Expedition Summary
Immerse yourself in the myths, legends and history of the Incas on our 10-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!

 Back to Top

Inca Trail Trek – Trekking and Camping

Group at the ruins. (Machu Picchu, Peru)

The average trekking day starts with tea/coffee brought to you in your tent, followed by a basin of hot water for washing. After repacking your duffel bag, breakfast is served. We usually start trekking by 8:00am. Porters will carry our bags and each trip participant is only responsible for carrying a “day pack” to carry water, a camera and any extra clothing needed during the day of hiking. We will walk at our own pace with a lead guide at the front and another guide at the back of the group. We stop for a hot lunch mid-day, prepared by our kitchen staff who will have trekked quickly ahead of us. We will reach our camp in the late afternoon – all the tents are usually set up by the time we arrive and hot tea/coffee and an afternoon snack is waiting! Dinner is served in the evening before we all retire for a good night’s sleep.

Deep inside the ruins of Machu Picchu. (Machu Picchu, Peru)

Top quality staff including a team of trained and experienced guides, cooks, assistants and porters will accompany our group along the trail to ensure the most pleasant trekking experience possible. All camping equipment except sleeping bags will be provided: tents, sleeping mats, chairs, tables, kitchen supplies, first-aid kit, toilet tent, dining tent, etc. Showers are not available at any of the camps along the Inca Trail, however washing water is provided in a basin in the morning and evening and toilet tents are provided. There is also an enclosed dining tent for meals. All of the group camping and cooking gear must be carried by porters (there is no vehicle support) and personal luxuries are few, but we think you will be surprised by the level of comfort and service we provide on this camping experience.

 Back to Top

Experience Required
The Inca Trail Trek is a challenging hike across high altitude passes in the Peruvian Andes. For non-trekkers, alternative train travel to Machu Picchu can be arranged.

While no previous trekking or technical climbing experience is required, all trekkers must be in excellent physical condition for this trip. We also suggest that you have some experience with exercise at altitude. You will be hiking 5-8 hours each day, up and down mountain trails that are steep and rocky, and mostly at elevations over 10,000 feet. Porters will carry the bulk of the supplies, but even if you are just carrying a day pack, hiking at high altitudes is extremely demanding and can compound physiologic stress. You need to be in excellent health and top physical condition to enjoy such an experience, with adequate cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and excellent balance. The minimum age for participation on this trip is 15.

The level of fitness needed requires regular aerobic exercise at least one hour 4-5 times each week. This should include aerobic activity (preferably hiking and running) and stair climbing and you must be able to sustain exercise for prolonged periods. We recommend that you start a moderate training program several months prior to departure, then slowly build up to a more strenuous level. Please consult your physician if you have questions concerning your underlying health. We can help answer questions for you and your physician concerning required levels of fitness and health conditions at altitude. If you have concerns about your ability to trek the Inca Trail, we recommend that you take the train to Machu Picchu, enjoying additional sights in the Sacred Valley along the way.

 Back to Top

Inca Trail Trek- Trekking at High Altitude
There are also inherent dangers in any expedition to high altitude. These dangers include everything from rock falls to the possibility of a serious fall, accident or sickness without access to a means of rapid evacuation, adequate medical supplies or adequate medical attention. High altitude may create discomfort and symptoms of illness that you do not experience while exercising at low elevations. Anyone planning a difficult mountain trek must be aware of the demands and risks imposed by very high altitude, be assured of excellent underlying health and prepare with rigorous training.

Our trekking route to Machu Picchu. (Inca Trail, Peru)

The body cannot fully acclimatize to altitudes above 17,000 feet and, as a result, the more time one spends at such altitudes, generally the worse one feels. At 18,000 feet, there is only half the amount of oxygen in the air, which imposes considerable physical stresses on the body. As a result, most trekkers at high altitude feel physical discomfort of shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, insomnia and exhaustion. Individuals vary widely in their ability to acclimatize to altitude and not everyone should go to very high altitude. Because physical fitness does not confer any protection or facilitate acclimatization, it is impossible to predict how you will adapt to the altitude. The greatest protection is avoiding rapid ascents and allowing time for your body to acclimatize to the altitude. You must individually pace yourself to go slowly and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. You must not push too hard no matter how physically fit you may be or feel.

