Inca Trail Marathon Adventure – Non-Hiker Itinerary

Day 1 – Thursday, June 21, 2018 – Arrive in Cusco, Peru

Day 2- Friday, June 22, 2016 – Cusco – Pisac Tour

• Depart 8:30 a.m. for Pisac. This excursion will take you through the Urubamba Valley to the colorful Indian Market of Pisac, where natives from the region of Cusco come to trade their products.
• We will then proceed to the magnificent archaeological site above this town from where you will witness amazing views of this valley.
• Along the way, we will visit a llama farm and local weaving co-op, where you will learn about these unique animals as well as traditional weaving techniques of Peru.
• Upon arrival in Pisac, we will have a guided tour of the ruins and then you may either walk for about 30-60 minutes down about 1200 vertical feet to the town of Pisac along an old Inca footpath or take the private transport from the ruins down to the town.
• In Pisac, you will have a couple of hours on your own to explore the famous Pisac market and to have lunch at one of the many local restaurants. Later in the afternoon, we will return to the hotel in Cusco, arriving around 5:30 p.m
• That evening, we will meet in the lobby at around 7:00 p.m (exact time TBA) and take a short walk to a famous restaurant in Cusco for a special group dinner and cultural show (included). This will be a great chance to sample more Peruvian cuisine, experience music and culture from the Andes, and mingle with fellow travelers.
• Overnight in Cusco- Hotel San Agustin Plaza (or similar 4-star hotel in historic center of Cusco)

Day 3- Saturday, June 23, 2018 – Cusco – Optional Adventure Excursion or Day On Your Own

Day 4- Sunday, June 24, 2018 – Cusco – Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun

• • Breakfast at hotel.
  • Inti Raymi Festival: This special festival of the sun is held only once a year and is perhaps the most famous festival in Cusco. After the trek meeting and breakfast, we will proceed to the area outside Coricancha (Sun Temple) and also to the Plaza de Armas in Cusco to view the first portion of this famous ceremony and the processions that start around 9:00 am and can last until about noon.
  • Afternoon- Optional visit to the second part of the ceremony inside the Saqsawayman ruins (closed to the general public today). This visit must be arranged in advance with a special entry ticket. Exact cost and more information TBA when 2014 rates are released.
  • The rest of the day is free and at your leisure to relax, shop, explore more of Cusco.
  • Lunch and Dinner on your own.
  • Overnight in Cusco- Hotel San Agustin Plaza (or similar 4-star Cusco hotel)

Day 5- Monday, June 25, 2018 – Cusco – Chincherro Tour

• Breakfast at hotel. A guided tour of the Chincherro town and archeological site. This is a traditional Andean town located high in the mountains at about 3700 meters above sea level. It is about an hour from Cusco. There is a set of Inca ruins, nice colonial buildings, and a colorful artisan market located at this settlement.
• Lunch on your own in Chincherro.
• Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Rest of day/evening at leisure. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Cusco- Hotel San Agustin Plaza (or similar 4-star Cusco hotel)

Day 6- Tuesday, June 26, 2018 – Cusco – Moray and Salt Mines – Ollyantaytambo

• After breakfast you will check out of the hotel. We will be on the move a bit the next few days- Please pack a smaller bag for our three nights away from Cusco and for the train ride, leaving the rest of your luggage in the luggage storage at the Cusco hotel.
• Moray is located one hour or so from Cusco, and provides one of the most spectacular views of the Urubamba Mountain Range. It is also the location of some dramatic conical depressions formed by a unique form of Inca Terraces. This site is thought to have been an experimental natural greenhouse to grow an extraordinary variety of tropical crops beyond their normal altitude.
• After Moray, we will visit the Maras salt mines. We do a hike down the salt mines and we will visit the local salt co-operative, which extracts the mineral by evaporation from a natural spring, thereby demonstrating that early Andean civilizations were not necessarily dependent upon coastal trade for this important mineral.
• Reaching the valley of Urubamba, our transport will meet us to take us to Ollantaytambo. We make a stop for a lunch break. After lunch we will then go for a guided tour of the impressive ruins at Ollyantaytambo.
• Later, you will be taken to your hotel for check in and the rest of the evening will be at your leisure in the small, picturesque tourist town of Ollantaytambo. (Most restaurants, cafes, etc are within easy walking distance.) Lunch and dinner on Own. Overnight at Hotel in Ollyantaytambo- Tikawasi Valle or similar

Day 7- Wednesday, June 27, 2018 – Cusco – Aguas Calientes

• After breakfast and the morning at leisure in Ollyantaytambo, check out of the hotel and either walk or take a quick rickshaw transfer to the train station and board an early afternoon train to Aguas Calientes.
• The rest of the day is at your leisure in Aguas Calientes. Things to do include exploring the Machu Picchu Museum near Aguas Calientes, day hikes available (such as the jungle ladders), markets and shopping, or just relax at the hot springs above town. Lunch and dinner on your own. Overnight in Aguas Calientes. Hotel Inka Town (or similar).

Day 8- Thursday, June 28, 2018 – Machu Picchu

• After an early breakfast- at 5:30 AM take the early morning bus up to Machu Picchu. After witnessing sunrise over this majestic place, we will have a guided tour of the complex with our local guide. We will also reunite with the trek group after their arrival from the Inca Trail. Afterward, there will be several hours available to spend as you choose in this unique archaeological site, allowing ample opportunities to explore on your own. Lunch on your own.
• Bus back to Aguas Calientes town included. You will come down from Machu Picchu when you have finished exploring on your own.
• In the evening, meet up with everyone in the hotel lobby to head out for the special included celebration dinner at a famous restaurant in Aguas Calientes! Overnight in Aguas Calientes. Hotel Waman (or similar).

Day 9- Friday, June 29, 2018 – Aguas Calientes – Cusco

• After breakfast at the hotel, we will all depart via a morning train at 9:00 a.m. to Ollyantaytambo.
• We will then take private transport to Cusco (please note- almost all tourist class trains only run between Ollyantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, not all the way to Cusco). Afterward, we will continue to Cusco and check back into the hotel.
• Lunch on your own.
• Rest of day/evening at leisure for shopping, sightseeing, and relaxing.
• Dinner on your own.
• Overnight in Cusco- Hotel San Agustin El Dorado (or similar 4-star Cusco hotel)