Description:

GECKO'S ADVENTURE TOUR - 9 DAYS

This short adventure is designed for those who are hard pushed for time. It covers the major highlights of the Inca Empire, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and the magnificent Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Lima
Our trip starts today in Lima, but with no activities planned you may arrive at any time. There is a pre-departure meeting with your Gecko's tour leader this evening. Please check the notice board in the foyer of your joining hotel for the exact time of this meeting and any other messages regarding your tour. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the briefing. Your tour leader will also collect your local payment from you at this meeting.

Days 2-3: Cusco
A short flight across the mountains brings us to Cusco, where we spend the next two days exploring this amazing colonial city. Established on the foundations of the original Inca town, Cusco is a city of contrasts, both modern and ancient. Known the world over for the incredible archaeological ruins of nearby Machu Picchu, travellers flock to this trekkers haven to soak up its awesome culture and beautiful surroundings. At an altitude of over 3300 metres Cusco is also a great place to acclimatise in preparation for the hike to Machu Picchu.

There is so much to see in and around Cusco. Your tour leader takes you on a walking tour of the central part of town, which includes the impressive Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the Koricancha Museum. You also have time to make your own discoveries including travelling out to the great Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman, Quenca and Tambo Machay. You may also wish to explore further afield into the beautiful Sacred Valley and visit the market town of Pisac. Utilising these two days and your spare day at the end of your trek to Machu Picchu, there is time to take in all these great sites.

Meals included: 2 breakfasts


Days 4-7: Important Note
Gecko's treks the ‘Classic’ and the ‘Lares’ routes, both of which culminate in a visit to the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu. Although we normally trek the 'Classic' route, it is restricted by the number of trekkers permitted on the trail each day and unless you have booked early, it maybe difficult or impossible for us to secure the necessary group permits (especially during the peak season). It is also closed during the month of February for cleaning and rejuvenation. If we are unable to confirm your permit for the 'Classic' route we will use the ‘Lares’ trail. This is an exceptional alternative. Venturing further off the beaten path, this trek winds its way through remote rural villages and provides stunning views across the Andes Mountains. Along the way you can mingle with local families, llama herders and weavers, renowned for their brightly coloured hats and ponchos. The trek is of similar altitude and level of difficulty as the Classic route and also culminates in a visit to the village of Aguas Calientes and the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu, recently voted one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’.

The following description refers to the 'Classic' route. Please refer below to the 'Itinerary Variation' section of this trip note for details of the Lares route.

Day 4: Inca Trail to Yuncachimpa (13 km)
We leave Cusco by bus and travel over the mountain range and down into the Urubamba Valley to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. Built on a steep mountainside this grand citadel served as both a temple and fortress and is one of the few sites where the Incas were able to defeat the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Their success was however short lived, with the Spaniards returning with force to claim victory. Here we have 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 is just past the village of Wayllabamba at 3000 metres.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner


Day 5: Inca Trail to Pacaymayo (11 km)
Today is the most difficult part of the trek as we climb to Warminwanusca, or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ (4200m). This is the first of three Andean high passes we traverse and the highest point on the Inca trail. Stopping to catch our breath we take in the superb panorama of the Vilcanota and Vilcabama mountain ranges, the ruins of Runkuracay ahead and Rio Pacamayo (Sunrise River) in the valley below. Here the trail changes from dirt to steps and stone pathways. Although not difficult we still need to make a steep descent to the valley below and our camp at Pacamayo (3600m). Located in a basin beneath the cliff tops, the campsite faces down the valley with a view over the cloud forest.

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner


Day 6: Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15 km)
We climb up to the unusual, round ruins of Runcuracay which is believed to have been an Inca tambo or post house. Forging on we continue to climb the Inca staircase and sighting the small mountain lake of Cochapata on the way to our second pass at 4000m, from where we are rewarded with spectacular views of Pumasillo (6245m) and the entire snow-capped Vilcabamba range From here it is a steep descent to our 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 the breathtaking Winaywayna, (2450m).

