Summary

Peru: Apurimac / Inca Trail / Machu Picchu Combo

Prices From	USD$ $2,950.00
1st Departure	01.01.0001
Provider	Bio Bio Expeditions
Destination	Peru
Duration	12 days
Challenge	Intermediate
Avg Rating	Not Rated

Welcome into the living past: "Step by step, hill by hill Neruda ascends the stair-stepped cordillera of the Andes, until he reaches the enchanted citadel of the Incas where only ghosts of the past and majestic condors dwell." As author Isabel Allende describes the arrival of the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda; we too arrive in Cusco, the capital of the Incas ready to embark on an insightful and personal journey. We have two days to wander the maze of ancient streets and marvel at the impressive Inca walls and Spanish colonial architecture. Our colonial 4-star hotel is our retreat while we acclimate to the high altitude and prepare ourselves for the active days to come.

After a scenic drive into the cordillera, we arrive at river put-in, deep in the rugged Apurimac river canyon and launch the rafts for our 3-day journey down the Class 3-5 Apurimac whitewater. Each night we camp on sandy beaches under the sliver of sky afforded by this steep, dramatic rock canyon. We scout the important rapids and plunge down mile after mile of exciting, technical whitewater. When we finally arrive at a break in the canyon's grandeur, we meet our vehicle and drive back for a welcome night of comfort and hot showers in Cusco.Please note if you are not a rafter, we have a long list of other options which you may subsitute for the rafting trip.

Early morning finds us traveling to Kilometer 77, the start of our Inca Trail trek. While the whole of Peru is criss crossed with Inca trails, this trail is the most famous of all - because it ends at stunning Machu Pichu. We hike an average of 8 miles a day, over 2 high Andean passes, with porters carrying all the gear. A daypack is all you need. Our tents are set up by our camp staff and dinners are enjoyed in a comfortable dinning tent. After 4 days on the trail, we arrive to Machu Picchu via the sungate. There are no words to adequately describe the feeling of arriving at Machu Picchu by foot, the way the ancients did. We spend the night at a beautiful hotel in Aguas Calientes and arise early the next day for a full day of exploring the ruins with our knowledgeable guide. We return to Cusco by train in time for a festive farewell dinner toasting a wonderful adventure in Peru. (If you do not want to raft we have many other options which may be substituted for the rafting trip.)

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Cusco, Peru. This usually requires departing the USA on the previous day. You will be met at the Cusco airport by a Bio Bio Expeditions representative who will take you to your hotel. Please be sure Bio Bio Expeditions has your complete flight and arrival information.

Day 2

Everyone has the opportunity to explore Cusco and acclimatize to the 11,000-foot elevation. A two-hour excursion up to the ruins called Sacsayhuaman is led by one of our local guides. 20,000 men were employed in the construction of this site over a period of fifty years. Here at Sacsayhuaman, you will see stone blocks 8.5 meters high weighing more than 361 tons. It has been said that these ruins are one of the most astounding megalithic structures of the ancient world; however, these ruins are only a preview of what you will see at Machu Picchu! For today’s dining, you are on your own to choose from one of the many tipico restaurants around town. Cusco is a shopper’s paradise, where you can choose from a myriad of Peruvian hand crafted goods to bring home as gifts or souvenirs. Overnight stay is at the Hotel Picoagua.

Day 3

Today, the more active part of the adventure begins. We start with a four-hour drive to the put in for the Apurímac River, an upper tributary of the Amazon River. Bio Bio Expeditions has been leading river trips all over the world for the past 11 years. We guide trips on some of the world’s most difficult rivers and have claimed a number of first descents. Guiding people safely down world-class rivers is our specialty, and you’ll be in good hands on this incredible river. Of course, your enthusiastic paddling will greatly enhance the journey! Over the next three days, we will run numerous class 4 rapids and one class 5 rapid in a magnificent gorge. We camp each night on the river, and our guides will keep you happy and satisfied with delicious and abundant meals cooked over an open fire. The Apurímac’s deep granite gorge, inviting white sand beaches and world-class whitewater make this river trip one of the best in the world!

Day 4

Full day of rafting on the river - non-stop whitewater and incredible scenery! Camp another night on one of the Apurímac’s white sand beach under the stars.

Day 5

Four hours of more fun whitewater leads us to our take-out. Lunch will be enjoyed at the take-out as we load up the rafting gear. After a three hour scenic drive back to Cusco, we check into the Hotel Picoagua. You are on your own tonight and can pick from one of the many restaurants in Cusco. If you have energy there are some great places to practice your salsa moves!

