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Peru’s Machu Picchu wins award as best ecotourism destination in South America

Nov 2

Posted by dillon in Inca Trail Tours, South American Tours | No Comments

The Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru has won the 2010 World Travel Award as the best ecologic tourism destination in South America.

Winning the award was equal to winning the Oscar for best picture the Peru’s Promotion Commission for Export and Tourism (Promperu) said in a press statement.

Machu Picchu in Peru

Machu Picchu in Peru

After more than 185,000 tourism operators in the world nominated Machu Picchu, the World Travel Award’s jury chose the city over other destinations such as Brazil’s Pantanal and Argentina’s Patagonia and Iguazu falls.

Peru will receive the award on Nov. 7 in London in the World Travel Market and hope that the success of Machu Picchu will bring tourists to Peru and encourage them to visit the less popular places particularly in the north of the country.

Machu Picchu is located in a mountain of Urubamaba Valley, some 110 kilometers from Cusco city, capital of the ancient Incan empire and is famous also for the Inca trail – the hike which leads to Machu Picchu from the Sacred Valley.

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Talking the South American Lingo

Sep 20

Posted by michelle in Chile, Galapagos Islands Tours, Inca Trail Tours, South American Tours | No Comments

All countries antalkd cultures have their conversational idiosyncrasies, the culturally approved dos and don’ts of people speaking together. Countries with a common heritage, such as the Hispanic countries of South America share some common traditions, but each has its specific customs.

As an example, many South Americans like to talk in close proximity to each other. To North Americans, and others, this may seem like an invasion of personal space, but to Latin Americans, it’s the norm. Stepping back, an unconscious gesture to reclaim that space is seen as a rebuff, a rudeness, whilst keeping eye contact while speaking is an asset.

Latin Americans are also more effusive, flowery and more formal in their speech. While other nationalities pride themselves on being bluntly honest, a South American tends to be more diplomatic and tactful. The honorific Don or Doña, used with the first name in a friendly or family relationship, or with the surname, is a token of respect. Even though informality in conversation is more common now, particularly among younger people, it’s still worthwhile to maintain a polite distance until you are better acquainted.

Some specific tips:talk 2

  • Argentineans aren’t thrilled to discuss the Peron years and past human rights issues. They are also sensitive to the Falklands War, and call the islands the Islas Malvinas
  • Bolivians are sensitive to the loss of territory to Chile.
  • Brazilians are not Hispanic. They are proud of their Portuguese heritage. They are also exuberant, talkative, but sensitive to discussions about the rainforest destruction. Marital status is not a good conversational topic.
  • Chileans love to talk about their country, but avoid politics and the Allende/Pinochet years. Human rights are an ultra-sensitive topic.
  • Colombians like bullfighting, so negative comments aren’t welcome. Don’t discuss drugs, political situations, or terrorist activity. Interest in emeralds and coffee are welcome.
  • Ecuadorians like to talk about their families and their jobs. Discuss their country in favourable terms, but avoid politics, sexual or personal topics.
  • Paraguayans are tremendously proud of their hydroelectric dams. Discuss family. sports, touring, but avoid any political talk. Conflict between the liberales and the colorados is still tense.
  • Peruvians enjoy talking about families and jobs. They’ll ask about your country, and welcome discussions of their own, but avoid politics, money and government.
  • Uruguayans enjoy talking about their country – what to see and do, where to eat – but are more reticent about personal matters. You can discuss international politics.
  • Venezuelans are sensitive about politics, government and family matters. If you are asked, be prepared to discuss the economy.

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Lares trek – A great alterntative to the Inca trail!

Aug 25

Posted by greg in Inca Trail Tours | No Comments

Inca trail too busy? want a great trek away from the hordes? Why not try the world famous Lares alternative trek to Machu Picchu..

High above the Sacred Valley, Ewen Bell takes a spectacular alternative route to the crowded Inca Trail.

