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INCA TRAIL PERMITS SOLD OUT?
When Inca Trail Permits sell out. . .
. . . and Inca Trail Permits do sell out--more rapidly each year--this itinerary, the Peru Raft, Bicycle & Hike Multi-Sport Tour, can easily be combined with the Alternative Inca Trail for an unforgetable Peru Adventure that loses nothing when compared with itineraries involving the traditional Inca Trail Hike.
Check out our Camp - Life on the Alternative Inca Trail Pictorial and compare that to the traditional route, Camp - Life on the Inca Trail. We think you'll agree that PRBH and the Alt. Inca Trail provide everything the adventurer in you seeks and then some.
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Raft, Bicycle & Hike, A Peru Tour for the Multi-Sport Adventure Traveler
Duration: 12 days
4-12 Travelers: $2595 per person
2-3 Travelers: $3195 per person
If you're looking for a Peru tour that's the adventure of a lifetime, this is the perfect choice. On this tour you'll see the wildest and most remote areas of Peru. Start your tour in Cusco, where you can see Peru's cultural riches, visiting monuments, museums, and historic ruins. Once you've gotten a sense of this country's impressive heritage, you'll travel onward to discover its natural wonders. Spend two days rafting the spectacular class IV rapids of the beautiful Apurimac River and see a fascinating labyrinth of deep canyons, rarely visited by others. Then we'll grab mountain bicycles to ride through the legendary Sacred Valley. Next hike the impressive Inca Trail through beautiful cloud forests and Andean peaks. Our efforts are rewarded with a magnificent entrance to Machu Picchu through the renowned Sun Gate. This Peru tour is perfect for active adventurers who seek an exciting vacation amidst the stunning beauty of the Andes.
Private Departures can be arranged. Please contact us regarding details and private departure costs.
Raft, Bicycle & Hike Tour Itinerary
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Day 1 (Wed) LIMA
View Lima accommodations picture gallery
On day one you'll arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel. We can arrange tours if you are there early and would like to explore.
Begin Optional Pre-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Day 2 (Thu) LIMA - CUSCO
View Cusco accommodations picture gallery
Morning departure for a flight to Cusco (10,856 ft.), center of the Inca Empire. An afternoon city tour of Cusco's temples, churches, and the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko,and Tambo Machay will further reveal to you the remarkable history of Peru's ancient cultures. (B)
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Day 3 (Fri) CUSCO CITY TOUR - APURIMAC RIVER
Start your day with a guided walking tour of Cusco's markets, the colonial cathedral, and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After lunching on tasty local cuisine, depart for an afternoon tour of Cusco's temples and visit several prominent Inca sights, including: the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected the royal capital from attacks; and the water temple, Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, take a four to five hour private van ride from Cusco to the Apurimac River. Along the way, witness spectacular view of the Vilcabamba and Vilcanota Highlands. Upon arrival set up camp on white sand beaches alongside the river and enjoy a riverside dinner. (B,D)
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Day 4 (Sat) APURIMAC RIVER
The first rafting segment travels through some exciting class III/IV rapids, before coming to the a mandatory portage. With the crew's help, we will slide the raft over rocks to put safely back on the river downstream. For the rest of the day enjoy thrilling rapids, a riverside beach lunch and views of the deep gorge and flowing river. In the late afternoon we reach our destination, a soft sand beach for a second night of camping alongside the river.
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Day 5 (Sun) APURIMAC RIVER - SACRED VALLEY
View Sacred Valley accommodations picture gallery
Today, the canyon widens to create sloping formations and consequently, more challenging rapids, including "Toothache," "You First," "Babalua Carajo," and "Last Laugh," all of grade V difficulty. The first two rapids are optional for passengers, as the banks are easily accessible for portage. After you conquer the rapids, calm waters await you on the final stretch. Finish the thrilling journey around 12:30 pm and take lunch on the riverside and then bus to Ollantaytambo. (B,L)
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Day 6 (Mon) MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE SACRED VALLEY
View Sacred Valley accommodations picture gallery
Take an early morning drive from the Sacred Valley Hotel to Cruz Pata where you embark on a fascinating mountain bicycle tour to the community of Chequereq, Cruz Pata, the Ruins of Moray, Maras town (Indian Reduction), and the Salt Mines of Pichingoto, Stop for lunch in Ollantaytambo, where you stay overnight in a comfortable hotel. (B,L)
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Day 7 (Tue) SACRED VALLEY - PAUCARCANCHA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Camp - Life on the Alternative Inca Trail
Wake up early for the morning bus ride to (Km82), where the trek begins. After meeting our porters you'll cross the Urubamba River by bridge. Continuing on our way along the winding path, between the sloping banks of the Urubamba River, we experience a stunning view of the Vilcanota mountain ranges and Mount Veronica (18,745 ft.). Our route takes us through the narrow Cusichaca valley, with slopes that show the clear imprint of an ancient culture and its agriculture practices. Later, we pass the small indigenous community of Huayllabamba (9,025 ft.), to camp in the archaeological zone of Paucarcancha. (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 8 (Wed) PAUCARCANCHA - LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Camp - Life on the Alternative Inca Trail
Along the trail, through the narrow hanging valley, you begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Quequa tree, a rarity of the Andes. From here, the trail ascends steeply to a large pampas below the first pass. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa (12,300 ft.), where you awake to the breathtaking 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 9 (Thu) LLULLUCHAPAMPA - PHUYUPATAMARCA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Camp - Life on the Alternative Inca Trail
Physically, this is the hardest day of the trek, as the trail ascends steeply toward Warmiwañusca pass (13,680 ft.). From the pass, the trail descends to the Pacaymayo River and then climbs slowly past the ruins of Runkuraqay. A lower pass takes you from Runkuraqay to the ruins of Sayacmarca (12,628 ft.). Along the way, observe a marvelous section of Inca engineering, and then come upon the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca (12,000 ft.), where you camp for the night. (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 10 (Fri) PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHU PICCHU
