Peru – discover its secrets with us

Transfer by bus to Huaraz (8 hours). A walk around the city. Overnight stay at a hotel.

We will spend the day acclimatizing. Possibility of optional excursions in the area of ​​Huaraz (3100 m). Overnight stay at a hotel.

1 day of trekking : Huaraz – Cashapampa (2,850 m) – Llamacorral (3,750 m)

Early morning drive (approx. 2.5 hours) from Huaraz to Cashapampa village. Here, the luggage will be loaded onto the mules and we start trekking in the Huascaran National Park. On the first day we have about 5 hours of walking to the Llamacorral camp.

2nd day of trekking: Llamacorral – Taullipampa (4 200m)

Waking up with a hot cup of tea to the tent. After breakfast, we move through the beautiful valley towards the next camp. We walk along the river and the lake, and along the way the magnificent peaks of Santa Cruz, Quitaraju and Artesonraju are revealed. We will also go off the main trail to admire the snow-covered Alpamayo up close. The walking time for this day is about 7 hours.

Trekking day 3: Taullipampa – Punta Unión Pass (4750 m) – Cachinapampa (3700 m)

After breakfast, we climb for about 3 hours to the highest point of the trek, Punta Unión. From the pass we will admire vast panoramas – the Santa Cruz valley to the west and the Huaripampa valley to the east. It used to be an important route connecting the eastern Andes with the main valley. The descent to the Cachinapampa camp will take us about 5 hours. And on the way we will pass an interesting kenual forest (Quenuales).

Trekking day 4: Cachinapampa – Vaqueria (3900 m)

On the last day we will pass through the village of Huaripampa, where the locals greet us with joyful “Buenos Dias!” and “Hola,¿qué tal?”. The road to Vaqueria will take us about 3 hours. From here we will return to Huaraz by bus. We still have a drive through the Portachuelo Pass (4767 m) and along the beautiful lakes of Llanganuco (5h). In Huaraz, it’s time to relax and shop – we recommend products made of alpaca wool 😉 Overnight at the hotel

Return by bus to Lima (8-9 hours). Overnight stay at a hotel.

Flight from Lima to Cuzco. Afternoon sightseeing of Cuzco and the surrounding area, incl. the imposing walls of Sacsayhuaman Fortress. In the city center we will look at Plaza de Armas, and then we will go to Qorikancha – a complex of Inca temples. And in the evening we will walk through the narrow streets between the original Inca walls merging into a magical whole with the colonial buildings. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Cusco – Km 82 – Miskay – Huayllabamba (3000 m)

Drive (approx. 2 hours) from Cuzco to the KM82 checkpoint. Here, documents and permits are checked (only 500 people can enter the route per day) and we start trekking. A slight ascent along the Urubamba River diversifies the view of the snow-capped Mount Veronica. For lunch we will stop in the village of Miskay from where you can also admire the archaeological complex of Llactapata.

We continue to the hamlet of Huayllabamba, where we will stay at the camp. We spend the night in tents. The length of the route on this day is 12 km, and the walking time is about 6 hours.

Huayllabamba (3,000 m) – Warmihuanusca (4,205 m) – Pacaymayo (3,590 m)

For many, this day is the most interesting and scenic. We will start with the approach to Ayapata, and then, along the Llullucha River, we will traverse the trail through the densely covered forest called “Tres Piedras”. A steep section with old Inca stairs leads us to the place of Llulluchapampa, and from here it is the last ascent to the Warmihuanuska Pass (Dead Woman Pass, 4205 m). This is the highest point on the Inka Trail, from which there are views of the beautiful snow-covered massif of Mount Veronica. After resting, we will descend into the valley to the Pacaymayo camp (3590 m). On this day we will cover about 9 km, and the walking time is 7 hours.

Pacaymayo – Runcuracay (3950 m) – Chaquicocha – Winiayhuayna (2650 m)

We leave the camp to climb the Runcuracay Pass, passing round ruins along the way and admiring the views of the neighboring mountains. The descent leads near Lake Qomercocha to the ruins of Sayaqmarka (3600m). The stone path leads among the varied vegetation typical of cloud forests (bromeliads, bamboo, orchids, ferns). We pass by the archaeological complexes of Konchamarka and Chaquicocha (3650 m), and further stone steps lead to a tunnel carved in the rock. A well-deserved stop awaits us at the Puyupata Pass (3660 m). To descend to today’s Wiñaywayna camp (2700 m) we will climb steep Inca stairs, and on the way we will visit the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (3600 m). Overnight in tents.