The Lares Trail is the most recent alternative to the Inca Trail, a remote route of high-altitude scenery just north of the Sacred Valley. It doesn’t lead you into Machu Picchu with dawn views of the Sun Gate but it does get you among the rugged ranges of the Andes to meet farmers and villagers. Trekkers can expect all the llamas they could ever want and maybe a few they didn’t.

The Inca Trail is so popular these days that hardly anyone gets there. Let me explain. Surprisingly few people who plan to visit the trail manage to do so because a permit system restricts numbers to 500 people a day.

Lares1

Left unchecked, the demand for trekking would destroy the trail, hence walking poles are no longer allowed, pack weight is reduced to 10 kilograms and you can forget about having a horse to carry anything up the hill.

The permit system raises a few problems for independent travellers because the commercial trekking operators buy their share of permits well in advance. Solo trekkers can no longer turn up in Aguas calientes and buy a permit to trek the following day and even securing a place on commercial treks requires bookings well in advance. Many travellers choose to trek somewhere else.

North of Cuzco, the Lares Ranges, with peaks reaching 5750 metres, tower above the Sacred Valley. Even the high passes between one valley and another can exceed 4400 metres, which is about two kilometres higher than Machu Picchu itself. A handful of commercial operators have begun supported treks into the Lares Ranges, with scenery you won’t find on the Inca Trail and a chance to meet Quechua, whose ancestors pre-date the Incas in the Sacred Valley by several thousand years. This is a special highlight on this trek.

Modern Quechua are farmers who survive on the margins of arable land. Potatoes grow at 3600 metres, if you plant the right type, but only llamas and alpaca are adapted to the conditions to graze in good health.

Horses are a luxury; better tempered than your average llama but high maintenance in an environment with so little nourishment. The only horses I see during my Lares trek are the ones carrying our camping gear and cooking pots, or occasionally a trekker too tired to walk (The easy option!).

Whenever the trail dips low into a valley, we find a hamlet taking advantage of the glacial melt that feeds the rivers year-round.

The best times for trekking in Peru are the winter months of June and July, when the skies are clear and the temperatures cool. During the day the high-altitude sun blazes and you rarely need more than a shirt to stay warm while walking. The nights, however, are cold – I spend each night wrapped in long johns, polar-fleece pants and a subzero-tolerant sleeping bag. I use my day pack for a pillow and the water bottle inside my pack is frozen solid by morning.

The llamas, too, prefer some warmth. Our campsite on the first night is one of the village’s llama pens and the creatures aren’t happy about giving up their patch. One of them manages to escape from the neighbouring pen and joins our camp, poking about my tent as though waiting to be allowed inside for a cup of tea and a biscuit. An unhappy Quechuan farmer runs over to sort out the llama trouble; it seems this isn’t the first time the llama has gone camping.

Next morning, our tent covers are frosted white when we emerge for hot chocolate and pancakes for a delicious breakfast.

The villagers let their llamas loose at dawn and they hoof up to the top of the hills where the warming sunlight has already arrived. Possibly the same troublesome llama that wanted to go camping last night has found its way into a potato field and made a start on breakfast.

The standard trek through the Lares Ranges takes three days, starting at 3400 metres and climbing to a high pass of 4400 metres before camping overnight at 3700 metres. The second-day’s walk climbs steeply to 4400 metres, descends through villages at 3600 metres, ascends again to 4500 metres and then heads gradually downhill. The second-night’s camp is tucked into a mountainside next to the still waters of Ipsaycocha Lake. The llamas love this location, too.

Supported trekking of this nature is a luxury but even with your gear carried by horses, it’s something of a challenge. In many ways the Lares Trail is more difficult than the Inca Trail: it goes higher and makes three major ascents. Most people spend a few days in Cuzco before the trek to adjust to the altitude, or head to Lake Titicaca to climb up and down a few islands at 3800 metres to give the lungs a workout in the thin air.

