The Grand Andean Experience to Machu Picchu
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THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE TO MACHU PICCHU an immersion into the inca legacy The Grand Andean Experience to Machu Picchu The Grand Andean Experience to Machu Picchu is a Enjoy the uncrowded paths, authentic encounters 10-day journey through ancient history, living culture with local people and the silence and mysticism of the and the magnificent landscape of Cusco and the Sacred Andes. Valley of the Incas. This once-in-a-lifetime exploration into the sacred havens of the Incas is equal parts physical, cultural and spiritual journey, a journey of knowledge and transformation gathered while trekking, biking, sightseeing and enjoying the plush comfort of warm, welcoming high mountain Lodges. ITINERARY THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE 10 day expedition Day 01 Day 02 Day 03 Day 04 Day 05 Exploring Pisaq Inca sites Among authentic Discovering Hike to Lake and villages Inca Trails Ollantaytambo and Humantay Quillarumiyoc Day 06 Day 07 Day 08 Day 09 Day 10 Crossing the Descending into the Following the Santa Exploring The Sanctuary Salkantay pass cloud forest Teresa river valley Llactapata pass ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 3 MAP / ROUTE ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 4 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas EXPLORING PISAQ Start the trip with a morning visit to Awanacancha, an Andean camelid exhibition and traditional weaving center, and the famous market of Pisaq. Its unique array of products will inspire you with a taste of rich Andean culture. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 5 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas EXPLORING PISAQ As an alternative, travelers can opt for an invigorating morning hike surrounded by amazing views. Afterwards, at the isolated community of Viacha, learn about artisanal potato farming practices and enjoy a traditional meal called “Pachamanca”. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 6 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas EXPLORING PISAQ ACTIVITY MENU Morning to noon at a glance CULTURAL ACTIVITY Visit Awanakancha (an Andean camelid exhibition and traditional textile center), the town of Pisaq and local market, and experience an encounter with members of the local community of Viacha. Lunch with a view HIKE From the local community of Amaru to the local community of Viacha Approximately 3 hrs. Moderate Mountain pass at an elevation of 4,328m. - 14,200ft. GROUP ACTIVITY Group lunch in the local community of Viacha. In the afternoon, the whole group visits the Pisaq archaeological site together, before heading back to the lodge. OVERNIGHT Lamay Lodge (el. 2,958m./9,705ft.), located in the town of Lamay, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lamay Lodge Pachamanca ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 7 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Lares Valley INCA SITES AND VILLAGES On this day you will go even deeper through an exploration into the heart of the Andes: the Lares Valley. Visit the truly unique archaeological site of Ancasmarca along the hub-town of Lares, a site not often visited by tourists and so allows for an intimate experience. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 8 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Lares Valley INCA SITES AND VILLAGES Visit the ancient weavers’ village of Choquecancha or opt for a hike amidst turquoise blue lakes to the village of Huacahuasi. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 9 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 GROUP ACTIVITY Lares Valley Morning to noon In the morning, briefly explore the town of INCA SITES AND VILLAGES Lamay and visit the archaeological site of Ancasmarca. at a glance ACTIVITY MENU Afternoon CULTURAL ACTIVITY Visit the town of Choquecancha, meet with local weavers and visit the old church. Colorful HIKE 1 Quelquena to Huacahuasi Approximately 3 hrs. Easy to moderate Mountain pass at an elevation of 3,839m./12,595ft. HIKE 2 Cuncani to Huacahuasi Approximately 4 hrs. Moderate Mountain pass at an elevation of 4,219m./13,838ft. OVERNIGHT Huacahuasi Lodge (el. 3,835m./12,585ft.), located in the local community of Huacahuasi, in the Lares Region. Note: Guests that opt for the cultural activity will have lunch at the local community of Choquecancha. Guests Huacahuasi Lodge that opt for the hikes will have lunch en route. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 10 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas AMONG AUTHENTIC INCA TRAILS In the morning, you can choose to embark on a spectacular hike to the adjacent valley that leads into the ancient town of Ollantaytambo, or try a mild hike from the Lares Pass along a beautiful canyon down to the local community of Totora. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 11 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas AMONG AUTHENTIC INCA TRAILS If you prefer a cultural activity, you can visit an ethnographic museum featuring the history of Peru’s rich civilizations and enjoy lunch at a countryside restaurant. In the afternoon you can explore the town of Ollantaytambo or choose to explore the valley on mountain bike. Afterwards, visit an artisanal brewery in which many of their beers are made with local products. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 12 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 ACTIVITY MENU All day Sacred Valley of the Incas CULTURAL ACTIVITY AMONG AUTHENTIC INCA TRAILS Drive back to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, visit a local farmer’s market and a Pre-Inca and Inca cultural museum. Enjoy lunch at a countryside at a glance restaurant and in the afternoon explore the town of Ollantaytambo. HIKE 1 Lares pass to Village of Totora Approximately 3 hrs. Easy to moderate HIKE 2 Huacahuasi to Patacancha Approximately 7 hrs. Moderate to challenging Mountain pass at an elevation of 4,464m./14,646ft. OPTIONAL ACTIVITY Afternoon MOUNTAIN BIKE EXCURSION Drive back and explore the Sacred Valley of the Incas on mountain bike from Urubamba to Pachar. Duration: 2 hrs. Biking level: Easy to moderate (Note: This activity comes at an additional cost). Afterwards, enjoy a visit to an artisanal brewery in which many of their beers are made with local products. (The brewery is closed Mondays and Tuesdays). OVERNIGHT Perfect ending Kuychi Rumi Lodge (el. 2,830m./9,284ft.) Note: Guests that opt for the cultural activity and guests that opt for the Inca trail hike excursion will meet for lunch in Urubamba at a countryside restau- rant and visit the town of Ollantaytambo together in the afternoon. Guests Craft beer that opt for the Huacahuasi to Patacancha hike will meet up with the rest of the group late in the afternoon at Kuychi Rumi lodge in Urubamba. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 13 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas DISCOVERING OLLANTAYTAMBO & QUILLARUMIYOC On this day, an optional short morning hike to Inca storage structures high above Ollantaytambo will give you a magnificent view of the town, as well as of the main archaeological sites across the valley. After an early visit to the temple of Ollantaytambo you will embark to the fascinating archaeological site of Quillarumiyoc to enjoy a picnic lunch and explore the surroundings of the site. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 14 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas DISCOVERING OLLANTAYTAMBO & QUILLARUMIYOC Afterwards you will pass through the mountain village of Mollepata, stopping for a short visit to Yanapana, Mountain Lodges of Peru NGO, where traditional weavers offer beautiful textiles and insight into their age-old techniques. After this visit you can choose to continue on to the Salkantay Lodge by vehicle or opt to do a soft hike up to the lodge from Challancancha. ITINERARY MAP / ROUTE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 15 THE GRAND ANDEAN EXPERIENCE The grand andean experience to Machu Picchu | 10 day expedition DAY 01 DAY 02 DAY 03 DAY 04 DAY 05 DAY 06 DAY 07 DAY 08 DAY 09 DAY 10 Sacred Valley of the Incas DISCOVERING OLLANTAYTAMBO & QUILLARUMIYOC GROUP ACTIVITY Morning to early afternoon at a glance Explore the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo.