Day 1, November 12, 2016: Montreal / Lima

Joining of the participants at Montreal -Trudeau airport and flight to Lima.

Overnight flight; Dinner and breakfast on board.

Day 2, November 13, 2016: Lima / Cuzco

Arrival in Lima in the morning. Upon arriving in Cuzco, check-in at the hotel followed by a meeting in the lounge with your organizers, introduction. Free time to rest before a welcome lunch at the Plaza de Armas. After lunch, tour of the old colonial city with its Inca walls among which the Qoricancha. In the evening, dinner and a traditional dance and music show.

Night in a 3* hotel at the heart of town

Lunch and dinner included

Day 3, November 14, 2016: Cuzco / Sacred Valley

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for a tour of the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, with its Inca fortresses and temples. Afterwards, we will descend into the Sacred Valley. Along the way, we’ll visit a community weaving centre and learn about the various fabrics and weaving methods used in the Andes. Arrival in the village of Pisaq for lunch. Free time to explore the village’s arts and crafts market. Then we will tour Pisaq’s impressive ruins, suspended above the valley. Finally, as a warm-up for the trek, we’ll walk down the 1,050 steps from the ruins to the village.

Return to Cuzco for the night (3* hotel)

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 4, November 15, 2016: The Gardens of Cuzco Ollantaytambo

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for the village of Chinchero. Tour of the village. Near the village begins the path that will lead us right into a pristine Andean ecosystem, to gently complete the body’s adaptation to altitude. This path leads to the quaint village of Maras which has barely changed over the centuries. After lunch, we’ll walk to the site of the Salineras for a visit. Final descent to the Sacred River Urubamba before dinner.

Night in a 3* hotel in the Sacred Valley

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 5, November 16, 2016: Trek day 1

Departure by bus to the trek’s starting point, also known as km 82 the Cuzco railway to Quillabamba. The hike begins gently. After a few minutes, you will cross the Cusichaca suspension bridge (built with steel cables), over the Urubamba River. On the left side of the road you will pass through a eucalyptus field before reaching the archaeological remains of Llactapata. This site includes many Andean terraces, which were probably used to feed the inhabitants of other cities and "Tambos" (warehouses) of the Inca Trail. The climate is generally hot and coloured by the beautiful brush of the landscape. The first day may be cloudy or rainy. The hike is fairly easy on a nearly flat and scenic path.

The steep path will lead you through a ghostly landscape of volcanic lava, caves and foamy streams framed by the giant groundsels. You will then come to the Shira plateau and 3 to 4 hours later at Shira Camp.

Distance: 9.8 Km

Elevation: + 2800 m / Approximate Duration of the Trek: 6 hrs

Night in a tent

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 6, November 17, 2016: Trek day 2

This part of the trek is the most challenging and involves a steep ascent to el Abra de Warmihuañusca (litteral translation in Quechua : " where the woman dies " ) at 4,200m. Walking is hard due to the constant rise in the steep slope leading up to the abra. Along the way, the natural environment changes. You will pass from temperate valleys to the cold Puna without trees. Before arriving to the abra, you will find a camp called "Llullupampa" located in a valley bordered by two crystalline streams. You will be able to rest there for a while before resuming the walk to Paso de Warmihuañusca. This is the only place where you may feel altitude sickness. The area is characterized by strong winds and low temperatures. After crossing the abra, you can rest before going down to the valley of river Pacaymayo where there is a small waterfall, a camp and public toilets. On this second day of trekking, the path is well defined and includes steep stairs with almost vertical steps. It is very important, especially for this day, to set your own pace, do not try to be the fastest.

Elevation: min. 3000m, max. 4200 m / Approximate Duration of the Trek: 8hrs

Distance: 10.2 Km

Overnight in tent

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 7, November 18, 2016: Trek day 3

This will be the longest of the days, but not too demanding. You will pass through a second passage upon which you will see the archaeological remains of Runkuracay at 3,800 meters of altitude. The complex has a single entry with 7 separate accesses to 7 different rooms. Then you will go down to Laguna Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and arrive at Sayaqmarca. This interesting Inca ruin is located on a cliff top where you will enjoy panoramic views of the Acobamba valley and snow covered Pumasillo. The only access to this complex is a steep and solid staircase of stone located on the edge of the mountain. You will pass through Conchamarka, a small recently discovered archaeological complex, and through the camp of Chakicocha, a spacious place with public toilets and water. Then the trail climbs again. You will discover the first tunnel measuring 20 meters in length with steps carved into rock. Continuation of the ascent up to the citadel of Phuyupatamarca "village above the clouds" one of the most original citadels of the Inca Trail. It is surrounded by a cloud forest and located on a gorge overlooking the Urubamba. Near the crossing of Phuyupatamarca, the path rushes downhill on snail-shaped massive steps through a second tunnel. Then the path opens onto relatively flat ledges along the course of the Urubamba River to Wiñayhuayna or "forever young" standing at 2644 meters. It is probably the most attractive citadel of the Inca Trail and the last town before the Machu Picchu.

Elevation: : Min. 2,700 m . Max . 3950 m. / Approximate Duration of the Trek: 8hrs

Overnight in tent

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 8, November 19, 2016: Trek day 4

YEarly morning departure for a one to two hour hike before arriving at the Gate of the Sun before sunrise. Panoramic view over the lost city of Machu Picchu, revealing itself through the mist as the sun rises. This site was recently designated as one of the seven new wonders of the world. After a tour of the lost city you will catch a bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will board a train back to Cuzco in the late afternoon. Arrival in Cuzco around 8 PM.

Transfer to a 3* hotel for the night.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 9, November 20, 2016: Cuzco Lima - Montreal

You will begin your ascent around 6 AM (depending on the group’s pace).

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima where a French speaking guide will be expecting you for a city tour of the Peruvian capital. Visit of the colonial centre and its famous catacombs. Lunch during the tour then on to Miraflores where your hotel is located.

Farewell dinner in the evening near your 3* hotel before overnight.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 10, November 21, 2016: Montreal

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima.

Arrival in Montreal.

Breakfast included