Peru: Trek to Machu Picchu

Upon your arrival to Cuzco, you will be greeted by your guide and escorted to your hotel located in the heart of Cuzco. Today is your day to rest from travel and begin the acclimatization process. In the evening, feast on a traditional Peruvian dinner in the Cuzco Square and get to know your fellow travelers for the week.

Your time spent today and tomorrow is strategically planned to give your body adequate time to acclimate to the high altitude. The two days spent in Cuzco at over 10,000 feet will help make your experience on the trek enjoyable and free of problems related to altitude.

Explore Cuzco and the surrounding region today with a guided tour included in your trip.

CUZCO

Cuzco has a beautiful landscape that conjugates with the blue sky, white clouds and awesome mountains. By its roads, its possible to get to know the heritage inherited that give a testimony of its art. Even now, when you walk in its streets you can see some rocks intelligently united and the old houses built by Spanish over important Inca foundations. It is impossible to not notice the importance that this city had in the Inca period. Few places in Peru have the magical aura as Cuzco does.

SACSAYHUAMAN

Sacsayhuamán is one of the most amazing Incan constructions for travelers. Its Quechua name means “satisfied falcon”, it was the falcon that guarded the capital of the empire, since it was possible to overlook Cusco from the hill in where it was erected. If, as it is known, Cusco was designed with the shape of a lying puma, Sacsayhuamán would be its head, and the Coricancha would correspond to the feline’s genitalia.

It is said that the work was started by Pachacútec and continued by Túpac Yupanqui, even though some chroniclers state that it was Huayna Cápac who gave it the final touch. Inca Garcilaso de la Vega says that Apu Huallpa Rimachi was the main architect, and that Inca Maricanhi, Acahuana Inca and Calla Cunchuy successively took control of the works.
Its construction took over seven decades and required the work of 20,000 men approximately, both for the foundations and hewn stone works, the transportation of materials, carving and stones setting. Hewn stones could have been located at Muina, Huacoto and Rumicolca, 20 kilometers away from Cusco, and at closer places such as Sallu, Rumi, Chita, Curovilca and Viracocha. Some of its external walls exceed the 9 meters of height and 350 tons of weight.

A spectacular fortress built with huge carved rocks jointed with absolute accuracy, this astounding sample of the Incan military architecture is, undoubtedly, the greatest architectonic work of the Tahuantinsuyo. But, in addition, it proves the undeniable firmness of the great administrative capacity of the empire and its powerful logistic system capable of mobilizing and organizing such a work.

You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred by van west across the high Anta plain, following the route of the royal Inca Road which led from the capital toward the northern quarter of the empire. First, we must stop at the sacred Inca shrine known as Quillarumi (Moonstone in the Quechua language of the Incas), one of the finest of the carved rock huacas in the vicinity of Cuzco. We continue to our trailhead by the Huaracondo River where it drains the western edge of the plain, and meet our trail crew, who arrive from nearby communities. Commence trekking on a broad trail northward, above the west bank of the Huaracondo River. After an easy two-hour hike, we reach Huatta, a substantial pre-Inca fortress dominating the crest of a ridge at 12,645 feet. Archeologists currently excavating the site are revealing burials and occupation levels from the Formative Period (2,500 years ago) on through the enormous fortifications of the 4th century Regional Development period; a scattering of late-period Inca structures seems like an afterthought on the top of the highest hill. The site is classic — a defensible ridge with dominating three-way views along intersecting valleys. After lunch we continue on our way westward into the range and camp at 12,300 feet next to a rural school in the hamlet of Chiripahua.

Hiking Distance: 6.5 miles

Today, you will climb gradually through fields and glades of the indigenous Chachacomo tree, in a landscape of pastures and small fields clinging to the steep mountainsides. Wherever there is water, we find an Andean family compound of adobe and straw. But there is little water in this mountain range – we are reminded hour by hour of how precious a commodity water was and is to the Andean people. You will climb to a small knoll at 14,432 feet for delicious lunch, then continue up to the col. From our location atop Accoccasa Pass (15,170 feet) we enjoy breathtaking views of immense snow peaks — the Huaynays to our west, the Urubamba range to the north. We enjoy an easy descent to camp at 14,268 feet in the broad valley of Chancachuco, facing the glaciers of the Huaynay Range.

