Peru: Hiking the Inka TrailWith Professor Anita Cook
August 10 - 22, 2012
Under the great emperors Pachacuti Inka Yupanqui and his son, Topa Inka Yupanqui, the Inka controlled almost one third of South America. Ruled from the capital city of Cuzco, these Quechua speaking people created a road system that extended 12,000 miles, through what is now central Chile northward into Ecuador. This was the crucial transportation link within the empire and was larger than that of the Romans. With its carefully constructed stone staircases and tunnels, it was designed for efficient foot travel, and today reflects the great precision of the ancient engineers.
Join Far Horizons on a 13-day journey that includes a four-day trek through the towering mountains along the road connecting the royal capital of Cuzco with the sacred center of Machu Picchu. In 1981, the Peruvian government acknowledged the road’s uniqueness by including it within a huge national park, the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary. Along with only eleven others, and a Peruvian specialist, trek through the lush cloud forest and deep canyons, across three monumental mountain passes, and through tunnels carved out of the living rock. And while enjoying the breathtaking scenery along the trail, stop to explore several extraordinary archaeological complexes with stone houses, intricate irrigation canals, beautifully terraced gardens, and still flowing fountains.
(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner
Day 1: Depart the USA on the international flight to Lima. Upon arrival, transfer to La Antigua Hotel, our home for the next two nights.
Day 2: Fly to Cuzco and drive into the Valley of Urubamba with time to rest and adjust to the altitude. Then it’s on to the great Inka fortress of Ollantaytambo, built to guard travelers on the road along the Urubamba River. Overnight for two nights at the Hotel Pakaritampu. (B/L/D)
Day 3: Drive to the pretty village of Chinchero, arguably the loveliest in the Peruvian highlands. Located in a high valley, this graceful, traditional Andean community dates from before the conquest, and was once the country estate of the late-15th-century Inka Tupac Yupanqui. Encircled bylush farming terraces still in place after more than five hundred years, 
houses are built on the foundations of Inka buildings, including the remains of Tupac Yupanqui‘s palace. The church dates from the 17th century and has lovely frescoes and mural paintings still visible both inside and above the entryway. Chinchero's market is held in the shadow of the church within the central plaza and is one of the best places in the entire valley for Andean textiles. Time permitting, continue to Maras, a series of pools cascading down a bluff. First formed several hundred years ago and still in use today, the shallow ponds were designed to create salt. (B/L/D)
Day 4: This morning our bus will take us to Chilca and km. 77 where our trek begins. As we walk along the stone-paved roadway on the left bank of the Urubamba River, we have splendid views of the 19,000-foot tall, snow-capped Waqaywillka, or Mt. Verónica, and pass the hill fort of Willkaraqay, an ancient pre-Inka town. From here the stunning farming and ceremonial center of Llaqtapata, or Patallacta, appears. As we gaze upon its multitude of agricultural terraces, we realize that the city must have been a breadbasket for the surrounding towns. Camp here for the night. (B/L/D)
Day 5: After breakfast, our gentle hike takes us to the Native community of Huayllabamba where the trail ascends steeply to a large pampa below the first pass where we camp at 12,500 feet. Delight in the stunning vista of Mount Huayanay as we walk through the first of many lush cloud forests, home to many rare birds including one of Peru’s 127 species of hummingbirds, the giant hummingbird, or píngara. (B/L/D)
Day 6: Hike gradually uphill for two hours, often up flights of stairs, to cross Warmiwañusqa Pass (Dead Woman’s Pass!), the highest point of our hike at just over 13,910 feet. During the climb, we traverse several environmental zones - from temperate valley forest to the treeless grasslands of the windswept highlands. After stopping at the gap for stunning, endless views, we descend to the Paqaymayu River where we rest and have lunch. Then it’s back to the climb with a stop to explore Runkuraqay, an Inka tambo or semi-circular watchtower, guarding the valley. Then we ascend past the twin lakes of Yanacocha to the second pass of just under 13,000 feet. As we hike down from this pass, the splendid city of Sayaqmarka comes into view. It is dramatically located on the edge of a rocky promontory with spectacular vistas of the Aobamba Valley and the distant snow-covered peak of Mt. Pumasillo. This royal center is positioned on the edge of a cloud forest filled with a visual wealth of orchids, colorful birds and other wildlife, and to reach it we must climb a narrow, steep staircase cut out of the mountainside’s stone face. We also pass Conchamarka, a small, recently discovered tambo, and then set up camp at Chaquiqocha, with memorable views over the valley to Sayaqmarka. (B/L/D)
