Pure Peru: The Great Inca Trail from the Sacred Valley to the Remote Cordillera Blanca

The Trip

At its peak the Incas enjoyed the largest and most advanced indigenous civilization in the Americas. The most iconic remnant of this society is the archeological wonder at Machu Picchu. Very recently an even more impressive archeological remnant has been opened to adventure travelers: the Qhapaq Nan. Unlike Machu Picchu the Qhapaq Nan remains largely undiscovered by adventure travelers.

The Qhapaq Nan is a vast system of trails that connected all sections of the Inca Empire. It is considered as one of the most impressive engineering works in history and stretched almost the entire length of western South America – from Quito, Ecuador to Santiago, Chile. It is estimated to have covered 25,000 miles and provided access to 1.2 million square miles with the Inca Empire with all routes leading to Cusco. 

Our group trip is the only one that provides an experience that is truly a grand tour of the Andes in which we trek on the Great Inca Trail. We begin in Cusco, the center of the Inca Empire, and explore the Sacred Valley. We will then move to Huaraz to follow in the footsteps of the Incas on a 45-mile expedition on the first section of the Great Inca Trail that has been opened to trekkers. We will be one of the first group tour on this segment of the Trail.

One last thing… whatever you do, do not confuse this trek with the Inca Trail. The Inca Trail is a tiny 21-mile section of the Qhapaq Ñan which starts a few kilometers outside of Aguas Calientes and culminates at Machu Picchu. While definitely a wonderful experience in its own right, the Inca Trail is infinitely more crowded and far less remote than the Great Inca Trail.

Think of it this way: 500 tourists per day are allowed on the Inca Trail, but the Great Inca Trail is so undiscovered that it probably hasn’t had 500 tourists ever. 

If you have the passion, curiosity and fearlessness of an explorer; if you embrace a challenge that will test your mental and physical limits; if you believe that, within reason, there is no mountain too high, no trail too steep, no terrain too rugged and no weather to daunting, then you’re invited.

Join us on this expedition and count yourself among the few adventure travelers who have followed the footsteps of the Incas on the Great Inca Trail.

Day 1: Arrive to Cusco this morning at your convenience. On arrival, we will be met at the airport and taken to our trip hotel to settle in and spend the day relaxing and starting to acclimatize to the altitude. In the afternoon, we gather for our orientation meeting and a welcome dinner together as a group. Overnight in Cusco at an elevation of 11,400 feet.

Day 2: This morning, our in-country guide will meet us for our first hike in the mountains around Cusco. We will first arrive by vehicle to the impressive Inca ruins site of Sacsayhuaman, an immense Incan complex with impressive stonework. After exploring this fortress, we will be driven to the trailhead at the Temple of the Moon, a natural rock formation that has ancient carvings and evidence of use as a ceremonial site.

From here, the hike begins! Walk a short uphill section on the original Inca Trail before descending to the river valley. We will follow the river through a native forest, before arriving at the recently excavated archeological site of Inkilltambo. Explore the terraces and constructions here before picking the Inca Trail back up and continuing down the valley. Spend the afternoon exploring Cuzco's historic city center at your leisure or take a well-earned rest in your hotel. Overnight in Cusco. Distance: 3.5 miles, Highest Elevation: 12,960 ft.

Day 3: The Inca Trail to Huchuy Qosqo is approximately 5 hours with an hour on each side for transportation to and from the trailhead. The hike starts with a gentle uphill to the high pass of Rumi Crusniyoc (14,110ft), from where you can enjoy fantastic views of our surroundings.

We will pick up the Inca Trail that will take us all the way down to the Inca site of Huchuy Qosqo, winding through the valley into a narrow canyon, before popping out on the hillside above the Urubamba River near Urquillos. After exploring the ruins (check out the perfectly polished retaining walls and ceremonial fountain) we will return by vehicle to our hotel. Overnight in the Sacred Valley Distance: 9.8 miles, Elevation gain: 690 ft, Highest Elevation: 14,110 ft.

