Adventure Specialists inc.Bear Basin Ranch Westcliffe Colorado 81252
info@adventurespecialists.org Phone/fax 719-630-7195 Summer 719 782-2076
Adventure Specialists inc.
Bear Basin Ranch Westcliffe Colorado 81252
info@adventurespecialists.org Phone/fax 719-630-7195 Summer 719 782-2076
THE SACRED INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
NEW INCA TRAIL, CLASSIC CLOUD FOREST HIKE
DATES AND COST 2005: 10 days $1985 Single Supplement $191
December 23-January 1
[$2085 includes special Christmas dinner and New Year's Celebration).
2006: March 18 -27, April 22 - May 1, June 24-July 3 Dec 23-Jan 1 ($2085 includes special Christmas dinner and New Year's Celebration)
A recently reopened Inca trail follows the Urubamba River through its imposing granite gorge to just below Machu Picchu, then climbs up to the Historical Sanctuary passing through the temple site of Winay Wayna. The route culminates with the stunning spectacle of Machu Picchu viewed from the imposing sun gate Intipunku, perched high above the lost city. We have designed this program for those who seek the essence of Inca Peru within limited time and budget while avoiding the overcrowded, overused popular INCA TRAIL that every tour group and backpacker travels. AND NO HIGH PASSES...!
Beginning with an introduction to Inca Peru through narrated visits to Cusco, Pisac and Ollantaytambo, we hike four days along a recently reconstructed Inca trail beside the roaring rapids of the Urubamba River visiting seldom seen ruins. The trail passes through pristine cloud forest vegetation hosting a multitude of interesting and colorful birds. Overnighting in the bustling backpacker, pizza and beer town, Aguascaliente, we explore famous Machu Picchu before the tourist hoards arrive then return to a shopping and rest day in Cusco.
"In view, down the great canyon of the Urubamba below is the long cloud forested ridge of Llactapata. The steep slope conceals a large complex of Inca ruins rediscovered and investigated by our Inca Research expeditions, led by Adventure Specialists' Gary Ziegler and noted British author/explorer, Hugh Thomson in 2003"
SUITABILITY: This education, fun adventure is safari style, using porters to carry personnel gear and camp supplies. Bilingual guide, professional staff cooks and local Quechua speaking helpers accompany a small group of guests. Comfortable camps offer delicious meals in a cozy dining tent and a pan of hot water with a mug of coffee or tea served at your tent to greet each day. Hiking is at altitudes between 9,000 and 7,000 feet on good, all weather trails. We hike up to 8 miles on the longest day with some moderate up and down. The longest climb is about 1,500 feet up from the river to Machu Picchu. This more moderate route avoids the cold, high altitude and snows of the high passes. We do however require that all participants be in good health and appropriate physical condition to safely enjoy and complete the program.
Who we are: The owners and operators of Adventure Specialists' Peruvian adventure program represent a highly skilled staff of world reconized professionals. U.S. based Adventure Specialists and Peru’s Manu Expeditions offer a tantalizing variety of exciting and unusual, educational, back country programs. Gary Ziegler, founder of Adventure Specialists, has a far flung history which includes a Ph.D. in archaeology, archaeological expeditions into remote Peru and Mexico, work for National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, museums and assorted universities. Gary has been organizing and leading expeditions and groups in Peru since 1964. His accomplishments include the first ascents of seven high ice peaks and the discovery and documentation of new archaeological sites. In June, 2000, he co-directed and led an expedition documentary film production in Peru for the Discovery Channel. In 2001, Gary co-led a National Geographic expedition which located and excavated the much publicized Inca settlement of Corihuayrachina. In 2002 and 2003, he co-directed the Thomson-Ziegler Expeditions that located and investigated the important Inca sites of Cota Coca and Llactapata near Machu Picchu. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of London and the Explorers Club of New York.
Managed by internationally recognized British ornithologist/explorer, Barry Walker MBE, author of " Field Guide to the Birds of Machu Picchu" and Cusco born wife, Rosario Velarde, The Manu Expeditions guides and staff have vast experience. They are logistical wizards who insure trips go smoothly and that guests are expertly attended to. Gary leads most of our mountain Inca research expeditions while Barry leads special birding and rain forest study projects. They occasional lead Machu Picchu trips for special programs. Gary and Barry have a long list of successfully completed film productions in their credits. Talent, experience, energy and unusual knowledge best describe their contribution to our programs.
Manu Expeditions and its sister US based company Adventure Specialists, founded adventure travel in Peru. Gary Ziegler began designing and guiding A.S. educational adventure programs in Peru in 1971. Barry, Gary, Rosario and US manager, Amy Finger, maintain the highest standards with hands on management and continuing development of new and ongoing programs.
