2008 Dates:

Mar 01- Mar 09
Mar 08- Mar 16
Mar 15- Mar 23
Mar 22- Mar 30
Mar 29- Apr 06
Apr 05- Apr 13
Apr 12- Apr 20
Apr 19- Apr 27
Apr 26- May 04
May 03- May 11
May 10- May 18
May 17- May 25
May 24- Jun 01
May 31- Jun 08
Jun 07- Jun 15
Jun 14- Jun 22
Jun 17- Jun 26*
10 Days- Inti Raymi Festival
Jun 21- Jun 30*
10 Days- Inti Raymi Festival
Jun 28- Jul 06
Jul 05- Jul 13
Jul 12- Jul 20
Jul 19- Jul 27
Jul 26- Aug 03
Aug 02- Aug 10
Aug 09- Aug 17
Aug 16- Aug 24
Aug 23- Aug 31
Aug 30- Sep 07
Sep 06- Sep 14
Sep 13- Sep 21
Sep 20- Sep 28
Sep 27- Oct 05
Oct 04- Oct 12
Oct 11- Oct 19
Oct 18- Oct 26
Oct 25- Nov 02
Nov 01- Nov 09
Nov 08- Nov 16
Nov 15- Nov 23
Nov 22- Nov 30
Thanksgiving on the Inca Trail
Nov 29- Dec 07
Dec 06- Dec 14
Dec 13- Dec 21
Dec 20- Dec 28
Christmas on the Inca trail
Dec 27- Jan 04
New Years on the Inca Trail

* Every year, on June 24, Cusco celebrates Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun.  It is the second largest festival in Latin America with an expected 200,000 people visiting Cusco.

Permits to hike on the Inca trail are limited so plan your visit early.

2008 Prices:

The Peruvian government is increasing all tourist fees in Cuzco and on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in 2008.  New prices will be available soon!

 

The Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

IMPORTANT:  In an effort to improve conditions on the Inca Trail, the Peruvian government has limited trekker numbers to 250 permits per day.  Six months advance booking is strongly recommended for the high season: June, July, August.  Call or email for availability.

09 Days- Departures in March-December, 2008

Custom departures and prices available; Limited Permits! Book Now!

Trip Difficulty: Moderate with steep ups and downs

For many modern travelers, Perú conjures images of elaborate stone walkways along the Inca Trail or the misty ruins of Machu Picchu. Nestled deep in the Andes Mountains, and hidden to the outside world for centuries, this archaeological masterpiece remains a mystery to explorers and historians. Inexplicably abandoned by the Incas and never revealed to the Spanish conquistadors, it is known as "the lost city of the Incas." Machu Picchu was accidentally discovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911 and has been carefully reconstructed over the last century to closely resemble its former splendor.

Our journey to Machu Picchu begins in the quaint colonial town of Cuzco, once the capital of the vast Inca Empire. The Spanish conquistadors destroyed much of the original Inca architecture, leaving cobblestone streets, elaborate cathedrals, and colonial mansions built upon the stones of Inca foundations.
Surrounding Cuzco is a patchwork of traditional Andean villages and ancient Inca ruins. You will have an opportunity to explore the beautiful Urubamba Valley, also called Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley). Here you can visit ruins, stroll through Indian handicraft markets, or simply enjoy the rural countryside.

From Cuzco, we journey by private vehicle to Km 82, the start of the Inca Trail and our trekking adventure. Our four-day trek travels along the impressive stone walkways of the Inca Trail, over high mountain passes (13,776 feet/4,175 meters), through several diverse climatic and vegetation zones, and finally reaches our destination at Machu Picchu.

At Intipunku (Gate of the Sun), the entrance to Machu Picchu, we catch our first glimpse of these impressive ruins just as the first rays of light break through the early morning fog. The sight is ethereal.

After a guided morning tour of Machu Picchu, you will have an opportunity to climb to Huayna Picchu high above the Urubamba Valley where stunning views of Machu Picchu and the surrounding peaks and ridges await.

Trip Summary:

• Explore the colonial city of Cuzco
• Day trip to Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley
• Expert local guides
• Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
• Optional climb of Huayna Picchu
• Visit Aguas Calientes hot springs
• Scenic train journey back to Cuzco
• Three nights camping, three nights hotel

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1- Depart home country
Day 2- Arrive Lima, fly to Cuzco
Day 3- Sightseeing around Cuzco, visit the Sacred Valley
Day 4- Begin Inca Trail Trek
Day 5- Inca Trail Trek
Day 6- Inca Trail Trek
Day 7- Trek to Gate of the Sun and Machu Picchu, return to Cuzco
Day 8- Fly to Lima and depart for home
Day 9- Arrive home

Additional Information:

Download Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Detailed Deluxe Itinerary
Download Reservation Packet
View Peru Slideshow
Extend yor trip- Custom and Private Departures