Inca Kaleidoscope Discovery Tour

From the lush Amazon to the altitude aridity of Titicaca lake, from the cities' nightlife to the serene mountain lakes, from the ocean to the most daring glacial peaks of America, from Inca ruins to the colonial architecture gems, at every turn of the road, this extremely varied trip reserves many surprises for you. Accessible to all, very comfortable, this is a wonderful discovery of the south.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Lima  
• Day 2/  Flight to Juliaca, visit Sallustini (Incas tombs), Puno
• Day 3/  Titicaca lake, Uros, Taquile and Amantani islands
• Day 4/  Visit Raqchi (Inca temples), to Cuzco
• Day 5/  Visit Cuzco + quatro ruinas
• Day 6/  Sacred valley, salinas de Maras, Ollantaytambo temples
• Day 7/  Train to Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu, Cuzco
• Day 8/  Flight Cuzco - Puerto Maldonnado, Amazonia
• Day 9/  Amazonia
• Day 10/  Flight Puerto Maldonnado - Lima
• Day 11/  Visit Lima, depart from Lima.

First off, the shores of Titicaca Lake, a veritable inland sea at 12,467 feet above sea level!
From here, we head to the heart of the Inca world, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
A total change of scenery to allow us to discover a lesser known aspect of Peru: the Peruvian Amazon, largely covered with virgin forest crossed by large rivers and peopled by a surprising fauna. And finally, a visit of Lima.
This voyage, extremely varied, reserve surprises at every turn of the road.

Day 1/  Arrival in Lima
Meeting/assisting at Lima airport.
Transfer to a 4 star hotel located in Miraflores ("chic" suburb of Lima)

Day 2/  Juliaca, Sallustini - Puno
Flight to Juliaca. In direction of Puno, visit Sillustani and its chullpas (Inca tombs) at the edge of a beautiful lake. The city of Puno is located on the altiplano of Peru, on the edge of Titicaca Lake, the highest navigable lake in the world. A curious city, shaped as an amphitheater, with streets that descend from 13,100 feet down to 12,500 feet. Visit of Puno: the cathedral and the market (with the finest alpaca sweaters in Peru). Hotel.

Day 3/  Titicaca Lake
Boat excursion on Titicaca lake where we visit the floating islands of the Uros people, an ethnic group now disappeared, replaced by the Aymara fishermen population. Perhaps, we will have the opportunity to witness the construction of "balsas of totora", reed boats of Lake Titicaca fishermen?
Visit the island of Taquile. Meals in a small local restaurant. Far away, the Royal Bolivian Cordillera seems to float on the waters of the inland sea that is Titicaca Lake. Back to Puno in the afternoon to Puno (4 to 5 hours by boat). Hotel in Puno.

Day 4/  Puno - Raqchi - Cuzco (11,155 feet)
Departure by bus, direction Cusco. The trip takes about 8 hours, including stops and visits. Some notable points along the route:
- Ayaviri, a small town with its beautiful carved colonial church and the Plaza de Armas that retains its typical Andean trees (pisonay, q'euñua...);
- The paso Raya (14,176 feet), culmination point and pass of the journey;
- Temple-Viracocha to Raqchi, which we visit: it is the remains of a huge religious building of 300 feet long and 80 feet wide! Around the temple, an impressive maze of ruins.
Late day arrival in Cuzco.  Settle in for two nights at a 4 star hotel.

Day 5/ Cuzco, quatro ruinas
Early rise, short bus transfer to Tambomachay. Small trek back to Cuzco. Along the way, we visit the Tambomachay fountains, the fortress of Pucapucara, Qenqo and the colossal Sacsayhuamán fortress. Around noon, return to the Plaza de Armas.
Afternoon spent touring downtown: The Beautiful Plaza de Armas (with the magnificent cathedral facades and the church of the Compañía), streets with foundations of Inca walls (calle Loreto, calle Hatum Rumiyoc), the San Blas neighborhood, the Santo Domingo convent (which houses the famous Temple of the Sun), museums (Museum of Contemporary Art, Regional Museum...) and other colonial buildings... depending on the mood and the group! Free evening and night at the hotel.

Day 6/  Sacred valley - Salinas de Maras - Ollantaytambo temples
Excursion in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, discovered at the foot of Pisac, the largest ensemble of cultivated terraces in the entire region. Direct descent from the ruins to the Plaza de Armas. Lunch at restaurant in Urubamba, and then the bus leads us to the famous Maras salt fields, whose white evaporation basins arrange themselves in the form of terraces along several hundred feet on the sides of the steep valley.  On the road to Ollantaytambo, visit of a village built on Incan ruins.  We also visit the gigantic, monumental stone ruins which dominate the site.  Short hike to visit a quarry from which extracted stones were used to build the fortress. How these stones were dragged for a certain number of miles and mounted to the site of the fortress remains an enigma. Overnight in the lodge.

