MACHU PICCHU, PERU
Join Tom and a small group (maximum 15) as we make our way from Cusco, Peru, through the Sacred Valley on a four-day hike on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Have you ever wanted to enter Machu Picchu like the Incan’s did, at sunrise through the Sun Gate? This is your chance. Learn silent, walking and other types of meditation as we cover the basics of the Spiritual Adrenaline program as we make our way up the trail to Machu Picchu. The cost includes hotels, all transportation in Peru, lodging and most meals. Your Adventure begins and ends in Lima, Peru.
May 7th to May 15th 2022
Your Itinerary - THE INCA TRAIL & MACHU PICCHU
Day 1
Lima
Saturday
May 7th
Meals; N/A
Bienvenido al Peru! Welcome to Peru.
Our adventure kicks off at noon with an important group meeting where we’ll get to know one another, and our Group Leader. We’ll then head to the historic centre of Lima for a walking tour that celebrates the city’s Spanish colonial architecture.
After our walking tour, we’ll return to the hotel for some downtime before heading to the Anglican Cathedral of the Good Shepherd for an optional twelve-step meeting. When we’re done, we’ll head back to the hotel.
The rest of the evening is free, with an option to head for dinner as a group.
Day 2
Cusco
Sunday
May 8th
Meals: Breakfast
An early morning flight (approx. 70 min, not included) takes us to Cuzco (also spelled Cusco). As we will arrive around 9am, the hotel rooms in Cuzco may not be ready, however a safe place will be provided to store your luggage.
Our leader will take us on an orientation walking tour including a visit to the local San Pedro market, then later in the day we’ll have a mandatory briefing regarding our upcoming hike.
The rest of the evening is free, with an option to head for dinner as a group.
Day 3
Sacred Valley-Ollantaytambo
Monday
May 9th
Meals: Breakfast
Early in the morning we will participate in an Inti Healing program.
After this unique experience, we will travel through the Sacred Valley on the outskirts of Cuzco. Known as Wilcamayo by the Incas, the lush, fertile valley has long been the main source of food for the high Andes. Maize crops can be seen surrounding the river and covering the terraces carved high into the valley walls.
We will arrive to Ollantaytambo, the most populous town of the valley situated at 2792 meters above sea level where houses have been built over an ancient Inca town that has still the remains of an Inca fortress that is popular in historical Incan stories (entrance fee is included so take advantage of it and wander around the fortress).
We’ll spend the night in Ollantaytambo at the far end of the valley. The city is a geometrically perfect town and magnificent example of Incan urban planning. It is especially admired for the huge terraces that guard the great temple-fortress that clings to cliffs. This is one of the few places the Incas defeated the Spanish.
Rest well tonight, because our big hike begins tomorrow.
Day 4
Inca Trail
Tuesday
May 10th
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Today we travel by minivan to a starting altitude of 2,850m/9,350ft, where we’ll be met by our esteemed crew of porters, cooks and guides.
Our first day of hiking includes some uphill trekking to our campsite, which sits at an altitude of over 3,300m/10,800ft. While the campsite will be shared with other groups, Spiritual Adrenaline will have private dining and washroom tents. En route we’ll practice a gratitude meditation while hiking. We’ll also see the ruins of Llactapata, burnt to the ground by the last Inca emperor, to discourage Spanish pursuit down the trail.
In the evening, a brief overview of Spiritual Adrenaline nutrition in general and on the trip. In other words, an explanation of our core “Recovery Nutrition” principles and how we have incorporated those principles into this trip.
Day 5
Inca Trail
Wednesday
May 11th
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
This is the most challenging day of our trek. We’ll ascend a long, steep path (approximately 4 hours) to our apex – Dead Woman’s Pass – at a height of 4,200m/13,779ft. We’ll then descend to the Pacaymayo Valley at 3,650m/12,000ft, before another climb to Runkuracay Pass (approximately 1.5 hours) at 3,980m/13,000ft. From here, we can enjoy views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba, before our final descent of the day to the ruins of Sayacmarca (approximately 2-3 hours).
At last, ready for rest, we’ll arrive at our campsite at 3,620m/11,900ft.
Day 6
Inca Trail
Thursday
May 12th
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
For our last full day of hiking, we’ll continue over the third pass, then eventually encounter the enigmatic ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the 'Town above the Clouds’, at 3,850m/12,630ft (approximately 1.5 hours). From here, we’ll descend along the famed Inca steps (approximately 2 hours) to our final camp by the Winay Wayna ('Forever Young') archaeological site at 2,750m/9,022ft.
After dinner, Tom will lead a twelve-step meeting with a focus on “Spiritual Awakenings”.
Day 7
The Inca Trail-Machu Picchu-Ollantaytambo
Friday
May 13th
Meals: Breakfast
Today we’ll rise just before dawn so we can hike to the Sun Gate (approximately 1.5-2 hours) in time to watch Machu Picchu emerge from the mist below, weather permitting of course! The feeling as you see the ruins for the first time is indescribable. Following a two-hour guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, we’ll head to the town of Aguas Calientes for an optional lunch.
After taking advantage of the seemingly endless photo opportunities, it is time to return to Ollantaytambo by train for a well-deserved shower and an optional dinner.
Day 8
Cusco
Saturday
May 14th
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we will be able to use the gardens and the facilities of the hotel for Twelve step meeting or mediation surrounded by the beauty of Sacred Valley. After the meeting, we’ll transfer to Cusco city (approx. 2 hours).
This afternoon, we will have the chance to explore Cusco at our own pace! Feel free to walk around beautiful Main Square or take some time to go shopping at the various stores located all around the city.
Tonight, we will enjoy a lovely optional dinner and seminar with Tom: “How to Integrate Spiritual Adrenaline Into Your Daily Life” at MAP Cafe located in the patio of the Pre-Columbian museum of art. As a group, we will go over the core principles of the Spiritual Adrenaline program and learn how we can incorporate them into our daily lives. We will also reflect on how the experience of time spent in the sacred valley will impact our lives and recovery in the future.
Day 9
Departure
Sunday
May 15th
Meals: Breakfast
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart at your leisure. Many of us will depart together from Cusco to Lima for our connecting flights back home. Others may extend their stay.
Hotel list for Peru
Itinerary Details
ITINERARY INCLUSIONS
Leader-led walking tour of Miraflores & Centro Lima
Private transportation for Lima tour
Private transport Hotel – Anglican Cathedral of Good Shepard – Hotel
Flight Lima – Cusco
Leader-led walking tour of Cusco
Inti Healing program
Half Cusco Tourist ticket
Private Ollantaytambo tour
Inca trail permit
Private Machu Picchu guided tour
Bus fee Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Vistadome train A. Calientes – Ollantaytambo
The Voyageur train A. Calientes – Ollantaytambo
Private transport Ollantaytambo – Cuzco
Private transportation for Lima tour
Private transport Hotel – Anglican Cathedral of Good Shepard – Hotel
Flight Lima – Cusco
Leader-led walking tour of Cusco
Inti Healing program
Half Cusco Tourist ticket
Private Ollantaytambo tour
Inca trail permit
Private Machu Picchu guided tour
Bus fee Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
Vistadome train A. Calientes – Ollantaytambo
The Voyageur train A. Calientes – Ollantaytambo
NOT INCLUDED IN THIS ITINERARY
Travel Insurance
Arrival or departure airport transfers
International airfare and airport departure tax
Any visas required
Services not mentioned in the itinerary
Early check in or late check out at hotels
Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
Drinks with included lunches and dinners
Gratuities for leaders, guide and driver
Expenditure of personal nature
Optional activities and entrance fees during free time