Day 6

After a peaceful night’s sleep and a leisurely breakfast we will drive a short distance to prepare for Mountain biking into the Sacred Valley - the perfect active way to see the Peruvian countryside and have some fun at the same time! We have front suspension 2010 Marin mountain bikes and the ride can be tailored to all ability levels.  We begin our biking adventure pedaling along the shore of the beautiful highland Lake Huaypo.  We then begin our downhill cruise at the town of Maras (elev.: 3,500 meters - 11,090 feet) and then continue descending, passing by the archaeological site of Moray – once an important agricultural experimental center.  During the ride you will have ample time to take in the beautiful Andean landscape – including impressive views of the snow-capped peaks of La Verónica (elev. 5,682 meters -18,600 feet) and Chicon. (elev.: 5,530 meters or 18,140 feet)  This ride takes us away from the other tourists and allows us to see the less trodden, real Peru, as we bike on dirt roads and footpaths and visit traditional villages. Half way through our journey we stop for a gourmet picnic and some well deserved rest next to a 16th century Spanish church. We then carry on downhill, following ancient Inca footpaths, eventually reaching the salt mines of Pichingoto. These are not actually mines, but a rather amazing conglomerate of over 3000 evaporation troughs carved into the hillside where the salt-laden silt gathers and becomes gradually distilled into rock salt. This site is very ancient, but was perfected and developed to a high degree by the Incas. Depending on our time, we can either stop and visit this fascinating complex or continue straight through to the bottom of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. This ride is 80% downhill and covers more than 35 miles of stunning countryside - A true Classic! For those with no interest in riding bikes, we can arrange a modified walking tour following the same route. We arrive to our beautiful Sacred Valley hotel in the afternoon leaving plenty of time to relax in the sun.

Day 6

The adventure continues - it's time for the Inca Trail! We take an early morning bus to “Kilometer 77” where the local porters will meet us and load up all the equipment as we start our trek. We will carry daypacks with water, snacks, cameras, and clothes to layer on or off with the temperatures. We visit archeological sights at Wilkaray and pass numerous ancient terracing. Today’s hike is easy going with a gradual incline. Incredible views of the snow capped Wecheywilk. We arrive at camp well below the first pass at 7000 feet. We only hike with light backpacks as we have the help of local porters to carry our heavier camping gear and food. Luckily, we'll be able to call on the strength of the legendary Quechua people whose high altitude accustomed lungs bear the burden more easily than our own. Each night our 4 season tents are set up by the porters and meals are enjoyed in our comfortable dinning tent.

Day 8

We pass through the incredible cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corralpunku, and slowly work our way up the first pass at 14,000 feet. The views are impressive from up here. It’s as if we are finding ourselves on a condor’s perch above the clouds. We then descend down to the ruins at Runkurakay and sleep for the night.

Day 9

We ascend the second pass of 13,000 feet, visiting the archeological sites of Sayacmara located out on the edge of the jungle. We then climb up the final pass on the Inca Trail and spend the night at Peyhupetmarka – (above the clouds) This is one of the more spectacular camp sites found anywhere in the world – On one side you have a perfect view of the impressive 20,000 foot peek of Salcantay and on the other side you look 5000 feet down into the Urabamba river canyon.

Day 10

This is a spectacular day of hiking as we marvel at the engineering feats of the Incas. Stone stairs carved right into the mountain, tunnels and bridges as we descend into the rainforest. We take a 15-minute detour to visit the haunting ruins of Winay Wayna (meaning “Forever young”) where a well deserved cat nap is a welcome afternoon treat. We arrive at the spectacular Sun Gate of Machu Pichu in the golden light of afternoon after the last tourist buses have left the ruins. Machu Picchu, the lost, mysterious city of the Incas lies before us. One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world, Machu Pichu is a perfectly preserved Inca city that was lost in the dense jungle for hundreds of years. This is perhaps the most famous and awe-inspiring of all the ruins discovered in the 20th century. Discovered less than a century ago, Machu Pichu allows us to step back in time and experience the wonder of living in a stone hewn ancient Incan city that continues to mystify scholars with its spectacular engineering. After our brief initial visit we take a bus to the small town of Aguas Calientes nestled in the steep Urubamba river valley. We check into the hotel to rest up and enjoy a delicious dinner with the group at one of the local restaurants.

