GLAMPING ON THE INCA TRAIL | 10 days – 9 nights | from $4,398 / person

Trip Summary:

The four-day Classic Inca Trail to is rated among the best trekking trips in the world because of its exquisite, natural surroundings. Following this ancient route, you will walk past increasingly impressive archaeological sites that lead to the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Our addition of “glamping” (glamorous camping) brings a new twist to an old favorite, upping the ante for service, dining, and comfort. In addition to glamping, this trip also features in-depth tours of , the surrounding ruins, and the scenic , with comfortable first-class accommodations throughout.

www.austinadventures.com | 800-575-1540 1 THE DAY TO DAY

Day 1: Lima

Welcome to the “City of Kings” also known as Lima, the cultural capital of Peru • Upon arrival at the airport, you’ll be met and taken to your hotel which is conveniently located just across the street • Dinner tonight is on your own • Overnight Costa del Sol Ramada (No meals)

Day 2: Lima / Cusco

Head back to the airport for your Cusco flight • The capital of the , Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere • Enjoy exploring Cusco’s main square and marketplaces as you acclimate to the 11,000 ft. elevation • Before you call it a night, try Peru’s national drink, the Pisco Sour • Overnight Picoaga Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 3: Cusco

This morning you’ll be picked up at your hotel for a tour of Cusco • Begin by admiring the more than 450-year-old cathedral and its painting collection at the Cusqueno School • Next, you’ll visit the Inca’s temple dedicated to sun worship, Koricancha • Spend the rest of the morning seeing the rocky Sacsayhuaman ruins and Kenko, Puka and • Arrive back in Cusco in time for an afternoon spent on your own • Later this evening, gather together for a meeting to learn more about the Inca Trail • Overnight Picoaga Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 4: Cusco / Sacred Valley /

Transfer to the Sacred Valley this morning and along the way visit Awanacancha • At this llama project you can interact with entertaining South American camelids including vicunas, alpacas and llamas • Witness the dyeing techniques and traditional weaving practices the locals have been perfecting for centuries • Moving along, arrive in the town of Pisac where you can shop for souvenirs and explore ancient and mysterious ruins • It is believed that Pisac was a www.austinadventures.com | 800-575-1540 2 connecting point between the highlands and the jungle but much of its past is unknown • Following lunch at a Peruvian restaurant, transfer to one of the last remaining Inca cities, Ollantaytambo, where you’ll take part in a guided tour of the town’s crown jewel – an ancient Inca site • End the night at your hotel in the Sacred Valley where you can enjoy a relaxing evening • Overnight Sol y Luna (B, L, D)

Day 5: Sacred Valley / Huayllabamba

This morning, be transferred to km 82 where you’ll meet your porters and your equipment • Following a check-in with the park rangers, it’s time to start your hike! • Walk along the Urubamba River and take in the incredible views of the surrounding mountains • Leave the Urubamba valley and its villas and move on up the Kusichaca River toward Huayllabamba where the glamping begins • Your campsite will be comfortably close to the village but far way enough to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature • Overnight Inca Trail Camp at Huayllabamba, 9,842 ft. (B, L, D) * Km 82 – Huayllabamba: 6.8 mile trek (~ 6 hours)

Day 6: Huayllabamba / Pacaymayo

Fuel up on a big morning meal and then start trekking up Warmihuañusca Pass (13,860 ft) • From the top, it’s possible to view the valley’s other side which leads to the ruins at Runkurakay • After taking advantage of the photo opportunities, descend into a gorge leading to Pacaymayo—the location of your next camp • Overnight Inca Trail Camp at Pacaymayo, 11,649 ft. (B, L, D) * Huayllabamba – Pacaymayo: 4.3 mile trek (~ 7 hours)

