MOONSTONE INCA TRAIL

OVERVIEW

Machu Picchu and its mythical Inca Trail trek have become synonymous with adventure throughout the world. The Moonstone Inca Trail offers a unique alternative route through the Andes to the Inca Citadel, Machu Picchu. This trek offers spectacular mountain scenery and rich archaeology without the crowds, along with the same sunrise experience over the ruins of Machu Picchu.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Services of a local English/Spanish speaking tour leader
• The Moonstone Sun Trek is unique among our tours in that it has little need of private transport due to the walking nature of the trek. We will use a mix of airplane, train, and automobile and ensure your comfort at every stage of transfer.
• All 3 nights camping fees & equipment on the Moonstone Trail (except sleeping bag) & 5 nights twin-share hotel included. If you would like to upgrade to a single room in Lima and Cusco, please advise your Footloose sales representative at the time of booking.
• Four day Moonstone Trail hike with local guide, cooks & horse support. Camping equipment provided except sleeping bag.
• One-way airplane ticket from Lima to Cusco with transfers (return flight available on request)
• Train ride from Machu Picchu to Cusco

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Explore local markets US$FREE
• Visit Cusco's museums
• Visit Cusco's historic churches

TREK NOTES

Entrance Fees: The governing authority may decide to suddenly raise site fees which helps maintain the Machu Picchu Sanctuary and archeological sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. We have therefore decided to make this, and the Machu Picchu Sanctuary fee, local payments. Please note, these two fees combined amount to approximately US$65, but may increase without notice.

TRIP ITINERARY

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

Days: 1 Arrive Lima

On your arrival into Lima, make your way to the group hotel, located in the colonial section of Lima within easy walking distance of the Plaza de Armas. In the afternoon you are free to independently explore the colonial heart of Lima centered on the elegant Plaza de Armas with the president's palace and the cathedral. Nearby is the Monastery of San Francisco, where you can explore the vast catacombs.
Meals: Paid locally | Accommodation: Hotel included

Days: 2 Cusco

After an early morning transfer to Lima airport, you board your flight to Cusco. Touching down in Cusco, the scenery and altitude will take your breath away. Historic colonial buildings and churches cast shadows over the narrow cobbled streets that are thronged with local artisans, entertainers, markets and cafes. Allowing time to acclimate to the high altitude (3,360 metres), the day is yours to relax and explore.
Meals: Breakfast included | Accommodation: Hotel included

Days: 3 Cusco

A group meeting will also be held at noon today to discuss the Inca Trail hike. Rest of day free. Cusco and the surrounding area is full of museums, markets, artisans, shrines and entertainments of old and new. Our local representative will help you arrange any activities that you are interested in.
Meals: Breakfast included | Accommodation: Hotel included

Days: 4 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek

The morning of the hike we travel across the high Anta Plain to reach our starting point at the fascinating sacred Inca shrine known as Quillarumi (Moonstone in the Quechua language of the Incas). Nearby is our trailhead at the Huaraconda River valley at nearly 3,650 metres elevation. We meet our trail crew who arrive from local communities. We hike to Huatta, a substantial pre-Inca fortress dominating the crest of the ridge. After lunch we continue westward into the range and camp next to a rural school in the hamlet of Chiripahua.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner Included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 5 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek

We climb gradually through fields and glades in a landscape of pastures and small fields clinging to the steep mountainsides. We climb to 4400m for a delicious lunch and continue to the top of the Accoccasa Pass at 4625m to enjoy breathtaking views over immense mountain snowpeaks: the Huaynays to our west and the Urubamba Range to the north. We enjoy an easy descent to camp in the broad valley of Chancachuco, facing the snow of the Huaynay Range.
Meals: All included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 6 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek

We follow the contours of a now abandoned Inca aqueduct . Only traces remain today as evidence of this extraordinary enginnering project. We reach our final pass at 12 923 feet and visit a ridge-top Inca shrine called Huayrapunku (Gate of the Wind) with an astonishing view towards Nevado Veronica. This site offers unsurpassed views to the terraces and temple site of the royal town of Ollantaytambo over 4000 feet below us, constructed in the 15th century by the Inca emporer Pachacutec. We descend to our camp on a broad terrace at the edge of the enormous Cachiqata quarry where we explore the ramps and platforms around these large stoneworks.
Meals: All included | Accommodation: Camping included

Days: 7 Moonstone to Sun Temple Trek

We descend on a broad Inca trail down through the quarry zone and stop at a key hilltop overlooking the Vilcanota River below. We continue down, cross the river and arrive finally at the famous Sun Temple in Ollantaytambo. We have time to explore the temple and adjacent village before catching a late afternoon train to Aguas Calientes and check into our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch included | Accommodation: Hotel included

Days: 8-9 Machu Picchu & Cusco

With an early morning start, we will await the sun to climb over the mountains and pierce the misty clouds to reveal the lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. After exploring the ruins and enjoying an informative guided tour of the citadel, we board the train back to Cusco for our final night in our hotel, sharing smiles and stories of our accomplishment and wonder.
Meals: Breakfast included | Accommodation: Hotel included

Tour ends in Cusco morning of day 9.

MOONSTONE INCA TRAIL departing from LIMA

You can book your trek online in minutes using our secure live booking engine. Your reservation & payment will be automatically processed & confirmed immediately by e-mail.

Status Key

Available	: Seats are available
Limited	: Limited seats only. Book Online now!
Contact Us	: Seats may be available. Please contact us.
Closed	: No further bookings accepted on this date

How to Book Online
1. Pick your chosen available departure date.
2. Select the number of passengers to book
3. Click on the book button to be taken to our secure online booking engine
4. Complete all personal details and credit card information
5. Your tour will be confirmed immediately by e-mail

International flights are not included in the above prices. For customers departing from the United Kingdom please contact our reservations team for a quote. Read more.

PHOTO GALLERY

Click an image to see an enlarged version.

COMMUNITY

Welcome to The Footloose Community where you can find out more about other trekkers and their Footloose experiences. If you are still deciding to book a tour read about other trekkers' tour highlights in our Clients' Feedback or check out photos, comments and blogs in our Client Websites. If you've already booked, communicate with other passengers on your tour by using our Message Boards.

• View past Clients' Comments



• View past Clients' Websites



• View upcoming trips on our Message Boards