Inca Trail Trek & Machu Picchu
August 31-September 8, 2008

Overview
Itinerary

Overview (Return to top)

Immerse yourself in the myths, legends and history of the Incas on our nine-day Machu Picchu Explorer trip. Start with a day in Cusco, one of the most beautiful towns in Peru and the southern capital of the Inca Empire. Explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a lovely fertile valley lined with picturesque Andean markets, impressive churches and remarkable Inca ruins. Bargain with local craftsmen in the Andean textile markets at Pisaq and visit the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. Trek for 4 days along the Inca Trail pilgrimage to the Lost City of the Incas. Walk in the footsteps of the Incas -- hike across high mountain passes, descend through verdant valleys and explore Inca ruins along the way. Arrive in awe at the perfectly preserved Inca citadel of Machu Picchu that was lost in the dense jungle for hundreds of years. If you're not up to hiking the Inca Trail, continue your journey with a breathtaking train ride to Machu Picchu. Return to Cusco for one more day of exploration and shopping before returning home. Don't miss this chance to visit the magical country of Peru, full of mystery, intrigue and the rich, ancient culture of the Incas. Hike the Inca Trail or take the train to Machu Picchu. The choice is yours!

Priced from $2,495 plus air
Global Adrenaline

For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Fisher-Nickell Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011-1370

Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402

Itinerary (Return to top)

Day 1
Today, we will arrive into Cusco (3,400 meters; 11,150 feet). We will meet our guide and driver at the Cusco Airport. They will be just outside the baggage collection area holding a sign with Iowa State University and your name on it. Cusco was the southern capital of the Inca Empire and is one of the most beautiful towns in Peru. At its peak this empire stretched north to the south of Colombia, south to northern Chile and Argentina, and west across the Andes to the Amazon Basin. We may notice the skill and exquisiteness of the intricate Inca stonemasonry work on the many walls that serve as foundations to colonial buildings. The crisp air, surrounding mountains and Andean sky provide the perfect backdrop to Cusco's cobbled narrow streets, lovely buildings and plazas and its many hidden treasures and churches. Cusco is not only culturally fascinating and beautiful to look at, it is also an extremely pleasant city to wander around and enjoy. We may choose to spend the afternoon exploring Cusco on our own or taking an optional guided tour of the main sites of Cusco and the surrounding area. We will spend the night at our Cusco hotel.

Day 2
Today we will visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas (2,900 meters; 9,500 feet), a lovely fertile valley that lies north of Cusco. The Sacred Valley is lined with picturesque Andean markets, impressive churches and remarkable Inca ruins. Our day will begin with a visit to Awanacancha to learn about the four types of Andean camelids and to observe artisans demonstrating traditional Andean weaving. Next, we will explore the town of Pisaq including its famous market. Villagers from miles around gather to barter and sell their produce, and a wide variety of local handicrafts entice the eye as well. After a buffet lunch, we will visit the studio of local ceramic artist Pablo Seminario and learn about ancient Peruvian ceramic techniques. In the late afternoon we will transfer to the charming town of Ollantaytambo which retains the same street plan of the original Inca town, making it the only surviving example of Inca urban planning. We will spend the evening at our hotel set at the foot of the Ollantaytambo ruins. [B, L]

Day 3
In the morning, we will tour the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. Here there are several structures of importance to the Inca. At the top of the sixteen massive terraces are the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo Fortress where the Inca fought some of their strongest battles. Huge and precisely carved stones were somehow transported by hundreds of men down one mountain range to Ollantaytambo and fitted perfectly to support this strategic fortress that has stood the test of time. There are silos or grain mills directly across from the fortress that housed thousands of pounds of grain for the Incas. We will have lunch on our own today in a local Ollantaytambo restaurant or back at our hotel. We will then spend the afternoon relaxing at our hotel or further exploring the Sacred Valley by horseback or visiting the historical Inca sites of Moray and Maras. We will spend the evening at our Ollantaytambo hotel. [B]