Hiking Distance: 5.5 miles

Begin your trek westward, gradually descending the high valley, to the headworks of a now-abandoned Inca aqueduct which transported water from the Chancachuco valley north to supply the otherwise-arid north-facing slopes above Ollantaytambo. This aqueduct once transported water across a sheer cliff face high above the Silque River. While we descend through a flower-filled notch in the valley wall, on the mountainside above us we can glimpse traces of the original stonework, testimony to the extraordinary engineering in the project. We reach our final pass (12,923 feet) and visit a spectacular ridge-top Inca shrine called Huayrapunku (Gate of the Wind), with an astonishing view towards Nevado Veronica (18,637 feet) directly across the valley. The site offers unsurpassed views to the terraces and temple site of the royal town of Ollantaytambo, over 4,000 feet below us. Constructed in the 15th century by the Inca emperor Pachacutec, the town was an important administrative and religious center. We descend, past the curious Inca administrative site of Llaqtallaqtayoq, to our camp on a broad terrace at 11,562 feet, at the edge of the enormous Cachiqata quarry. In the afternoon you will explore the intricate quarry workings. From this steep talus slope beneath the sheer face of Cerro Yanaorco, immense red granite building stones were carved onsite and then skidded down to the valley floor, across the river, and then up to the sun temple site on the far side of the valley. You will explore the ramps and work platforms around the largest of the stones. Orchids and other flowers are abundant in and around the quarry site, set high on the mountainside above the valley floor.

Hiking Distance: 7.4 miles to camp, plus optional additional walking in the Inca quarry.

Descend on a broad Inca road down through the lower quarry zone, and stop at a key hilltop, from where the worked stones were skidded down the steep slope to the Vilcanota River below us. On the far bank, between the river and the Sun Temple, we can see several of these piedras cansadas (“Tired Stones”), which were abandoned half-way between quarry and temple. Chroniclers tell us that work on the temple site was suddenly halted when the Colla masons fled back toward their homes in the Lake Tiahuanaco area, just prior to the arrival of the Spanish invaders. We continue down, cross the river, and arrive finally at the famous Sun Temple in Ollantaytambo. You will have time to explore the temple and the adjacent village, before catching a late afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. We will check into a hotel for the night, resting up for our exciting day in Machu Picchu.

Hiking Distance: 5 miles

Rise early today to enter the site in the morning for an in-depth guided tour of the ridge-top citadel of Machu Picchu. After a day of discovery and wonderment, you will descend to Aguas Calientes and return to Ollantaytambo, continuing by chartered bus to Cuzco in the late afternoon, arriving around 9.30 PM.

MACHU PICCHU

The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham, are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. While the Inca people certainly used the Andean mountain top (9,060 feet elevation), erecting many hundreds of stone structures from the early 1400’s, legends and myths indicate that Machu Picchu (meaning ‘Old Peak’ in the Quechua language) was revered as a sacred place from a far earlier time. Whatever its origins, the Inca turned the site into a small (5 square miles) but extraordinary city. Invisible from below and completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs, Machu Picchu seems to have been utilized by the Inca as a secret ceremonial city. Two thousand feet above the rumbling Urubamba river, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation. These structures, carved from the gray granite of the mountain top are wonders of both architectural and aesthetic genius. Many of the building blocks weigh 50 tons or more yet are so precisely sculpted and fitted together with such exactitude that the mortarless joints will not permit the insertion of even a thin knife blade. Little is known of the social or religious use of the site during Inca times. The skeletal remains of ten females to one male had led to the casual assumption that the site may have been a sanctuary for the training of priestesses and /or brides for the Inca nobility. However, subsequent osteological examination of the bones revealed an equal number of male bones, thereby indicating that Machu Picchu was not exclusively a temple or dwelling place of women.

On your final day of a trip that you will never forget, take some time to walk around Cuzco and pick up last-minute souvenirs. Before heading to the airport, say your final farewells to Peru and your new travel friends.