Day 7: This morning’s ascent takes us though the first tunnel, an engineering marvel 215 feet in length with stairs carved out of solid rock. Coming out of the other end, we climb again to arrive at the third and last pass on the trail, Phuyupatamarka Pass, just under 12,000 feet high. Original stones line this part of the trail as it winds sharply down into the cloud forest until we see the magnificent city of Phuyupatamarka lying below us. Located on the edge of a gorge dominating the Urubamba Valley, this ceremonial center is built around a plaza encircled by steep agricultural terraces with swiftly flowing fresh water cascading down the hill from ritual fountains. Back on the trail as it abruptly descends, we walk down several stone staircases, one of them a winding staircase, pass through a second tunnel, and continue along a path above theUrubamba Valley to Wiñaywayna. Perhaps the most beautiful of the citadels along the Royal Road, Wiñaywayna is named for an orchid native to the area that blooms all year and garlands the city with hues of brilliant scarlet, violet and gilded umber. Stunningly located on the steep slope overlooking the Urubamba River, the architecture of the complex is truly dazzling. Nearby is Intipata, or Sun Place, with its convex series of terraces. Two more hours of trekking takes us to the Intipunku, or Gate of the Sun, where we look upon the magnificent citadel of Machu Picchu below. Continue for another hour to the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, our home for the next two nights, for a hot shower and well-deserved iced drink. This delightful inn is a series of wooden bungalows set in tropical gardens overlooking the Urubamba River. (B/L/D)
Day 8: Sunrise through the jungle mist awaits us at Machu Picchu. This elegant mountaintop city was probably constructed as a royal palace complex for the emperor Pachacuti and his family in the early 15th century, and appears to have been an important spiritual and ceremonial location. It was never found by the Spanish conquerors, and was lost until 1911 when a local farmer showed the city to the explorer, Hiram Bingham. For those still wanting another challenge, the top of Huayna Picchu, the towering granite peak that overlooks Machu Picchu awaits. Near the top of the mountain, pass through ancient terraces so inaccessible and so narrow that they were probably not used for agricultural purposes, but instead were ornamental gardens to be admired from the city below. (B/L/D)
Day 9: The morning is free to return to Machu Picchu on our own. In the 
afternoon, board our train to return to Ollantaytambo and the Hotel Pakaritampu. (B/ /D)
Day 10: This morning’s explorations take us to Sacsayhuaman, a walled fortress built to protect the Inka capital city of Cuzco. Created using massive stone boulders, the stronghold is noted for the remarkable architectural skills of the ancient engineers. After lunch, walk to two of Cuzco’s newest and most spectacular museums. The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, a branch of Lima’s Rafael Larco Museum, is housed within a 15th century building that later became the mansion of the Spanish conqueror, Alonso Díaz. The collection contains extraordinary artifacts dating from 1250 BC to1532 AD. The nearby Inka Museum contains artifacts designed to trace Peruvian history from pre-Inka civilizations and Inka culture, including the impact of the Conquest and colonial times on the native cultures. On view are ceramics, textiles, jewelry, mummies, architectural models, and an interesting collection - reputed to be the world's largest - of Inka drinking vessels, or qeros, carved out of wood, many meticulously painted. The afternoon and evening are free for further explorations. Dinner is on our own to enjoy one of Cuzco’s fine restaurants. (B/L)
Day 11: The lovely city of Cusco was capital of the Inka Empire and first seat of power for the conquering Spaniards. Visit the Cathedral that was built on the palace of Inka Viracocha and contains an altar of solid silver, and Santa Domingo Church, built on the walls of the Inka Temple of the Sun, Koricancha. This was the most magnificent complex in pre-conquest Cusco with walls covered in sheets of gold studded with emeralds and turquoise, and windows constructed so the sun would enter and cast a near blinding reflection of golden light off the precious interior. The afternoon and evening are free for further discoveries and last minute shopping. (B/L)
Day 12: Our morning flight returns us to Lima and a tour of the famed oracle center of Pachacamac. A pilgrimage site for all pre-Inka tribes including the Chimú, the Sun Temple here housed a wooden god that can be seen within the site museum. Our departure party will be held in an elegant restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Airport transfer for the overnight flight to Houston. (B/L/D)
Day 13: Arrive back in the USA.
