Inca Explorer
Trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, enjoy colonial Cusco, and raft one of the World’s Top Ten rafting rivers, the Rio Apurimac.
This popular adventure combines a spectacular trek on an ancient Inca path to Machu Picchu with a three-day wilderness whitewater rafting expedition. On the Apurimac river, we raft through a 3000m deep Canyon on the true source of the Amazon.
Note: The trip sometimes runs with the rafting first and the Inca Trail afterwards.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Lima and transfer to hotel.
Day 2 Early morning flight along the Andes to Cusco, transfer to your hotel and start acclimatising to the air of this beautiful city (3,326m). There is a short pre-departure meeting to introduce Cusco, explain altitude sickness, exchange paperwork and a briefing on rafting and trekking. In the afternoon, we can take a short walking tour of the city. (B)
Day 3 From Cusco we drive into the Sacred valley of the Incas. At the end of the road we meet the team of porters and cooks for lunch and start to trek along the banks of the Urubamba river. This is ideal for acclimatisation purposes.
We camp the night at Llactapata (2,288m) beside some spectacular ruins. This is camping and trekking in style. Whilst walking all you need to carry is a daypack - all camping equipment is carried by our support team of traditional porters. All camp chores are done for us and delicious food is served by a cook and his helpers. (B/L/D)
Day 4 We trek up the Cusichaca valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. The path continues on up past humming birds and stunted cloud forest. Our camp is at Llulluchupampa (3680m) - a beautiful grassy area with outstanding views down the valley. (B/L/D)
Day 5 Possibly the hardest day of the trek, we rise early and head to the top of Warmiwanusca (Dead woman’s pass 4200m). This is the highest point of the trail before we descend into the Pacasmayo valley and then climb again passing the first of many Inca ruins - Runkuracay.
Our second pass of the day (3,850m) gives us spectacular views of the Vilcabamba range. Walking on incredibly well preserved Inca pathway we pass Sayacmarca ruins with plenty of time for an in depth tour and explanation before passing through a tunnel and a gentle climb which brings us to Phuyupatamarca ruins (3650m) where we camp. (B/L/D)
Day 6 Our final days hiking brings us down into the cloud forest on a Inca stairway to Winay Wayna (2,600m), another interesting ruin full of orchids and swallows. And so to Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun for our first glimpse of Machu Picchu (2,400m). After treasuring the moment we pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to our hostal in the colourful town of Aguas Calientes and celebrate our return to civilisation. (B/L)
Day 7 First thing in the morning we return to Machu Picchu and have it virtually to ourselves for a full guided tour, with time afterwards to climb Huayna Picchu, walk out to the Inca bridge or else just wander through the ruins soaking up the amazing atmosphere. We have a late lunch in Aguas Calientes before boarding the afternoon train back to Poroy. Here our waiting bus speeds us back to our Cusco hotel.
If you have the energy, we can then explore Cusco’s excellent nightlife. (B/L)
Day 8 There is so much to see and do in Cusco that we dedicate a whole day to doing just that. Whether your interest is exploring Inca ruins, visiting Colonial churches, bargain hunting in Indian markets or relaxing over a cappuccino on a terrace overlooking the Plaza de Armas, Cusco has it all. (B).
Day 9 We pick you up at your hotel in Cusco for the spectacular drive to the Apurimac canyon, hopefully glimpsing on route the snow-capped Vilcanota mountain range before descending into the canyon to our starting point on the banks of the Apurimac.
Here we inflate our specialised rafts, load up with provisions and, following a full safety talk and instruction in the art of white water rafting; we head off into the canyon in search of adventure. (B/L/D)
Days 10-11 For the next three days we challenge the rapids of the mighty Apurimac. "Apu - rimac ", in Quechua, signifies " The Great Speaker " - Inca nobility and priests would often 'consult' the river on route to the city of Cusco.
The rapids are pretty much non-stop and at times the huge boulders that block our way force us to the bank for further scouting. At several points we have to portage un-runnable falls.
At night we camp on beautiful sandy beaches and explore the amazing rock formations. Andean foxes, otters and pumas have all been sighted on the banks of the river. In between the harder rapids there is plenty of time to take in the awesome scenery and marvel at the near sheer sided gorge down which we are travelling. (B/L/D)
Day 11 We reach a break in the canyon walls and from here it is a short bus journey back to Cusco, passing on route the towering snow capped Salcantay mountain. On arrival in Cusco we drop you off at your hotel for a well-earned hotel bed, hot shower and perhaps a small party to celebrate your successful descent of through the mighty Apurimac canyon. (B/L)
Day 12 An early morning flight from Cusco to Lima, in time to connect with your international flight home (B) or choose an extension to the Amazon, Lake Titicaca or treks.