We offer adventures for everyone, no matter what your skill level. This guide will help you decide which trip is right for you.

• Activity

  How long (in hours) you may be active every day during the trip.

• Distances

  You should feel confident that you would be able to complete these distances every day of your trip.

• Surfaces

  What types of terrain you may encounter and should be prepared for on your trip.

• Elevation Change

  The largest elevation change you may encounter on your trip.

• Altitude

  The highest elevation you may reach on your trip.

Welcome to the outdoors! These trips are designed to introduce you to new challenges and new adventurers. Take in the scenery, tackle moderate elevation, experience some local flavor, and enjoy your day out of the office.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for one to three hours. Take a long walk around Central Park to make sure you’re comfortable being outdoors and active for at least a two-hour period.

• Distances

  For our Level 1 trips, you’ll be walking or hiking less than three miles. Think about this distance in terms of the width of Manhattan. Walking from the Hudson to the East River via 14th street is just under two miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be walking on flat terrain. This means there will be limited rocks and a few tree roots.

• Elevation Change

  There will be little or no elevation change on this trip. To simulate the change in elevation, trying walking three flights of stairs and back.

• Altitude

  Less than 3,000 feet.

Level 2 trips will give you a taste of what hiking is all about. Test yourself on intermediate terrain, including light rock scrambles and ascending multiple peaks. The trips will invigorate you and inspire you to continue strengthening your hiking skills.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for four to six hours. Prepare for the trip by jogging three miles around Central Park.

• Distances

  Plan on getting starter miles under your belt. You’ll be doing up to six miles on this trip. You can imagine this distance in terms of the full Central Park loop, which is 6.1 miles.

• Surfaces

  You’ll be hiking on rolling terrain. You can expect rock surfaces, steeps, roots and small boulders.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to an accumulative 1,500 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 6,000 feet.

Level three hikes will challenge you with a faster pace and longer distances. This hard work allows you to see more terrain and higher vistas. You should expect to be tired and fulfilled on the van ride home.

• Activity

  We’ll be out on the trails for five to eight hours. Prepare for this trip by maintaining your daily fitness regime that includes both cardio and strength.

• Distances

  Be ready to cover some serious distance. We may hike up to ten miles today before heading back to the city. This is the distance between Battery Park and Washington Heights in Manhattan.

• Surfaces

  We’ll be walking on rolling or mountainous terrain. This will require navigating various rock faces and trail conditions including steep inclines and uneven ground.

• Elevation Change

  There could be up to 2,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 10,000 feet.

Deep inside you is a desire to push past your limit. On these hikes you’ll be challenged by some of the steepest elevations and technical terrain available. These trips are for endurance athletes and those who wish to push their physical abilities.

• Activity

  You can expect to be active for six to nine hours. You can best prepare for a Level 4 trip by maintaining your intense fitness regiment, trying to get your mile time below 7 minutes, and hiking consistently on the weekends.

• Distances

  Level 4 hikes can be up to 16 miles. This is the distance between Wall Street and Yonkers.

• Surfaces

  These trails will be mountainous with exposed terrain, uneven trails and steep ascents/descents. Most hikes will require not only hiking boots but also additional gear like hiking poles and headlamps.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of up to 3,000 feet per day and possible altitude.

• Altitude

  From sea level to 14,000 feet.

Prepare yourself for the ultimate outdoor experience. If you yearn to touch the sky and think the rewards outweigh the risks and extreme conditions, this is what you’re looking for. Over the course of multiple days you will be called upon to prove you belong among the best.

• Activity

  You should be ready for at least ten hours a day of pain, challenge, and constant small victories.

• Distances

  You should expect to be hiking for at least twelve miles a day. Prepare for this by racing in triathlons, training for a marathon and up keeping your hiking skills.

• Surfaces

  On Level 5 trips you will be trekking in remote mountains with exposed terrain and loose features.

• Elevation Change

  There could be elevation change of 5,000 feet per day.

• Altitude

  Altitude change could also reach up to 14,000 feet.