Day 7/  Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu - Cuzco
Early rise to take the train to Aguas Calientes and the shuttle bus that brings us to the Machu Picchu site. Complete inspection of the site discovered in 1911 by archaeologist Bingham. Around 11 am, until the arrival of the first "tourists" who left Cusco that morning, we climb up to Wayna Picchu, a famous mountain peak dominating the site (impressive trail seen from the bottom, count 2 hours round trip with our detour to the Temple of the Moon). Back by bus to Aguas Calientes and then by train to Ollantaytambo where another bus is waiting to take us back to Cusco.

Day 8/  Cuzco - Puerto Maldonado
Flight Cuzco-Puerto Maldonado. A welcome by our naturalist guide, then a visit of this Amazonian city (Plaza de Armas, market). Embark on a boat and navigate in the meandering Madre de Dios River where we will first observe the Amazon flora and fauna. A stop on Los Monos island (the monkeys' island) for a short stroll in search of different species of monkeys that inhabit the island ("frailesillos, choros"). A little further along, we arrive for our hike in the rainforest led by our local naturalist guide. Settle in at the lodge for two nights.

Day 9/  Amazonia
Full discovery day of the Amazon. A walk in the woods to a small lake to observe, safely, plants and animals that normally inhabit its shores: different species of birds, tortoises, monkeys (with a little luck), local otters (lobos de Rio) and black caimans. In the afternoon, back out to the banks of the Madre de Dios River for a "caimaneada" (observation of the caimans' activities). Back to our lodge.

Day 10/  Puerto Maldonnado - Lima
Flight Puerto Maldonado-Lima. Walking tour of Lima, the Peruvian capital (downtown): the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the very interesting San Francisco monastary (church, cloister, catacombs...) and the Plaza San Martín. We will also visit various districts by bus and then we stop at the Museum of the Nation, which provides an excellent summary of Peruvian Civilization (Chavin, Nazca, Paracas, Moche, Inca ...). Very beautiful pieces of art: goldsmiths, fabrics, fantastic collection of pottery... Free evening and night at the hotel.
Note: Depending on the flight times, a visit to Lima will take place on this day or the next morning.

Day 11/  Depart from Lima
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice. 

During the hikes, all of your belongings are dispatched between a back pack carried during the walk and a traveling bag with a lock.  Each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the day or half day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc). Transport is ensured by the vehicle of assistance and the logistic team during the excursions.

The guide
- an English-speaking professional Peruvian Mountain World Travel guide, hiking specialist, with excellent cultural knowledge
Local Team
- a driver.

Domestic flights with a local airline company (Lan Peru, Taca....)
For ground transportation, private air conditioned bus, with professional driver
Boat on Titicaca Lake, a motorized dugout in Amazonia
Train for Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu).

It is varied, in charming hotels or lodges of high standard (in the middle of wilderness). Lodging is based on 4 star accommodations, sometimes 3 stars (or inns/lodges of similar standing) when there are no other options nearby.
Due to our goal of providing quality accommodations, we seek charming and reputable places located in the middle of the most beautiful landscapes, on the most beautiful view-points or close to the departure of the excursions.
We choose those hotels and lodges, not only for the excellent price/quality ratio, but also for its cordiality and hospitality.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Breakfasts and dinners at the accommodation's restaurant.
Lunch taken on the way in the form of a picnic or in a restaurant depending on the day and circumstances.
Beverages:
- Mineral water provided during transfer and in restaurant, along with the mate (tea or infusion at the end of the meal).

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Lima
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Airport taxes (to date $45 per person) for domestic and international flights
• Drinks (except mineral water during meals)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guides and drivers
• All items not expressively mentioned in ‘What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1-970-544-WALK (1-970-544-9255) or at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Lima:
- Taca: flights from Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco...
- American Airlines: flights from anywhere in the States through Los Angeles, Miami, New York
- Delta: flights from anywhere in the States through Atlanta
- United: in cooperation with Lan, flights from anywhere in the States.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a valid passport; US citizens are admitted to Peru for up to 90 days.
For US Citizens, please check with US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements
For other nationalities, please contact the Peruvian embassy of your country.

Vaccines
No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you however, to be up date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B recommended.
A treatment against Malaria is necessary as this trip is visiting Amazonia.
For more information visit the website of the US Department of Health
Dentist and doctor
Physical Examination prior to your departure is recommended.
Acclimatization and preventive treatment against altitude sickness
We conceive our routes by first taking into consideration the best means for "altitude acclimatization". However, it is preferable to consider, with your doctor, a preventive treatment against altitude sickness (Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).
Please visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 1
2 months prior:  Hike 6 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days.  Pay attention to your lifestyle and your weight.

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Light ventilated hiking shoes with a good traction on different type of terrain, for people with fragile ankles: waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).