This trip combines fantastic mountain scenery with cultural features such as visits to the Inca ruins, a community of sheep herders on the high Puna, the salt mines, and the terracing complex of Zurite, offering full time for enjoying Macchu Pichu itself before returning by train to Cusco.
The trip is seven days and six nights, running on request from April to September for a minimum of two passengers.
Leaving Cusco we visit the village of Chinchero and the ruins of the Palace of Inca Sinchi Roca. From here we take a detour to the village of Maras - a colonial village with many stone hewn porticos - important from the colonial salt trading days. We head downhill on a trail to the salt mines - a series of ponds built like small terraces where the salt is produced by evaporation. The trail takes us to the Urubamba valley - lunch by the river-side. A vehicle will pick us up to continue to Ollantaytambo where we will have a chance to visit this living Inca village - its fortress located on a promontory overlooking the valley. Overnight at a local hotel, dinner on your own.
Day 2 OLLANTAYTAMBO / PARPISHU/CHILIPAHUA
Leaving Ollantaytambo we cross the bridge at Pachar and head up the narrow gulley towards the town of Huarocondo. At 3,100 m we will arrive at a footbridge of Parpishu, starting point of our trek. From here the trail starts ascending slowly, leaving the valley behind us. The trail continues to the pass of Watuq'asa (3,900 m.) where we have lunch and then continue on. We will see an Inca wall and Tambo known as Qosqoq'awarina (the place where we can see Cusco) that surrounds the pass. Views of Mt. Pumahuanca, Chicon and Mt. Veronika. From here the trail descends to the left ending at a small valley with a stream running through it called Anapahua, we continue over to Chilipahua - a small community where we camp.
Day 3 CHILIPAHUA / ANCASCOCHA
We leave our campsite and head north west, slowly ascending past some small houses at Incaraqay - a community of sheep herders on the high puna. From here a one hour hike will bring us over another Pass at Pampaq'asa (4,200 m.) down into the gulley of the Silque river to then reach the Pass at Ancascocha (4,450 m.). Here we are in full view of Mt. Huayanay and the Silque Valley. We camp near a lake.
Day 4 ANCASCOCHA / KESKA
Over the pass of Huayanay at 4,800 m., now the trail descends into the ruins of Inca Raqay - a series of small corrals, until reaching Moyo-Moyo, valley with a small waterfall at 3,800m. We continue down the Keska Valley, past small house holds of farmers working on their patchwork fields. We camp along the valley floor.
Day 5 QESKA / QENTE
We reach recently restored Paucarcancha, an Inca site that was a check point located at the confluence of two valleys - Keska and Pampaccahua. From here the trail follows the Cusichaca valley passing Huayllabamba, a village of corn farmers to finally reach the area of Q'ente, overlooking the Urubamba river - which in Inca times was intensively farmed - evidenced by the many sites found in the area - Cusichaca, Q'entemarca, (formerly known as Patallacta), Machu Q'ente and WaynaQ'ente. Camp in the vicinity of the farm-house.
Day 6 Q'ENTE/WIÑAY WAYNA/ MACHU PICCHU
Visit the area and catch the train in mid-morning to Km 104 at Chachabamba. We cross the bridge and start to hike up to the Chachabamba site, and after a brief visit begin a four hour ascent to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna an important spiritual site. The Inca Trail cuts across the ridge above Machu Picchu to finally reach Intipunku (the door of the sun) from where the trail winds downhill. The classic vista into the lost citadel located right above the Urubamba River will be a unique experience. Overnight at a hostal in Aguas Calientes, dinner on your own.
Day 7 MACHU PICCHU/CUSCO
Next morning, after an early breakfast, a guided visit the citadel and surrounding complexes, optional hike up to the top of Wayna Picchu. Lunch included. Return by train to Cusco (or the Sacred Valley).
This provider can help with your other additional needs
local flights
transfers
additional accomodations
trip extensions
... and other requirements.
Request these additional services when you check availability above
What's Included
Local hotels on double basis, transportation to beginning and from end of trek, entry fees, bilingual guides, all meals and two man tents, pack animals, kitchen crew, and first aid kit.