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner


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. We arrive at sunrise at Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun, where through a rectangular doorway we experience a panoramic view of Machu Picchu. After taking a short path down, it’s time for us to explore! The secrets of the Incas are slowly revealed to us on a guided tour. For those who have plenty of energy left and who aren’t afraid of heights, there is a climb to Huayna Picchu - a 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. We depart by catching a bus down to the hot springs at Aguas Calientes and returning to Cusco on a late-afternoon train.

Meals included: 1 breakfast


Day 8: Cusco
A free day in Cusco can be spent shopping for handicrafts or taking in some further sightseeing. Cusco is a maze of markets, artisan shops lining the streets and many museums filled with the rich history of Inca art. You might like to try some traditional cuisine- perhaps guinea pig, alpaca steak or ceviche, a raw seafood delicacy marinated in lime. If you haven't yet visited the Sacred Valley, this is your best chance to do so. Your tour leader can advise you on how to get there and show you where the bus to Pisac leaves from. Alternatively, you may just wish to relax and absorb the incredible experiences of the last few days whilst resting in one of the many cafes that line the streets of this quaint and fascinating town.

Meals included: 1 breakfast


Day 9: Lima
We board our aircraft for a short flight over the Andes to Lima. Our adventure comes to an end upon arrival at Lima Airport. If you are planning to depart Lima today, we advise that you do not book to depart until at least after 5pm (17:00 hrs).

