Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca

Our trip starts in Lima today. The group flights are scheduled to arrive in

the morning. A group arrival transfer is provided and free transfers are

also available for any flight, as long as you have supplied Exodus with your

flight details in advance and have requested a transfer. There will be a

noticeboard in the hotel reception with details of where and when the group

welcome briefing will be held today. Time allowing, there is the option to

take a walking tour of Lima's colonial centre this afternoon, replete with

Spanish churches and colonial architecture.

We set off very early this morning (around 05.30am) and drive south from Lima

until we reach the port of Paracas (4-5 hours' drive). Here we take a boat to

the Ballestas islands, a national park that contains one of the highest

concentrations of marine birds in the world. There are Sea lions, numerous

species of birds and the Paracas Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the

hillside, only recognisable from the sea. The boat trip lasts around 2 hours,

and once we're back on dry land we drive for around an hour to Ica, in the

heart of Peru's wine-growing region.

At the Huacachina oasis just outside Ica, there are high sand dunes where we

may have time to try 'sand-surfing' (optional). We arrive at Nazca in the

afternoon with time to visit the viewing platforms close to the Nazca Lines.

These are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries, consisting of

enormous drawings and patterns etched in the desert sand. Afterwards, for

those who wish there is the chance to do a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines

(optional).

We turn inland from the coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes on

today's long (11-12 hrs) but spectacular drive. Vicuñas (a smaller wild

relative of the llama) can be seen along this road, as this area is Peru's

largest vicuña reserve. Flamingos are usually sighted at high Andean lakes

near the road. This region has only recently become easily accessible to

tourists due to an upgrade of the Abancay/Chalhuanca road. The altitude here

can make physical exertion difficult (the highest point we reach today is

Negro Nayu at approx. 4600m). It is recommended to rest in the evening after

the 12-hour drive. We overnight in Abancay on the road to Cuzco.

We set off towards Cuzco this morning, stopping en route to visit the unique

Inca Saywiti stone and Tarawasi ruins. The glaciated summits of the

Vilcabamba Mountain range and the descent into the Apurimac River valley

demonstrate the dramatic contrasts of the Andes Mountains, and we should

expect stunning scenery throughout today's 5-6 hour drive.

The city has a multitude of attractions in and around the city, both active

and historical, and today is free to explore the city and its surroundings.

An optional visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Pisac ruins is

available, as is the option to try paddle-boarding on a high altitude lake on

the plateau just outside the city.

The Classic Inca Trail is a tangential branch part of a 45,000km road network

linking the whole empire to Cuzco. It was built in the 15th Century to reach

Machu Picchu but was abandoned soon after the Spanish conquest. American

adventurer, Hiram Bingham travelled along the trail when he came across Machu

Picchu in 1911. The trail opened to the public in 1970.



We leave Cuzco early and drive for roughly two hours to Ollantaytambo; our

last chance to buy any items needed for the trek. From here we veer off the

road and follow a track beside the river (45 minutes) to the start of the

Inca Trail at Piscacucho, commonly known as Km82. After greeting our trekking

crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the Inca Trail trek.

The trail runs alongside the Vilcanota River beneath the impressive

snow-capped Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and fields of

corn until we reach the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue

up a side valley to camp near the hamlet of Huayllabamba.



*Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 6‐7hrs walking

This is the longest and most strenuous day. A long climb (largely up stone

staircases) takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of

Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's) pass, at 4215m

the highest point on the trek. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in

the scenic valley of the Pacamayo River (3600m).



*Walk Profile: approx. 10km / 6‐7hrs walking*



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We start the day with an easier climb which takes us past the ruins of

Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (3930m). From now on the Inca Trail

becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of

Sayajmarca and suddenly enter rainforest; at one point the trail passes

through an Inca tunnel. We camp at a spectacular campsite on the ridge above

the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (3680m) to benefit from the views of sunset

and sunrise.



*Walk Profile: approx. 12km / 5-6hrs walking*

From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone

staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming

immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river

thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay

Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river

to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu

Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.



Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our

arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of

the magnificent ruins. Whilst most groups choose to visit Machu Picchu today,

we'll pass around the edge of the ruins and exit the site, descending to

Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for

the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we

use for our tour tomorrow when we are refreshed and more able to enjoy it.



There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas

Calientes, however in recent years they have become over-crowded and the

water quality can suffer as a result. We will be reunited with those who have

been on the Moonstone Trek or the Train Option at the hotel this afternoon.



*Walk Profile: approx. 9km / 6-7hrs walking*

In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as

early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu;

only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding

road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be

hours long. 



Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the

ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain

backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas

left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city

lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the

American historian Hiram Bingham. 



New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the

three possible visiting slots, we will purchase the morning slot from 06:00

until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four

hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be

three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most

comprehensive route. 



We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue

by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins).

Today we travel for 8-10 hours by private coach along the Vilcanota River and

onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle.

Although it is quite a long drive, it is interesting and often spectacular.

There are scheduled stops at interesting sites along the route to help break

up the day and all along the route we get a feeling for the immensity of the

Andean landscapes. A packed lunch is included today. This afternoon we arrive

into Puno (3,800m) on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

A full day on the lake today as we visit both the island of Taquile and the

floating islands of the Uros Indians.



First, we take a boat to the floating island of Uros. The Uros have been

living on rafts of reeds for centuries, and although many have now moved to

the mainland there are still a couple of thousand who remain on the islands

which are anchored close to Puno. A reasonable amount of their income is now

provided by strictly regulated tourism, but they also still fish the lake and

engage in barter with communities on the mainland in order to obtain

essential daily items.



Afterwards, we continue on to Taquile Island, home to a community known for

their remarkable weaving and traditional lifestyle. The panoramic views of

the lake from the island are incredible, and it is often possible to see the

snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the distance. There is the option

to eat lunch on the island, before we return to Puno.

Today we transfer approximately 1 hour to Juliaca Airport and in the

afternoon fly back to Lima. In the evening there is the chance to go for a

final meal together at one of the local restaurants (at own expense).

The tour ends after breakfast today.