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find range of books and maps to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
What to bring
On this expedition we will be experiencing all extremes of Peruvian climate, from freezing high plains to burning hot sunshine. On the river wetsuits and splash jackets are provided but please bring thermal underwear (these are far warmer than cotton t-shits). This also protects against any sand-flies encountered on the river. River shoes (wetsuit boots being superior to Sandals and socks) and a change of clothes -long sleeved to protect against insects.
On the Inca trail hopefully it will be generally sunny enough for shorts and T-shirts though having a fleece and rain gear handy is advisable. It will get cold (as low as zero degrees whilst camping) especially in the evenings so bring a warm fleece jacket, a good waterproof and some warm clothes including thermal underwear, gloves, scarf and woolly hat as well as one set of smarter clothes for Cusco. Good quality Alpaca jumpers are available in Cusco. A good quality sleeping bag is essential for your enjoyment of this trip.
On the Inca Trail
Whilst trekking the porters carry all your heavy camping gear but this is inaccessible during the day so please bring a small day-pack to carry your personal day gear in – ie water-bottle, camera, sun-block, insect repellent, light fleece and rain jacket.
Due to new Inca trail rules limiting the porters to 20Kg weight and the number of porters to two per person, we have to limit your heavy gear to 10Kg per person – this is usually more than adequate. Kit bags are available from the office on request.
Any excess gear may be stored in Cusco at your hotel whilst on the Inca trail or rafting sections.
Inca trail regulations stipulate Ski poles are only allowed with PLASTIC PROTECTING COVERS. This is to prevent trail damage.
We implement a ‘porter protection policy’ that ensures all porters are well treated, paid, fed and looked after.
Suggested kit list
General: Sleeping bag (-5ºC), towel, sunglasses with attaching string, peaked cap, water bottle & purification tablets, torch & spare batteries, insect repellent (high DEET content is best), swim suit, suntan lotion factor 15+ / aftersun, lipbalm.
Rafting: Long-sleeved shirts and cotton trousers, long sleeve thermal top, wet suit boots (or old trainers or Tevas & socks), change of clothes (light weight and long sleeved including a fleece jacket)
Trekking: Shorts, tee-shirts, warm fleece or down jacket, thermal underwear, warm hat, gloves, scarf, sweater (available in Cusco), waterproof raincoat & trousers, socks / underwear, trekking trousers, after trekking trousers & t-shirt, good / well worn -in walking boots, after trek shoes (sandals), ski poles & protective covers (optional), poncho and rucsack cover (optional)
Personal gear: Binoculars (optional), camera & spare film 100 & 400 (optional), pocket knife, book, notepaper & pen (optional), money belt, personal toilet kit, spare glasses / lenses, personal first aid kit to include, painkillers, plasters (band-aids), moleskin, anti-biotic cream, general anti-biotics (ask your GP), after-bite (tiger balm), anti-diarrhoea tablets, throat lozenges, re-hydration salts & personal medication.
Recommended reading
The White Rock by Hugh Thomson
Running the Amazon by Joe Kane
Exploring Cusco by Peter Frost
The Inca Trail by Richard Danbury
Field guide to the birds of Machu Picchu by Barry Walker
Neo-tropical companion by John C Kricher
Exploration Fawcett - Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett (Century 1988)
The bridge of San Luis Rey by Thorton Wilder
Conquest of the Incas by John Hemmingway
Into the forests of the night by John Simpson
Touching the void by Joe Simson
Heart of the Amazon – Yossi Ghinsberg
Inca Kola – Matthew Paris
Inca Gold by Clive Cussler
Realm of the Incas – Max Milligan
And lastly…
The “Inca Explorer” travels through a remote and rarely visited part of Peru and we believe our clients should be aware that the remoteness that makes the Apurimac river so very special could also cause certain problems. Thus, whilst we endeavour to minimise the chances of anything unexpected happening, it has to be noted that no itinerary can or should be rigidly adhered to. This is the very nature of Adventure Travel and we expect our clients to be prepared for delays and slight alterations in our programmed events.
Should our guides deem the rafting portion of the Rio Apurimac to be too high to be safely navigated we reserve the right to offer an alternative river. Rapids deemed too dangerous to safely run are portaged, the decision of the river guide is final in these circumstances. We also reserve the right to run the program in reverse if conditions make this necessary. Also last minute changes to international flights, internal flight and excess baggage rules are out of our control.
In all cases we will advise you of any changes in the itinerary as early as possible. We have taken all these possibilities into account when planning this expedition and have allowed sufficient leeway to enable us to successfully run this exceptional trip.
You should also be aware that adventure travel, in particular trekking, white-water rafting, inflatable canoeing, mountain biking and travelling in remote areas such as Southern Peru, does carry with it certain inherent risks that you, the client, will have to assume. You will have to take out adequate travel insurance to cover these risks and any costs incurred due to sickness, delayed flights and other factors out of our control.
A pre-departure meeting will be held on arrival in Cusco. It is highly recommended you attend. All clients will be asked to sign a release and waiver form and must provide a photocopy of their passport, Peru entry stamp and details of their travel insurance.
|
