ITINERARY
Monday, July 25:
Welcome to Cuzco, Peru! It is the oldest continually inhabited town in the Western Hemisphere. It was the capital of the Inca Empire and the center of Spanish Colonial power under Pizzaro and his Conquistadors. Evidence of both cultures abounds in this city that has changed so little over hundreds of years. You will be staying at one of the finest hotels in Cuzco. To reduce the risk of altitude sickness, it is extremely important that you have four hours of quiet bed rest immediately upon arriving at your hotel. The remainder of the day should be spent in non-strenuous activities.
HOTEL: (CUZCO)
Tuesday, July 26:
Today you can explore the ancient city at your leisure. These are only a few of its most fascinating aspects: On the Plaza de Armas there is the Cathedral de Cuzco and three other churches, as well as shops, restaurants and bars occupying historic buildings; it is the heart of the city, just as it was in the time of the Incas. The rainbow flag of the ancient empire is flown everywhere. The Cathedral took over 100 years to construct. Not only is it Cuzco’s main church, it is the city’s greatest repository of colonial art. There are hundreds of canvases. There is a crucifixion attributed to Van Dyck—and a painting of the Last Supper that depicts the Inca delicacy cuy (roast guinea pig) as part of the meal. There is a silver altar and a magnificently carved chair. Running off the plaza is Loreto Street, with Inca walls along both sides; behind one was the “House of Chosen Women” in which lived the Virgins of the Sun. The street has the famous 12-sided stone as part of its ancient wall. This is the ruin of the Coricancha, or Temple of the Sun. The walls were originally covered with some 700 solid gold sheets. The courtyard front was covered with 120 pounds of gold.
HOTEL: (CUZCO)
Wednesday, July 27:
This morning, a private vehicle, driver and professional English-speaking guide will take you to the following four most important Inca ruins near Cuzco (entrance fees will be provided): The huge Sacsayhuamán is the most impressive in the area, with stones of over 300 tons. This great fortress overlooking the city was retaken after the conquest by Manco Inca who was almost successful in defeating the invaders. Qenko is a large limestone rock covered with symbolic carving, and a mysterious cave with altars in the rock. Ritual sacrifices were believed to have been held here. You will see the small site of Puca Pucara and then Tambo Machay, ancient baths where the water is brought through stone pipes from miles away.
HOTEL: (CUZCO)
Thursday, July 28:
Today we take a first-class train for 10 hours down the altiplano (a high plain between glaciated mountain ranges) through some of the most dramatic scenery in the Andes, to Juliaca, then transfer to our fine hotel at Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. At 15,480’ it is the highest navigable body of water in the world.
HOTEL: (PUNO)
Friday, July 29:
Today we will have private boats and the services of a professional English-speaking guide for a tour of some of the floating islands. They are inhabited by the Uros and Aymara indigenous groups. Centuries ago they chose to isolate themselves on their reed platforms. Their
canoes and dwellings have been fashioned from the same plants.
HOTEL: (PUNO)
Saturday, July 30:
FLIGHT FROM PUNO TO CUZCO.
HOTEL: (CUZCO)
Sunday, July 31:
Today you can sleep late and explore the shops, galleries, studios, museums and cathedrals of this fascinating town.
HOTEL: (CUZCO)
Monday, August 1:
A private bus and driver will pick us up at our hotel to begin a unique journey into a region filled with wondrous natural beauty and history; this is a trip that few travelers to Peru get the chance to experience. The area known as Vilcabamba is located in the high jungle area that links the most rugged part of the Andes with the Amazon rainforest. The Incas chose this place as their final refuge from the Spanish conquistadors for its strategic remoteness and aesthetic landscapes.
“One could easily see she had been a great metropolis of the jungle. A wave of melancholy swept over me. It would require an army to clear these ruins properly; cost a fortune to restore the buildings to their original form, and they were so far from civilization that it might never be accomplished. The city represented everything for which the Incas stood. It was a monument to their industry, their struggle with nature, their fight for freedom against overpowering odds. This was immortal Vilcabambe—that legendary city of a thousand history books. If I never succeeded in finding another city it would not matter. Legend had been turned into history."
—Gene Savoy
Antisuyo: The Search for the Lost Cities of the Amazon, 1970.
