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Inca Trail & Colca Canyon, From the Heights of the Andes to one of the World's Deepest Gorges
Duration: 13 days
4-12 Passengers: $2895/Person
2-3 Passengers: $3295/Person
A trekker's dream, this Peru tour takes you hiking through Colca Canyon, one of the world's deepest gorges, where the endangered Andean condor takes flight. We also take you to the picturesque "White City" of Arequipa, known for its colonial buildings of white volcanic stone, before embarking on a Peru adventure tour through the Inca heartland. The Inca itinerary includes Cusco, the Sacred Valley, the historic Inca Trail hike and the most celebrated of all Inca ruins, Machu Picchu. This is a trekker's paradise, sure to please any active traveler seeking an exciting vacation filled with history or a history-based adventure full of excitement.
Inca Trail Trip Notes
Inca Trail regulations limit the number of people allowed on the Inca Trail to 500 people each day. Permits are given on a "first-come, first-serve" basis only, so booking early is essential. If you're considering booking an Inca Trail tour between May and October Southern Explorations require your full name, date of birth, nationality and passport number immediately. We also must have a copy of your passport with your trip application.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding details and private departure costs.
Itinerary for Inca Trail & Colca Canyon Hiking Tour
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Day 1 (Thu) LIMA
View Lima accommodations picture gallery
On day one of our Peru tour, a Southern Explorations representative meets you at the Lima International Airport and takes you to your hotel. If you plan to arrive early, we offer a number of optional tours to explore the city, including museum visits, and other sites of interest.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Fri) LIMA - AREQUIPA
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Start the morning with a transfer to the airport for a flight to Arequipa, the "White City," known for the white volcanic rock used in much of its colonial construction. Upon arrival, you'll have time to relax or explore before an afternoon city tour to see suburban Yanahuara, the Jesuit La Compania and the Convent of Santa Catalina, with its labyrinth of secluded quarters. (B)
Picture Gallery, Convent of Santa Catalina
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Day 3 (Sat) AREQUIPA - CHIVAY
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Leaving the city, our Peru tour offers amazing views of Mt. El Misti and other volcanoes as you ascend to the highland savannah or puna. Here in this altiplano desert, see herds of llamas, alpacas and the endangered vicuña. Experience a descent into the upper Colca Canyon at Chivay then conclude the day with a cozy night at the charming Lodge. (B, L, D)
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Day 4 (Sun) COLCA CANYON - CRUZ DEL CONDOR HIKE - AREQUIPA
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This stretch of our Peru tour begins bright and early to reach the viewpoint called Cruz del Condor located over the deepest part of this world famous canyon. Here, enjoy a highlight of your Peru travels watching condors take flight on the morning's warm air currents and slowly ascend over the horizon. Return to Arequipa in the afternoon. (B)
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Day 5 (Mon) CHIVAY - AREQUIPA - CUSCO
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Take a short flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. There Southern Explorations' guides pick you up and take you on a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza de Armas and then to your hotel. You will be free for the remainder of the day to relax and acclimatize to the altitude (10,856 ft). (B)
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Day 6 (Tue) CUSCO
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The morning begins with a guided walking tour of Cusco to see the local markets, the colonial cathedral, and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a break for lunch, your cultural Peru travel continues with an afternoon tour of nearby temples and visit some distinctive Inca sights, including the massive fortress of Sacsayhuaman, known for its stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected Cusco from attacks, and a water temple called Tambo Machay. In the evening, you'll be briefed about the upcoming trek. (B)
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Day 7 (Wed) CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY
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Embark upon a day-long guided excursion of the legendary Sacred Valley. This portion of our Peru tour is characterized by snowcapped mountains and jagged granite peaks, observing Inca terracing on the steep valley walls and the ruined temples of Pisac before stopping in the village of Pisac, famous for its textiles market. After lunch, you'll go on to Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft), a timeless town known for its impressive Inca fortress. Overnight at a hotel in Ollantaytambo. (B)
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Day 8 (Thu) SACRED VALLEY - PAUCARCANCHA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Early in the morning, the next leg of our Peru tour begins as by catching the bus to Km 82 where the Inca Trail trek begins. With our porters, you'll cross the Urubamba River by bridge and take a winding path that parallels the river with scenic views of the Vilcanota mountain range and Mt. Veronica (18,745 ft). Through Cusichaca valley, the imprints of ancient agricultural practices may be seen on the hillsides. You'll pass the small indigenous community of Huayllabamba (9,025 ft) on the way to the archaeological zone of Paucarcancha where you'll camp for the night. (B,L,D)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
5.62 miles | 6 Hours
Altitude:
from 8,910 ft to 9600 ft.