Day 11

In the morning, we take a bus up the twisty road back to Machu Pichu (those that still have the energy are welcome to hike the steep staircase straight up to the ruins). We spend most of the day at the ruins with our knowledgeable Peruvian guide that will show us all the wonders of Machu Pichu. In the late afternoon, we climb aboard a first class train for a spectacular ride back to Cusco. The train tracks themselves are a miracle of human ingenuity and tenacity. The ride down the mountain will give you ample time to reflect on your journey by foot and provides us with an early evening arrival in Cusco. After freshening up at the Hotel Picoagua, we gather at the lively Inca Grill on the main plaza in town for a delicious and festive farewell dinner. Cheers to a great trip through magical Peru!

Day 12

Today is your departure day from Cusco. Flights generally leave in the morning. This is the official end of your Bio Bio Expeditions adventure. If you want to extend your stay in Peru, additional accommodations can be arranged upon request. If interested, we highly recommend a visit to the rainforest or a 3 day mountain bike in the Sacred Valley.

Gear List

<ul type=circle <li>1 pair of river shorts. By “river shorts”, we mean any quick drying, durable shorts. <li>Polypropylene long sleeve shirt. <li>Polypro long underwear. These will keep you warm when they get wet, and they dry very quickly. <li>River footwear. Tevas, Alps, etc., check out the line of toe-protected river footwear. Wet suit booties also work well, as do old tennis sneakers. <li>1 hat , visor or large brimmed sombrero, with a string. (olé!!) <li>Sunglasses with securing straps. Chums or Croakies. <li>Shoes for camp, river sandals. <li>Long sleeve cotton shirt and long pants. At certain times in the day there are little “no see ums” which may pester you as they try to feed on your blood. Depending on your reaction, they can leave large welts and be very uncomfortable. The best way to avoid the little pests is to stay covered up at all times. Please note the bugs are not always present but be prepared! A head net can also be very useful. <li>Toiletry kit. Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, lotion, bug repellent, medications. <li>Flashlight and or headlamp , extra batteries - the days are 12 hours long on the equator so it will get dark around 6:00 PM. <li>Sleeping bag. A 30-degree bag is warm enough. <li>Sleeping pad. This is very important, and not something you want to skimp on. Thermarest makes a good inflatable pad. Thermarest Lounge chair cover, to turn your pad into a great chair! <li>Camera . A waterproof camera is nice to have for the river trip and your fancy camera is nice to bring on the Inca trail. Don’t forget extra film and a battery for your type of camera. <li>Lotion and sunscreen . Not much Ozone left in the southern hemisphere! <li>Book . There is plenty of time for rest and relaxation, so bring along a book or journal. <li>A favorite poem to share around the campfire is also welcome. </ul>

<ul type=circle <li>Light hiking boots. You do not need to go out and buy a new pair of heavy-duty hiking shoes for the Inca trail. We recommend wearing light hiking shoes. Comfort is very important. If you do buy new shoes, please break them before coming on the trip! <li>Heavy weight hiking socks. There are many varieties of these - pure wool tends to be too scratchy, but there are nice wool/silk/nylon blends that are comfortable, warm, and dry. Experiment with different blends to find the best for you. <li>Hiking shorts with pockets. <li>A belt. <li>One fleece sweat shirt. <li>Two or three tee shirts. <li>Baggy pants or fleece sweatpants. <li>One pair of pants that is comfortable to hike in. <li>Rain jacket. <li>Warm Jacket for nights. The temperature at certain camps can drop below freezing and a warm jacket or multiple layers of fleece are important items to have. <li>Warm hat. As Grandma always said, You can’t heat a house without a roof! Many wool products such as hats, sweaters, and gloves can be purchased very inexpensively in Cusco. <li>A day backpack. For hiking the trail. (A fanny pack is also fine.) You will be asked to carry only the belongings you want to have with you during the day. We recommend that you carry the following items in your daypack: water, energy bar, sunglasses, camera and film, small personal medicine kit with mole skin and tape. We carry a large, complete First Aid kit for the group, but request that you bring a few personal items such as mole skin and other items you use often as well. Also, an extra layer and a warm hat in case the weather turns cool. Having a lightweight rain jacket is also a good idea. <li>H2O bottle (water bottle or camelback) -key item! You should have at least a 2-liter water carrying capacity. <li>Towel - A swimmers chamois towel is preferred by some and saves space. <li>Energy Bars - PRbars, Powerbars, Cliff Bars. Pack a handful of these great fuel boosters! It’s also nice to bring Gatorade packets to add to your water. </ul>

Most flight arrive in the AM and it can be very cool in the morning. Have a sweater or jacket in your carry and be ready for cool starts to each day. In Cusco a pair of Jeans or khakis and a few t-shirts or button down shirts will be sufficient. Comfortable walking shoes, which may be the same shoes you choose to wear on the Inca Trail, are important. Our farewell dinner will be held at a nice restaurant and you will want to come dressed for an evening of dancing and celebration! We recommend that you pack using a duffel bag or a backpack. Your river gear will have to fit into a dry bag and all of your Inca Trail gear will go by porter, except for what you choose to carry with you.

