We Do More Than Asia
There’s no better way to explore the Andes than by trekking through its terrain. Cotopaxi Park in Equador is unique with its volcano and glacier lake which is home to rare birds and wildlife. Colca Canyon, Peru is where you can see large herds of llamas and alpacas. Cusco welcomes you to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incan civilization. Sail Lake Titicaca to the Uros Islands. Cross Lake Titicaca to Copacabana, Bolivia. Trek Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia shows you the best of 3 worlds.
Day 1 – Quito
Arrive in Quito where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 – Quito/Pasochoa/Cotopaxi
Your trip begins with a day of light trekking to help acclimatize to the altitude in the Andes. Depart Quito early in the morning to the Pasochoa reserve. Hike through the forest to reach the volcano itself and climb to the edge of the caldera. After a picnic lunch at the summit descend back down and travel overland to Cotopaxi where you will overnight.
Day 3 – Cotopaxi/Quito
The Cotopaxi National Park is a 36,000-hectare nature and wildlife sanctuary established around the highest active volcano in the world. Its unique paramo ecosystem is a spectacular place to hike, explore for wildlife and get stunning volcano scenery. Begin the hike on the slopes of Rumiñahui Volcano with views directly across to the snowcapped Cotopaxi Volcano. Along this trail you may find hares, fox, Andean falcon, white-tailed deer and even the great condor flying overhead. Explore this dramatic area all the way to Limpiopungo Glacier Lake where it is common to see Andean gulls, ducks, Andean teal, lapwing, shore birds and even an occasional high altitude flamingo. After lunch at a local hacienda visit the Incan ruins of Pucara. Return to Quito in the afternoon.
Day 4 – Quito/Lima
Transfer to the airport for to Lima, the capital of Peru. After clearing customs you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 5 – Lima/Arequipa
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Arequipa. On arrival you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 6 – Arequipa/Colca Canyon
Depart your hotel early in the morning for a scenic bus ride to the Colca Canyon. Drive through the Aguada Blanca National Reserve where you can see herds of llamas and alpacas grazing on the Catahuasi plains. After 4 hours you will reach the beginning of the Colca Canyon with its green valleys and Andean terraces. After lunch visit La Calera to enjoy a bath in its hot springs. Your journey will end at the town of Chivay where you will check in to your lodge.
Day 7 – Colca Canyon/Arequipa
After breakfast depart early in the morning for the drive to the “Condor Cross”, the best point for a breathtaking view of the Colca Canyon with the Colca River flowing 1,200 meters below and the majestic condors in flight above. Visit the Hanging Tombs at Choquetico before continuing on to the towns of Maca, Achoma and Yanque with its lovely white church. Return to Chivay for lunch before driving back to your hotel in Arequipa.
Day 8 – Arequipa/Cusco
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day acclimating to the high altitude in preparation for the Inca Trail.
Day 9 – Cusco/Ollantaytambo/Inka Trail
Depart from your hotel at 4:30 a.m. and transfer to the Sacred Valley and into Ollantaytambo, where you will stop to collect porters and equipment. You will have time to visit the surrounding area of Ollantaytambo before traveling on to kilometer 82, where you will begin your trek. To start the pace will be slow to allow for aclimatization and soon you will stop at your first archaeological complex, Llactapata, at kilometer 88 (2,550 m above sea level). After a brief visit to the archaeological complex continue your walk to Wayllabama for the first night’s camp.
Day 10 – Inca Trail
Today’s hike may be the most difficult with the steepest incline. After breakfast begin your walk through the valley of Wallabamba. On your journey you will be able to observe the nature and ecological change of the area as you ascend to Yuncachimpa, where you will climb to Llulluchapampa at 3750 m. From this point you will be able to appreciate the valley of Huayanay and the first stop Warmiwañusca, located at 4,200 m. Tonight camp in the sector of Pacaymayo.
Day 11 – Inca Trail
After breakfast begin the ascent to Runkurakay at 3860 m. Today’s walk will be about two hours longer than the previous day and you will be able to visit another small complex, Sayamarca, and appreciate the amazing vistas of valleys and snow capped mountains. Continuing on you will stop to visit the complex of Phuyupatamarca, and then descend 3 kilometers until you arrive at Wiñaywayna. Here you will visit the complex of Phuyupatamarca before camping for the night nearby.
Day 12 – Inca Trail/Machu Picchu
After an early breakfast walk to Intipunco, known as the Door of Sun where you will catch your first glimpse of the impressive Lost City of Machu Picchu. Complete your Inca Trail trek with a hike down to the sanctuary for a guided tour of the well preserved ruins. Afterwards check in to your hotel and enjoy some well deserved relaxation.
Day 13 – Machu Picchu/Cusco
This morning you are free to relax or explore the ruins at leisure. In the afternoon take the train journey back to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Arrive and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, relax and enjoy Cuzco’s nightlife.
Day 14 – Cusco
After breakfast your city tour will show you this amazing colonial city built on the foundations of Inca palaces. You will visit the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun, where you can appreciate the incredible masonry of the Incas, the Plaza de Armas and the Cathedral with its carved woodworks, altars and paintings. Continue to the Inca fortress of Sacsahuamán, the underground cave and temple of Kenko and to Tambomachay, known as the Baths of the Inca.
Day 15 – Cusco/Puno
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Juliaca. On arrival transfer to your hotel in Puno and spend the rest of the day free at leisure.
Day 16 – Puno/Copacabana/Sampaya/Sun Island
After breakfast depart Puno and cross Lake Titicaca to Copacabana in Bolivia. On arrival continue on to La Gruta and up an Incan trail to a pass with an amazing view of the Cordillera Real de los Andes and Lake Titicaca. Continue to Sampaya, an old Indian village, with well preserved Andean architecture. Hike down to the bay and take a boat to the Island of the Sun, sacred to the Incas. Land near the Pilkokaina ruins and hike to your overnight accommodations.
Day 17 – Sun Island/Copacabana/La Paz
In the morning travel by boat to the northern part of the island where you will visit the well preserved ruins at La Chincana. Take the boat back to Copacabana, where you will have a chance to see the famous Dark Virgin and its church. After lunch enjoy a stroll through the town before traveling to La Paz. On arrival transfer to your hotel.
Day 18 – Depart La Paz
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
