Machu Picchu (Peru)

Participants meet at Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and fly to Lima, Peru. Overnight flight.

Dinner and breakfast on board

Participants arrive in Lima and travel to Cuzco in the morning. Upon arrival in Cuzco, participants will check-in at the hotel and assemble with the trip organizers for an introductory meeting. Participants will have free time to rest before a welcome lunch at the Plaza de Armas. After lunch, participants will be guided on a tour of the old colonial city.. In the evening, participants will have dinner with the treat of a traditional dance and music show.

One night in a 3-star hotel in the heart of Cuzco.
Lunch and dinner included

After breakfast at the hotel, participants will depart on a tour of the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park discovering Inca fortresses and temples. Afterwards, participants will descend into the Sacred Valley. Along the way, they will visit a community weaving center and learn about various fabrics and weaving methods used in the Andes. Lunch will be served in the village of Pisaq and participants will be given time to explore the village’s arts and crafts market. Afterwards, a tour of Pisaq’s impressive ruins which are suspended above the valley will end with a warm-up for the trek by walking down the 1,050 steps from the ruins to the village.

Return to Cuzco for the night (3-star hotel).
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

After breakfast, participants will depart by bus to reach the trek’s starting point, also known as “Kilometer 82” on the Cuzco railway to Quillabamba. The hike begins gently and after a few minutes it will cross the Cusichaca suspension bridge (built with steel cables), over the Urubamba River. On the left side of the road participants will discover a eucalyptus field before reaching the archaeological remains of Llactapata. This site includes many Andean terraces, which were thought to be used to feed the inhabitants of other cities and “Tambos” (warehouses) of the Inca Trail. The climate in this area is generally hot and colored by the beautiful brush of the landscape. It should be expected that the first day will be cloudy or rainy; however the hike is fairly easy on a nearly flat and scenic path.

Along the path, participants will be led through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves and foamy streams framed by giant groundsels. Participants will then come to the Shira plateau and will then continue to travel for another 3 to 4 hours before arriving at Shira Camp. One night stay in a tent.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Distance: 9.8 km
Elevation: +2,800 m
Approximate Duration of the Trek: 6h

This part of the trek is the most challenging as it involves a steep ascent to “El Abra de Warmihuañusca” (the literal translation meaning “where the woman dies “) at 4,200m. Participants will be challenged due to the constant climb up the steep slope leading up to the abra. Along the way, the natural environment will begin to change from a temperate valley to a cold landscape without trees. Before arriving at the abra, participants will come across camp “Llullupampa”, located in a valley bordered by two crystalline streams. Here, participants will have the opportunity to rest for a while before resuming their walk to “Paso de Warmihuañusca”. Along this stretch is the only place where participants may experience a degree of altitude sickness. The area is characterized by strong winds and low temperatures. After crossing the abra, participants will take a break before descending to the valley of the river Pacaymayo, where a small waterfall, a camp and public toilets can be found. On this second day of trekking, the path is well defined and includes steep stairs which are almost vertical. It is very important, especially on this day for participants to set their own pace.

Elevation: min. 3,000 m, max. 4,200 m / Approximate Duration of the Trek: 8h
Distance: 10.2 km

Overnight in tent
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 7 will be the longest of the days, however, not too demanding. Participants will trek through a second passage upon which the archaeological remains of Runkuracay can be discovered at 3,800 meters of altitude. These ancient ruins are very interesting, as they have a single entry with seven separate accesses to their respective rooms. Following this exploration, participants will descend to Laguna Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and arrive at Sayaqmarca. This interesting Inca ruin is located on a cliff top; where panoramic views of the Acobamba valley and snow covered Pumasillo can be enjoyed. Accessing this viewpoint requires a climb up a steep and solid stone staircase located on the edge of the mountain. Participants will walk along Conchamarka, a small and recently discovered archaeological ruin, and will pass through the camp of Chakicocha, a spacious area with public toilets and water. Following this, the trail will begin to climb again. Participants will discover the first tunnel measuring 20 meters in length with rock carved steps. The path continues in an ascent to the Citadel of Phuyupatamarca which translates into the “village above the clouds”, an original citadel of the Inca Trail. It is surrounded by clouds and located on a gorge overlooking the Urubamba. Near the crossing of Phuyupatamarca, the path begins to curve downhill through a second tunnel. The path then opens onto relatively flat ledges along the course of the Urubamba River to Wiñayhuayna standing at 2644 meters high. This is regarded as the most attractive citadel of the Inca Trail and the last town before the Machu Picchu.

Elevation: Min. 2,700 m Max. 3,950 m / Approximate

Duration of the Trek: 8h

Overnight in tent Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Participants have an early morning departure for a relatively short (one to two hours) hike to arrive at the Gate of the Sun before sunrise. This allows for a stunning panoramic view over the lost city of Machu Picchu, revealing itself through the mist as the sun rises. This site was recently designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After a tour of the lost city, participants will travel via bus to Aguas Calientes where they will board a train back to Cuzco in the late afternoon.

Overnight stay at 3 star Hotel in Cuzco

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Breakfast will be served at the hotel before participants’ transfer to the airport for their flight to Lima. A French-speaking guide will greet participants for a city tour of the Peruvian capital including a visit to the colonial centre and its famous catacombs. Last step, the huge district of Miraflores, now the new center of Lima. Free time in Miraflores. Your vehicle will pick you up to take you to the airport 3 hours before your international flight.

Breakfast and lunch included

Participants will have breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for their flight to back to Montreal, Canada.

Breakfast included