Day 7: Pacaymayo / Phuyupatamarca

After a short zigzagging ascent, we’ll arrive at the Runkurakay circular ruins • With no sign of human life, only extensive woods and abrupt hills, we’ll continue our way up the second pass • Upon reaching the top and resting our legs, we snake our way down the other side, clearly observing that the Inca Trail becomes more and more well preserved as we continue • Taking the steps up to , we’ll break as we listen to an explanation about the Inca Empire and its connection with the Amazon jungle • Continue towards Phuyupatamarca Ruins, crossing the "Lago Seco" or Chakikocha where we’ll eat a tasty lunch • Carrying on, we hike up and down hills passing through "The Tunnel," a natural cavity produced by a landslide, adapted by the Incas • After crossing a small pass, we spot steep steps and under these the Ceremonial Center of Phuyupatamarca Ruins, our campsite tonight with the best views of the surrounding jagged Andean peaks • Overnight Inca Trail Camp at Phuyupatamarca, 12,012 feet (B, L, D) * Pacaymayo – Phuyupatamarca: 5 mile trek (~ 5 hours)

www.austinadventures.com | 800-575-1540 3 Day 8: Phuyupatamarca / Machu Picchu

Rise early and start descending into the Andean cloud forest • Keep your eyes peeled for epiphyte plants and orchids hiding in the lush undergrowth • You’ll be able to see the Urubamba Valley and River as you hike toward the hillside where you’ll explore the Wiñay Wayna ruins • One more pass lies between you and the “Sun Gate,” so don’t be surprised if you find yourself hurrying along on this portion of the hike • As you get within eyesight of Machu Picchu, listen to your guide who will give you background information on the site and its mysterious past • Tonight, you’ll stay in a hotel in Machu Picchu Pueblo • Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (B, L, D) * Phuyupatamarca – Machu Picchu: 8 mile trek (~ 6 hours)

Day 9: Machu Picchu

You’ll want to get up early this morning to make the most of your day exploring the most prominent Inca site in the world • Board a public bus and take a quick ride up to the main entrance where you’ll begin your guided tour of this incredible ancient citadel • If you want to get a better, bird’s eye view of the site, climb the stairs • In the afternoon, ride the bus back to Aguas Calientes where you’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo • From here, transfer back to Cusco via car • After this long, exciting day enjoy a farewell dinner (complete with Pisco Sours and lively music) at Map Café • Overnight Picoaga Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 10: Cusco / Lima

Fly back to Lima, and with the help of your guide, connect with your international flight home • (B)

**Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures and Apumayo Expediciones.

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Hiking: Hiking experience highly recommended  1-2 mile ruins tours and city walks  Inca Trail: daily hikes are 4-8 miles on moderate to strenuous uneven, rocky terrain. Elevation: 7,800 – 14,000 ft. Packs are carried by porters, but guests are responsible for carrying essentials.

Discovery: Crowned by the towering and tucked between the Amazon and the Pacific, Peru offers a captivating mix of adventure, nature and history. Embedded in every active traveler’s Top Ten List is the great city of the clouds, Machu Picchu. Our route takes us there from bustling Lima, to the cobblestone streets of Cusco, from ruin to ruin across the Sacred Valley, and by train and breathtaking footpath over the Inca Trail. Catch a glimpse of the Andean Condor, a vulture with the largest wingspan of any land bird – 10.5 feet! Discover the colorful street markets, friendly people, and strong local culture of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca empire. Did you know that Machu Picchu is called “The Lost City” because when it was “rediscovered” by Yale explorer Hiram Bingham III in 1911, the jungle had literally swallowed the complex ruins? Even a knife blade can’t be inserted between the precise mortarless joints of the stones used in the building of Machu Picchu, and many of these stones weighed more than 50 tons! Come explore Peru with the experts in adventure travel!

Your guides will take the time to explain the details of each activity, answer any questions and demonstrate the use of all equipment. Each activity has been carefully planned to include options for all levels. Most importantly, your guides will help you select the distance that’s right for you.

