WELCOME TO PERU!

WELCOME TO PERU!

Trip Dates are October 13-22, 2016

Kirchoff Fitness Adventures provides a once in a lifetime experience in global travel which will not only challenge your body, but open you mind and souls to other cultures.

Kirchoff Fitness will be teaming up with Kuoda Travel, a local Peruvian travel company, to take you off the beaten path, while providing an opportunity to see the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu. We will also have the opportunity to support local businesses and give back to the community by spending time with the scholarship recipients of Peruvian Hearts.

DAY 0 | OCT 13 – TRAVEL DAY

When making plane reservations from Seattle, be sure to plan on arriving in Cusco no later than October 14h, 2016. We recommend having an overnight in Lima so you can rest. Watch for the Kuoda/Kirchoff Fitness representative to help you get settled into your hotel. Enjoy a good night’s rest before you head into Cusco the next day.

Accommodation: COSTA DEL SOL
Meals: None

DAY 1 | OCT 14

FLY TO CUSCO SACRED VALLEY OLLANTAYTAMBO

You will wake up refreshed and enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast in the hotel before heading to the airport for your morning flight to Cusco. Get ready for the spectacular flight over the Andes to Cusco.

After arrival at Cusco we will we enjoy lunch and, before you can even feel the altitude, we’ll head into the Sacred Valley. The next stop will be in the ancient town of Ollantaytambo. This is one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that has retained the Inca urban planning. You’ll note the street canals, the multi-family houses with interior courtyards and the trapezoidal doors!

We’ll climb the agricultural terraces that lead up to the temple of the sun and enjoy an Inca’s-eye view of the valley. You’ll see the food storehouses that the empire kept well-stocked and your guide will point out the distant quarries from whence the stone for Ollantaytambo came. Considering that the Incas did not have pack animals sturdy enough to carry stone their feats of engineering are awe-inspiring.

Accommodation: El Albergue Ollantantaytambo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 2 | OCT 15

LOST CITY OF THE INCAS-MACHU PICCHU

For many travelers, the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is the highlight of their visit. This is an awe-inspiring sight: superb Inca craftsmanship perched amidst verdant vegetation high above the winding Urubamba River.

In the morning, we will board the train in Ollantaytambo for our journey to Machu Picchu. After a bus ride to the gates of this wonder of the world, dine with a delicious lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge. You will then ascend the stone steps among the reconstructed ruins of staircases, altars, temples, and fountains, while enjoying the incredible setting. You will walk through the heavy tree cover to finally emerge at the top of the world – Machu Picchu! The incredible Inca stone construction will be spread below, alternately hidden and revealed by clouds. Your expert guide will give you a private tour of the ancient city.

In the afternoon, you will descend to Aguas Calientes for your train back to Cusco. You will have some free time in the early evening to have dinner.

Machu Picchu: So well hidden in the jungle-covered ramparts of the Cordillera Vilcabamba that the Spaniards never knew of it, Machu Picchu allows us a glimpse into the Incan world. American historian Hiram Bingham, who had a fascination with Peruvian archaeology, found the site in 1911 while searching for the ruins of Vilcabamba, known to be the last place where the rebel Manco II took refuge. A villager told Bingham about some ruins on a high ridge above the Urubamba River and led him there; thus, Bingham found the ruins not of Vilcabamba, but of a mysterious Inca city whose purpose archaeologists are still theorizing about. He returned in 1912 and 1915 to undertake the difficult task of clearing the thick forest that had engulfed the ruins.

Despite years of excavation, however, not much is known about the purpose of the site. Archaeologists do know that Machu Picchu was built, occupied, and then abandoned in the course of a hundred years. The Palace of Princesses, Temple of the Sun, Temple of the Condor, and the astronomical observatory are only a few of the remarkable restored ruins here. The many beautiful altars, terraces, fountains, and mysterious chambers all display intricate stonework. Discoveries in the 1980s of many other small ruin sites close to Machu Picchu have given weight to the theory that Machu Picchu was possibly the administrative center of a huge and populous region. Whatever Machu Picchu's purpose was, it is certainly one of the most stunning archaeological sites in the world.

Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 3 | OCT 16

EXPLORING CUSCO-Private Tour of Cusco and the Inca Ruins Surrounding the City

According to legend, Manco Capac plunged his golden staff into fertile ground, finding the ‘navel of the earth’, and founded the capital of the Inca Empire. Today Cusco is probably Peru's most attractive city, a fascinating fusion of the past and present that most visitors find very hard to leave.

9:00am Private city tour of Cusco (around 4 hours) Free afternoon in Cusco
Your guide will meet you and proceed to illuminate the glorious past of Cusco! From the Santo Domingo monastery, built on top of the ancient Inca temple of the sun, to the incredible colonial cathedrals in the Plaza de Armas, to impeccably-wrought Inca stones that form the base of modern buildings, you will learn about the astonishing mix that is Cusco.

You will next journey into the countryside to visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman – where the Incas staged a great battle against the conquistadors – the temple and amphitheatre of Q’enko and the red fortress of PucaPucara.

Our guide will provide suggestions for fantastic dining in the city of Cusco and for activities for your free afternoon before bringing you back to your hotel.

Cusco: Inhabited by proto-Incas as early as the 12th century AD, Cusco was completely rebuilt in the early 15th century by Pachacuteq, the Inca warrior- king. He is credited with creating the Incas’ form of worship, system of government, and the distinctive masonry style we still marvel at today. Cusco was the heart of Tahuantinsuyo, the Land of the Four Quarters, as the Incas called their kingdom. The boundary lines of each quarter of the kingdom originated from the main plaza at Cusco. Cusco was an elegant imperial city, laid out in the shape of a puma. The great fortress of Saqsayhuaman formed

its head, while palaces, temples, squares, and streets formed the puma’s body and legs. Cusco’s paved avenues were flanked by temples.

There were rock- hewn palaces with gold- and jewel-encrusted doors and villas for the brilliantly clad Inca nobles and their retinues. Cusco’s opulent inner sanctum was the Coricancha, or House of the Sun, once a glittering temple to the gods, full of golden statues (today it forms the foundation for the colonial Santo Domingo church). Although the Spaniards looted the gold and silver from the elaborate Inca temples, most of Cusco remained undisturbed after Pizarro, the Spanish conqueror, made his triumphant entrance into the city in 1533. But in 1536, Manco II, the rebel Inca, led an attack against the Spanish in Cusco. Manco’s men used slingshots to rain hot coals into the city, setting it ablaze. The Spanish triumphed, but the once-glorious city was left a smoking ruin.

Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

*You will have a separate briefing for your 4 days Choquequirao Trek

DAY 4 | OCT 17

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 1^ST DAY CUSCO-COCHERA-SANTA ROSA

The ruins at Choquequirao, known somewhat dismissively as ‘the other Machu Picchu’, are the basis of a really spectacular trek. The word Choquequirao means ‘cradle of god’ in Quechua (the native language of the Incas), and is another lost city discovered in the 20th Century. The city was most likely built during the last days of the Incan empire, as the Spanish conquerors began to take control of the old Incan population centers such as Cusco, and dates to around 1535. It was used as a last point of resistance and was the place where the remaining Incan fighters came to seek refuge, food, and rest.

It became an important link between Cusco and the jungle region, and it is this lost city that provides the focal point for the trek. The ruins themselves are perched on a high mountain ridge above the Apurimac River, and although they are not as extensive or immediately impressive as Machu Picchu, they are much more remote, untouched, and fascinating.

The hike leading to this cut-off city is strenuous and difficult due to the rugged nature of the trails, but you are rewarded with spectacular views along the way and the sense that you are one of a select group to have hiked these paths. The remote, untouched nature of the trek, coupled with the chance to see some truly fascinating ruins at the end make the Choquequirao trek a must for those hikers who want a bit more of an adventure.

Our first day starts out from the village of Cachora, a 4 hour drive from Cusco. Leaving Cachora the path works its way down in to the Apurimac Valley and we will have fantastic views of snow-capped peaks in the distance and the Apurimac Valley spread out before us throughout the day, also after a few hours walking we'll get to have our first views of Choquequirao on the far side of the valley. The area around Choquequirao is rich in life and we will see a wide variety of flora and fauna as we make our way down in to the valley.

Our campsite for the night is at Santa Rosa (2200m / 7215ft.) which is on the other side of the Apurimac River. As the campsite is a little further along the trail than most groups go it is one of the quietest places to camp on the whole trek so we can enjoy the beautiful scenery around us without distraction.

Maximum Altitude: 2,900m / 9,515ft. Distance to walk: 14.8km approx. Time of walk: Around 7.5 hours Difficulty: Moderate /Difficult

Accommodation: Camping in the great outdoors
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

*notes on trekking days. The days are very similar: rise early, breakfast at the lodge, trek, break for lunch, trek arrive with dinner at the lodge. Stretching recovery sessions in evening. BLD are included each day but you will carry your own snacks.

DAY 5 | OCT 18

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 2^nd DAY SANTA ROSA-CHOQUEQUIRAO

Today is probably the hardest day of the trek. To get to Choquequirao we need to make our way back up the opposite side of the Apurimac Valley which involves ascending about 800m / 2624ft. over a distance of 14km / 8.7 miles through hot and humid conditions. It's quite tough going but the views we get today mixed with the wide variety of flora and fauna you find on this side of the valley make it worth it. Throughout the day we will see a wide variety of bromeliads, orchids and stands of bamboo; we'll also hopefully see birds such as Quetzals, Toucans and a variety of hummingbirds. After about a 5 hour walk we'll arrive to our campsite close to Choquequirao (3050m / 10,005ft.) and settle in for the night - if the weather is clear the views of the sunset from here are amazing and we may be lucky enough to spot Condors soaring over the valley below.

Maximum Altitude: 3,050m / 10,005ft. Distance to walk: 3,4km approx.
Time of walk: Around 6 hours Difficulty: Moderate /Difficult

Accommodation: Camping in the great outdoors
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

DAY 6| OCT 19

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 3^rd DAY CHOQUEQUIRAO-CHIQUISKA

High atop a narrow green spur and towering above the turquoise Apurimac River is the ancient and mysterious city of Choquequirao. We ascend to the ruins and spend the day exploring this extraordinary complex that still holds many secrets. