Compare Peru: Ancient Cities & the Andes by G Adventures vs Inca Trail To Machu Picchu by Inka Rainbow
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 14 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 1,919 | $ 734 |
| Price Per Day | $ 137 | $ 122 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Basic |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | 10 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners |
5 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
| Description |
Climb the legendary Inca Trail to the cloud forest citadel of Machu Picchu, dine the traditional way at a ceremonial Pachamanca feast, or take an optional flight over the Nazca Lines — the adventure is yours to choose! With the services of a CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and your accommodation and transport taken care of, this trip offers great value as it introduces the region’s main sights, providing plenty of flexibility so you can experience an adventure you'll never forget. Take a trip that's packed with just the essentials — 14 days of maximum Peru at minimum cost. This is everything you imagined Peru would be — and more! |
Trekking through the Inca trail to Machu Picchu is considered one of the best trekking tours in the world due to the exquisite natural beauty and archaeological importance of the sites that lead to Machu Picchu. we find valleys that contain the endemic fauna high deserts or in the tropics, between the Puna sections and the cloud forest. |
Day 1 Lima
Arrive at any time. Get to know your group tonight as you head out to one of the many bars and restaurants in the bohemian neighbourhood of Barranco. Enjoy a local craft beer with your fellow travellers as you get excited for the adventure to come.
There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel and enjoy the city. (Check-in time is approx 3pm.) After the welcome meeting, head out for an optional dinner at a nearby local restaurant. If you arrive late, no worries, the CEO will leave you a message at the front desk.
If you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 13:00.
Day 2 Lima/Nazca
Catch a local bus and drive down the coast through the desert to Nazca.
Day 3 Nazca/Arequipa
Free time to explore Nazca; Opt for a flight over the famous Nazca Lines or take a tour of the Nazca Desert Cemetery and Potter's Studio. Later enjoy a traditional "Pachamanca" dinner, before catching the overnight bus to Arequipa.
Day 4 Arequipa
Welcome to Arequipa! Take the day to explore what is known as the 'white city.' If you're into history and architecture, visit the Santa Catalina Monastery, where you'll get a unique glimpse into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers, visiting one of the 'picanterías' is a must. Satisfy your craving with a variety of local regional foods: alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups, and spicy sauces.
Day 5 Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Enjoy a full-day tour of the spectacular Colca Valley and venture to the impressive Colca Canyon — one of the deepest canyons in the world — on an overnight excursion. With a little luck, you'll spot Andean condors soaring over the majestic Andes. Keep a lookout for other unusual animals! Give your body some much needed relaxation by taking a dip in the the hot springs.
Day 6 Colca Canyon
Get an early start–be on the look out for condors. Travel from Chivay town to a condor viewpoint to get a glimpse of these magnificent birds in the air. On the way back, stop in local villages, and see old terraces. Catch an overnight bus to Cusco.
Day 7 Cusco
Free day in Cusco to explore. Choose to pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class. Opt to go mountain biking or just relax in a café.
Please note: if you pre-book the Cusco Cooking Class you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. Return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Day 8 Cusco/Ccaccaccollo
Head into the Sacred Valley today to visit the G-Adventures supported women's weaving co-op in the Ccaccaccollo community. Learn about weaving, and meet the adorable resident llamas. If you see a knitted item you like, buy it — a perfect keepsake from your journey. Get further immersed in the local life of the Ccaccaccollo community during an overnight homestay.
Day 9 Ccaccaccollo/Ollantaytambo
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas. You can choose to take a Sacred Valley tour and visit the impressive Pisac ruins, the colourful artisan market (market days only), and the large ruin site of Ollantaytambo that lies adjacent to the town of the same name. Catch your breath at Ollantaytambo and prepare for the hike the next morning.
Day 10 Inca Trail
Depart Ollantaytambo by van to km 82 where your trek begins. Hike through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons. You'll see several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.
A crew of local porters, cooks, and guides will take care of all the details for the duration of the hike. Porters carry the majority of the gear so you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, a camera, etc.
Day 11 Inca Trail
Get an early start today to climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, known as Dead Woman's Pass. This is the highest point of the trek at 4,198m (13,769 ft). Most hikers reach camp by early afternoon, with some much needed R&R.
Day 12 Inca Trail
Cross two more passes and ruins along the way. The first pass is Runquraqay at 3,950m (13,113 ft) where, on a clear day, you can catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba. Hike through cloud forest on the gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. The highest point of the pass is 3,700m (12,136 ft). On a clear day, enjoy the spectacular views of the Urubamba Valley. At 3,650m (11,972 ft), reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the "town above the clouds." Camp here or go another 1.5 hrs to the Wiñay Wayna ruins (""forever young"") located at 2,650m (8,694 ft).
Day 13 Machu Picchu/Cusco
The final day of the hike starts pre-dawn to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. Wake up around 03:30 and walk to the checkpoint. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the site. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon. Tonight, dance the night away at a popular night club.
Day 14 Cusco
Depart at any time.
Day 1: Cusco
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at Cusco
You will be picked up upon your arrival to Cusco and transferred to your hotel.
You have the option of a free day to explore the city as you would like or at an extra cost a walking tour or a full city tour including the four ruins that surround the city. These include the Sacsayhuaman fortress overlooking the city, a pre-Inca architectural gem Kenko, the Red fortress of Puca-Pucara; a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic alter representing a puma, and finally Tambomachay which is a beautiful fountain fed by a spring that feeds a series of basins.
Optional: City Tour
Day 2: Cusco - Km 82 – Wayllabamba - Yuncachimpa
Meals: Included
We will leave Cusco (3350m/10990f) at 5:30 am by a tourist bus heading for the Sacred Valley of the Incas.Inca Trail Depart point Before we reach our starting point of walk, km 82, we will make a short break in Ollantaytambo for having the option to get breakfast. The official beginning of the Inka Trail is called km 82. Here we will meet the rest of the group and take care of the registration facilities. After crossing the Rio Urubamba (2200m) we will start the legendary Inca Trail. The first day the trail is easy to walk and a good warm up for the following days. In Miskay we’ll have lunch at a small river bank while getting some information about the archeological complex of Llactapata. After that, we will continue our hike to Wayllabamba (3100m/10170f) and ascend to Yuncachimpa (3300m/10826f), the camping site we will spend the night in. From here, we have a great view of the mysterious Nevado de Verónica.
Level of difficulty: moderate
Hiking time: 6 -7 hours
Total distance: 11km approx.
Day 3: Yuncachimpa - Llulluchapampa – Warmihuañusca pass - Pacaymayu - Runkurakay pass – Chaquicocha
Meals: Included
The second day is the ‘Free-Hike-Day’; that means, that everybody should walk in his/her own pace – of Sayac Marcacourse you will meet during the small breaks or see each other while beating the stairs. Early in the morning the trail first leads through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3850m/12631f). The first 3km are step - enjoy the humid woodland and the water sounds. From Llulluchapampa follow the way for 2-3 hours until you reach the highest point of this section, the Warmihuañusca Pass (Dead Woman Pass) (4200m/113780f). This climb is known as the most difficult part of the Inca Trail. After a short break at the summit, you continue your hike down with a long and steep descent to the river Pacaymayo (Sunrise River) towards the Runkurakay pass (3050m/10007f) until you reach our camping site called Chaquicocha at (3650m/11975f). Here you can relax your body from the tough day while enjoying an amazing view over the mountains.
Level of difficulty: challenge
Hiking time: 8 - 9 hours
Total distance: 15 km approx.
Day 4: Chaquicocha - Phuyupatamarca – Wiñayhuayna
Meals: Included
The third day is the most beautiful one. You can notice a change in the eco-system while walking to Wiñaywaynathe tropical forest of Wiñaywayna. We will pass two small lakes at the top of the second pass (3950m). It’s a gentle climb through beautiful cloud forest and a small Inca tunnel before the third pass (3700m) offers a grand view over the Rio Urubamba Valley. The nearest settlement is named Phuyupatamarca/"Town above the clouds" (3600m/11811f). A well preserved site with long chain Inca baths where one can enjoy impressive ancient engineering. We pass another Inca Tunnel before visiting the ruins of Wiñaywayna/"Forever young" (2650m/8694f). The Inca stairs change into a zigzag trail until you reach a red-roofed white building, our last camping site, and also a location with hot water (S5) and bottled drinks.
Level of difficulty: normal, unforgettable (easy)
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Total distance: 10 km approx.
Day 5: Wiñayhuayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, Buffet Lunch at Aguas Calientes
Accommodation: Overnight at Cusco
After our breakfast at 4:30 am, we will head - equipped with our flashlights - to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate Machu Picchu view ) to get the first glimpse of Machu Picchu and watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu and Wayna Picchu. The last triumphal descent will take you almost one hour before we visit the citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m//7874f) around 8.00 am. You can enjoy its spiritual charm during a guided tour (about two hours) that helps you to understand the meaning and ancient use of the different buildings. After this tour you will have enough time to explore the archeological site on your own ( go to the Inca Bridge, explore the variety of buildings or climb Wayna Picchu for an amazing panorama picture). After a long day of exploring this lost city, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes in order to enjoy a buffet lunch afterwards we will catch the train back to Cusco. Upon arrival to Cusco in the late afternoon you will be brought back to your hotel.
Day 6: Cusco
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast you will be able to continue your tour with Arequipa (Colca Canyon) or Bolivia otherwise return to Lima.
