Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca
Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca
Inca Trail, Titicaca & Nazca
15 Days Starting and ending in Lima
Visiting: Peru
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TPD
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
5 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
This tour combines the best-known trek in the Americas with a taste of Peru's diverse landscapes and cultures. Lake Titicaca’s waters lie adorned with floating reed islands inhabited by indigenous groups, while the barren coastal deserts and their mysterious lines of ancient Nazca civilisations continue to fascinate visitors. Cuzco is the ideal base for archaeological discovery and for embarking on the spectacular Inca Trail trek to the imposing citadel of Machu Picchu.
Highlights
Itinerary
The group flights depart London this evening.
**
Day 2
The group flights usually arrive into Lima in the morning. Those on group
flights will be met at the airport and transferred to the start hotel. Your
leader will give a short welcome briefing either upon arrival to the hotel or
later this evening. Time allowing, there is the option to take a walking tour
of Lima's colonial centre this afternoon, replete with Spanish churches and
colonial architecture.
*Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)*
*
*
Day 3
We set off very early this morning (around 05.30am) and drive south from Lima
until we reach the port of Paracas (4-5 hours' drive). Here we take a boat to
the Ballestas islands, a national park that contains one of the highest
concentrations of marine birds in the world. There are Sea lions, numerous
species of birds and the Paracas Candelabra, a curious pre-Inca design on the
hillside, only recognisable from the sea. The boat trip lasts around 2 hours,
and once we're back on dry land we drive for around an hour to Ica, in the
heart of Peru's wine-growing region.
*Hotel Villa Jazmin (or similar)**
*
Day 4
At the Huacachina oasis just outside Ica, there are high sand dunes where we
may have time to try 'sand-surfing' (optional). We arrive at Nazca in the
afternoon with time to visit the viewing platforms close to the Nazca Lines.
These are one of the world's great archaeological mysteries, consisting of
enormous drawings and patterns etched in the desert sand. Afterwards, for
those who wish there is the chance to do a scenic flight over the Nazca Lines
(optional).
*Hotel Casa Andina (or similar)**
*
Day 5
We turn inland from the coastal desert, climbing high into the Andes on
today's long (11-12 hrs) but spectacular drive. Vicuñas (a smaller wild
relative of the llama) can be seen along this road, as this area is Peru's
largest vicuña reserve. Flamingos are usually sighted at high Andean lakes
near the road. This region has only recently become easily accessible to
tourists due to an upgrade of the Abancay/Chalhuanca road. The altitude here
can make physical exertion difficult (the highest point we reach today is
Negro Nayu at approx. 4600m). It is recommended to rest in the evening after
the 12-hour drive. We overnight in Abancay on the road to Cuzco.
**Hotel de Turistas Abancay* (or similar)**
*
Day 6
We set off towards Cuzco this morning, stopping en route to visit the unique
Inca Saywiti stone and Tarawasi ruins. The glaciated summits of the
Vilcabamba Mountain range and the descent into the Apurimac River valley
demonstrate the dramatic contrasts of the Andes Mountains, and we should
expect stunning scenery throughout today's 5-6 hour drive.
*Hotel Koyllur Inn (or similar)**
*
Day 7
The city has a multitude of attractions in and around the city, both active
and historical, and today is free to explore the city and its surroundings.
An optional visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Pisac ruins is
available, as is the option to try paddle-boarding on a high altitude lake on
the plateau just outside the city.
*Hotel Koyllur Inn (or similar)*
Day 8
The Classic Inca Trail is a tangential branch part of a 45,000km road network
linking the whole empire to Cuzco. It was built in the 15th Century to reach
Machu Picchu but was abandoned soon after the Spanish conquest. American
adventurer, Hiram Bingham travelled along the trail when he came across Machu
Picchu in 1911. The trail opened to the public in 1970.
We leave Cuzco early and drive for roughly two hours to Ollantaytambo; our
last chance to buy any items needed for the trek. From here we veer off the
road and follow a track beside the river (45 minutes) to the start of the
Inca Trail at Piscacucho, commonly known as Km82. After greeting our trekking
crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the Inca Trail trek.