Three things make the Lares trek a great alternative to the Inca ruins of the Sacred Valley. A glimpse of the life of Quechuan farmers is fascinating, in their remote stone dwellings. The landscape is remarkable as you cross from valley to valley, looking down upon glacial lakes and rivers. And the llamas, they’re hairy, smell strange and have bad manners but in Peru, this combination makes you pretty popular.

There are a range of alternative trails in Peru, including the Salkantay trek, Lares trek as well as various Jungle treks to Machu Picchu, each is different, each is special!

- Source www.smh.com.au

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Inti Raymi, Festival of the Sun, South America’s second biggest party!

Aug 23

Posted by michelle in Inca Trail Tours, South American Tours | No Comments

Before the colonial Spaniards banned the ceremonial events occurring each WinterSolstice in Cuzco, the native residents gathered to honour the Sun God, sacrifice an animal to ensure good crops and to pay homage to the Inca, as the first born Son of the Sun.

The ceremonies took place at the winter sun festsolstice, when the sun is farthest from the earth. Fearing the lack of sun and ensuing famine, the ancient Incas gathered in Cuzco to honour the Sun God and plead for his return. The celebrants fasted for days before the event, refrained from physical pleasures and presented gifts to the Inca, who in return put on a lavish banquet of meat, corn bread, chicha and coca tea as they prepared to sacrifice llamas to ensure good crops and fertile fields.

sun

In 1572, Viceroy Toledo banned Inti Raymi celebrations as pagan and contrary to the Catholic faith. Following the edict, the ceremonies went underground.

Today, it’s the second largest festival in South America. Hundreds of thousands of people converge on Cuzco from other parts of the nation, South America and the world for a week long celebration marking the beginning of a new year, the Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun.

Every day has its events, from daytime expositions, street fairs, and people milling and dancing in the streets. In the evenings, live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups draws the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts. During the preceding year, in preparation for Inti Raymi, hundreds of actors are chosen to represent historical figures. Being selected to portray the Sapa Inca or his wife, Mama Occla, is a great honour.

The centrepiece of the festival is the all-day celebrations on June 24, the actual day of Inti Raymi. On this day, the ceremonial events begin with an invocation by the Sapa Inca in the Qorikancha, also spelled Koricancha square in front of the Santo Domingo church, built over the ancient Temple of the Sun. Here, the Sapa Inca calls on the blessings from the sun. Following the oration, Sapa Inca is carried on a golden throne, a replica of the original which weighed about 60 kilos, in a procession to the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuamán, in the hills above Cuzco. With the Sapa Inca come the high priests, garbed in ceremonial robes, then officials of the court, nobles and others, all elaborately costumed according to their rank, with silver and gold ornaments.

They walk along flower-bedecked streets, to music and prayers and dancing. Women sweep the streets to clear them of evil spirits. At Sacsayhuamán , where huge crowds await the arrival of the procession, Sapa Inca climbs to the sacred altar where all can see him.

Once all the celebrants are in place in the grand square of the fortress, there are speeches by Sapa Inca, the priests and representatives of the Suyos: the Snake for the world below, the Puma for life on earth, and the Condor for the upper world of the gods.

Parades of the festival

Parades of the festival

A white llama is sacrificed (now in a very realistic stage act) and the high priest holds aloft the bloody heart in honor of Pachamama. This is done to ensure the fertility of the earth which in combination with light and warmth from the sun provides a bountiful crop. The priests read the blood stains to see the future for the Inca.

As the sun begins to set, stacks of straw are set on fire and the celebrants dance around them to honour Tawantinsuty or the Empire of the Four Wind Directions. In ancient times, no fire was allowed that day until the evening fires.

The ceremony of Inti Raymi ends with a procession back to Cuzco. Sapa Inca and Mama Occla are carried on their thrones, the high priests and representatives of the Supas pronounce blessings on the people. Once again, a new year has begun.

June 24 is also celebrated throughout Peru as Indians Day or Peasants Day.