Early symptoms of high altitude sickness include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia, vomiting, dry cough, irregular breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling of the ankles and eyelids. It is not uncommon to experience some of these symptoms when you first arrive at high altitude and then to have them decrease in severity within a few days. It is important that you inform your trip leader immediately of any symptoms or discomfort, however minor, so that he/she can help you monitor the situation. Please be aware that carrying on with the climb in spite of alarm signals from your body may result in serious illness and even death. Medical conditions that are aggravated or complicated by high altitude include heart diseases, lung diseases, pregnancy, anemia and sickle cell disease. It is imperative that anyone with these conditions consult his or her physician in detail before attempting this climbing expedition.

Inca Trail Trek Altitudes: On the Inca Trail, you will be hiking at altitudes ranging from approximately 9,000-14,500 ft. The highest camping spot is at approximately 12,000 ft. We will spend a few days at altitudes of between approximately 9,500 and 11,000 feet to acclimate before hiking the Inca Trail. Please review the day-by-day itinerary for more details on the altitudes we will be reaching each day.

For more detailed information on altitude illness and medications that can be taken for the prevention of and treatment of altitude illness, please consult the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): http://www2.ncid.cdc.gov/travel/yb/utils/ybGet.asp?section=NIR&obj=altitude.htm.

 Back to Top

Trip Registration
Space is limited. A non-refundable deposit of $500 will guarantee your reservation. Full payment is due by May 21, 2008. For itineraries, more information or to register for this trip, please contact Allie Brubaker Hill, Director of the Emory Travel Program, at:

 Back to Top

Trip Details

Dates:

August 21-30, 2008

Local girl. (Sacred Valley, Peru)

Cost:

double rooms – $3,595 per person
single rooms – $4,595 per person

Includes:

• Global Adrenaline tour leader
• local Peruvian guides
• airport transfers
• accommodation, Inca Trail option: 6 nights in hotels, 3 nights camping
• accommodation, Train Travel option: 9 nights in hotels
• local porters for transportation of camping gear and packs for Inca Trail trekkers
• meals as indicated (B=breakfast is included, L=lunch is included, D=dinner is included)
• activities as indicated in the itinerary
• tips and gratuities
• entrance fees to national parks, historical sites and museums
• transportation as indicated in the itinerary

Does Not Include:

• international flights (approximately $900 to $1,200 for USA - Lima - USA flights)
• international airport departure tax ($28)
• local airport departure tax ($10)
• meals not included (approximately $95)
• beverages (discretionary)
• optional Cusco City Tour on August 21 ($50)
• optional Lima City Tour on August 30 ($100)
• travel insurance (discretionary)
• phone calls, laundry and other items of a purely personal nature (discretionary)

 Back to Top

Day by Day Itinerary

August 21: Arrive in Peru, Explore Cusco, Optional City Tour

Cusco at night. (Cusco, Peru)

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 “Emory Alumni Travel” 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 enjoy a welcome dinner and spend the night at our Cusco hotel. (D)

• Cusco City Tour (Additional $50): Spend the afternoon exploring the cobblestone streets, churches and ancient Inca history of Cusco. Our tour will last 3-4 hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen as the sun is quite strong at 11,150 feet!