Guides Machu Picchu Programs:
Edwin Duenas Age 38 leads most of our Machu Picchu trips each season. A native of Cusco, he is fluent in Quechua, Spanish and speaks Italian and English well. As close to a living Inca as one can get, his family history goes back before the conquest. One of Peru's most experienced backcountry guides, he is an avid student of Andean history and culture. Edwin holds a doctoral and law degree from Peru's San Antonio Abad University. When not in the field with our programs, he practices civil law in downtown Cusco. Edwin is an extraordinary skilled and knowledgeable trip leader who gives his all to each program. Other equally qualified guides may lead several of our Machu Picchu trips each season
DAY 1) Flights from the United States depart late in the evening. We meet your morning light at the Cusco Airport. Arrangements can be made to assist you onto your connecting local flight.
Day 2 ) Arrive to CUSCO on an early flight. We greet you at the airport. Following a brief orientation and a cup of traditional coca tea, we organize an afternoon introductory trek around town. Most need the time to rest and recover from travel. Later, refreshed and eager, we meet for dinner at a favorite restaurant. We talk about ancient legends, Manco Inca,the lost cities of Vilcabamba or perhaps just get to know each other. Some may opt for evening festivities in this bustling international city. We lodge in the very nice Andes de America hotel close to the main plaza.
Day 3) Leaving Cusco in the rear view mirror, we travel by van over a low pass then down into the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. The scenery is unsurpassable, close and distant snow peaks glistening in the sun. The Sacred Valley is the location of the major Inca temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo. Probably built by the great Inca ruler, Pachacuti in the 1460s, it was the site of Hernando Pizzaro's defeat by Manco Inca in 1536.
Constructed of finely cut polygonal stones and rhyolite blocks, the fortress and nearby town represent the best of Inca architecture and construction. Large worked blocks, some weighting as much as 100 tons were quarried from a site more than a thousand vertical feet above the valley floor using a technique of pecking with hammer stones, then skidded down and across the Urubamba river several kilometers to the temple site. Inclined ramps were built to raise the blocks several hundred feet up hill to the construction area. We have ample time to examine the complex and ponder its many mysteries. We may also undertake a hiking tour of the extensive Inca hill top complex of Pisac. We spend the night at a comfortable valley Inn. We slip off to our rooms to ponder the mystery of the last Incas before drifting into undisturbed slumber.
Day 4: We drive a short distance to OLLANTAYTAMBO, meeting our colorful band of Quechua porters at the site of an Inca bridge spanning the Urubamba river. The porters take charge of all the heavy baggage leaving us free to move unburdened along the gentle riverside trail. We, soon pass below the Inca quarries where pink ryolite blocks were cut and carried great distances to construct the temple complex above the town. The trail winds through arid cactus gardens alive with hummingbirds. The ground is covered in a variety of terrestrial bromeliads. Above, the glacier covered peak of Wakaywilca (Veronica) appears from the mist to dominate the skyline. We enjoy a stream side picnic lunch then continue on to make evening camp. Travel time should be about six hours on good trail. Pre-dinner cocktails (martinis and good Chilean wine) and popcorn are in order as our seasoned cooks ( no pun intended) prepare a 3 course dinner.
Day 5: A hot cup of coca tea or fresh brewed coffee followed by a pan of warm wash water delivered to the door of your tent starts the morning. A breakfast of eggs prepared as you like, accompanied by bacon and Andean hard bread follows. Fresh fruit, yogurt, and cooked Quinoa are served as an option. We enjoy a leisurely morning as Torrent Ducks and White-capped Dippers play below in the river. After investigating the impressive Inca ruins of Patallacta, we walk on through a magical world of verdant cloud forest, rare orchids, towering erythrina trees and multicolored birds. If lucky, we catch glimpses of rare Trogons, Quetzals, Andean Guans, the unbelievable Cock-of-the-Rock and a wide variety of other birds. Swimming Torrent Ducks and a occasional Highland Motmot glide across the river below. We arrive at our camp in time for lunch below the little known and seldom visited Inca ruins of Huayna-Quente. Those who wish can relax in camp and enjoy the view, but for the adventurous, there is an afternoon excursion to investigate these well preserved ruins.
Day 6: This is an inspiring hike through pristine cloud forest. After a leisurely breakfast, we walk through a magical world of old growth forest, orchids, exotic trees and rare birds. We travel four to five hours, to make camp near the start of the climb up to our final destination, the famous Machu Picchu. The trail winds up, then down, through increasing dense vegetation overlooking the roaring rapids below. We have ample time for photos, cloud forest exploration and philosophical speculations about life and lessons if any, learned from the raise, fall and conquest of the Incas.
