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Machu Picchu / Photography Expedition 2007

Trip Code: Photography Expedition
Price per person in US$2,250.00 *
Number of days: 10 days
* Airfair not include in the price

Description

Peru and Bolivia offer a wealth of Spanish colonial cathedrals, Indian culture, Inca temples, and a breathtaking Andean vistas. Exlore the magnificent old capital of Cuzco and visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas. And be ready to Travel The Inca Trail with Brendan Regan and Rolando Arburola.

Itinerary

DAY 1. UNITED STATES-PERU.
Arrive in Lima and transfer to Miraflores Park Plaza Hotel.
Lodging: Sonesta Posada del Inca Miraflores, Lima.
In: Saturday, August 18th, 2007. Out: Sunday, August 19th, 2007
Meals: Not Included.

DAY 2. LIMA-CUSCO
Lodging: Sonesta Posada del Inca Cuzco.
Cusco altitude 12,562 feet

Fly to Cuzco, with its fascinating mix of Inca and colonial Spanish architecture. You will visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodworks, altars and painting. Then you will be driven to the Inca fortress of Sacsahuaman, to the underground cave and temple of Kenko and to Tambomachay, known as the Baths of the Inca.
In Sunday, August 19th, 2007. Out Monday, August 20th, 2007.
Meals: Breakfast.

PISCACUCHO KM 82 / 2,680 M-8,790 FT

DAY 3. HIKE #1
Monday, August 20th, 2007
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Depart early in the morning from the hotel in Cuzco and travel by train to Km 82 (9,072 ft),
Porters will carry your baggage. We soon arrive at Llactapata, a group of Inca terraces and sacred sites. Following the River Cusichaca (Bridge of Happiness), we have views of Veronica Mountain (19,000 ft). Starting to climb, we camp at Llulluchapampa (9,679 ft). This depends on the speed of the group.

The Incas, when they conquered the area, built a fort here since the site commanded an excellent view up and down the Urubamba valley. This controlled the entrance to the Cusichaca valley. It is a simple descent down to the Cusichaca river. From parts of this trail there are great views of the Cordillera Urubamba (Urubamba Mountain Range) and the snow capped peak of Veronica.

From here you'll get a great view over the extensive Inca ruins of Llactapata (also known as Patallacta on some maps). Llactapata means "upper town" in Quechua and was first discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. This was primarily an agricultural station used to supply Machu Picchu with maize, the staple crop of the Incas. The settlement comprised over one hundred buildings, houses for the workers and soldiers, including five baths.

DAY 4. HIKE #2
HIKE WAYLLABAMBA TOPACAMAYO 12 KMS OR 6 MILES

Tuesday, August 21st, 2007
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

From Pacamayo it takes about an hour to climb up to the ruins of Runkaracay. These small circular ruins occupy a commanding position overlooking the Pacamayo valley below . Another 45 minute hike will bring you to the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you'll feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most part being original. This section of the trail, up until the 3rd pass, is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep precipices. After about an hour from the 2nd pass you'll arrive at Sayacmarca by way of a superbly designed stone staircase. The name Sayacmarca means 'Inaccessible Town' and describes the position of the ruins perfectly protected on three sides by sheer cliffs. No one knows the exact purpose of these ruins.

You have to backtrack a little to re join the trail as it passes Conshmarca, a small Inca dwelling situated in the shadows of Sayacmarca, which was probably a a rest stop for weary travelers on their way to Machu Picchu. From then on the path descends into magnificent cloud forest full of orchids, hanging mosses, tree ferns and flowers, passing through an impressive Inca tunnel, carved into the rock, on the way.

The trail then climbs up to the 3rd pass (3,700m). The view from the pass offers excellent views of several snow-capped peaks including Salkantay (6,180m) and Veronica (5,750m). A few minutes after the pass is Phuyupatamarca, the most impressive Inca ruin so far. The name means 'Town in the Clouds' . Access to the ruins is down a steep flight of stairs passing six 'Inca Baths" probably used for the ritual worship of water. Leaving the site via an impressive Inca staircase leading from the west side of the ruins (the far end of the baths) you descend a thousand or so steps.

After about an hour of walking through cloud forest you may just be able to see the tin roof of the Trekkers Hostel at Winay Wayna although it probably won't be for another 2 hours before you arrive.

Wiñay Wayna ( 8, 695 ft) is the last official campsite before Machu Picchu. There is a restaurant where you can purchase drinks and even a well deserved beer, as well as hot showers ($1.5) and toilets. A short trail leaves the southern end of the hostel to the ruins of Winay Wayna. The name in Quechua means 'forever young' and is named after a variety of pink orchid which grows here. The ruins comprise magnificent agricultural terraces set in an impressive location. There are also many buildings of good quality stonework and a sequence of 10 baths, suggesting that the site was probably a religious center associated with the worship of water. Ritual cleansing may have taken place here for pilgrims on the final leg of the trail to Machu Picchu.

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