The trail runs alongside the Vilcanota River beneath the impressive
snow-capped Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and fields of
corn until we reach the enormous Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue
up a side valley to camp near the hamlet of Huayllabamba.
*Walk Profile: approx. 11km / 6-7hrs walking*
*Full-service Camping - Huayllabamba Camp*
*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast lunch dinner/*
Day 9
This is the longest and most strenuous day. A long climb (largely up stone
staircases) takes us first through an area of cloud forest to the meadows of
Llulluchapampa, then over the Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman's) pass, at 4215m
the highest point on the trek. After quite a long, steep descent we camp in
the scenic valley of the Pacamayo River (3600m).
*Walk Profile: approx. 10km / 6-7hrs walking*
*Full-service Camping - Pacamayo Camp*
*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast lunch dinner/*
Day 10
We start the day with an easier climb which takes us past the ruins of
Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (3930m). From now on the Inca Trail
becomes a clearly defined path made of flat boulders. We pass the ruins of
Sayajmarca and suddenly enter rainforest; at one point the trail passes
through an Inca tunnel. We camp at a spectacular campsite on the ridge above
the Inca site of Phuyupatamarca (3680m) to benefit from the views of sunset
and sunrise.
*Walk Profile: approx. 12km / 5-6hrs walking*
*Full-service Camping - Phuyupatamarca Camp*
*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast lunch dinner/*
Day 11
From the ridge, we embark on the infamous Inca steps: a two kilometre stone
staircase taking us rapidly downhill amid a panorama of overwhelming
immensity, with the peaks of the Vilcabamba range above, and the river
thousands of metres below. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay
Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river
to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu
Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.
Traditionally busy with groups of trekkers clamouring for photos, we plan our
arrival at Inti Punku later in the day so we can enjoy unobstructed views of
the magnificent ruins. Whilst most groups choose to visit Machu Picchu today,
we'll pass around the edge of the ruins and exit the site, descending to
Aguas Calientes for a well-earned rest, a shower and a comfortable bed for
the night. Our trekking permits allow us one entry into the site, which we
use for our tour tomorrow when we are refreshed and more able to enjoy it.
There is usually time for an optional visit to the hot springs in Aguas
Calientes, however in recent years they have become over-crowded and the
water quality can suffer as a result. We will be reunited with those who have
been on the Moonstone Trek or the Train Option at the hotel this afternoon.
*Walk Profile: approx. 9km / 6-7hrs walking*
*Hotel Inti Punku El Tambo (or similar)*
*Inca Trail - Meals Included: /breakfast lunch/*
Day 12
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as
early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu;
only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding
road to the site entrance and during high season (May-October) queues can be
hours long.
Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the
ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain
backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas
left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city
lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the
American historian Hiram Bingham.
New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the
three possible visiting slots, we will purchase the morning slot from 06:00
until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four
hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be
three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; Exodus selects the most
comprehensive route.
We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue
by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins).
*Hotel Koyllur Inn (or similar)**
*
Day 13
Today we travel for 8-10 hours by private coach along the Vilcanota River and
onto the altiplano, the high plains separating the Andes from the jungle.
Although it is quite a long drive, it is interesting and often spectacular.
There are scheduled stops at interesting sites along the route to help break
up the day and all along the route we get a feeling for the immensity of the
Andean landscapes. A packed lunch is included today. This afternoon we arrive
into Puno (3,800m) on the shores of Lake Titicaca.
*Hotel Casona Plaza (or similar)
*
Day 14
A full day on the lake today as we visit both the island of Taquile and the
floating islands of the Uros Indians.
First, we take a boat to the floating island of Uros. The Uros have been
living on rafts of reeds for centuries, and although many have now moved to
the mainland there are still a couple of thousand who remain on the islands
which are anchored close to Puno. A reasonable amount of their income is now
provided by strictly regulated tourism, but they also still fish the lake and
engage in barter with communities on the mainland in order to obtain
essential daily items.
Afterwards, we continue on to Taquile Island, home to a community known for
their remarkable weaving and traditional lifestyle. The panoramic views of
the lake from the island are incredible, and it is often possible to see the
snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Real in the distance. There is the option
to eat lunch on the island, before we return to Puno.