Trekking time is 7-8 hours, and we will cover about 13.5 km of the road.

Winiayhuayna (2650m) – Machu Picchu (2400m) – Aguas Calientes – Cuzco

After a very early breakfast (around 5:00 am) we set off towards the Gate of the Sun (Inti Punku, 2680 m). The crossing itself will take us about 2 hours. From here, in the first rays of the sun, we will see Machu Picchu. We will gently descend to the gates of the complex to complete the formalities, and then return to the main city. A guided tour of the archaeological complex will take us about 2 hours. There will also be free time.
ATTENTION: People who want to climb Huayna Picchu (steep path, secured with chains in some places) or Machu Picchu must report it well in advance (preferably at the time of booking) in order to purchase the appropriate tickets (additionally payable).
We will go down to the town of Aguas Calientes by bus, where there will be time for lunch (on your own). We will return to the town of Ollantaytambo by the famous railway, from where the bus will take us further to the hotel to Cuzco.

After returning from the Inca Trail, we have a full day to rest and recuperate in Cuzco. This is a perfect day for optional trips around the area, if you still feel unsatisfied (there are plenty of attractions in the area). You can also just walk around the city, drink a mate de coca in a local cafe and enjoy the atmosphere of the narrow stone streets.

We will start the day early, at 4 am. The first stop on our route to Puno will be the Rainbow Mountains. And in fact, it is Mount Vinicunca, which has been popular for a short time, because only since 2016. The mountain of seven colors “Montaña de siete colores” got its nickname because of the minerals contained in the rock (compounds of sulfur, magnesium and iron). As a result of their weathering, the undulating slopes acquire surprising and unusual colors, and the folding itself makes them resemble a rainbow.

Slightly tired from trekking, we will continue and visit the amazing church in the town of Andahuaylillas, called the Sistine Chapel of America. There is a small museum next door where you can see mummies with deformed skulls. Next, we will stop to see the archaeological complex of Raqchi and the La Raya Pass, where the watershed between the Atlantic basin and the landlocked area of ​​Lake Titicaca runs. The snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcanota tower over it. In the evening, a walk through the colorful streets of Puno. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Today’s trip will start with a cruise on the highest navigable lake in the world – Lake Titicaca. We will visit the famous floating islands made entirely of reeds. We will get to know the customs of the Uros people and find out how reed islands stay on the surface of the water. For those willing, there will be an additional opportunity to sail in a traditional reed boat.

After returning to Puno we will have some time for lunch and a walk. Then we will drive from Puno to Chivay. The journey will take approximately 7 hours. On the way we will stop at the Lagunillas viewpoint. Depending on the time of arrival in Chivay, it will be possible to drive to La Calera and bathe in hot springs (optional). Overnight at a hotel on the outskirts of Chivay.

Early in the morning we will go to the Condor’s Cross viewpoint. While walking along the edge of the Colca Canyon, we will observe condors. On the way back to Chivay, we will stop at several viewpoints and interesting places. After lunch in Chivay, we will drive to Arequipa. Overnight stay at a hotel.

Rafting on the Rio Chili River. In the afternoon we have free time.

Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru. It is located on the shore of the volcanic Cordillera, with the perfect cone of the El Misti volcano in the background. The center is dominated by colonial buildings made of white volcanic rock, silar, the color of which gave Arequipa the nickname – White City. We will see the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, the Jesuit Church, visit the unique monastery of St. Catherine. Optionally, you can also visit the Museum of Andean Sanctuaries, where Juanita’s mummy is kept. At the “mercado” we will taste delicious juices and other Peruvian specialties, and in the evening we recommend listening to Andean rhythms in a local restaurant. Night drive to Nazca.

Arrival in Nazca in the morning. It is here that the plateau is located, where you can admire the famous goeglyphs – huge drawings carved on it.
For volunteers (optionally) the possibility of flying a light aircraft over the Nazca Lines (the flight takes place depending on weather conditions).

Alternatively, you can also visit the Chauchilla Cemetery. Its history dates back to the late period of the Nazca culture, about 1,200 years ago. In the depths of the desert, about 30 kilometers from the city, the pre-Columbian inhabitants of these areas left dozens of tombs. Although valuable ornaments disappeared from them a long time ago, mainly due to thieves, the wonderfully preserved mummies still make a great impression on visitors to this place.
Transfer to Lima (7.5 hours). Overnight stay at a hotel.

On the last day we will spend about 2 hours on a guided tour of Lima and the last shopping. In the afternoon transfer to the airport and flight to Poland.

Back to the country.