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Life, Nature and History in the Valley of the Last Incas Tour
Vitcos and Machu Picchu return by train - 4 days

From Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas we travel to less well-known and yet equally fascinating corners of the Cusco region. At the Abra de Malaga we will have the chance to observe many species of endemic birds before travelling down through the cloud forest to areas where local people grow tropical fruits, coffee and coca leaves. We will stay at a picturesque traditional hacienda, from where we will journey on foot into the final refuge of the Incas, the Vilcabamba Valley, before ending our trip at the world famous Inca city of Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Cusco – Sacred Valley – Abra de Malaga – Huancacalle
(Overnight in hacienda) (Shared bathroom facilities)
After spending the night in Cusco or in our comfortable hotel in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, we will drive to the Abra de Malaga. This high pass on the road from the Andes to high tropical forests is one of the most popular destinations in Cusco for birdwatchers from all over the world, who come in the hope of spotting many interesting species, including many endemics which live on the dry side of the pass, such as: Chestnut-breasted Mountain-Finch, Creamy-crested Spinetail and Whitetufted Sunbeam, Junin and Rusty-fronted Canasteros, hummingbirds such as Black-tailed and Green-tailed Trainbearers, Purple-backed Thornbill, Giant Hummingbird and Great Sapphirewing. The Golden-billed Saltator is regularly seen, while the elusive Andean Tinamou is frequently heard at dusk. In the cloud forest itself many other birds dwell, including: the rare Royal Cinclodes, Ashbreasted Tit-Tyrant and the White-browed Tit-Spinetail. Tawny Tit-Spinetail, Puna Tapaculo, Stripe-headed Antpitta and Line-fronted Canastero are also possibilities. It is possible to find Giant Conebill and Tit-like Dacnis in the lower part of the forest.
As we descend through the cloud forest and pass through the community of Carrisales, we enter the Vilcabamba valley, which was the site of the last stand of the Incas against the invading Spanish. We will come to an area where local people cultivate many tropical fruits, as well as coca leaves and excellent quality Peruvian coffee. We will have time to observe these plantations while learning more about the life of local people in the forest from our expert guide. We will spend the night at a traditional local hacienda in the village of Huancacalle. The rooms here are lovely, although the services are basic, with bathrooms shared rather than en suite. (L,D)

Day 2: Visit Rosaspata and Vitcos
With overnight in Huancacalle in a hacienda with basic services (Shared bathroom facilities)
Today we will make a full day hike (taking a box lunch with us), before returning to the hacienda in the evening. We will walk to the remote ruins of Vitcos, once the palace of the last four Incas, who ruled in exile after the Spanish invasion from 1536 to 1572. We will also visit the White Rock (Yurac Rumi, in Quechua), covered with complex designs and once one of the most sacred sites in the Inca empire. In the evening we can dine at the hacienda before resting in preparation for the next day’s activities. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Huancacalle – Santa Teresa – Thermal baths
From Huancacalle we will continue by private transport to the village of Santa Teresa, where we will have time to enjoy the local thermal baths of Cocal Mayo, before continuing our journey to the hydroelectric station, from where we take the local train to Machu Picchu. This train passes at around 4 p.m., and we will arrive at Aguas Calientes, the town below the ruins of Machu Picchu where we will spend the night in local accommodation, at around 5 p.m. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Visit Machu Picchu and return journey to Cusco by train
Today we will take one of the earliest buses to the ruins of Machu Picchu before the train arrives from Cusco with the majority of the tourists who will visit the ruins that day. This means we will have plenty of time to explore the site before the crowds arrive. After a full-day to explore Machu Picchu both in the company of our expert guide and independently. The citadel, at the top of a steep, forested hill overlooking the Urubamba River, was hidden by dense vegetation for centuries until Hiram Bingham began to clear the site in 1911-12. Today the city has been completely restored and even if it has lost some of its mystery it still remains an unforgettable sight. Our tour includes a visit to the temples, plazas, palaces, watercourses and residential areas. We will return to the town of Aguas Calientes for the afternoon return train journey to Cusco. After disembarking from the train you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (B,L)

2010 Price per person in US$: $1075 + $65 entrance fee for group tour, $1045 + $65 if return is by backpacker train. Minimum of 2 people.
with 3 people, price = $865 with vistadome, $840 with backpacker + $65 entrance fee
with 4 people, price = $775 with vistadome, $750 with backpacker + $65 entrance fee
price is reduced further for larger groups

SERVICES INCLUDED IN TREKKING SERVICES:
Private bus outbound
Return from Machupicchu by train.
English speaking tour guide
Entrance fees
2 nights in small hacienda and 1 night in Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu)
Single supplement
Food: hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner as described in the above itinerary (B.L.D.)
First-aid kit.

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:
Tips to guides
Tips to the staff.
Drinks
Travel insurance. Please ensure that passengers have adequate insurance
Personal expenses: clothing and sleeping bag, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
Meals not included in the program.

What to bring on the trip:
Passport, (bring additional photocopies of your passport).
A big frameless backpack or duffle bag for your things.
A small backpack for daily personal items (to be carried by Passenger)
Warm clothing for Andean region.
Rain jacket
Long sleeved shirts (cotton). Shorts for walking (optional)
Cap and sunglasses
Insect repellent and sun block cream
Digital camera or 35mm film camera
Binoculars for bird watching enthusiasts
Well broken in hiking boots, or waterproof sports shoes
Walking poles; if you are used to walking with poles, ensure they are not metal tipped.
Bathing suit and sandals (if you wish to visit thermal baths in Aguas Calientes)
Flashlight. Knife (Remember to pack this in your main luggage for flights)
Bags for garbage.
A bottle of mineral water for the first day only (you can buy this locally) (we provide drinking water on subsequent days)