Day 4: This morning we will hike up to Pallacta to visit the Sinchi family home. From there we will continue on in private vehicle to a remote waterfall and then tour the Inca ruins at Pumamarka. We will hike down through Inka Andenes back to our lodge. Overnight in the Sacred Valley. Distance: 5.2 miles, Elevation gain: 930 ft, Highest Elevation: 11,680 ft

Day 5: Flight to Lima (included in the trip price). This morning we will return to Cusco for a quick flight to Lima. Our in-country guide and driver will meet us upon arrival to take us to a hotel in the picturesque waterfront district of Barranco. Enjoy a sunset cocktail and casual dinner from the balcony of a private home in Barranco while looking over the Pacific Ocean. We will meet our in-country support team and debrief for the next part of your adventure. Overnight in Lima.

Day 6: Lima to Huaraz. This morning we will head to the Movilbus station in La Victoria for our bus to Huaraz. We willl have comfortable seats that recline 160-degrees as well as bathrooms aboard the bus. Upon arrival in Huaraz, we will be transferred to our hotel to rest before heading out tomorrow to start our Great Inca Trail adventure! NOTE: This journey takes about 8.5 hours and involves travel on winding mountainous roads. A box lunch and dinner will be provided. Anyone who is prone to motion sickness will need to bring proper medication. Overnight in Huaraz.

Day 7: Great Inca Trail - Huaraz to Castillo & Trek to Soledad de Tambo de Soledad. Heading out early from Huaraz we will drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Chavin de Huantar. This site gave its name to a pre-Inca culture that developed between 1500 and 300 B.C. in the high valley of the Peruvian Andes. Chavin is a former place of worship and is considered to be one of the earliest and best-known collections of pre-Columbian structures. Its appearance is striking, with the complex of terraces and squares, surrounded by buildings of dressed stone. After touring Chavin we drive to the small town of Castillo, where we will begin the trek on the Great Inca Trail. We will climb along the trail towards Soledad de Tambo. This Inca “tambo” will also be our camp for the evening, allowing us to explore the Inca ruins. Overnight camping at 11,700 feet.

Day 8: Great Inca Trail - Tambo de Soledad to Quenuajirca. After leaving the Inca tambo, we will follow a section of the Qhapaq Ñan that reaches fifty feet in width, with stunning views of high Andean peaks. After climbing to the 15,000-foot pass at Wagapunta for most of the morning, we will arrive to camp at Quenuajirca by the afternoon. We will visit the master weaver Juan Araujo to learn about his work and life on The Great Inca Trail, home of his ancestors. Overnight camping at 14,400 feet.

Day 9: Great Inca Trail - Quenuajirca to Tambo Grande. After descending to the small town of Ayash, we will start our climb to the high Andean puna at Huamanin. The Great Inca Trail then goes along the Taparaco river basin to Tambo Grande. We will camp under immense Southern skies that illuminate the Milky Way and surrounding stars, allowing us to understand how the cosmic vision defined the Inca society and religion. Overnight camping at 13,950 feet. Highest elevation at 14,700 feet.

Day 10: Great Inca Trail - Tambo Grande to Isco. Continuing down the Great Inca Trail that runs along the Taparaco River, we will experience one of the most impressive sections of the Inca road anywhere in the Empire. It’s a day where nature and Inca engineering turns our walk into a mystical experience that immerses us in an Andean world that very few people ever experience. We will arrive to San Lorenzo de Isco by early afternoon, in time for lunch and afternoon tea. Overnight camping at 12,630 feet.

Day 11: Great Inca Trail - Isco to Huanuco Pampa. After arriving at Colpa, where the Taparaco and Vizcarra rivers collide, we will climb to Huánuco Pampa. This important Inca administrative center boasts thousands of constructions built around an impressive Ushnu (a ceremonial platform from which the Inca presided over festivals and other important ceremonies) and is an excellent example of imperial Inca architecture. After a two-hour tour of the site, we will go back to Huaraz to relax before our departure the following day. Overnight in Huaraz

Day 12: Huaraz to Lima. After a final breakfast in the incredible region, we will be taken back to the bus station for our bus journey back to Lima. Upon arrival to the Tomas Valle bus station, we will be privately transferred to the airport hotel.

