The Viracocha Adventure

Discover The Best Of The Incas

Cusco (the historic capital of the Inca Empire) and its exciting surroundings will be the focus of this incredible trip.  We will visit historic attractions such as Pisac, Ollantaytambo, The Sacred Valley and the Machu Picchu ruins.

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Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arriving in Lima

We will be waiting for you at the Peru Airport arrivals, right outside the baggage claim area to take you to your hotel for a repairing rest after a full day of traveling.

• Overnight: Hotel
• Meals: None
• Elevation: Sea Level

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Day 2: Arriving in Cusco

 

We want to be in Cusco early, so we need to leave Lima early. After breakfast, Inca Runners will take you back to the Lima Airport to catch our flight to Cusco.  We should be landing around noon (approximately a one-hour flight).

After checking into our hotel and having lunch shortly after, we will go on a city tour, where we will visit the main ruin sites that surround the city of Cusco.

Our first dinner in Cusco will be in a magical downtown restaurant, beginning your Peruvian cultural experience with a Pisco Sour, appetizers and soft Andean live music.

 

• Overnight: Hotel
• Meals: B,L,D
• Elevation: 11500 ft / 3300 mt

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Day 3: Sacred Valley

 

• Optional: Early morning hike or run: 6 - 8:30am

 

After having breakfast, we will go on a 45-minute drive in our private van heading to the Sacred Valley city entrance.  Our first stop will be the town of Pisac.

Pisac hosts one of the most impressive ruins of the Inca Empire. These ruins are located right above town, on the top of a small mountain.  You can either join the group for a one-hour hike (or 45-minute run), or ride the van to the top.  Pisac is also famous for its craft market, featuring textiles, ceramic, wood-carved art, and more.

We will stop for a snack at one of the oldest local bakeries in the area to try its famous calzones along with a fine glass of Peruvian red wine.  This will be followed by an incredible lunch at an outdoor restaurant located along the sunny Sacred Valley.

After a one-hour drive, we will arrive to our next destination, the town of Ollantaytambo.  Ollantantaytambo hosts an impressive ruin site - A military fort that overlooks the Sacred Valley.  Breathtaking views from this place are guaranteed!

Ollantaytambo is the entry door to Machu Picchu. We will stay overnight in Ollantaytambo, recharge our batteries, and get ready for a fun and exciting day in Machu Picchu!

 

• Overnight: Hotel
• Meals: B, L, D
• Elevation: 9000 ft / 2850 mt

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Day 4: Run / Hike to Machu Picchu

 

After breakfast, we will go on a short 30-minute train ride from Ollantaytambo to the starting point of our two-day run / hike on the Inca Trail.  After signing the park ranger’s book, we will be ready to go!

The trail is well-marked and wide, and although the first part is a steady uphill, there are no significant altitude changes all the way up to Machu Picchu. Several ruins along the way will give us clues that Machu Picchu is around the corner.

After a 4-5 hour run and hike, we will set up camp just a couple of miles from Machu Picchu.

Great dinner, wine, conversation and a good night's sleep prelude the exciting days ahead.

 

• Overnight: Camp
• Meals: B, L, D
• Elevation: 8000 ft / 2400 mt

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Day 5: Full Day in Machu Picchu

 

The goal today is to chase the sunrise on Machu Picchu at the Sun Gate. We will experience this sight just as the Incas did everyday.

Once at the ruins, our guide will tour us around the site and tell us of their history.  Afterwards, there’s an optional climb up to the top of the Huayna Picchu mountain. This is where you can take the best images of Machu Picchu.

After leaving Machu Picchu, we’ll head down to the small town of Aguas Calientes for a well-deserved lunch.  We will then take a comfortable ride back to Ollantaytambo on the Vista Dome trains.  Finally, we will take a bus ride to Cusco.

Once in Cusco, we will finish the day with a magnificent dinner and live Andean shows.

 

• Overnight: Hotel
• Meals: B, L, D
• Elevation: 11500 ft / 3300 mt

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Day 6 – Full Day in Cusco

 

After breakfast, you can either enjoy our planned adventures around the city, or just take the day off and discover Cusco by yourself and do some shopping.

The day's planned adventures include:

• An early morning trail run or hike around the ruins in Cusco, followed by a yoga session and a fully-served breakfast in the ruins.
• A half-day mountain-bike ride throughout the Archeological Park above the city of Cusco. We will have the chance to revisit the same ruins that we visited on our first day in Cusco.

If you join us for one of the day's planned adventures, you will have lunch with us. If you decide to explore the city of Cusco, you will have lunch on your own (which will be reimbursed later).

Our last dinner in Cusco will be magical and unforgettable in one of the best restaurants that Cusco and Peru have to offer, where you will enjoy our famous cuisine.

 

• Overnight: Hotel
• Meals: B, L, D
• Elevation: 11500 ft / 3300 mt

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Day 7: Tour in Lima and Fly Back Home

 

After an early breakfast, we will catch our flight back to Lima around mid-morning.  Once in Lima, and after a short 20-minute drive, we’ll take you to the ancient ruins of Pachacamac.  We will take you for lunch to an award-winning outdoor restaurant located near the ruins.

Finally, we will check in our hotel in Lima, rest for the day, and head to the airport to catch our flight back home.

 

• Overnight: None
• Meals: B,L
• Elevation: Sea Level

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