Traversing Andean cloud forest and high mountain jungle, we will explore the mysterious archeological remains of a lost time along the way. Primitive trails and original stone paths lead us on an alternative route to Machu Picchu, surrounded by the towering snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba Range and an incredible diversity of flora and fauna found nowhere else on earth. A professional English-speaking guide will accompany us for the entire journey. All meals will be provides until we reach Santa Teresa. The services of a camp staff, pack animals to carry a strict minimum of 30 pounds per person, sleeping mattresses, large double-occupancy tents, kitchen tent, dining tent and latrine tent, will all be provided for the trek. Participants should be in good physical condition, and be able to tolerate some discomfort and fatigue. We will drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, enjoying breathtaking scenery and passing tranquil Andean farming villages on the way. After a brief rest in the town of Ollantaytambo, we continue on the road to the Malaga Pass (14,141 ft.) and then down into the semi-tropical Vilcabamba Valley. In the afternoon we arrive at the village of Huancacalle, our starting point. We camp for the night at a beautiful spot near Huancacalle.
CAMP: (HUANCACALLE)
Note: Private cultural tours will be provided August 1—6, as alternative to the trek at no additional cost. This group will meet the trekking group at Machu Picchu.
Tuesday, August 2:
In the morning we visit the notable archeological sites of Vitcos and Nusta Hispana (10,007 ft.), built after the Incas’ fled from the Spanish conquistadors. From here we begin our climb toward the Azutina Pass and continue down along an original and forgotten Inca trail to the small village of Pumachaca (10,335 ft.), where trails linking Choquequiroa, Espiritu Pampa, Vitcos, Nusta Hispana, and Machu Picchu converge. We camp for the night at the ruins of Inca Wasi.
CAMP: (INCA WASI)
Wednesday, August 3:
Today we continue on the Inca stone path to the community of Racachaca (11,975 ft.), situated in front of the Lazuna Glacier (17,947 ft.). Later we arrive at the picturesque area of Hatun Pampa. On this day we reach the highest point on the trek, the Yanacocha Pass (15,092 ft.). From this high mountain perch we have a spectacular view of the Vilcabamba Range, including Salkantay Peak (20,552 ft.), Machu Picchu Mountain (7,972 ft.), and Mojon Peak (14,764 ft.). After, we descend into a humid forest area until we reach the glacial lagoon of Laccococha and then to Mutuypata (9,843 ft.), our camping place for the night.
CAMP: (MUTUYPATA)
Thursday, August 4:
We begin the day following the Sacsarayoc River through the vibrant Mutuypata Valley. After a relaxing soak in the volcanic hot thermal springs, we continue down through the Yanatile Valley where we can appreciate a more lush and sub-tropical vegetation. Our hike ends at the small village of Santa Teresa.
HOTEL: (SANTA TERESA)
Friday, August 5:
On this day we have a short hike in the morning to the Urubamba River, where we cross a footbridge to the other side and to the hydroelectric dam. From here we take the train to Aguas Calientes for a relaxing night in a comfortable hotel.
HOTEL: (AGUAS CALIENTES)
Saturday, August 6:
After enjoying an early morning breakfast at our hotel, you will take the earliest bus up to Machu Picchu. The first bus leaves at about 5:30 A.M. and arrives about 30 minutes later. Entrance fees will be provided. For 2 1/2 hours your private professional English-speaking guide will escort you through the magnificent "Lost City of the Incas". Afterwards, you will have some time to explore on your own before catching the afternoon train from Aguas Calientes to Cuzco. Private transportation will be 
provided to take us from the train station to our hotel. Tonight there is bound to be a celebration; probably a party at a wonderful small restaurant favored by backpackers, students and archaeologists, or for those who prefer wilder diversions, a night of music and dancing at the notorious “Kamakazi”.
HOTEL: (CUZCO)
Sunday, August 7:
Today is a day to savor the wonders of Cuzco at your leisure.
HOTEL: (CUZCO)
Monday, August 8:
Say goodbye to Cuzco.
Total cost of $2,950.00 per person, double occupancy; includes all hotel accommodation; private tour and admission to four ruins around Cuzco; all train fares; boats and guide for the tour of the floating islands; AIRFARE PUNO TO CUZCO; private vehicles for all overland transport; the services of a camp staff and a professional English-speaking guide, tents and all meals on the trek; bus transport and admission to Machu Picchu and other sites s noted.
A non-refundable deposit of $500.00 is required to secure a reservation, payable to Condor Adventures, Inc. and received at:
Post Office Box 3415 Winter Park, Florida 32790, USA
VISA, Master Card and Discover cards are accepted.
AVAILABLE SPACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO 16 PARTICIPANTS ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS UPON RECEIPT OF DEPOSITS.
All deposits and payments are non-refundable; or as covered by trip cancellation/interruption insurance. Such insurance is not included in the cost of the trip, but is strongly recommended. Payments are not transferable to other passengers or other trips.
Final payments are due April, 2011. Failure to pay on time will result in the cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your initial payment.
Items in italics are not included, but are suggestions based on location and time available. International flights and departure taxes at foreign airports are not included.
A Passport, valid for six months after the duration of the trip, will be required.
