Orientation and a walking tour of some of the most important historic sites of the colonial hear of Lima. We will visit the centuries old catacombs and church of San Francisco with it’s thousand of human skeletons. We will explore the Plaza de Armas and visit several important historic sites. Today we will dine at the unique L’Eau Vive restaurant run by nuns.

Overnight at the B-n-B.

Early morning flight Lima to Cuzco. We will get settled into our Cuzco based early colonial style hotel and sit down for a mid-morning cup of Coca tea. This tea is consumed en mass by local people and it is said to help with acclimatization to this high elevation. Mid morning opportunity for community service with local charitable organization. Afternoon leisure walking tour of many historic sites of Cuzco with a local guide.

We leave Cusco about 7:00 a.m. to go to Ollantaytambo and from there to Km 82. At Km. 82 you can buy things that you may have forgotten such as walking cane, water and rainponchos as well as use the last real washroom for a while. We start walking from Km. 82 to Huallabamba; a quite flat and beautiful walk along the Urubamba River with a view of Mt. Veronica’s snowcapped peak in 5750 masl. Here we pass a few local villages, where people still build their houses with the traditional ichugrassroofs. Here we can see the famous tuna-cactus, some with the cuchinilla louse, famous for its amazingly powerful clothes-dye. We spend a little while resting at the hill with a view over Llactapata – an important agricultural place for the Incas. After Llactapata, we turn away from the river going up the valley along the Kusichaca River. Here we have a good chance to see hummingbirds around in the flowerbushes. We arrive to the village of Huayllabamba in the afternoon. Camping Here.

- Walking distance aproximately 12 Km

We get up early in order to start the steep tour uphill to the first pass, Warmi Wañusca, in 4200 masl. We pass though the amazing forest covered with green and grey mosses. All through here we walk on high steps. After this, we come to the open area of the puna. Here we might see some llamas grassing just below the pass. Arriving to the pass, we all take a well deserved break and enjoy the view on both sides before we start the downhill climbing of the stairs on the other side. After some 1-2 hours walking we touch the valley floor at Paqaymayu, where there are washrooms available. Then we continue towards Runkurakay - another Inca ruin - and from here we walk on 100% genuine incatrails. We head out towards the second pass in 3900 masl. At this place, on sunny days, we have a breathtaking view of the Vilcabamba Mountains, to where the Incas retreated after fighting the Spaniards. From here we walk the beautiful way down to the big ruin of Sayaqmarka. After a good explanation of the site, we continue through a small cloud forest towards our camp.

- Walking distance aproximately 11 km.

IIn good weather we wake up to a breathtaking view of the Vilcabamba Mountains. After breakfast we continue towards the third pass. This part of the way is very beautiful with cloud forest, orchids, ferns and a colorful birdlife. At this point the Inca Trail is quite extraordinary with semi-carved tunnels and perfectly placed stones. We lunch at the third pass near Phuyupatamarca before we start the long descent to Wiñay Wayna, the place of our last campnight. Those who have more energy can take a longer descent to see the site of Intipata and we all go in the late afternoon to visit the extraordinarily well made site just behind the camp.

- Walking distance aproximately 16 km.

Very early we leave camp to reach Inti Punku in time for sunrise. From here we get the first glance of Machu Picchu between the mountains on its saddle high over the Urubamba River. We all meet at Machu Picchu at a decided hour to make the tour of Machu Picchu. We will learn about the importance – religiously and historically – of the place, and we will be able to appreciate the fine architecture of the Incas. After the guided tour you can go to the top of Wayna Picchu, from where one has a good overview of the whole area and the full site of Machu Picchu. Another possibility is to visit the beautiful temple of the moon. In the afternoon we meet in Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco.

- Walking distance aproximately 4 km.

Spend a leisurely morning visiting the sites around Cuzco, souvenir shopping and relaxing.  Tonight there will be farewell dinner with CRROBS staff.  Massages can be arranged at the hotel.  

Spend the night in Cuzco.

The group will board a mid-day flight for Lima where we will take in more sights and relax for the last evening meal. Some participants will transfer in the evening to Lima International Airport and others will return to the Lima based hotel.

Transfer to airport for international flights.

LIMA

CUZCO