Anita G. Cook is Professor of Anthropology at Catholic University of America, Washington D.C. She received her MA and PhD at State University of New York, Binghamton. She is the author of numerous books and articles on Peru including Ritual Sacrifice in Ancient Peru (edited with Elizabeth Benson). Dr. Cook has directed several major archaeological survey and excavation projects in Peru. She has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants including a Fulbright for work in coastal Wari settlements in the lower Ica Valley, and from both National Geographic and Dumbarton Oaks. She has been a consultant to the Cultural Attaché of the Peruvian Embassy, the Denver Art Museum, the National Geographic Society, and the Field Museum. Dr. Cook is a Research Associate with the Department of Anthropology, The National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, and has been the invited speaker for many conferences in the United States, Canada, Peru and Ecuador. Fluent in Spanish and with great depth of knowledge of Peru and its archaeology, Dr. Cook makes an ideal study leader for this trip.
August 10 - 22, 2012
$6,995.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes internal flights in Peru, all hotels, meals as listed in the itinerary, ground transportation, entry and service fees.
Cost Does Not Include: Round trip international air fare to Lima, a tax-deductible check for $150.00 per person made out to the donation project; passport or visa fees; airport or departure taxes; beverages or food not included on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; personal tips; gratuities to guides and drivers; alcoholic drinks; telephone and fax charges; or other items of a personal nature.
Single Supplement: $775.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement will be charged.
Fuel Surcharges: Far Horizons must pass on price increases when additional fuel charges are levied.
Donation Checks: The cost of the trip does not include the separate donation check for $150.00. As a tour company that benefits from the historical, cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to scholars, archaeological and cultural projects, and museums in each of our destinations. This has created a bond with the academic community that allows you to gain an ‘insider’s view’ of work being done in each country. The donation is required as part of your registration and a donation project for this trip will be assigned shortly.
Tour RegistrationA deposit of $500.00 and the separate donation check for $150.00 (made out to the designated project) are required along with your registration form. Final payment is due 75 days before departure. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and a tour bulletin containing travel information. Prior to the trip, we will send links to various websites of pertinent interest to the trip. Click here to download our Registration Form.
Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will result in an administrative fee of $250.00. Cancellations received less than 75 days prior to departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the tour, we will not reimburse any fees. Registrants are strongly advised to buy travel insurance that includes trip cancellation.
If you do not fly on the designated group flight, you are responsible for all flight arrangements and transportation (including airport transfers) to join the group. If Far Horizons must change the trip dates or cancel the trip for any reason, Far Horizons is not responsible for any air ticket you may have purchased. If you issue your own international flight, please send the complete schedule as soon as you have it.
This trip is for the Hardy! This trip is designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. You should be an experienced hiker in excellent physical condition and without fear of heights. While on the trek, we will be walking at least eight hours every day for a total of 27 miles. Compared with any rambling that you do at home, the modest distances along the Inka Trail may lead you to underestimate the challenge. The portion of the Inka road we walk is generally steep climbs going up and down stone stairs, traverses three high altitude passes 11,000-13,000 feet high, and at times is narrow and edged by a steep precipice. Remember, there are no bellboys along the Inka Trail. The ability to maintain a flexible mind-set, team spirit, and a good sense of humor are essential! If you have questions about your ability to handle this sort of challenge, please call us.
The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments, or that the date or time of our visit to their project must be changed.
This Archaeological Tour to Peru is Limited to 15 Participants
