While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us, (remember we are in South America). Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit traveling, with Tierras Vivas can be unpredictable. The dossier is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered.

Please contact us for more information if needed.

info@tierrasvivas.com

Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time. Similarly the last day is a departure day during which no activities are planned.

Look for a Welcome Note posted in the hotel lobby

Transfer to the airport of Lima to go to Cusco, reception and transfer to hotel, we recommend taking a rest to get acclimatized. Rest of day free.

Once we get there, we will have some free time to explore the city and get ready for our next adventure.

Early pickup from your hotel in Cusco and transfer by private transportation to the trailhead at Cachora. It is possible to visit the hot baths at Coñoc on the road. The first couple of hours of hiking along this fascinating Inca trail will be good acclimatization. The trail follows a gradual descent of 1500 meters toward the dramatic canyon of the Apurimac-river, one of the largest tributaries of the Amazon. After lunch in Chikiska we cross the bridge and ascend through a subtropical area where you can enjoy the many different types of orchids, bromeliads and begonias. We spend the night near the colorful Andean village of Santa Rosa.

From the village of Santa Rosa we make an early   morning start for Choquequirao. This is a challenging day, as we ascend to the pass the walking gets harder but the views are spectacular. We see the natural wonder of the Apurimac rivers deepest canyon and may have the chance of spotting a condor. We have lunch in Maranpata and in the afternoon descend to the enigmatic lost Inca site of   Choquequirao at 3000 meters above sea level.

After an early breakfast we spend the day exploring the mystical Inca site of Choquequirao surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery in the midst of the cloud forest. We return to our camp near the archeological site for another night and dreams inspired by Inca legends

Today we retrace our steps through the cloud forest and stop for lunch in the picturesque village of Santa Rosa. We continue our descent to the amazing canyon of the Apurimac-river and camp on its shore

We finish our trek with an ascent to the trailhead at Cachora; we will stop for lunch on the road and finish our trek in the afternoon. Then it's back to Cusco for a well earned rest.

Early in the morning a bus will pick us up to go to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It starts out in Pisac, a picturesque town with colonial and racially mixed features. In the archaeological centre of Pisac  one finds a hill called Intihuatana with and an impressive view of the valley. We continue our trip to Ollantaytambo that was at the times of the Tahuantinsuyo a giant centre for agriculture, administration, social, religious and military activities.

In the morning we go to the train station, to take the train through the beauiful valley to the rim of the jungle, leaving us at the village of Aguas Calientes They will be waiting for us to go up to the majestic city of Machu Picchu, one of the hidden marvels of the world that is awaiting your visit. In the afternoon we take the train back to the city of Cusco.

Today is a realxing day, free time to explore the fascinating imperial city of the Incas, visit its market, buy souvenirs, take optional activities, and get ready  for one last night in the city

1) Shorter/longer stays, hotel upgrades and extra trips all possible.

2) Visas: You may be required to obtain a travel visa, also all countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy, or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent. IT''''S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE CORRECT TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION.

Accommodation:  Hotels, Camping.

Joining Hotel:

The following hotels will be used in Lima city. Please refer to your travel vouchers for your hotel details.

LIMA

Colonial Hotel***

Adrdress: 310 Comandante Espinar Av - Miraflores

Phone: +51 01 2417471

Joining Instructions: 

Lima’s international airport, called Jorge Chavez in Callao, is approximately a 45-minute drive from the Miraflores district, where our joining hotel is located. The easiest way to get there is by taxi. After customs and immigration area, you will find a few official taxi stands. You can pay for the car approximately USD20 and won’t need to worry about sorting out a ride outside the airport facilities. There are exchange facilities and ATMs in the Arrivals area open 24 hours.

If you are arriving from abroad and have booked an arrival transfer with us, a Tierras Vivas representative will meet you at the airport. Upon leaving the customs area, follow the gates and turn right to exit the airport. Just before exiting there is a small area on the left hand side where the official transfers are waiting with signs. Look for a Tierras Vivas sign board with your name on it.

Arrival Complications: 

We don't expect any problems, and nor should you, but if for any reason you can not commence your trip as scheduled, please contact your starting point hotel, requesting that you speak to or leave a message for your trip leader/local operator or to the emergency contact details provided in this dossier. If you are unable to get in touch with your leader/local operator, please refer to our emergency contact details. If you have pre-booked an airport transfer and have not made contact with our local operators/representative within 30 minutes of clearing customs and immigration, we recommend that you make your own way to the Starting Point Hotel, following the Joining Instructions. Please apply to your travel agent on your return for a refund of the transfer cost if this occurs.

Local Emergency Contact

If you need emergency assistance, you can contact us locally at the following phone numbers:

Cell: +51 974 358549

Phone: +51 84 310371 Local Office

Checklist of what to take:

      * Passport (with photocopies)

      * Travel insurance (with photocopies)

      * Airline tickets (with photocopies)

      * USD cash

      * Credit and debit cards

      * Vouchers and dossier

      * Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required

      * Camera and film

      * CD/MP3 player

      * Reading/writing material

      * Binoculars

      * Cover for backpacks

      * Fair sized daypack

      * Wool hat, mitts or gloves (preferably water proof)

      * Sleeping bag (this can also be hired locally for approximately USD 3 per day-these are high quality and warm)

      * Strong plastic bags to help keep gear dry

      * Anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Ibuprofen)

      * Fleece top

      * Windproof/waterproof jacket

      * Shirts/t-shirts

      * Sun hat

      * Shorts

      * Long trousers

      * Hiking pants/track pants

      * Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes

      * Sport sandals

      * Sun block

      * Toiletries (biodegradable)

      * Watch or alarm clock

      * Water bottle

      * Pocket knife

      * Small flashlight

      * First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, and extra prescription drugs you may be taking).

Meal Budget: 

Allow USD100 USD 150 for meals not included. For additional expenses, please contact our sales department for more information sales@tierrasvivas.com

Emergency Fund: 

Please, make sure you have access to at least an additional USD200 (or equivalent) as an ''emergency'' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (eg. a natural disaster) need a change to our planned tour. This is a rare occurrence! But you never know…

Departure Tax: 

USD18 International flights

USD7 Domestic flights

Optional activities:

Lima

Cusco

Valle Sur USD 75

Horse back riding USD 30

Maras & Moray USD75

Rafting USD30

All prices are in USD.

 A Couple of Rules: 

Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts you  at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for Tierras Vivas travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter, and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploration of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our group leader/local operator has the right to expel any member of the group/tour if drugs are found in their possession or they use prostitutes.

Travel Insurance: 

Responsible Travel: 

Tierras Vivas has been responsible to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveller and host alike. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

Keeping in Touch: 

If you need to be contacted while travelling we recommend that you set up an email address that can be accessed on the road, rather than relying on postal mail. Ciber cafes are becoming increasingly commonplace and cheap throughout the regions we visit, and have quickly become the preferred way for our leaders and travellers to stay in touch. If someone wishes to contact you in an emergency while you are on one of our trips we recommend that they contact your local booking agent, or refer to our Emergency Contact.

Departures twice a month all year round.

Please contact us for more information info@tierrasvivas.com

Cost per pax USD 930

+

Local Payment USD 300

Local payment

Most of our adventure trips involve a local payment.

This amount is the final payment for your tour. Paying locally facilitates the flow of funds into countries that we travel through and also helps to reduce the overall price of the tour,  allowing us to keep our tours at a competitive price, passing our costs savings on to you.

*Rates can be modified without notice and upon availability at the moment of the booking*