Local hotels on double basis, transportation to beginning and from end of trek, entry fees, bilingual guides, all meals and two man tents, pack animals, kitchen crew, and first aid kit.
At Explorandes we firmly believe that responsible tourism is the only way of guaranteeing the sustainable development of this activity for present and future generations. As a result of this belief ever since we started, we involved the local communities and worked with them as suppliers of goods and services, helping them by contributing with medicines, school materials and sanitary issues. Tied in with this, was our commitment to the environment trying to minimize footprint and respecting the traditional way of life of the peoples through whose territory we passed.
At the turn of the century we decided to systematize the good practices that we had instituted over the last 25 years, so we committed to becoming an ISO 14000 certified company since this involves implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS), where we had to develop internationally accepted standards. After two years of effort, at the beginning of 2003, we managed to obtain the ISO 14001 certification, accomplishment which we are proud of because we managed to achieve it as a team commitment of our office and field staff working together. This, however, means we work towards a continuing improvement of our performance and also implies passing a yearly audit where goals and monitoring activities have to be achieved. In early 2004 we passed the first external audit of our EMS.
Through our ISO 14001 we have managed to reduce the generation of solidwaste by 50%, substitute traditional cleaning products by biodegradable products, reducing our impact on water courses and the environment. We have also managed to educate and influence our field staff and their communities to improve their quality of life by enhancing their interaction with their own environment. Our work in this area has also caused other operators to improve their environmental performance since it implied improving their standards to be able to compete.
As pioneers in adventure travel in the Andes we are firmly committed to maintain a leadership role and set an example within our sector and we are therefore proud to be the first in Latin America to have certified as an internationally recognized company that has an Environmental Quality certification.
Our Environmental and Social Policy is based on the following principles:
Consider environmental management a company priority, committing ourselves to complying with applicable legislation and other voluntary compliances established by us.
Annually review our quantifiable goals to reduce to the maximum possible levels the generation of solid waste, pollution of water courses, the risks of fire and the disturbance of wildlife caused by our activities, products and services.
Rationally use tourist attractions and the surrounding natural resources preventing their unnecessary abuse and/or consumption minimizing impacts caused to the lifestyle of communities in harmony with the landscape, flora and fauna.
Hire, whenever possible, local employees and suppliers, purchasing local and environmentally friendly products for our operations.
Promote the proactive participation and training of workers, clients and suppliers in the maintenance of the Environmental Management System (EMS), involving and committing them to the compliance of the environmental goals through continuous improvement.
Maximum Age
None
Travel Provider
Provider Name
Explorandes
Why should I choose this provider?
It seems like a long time ago that myself and close friends, some still members of our team, began exploring the surroundings of Cusco, backpacking into remote areas where Andean people still lived immersed in their ancient traditions and beliefs, practicing subsistence agriculture in inaccessible valleys.
We started 30 years ago as a real adventure company. We like to work doing what we enjoy most: hiking, climbing, river-rafting, being in contact with the Andean culture and searching to discover the hidden secrets and natural beauty as well as the recent past of the Andean back country.
As the first company to commit to developing trekking and river-running trips, we pioneered many routes around the Cordilleras of the Andes, opening old Inca Trails and ancient colonial pack trails to remote mountain areas.
Nowadays, Explorandes is a regional tour operator. Our company has evolved and we have more and more adventure, soft adventure and cultural programs as well as specialized itineraries. We are also very strong in tailor and custom trips that suit particular needs of individuals and groups with special interests.
Moreover, we have worked hard during 3 years to achieve the ISO 14001 certification and finally we obtained it in 2003, being the first adventure travel operator in Latin America to receive such a certification, and possibly worldwide.
Our team is the most valued asset we have. We are all dedicated to serve our clients above and beyond their expectations. This knowledge has been formed through 30 years of Explorandes as a consequence of the high standards of services that tourism demands, allowing us to offer our clients an exceptional service. Our staff is well-trained in health, safety and environmental matters. We have clear policies and abide by the highest standards of quality and environmental responsibility thereby preserving nature, as well as our ancient treasures sprinkled all over this megadiverse country full of footprints from the pre-columbian past.
