UI CAMPUS RECREATION MACHU PICCHU TREK

Itinerary:

Day 1: Depart the U.S. on this day and arrive into the airport in Lima, Peru. Most flights from the U.S. arrive late at night, between 11pm and 1am.

Day 2: Mid-morning, we will catch our flight to Cusco. Once in Cusco, after checking into our hotel, and having a chance to unpack and rest, we’ll embark on an afternoon city tour. We’ll visit the nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman and its remarkable Inca masonry as well as the Qenqo, Pucapucara and Tambomachay ruins. We’ll return to the city center to visit the Koriquancha and one of the most stunning cathedrals in the Americas. Cusco Hotel

Day 3: Today you can explore the town of Cusco on your own, or just relax and enjoy a day of rest before departing for our trek to Machu Picchu. Cusco Hotel, B

Days 4-7: Early in the morning we depart for our drive to the beginning of our trek to Machu Picchu, along the Salcantay trail. This trail is “another” Inca trail and offers fewer people, more remote wilderness scenery and a less touristy alternative to the well-known Inca Trail. Our trek is supported by horsemen and their horses to assist in carrying our baggage and gear from camp to camp. The high point of our trek is Salcantay pass at 14,760ft. From here, we can observe spectacular views of 19,000ft. Mt. Salcantay and the glaciers and peaks of the Peruvian Andes. We’ll spend two nights camping in style along the trail, with our guides and camp staff setting up camp each day and preparing delicious meals on the trail. On the third evening, we arrive to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu where we check into our hotel. B, L, D on the trail, dinner on our own in Aguas Calientes, Aguas Calientes hotel

Days 8: Early on Day 8, we will leave the hotel for the short ride to Machu Picchu. Here we will have all day to explore the ruins. We will embark on a guided tour of the most important part of the lost citadel. Some adventurous spirits may choose to climb Huayna Picchu, the famous jutting peak overlooking the ruins. In the afternoon, we will catch the train to return to our hotel in Cusco. Cusco Hotel, B

Day 9: We will catch a morning flight from Cusco to Lima. Transportation will be provided arranged for anyone whose flight departs late tonight, as most flights returning to the US do. B