Join me, Jacquie Whitt, from April 14-20 for a 6 day jam-packed small-group adventure to Peru, for average people. I combined a little nature, a little culture and a lot of fun as we explore the real Peru. i'm pretty sure I have a sensible answer to all your worries and concerns about traveling to the middle of the Andes Mountains.
"But Jacquie, I'm not sure if I can hike the 1-day Inca Trail."
No worries, my friend. We won't let you get off that train at km104 if there's any doubt about your ability to finish the hike. We have a solution. You can stay on the train to the tiny, pedestrian-friendly village of Aguas Calientes. The train station is the center of the town and close to everything. Once you check in to your hotel, you could stroll the sidewalk next to the roaring river, or walk to the hot springs for a soak. There's small sidewalk cafes and restaurants for refreshments of all kinds. We'll meet you at the hotel after we finish slogging through the mountains on the Inca Trail. Then we'll all go out for dinner!
"But Jacquie, what about the high altitude?"
We'll hold hands and suffer together. Honestly with just a little pre-departure preparations, we'll all adjust in no time. The most important thing that everyone can do is to start sloshing down water a few days before arriving in Cusco. Dehydration is our enemy. If you have any chronic conditions and are under the care of a physician, there's plenty of time to check in with your doc for a convo before you commit.
Here's the full itinerary below including a list of everything covered and the total cost for the trip which does not include flights. I included details about how to book your flights.
Delta goes all the way from their hub in Atlanta to CUZ (via Lima, Peru) with their partner Latam Airlines. I just booked mine. I'm spending the night in Lima at the airport hotel and flying up to Cusco the next morning.
American Airlines, United, JetBlue and Copa all have flights to Lima with stops along the way. I suggest you book Lima to Cuzco on Latam Airlines. Allow at least 3 hour layover in Lima.
Is there a deadline?
Kind of. We have to buy permits for the 1-day Inca Trail hike and train tickets in advance. It's first come first serve. They're still available in April. In order to buy those permits, you need to send me a photo of each passport and pay the non-refundable deposit. Permits cannot be transferred, cancelled or refunded.
Climate.
Cusco is chilly year round. There are 2 seasons. Wet from Dec-March and dry from April - Nov. But it can rain anytime. Temps in Cusco average high is 65F and 40F low year round. It's slightly warmer in the Sacred Valley and the Inca Trail because the altitude is lower. But it's a cloud forest so temps at night can be cool. The key to packing is to dress in layers so you can adjust accordingly.
Footwear.
There's lots of walking and even in the urban areas, the terrain is rough. One pair of sturdy trail runner style shoes is all you need. And a pair of lightweight easy to pack shoes for the hotel is fine. People wear what I call "mountain casual" for even the fancy restaurants. It's not necessary to bring a wide array of clothing and shoes.
The rainbow mountain will be the coldest and the weather may be below freezing with snow, ice, wind or hail. And high altitude sun! So bring your polarized sunglasses! Hats, gloves, and warm layers are essential for the trip to Rainbow Mt. Cusco has lots of great wool and it's easy to buy warm things like gloves and hats which could also be a souvenir.
Travel Day. April 13. Fly from your home to Lima, Peru
If your flight arrives Lima in the evening, there is a Wyndham hotel at the airport which is 3 minutes to walk from the terminal.
If your flight arrives Lima on the morning of April 14, I suggest you allow 3 hours layover and continue by air to Cusco.
Itinerary 7 Day Machu Picchu Adventure with 1-Day Inca Trail Hike
Day 1 Sunday April 14 - Arrive Cusco by 12N / Altitude 11,000 ft
Get introduced to the Inca culture on a (3hr) Walking City Tour. Easy walk around the historical center exploring the Inca architecture, temples, arches, cobbled streets and culture. This is the best place for access to money exchange and ATMs and anything else you need.
Hotel: 3* boutique with private bathroom, breakfast and heated rooms
Meals included: none
Day 2 Monday April 15 -- Sacred Valley Exploration by Van to Ollantaytambo (with short hike) Altitude 9000 ft.
