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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: This is an international travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled. Upon arrival, proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim, and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. For those with an included transfer on Road Scholar group flights, a representative with a Road Scholar sign will be waiting outside the exit door to assist you with transportation to the hotel. Hotel check in from 3:00 p.m.
Evening: After checking in to the hotel, the remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Settle in and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. The Inca Trail route follows paved Inca roadways that still exist throughout the Andes and pass by various archaeological sites. The Group Leader will provide historical information about the sites, details about flora/fauna, culture of current peoples living in that region of the Andes as we go. There will be a nightly overview of the next day’s hike. Should you feel unwell or anxious about your abilities before or during hiking activities, it is essential to notify the Group Leader. If you find you are incapable of participating or choose not to participate in the hikes, arrangements will be made to return you to Cusco (at your cost). You will have an opportunity to make a final decision on the morning of Day Six. Once we are on the Inca Trail, there is no opportunity to depart from the program until we reach the end. (See the NOTES section of this information packet for details.) Indicated altitudes are the expected maximum for that day.
Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 20 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking up to miles; mostly flat terrain, some steps.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. Meals on our program will feature local cuisine. In many cases, they will be plated and served set meals; in others, we will have buffets with multiple choices. Beverages will typically include coffee, tea, water; other beverages are usually available for purchase. Program-related travel and transfers will be via air-conditioned bus (with several steps up/down) unless specified otherwise. The bus does not have a restroom on board; however, there will be stops at least every two hours for program activities, meals, and/or basic rest stops to break up longer travel times. When we reach the official control point at the start of the Inca Trail, each participant’s original, valid passport must be presented to officials. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We’ll complete the morning with a presentation by the Group Leader providing a brief introduction to Peru, Inca culture and history, and the Inca Trail and the Sacred Valley.
Lunch: At a local restaurant. We will also have a presentation on local Peruvian dishes, ingredients, and meal preparation.
Afternoon: We will set out riding and walking on an expert led field trip in Lima’s historic downtown. We will begin at the historic Plaza de Armas, the official center of the city and the original site upon which Lima was founded. We will explore La Catedral, an architectural masterpiece built in 1534, and the Church of San Francisco with its library and collection of fine paintings and frescoes. We’ll also see exteriors of the Presidential Palace, where soldiers guarding the palace offer an excellent photo opportunity; the Archbishop’s Palace; City Hall; the Desamparados train station; and Moorish-style houses and balconies along Lima’s old streets. We’ll then join in a favorite pastime of Limeños, an afternoon walk along the city’s Malecon (waterfront) in Miraflores with its magnificent views of the Pacific Ocean and landscaped parks.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like from the many choices for Peruvian cuisine and local fare. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions from the included list of restaurant recommendations.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and our flight to Cusco in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; riding about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 4 hours total riding time. Flight from Lima to Cusco is approximately 1.5 hours; 50 pounds checked luggage allowance per person. Walking up to 1 mile, approximately 1.5 hours; approximately 100 stone steps to top of Ollantaytambo fortress. Altitude 9,100 feet.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We’ll check out, board a bus, ride to the airport, and board our flight to Cusco. High elevations can have an adverse effect on hikers, even those in good shape. These program activities in the Sacred Valley are designed to help participants acclimate to higher elevations prior to starting the Inca Trail hikes. The Group Leader will monitor everyone’s ability to adjust to the altitude during this time. Upon arrival, we’ll board a bus and meet our local expert, then ride to the Sacred Valley.
Lunch: At a restaurant in the Sacred Valley.
Afternoon: During a field trip to the Ollantaytambo ruins, we’ll learn about the engineering genius of the Inca demonstrated by the extensive terracing and irrigation at the site. Running water still flows through the town in aqueducts. The Inca emperor Pachacuti built Ollantaytambo in the 15th century as part of his royal estate. The Spanish conquest of Peru began after Pachacuti’s death in the mid-15th century. The Inca emperor at that time was Manco Inca, who used Ollantaytambo as a stronghold against the Spanish. His army won a small victory nearby against Spanish forces, but Manco Inca decided the site was not secure enough and fled with the remaining members of his empire to Vilcabamba where they famously made their last stand against the Spanish. We will hike up several terraces at the Ollantaytambo archaeological site. We’ll then ride to the hotel and check in with time to freshen up and relax before dinner. Those with energy to spare are welcome to take a stroll around the grounds and gardens.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 40 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time. Hiking 1.5 miles, approximately 1 hour; downhill trail.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We’ll set out on a hiking field trip to Moray, where a local expert will give us a presentation. The large series of circular terraces were built by the Inca as an outdoor agricultural research station. Walking around the terraces as they decrease in size to a central point will provide a good opportunity to acclimate in preparation for the Inca Trail. We’ll continue our exploration with a hike to the Salineras de Maras (Salt Pans of Salinas) for a demonstration of the salt extraction process.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon will be free. We will regroup before dinner for a presentation on the crops of the Inca, a source of health and energy.