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Full reopening of railway between Cusco and Machu Picchu

Jun 29

Posted by dillon in Inca Trail Tours, South American Tours | No Comments

28th June 2010, London: Ferrocarril Transandino has announced the full re-opening of the railway from Cusco to Machu Picchu on schedule for the peak season.

Ferrocarril Transandino has announced that as of the 25th June the complete railway line from Cusco to Machu Picchu has opened, with all tourist train services returning to a normal service from 1st July.  PeruRail is commencing all operations on its tourist trains including a refurbished Vistadome, an upgraded backpacker service which is now named Expedition and the luxury Hiram Bingham train. The only restriction will be on the speed limit of the trains from the stations of Cusco, Poroy and Ollantaytambo.

The complete re-opening follows months of intense work on the route, after many parts of the track were severely

Machu Picchu - One of the seven wonders of the world

Machu Picchu - One of the seven wonders of the world

damaged during flooding at the end of January 2010.  Visitors have been able to reach Machu Picchu since the end of March from a temporary station in Piscacucho at km 82 (a station beyond Ollantaytambo).

Machu Picchu is one of South America’s major tourist attractions and was given the title of one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.   2011 will mark 100 years since the rediscovery of Machu Picchu when the American explorer and politician, Hiram Bingham rediscovered the lost city of the Incas in 1911 and brought its attention to the rest of the world.

Chimu Adventures offers many tours to Machu Picchu including the Inca trail, highlights of Peru and South America Circle tours. Visit our website for more details.

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Alternatives To Machu Picchu

May 25

Posted by dillon in Inca Trail Tours | No Comments

With experts predicting Machu Picchu could be under threat, new tours to the alternative ruins are becoming increasingly more popular:

Machu Picchu, the 15th century Inca citadel, has become a cornerstone of Latin America tourism since the American historian, Hiram Bingham, first stubbed his toe on an overgrowth-covered stone slab in 1911.

Today the site attracts up to 700,000 visitors each year: in the forthcoming high season (July and August) you can spot around 1,000 Gore-Tex jackets clambering over the Sun Gate to catch the first rays at dawn.

In recent years, however, concerns have been expressed that Machu Picchu is falling victim to its own success. The primary concern is that the high volume of visitors is harming the site’s infrastructure. The United Nations cultural agency wants visitor numbers more than halved, while Unesco has said that it may put the ruin on its list of endangered sites.

The National Cultural Institute of Peru – the managing body responsible for Machu Picchu – have responded with a slew of measures intended to limit tourist numbers and improve conditions for the porters, who carry travellers’ backpacks in all weathers along the high-altitude Inca Trail. As a result, most visitors must now wait four to five days in Cuzco before getting a place on a trek.

Despite this, Machu Picchu remains the number one must-see on a South America tour. And, as such, the hunt is now on for new Inca ruins as a viable, ecologically sound alternative.

What most people don’t realise, however, is that there’s no shortage of alternative Inca trails, including hikes in Bolivia and Ecuador, Peru’s Andean neighbours.

Here we present four alternatives to Machu Picchu where you can catch the ruins but avoid the crowds.

The Choquequirao trail, Peru

Where? Meaning “Cradle of Gold” in the local Quechua language, this site – located just 50 miles from the world-renowned Inca trail – is being hotly tipped as the next Machu Picchu.

Choquequirao Ruins in Peru

Choquequirao Ruins in Peru

What’s to see? The new site is currently being championed by a French government initiative personally overseen by President Chirac. While the site is open for visitors, excavations are continuing to uncover the ruins. With new EU funding incoming, the development of surrounding infrastructure is likely to continue apace in the next few years.

How to get there: From Cuzco, it’s a tough eight-day trek by mule along passes in the Vilcabamba mountain range at an altitude of up to 4,600m – not for the faint-hearted.

The Ingapirca trail, Ecuador

Where? Ingapirca, located just 31 miles north Cuenca, is one of the most significant sites of the Inca empire and Ecuador’s best-preserved Inca ruins.