TREKKING ITINERARY

Day 4 - Trekking
This morning we begin the famous 4-day pilgrimage trek to Machu Picchu. We will hike 6-8 hours each day across mountain passes and through verdant valleys. In the early morning, we will be picked up from our hotel and transferred by private motor coach 1 1/2 hours to Km. 82. Once we arrive, we will meet our porters and begin our trek along the left bank of the Urubamba River. After a couple hours of gentle hiking we visit the Inca ruins of Llactapata. We continue hiking away from the Urubamba River ascending and following the Qusichaca River towards the village of Huayllabamba, a small agricultural settlement, stopping along the way for a picnic lunch. After lunch, we will continue on to our private campsite near Huayllabamba (9,800 feet, 3,000 meters), enjoying our first night of camping in the Andes. City life will be left behind as we marvel at the sparkling night sky of the Southern Hemisphere. Today we will walk approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) or 6 hours. [B, L, D]

Day 5 - Trekking
An early nourishing breakfast will bolster our energy for our short, but strenuous hike to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary control station, just above the village of Huayllabamba as we return to the main trail. Once we register at the control station, we will continue on a tough, ascending trail to the first pass. This is a challenging morning hike with fantastic views and a very clear change of vegetation as we gain altitude. We will pass through an interesting protected cloud forest of native trees before reaching our lunch spot at 3,700 meters (12,150 feet), right below the first pass. After lunch, we will continue the tough ascent toward the highest pass on the trail

Warmiwanusqa, or Dead Woman's Pass. (4,200 meters, 13,800 feet). Our efforts will be rewarded with unparalleled views of the snow covered peaks of the Cordillera Urubamba and the lush valley vegetation. From here we will begin to encounter Inca pavement. The trail descends to the Pacamayo River to our campsite at Pacaymayo (3,600 meters, 11,900 feet). Today we will walk approximately 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) or 8 hours. [B, L, D]

Day 6 - Trekking
Today is a long, but very interesting and rewarding day since there will be many magnificent archaeological sites on the way. On a clear day, our efforts are rewarded with unparalleled views of the snow covered peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the lush valley vegetation. After breakfast, we will start our slow climb over the second pass of Runkuraqay (3,950 meters, 13,000 feet). Masterful Inca engineering is visible along the trail and at the Inca site Sayacmarca (3,640 meters, 12,000 feet) which is a true highlight along the trail. At the end of the day, we will reach a dry lake at Phuyupatamarca (3,650 meters, 12,000 feet) also known as "The Place Among the Clouds," where we will camp overnight while soaking up some of the magical charm of this marvelous site. Today we will walk approximately 22 kilometers (13.6 miles) or 8 hours. [B, L, D]

Day 7 - Trekking
Sunrise at Phuyupatamarca is considered one of the highlights of the trek. After breakfast, we will pass the Phuyupatamarca ruins and follow the flagstone trail and Inca stairs down into the cloud forest, meeting our cooks for one last delicious lunch along the trail. After lunch, we'll visit the beautiful ruins of Winay Wayna. The final part of the trail has some incredible stairways, some carved in stone, and several viewing terraces. In a short time we will arrive into Machu Picchu through the Inti Punku (.Gate of the Sun.) and then follow the trail downhill to the lost citadel located right above the Urubamba River. When we arrive, we will stare in amazement, mouths agape, at this wonder of the ancient world. Our leisurely walk into Machu Picchu (2,400 meters, 8,000 feet) is 8 kilometers (5.0 miles) and will take approximately 7 hours.

Machu Picchu is a perfectly preserved Inca city that was lost in the dense jungle for hundreds of years. Machu Picchu, whose name means "ancient peak," is perhaps the most famous and awe-inspiring of all of the ruins discovered during the 20th century. Machu Picchu was so well-hidden by the towering jungle-covered ramparts of the Cordillera Vilcabamba that it was never discovered by the Spaniards. Constructed on a high mountain overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu were lost in time and the dense forest until they were brought to the attention of the outside world in July 1911 by the American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham. There are many speculations about the site's use, but its origins and purpose remain lost in time. After a brief visit to the ruins, we will transfer to our hotel in the village of Aguas Calientes, carefully set in a high, tropical cloud forest. [B, L, D]

