Cusco and the Inca Trail

Day 1 Lima Your trip starts today in Lima. No activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time during the day. Please refer to your itinerary for the joining hotel name and address. We generally hold a meeting in the evening to discuss the trip. Check the notice board for the timings of this briefing. If you are unable to make this meeting, please check at Reception for a message from your tour leader. Your tour leader will collect your 'Local Payment' from you at the meeting.
Day 2 - 3 Cusco A short flight over the mountains brings us to Cusco. We will spend the next two days exploring this amazing colonial city. There is so much to see in the city of Cusco. Your tour leader will take you on a walking tour of central Cusco which will include the impressive Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Koricancha Museum. You will also have time to make your own discoveries including the great Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman, Quenca and Tambo Machay. Further on in the beautiful "Sacred Valley" is the market town of Pisac. During your stay in Cusco you will have time to take in these sites.
Day 4 Inca Trail to Yuncachimpa (13 km) We leave Cusco by bus and travel over the mountains and down into the Urubamba Valley to the ancient Inca town of Ollantaytambo where there is time to gaze upon the massive Inca fortifications before continuing to Kilometre 82, the starting point of our trek. Today is a relatively easy hike past the ancient hilltop fort of Huillca Raccay and the beautiful archaeological site of Llactapata. Along the way there are stunning views of snow-capped Veronica Peak (5860m). Our first camp will be just past the village of Wayllabamba (3000m).
Day 5 Inca Trail to Pacaymayo (11 km) Today is the most difficult part of the trek, climbing to the Warminwanusca (or Dead Woman's) Pass (4200m). Here the trail changes from dirt to steps and stone pathways; the true beginning of the Inca Trail. The descent is steep although not difficult as we make our way to the valley below and to our campsite at Pacamayo (3600m).
Day 6 Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15 km) We climb to the ruins of Runcuracay on our way to the 'second pass' (4000m). From here it is a steep descent to the 'third pass' and the ruins of Sayacmarca where we enter the beautiful cloud-forest, full of orchids, ferns, flowers and hanging moss - the scenery will blow you away. Butterflies flutter across the trail and the air is pure and clean as we head to Winaywayna (2650m).
Day 7 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5 km) - Cusco The final leg of the trek to Machu Picchu is the most spectacular of all, arriving at sunrise at Inti Punku, the 'Gateway of the Sun', and through the rectangular doorway there's a panoramic view of the Machu Picchu citadel. A short path down and it's time to explore! The secrets of the Incas are slowly revealed in a guided tour. For those who have plenty of energy left and who aren't afraid of heights, there is the climb to Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the site. The view from here is superb! The climb to the top takes up to 90 minutes and care must be taken, especially if the steps are wet. In the afternoon we take the bus down the side of the mountain to the town of Aguas Calientes where we have time to relax at the thermal pools before taking the late afternoon train back to Cusco.
Day 8 Cusco Our final day in Cusco can be spent souvenir shopping or taking in those last sites. If you haven't managed to get to the Sacred Valley yet, then this will be the best time to catch the bus out to Pisac. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on the best way to get there. Another interesting and worthwhile option is to visit the Peru's Challenge project at Larapa - a small community in the hills overlooking Cusco. Gecko's has formed a close partnership with Peru's Challenge, an organisation dedicated to improving the health, education and living standards of children in Peru. A visit to Larapa offers an insight into some of the many problems faced by Peru's poor. It also demonstrates the positive difference that the project has made to the lives of the children in this community. A visit can normally be pre-arranged by your Gecko's leader and will take approximately 2½ hours. You start your visit at the local market, purchasing some food to prepare at the school for the mid-morning breakfast. Serving breakfast or helping in some other activity offers a great opportunity to interact with the kids. It's a great experience and one that you will remember long after you return home. For more details on Peru's Challenge, visit their website at www.peruschallenge.com.
Day 9 Lima We transfer to the airport and board our aircraft for the short flight across the Andes to Lima. Our adventure comes to an end upon arrival at Lima Airport. If you are departing Lima today, please do not book to depart until after 17:00 hrs.