View Machu Picchu accommodations picture gallery
Today, begin by the passing the Phuyupatamarca ruins, and follow the flag stoned trail that winds sharply down into the cloud forest and to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (8,855 ft.). Wiñay Wayna is located along the same watercourse as Phuyupatamarca and boasts well-restored Inca ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest along the Inca Trail, discover Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.) entering through Intipunku, the sun gate. After a brief tour, stay overnight 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 11 (Sat) MACHU PICCHU - CUSCO
View Cusco accommodations picture gallery
This entire day of your Peru tour is dedicated to further exploration of Machu Picchu, including a visit to Wayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the ruins. After lunch, a mid-afternoon scenic train will takes you back to Cusco, where you are transferred to your hotel. (B,)
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Day 12 (Sun) CUSCO - LIMA - RETURN HOME
Southern Explorations drivers take you to the airport in the morning for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight, marking the end of Southern Explorations services. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can also be arranged. (B)
Begin Optional Post-Itinerary Tour Extensions
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Key:
(B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner
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The Apurimac River
The Apurimac River is one of the most beautiful and challenging rivers in all of South America. On this amazing tour of Peru, we will raft through a labyrinth of deep canyons, rarely visited by humankind. The rapids grow more challenging as the days pass and you head further down the river. All of our guides are certified E.M.T. II Paramedics and have logged hundreds of days rafting the Apurimac River with adventurers of all skill levels and ability. While on the river, kayak/pontoon safety support is used at all times. The thrills and excitement of rafting this incredible river makes for a rewarding and unforgettable adventure.
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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.
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Details about hiking the Inca Trail
The Machu Picchu and Inca Trail Tours consist of five to six hours of hiking per day. Plenty of time is allowed for you to set your own pace. You are expected to carry only a small daypack with your camera, spare film, water bottle, and rain gear. Porters carry additional clothing, personal effects, and the camping equipment. All trekkers are provided with a North Face tent and air mattress sleeping pad. Free from the weight of a large pack, you have more time for photography, observation, and exciting discovery on this Inca Trail Peru tour.
You will awake early in the morning to a fresh cup of tea brought to your tent, along with a bowl of hot water for washing. Expert trail cooks, with years of experience, will prepare your meals using fresh vegetables, beef, and chicken. Vegetarian offerings are also available.
Trekking begins around 8am and most of the day's distances are covered before lunchtime. We aim to arrive at the campsite by mid - afternoon, giving you plenty of time to unpack for the night and to enjoy your surroundings. You have ample time to walk at your own pace and take in the fascinating surroundings. This Inca Trail Hike is a trekker's dream.
Itinerary Map
ARTICLES & INFORMATION ABOUT PERU
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2008 SCHEDULED TRIP DATES
Wednesday Departures
2 person minimum / 12 maximum
August
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September
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October
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November
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December
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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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- Meals as indicated
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- All hotel and camping accommodations (twin shared basis)
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- All airport/hotel transfers
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- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
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- Porters
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- Mountain bicycles
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- Rafting equipment
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- Three person North Face tents
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- Air mattresses
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- Kitchen and dining tent
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- English speaking certified guides
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- Southern Explorations pre departure services.
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- First Aid and Oxygen Bottle
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- Satellite Phone Communication
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Excluded in tour cost
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- International round - trip airfare to and from Peru
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- Airfare $295 (Lima/Cusco/Lima)
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- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
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- Tips and gratuities
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- Sleeping bag
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- Travel insurance
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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
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
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Additional $390
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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
)
Duration: 12 days)
Today, the canyon widens to create sloping formations and consequently, more challenging rapids, including "Toothache," "You First," "Babalua Carajo," and "Last Laugh," all of grade V difficulty. The first two rapids are optional for passengers, as the banks are easily accessible for portage. After you conquer the rapids, calm waters await you on the final stretch. Finish the thrilling journey around 12:30 pm and take lunch on the riverside and then bus to Ollantaytambo. (B,L)
)
Day 8 (Wed) PAUCARCANCHA - LLULLUCHAPAMPA
Camp - Life on the Inca Trail
Camp - Life on the Alternative Inca Trail
Along the trail, through the narrow hanging valley, you begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Quequa tree, a rarity of the Andes. From here, the trail ascends steeply to a large pampas below the first pass. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa (12,300 ft.), where you awake to the breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. (B,L,D)