What’s to see? Following Inca pathways past mountain lakes and grassy valleys, this is one for scenery lovers. Better still, chances are you’ll have the trail to yourself as it receives just a fraction of the foot traffic of other Inca routes. Afterwards, stop off in the colonial city of Cuenca, the home of the Panama hat.

How to get there: Head by road from Quito to the trailhead at the village of Achupallas, after which it’s a moderate three-day trek. The last section of the trail is follows a 7m-wide Inca road directly to the ruins at Ingapirca.

The Choro trail, Bolivia
Where? Descending steeply from a high-altitude (4,750m) pass at La Cumbre, 14 miles outside of La Paz, to low-lying Coroico in the tropical Yungas region, this is one of the most popular treks in Bolivia.

What’s to see? This well-signposted trail follows a pre-Hispanic road that cuts through a savage but spectacular landscape via tiny villages and rustic pueblos. It’s low on infrastructure – take plenty of supplies – but great for a glimpse of rural Bolivian life. There’s also an overnight at the orchid plantation of Sandillani.

How to get there: Accessed from La Paz, it’s a moderate four-day, 37 miles walk and, best of all, almost completely downhill.

The pre-Inca trail, Peru

Where? From Cajamarca, inland from Peru’s northern coast, the trail leads, via Chiclayo and Sipán, where the most elaborate Moche tombs in Peru were discovered in 1987, to the town of coastal town of Trujillo, visiting other pre-Inca sites at Pampa Grande, El Dragón, and Chan Chán en route.

What’s to see? There’s more to Peru than just the Incas. Indeed, the north coast of Peru was home to the pre-Inca civilisations of the Moche and Chimu cultures, whose handiwork with roads and canals are thought to have inspired the Inca’s vast network.

How to get there: Cajamarca has daily flight connections to Lima; some flights are routed via Trujillo.

Contact Chimu to day to organise one of these great alternative treks!

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Machu Picchu to Re-open to Tourists

Mar 16

Posted by dillon in Inca Trail Tours, South American Tours | No Comments

Following the closure of access to Machu Picchu after the recent flooding, the Cultural National Institute of Peru (INC) and Ferrocarril Transandino (FTSA) has announced that the railroad is due to be reopened on 29th March.  The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu will reopen to tourists on 1st April 2010.

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu

Visitors will take road transportation from Cusco to a train station at Piscacucho at km 82 (a station beyond Ollantaytambo) and from there will board the train to Aguas Calientes.  An official ceremony will mark the reopening of the railway on 29th March for the first train and then visitors are able to partake in Machu Picchu tours and the famous treks to citadel such as the Inca trail tour.

For those wishing to take the Inca Trail route to Machu Picchu, the trek is also expected to be open on the 1st of April.  There are also many alternative and outstanding treks on offer, such as the Salkantay and Lares trek which also reach Machu Picchu.

According to the verification conducted by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the Machu Picchu Archeological Complex, as well as the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu itself, did not suffer any damage at all in the recent floods.

Machu Picchu is one of South America’s major tourist attractions and was given the title of one of the new Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.   2011 will mark 100 years since the rediscovery of Machu Picchu when the American explorer and politician, Hiram Bingham rediscovered the lost city of the Incas in 1911 and brought its attention to the rest of the world.

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A Peruvian Adventure with Chimu Adventures

Jan 8

Posted by dillon in Inca Trail Tours | No Comments

Chimu Adventures travelers – Ben and Josie Benoit – embark on a fantastic journey around South America and the world. Below tells of their adventures in Peru:

“10 days in and it feels like we’ve been away forever – and what a fantastic start to our adventure…a bonus upgrade to Business class on the flight out; the crazy, hectic city that is Lima for a 24-hour rude awakening to Peru; 3 blissful days meandering the streets and ruins of Cuzco; 4 energetic but immensely rewarding days doing the Inca Trail Tour to the stupendously beautiful (and fortunately really sunny) Machu Picchu; 1 day basking in the sun on an unforgettable steam train, journeying through the Andean countryside from Cuzco to Puno. We thank our lucky stars that we’ve seen (almost all of) the highlights of Peru.Cow Procession

24-hours in Lima

We won’t gloat any more about the flight upgrade but arriving in style to Lima really helped – they don’t let the other passengers off the plane until Bus. Classers have collected their luggage. Here we witnessed a cow parade, a brass band fanfare, a group of school children salsa-ing in the playground, a football match in the middle of the motorway, the fattest squat sweet corn plugged by the street vendors on every corner, tones of building work and an incredible church made from mud.