Our Partners – Apumayo Expediciones Austin Adventures is proudly offering this trip in conjunction with Apumayo Expediciones. Apumayo, a local Peruvian company based in the City of Cusco, was established in 1995. Specializing in adventure travel and non-conventional tourism, the company combines tourism with cultural, educational and natural history. Apumayo Expediciones describes itself as a commercial venture with a strong environmental and social agenda, developing and supporting many projects such as river clean ups and supporting Andean community projects. Apumayo looks to host many of their adventure trips with help from the local communities of Peru and relates them with Inca culture and the daily life of the Andean people. Austin Adventures and Apumayo look forward to providing you with top notch customer service in some of Peru’s most beautiful and inspiring places.

www.austinadventures.com | 800-575-1540 5 DISTINCTIVE ACCOMMODATIONS

Night 1: Costa del Sol Ramada Conveniently located adjacent to Lima International Airport, this hotel is a breeze to get to on your first night. The on-site restaurant is open 24 hours/day and is the perfect place to taste Peru’s signature drink, the Pisco Sour. If you have time, get a massage or relax in the property’s 24- hour spa where you’ll find a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.

Nights 2, 3 & 9: Costa del Sol Picoaga Hotel This hotel is housed in a 17th century colonial-era mansion—a prime example of Cusco’s cultural heritage. One of the neatest things about this property is that it’s split between a contemporary wing and a colonial wing, so guests get to experience both styles. The comforts of a modern hotel are combined with the stone archways, original murals, fountain, and patio reflective of the 17th century. Guest rooms are fully-equipped and spacious.

Night 4: Sol y Luna When Franz and Petit, founders of Sol y Luna, arrived in the Sacred Valley they had a vision of settling and sharing the land’s beauty, history and culture. Since 1996, the property has enjoyed significant progress and today, it has more than 100 collaborators who are committed to living in harmony with the local environment. The hotel is about a 60-minute drive from Cusco, and it stands at an altitude of 8,850 ft. in the district of Urubamba. Just a few minutes away guests can visit renowned sites like , Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Machu Picchu.

Nights 5-7: Inca Trail Camp Since this is a glamping trip, take time to enjoy three nights in your Inca Trail Tent Camp. Sleep on comfortable inflatable beds under warm duvets in safari-sized tents. Hot shower facilities will be available, and you’ll dine on gourmet camp meals prepared by your chef. Expect real silverware, table linens and an impressive (for camping) selection of wine which you’ll enjoy from real wine glasses. For the hiking portions, you’ll only have to pack your essentials – water bottle, camera, rain jacket, etc. – because your native Quechua porters will pack the rest. The best part? Evenings in camp involve a massage therapist!

www.austinadventures.com | 800-575-1540 6 Night 8: Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel This unique hotel not far from Machu Picchu is located in a private 12-acre cloud forest within the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Cottages are scattered throughout, and wild vegetation, waterfalls and streams add to the property’s ambience. Guests can explore a working tea plantation and view the largest private collection of indigenous orchids in the world.

Arrival and Departure An Austin Adventures/Apumayo representative will meet you upon arrival at the Lima airport. Upon clearing customs, you’ll be escorted across the street to Costa del Sol Ramada, your home for the night. On Day 10 you will be transferred from Hotel Picoaga in Cusco to the airport according to your morning or afternoon flight schedule. You will be met upon your arrival in Lima and assistance will be provided to the international departures terminal of the Lima airport. Please confirm with your airline provider if the Peruvian airport departure and tourist tax is included in your ticket. If not, this departure tax must be paid in U.S. dollars or Peruvian Nuevos Soles, as credit cards are not accepted.

2015 Trip Price Trip Length Host City Dates from 10 days / 9 nights Lima, Peru $4,398 Airport Code: LIM Departing ($980 single Weekly – supplement) Call for Availability

Reservations & Availability 1-800-575-1540 [email protected]

What Our Guests Say

 “What a trek! It was so incredible that Machu Picchu was almost a disappointment!” – Sarah P., Tampa, FL

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