  • Santo Domingo: This church is built over what once was the most magnificent temple in the Americas, Coricancha or Temple of the Sun. Its courtyards were filled with life-sized gold and silver representations of all the flora and fauna of the empire. Pizarro’s men looted the temple as part of the royal ransom of Inca Atahualpa, who was held prisoner in Cajamarca by the Spaniards and later killed. An earthquake destroyed the Santo Domingo church in 1950 revealing the Inca walls that were hidden or plastered over. These walls of the Temple of the Sun are the finest example of Inca stonework in existence.
  • La Cathedral: The cathedral, built in 1550 and located in the northeast side of the Plaza de Armas contains over 400 12th century paintings done by the members of the renowned Cusco School. The “Lord of the Earthquakes” altar weighs over 52 pounds and is made of solid gold and studded with precious stones. The main altar is covered with sheets of silver.
  • Plaza de Armas: The Plaza de Armas is called Huacaypata by the Quechuas, which means cry or moan. This name originated in the expressions of reverence and submission with which the religious or military ceremonies were carried out here. Colonial arcades and the remains of ancient Inca temples and churches surround the plaza.
  • Sacsayhuaman: Located two kilometers from the city of Cusco, the immense walls of the Sacsayhuaman archaeological complex are made up of huge stones distributed in a zigzag pattern in three platforms with an average of 1,181ft in length. These platforms are connected by flights of stairs and doorways made of stone. One of these is 29 feet tall and 15 feet wide and weighs more than 100 tons. The largest stone block found in Sacsayhuaman stands 27.88 feet high and weighs 361 tons. Inca Pachacuti employed 20,000 men for the construction of this complex and it took approximately 50 years to complete.
  • Other Nearby Ruins: Other nearby ruins we may visit include: Qenko, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara. Qenko is a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is a monolithic altar representing a puma. Tambo Machay is a small ruin comprised of a beautifully wrought ceremonial stone bath and is therefore popularly called “El Baño del Inca”. Puca Pucara is a red fort.

August 22: Sacred Valley of the Incas
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)

August 23: Sacred Valley of the Incas – Ollantaytambo, Optional Horseback Riding and Other Inca Sites

Street markets. (Pisaq, Peru)

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)

• Horseback Riding: Experience the Peruvian Paso horses. Our tour starts with a coffee or tea while we receive a briefing about horses, safety and riding instructions. We have horses for all abilities. Please indicate your riding level when you book this optional activity so we can prepare the right horse for you. During our 2-3 hour ride, there are many places that we may visit: the salt pans of Salinas, the old village of Pichingote, the lively market town of Urubamba or we may simply explore the local farmlands and Quechua communities. At the end of the tour we will transfer back to our hotel in the Sacred Valley. This is a relaxing ride for all abilities with no difficult climbs. Actual riding time 2-3 hours. There is a weight limit of 100 kg (220 lbs) on this tour. Minimum Number of Participants Required = 4.



• Historical Inca Sites of Moray and Maras: 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. Minimum Number of Participants Required = 4.

August 24: Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Inca ruins on the trail to Machu Picchu. (Winay Wayna, Peru)

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 1½ 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)

August 25: Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
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 Warmiwañusqa 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)

August 26: Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu
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)

August 27: Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu. (Machu Picchu, Peru)

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 Wiñay 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.

"I suddenly found myself in a maze of beautiful granite houses! They were covered with trees and mosses and the growth of centuries, but in the dense shadow, hiding in bamboo thickets and tangled vines, could be seen, here and there, walls of white granite ashlars most carefully cut and exquisitely fitted together."

Hiram Bingham, upon his discovery of Machu Picchu, 24 July 1911

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)

August 28: Machu Picchu
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. After lunch, we will transfer by bus to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu. We will enjoy one last night at our Aguas Calientes hotel. (B, D)

August 29: Morning Train to Cusco, Free Afternoon in Cusco

Peruvian children. (Cusco, Peru)

In the morning we will retrace our route through the Urubamba Valley and return to Cusco on the morning train. Upon arrival back in Cusco, we will check into our Cusco hotel. We will spend the afternoon exploring and shopping in Cusco. We will enjoy a farewell dinner and one last night at our Cusco hotel. (B, D)

August 30: Free Morning in Cusco, Optional Lima City Tour, Depart for Home
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)

• Guided Tour of Lima (Additional $100): We may choose to visit a few of the following Lima highlights before boarding our flights home that evening. Our optional guided tour of Lima includes tours of the Cathedral, the convent of San Francisco and the Plaza Mayor. The tour price includes a private driver and English-speaking tour guide, bottled water and entrance tickets to each historical site. The tour lasts 4 hours. Minimum Number of Participants Required = 4.