Day 7 Leaving river and forest behind, we climb steeply 1,500 ft. up a winding zig-zag trail. Although steep, the pace is slow and the distance short. Views of towering WAKAYWILCA and the ice crested Urubamba range leave us more breathless than the steady climb. Discovered by the Fejos/ Viking fund expedition in the 1940s, WINAY-WAYNA, one of Peru’s most impressive archeological sites is today’s destination. Situated on the ridge of a hanging, hillside valley at an altitude of 8,800 ft., two groups of finely made building are connected by a series of 19 baths or fountains, more than any other Inca site. Inca scholar Johan Reinhard describes Winay Wayna as a ritual stopping place along the route to MACHU PICCHU associated with the worship of sacred water.
We have ample time to explore and photograph, awed by the silent beauty of the imposing surroundings and enigmatic mystery that its abandonment represents. Two hours travel along a well constructed Inca trail takes us to INTIPUNKU, famous GATE OF THE SUN overlooking Hiram Bingham's famous `Lost city’.
MACHU PICCHU is one of the most magical and mysterious places on Earth! Situated on the spine of a jungle cloaked granite peak towering some 2,000 ft. above an entrenched meander of the roaring river below, the site is frequently shrouded in misty clouds pierced through by the powerful equatorial sun, the INCA GOD INTI. Constructed from precisely sculptured granite blocks carefully joined with the projecting exposed stone of the surrounding mountain, the site may well be the finest architectural achievement of the new world. The afternoon is yours to explore and photograph.
In view, down the great canyon of the Urubamba below is the long cloud forested ridge of Llactapata. The steep slope conceals a large complex of Inca ruins rediscovered and investigated by our Inca Research expeditions led by Gary Ziegler and noted British explorer, Hugh Thomson in 2003.
We take a small shuttle bus down to the bustling backpacker town of Aguascalientes. Again, avoiding tour groups and the overpriced, Hotel Machu Picchu, we locate at a small comfortable inn (yes there is plenty of hot water). Dinner is pizza and beer at a local night spot. Some of us opt for after dinner pisco sours and dancing at the place on the hill.
Day 8 We take the first early morning bus back up to MACHU PICCHU. Arriving long before the tourist hoards disgorge from the morning trains, overrunning the pathways, we have the site to ourselves as nearby HUAYNA PICCHU peak rises from the clearing mist, inviting spectacular, early light photos. We meet on the highest point, HUAYNA PICCHU. Our guide concludes the story of the raise and fall of the ancient civilizations of the Andes with the tragic end of the Inca and the unresolved mystery that this "lost city" remains. Hopping the Cusco bound afternoon train, we arrive back in the Capital of the Inca and comfortable rooms at our selected hotel, Andes de America, near the central plaza. We gather later for a final celebration dinner at the Hotel's fine restaurant. B:L:D
Day 9) This is the day to rest, shop and wander around Cusco. The city abounds with small shops and street side vendors selling their wares. Colorful weavings and hand made alpaca sweaters are popular gifts for friends at home. Most migrate to the Cross Keys, Cusco's only authentic English Pub, for drinks and lively conversation with the resident congregation of guides, expatriates, adventurers, treasure hunters and smugglers from far corners of the universe. Humphry Bougard and Harrison Ford usually have the back table next to the pool table. B.
Day10) Breakfast at the hotel then we help you onto the morning flight to Lima.
Adios amigos…buen viaje. (see Lima below)
Scheduling Suggestions:
Arrival: We recommend arriving in Cusco a day or two before the program if possible. You will enjoy added time exploring the many interesting aspects of the region and extra time helps acclimation to the high altitude. We arrange hotels, other services and suggest itineraries for a 10% service fee over the actual cost
Lima: Flights from Cusco arrive between 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM. Depending on your connecting flight schedule home, you have several options. U.S. bound flights seems to leave either late at night or early in the morning.
We recommend taking a room in Miraflores for the day or overnight if leaving the next morning. Miraflores is a bustling upbeat suburb of Lima above the beach where one can enjoy relaxing or endless activities. We can make the hotel arrangements and transfers to and from the airport.
This is our latest itinerary (2005. )We make every effort to follow it however, Peru is subject to strikes, weather, landslides and many events beyond are control which may cause changes and delays. We may also change the route from time to time for other good reasons. Please come prepared to cheerfully accept the unexpected with the insurance that you are in the hands of the most experienced adventure program operator in Peru. (since 1971)
THE 4 DAY MANU RAIN FOREST TRIP LEAVES EVERY FRIDAY. THE 6 AND 9 DAY MANU RAIN FOREST TRIPS LEAVE ON SUNDAYS. Ask about joining the rain forest biosphere adventure which leaves and returns to Cusco before or after this program.
Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance when you book. This can reimburse you if you need to cancel last minute due to sickness or other emergencies. This is available on line or through the agency below.