TRAIN TRAVEL ALTERNATIVE ITINERARY

Day 4 - Train Traveling
Today we will spend the morning visiting the ruins and town of Chinchero.  En route, we will see the magnificent snow capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba.  This is by far the most scenically impressive route in all of the Sacred Valley.  After lunch, we will visit the agricultural terraces of Moray that were used by the Incas as open-air crop laboratories or greenhouses.  Each terrace level is believed to have a different microclimate, enabling the growth of a wide variety of plants in the same area.  We will finish our tour with a visit to the pre-Columbian salt mines of Maras that are still active today.  These white salt terraces on overhanging cliffs are a true paradise and a must for photography.  As the day draws to a close we will return to Ollantaytambo and spend the night at our Sacred Valley hotel.  [B, L]

Day 5 - Train Traveling
Today we will spend a full day whitewater rafting on the Urubamba River.  The best rafting route is in southeastern Cusco (en route to Raqchi or Puno) in an area called Chuqicahuana.  We will be picked up at 9:00am by our English-speaking guide and will travel by motor coach 1 ½ hours to the river where we will be outfitted in safety helmets and life jackets, taught how to paddle and given a rafting safety and procedures briefing.  We will spend 3 hours navigating the exhilarating rapids of the Urubamba River.  The rapids will start slowly in the beginning enabling us to get used to rafting and will become more difficult as the day continues on.  After rafting, we will have a picnic lunch overlooking the scenic Andes before returning to our hotel between 4:00pm and 5:00pm.  We will spend the night at our Sacred Valley hotel.  [B, L]

Day 6 - Train Traveling
In the morning, we will transfer to the Ollantaytambo train station where we will board the 8:00am train for the 1 ½ hour train ride to Machu Picchu.   As soon as our train journey starts, the valley becomes a canyon; the cloud forest begins to appear with a strong vegetation change as we reach the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.   The tracks follow the mighty Urubamba River through spectacular scenery called "the eyebrow of the rainforest".  The train passes through several small villages where local Indian farmers tend their crops and reside as they have for hundreds of years.  We will arrive at Aguas Calientes, our base for the next couple of nights.

Machu Picchu is a perfectly preserved Inca city that was lost in the dense jungle for hundreds of years.  Machu Picchu, whose name means "ancient peak," is perhaps the most famous and awe-inspiring of all of the ruins discovered during the 20th century.  Machu Picchu was so well-hidden by the towering jungle-covered ramparts of the Cordillera Vilcabamba that it was never discovered by the Spaniards.  Constructed on a high mountain overlooking the Urubamba River, Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu were lost in time and the dense forest until they were brought to the attention of the outside world in July 1911 by the American historian and explorer Hiram Bingham.  There are many speculations about the site’s use, but its origins and purpose remain lost in time.  After a brief visit to the ruins and an optional hike up to Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun), we will transfer to our hotel in the village of Aguas Calientes, carefully set in a high tropical cloud forest.  [B, L]

Day 7 - Train Traveling
Today, we will start early and watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu.  Our guide will escort us through the ruins, discussing the construction and probable usage of the buildings, reflecting on life in this spectacular setting.  Later, we can hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, walk through the lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon or take more photographs of the area.  We will enjoy lunch at the ruins before meeting up with the trekking group when they arrive at Machu Picchu that afternoon.  We will spend the night at our Aguas Calientes hotel.  [B, D]

Note: Trekking and train traveling groups come back together for days 8-9.

Day 8
Today, we will start early and watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu. Our guide will escort us through the ruins, discussing the construction and probable usage of the buildings, reflecting on life in this spectacular setting. For those who are interested, we can also take a morning hike to the top of Wayna Picchu, walk through the lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon or take more photographs of the area. In the afternoon we will retrace our route through the Urubamba Valley and return to Cusco on the afternoon train.  Upon arrival back in Cusco, we will check into our Cusco hotel. We will enjoy a farewell dinner and one last night at our Cusco hotel. [B, D]

Day 9
We will enjoy one last free morning in Cusco before departing for Lima and our international flights home in the late afternoon. If you would like to visit Lima, please book your flights from Cusco to Lima in the morning, and we can arrange for a guided city tour of Lima in the afternoon before your international flights home. [B]