PIE20: INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU VIA LLACTAPATA (2 DAYS/1 NIGHT)

DESTINATION

Machu Picchu

Starts in:	Cusco
Ends in	Cusco

MIN:	MAX:
2	10
LEVEL:	Modarate
PRICE:	US$ 267
IS IT FOR ME?
This Inca Trail will provide a more solitary trek than the classic trails and will, as a result, be more likely to bring out your inner adventurer. This new camino, which was recently discovered, offers a long and tranquil trek , passing Inca ruins left in the same state as they were found many years ago. The Iack of tourists on the trail means you will not experience that feeling of being among the herd, and you will also penetrate the Peruvian jungle, surrounded by orchids and brooks.

SUMMARY

Llactapata is a religious and ceremonial center, which was discovered in 1912 by Hiram Bingham. In 2003 a group of American explorers, who were researching notes from Hiram Bingham´s Lost City of the Incas, came to Llactapata to unearth what they suspected was another network of ceremonial and agricultural sites high above the Urubamba, just a stones throw from Machu Picchu. Using modern methods such as GPS, aerial photography and topographic maps, the exploration team, backed by the Royal Geographic Society in London, combined technology with some good old fashioned manual graft, hacking their way through dense cloud forest to discover what Bingham had not been able to prove, the existence of walls, plazas and more than 80 buildings similar in layout, to the sun temple of Coricancha. Thanks to the efforts of the Thomson-Ziegler Andean Research Expedition, we have been able to open up the the Inca trail from Lucmabamba to Llactapata. This two day, one night trek involves camping in Llactapata overlooking Machu Picchu. The wonderful landscapes thrown up on this route are complimented by the sound of wild parrots and picaflores among many others. Llactapata is known as The Viewpoint because you can observe the citadel of Machu Picchu very clearly, as well as the sacred mountain of the Apu Salkantay.

ITINERARY
The major bonus of this trek is that it is available all year round, unlike the Classic Inca trek, which is full until September. Its relatively recent discovery means that the tourist hourdes have yet to flood this beautiful trail and its unmatched settings. Through jungle path and mountain trail, your senses will be dazzled and unjaded by the flock of travellers. Day 01 Your guide will collect you early from your hotel in Cusco and take you by minibus towards the town of Santa Maria (a four hour trip approximately) before changing buses in Santa Teresa (one hour more). On the way you can drink in the Peruvian mountains before arriving at the jungle´s edge, where you can observe a variety of fruit trees and colourful indigenous flowers. Arriving at the town of Santa Teresa for lunch (a box lunch, which is provided by us), you will continue to the town of Lucmabamba by car (2085 meters) before walking to the religious centre of Llactapata, where the adventure starts. The long walk along the Inca Trail towards the center of Llactapata (2740 meters) involves a meandering road, which arrives at the 2800 meter pass, before descending to Llactapata, where you will enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime view of Machu Picchu and the sacred mountains. In Llactapata, we will settle down for the night at our chosen campsite at dusk. The silhouette of jagged peaks, framed by the sinking sun provides a mesmorizing spectacle before dinner which includes the native mate tea. Day 02 An early rise before eating a hearty breakfast and appreciating the sunrise, you will then continue towards Machu Picchu before traversing the trail on a two hour descent to the hydro-electric train station. We will take the train from the station to Aguas Calientes, a 40 minute trip. Here the bus will take you up to the glorious citadel of Machu Picchu, which for some is the pinnacle of the trip. The guide will give you a broad explanation of this archaeological center, for approximately two hours, before you will be released to explore the citadel on your own for as long as you want. In the afternoon, you will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, then the train back to Ollantaytambo where you will be bussed back to Cusco. Important note: We highly recomment that you book this trip at least three weeks in advance. For more photos, click here: http://picasaweb.google.com/peruincredible/Pie20IncaTrailToMachuPicchuViaLlactapata To see our blog and videos about this tour, click here: http://pie-peru.blogspot.com
INCLUDED		NOT INCLUDED
Transport: Cusco to Santa Teresa Professional Trek guide. 1 lunch box on the first day. 1 dinner on the first day. 1 lunch on the second day. Tents and mats Train ticket to Aguas Calientes Entrance to Machu Picchu Bus down and up to Aguas Calientes Train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Bus Ollantaytambo to Cusco		Breakfast on the first day. Hot springs on the second day. Tips Sleeping bag Walking sticks
NOTES		TESTIMONIALS

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PIE20: INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU VIA LLACTAPATA (2 DAYS/1 NIGHT)