8:30 AM Adios tour guide and driver pick us up from our hotel, then drive 30 minutes to the Chinchero weavers’ village where local Quechua women demonstrate traditional Incan weaving and dyeing techniques. (textiles are for sale and 100% of sales support the women’s textile community.) Continue by van to Moray to explore (on foot) unusual geologic sink-holes that the Inca reconstructed into concentric terraces to create a landscape masterpiece. Its purpose has been debated for decades since it was rediscovered from the air in 1931. Drive to Maras terraced salt ponds - a cascade of pink-hued salt crystals from an actively flowing underground stream that has evaporated and pooled on the surface. Each pond is owned and harvested by a local family. After lunch, continue to the hotel and out for dinner on our own in some swanky spot in the village. (not!) (Pack a small/medium backpack with everything you need for the 1 day hike + 1 overnight in a hotel. Store excess luggage at the hotel. Suggested max size backpacks: 24 liters women / 28 liters men. Save room in your backpack for a box lunch provided by our tour guide. Carry a full day's supply of drinking water)
Hotel: 3* boutique with private bathroom, breakfast
Meals Included: breakfast in your hotel
Day 3 Tues April 16 - Hike the 1-day Inca Trail 7.5 miles (max altitude 10,000 ft)
(or take the train to the village of Aguas Calientes on your own, where you can enjoy the hot springs)
6-6:30AM. After breakfast, Adios tour guide will meet us at the hotel and walk 10 minutes to the station. We ride the train about 1 hour to KM104 where the fun begins! After jumping off the train into the weeds, we cross a footbridge over the roaring river and checkin for the hike. For the next few hours we will tread in the footsteps of the ancient Inca who once wandered the mountains. We pass through the amazing WinyaWayna ruins, the continue to the Sungate for our first glimpse of the mystical Inca wonder. We descend on foot to the upper terrace for the classic view of Machu Picchu. Then exit the park and take the shuttle bus 30 minutes to the village. Walk to our hotel (meet up with anyone who took the train), and then explore the pedestrian-only town for the evening.
Hotel: 3* boutique with private bathroom, breakfast
Meals Included: breakfast in your hotel and box lunch with 1 sport drink
Day 4 Wed April 17 - Guided tour of Machu Picchu Lower Circuit/ Train to Ollantaytambo (Altitude 8000 ft)
7-8AM. After breakfast, our tour guide will meet us and ride the bus with us to the main entrance where we begin a 2-3 hour guided tour on foot to get close to real functioning fountains, walk through original Inka houses, observe religious and astrological features, and learn about the many sacred elements and mysterious carved rocks of one of the noblest ancient civilizations to inhabit the earth. After we exit, we take the shuttle bus back to the village where we have time for a quick lunch before taking the train back to our hotel in the village of Ollantaytambo.
Hotel: 3* boutique with private bathroom, breakfast and heated rooms
Meals Included: breakfast in your hotel
Day 5 Thur April 18 - Pisac Archaeological Park + Pachamanca Feast in the home of a Qechua Family / Return to Cusco
8:30AM Pickup from hotel and drive about an hour to the village of Pisac, home of a local market, as well as one of the lesser-known archaeological gems of the Sacred Valley. Continue beyond the village and past sweeping agricultural terraces. Begin a 2 hour hike with a short walk to the Inca cemetery where you’ll see hundreds of holes in the granite wall. Continue exploring small Inca structures, then follow the trail until we reach the astunning temple complex constructed from exquisitely carved pink granite, featuring a sun temple, ceremonial altars, water channels and wells. After time to explore, we will hike back to the van and drive to a nearby Qechua farm for an authentic Pachamanca Feast. Drive about 1 hour to our hotel in Cusco.
Hotel: 3* boutique with private bathroom, breakfast and heated rooms
Meals Included: breakfast in your hotel + luncheon
Day 6 Fri April 19 - 1 Day Rainbow Mountain Adventure (5AM-4PM) With Optional stops at Checacupe Inca Rope Bridge and Colonial bridge on the way back.
Ask your hotel to provide box breakfast. Adios team will pickup and begin 3.5-4 hour drive to the parking area near the beginning of the hike to view Rainbow Mt landscape. After you explore Rainbow Mountain we can stop at Checacupe Inca Rope Bridge and Colonial bridge on the drive back to Cusco.