We are more than willing to put on that extra effort to make a trip extraordinary and beyond your expectations assuring you that we are big enough to take care of you and small enough to care about you.
Explore the Andes with us! Come and enjoy our passion and have the time of your life!
Alfredo Ferreyros
President
Our company has been in business for 30 years and is the pioneer in South America for trekking, river running and rainforest expeditions.
We work with renowned and leading tour-operators world-wide. These important relationships keep us ahead in innovative ways of providing outstanding services through shared field experiences.
Our efficiency and vocation for service is always apparent when you book with us.
Our Environmental Management System which includes social responsibility in our sustainable practices has been certified as a ISO 14001 process in 2003.
We have a 24-hour emergency contact number for operations in Cusco, Lima, Huaraz, Puno and Arequipa, as well as our normal office phones, available during office hours.
Provider Policies
Terms and Conditions
Responsibilities
Important - Read carefully
Explorandes SAC reserves the right to modify or withdraw any travel arrangements when deemed necessary, in the best interest of our clients. We reserve the right to refuse, accept or retain any person as a member on any of our trips. Baggage is carried at owners risk throughout the tour.
Explorandes SAC acts only in the capacity of an AGENT upon the legal conditions that, while exercising every possible precaution it is not responsible for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or other irregularities which may be caused either through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of companies or individuals providing or engaged in transportation, accommodation or other services related to the accomplishment of the tour, or through natural disasters, social upheavals or acts of nature. On day trips you will be asked to sign an affidavit which acts as a release form for risks incurred during your trips.
On day trips you will be sometimes asked to sign an affidavit which acts as a release form for risks incurred during your excursion, which is a usual practice for some operators.
Insurance and medical issues
We strongly recommend the use of a travel/medical insurance plan.
If a member of a group gets sick or is incapacitated, we take care of him by getting a qualified doctor to him/her. In these cases extra costs are assumed by the individual client, including hospitalization if necessary. In the case of accident and/or necessary emergency evacuation, all expenses will be covered by the individual. This is why we recommend the purchase of a travel/medical insurance purchased at home.
Pricing Policies
Due to our good relations with hotels, transport companies and operators in general, we maintain very competitive prices. All our prices include administration and operational costs.
Cancellation Policies
All passengers are subject to a cancellation fee, which will be charged if a reservation is cancelled less than the 30 days prior to the arrival date of a passenger. The following fees apply to the cancellations:
16/30 days prior = US$ 350 fee
8/15 day prior = US$ 500 fee
1/7 days prior = 100 % of total cost
Calculate your carbon footprint and offset with carbon credits for a carbon neutral trip. Learn more...
TESTIMONIALS
We are back from a fabulous time at the Refugio Amazonas! I have nothing but raves about it all! Thanks for your help in getting us to this great place!
-- Susan L, Refugio Amazonas Family Adventure
We just got back from Peru on Sunday. It was a GREAT trip. We thoroughly enjoyed it! The highlight was truly the trek to Machu Picchu. Thanks for all of your help in making the trip very special. Everything went off without a hitch. We were very impressed.
-- Mary Ann, B., Multi-Activity Peru
We had a great time on the Galapagos Cruise. Our guides were very engaging and informative and everything was timed just right. We had the right amount of activity, food and leisure time every day. We are not \"cruising\" people and were apprehensive at first about being stuck on a boat for 7 days but we didn\'t feel \"stuck\" given the number of excursions we had each day and the fact that we snorkeled at least once or twice a day. We also extended our trip on the Islands and stayed at a hotel but definitely would recommend a cruise over staying on the islands. The islands gets very hot and there are lots of mosquitos but on the boat there is shade, wind and no bugs! Great amount of variety of animals and geography we saw. Sad to leave!
-- Wendy K., Galapagos Islands on the Eric, Letty, and Flamingo
I want to say I LOVED the trip. ECOCAMP was divine. Really amazing setting. The mix of people in the group was healthy. We all liked each other enough to dine every meal together.
Detour, The Adventure Travel Marketplace - Culture Trekking
