Spanish & the Inca Trail
This two week trip combines our one-week Survival Spanish course in picturesque Cusco with trekking the famous Inca Trail to the magical ruins of Machu Picch
The beautiful colonial city of Cusco is an ideal base to spend a bit of time, whether you are taking some time off from traveling, starting your journey here or are coming here for the language course and trek only. Travelling in South America is much easier once you have mastered the language and learning Spanish in Cusco offers you the chance to learn Spanish and explore Cusco’s beautiful surroundings at the same time!
Nobody can leave Cusco without paying a visit to the Lost City of the Incas, which is why, after a week of learning the basics of Spanish, you are off to hike one of the most famous treks in the world, following the footsteps of the ancient Inca to Machu Picchu.
The Survival Spanish course
Various levels of Spanish courses are offered but for those with no previous knowledge and limited time our one week Survival Spanish course is just the thing to get you started. You will have four hours of lessons a day, consisting of 2 hours of grammar and 2 hours of conversation and you can schedule them at hours to suit you, from 8am to 8pm. In 20 hours of Survival Spanish you will learn the basics to get you started.
You will learn to express yourself in present, past and future and will learn a range of vocabulary that will allow you to have small talk after only a week. Special emphasis is put on topics that are of great importance when travelling, such as food, restaurants, hotels, shopping, clothes, weather, orientation, family, etc.
Homestay or Guesthouse Accomodation
We recommend staying with local host families, as it allows you to practise your Spanish after classes and in everyday situations, which is especially important as you only have a limited time to learn. Furthermore, by living with a local family you will have the unique chance to experience their customs, traditions and way of life – a great insight into a new culture!
However, we can adapt the programme to suit your wishes and if you would rather stay in one of the many cosy guesthouses or hotels we can arrange that for you, no problem. Please ask us for more information.
Itinerary - Day 1
You are met on arrival in Lima and taken to your central hotel. Depending on your flight times there might still be time to explore Lima a little further and experience the hustle and bustle of the city.
Day 2
Time to leave to Lima and fly to Cusco, in the Inca heartland. It is impossible to resist the charms of this picturesque colonial city, with its many squares and cobbles streets and its relaxed atmosphere. You will be met at the airport and will be accompanied to the school to co-ordinate your classes before meeting your host family. (B/D)
Day 3 to 7
For the next 5 days you will have 4 hours of Spanish per day. However, it is not all about studying, which is why we ensure there are plenty of activities available to you in your free time. Included in our price is a City Tour of Cusco as well as a Salsa Lesson, which is a fun way to meet other students. Also available (for a small extra charge payable locally) are Peruvian cooking classes, craft workshops, local guided walks and Quechua lessons, the language of the Inca. It will be difficult to get bored with so much on offer.(B/L/D)
Day 8
After a week of studying the weekend has arrived and it is time to explore Cusco’s surroundings. Our day trip to the beautiful Sacred Valley takes you out into the countryside and gives you a real insight into rural Peru. You will stop at various little villages along the way, such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo, the nearby ruins and fortresses, the well preserved circular Inca terraces of Moray and the Maras salt flats - a great day out and a taste of what is to come in the next few days! Tonight is your last night withyour host family, it will be time to say Good Bye early tomorrow morning. (B/D)
Day 9
We pick you up early for the 3 hour journey to the start of the Inca Trail. From the road there are great views of the Cordillera Urubamba mountain range and the snow capped peak of Veronica 5860m.
We start the trek at Chilca and follow the trail along the river bank until we reach a eucalyptus grove and Llactapata further uphill - the first major ruins on the route. Vast retaining walls have converted the steeply sloping hillside into agricultural terraces: an amazing sight.
Just below Llactapata the Río Cusichaca takes a spectacular plunge into the ground and runs through a subterranean channel for some way. The trail climbs steeply out of the ruins over a low pass, and the hike up the valley begins. After about an hour you’ll reach a bridge, putting you on the other side of the valley, and will continue on to the village of Huayllabamba (3,000m). By this time it is likely to be very hot and you will welcome the cold drinks at the village. First night camp with basic facilities. (B/L/D)
Day 10
After breakfast we set off towards the Llullucha valley. After walking steeply upwards for about 11/2 hours you will drop down to a grassy clearing, where you enter the woods - first scrub, then very beautiful cloudforest where the trees are hung with moss. These fairy-tale woods will help keep your mind off the fact that you are still going steeply uphill with no sign of respite.
