Peru Trek Peru

A fantastic alternative to the Peru Machu Picchu trail. A great trek combining all the elements that make Peru such as unique destination; a great diversity of terrain from jungle to high mountain passes, a sense of Inca history gleaned from rarely visited sites and complete immersion into the lifes of the Quechua communities.

The most adventurous way to reach the magical Machupicchu.

Everyone is familiar with the wonderful image of the Machu Picchu sanctuary situated on a knife edge ridge surrounded by vast mountain splendour. And the trails leading to it draw thousands of eager trekkers each year. The trail is justifiably famous but today with numbers being restricted and 6 month waiting lists being drawn up, alternative and indeed equally fasinating and unique options are being discovered. This itinerary is designed to incorporate adventure by taking a little known approach to Machu Picchu capturing the real essence of this beautiful area and avoiding the crowds.

We will be based in the historic Cusco and from here fully explore not only the famous sanctuary but the wild and varied countryside surrounding it.

The real Peru awaits you.

Itinerary

Day 1. After your international flight we will jump on a plane for the scenic one hour flight in the Andes to Cusco. This is the stunning Old capital of the Incan Empire. Conquered by the Spanish in the 15th century, many Incan foundations are still there – holding up the Spanish colonial buildings that range from magnificent cathederals to sadly neglected courtyards. We will also visit the local markets and try some of the unusual fruits that come from the jungle not so far away – ooohhhh, and the chocolate too! This evening's meal could well include a testing of the local delicacies such as stuffed hot peppers, guinea pig and fish! (Hotel)

Day 2. Today we will take a hike trough the amazing countryside surrounding Cusco. The options are boundless and include ambling through old Incan ruins, local farming country and passing through small villages with their colourful clothing and traditional houses. Lunch will be eaten somewhere with a view to tire the cameras and inspire us for the next day. We will return by private vehicle to Cusco for a slap up meal and a hotel bed. (Hotel. B/L)

Day 3. Today we'll get up as the sun rises. A private transfer will bring us to the mountain village of Mollepata (approx. 2,900m) where we will have breakfast whilst our mules are loaded for the start of this five day adventure. Today's walk will ease us into the surroundings of the Andes and its inhabitants. This evening's campsite is at Soraypampa (3,850m) with Mount Salkantay standing at 6,271m and Mount Huamantay (5,910m) not so far away. Tonight's campsite is the coldest but with a good 3 course meal and a wee dram sleep will envelope us for sweet dreams. (Camp. B/L/D)

Day 4. Early to bed, early to rise! After a hearty breakfast we set off up towards the impressive Mount Salkanaty taking a set of switchbacks known locally as the “7 Culebras” (7 snakes). “Salkantay pass” (approx 4,700m) is our highest point on this trek and gives us amazing views of both Mount Salkantay and Huamantay. We descend into the often kinder climates of the cloud forest and our lunch spot (approx. 3,750m). The afternoon sees the scenery change from mountain to more tropical and our nights camp will be at about 2,600m or 2,900m depending on how we have done so far. These camps are far warmer than our first night so no need for the long-johns any more! (Camp. B/L/D)

Day 5. Today we head into the full tropics. The walking is easier heading downhill and following the Rio Santa Teresa to the road-head just outside La Playa. Along the way we will see just how much the terrain and climate have changed as the coffee, banana and other fruit plantations appear. At La Playa a cold beer will be waiting before we set off in a vehicle to Santa Teresa (1,550m) and hot springs in which we can soak ourselves whilst camp is no more than a few steps away! (Camp or hostel. B/L/D)

Day 6. From Santa Teresa we take a vehicle to Lucmabamba and we head uphill once again to climb through tropical jungle with our goal as the Incan site of Llactapata (2,700m) – up above the Urubamba river – the same river that flows through the Sacred Valley and on past Machu Picchu. This site not only lies on a most scenic ridge but affords a rarely admired view of Machu Picchu! Along the climb we will again see the local farms of coffee, bananas and other jungle crops as well as a change in the vegetation. The descent to the “hidroelectrica” train station takes us past the over flow of the Hydro-electric project that provides much of the electricity for Cusco. From the station we either take the train (unreliable) or walk the beautiful 2 hours along the Urubamba river to Aguas Calientes and our hotel foe the evening. (Hotel. B/L)

