Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca

The group flights depart London this evening.
**

Day 2

The group flights usually arrive into Lima in the morning. Those on group
flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the start hotel. Your
leader will give a short welcome briefing either upon arrival to the hotel or
later this evening. Time allowing, there is the option to take a walking tour
of Lima's colonial centre this afternoon, replete with Spanish churches and
colonial architecture.

*Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)*
*
*

Day 3

We set off very early this morning (around 05.30am) and drive south from Lima
until we reach the port of Paracas (4-5 hours' drive). Here we take a boat to
the Ballestas islands, a national park that contains one of the highest
concentrations of marine birds in the world. There are Sea lions, numerous
species of birds and the Paracas Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the
hillside, only recognisable from the sea. The boat trip lasts around 2 hours,
and once we're back on dry land we drive for around an hour to Ica, in the
heart of Peru's wine-growing region.

*Hotel Villa Jazmin (or similar)**
*

Day 4

At the Huacachina oasis just outside Ica, there are high sand dunes where we
may have time to try 'sand-surfing' (optional). We arrive at Nazca in the
afternoon with time to visit the viewing platforms close to the Nazca Lines.
These are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries, consisting of
enormous drawings and patterns etched in the desert sand. Afterwards, for
those who wish there is the chance to do a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines
(optional).

*Hotel Casa Andina (or similar)**
*

Day 5

We turn inland from the coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes on
today's long (11-12 hrs) but spectacular drive. Vicuñas (a smaller wild
relative of the llama) can be seen along this road, as this area is Peru's
largest vicuña reserve. Flamingos are usually sighted at high Andean lakes
near the road. This region has only recently become easily accessible to
tourists due to an upgrade of the Abancay/Chalhuanca road. The altitude here
can make physical exertion difficult (the highest point we reach today is
Negro Nayu at approx. 4600m). It is recommended to rest in the evening after
the 12-hour drive. We overnight in Abancay on the road to Cuzco.

**Hotel de Turistas Abancay* (or similar)**
*

Day 6

We set off towards Cuzco this morning, stopping en route to visit the unique
Inca Saywiti stone and Tarawasi ruins. The glaciated summits of the
Vilcabamba Mountain range and the descent into the Apurimac River valley
demonstrate the dramatic contrasts of the Andes Mountains, and we should
expect stunning scenery throughout today's 5-6 hour drive.

*Hotel Koyllur Inn (or similar)**
*

Day 7

The city has a multitude of attractions in and around the city, both active
and historical, and today is free to explore the city and its surroundings.
An optional visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Pisac ruins is
available, as is the option to try paddle-boarding on a high altitude lake on
the plateau just outside the city.

*Hotel Koyllur Inn (or similar)*

Day 8

The Classic Inca Trail is a tangential branch part of a 45,000km road network
linking the whole empire to Cuzco. It was built in the 15th Century to reach
Machu Picchu but was abandoned soon after the Spanish conquest. American
adventurer, Hiram Bingham travelled along the trail when he came across Machu
Picchu in 1911. The trail opened to the public in 1970.

We leave Cuzco early and drive for roughly two hours to Ollantaytambo; our
last chance to buy any items needed for the trek. From here we veer off the
road and follow a track beside the river (45 minutes) to the start of the
Inca Trail at Piscacucho, commonly known as Km82. After greeting our trekking
crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the Inca Trail trek.
The trail runs alongside the Vilcanota River beneath the impressive
snow-capped Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and fields of
corn until we reach the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue
up a side valley to camp near the hamlet of Huayllabamba.

*Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 6-7hrs walking*

*Full-service Camping - Huayllabamba Camp*

*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast lunch dinner/*

Day 9

This is the longest and most strenuous day. A long climb (largely up stone
staircases) takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of
Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's) pass, at 4215m
the highest point on the trek. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in
the scenic valley of the Pacamayo River (3600m).

*Walk Profile: approx. 10km / 6-7hrs walking*

*Full-service Camping - Pacamayo Camp*

*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast lunch dinner/*

Day 10

We start the day with an easier climb which takes us past the ruins of
Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (3930m). From now on the Inca Trail
becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of
Sayajmarca and suddenly enter rainforest; at one point the trail passes
through an Inca tunnel. We camp at a spectacular campsite on the ridge above
the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (3680m) to benefit from the views of sunset
and sunrise.

*Walk Profile: approx. 12km / 5-6hrs walking*

*Full-service Camping - Phuyupatamarca Camp*

*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast  lunch  dinner/*

Day 11

From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone
staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming
immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river
thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay
Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river
to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu
Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.

Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our
arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of
the magnificent ruins. Whilst most groups choose to visit Machu Picchu today,
we'll pass around the edge of the ruins and exit the site, descending to
Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for
the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we
use for our tour tomorrow when we are refreshed and more able to enjoy it.

There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas
Calientes, however in recent years they have become over-crowded and the
water quality can suffer as a result. We will be reunited with those who have
been on the Moonstone Trek or the Train Option at the hotel this afternoon.

*Walk Profile: approx. 9km / 6-7hrs walking*

*Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)*

*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast lunch/*

Day 12

In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as
early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu;
only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding
road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be
hours long. 

Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the
ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain
backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas
left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city
lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the
American historian Hiram Bingham. 

New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the
three possible visiting slots, we will purchase the morning slot from 06:00
until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four
hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be
three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most
comprehensive route. 

We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue
by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins).

*Hotel Koyllur Inn (or similar)**
*

Day 13

Today we travel for 8-10 hours by private coach along the Vilcanota River and
onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle.
Although it is quite a long drive, it is interesting and often spectacular.
There are scheduled stops at interesting sites along the route to help break
up the day and all along the route we get a feeling for the immensity of the
Andean landscapes. A packed lunch is included today. This afternoon we arrive
into Puno (3,800m) on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

*Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
*

Day 14

A full day on the lake today as we visit both the island of Taquile and the
floating islands of the Uros Indians.

First, we take a boat to the floating island of Uros. The Uros have been
living on rafts of reeds for centuries, and although many have now moved to
the mainland there are still a couple of thousand who remain on the islands
which are anchored close to Puno. A reasonable amount of their income is now
provided by strictly regulated tourism, but they also still fish the lake and
engage in barter with communities on the mainland in order to obtain
essential daily items.

Afterwards, we continue on to Taquile Island, home to a community known for
their remarkable weaving and traditional lifestyle. The panoramic views of
the lake from the island are incredible, and it is often possible to see the
snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the distance. There is the option
to eat lunch on the island, before we return to Puno.

*H**otel Casona Plaza (or similar)*

Day 15

Today we transfer approximately 1 hour to Juliaca Airport and in the
afternoon fly back to Lima. In the evening there is the chance to go for a
final meal together at one of the local restaurants (at own expense).

*Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)*
*
*

Day 16

The morning is free, and the overnight group flights usually depart around
lunch time or in the early afternoon.
**

Day 17

The group flights arrive into London this afternoon.
**