CuzcoCuzco streets

The afternoon flight to Cuzco was incredible – a 10 min, 20,000 feet, 180 degree descent into the town’s bowl, with spectacular mountains either side. Cuzco was much bigger than we expected but 3 days gave us ample time to explore and, of course, acclimatise to the 3,600 m.a.s.l. (metres above sea level) altitude. We stayed in a beautiful hostel (Amaru, on the San Blas), feasted on avocado, alpaca (tough), ceviche of trout in lemon juice (yum), guinea pig (questionable) and nachos, huffed and puffed up the steep, narrow roads to the “Sexy Woman” ruins, watched the world go by with a rocket-fuel coffee on the balconies overlooking the main plaza, took a day trip to the tall ruins and vibrant towns of Ollantaytambo and Pisac (via beautiful, sparse landscapes) and supped pisco sours and our first delicious South American wine. Our Cusco tour certainly was one not to be forgotten.

Inca trail

The time had finally come to embark on the Inca Trail – between us and Machu Picchu were 45 kilometers, ~25 hours of trekking and a great deal of sweat and resilience. We awake a little nervous at 0530 to head off to the “KM82” point, where the trail begins. Our guide is a softly spoken 25-year-old called Washington. He is barely capable of growing a beard and should be sitting his GCSEs rather than guiding us up the mountains of Peru – but he turns out to be extremely knowledgeable. We are in a group of 3 with our guide, and part of a larger group of 10 (plus 2 other guides and 9 amazing porters). Our other companions include a quiet Brazilian couple, a pessimistic Belgian couple (50 years old! – awesome stamina during the ascent), 2 lovely Irish honeymooners and 1 aloof Frenchman.

Day 1 of the hike is pretty comfortable. Ben’s knee has a dodgy moment, locking on the descent to lunch, but this is the only worry he encounters for the entire trip. Key-hole surgery is truly miraculous – his op. was 3 weeks before the trip! For our first lunch, we feast on asparagus soup and beef, tomatoes and rice in a small ‘dining’ tent. We arrive in a peasant village in Wayllabamba, in the shadow of a mountain called Veronica (nearly 6,000 metres high). We’re basically camping in the back garden of some farmers, and are woken up at 4am to a donkey depositing his ‘gifts’ at the opening of our tent and chickens pecking our guy ropes. Already getting back to grips with a flashlight torch and hole-in-the floor toilet training…Inca steps

Day 2 is the hardest day of the trek. A continuous 1,200 metre ascent to the “Dead Woman’s Pass”, followed by a steep 600 metre descent to the camp, all before any lunch!!! We kick off at 0500 for brekkie, are on the road for 0615 and arrive at Paqaymayu camp at 1330, having battled serious wind and rain. We spend a soggy evening in our water-logged tent, tempered only by the warm Andean rum punch (hot water, lemon, cinnamon, lime and rum) provided by Roger, the other guide who used his mafia-esque connections to procure alcohol and change our train tickets for an earlier departure on the final day. We love you, Roger!