Eventually, however, the trees become more stunted and you emerge into a meadow, Llulluchapampa from where you can see the ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ (4,198m) ahead of you. It will take you about 11/2 hours to climb to the top of the pass. This is the highest point on the trail, so take heart – if you survive this, you’ll survive the other passes.
Take time to look around you and you should be able to pick out the circular ruins of Runkuracay ahead, just below the next pass. The descent is steep but not difficult. Just follow the trail on the left side of the valley to the valley floor and the next designated campsite at Pacamayo (3,600m). Nearby are some huts with basic toilets and sinks built by the INC. 12 km hike. (B/L/D)
Day 11
After a first our of walking this morning you reach the ruins of Runkuracay, occupying a commanding position overlooking the valley. From here the path is clear over the second pass (Abra de Runkuracay, 4,000m) and, excitingly, much of the time you are on Inca steps.
Next up are the Sayacmarca ruins, ‘the Inaccessible or Secret City’, which you approach via a superbly designed stone staircase. This is a diversion but don’t let fatigue persuade you to miss it. The trail then continues down to the valley and becomes a glorious Inca Road, with stone paving on raised stone foundations, steps and a gentle gradient which make for easy walking. As you climb to the the third pass (3700m) you will have a view of Salkantay on a clear day. Just below the pass, about 2 hours from Sayacmarca, are the impressive ruins of Phuyupatamarca.
An Inca staircase leads from the west side of the ruins (the far end from the baths) and disappears into the jungle, leading you down a thousand steps. You’ll think that your knees will never feel the same again. The trek comes at the hostel nearby the ruins of Huiñay Huayna (Wiñay Wayna), the most extensive ruins so far. This is the last camping spot before Machu Picchu and it is often very full. Basic camping facilities. There is a small restaurant. Beer! This is also the last place to fill up with water before Machu Picchu itself. 15km hike. (B/L/D)
Day 12
Machu Picchu is only 1 ½ hours away and most people have a very early start as they try to leave Wiñay Wayna by 5.30am so they can get to the ruins before sunrise. The sky starts getting light by 6am and the first rays of the sun reach Machu Picchu around 7am. The trail contours a mountainside and disappears into cloudforest full of begonias, bromeliads and tree ferns, before coming to a steep flight of stairs leading up to the first Inca gate. The path continues to the main gate, Intipunku – ‘the Gateway of the Sun’ – and suddenly the whole of Machu Picchu is spread out before you. A magical moment.
When we arrive there is plenty of time to take photos of Machu Picchu. We walk down through the site to the main entrance where you can safely leave your backpacks. You can also use the toilet and have a drink in the restaurant just outside the entrance. We head back into the site for a complete tour of the major sectors of Machu Picchu. The tour takes about 2 hours so by about mid-morning you'll be free to continue to explore the ruins alone.
The train back to Cusco leaves from Aguas Calientes, the nearest village to the ruins of Machu Picchu, at approximately 16:30 and you get back into Cusco for about 21:00. (B)
Day 13
A free day in Cusco is just what you need after 4 days of trekking! Time to relax and spoil yourself a little – maybe a nice meal in one of the many restaurants, a cup of coffee overlooking the main square, a stroll over the market and some souvenir shopping. Or if Machu Picchu has whet your appetite for Incan Culture, why not visit the Museo Inka, which will give you all the background and information you need to know. (B)
Day 14
For those who have regained their energy there is the possibility to go rafting on the Urubamba river (full day, 3 hours in the water) – a truly fun and exciting way to spend a day. Or if you would like to re-visit the Sacred valley, but this time in a more active way, come biking with us and spend a few hours in the saddle, stopping at the ruins and enjoying the mountain scenery for a last time. These activities are at an additional cost, please ask.
Day 15
Time to say farewell, after an action- and fun packed two weeks. You will fly back to Lima in the morning and can connect to your flight home. Or continue travelling with your brand new language skills.
You could extend your trip visiting the Amazon.
Check out our Peru group trips, or our many tailor made Peru options. You can always contact the office for more information on tailor made and group options.
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