We will visit the most well-known pass called Vinicunca. This pass is featured the most on social media.
The hike is strenuous at 16,000 ft altitude and takes about 2 hours on foot to go up. Or horses can be rented part way. You pay the wrangler in cash (60-80 soles) and he/she leads the horse while you sit on top. The horses stop below the pass and people then hike up another 20-30 minutes to the first viewpoint. From there you have the choice to hike up another trail opposite the pass if you want a different view. Hike down about 1 hour to the van. Return to Cusco.
Hotel: 3* boutique with private bathroom, breakfast and heated rooms
Meals Included: breakfast in your hotel and box lunch, snacks and water refills
Day 7 Sat April 20 - Depart Cusco to Lima and fly home
Self transfer to Cusco airport at least 2 hours prior to scheduled departure. Hotel reception desk can arrange taxis anytime.
7-Days Cost per person in USD based on the following inclusions listed below:
$1523 each for 2 or 3 people sharing a double or triple room
Add $330 USD per person for 6N in sgl room
Includes:
- 6 nights in 3* boutique hotels with private bathroom and 6 breakfasts
- 1 way Cusco airport transfer on arrival
- all ground transport to all tours and activities listed in the itinerary
- Inca Trail permit and box lunch
- 1 Entry ticket to Machu Picchu and guided tour of lower circuit
- roundtrip train tickets
- all the shuttle bus tickets
- 1 Entry to all historical and archaeological sites in the itinerary
- Pachamanca Feast
- Rainbow Mt snacks and box lunch
- private English-speaking local tour guide.
- use of trekking poles for hikes
Not included:
- Flights
- lunches/dinners/bottled water except where listed on the itinerary (suggested budget $35 USD pp per day)
- Horse rental at Rainbow Mt. (pay local wrangler about 60-80 soles cash)
- Tips (we will send you suggested amounts)
- Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
- 1 way Cusco airport transfer on departure (about $15 USD)
How to book Round trip International flights: use any airline
April 13 - Depart US to Lima, Peru
April 20 - Depart Lima late evening / Or after midnight on April 21
If your flight departs Lima in the morning, I suggest you book Wyndham hotel at Lima airport on April 20. And fly out on April 21.
Domestic Peru Flights: Latam Airlines is the best (partners with Delta)
April 14- Fly LIM to CUS (1hr/20m) Try to arrive Cusco between 9AM-12N
April 20 - Fly CUZ to LIM. Allow long layover in Lima airport if you intend to make international connection later the same night. Flights from Cusco can be delayed.
How to book this trip:
- Check your passport expiration date. Must be valid for at least 6 months after these travel dates. If you're renewing your passports please let me know ASAP.
- Upload your passport to Adios Adventure Travel website CLICK HERE. Then send me an email to let me know. The passport you send is the same document you must show to enter the Inca Trail hike and Machu Picchu.
- Let me know if you want sgl room or shared room in double or triple. Couples can choose 2 twin beds or 1 queen bed
- Pay non-refundable 30% deposit. You will get an email with a payment link to pay with cc. (or you can do ACH transfer to our US bank account)
- Pay final non-refundable balance by March 1. You will get another email with a payment link.
- Review Adios Adventure Travel cancellation and refund policy.
- Fill out Adios E-Reservation form. (I will send you a link)
- Fill out the hiking and medical waiver about 2 weeks before hiking (The link is included in a private online travel document which we set up and share with you)
- Email me directly with your info: JACQUIE@ADIOSADVENTURETRAVEL.COM
Cancellation policy:
It is not possible to change your hiking permits, tickets or get any refund for any reason after payment is made. We strongly recommend that everyone should purchase travel insurance that covers all ground expenses in case your trip is cancelled or interrupted for any reason.
We strongly recommend that you buy comprehensive travel insurance to cover all your expenses in case of cancellation, delay or interruption for any reason. For your convenience here is a link to
SquareMouth travel insurance. However, you can choose any provider you like.
Call me, or text me anytime if you have questions. 757-714-6649