Day 3 is spent trekking in and out of the jungle in an eerie mist punctuated by lovely Inca ruins, all building nicely for the main course of Machu Pichu on the final day. Day 3 is also the first opportunity we have for a warm shower. Well, that was true for one of us – they’ve upgraded the ladies’ showers only at camp. The site has a bar and a bit of music so we enjoy some seriously strong G&Ts before dinner. Day 3 is also most memorable because (a) the toilet situation has seriously improved, and (b) we get to meet all the porters who have carried our tents, food and cooking equipment all the way from “KM82”. Their job is probably the most unenviable in the world as they lug 25kgs of stuff up and down the Inca steps at breakneck speeds to arrive at camp, set up our tents and cook our food before we arrive. It was humbling to hear about their families and lifestyle. The least we could do was continually thank them, buy them a beer and offer them an appropriate tip.

Day 4 We leave camp at 0500 to peg it up the mountain to the Sun Gate to get the first glimpse of Machu Pichu. We arrive at 0615 and luckily, the sun has just risen and we get perfect views of the Lost City. From this distance, Machu Machu Pichu Postcard shotPicchu is looking pretty small, but once we get down to the ruins, the views are stupendous. We dump the loathed rucksacks and embark on a 2-hour tour with Washington, to learn about the King’s habitat for himself and his 400!! children, the result of several (100s of?) concubines, and the Sun Temple’s geometrically-aligned windows, allowing light during the summer and winter solstice to hit the same point on some special rock: a symmetry that, today, astrologists still marvel at.

Once the tour is over and we’ve finished gazing in wonder at this place, we head into Aguas Calientes for a well-deserved lunch. Jossie is brave enough to order a barbequed guinea pig, complete with head, paws, teeth and organ appendages. That’s officially our last encounter with the “Cuy” – not enough meat, and far too graphic to dissect. We chug back to Cuzco on a 2-hour train and 90 minute break-neck bus drive, enjoying the amazing landscape and feeling that we definitely earned the right to see such a modern wonder of the world.

And so to Puno…

Today is a completely different experience: as we write, we are meandering through fantastic countryside from Cuzco to Puno on the Andean Explorer, Peru’s equivalent of the Orient Express. Greg, an avid ‘trainer’ from the UK, tells us that this is the world’s most beautiful train journey. We kick off with pisco sours at 10am, have a silver service 3-course meal for lunch and afternoon tea with champagne cocktails. But best by far is the open-air, gold-railed final carriage, where we watched the world go by, sitting in the sun, and took thousands of photos of Peruvian life – farmers herding lamas, children playing by the railway, and the occasional manic town (Juliaca) selling anything from spare car parts, rope, books, fruit and veg by the side (and sometimes actually on!) the rail track.

So..1 more day left in Peru before we transfer to Copacabana for a different perspective of Lake Titicaca from the Bolivian side – it’s been a fantastic 10 days and we’d recommend Peru to anybody.”

Chimu Adventures offers many Peru tours including the Inca trail Tour, Highlights of Peru Tour and Lake Titicaca Tour. Visit our website for more details.

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Inca Trail 2010 Season

Jan 4

Posted by dillon in Inca Trail Tours | No Comments

Reach Machu Picchu on the Inca TrailThere is no more popular Peru Tour than the Inca Trail and 2009 was a fantastic year for the famous trek. The year  saw it’s popularity continue to grow and grow as almost all days were a complete sell out and it is obvious to see why as the Inca trail tour is one of the most historic, cultural and scenic treks in the world. The four day hike can be challenging at times but the rewards are more than worth it as you reach one of the Seven Wonders of the World –Machu Picchu, the traditional way.

Right now there is great availability for all months in 2010. However, if 2009 was anything to go by 2010 will be booked out fast so get in quick to secure your place now!

Chimu Adventures offers the 4 day Inca Trail tour at very competitive prices as well as many other Peru Tours. Visit our website for more details.

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The Inca Trail – The Authentic Way to Reach Machu Picchu

Oct 25

Posted by dillon in Inca Trail Tours | No Comments

Our Inca trail group!

Our Inca trail group!

Alot has been written and said about the Inca trail in recent years but the only real way to see what the hype is all about is to experience it yourself first hand. It can be a little bit challenging and sometimes you will wish you had taken the train like thousands of other people to reach Machu Picchu. For me however, the experience and the reward at the end more than made up for the difficulties on the classic four day trek.