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Day 9 (Fri) PAUCARCANCHA - LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Along the trail, through the narrow hanging valley, our Peru adventure continues with a journey through a cloud forest where the rare Queñua tree grows, before ascending steeply to a plateau of grasslands below the first pass. Camp at Llulluchapampa (12,300 ft), where tomorrow you'll awaken to an awe-inspiring view of Mt. Huayanay. (B,L,D)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
4.37 miles | 5 Hours
Altitude:
from 9,600 ft. to 12,700 ft.
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Day 10 (Sat) LLULLUCHAPAMPA - PHUYUPATAMARCA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Physically, this is the most challenging day of the trek, as the trail ascends steeply toward Warmiwañusca pass (13,680 ft), descends to the Pacaymayo River and climbs slowly again to reach the ruins of Runkuraqay. A second lower pass takes you from Runkuraqay to the ruins of Sayacmarca (12,628 ft). Along the way, observe some Inca engineering, before reaching the evening's campsite at the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca (12,000 ft). (B,L,D)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
8.75 miles | 8 Hours
Altitude:
from 12,700 ft to the pass 13920 ft. and to over night at 11850 ft.
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Day 11 (Sun) PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU
View Machu Picchu accommodations picture gallery
Along the same water course as Phuyupatamarca, our Peru tour continues along the flagstone trail that winds sharply down into the cloud forest and to the well-restored ruins of Wiñay Wayna (8,855 ft). After a two-hour walk through a cloud forest along the Inca Trail, you finally arrive at Intipunku, the sun gate entrance to Machu Picchu (7,800 ft) in time for a brief tour. You'll spend the night at a hotel in nearby Aguas Calientes. (B,L)
Inca Trail Hike Details:
8.12 miles | 8 Hours
Altitude:
from 11,850 ft to 8040 ft. (in Machupicchu)
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Day 12 (Mon) MACHU PICCHU - CHINCHERO TEXTILE MARKET - CUSCO
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This morning of our Peru tour is dedicated to Machu Picchu exploration. Wake up early to enjoy the sun rise above the ruins. You may wish to climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or walk through a cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon before returning to Aguas Calientes for lunch. You'll return to Ollantaytambo on the afternoon train to meet your driver who will take you to the unique Chinchero Market. Maintaining their ancestors’ perfected crafts, these artisans will explain their processes for shearing, spooling, dyeing, and weaving from alpaca wool. Return to Cusco in the late afternoon with your last minute shopping finds in tow. Enjoy your final evening here in the Inca heartland. (B)
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Day 13 (Tue) CUSCO - LIMA - HOME
Transfer to the airport for an AM flight to Lima and your connecting international flight where your Southern Exploration services end. If your plans call for a longer stay in Peru, tour extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco may be arranged. (B)
Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
Itinerary Map
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT PERU
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2008 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Thursday Departures
2 person minimum / 12 maximum
August
Contact Us!
September
Contact Us!
October
2-14
November
20-12/2
December
18-30
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
2009 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Thursday Departures
2 person minimum / 12 maximum
January
15-27
February
Trail closed
March
12-24
April
16-28
May
7-19
June
4-16
July
16-28
August
13-25
September
10-22
October
1-13
November
5-17
December
15-27
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding private departure costs.
INCLUSIONS / EXCLUSIONS
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Included in tour cost
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- Professional, English-speaking local guides and camp staff
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- Meals as indicated
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- Plentiful, nutritious meals and snacks while on the trek (vegetarian option available)
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- All hotel and camping accommodations (twin shared basis)
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- All transfers in private
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- Entrance fees for Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- Porters to carry camping equipment and any excess gear
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- North Face tents - three person
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- Air mattresses
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- Kitchen, dining and latrine tent
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- Hot water in the morning for washing
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- Drinking water through out the trek
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- 2 tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
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- Train ticket back to Cusco - Vista Dome train
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- First aid and oxygen bottle
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- Satellite phone communication
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services
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Excluded in tour cost
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- Airfare $395 (Lima/Arequipa/Cusco/Lima)
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- International round - trip airfare to and from Peru
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- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Travel insurance
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- Sleeping bags, hiking boots, and other personal gear
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- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.
PHYSICAL RATING
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Difficult - Strenuous
PERU ACCOMMODATION
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Inca Trail & Colca Canyon Accommodation:
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9 nights hotels
3 nights Camping
(North face 3 person tents for 2)
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $515
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- Single Supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. We will match you with another same gender traveler unless you request single accommodations.
Prices based on 3% cash discount
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Duration: 13 days)
Along the trail, through the narrow hanging valley, our Peru adventure continues with a journey through a cloud forest where the rare Queñua tree grows, before ascending steeply to a plateau of grasslands below the first pass. Camp at Llulluchapampa (12,300 ft), where tomorrow you'll awaken to an awe-inspiring view of Mt. Huayanay. (B,L,D)
