge. After lunch we continue westward into the range and camp next to a rural school in the hamlet of Chiripahua.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner Included | Accommodation: Camping included
Inca Trail Trek Day: 5 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek
We climb gradually through fields and glades in a landscape of pastures and small fields clinging to the steep mountainsides. We climb to 4400m for a delicious lunch and continue to the top of the Accoccasa Pass at 4625m to enjoy breathtaking views over immense mountain snowpeaks: the Huaynays to our west and the Urubamba Range to the north. We enjoy an easy descent to camp in the broad valley of Chancachuco, facing the snow of the Huaynay Range.
Meals: All included | Accommodation: Camping included
Day: 6 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek
We follow the contours of a now abandoned Inca aqueduct . Only traces remain today as evidence of this extraordinary engineering project. We reach our final pass at 12 923 feet and visit a ridge-top Inca shrine called Huayrapunku (Gate of the Wind) with an astonishing view towards Nevado Veronica. This site offers unsurpassed views to the terraces and temple site of the royal town of Ollantaytambo over 4000 feet below us, constructed in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacutec. We descend to our camp on a broad terrace at the edge of the enormous Cachiqata quarry where we explore the ramps and platforms around these large stoneworks.
Meals: All included | Accommodation: Camping included
Day: 7 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek
We descend on a broad Inca trail down through the quarry zone and stop at a key hilltop overlooking the Vilcanota River below. We continue down, cross the river and arrive finally at the famous Sun Temple in Ollantaytambo. We have time to explore the temple and adjacent village before catching a late afternoon train to Aguas Calientes and check into our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included | Accommodation: Hotel included
Days: 8-9 Machu Picchu & Cusco
With an early morning start, we will await the sun to climb over the mountains and pierce the misty clouds to reveal the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. After exploring the ruins and enjoying an informative guided tour of the citadel, we board the train back to Cusco for our final night in our hotel, sharing smiles and stories of our accomplishment and wonder.
Meals: Breakfast included | Accommodation: Hotel included
Tour ends in Cusco morning of day 9.
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