Dinner: At a local restaurant.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 46 miles, approximately 2 hours. Walking approximately 2 hours; paved walkways, intermittent and sloping dirt paths, some sections uneven, steep, narrow. Wear hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bring water. Altitude approximately 11,000 feet.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: To help us acclimatize, we will board the bus and ride to Pisac for a hiking field trip in the vicinity of the Pisac ruins. This trail is similar to the Inca Trail routes. The beautiful site high above the Urubamba River features one of Peru’s only remaining “intihuatanas” — enigmatic carved rocks that were used for astronomical observation. The ruins are notable for their Inca waterworks and large, curving agricultural terraces offering excellent views of the Sacred Valley. We’ll then descend to the town.
Lunch: At Pisac, we’ll have box lunches.
Afternoon: We’ll continue exploring in Pisac and its busy, colorful market. This rustic Andean village that grew up at the foot of the original Incan settlement has become well known to visitors. The artisan market hosts hundreds of vendors. We will be able to see ceramics, clothing, and knitted goods including those made of alpaca, jewelry, scarves, and trinkets of many kinds. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon will be is free time. We’ll gather before dinner with our Group Leader for a final briefing session on the Inca Trail in preparation for our hikes.
Dinner: At the hotel.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 25 miles, up to approximately 1.5 hours. Hiking about 7.8 miles, approximately 7 hours; undulating unpaved trails, gradual inclines, village paths. Altitude 9,842 feet.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: This is the day to decide if you will hike the Inca Trail or return to Cusco. Once we begin hiking on Day 7, there is no turning back. We’ll check out and depart for Ollantaytambo, where we’ll stop briefly for last minute purchase of any necessities. We’ll then ride to Piscacucho, where we will meet our porters and have a final bathroom stop. Formal registration procedures are required at the official control point at the start of the Inca Trail. Original, valid passports must be ready to be presented to the officials. Once done with registration, we will cross a footbridge over the Urubamba River and start our hike. We’ll stop for a brief rest break and snack after the first leg of the hike. Moving on a few more miles, we’ll reach the Patallaqta viewpoint and see classic Inca ruins at the intersection of three valleys — a wonderful photo opportunity.
Lunch: On the trail.
Afternoon: We’ll continue hiking for about five more hours to the first campsite. We’ll then have time to rest and enjoy an extended tea break to revive body, mind, and spirit.
Dinner: In the dining tent.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Hiking about 5.5 miles, approximately 7 hours; tropical subalpine forest, undulating trails, stone-paved paths, steep inclines, uneven stone stairs. Altitude 13,779 feet.
Breakfast: At the camp.
Morning: The first portion of our hike this morning will be through tropical subalpine forest with opportunities to see bromeliads and orchids. We’ll have a stop at Ayapata (altitude 10,990 feet) to see the landscape and a rest break with an opportunity to use the facilities. We’ll then continue hiking on ascending stairs for about a mile, approximately two-and-a-half hours (altitude 12,598 feet).
Lunch: On the trail.
Afternoon: We’ll hike about a mile, approximately two hours, to Abra Warmiwañuska Pass (altitude approximately 13,776 feet). From there, we’ll descend to our second campsite at Pacaymayo for tea time and relaxation.
Dinner: In the dining tent.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Hiking up to 5 miles, approximately 7 hours; some sections with wet stones, mud, uneven steps. Altitude approximately 12,795 feet.
Breakfast: At the camp.
Morning: We’ll start the day with a hike of about one-half mile, approximately an hour, to the Runkuracay archaeological site with superb views overlooking the Pacaymayo Valley. Runkuracay, the Egg Hut, is about halfway up the climb to the second pass. It was probably built as a lookout point for watching the highway, and perhaps also as a “tambo” — a traveler’s lodging and temporary storehouse. We’ll then hike about another one-half mile to Runkurakay Pass, the second mountain pass on the trail. After reaching the pass, we’ll continue downhill for approximately 1 hour before arriving at the narrow staircase that will take us into Sayacmarca, “Inaccessible Town.” The ruins of Sayacmarca are the remnants of a fortress or travelers’ lodge used by the Inca. It was built on a narrow mountain ridge with only one entrance, probably planned as a means of defense. The thatched roofs are long gone, but an observatory, small plaza, ritual baths, housing complex, and other constructions remain. The lack of agricultural terraces and farmland point to a dependence on outside suppliers, a big weakness in times of war. In its heyday, Sayacmarca is thought to have housed as many as 200 people.
Lunch: On the trail.
Afternoon: We’ll continue hiking for another four-and-a-half miles, approximately two hours, to the next campsite at Phuyupatamarka (altitude 11,500 feet). There, we’ll relax with a tea break and some “down” time before dinner.
Dinner: In the dining tent.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Hiking up to 7.5 miles, approximately 5 hours; mix of flat paths, steep descents, uneven steps, approximately 2,000 Inca steps down. Altitude 11,811 feet. Getting on/off a bus to Aguas Calientes town, 3.7 miles, approximately 1/2 hour on switchbacks.