Meals included: 1 breakfast


Trip Itinerary Variation
LARES ROUTE In the event that trekking permits for the 'Classic' route are unavailable for Days 4 to 7, Gecko's will use the 'Lares' route. The Lares trail, is an exceptional alternative to the 'Classic' trail. Venturing further off the beaten path, this trek winds its way through remote rural villages and provides stunning views across the Andes Mountains. Along the way you can mingle with local families, llama herders and weavers, renowned for their brightly coloured hats and ponchos. The trek is of similar altitude and level of difficulty as the Classic route and also culminates in a visit to the village of Aguas Calientes and the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu, recently voted one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. Day 4 / 'Lares' Trail Trek - Cusco - Calca - Lares Hot Springs – Concany Following breakfast we leave the cobble stone streets of Cusco behind us. Our bus crosses the mountain range that backdrops Cusco and descends to the spectacular Sacred Valley. Here we follow the banks of the Urubamba River as it winds its way through the valley on its journey past Machu Picchu before joining the Apurimac River, one of the upper tributaries of the mighty Amazon. The Sacred Valley is the breadbasket of the region with its rich soil providing the necessary nutrients for the various crops that grow both along the valley and on the spectacular terraces, stranded precariously on the sides of the surrounding mountains. Turning northward again, the road climbs steeply until we arrive at the Lares hot springs, situated some 65km to the north of Cusco and 56km to the east of Machu Picchu. We have our lunch here and for a small charge (approx $3.50), you can enter the hot thermal pools to enjoy a soak in the medicinal springs. After lunch we embark on the start of our trek. It is an easy trek to our first campsite at Concany. Along the way, we will reach a height of 3940m, before descending to the Queullacocha lagoons. Here there are opportunities to spot some of the Andean wildlife of the region and from Concay you will have magnificent views of Colque Cruz. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Day 5 / 'Lares' Trail Trek - Concany – Epsaycocha Lake There are great photo opportunities today so keep your camera handy. Having finished breakfast we climb steeply up the valley, through ancient farmlands, arriving at the community of Huacawasi where some of the finest weavings in Peru are made. We can observe the skills and brilliant techniques of the weavers as they make their ponchos and other garments. Passing through the village we begin climbing up to Ipasayqocha, the highest pass on our trek at a height of 4350m. From here, we have a stunning view of the renowned Mount Veronica (5750m.) Descending gently we come to the beautiful turquoise Epsaycocha Lake, where we set up camp for the night. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Day 6 / 'Lares' Trail Trek - Willoc - Pumamarka - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes Today our trail leads downhill to the valley below and to the village of Willoc where we have lunch. From here its another two hours to arrive at Pumamarka where we enjoy the Inca terraces before finally arriving at the ancient town of Ollantaytambo. Situated in a fertile river valley and sheltered by mammoth mountains, this ancient Inca village is considered one of the most important living museums in the world and displays the sophisticated urban planning and engineering of the Incas. This is also a great place to appreciate the vast archaeological remains of the massive fortress. If you wish to climb the fortress ruins you will need to pay the entrance fee (currently US $14). There is also a wide variety of flowers and birds species to be enjoyed this day. In the late afternoon we board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Here we spend the night in a comfortable hostel. Make sure during your stay in this ‘town at the end of the railway’ that you take a dip in the hot thermal springs that give the town its name. They are open from 5am to 10pm. Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner Day 7 / Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes - Cusco After an early breakfast, we take the first bus up the steep zig zagging road to the entrance of the ruins of Machu Picchu. By leaving early we avoid the large crowds that arrive from Cusco later in the morning. Entering into the archaeological sight we now have a fully guided tour of this ancient and mystical Inca city. Before taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, there is free time to explore the ruins at your own pace, soaking in the atmosphere. For the adventurous, you can climb to the top of Huayna Picchu, where you have the opportunity to see Machu Picchu from a unique vantage point. You can also make the short hike up to the Sun Gate for that classic photo of Machu Picchu. In the afternoon we descend once again to Aguas Calientes where we can take our lunch before catching the late afternoon train back to Cusco. Meals included: 1 breakfast NON TREKKING ALTERNATIVE The Inca Trail is a highlight of any visit to Peru and it is highly recommended to anybody who is up to the physical demands of a Moderate Plus trek. For those people joining a Gecko’s trip who do not wish to join the four-day hike, Gecko’s can make alternative arrangements that allow additional time in Cusco and return transport to, and accommodation in, Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. Should you choose these alternative arrangements, the price for your Gecko’s holiday remains the same. You must notify Gecko’s at the time of booking if you wish to take this option. Days 4-5 / Cusco Your time in Cusco is your own. Accommodation will be provided for these two nights and breakfast is included. An excursion into the Sacred Valley is also included. This will be in a pool service with other tourists. Your Gecko’s tour leader will not be available during this period as he or she will be hiking the Inca Trail with the rest of the group. Meals included: 2 breakfasts Day 6 / Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu Your tour leader will have provided you with your return train ticket to Machu Picchu and your accommodation vouchers for your stay in Aguas Calientes. Please make your own way to the station to depart on the early morning train to Machu Picchu. The train trip will take approximately four hours to reach Aguas Calientes. Once you arrive in Aguas Calientes you should check into your hotel. Please refer to your accommodation voucher for the hotel details. Buses to the ruins at Machu Picchu depart at 6.30am and 7.30am, and then every 30 minutes until after the last morning train has arrived. The ruins are open from 7am to 5pm daily and Gecko's will cover the cost of your return bus fare to the ruins and the entrance fee. If you would like to walk to the ruins it will take you approximately two hours. You can also visit the thermal baths, a short walk from town. They are open from 5am to 10pm. Meals included: 1 breakfast Day 7 / Aguas Calientes - Cusco Those in your group who have trekked the Inca Trail will be arriving in Aguas Calientes sometime after lunch. You may decide to meet them up at the ruins or in Aguas Calientes. You will spend the remainder of the day with them and return on the late afternoon train to Cusco. Meals included: 1 breakfast

• GECKO'S ADVENTURE TOUR - 9 DAYS
• An experienced local leader
• Local guides at some sites
• All transportation and accommodation
• Sightseeing and meals as indicated in itinerary
• Local Payment NOW INCLUDED
• Please call 1300 858 816

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