Day 1: Cusco and a Relatively Easy Warm-Up Day

Early in the morning the guide collected us from the hotel in Cusco and transported us to Km 82 where it was time for everyone in the group to meet and have the picture taken under the famous ´Camino Inca´ sign. Then it was time to take the first steps of the Inca trail on the path to Machu Picchu. The first day’s walk was quite easy and the views were spectacular including the the snow-peaked Veronica Mountain and the bustling Vilcanota River.

After a hearty lunch (a common theme of the trek as the food was excellent) we made it to the first Inca ruins of Patallacta where the guide began to delve into the fascinating Inca culture.

After re-energising, we began the steady climb to Huayllabamba, where our friendly team of porters had our tents already set up and a cup of tea and popcorn waiting, just what the doctor ordered!

Day 2: The Hardest Day on the Inca Trail

After a great omlette breakfast and our introduction to the team of portsers, the hardest part of the trail was to begin. I had heard about this day and was a little bit worries about the altitude but was also very excited by the challenge.

The trek started with a steady climb up to the first meeting point about an hour away. The sun was shining which made for amazing views and scenerary but not the greatest of trekking conditions. After the first stop, things got a little more interesting as the trail became steeper and steeper. The sweat and toil was pouring out of every trekker on the trail as we all yearned to reach Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass), at some 4200m (13,800ft) above sea level. The trail just seemed to keep going and goig however and there was no end in sight as the muscles in my legs began to feel the impact of every step harder and harder.

Finally after struggling up another steep hill I could see the top of the pass and the target was in my sights. I was re-vitalised and began to power on towards the top getting closer and closer. As I reached the top I, and many others were greeted with the applause and cheers of those trekkers who had already made it. There was a great sense of comradery and achievement from all groups doing the Inca Trail for reaching this milestone. Just to cap it off, the incredible, panoramic views of the mountains and landscape were more than worth it.

After a deserved rest it was time to descend with to our camp where the porters had again already set up our home for the night and it was time to relax and reflect on the most challenging but rewarding days of the Inca trail.

Day 3: Onward to Machu Picchu

After yesterdays exhausting day I thought this day would be a little easier but little did I know the trail started straight away with an ascent will begin to the second highest pass on the Trail, at more than 3900m above sea level. The views along the way were, once again, unbelievable and certainly makes any pain felt in the muscles very worth while. On the way up, we enjoy a guided visit to the Archaeological Complex of Runkurukay and, on the way down, the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca before reaching our last camp where a deserved hot shower and beer was waiting. Never had a beer tasted so good! It was time for one last dinner in the camp and to thank the porters for the job they have done before getting to bed early in anticipation of tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu!

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco

After a very early breakfast, we started the sacred walk through high rainforest to Inti Punku (Gateway of the Sun), the well-known entrance to Machu Picchu, with its unparallelled panoramic view of the Inca Citadel. Unfortunately for us the weather was not our friend this day and we could not see a thing through the thick mist. However, this made the first views of Machu Picchu very mystical with the fog lifting to make some great photo opportunities.

Machu Picchu itself also didn’t disappoint, in fact its hard to see how anyone could not be impressed by this famous Inca city. I was in awe at the sheer size of the ruins and the pristine condition it is in, which given the climate, is a miracle in itself. We then had a fascinating guided tour of the ruins and monuments, such as the Main Square, the Circular Tower and the Sacred Solar Clock. After free time it was then time to go to the town of Aguas Calientes to have lunch and a dip in the hot springs. Then we said goodbye to our wonderful tour guide and took the train back to Cusco after quite a journey.

Overall the Inca Trail is one of the must-do adventures in South America and even the world. The amazing views, fascinating history, pristine ruins and the physical challenge make it four days you will certainly remember for a long long time.

To find out more about the Inca Trail click here for further information.

Or alternatively to find out about the alternative trails or the train trip to Machu Picchu .

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