Breakfast: At the camp.
Morning: We will have an early (pre-breakfast) wake-up call to view the spectacular sunrise. Have cameras ready! We’ll begin hiking the trail towards the Phuyupatamarka archaeological ruins, located less than one-half mile (approximately 15 minutes) from the camp. As we hike through the ruins, our Group Leader will give us an explanation of the site. The ruins of Phuyupatamarka — “Cloud Level Town” — include many terraces and a series of ceremonial baths. A large platform on the highest part of the site once served as an open-air Temple of the Sun. We’ll continue hiking downhill for another four miles, approximately 3.5 hours, and arrive at Wiñay Wayna for lunch.
Lunch: At Wiñay Wayna archaeological site
Afternoon: We estimate that this final stretch of the Inca Trail, about three-and-a-half miles, will take approximately one-and-a-half hours to complete. Once at Intipunku — “Sun Gate” — we will begin the descent into Machu Picchu, just as late afternoon shadows begin to accentuate the mysterious citadel. After a quick walk through the ruins, we’ll board the bus to Aguas Calientes and check in at our hotel to freshen up and relax.
Dinner: On your own to have what you like in Aguas Calientes. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure. Get a good night’s rest for our early morning (7:00 a.m.) field trip to Machu Picchu.
Activity note: Getting on/off a train; approximately 1.5 hours riding time. Getting on/off a bus; driving about 50 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Wear or bring a long-sleeved shirt as some past participants have complained about “no-see-ums.”
Breakfast: Early at the hotel.
Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel (with luggage held in storage until after the field trip). We’ll then board a bus to the Machu Picchu ruins for a field trip and on-site presentation by our Group Leader on the ruins, their history, and latest discoveries concerning this UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “Embedded within a dramatic landscape at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin, the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is among the greatest artistic, architectural and land use achievements anywhere and the most significant tangible legacy of the Inca civilization… Built in the fifteenth century Machu Picchu was abandoned when the Inca Empire was conquered by the Spaniards in the sixteenth century. It was not until 1911 that the archaeological complex was made known to the outside world.” Note: Those who are highly motivated — with great energy, strength, and stamina — may wish to take an elective hike on another portion of the Inca Trail to the summit of Huayna Picchu for an amazing overview of Machu Picchu. The summit trail to Huayna Picchu is narrow, rocky, very steep, and strenuous; no handrails. (This is an extra-cost activity. See NOTES section of the information packet for details.) At the conclusion of our field trip, we will board the bus, return to Aguas Calientes town, and walk to the hotel.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Next, we’ll walk to the the Aguas Calientes station and take the train back to Ollantaytambo Station. There, we’ll board the bus to Cusco and check in to our hotel with some time to freshen up and relax.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off a bus; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; undulating paths, grass terrain, cobblestones, some steps.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: For our next field trip, we will ride to the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman and then set out on foot with Group Leader to explore. We will learn about this amazing fortress that forms the head of the Puma design of old Cusco. It is a wonder of technical achievement and a testament to human will. It is a mystery how it was constructed, as the stones are not native to the region and the majority of them weigh more than a ton. The largest rock is more than 300 tons. Sacsayhuaman is constructed of huge polygonal blocks that interlock with one another so precisely a knife blade cannot be inserted between them. Returning to Cusco, we’ll embark on a walking field trip orientating ourselves to the city and to explore the Koricancha sun temple, the Plaza de Armas, and important streets.
Lunch: On your own to explore local fare in Cusco.
Afternoon: We’ll have several hours of “down” time for independent exploration to see and do what interests each of us most in Cusco. We’ll regroup in the late afternoon for a presentation-performance by local experts with traditional Inca instruments and music.
Dinner: At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity note: Hotel check-out 10:00 a.m. Walking up to 2 miles; city streets, some inclines. Flight from Cusco to Lima approximately 1.5 hours; 50 pounds checked luggage allowance per person. Do not book flights departing Lima before 9:00 p.m. There is no hotel stay included in Lima on this day.
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: The center of Cusco is a living history lesson where colonial and modern buildings were built on top of Inca foundations and colonial churches dominate the central square. We will set out on a walking field trip with our Group Leader to the San Pedro Market. This small, local market is where many Cusqueños shop for fruit, produce, snacks, and other kitchen staples, gifts, trinkets, and to enjoy a meal. We will explore the locale and gain insights its role in local life. We’ll also have an opportunity to interact with Cusqueños. We will also have some time for independent exploration. We will regroup with our Group Leader at an announced time and place to return the hotel. The hotel will store our luggage after check-out and hold it until it is time for us to transfer to the airport.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon: Late afternoon, we’ll say goodbye to our Group Leader and ride to the Cusco airport for our flight to Lima. Upon arrival at the international airport, everyone will need to check in for their ongoing flights to the US. This concludes our program.
Evening: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!