Air Travel: We recommend Earl Fox at Taylor Travel in Colorado Springs for finding the best rates and proven good service with our programs: e-mail efox@taylortravel.net
Phone: 800/530-8828; international calls: 719/636-3871; fax 719/636-3879
Inclusions: The price includes accommodations in safari style camps, tourist class or better hotels and inns (double occupancy), land travel, meals as noted, all camp gear, porters, bilingual guide and local support staff, entrance fees.
Exclusions: Not included are airport taxes, air travel, bottled drinks, gratuities, optional activities, personal expenditures, meals in Cusco, costs resulting from illness or injury and emergency evacuation, program changes and delays beyond our control.
Reservations: info@adventurespecialists.org
Call or e-mail us to answer your questions or make a reservation. Carefully read the application/contract form for details about payment, cancellation, refunds and legal responsibilities. You can reach us at the following numbers:
Bear Basin Ranch (all year) 719 783-2076. phone/fax;
Winter office in Colorado Springs Dec-April 719 630-7195 (phone and fax). As we are frequently outdoors and leading trips, we do not maintain a regularly staffed office. We do however, check the answering machine and will promptly return your call or e-mail
SUGGESTED READING
1) Lost City of the Incas: The Story of Machu Picchu and its Builders. Hiram Bingham.Orion, London.2001.
2) Realm of the Incas. Max Milligan 2001
3) The Conquestof Peru, William H. Prescott. New American Library, 1961.
4) The Conquest of the Incas, John Hemming. Hartcourt Brace 1970
5) Pizarro, Conqueror of the Inca. National Geographic. Feb. 1992 Vol. 181, no. 2.
6) The Incas And Their Ancestors, Michael Moseley. Thames and Hudson, 1993.
AVAILABLE IN CUSCO: 6) Exploring Cuzco, Peter Frost. Lima, 1984
7) Machu Picchu- The Sacred Center. Johan Reinhart, Lima 1991
8) Machu Picchu Abandoned, Gary Ziegler, Lima 1996.
9)Beyond Machu Picchu, Gary Ziegler, Crestone 2001
10) Forgotten Vilcabamba, Vincent Lee 2000
11) The White Rock, Hugh Thomson 2001
12) The Machu Picchu Guide Book, Ruth Wright and Alfredo Valencia
13) Machu Picchu; A Civil Engineering Marvel, Kenneth Wright and Alfredo Valencia, 2000
14) The Birds of Machu Picchu. Barry Walker (available soon)
EQUIPMENT AND PREPARATION LIST:
Passport __Credit cards and cash for tips, Lima meals, shopping etc___Airline tickets.__Travel Insurance to include emergency medical, trip cancellation etc. Available any travel agency.__duffel bag or large frame less pack for the majority of your gear.__Plastic garbage bags to line duffel for waterproofing on the trek.__Day Pack or Fanny Pack...for daily items and camera-plastic bag to protect__light Sleeping Bag (good to feezing)___ may be rented in Cusco. We furnish quality sleeping pads. Leisure clothing for travel and dining out. We have same day laundry service in Cusco.___Lightweight waterproof hiking boots-well broken in.___Leisure Shoes for camp and in town.____ coat, parka or shell jacket and polar fleece type pullover__ Sweater-locally made alpaca sweaters can be purchased in Cuzco for about $15.00__Rain gear___Good quality two piece suit..(it will rain)__Hat with a Brim for sun and rain protection.____
Assortment of light expedition clothes. pants, shirts, socks, underwear, trail shorts.__Toiletries...biodegradable soap, sun block (#30 or more) lip balm & personal items__Insect Repellant__Personal medications__Water Purification Kit-iodine or filter for hotels etc. We boil camp and trail water__ Sun Glasses, Uv is intensive at altitude near the Equator___We recommend quality glasses. Flashlight with extra bulb and batteries__We like head lamps. Pocket knife.__Water Bottle__Camera and film. film can be bought in Peru __Binoculars optional___
HEALTH: We ask that you consult your family doctor concerning what medications, shots or inoculations he or she may recommend. Unless you travel to Manu, you will probably not be exposed to tropical diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. The occasional case of travelers diarrhea can be rapidly treated with Cipro or other medication that your doctor may suggest. We have a very low incidence of illness on our trips. We eat in the best restaurants and our own cooks are carefully sanitation trained. We have had good results with Diomox as an aid in acclimatization and alleviation of the effects of altitude. Ask your doc.
WEATHER: This is a trip of great contrasts. In the high altitude, (Cusco) It can get very chilly, even into the 30's at night and then zoom into the 70's during the day. When we descend into the cloud forest, the temperature rises into the 80's. Although the dry season normally persists April through November, it can rain (or snow at high altitudes) at any time. please come prepared.
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!
Gary Ziegler
Barry Walker
Rosario Velarde
Amy Finger
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