Travel Information

Activity Location

Peru: Cusco Airport
Cusco Airport
Cusco, Peru

Is This Trip For You?

This trip is designed for anyone looking for a multi sport adventure in Peru. If you enjoy adventure sports such as rafting and trekking , this trip is for you. You do not need any previous experience for the rafting portion of the trip. The trek to Machu Picchu is challenging but anyone in decent shape will do fine. Everyone is welcome to walk at their own pace and we never go more than 9 miles in one day. We have trekked with 9 year olds and 75 year olds. If you have the desire we will do our best to make your dream come true.

Food

While in town we stay in beautiful, fun, centrally located hotels and enjoy meals at delicious local restaurants serving fresh, modern interpretations of traditional Peruvian fare. The nomadic camps we create as we move downsteam or hike the ancient trails are very comfortable with spectacular views! We carry a mobile kitchen capable of producing amazing meals. Most importantly, the combination of American and Peruvian guides creates the best situation for learning, laughing, safety and smiles! We invite you to grab a paddle, lace up your hiking boots and dive into Peru for the adventure of a lifetime! We can cater our menu to any diet and always take great pride in our meals. Alcohol is included while on the rafting trip and on the Inca trail. Meals are not included on Day 1 and 2 of the trip. Meals are also not included while in Aguas Calientes.

Money

The local currently is the Solas. Right now the exchange is 3 Solas to the dollar. There are ATM machines in Cusco as well as many “casas de Cambio” You are responsible for lunch and dinner on day 1 and day 2. Other expenses to consider are tips, telephone calls and shopping. There are many beautiful handicrafts to purchase in Cusco. A handmade alpaca sweater will sell for around 35 Solas. If you like South American handicrafts you will be in heaven in Cusco. Tips are dependent on each individual but an average tips is 10% of the trip cost. You can go out for a good meal for less than 10 Solas. Look for the Special lunch “Menu” which can sometime be as inexpensive as 3 solas.

Destination Location

We will visit Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the Apurimac river on this trip. Cusco sits at 11,000 feet in the Central Andes. Machu Picchu is on the jungle side of the Cordillera and the Apurimac is the largest tributary of the Amazon River.

Travel Companions

The maximum group size for this trip is 18. Bio Bio Expeditions has a group organizer discount incentive program. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you want to learn how to get a free trip and help organize a discount for a group of your friends.

Guide(s)

We began running rivers in Peru over 15 years ago and quickly became close "compadres" with the famous "Vellutino brothers". This family of adventurers were some the first whitewater boaters in Peru and continue to lead the way in the whitewater community of Peru and the world. Additionally, we have teamed up with Chando Gonzalez of Cusco who has been running professional river and trekking trips since the early 1970's. We believe it is the close and warm relationships with these fun-loving, hard working Peruvians that makes our trips so successful and memorable. Like Chile, Peru is another "home away from home" for us where we are truly welcomed with open arms and led to some of the country's best, most hidden spots. There are no other guides on the planet with more experience than our Apurimac guides. Our guides are recognized around the world as some of the best in the business They are leaders in the field of whitewater and swiftwater rescue instructors. They travel the world teaching other less experience rafters the latest techniques in whitewater rafting and rescue. They are all class V kayakers and class V rafting guides and have guided rivers in the USA, Peru, Chile, Africa, and Nepal. You will be in good hands with our crew! Our guide to guest ratio is always very low as to make sure everyone gets plenty of personal attention. On the Inca trail we work with A few select hand picked guides that will help make your experience the best possible. They all have University degrees and have majored in Inca History. They understand the delicate balance between self discovery and sharing information. Not only are they able to answer most of your questions about the Inca empire but they are delightful, talented people to be around.

Transportation

You are responsible for getting yourself to Cusco, Peru. If you would like Bio Bio Expeditions so assist you in booking your airfare please do not hesitate to ask. We book with a company called Americas Travel. Cesar, who is one of the owners is from Peru and is more than happy to help you with your booking. They can be reached at 1 888 703 9955. After arrival, all transportation is included in the trip price. You must pick up all of your luggage in Lima and go through customs. Depending on what time your flight arrives in Lima , we can arrange a hotel located close to the Lima airport.