Day 7. Refreshed from a night in Aguas Calientes we awake early and take an early morning bus to Machu Picchu. Here we can explore not only the main site with our expert guide but also any number of sites close by: Huayna Picchu (this is the big mountain often in the background of the photos of Machu Picchu), the Inca bridge, Machu Picchu Mountain, the “Temple of the Moon” or even Putukusi Mountain (a 2 to 3 hour hike up and back from Aguas Calientes). An afternoon train after lunch will bring us back to Cusco in time for a good nights rest. (Hotel. B/L)

Day 8. There is simply so much to see and do in and around Cusco that you will not have enough time to experience everything. More trekking would get you to see famous and some not so visited Incan sights. Cusco's museums range from art to mummies and ceramics. A cathederal, a range of churches and many old colonial buildings will keep the interested and the fascinated occupied alike. The Sacred Valley is but a short trip from the plaza in Cusco and will occupy your day visiting a local handycraft market, a cameloid park (alpacas, llamas, vicuñas and gunacos are all part of the cameloid family – but no humps here!), visiting a salt factory where they mine salt by evaporating underground salt water in pools, experiencing an Incan street that remains as it did over 500 years ago in the idyllic town of Ollantaytambo, watching the local ladies weave their ponchos using no prompts for patterns except their years of experience and the list goes on. From Cusco one can go white water rafting (grades 2 to 4 normally), biking (from mad downhill to gentle rides through local landscapes), rock climbing, horse riding, quad biking, motor biking – hey you name it and Cusco will provide it! (Hotel. B)

Day 9. A scenic drive of about 5 hours today takes us up to the small town of Tinqui (3,800m). The villages along the road are changing due to the near completion of the “Inter-Oceanic Highway” that plans the have an asphalt road from the east coast of Brazil all the way through the jungle to the west coast of Peru. The Cordillera Vilcanota will be visible as we approach – as will the massive of Ausangate that dominates the landscape at 6,384m. (There are three others over 6,000m too!) On a clear day one can see Ausangate from Cusco. This may well be part of the reason why it is revered as a local mountain God or “Apu”. Twice a year on a glacier close to the mountain an ancient ceremony is performed (Señor de Q'oyllor Ritti). It is said to be the largest Andean Festival currently running. (Camp B/L/D) The relatively gentle walk takes us straight towards Ausangate – as it completely dominates the skyline and we pass through local settlements ending at Upis (4,440m). Here there are hot springs to relax in as camp is set up and the cool chill of the mountains strengthens as the sun disappears behind the mountains. (Camp. B/L/D)

Day 10. A short walk brings us almost to the face of the mountain where we veer slightly westwards and up to the first pass: Arapa (4,850m). Along this route we maybe lucky enough to see the local rodent called the “viscacha”. It looks like an odd cross of rabbit (for its face and teeth) and a squirrel (its long bushy tail). The descent has a number of lakes until we come to our camp site at Jatun PucaCocha (4,480m). (Cocha is the local quetchua word for lake or lagoon). Next to a glacier this is often a cold campsite and the lake offers swimming only for the brave! (Camp. B/L/D)

Day 11. Another day another pass, well two of them today! Apacheta (4,850m) offers amazing photo opportunities as we descend to Ausangatecocha (a glacier fed lake from Ausangate itself) and a likely spot for a well earned break! From here we ascend with Ausangate but a few hundred metres away to our left to the highest point of the trek: Palomani Pass (5,150m). The descent takes us to Pamapcancha and on to Huchuy Finaya (4,550m) for our gorgeous camp site next to a stream. (Camp. B/L/D)

Day 12. A good nights rest allows us to really enjoy today: A fantastic amble up the Jampa valley. The snow-capped mountains Tres Picos and Puca Punta decorate the route as again the viscacha can often be seen sunbathing on the rocks. Having reached the small settlement of Jampa we make our way up to the next pass: Ccampa (5,000m). From here it is but a short trek down to our camp spot. (Camp. B/L/D)

Day 13. Today is a delight for the cameras as well as the legs! Mostly downhill today we try to arrive in Pacchanta for lunch and a good long soak in the hotsprings here! A tranquil afternoon allows us to relax here and take in the view of Ausangate in the background. (Camp. B/L/D)

Day 14. A short morning walk brings us back to Tinqui and our transport back to Cusco. Once back you will have time to do some last minute shopping and exploring before the final group meal. (Hotel. B/L)

Day 15. A sad goodbye to Cusco and onwards to Lima and International flight to the UK.