*H**otel Casona Plaza (or similar)*
Day 15
Today we transfer approximately 1 hour to Juliaca Airport and in the
afternoon fly back to Lima. In the evening there is the chance to go for a
final meal together at one of the local restaurants (at own expense).
*Hotel El Tambo 1 (or similar)*
*
*
Day 16
The morning is free, and the overnight group flights usually depart around
lunch time or in the early afternoon.
**
Day 17
The group flights arrive into London this afternoon.
**
What's Included
-
Meals
10 breakfasts, 1 lunches, 0 dinners.
* All breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
* 11 nights hotels and 3 nights full-service camping
* All transport and listed activities
* Tour leader throughout
* Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
* Arrival and departure transfers
* Full porterage throughout trek
* Exodus kitbag
* Inflatable sleeping mat while camping
What's Not Included
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Sleeping bag (hire locally from US$20)
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Travel insurance
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Visas or vaccinations
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Single accommodation (available on request)
Food
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinners are included in the price of the
tour.
Peruvian cuisine has developed a reputation for its flavours and originality
and it’s well worth trying out a few of the local delicacies. Amongst these
are ceviche (a spicy dish of seafood or fish marinated in lime juice), lomo
saltado (a Peruvian take on a beef stir-fry) and various hearty soups such as
the delicious quinoa soup. Other dishes include roasted cuy (guinea pig),
alpaca steak, and to drink, the national beverage: Pisco Sour.
Drinking water is provided. The tap water in Peru is not safe to drink;
boiled and filtered drinking water is provided on the trek and elsewhere your
leader will buy large water containers for you to refill your bottle from.
Hotel breakfasts are normally simple buffet-style affairs, usually including
bread/toast and jam, cereal, sometimes eggs or a cooked dish, sometimes
fruit, tea/coffee and fruit juice. Regrettably, we cannot guarantee that
wheat/gluten-free products will be available for breakfast in all locations -
if you have an intolerance you may wish to bring your own breakfast food.
Where lunch and dinner are not included we'll visit a variety of cafes and
restaurants.
During the Inca Trail (or Moonstone Trek) hearty breakfasts are served and
good quality cooked lunches and dinners are provided, and usually consist of
soup or a starter, a main course with meat/fish and some form of
carbohydrates, followed by a dessert. Some snacks between meals are also
provided. Drinking water (boiled and filtered) is provided in the mornings
and at lunch during the trek so that you can refill your bottles. Bed
tea/coffee is brought to your tent each morning and juice or hot drinks are
provided with all meals during the trek.
Accommodation
For this adventure in Peru, we have 11 nights in hotels and spend three nights camping. The Inca Trail are offered on a full-service camping basis with full porterage, meaning our camp staff put up and take down the tents, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack for the day and enjoy your time on the trek.
While the hotels usually used on this trip are named in the day-to-day itinerary, below are some of the notable places we stay.
Ica: Hotel Villa Jazmin (night 2)
Surrounded by dunes and pisco distilleries, Hotel Villa Jazmin is an oasis of comfort in Ica. After a day of touring in the desert sun, Villa Jazmin invites you to relax by the pool and enjoy a cold drink from the bar (we recommend a pisco sour made with locally produced pisco).
Inca Trail: Full-service camping (nights 7-9)
For three nights, we sleep among Andean peaks and wake to mountain views. It'll be the adventure of a lifetime for some, but not one without comforts. We sleep and dine in good-quality four-season tents. We also have a toilet tent set up both in camp and during lunch stops. Boiled and filtered drinking water is provided in the mornings, at lunch and dinner so we can refill our water bottles. Additionally, a bowl of warm water is provided each morning and evening for washing. On the Inca Trail, we stay in official campsites where additional bathroom facilities are available.
Aguas Calientes: Inti Punku Machu Picchu (night 10)
The Inti Punku Machu Picchu hotel is centrally located in Aguas Calientes, a small town alongside the Urubamba River. This comfortable hotel offers clean, contemporary rooms with private baths and hot water, making it a perfect place to relax and take in this unique setting far below the ruins of Machu Picchu.
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, our local guides are English speaking.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.