  • Plaza Mayor:

    Lima street scene. (Lima, Peru)

    It was here, in 1535, that Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded Lima. All the important colonial institutions were established around the Plaza and remain today as part of the historic center.
  • La Catedral: The Cathedral was built in 1625 in the Spanish baroque style.
  • Government Palace: The Government Palace has a traditional and colorful changing of the presidential guard, not to be missed.
  • San Francisco Church and Catacombs: San Francisco Church and Catacombs is Lima’s largest religious complex with a convent, museum of colonial art, cloisters and catacombs.
  • Museo Nacional de Arquelogia y Antropologia: A museum tracing the prehistory of Peru chronology from the earliest archaeological sites to the arrival of the Spaniards. Here you can see original pieces from and scale models of Machu Picchu and Chavin.

  • Museo Rafael Larco Herrera: This private museum has one of the most incredible ceramics collections in the world. It is said to include 55,000 pots.
  • Collection Polli: We can also arrange a special visit to the Private Collection Polli for those who may be interested. This must be arranged in advance.
  • San Isidro and Miraflores: The residential areas of San Isidro and Miraflores are worth exploring to admire the colonial architecture that pervades Lima’s urban living.
  • Pacific Ocean: Enjoy a magnificent view of the Pacific from the coast.

 Back to Top

Train Travel Alternative
Those who prefer not to hike the Inca Trail will have the chance to spend several days visiting additional sights in the Sacred Valley, before taking the train to Machu Picchu. We will reunite with the trekkers at Machu Picchu. Please indicate at the time of booking if you would like to travel to Machu Picchu by train or by trekking the Inca Trail.

August 24: Sacred Valley of the Incas

Agricultural terraces. (Moray, Peru)

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 for the night at our Sacred Valley hotel. (B, L)

August 25: Whitewater Rafting on the Urubamba River

Whitewater rafting. (Urubamba River, Peru)

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 1½ 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)

August 26: Train and Optional Hike to Inti Punku
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.

"I suddenly found myself in a maze of beautiful granite houses! They were covered with trees and mosses and the growth of centuries, but in the dense shadow, hiding in bamboo thickets and tangled vines, could be seen, here and there, walls of white granite ashlars most carefully cut and exquisitely fitted together."

Hiram Bingham, upon his discovery of Machu Picchu, 24 July 1911

Trekker at Machu Picchu. (Machu Picchu, Peru)

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)

August 27: Machu Picchu
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 on our own 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)

August 28-30: Machu Picchu, Cusco, Depart for Home
We will follow the same schedule listed on the Day by Day Itinerary, with the entire group traveling together.

 Back to Top

Flight Information

Corn, the local diet staple. (Cusco, Peru)

Round-trip airfare from the U.S. to Cusco, Peru is your responsibility and is not included in the program cost. The approximate cost for international airfares to Peru is $900 to $1,200. Please schedule your flights to arrive in Cusco, Peru (CUZ) anytime on Thursday, August 21, 2008 and fly out of Cusco, Peru (CUZ) anytime on Saturday, August 30, 2008, unless you are planning to spend time on your own in Peru before or after the trip. Please send us your international flight itinerary once you have booked it so we can make sure there is someone to meet you at the airport when you arrive.

Note: All flights from the U.S. to Cusco go by way of Lima, Peru. There are overnight flights arriving into Lima in the early morning hours connecting to morning flights from Lima to Cusco. If your flight arrives into Lima in the evening, then you will not be able to fly into Cusco until the next morning. If you need to spend the night in Lima, please make sure that you arrive into Lima on August 20, connecting to Cusco on August 21 for the start of the trip.

If you would like assistance in making your air arrangements, we recommend you call Dee Dee McGowan at Big Sky Travel, Inc. at 1-406-777-6934 or 1-800-284-9809 or by email at deedee@bigskytvl.com.

Check-in time at our Cusco hotel is 4:00pm on August 21, 2008. If you would like to arrive in Cusco before the group, or stay after the group departs, or, if you would like to spend time in Lima on your own, either before or after the trip, Global Adrenaline would be happy to help with those arrangements.

 Back to Top