Day 13: Today our time in Peru comes to an end as you board your international flights home.

Getting There

This trip begins in Cusco and ends in Lima. Plan to arrive in Cusco no later than the morning of September 9. Cusco is located at an elevation of 11,400 feet and during the trip we will ascend to nearly 15,000 feet, so it is strongly recommended that you arrive several days early to begin adjusting to the altitude. There are currently very few direct flights to Cusco with the vast majority of flights connecting through Lima.

Warning: the connecting flight schedules can sometimes have very long connection times so review your itinerary carefully. If you arrive at night in Lima, you can consider spending a night in Lima (a gorgeous colonial city) and fly to Cusco the following day. 

When you arrive in Cusco we will be greeted at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Plan to depart from Lima no earlier than the morning of September 21. The leader will send additional travel information to approved guests.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

On the first part of the trip the accommodations are in charming, comfortable hotels and eco-lodges that are owned and operated by Peruvian people. 

On the expeditionary part of the trip accommodations will be camping. All camping equipment is included: Eureka (or equivalent quality) tents, 1” self-inflating Thermarest sleeping pads, and 20-degree sleeping bags. Two guests will be in each tent; the tent is rated to accommodate three people. Single guests will be in a tent rated for two people. All tents have a rain fly and a large vestibule. Each day of the trek we will be accompanied by an in-country guide, several llama handlers, and a chef, and your luggage will be carried by llamas, so we will only have to hike with a small daypack.

The trip is double occupancy. This means that single guests will be matched with another single guest of the same sex. A single supplement is available at additional cost. Meals at each of the lodges are prepared by an excellent chef and local kitchen staff. The food is delicious and plentiful, and vegetarians can easily be accommodated.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is for advanced hikers and trekkers. It is a strenuous high-altitude trek and should not be underestimated. Altitudes on the trek range from 6,200 feet to almost 15,000 feet and we will hike up to 10 hours per day. Some days require ascents or descents of several thousand feet and climbing more than one high altitude pass. 

You must be in excellent physical condition and have significant hiking experience to qualify for this trip. Previous high-altitude hiking experience is preferred. The leader is happy to answer any questions you may have and to help you plan your pre-trip conditioning.

Equipment and Clothing

Peru is an equatorial country, so the weather is typically pleasant and consistent, and there are two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season; this trip is in the dry season. At higher elevations we’ll encounter cooler temperatures ranging from the mid-60s during the day to the mid-30s at night. Many days can be partly cloudy, foggy, or misty early in the day, but it is usually sunny in the afternoon. Nevertheless, we must still be prepared for heat, cold, wind, rain, and even the slight possibility of snow at our highest elevations. At lower elevations we’ll find temperatures ranging from low to mid-80’s to low 60’s. We’ll need to bring a pair of well-broken-in, sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, a rain coat and pants, and some warm layers for highly variable temperatures. A complete list of packing recommendations will be sent to guests once they are approved.

References

• MacQuarrie, K., The Last Days of the Incas. 2008. Another perspective on the fall of the Incas. (This book also discusses modern scholars evolving interpretations of Inca remain
• Stewart, A., Inca Trail, Cusco & Machu Picchu, 5th ed. 2013. (This Trailblazer book has descriptions of several treks in Peru)
• Palma, Rocardo, Peruvian Traditions. (Historical fiction)
• Schulenberg S. Thomas, Birds of Peru (For the Naturalist)

Conservation

Since its founding in 1892, The Sierra Club has worked to preserve and restore the natural environment we all share on this planet. Thousands of grassroots-level volunteers spearhead our efforts to conserve and sustain resources, both in our own backyards and on a global scale. Through direct experience in the outdoors, Sierra Club outings enable participants to better understand, advocate, and participate in the environmental conservation goals of the Club.

Tourism in this area of Peru has been a mixed blessing, especially with the increase in popularity of the countries ancient and fascinating ruins such as Machu Picchu, Saqsaywaman etc. We will discuss how tourism can be used as a source for economic and community development, and the steps that some organizations are taking to promote more ecologically friendly tourism.

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.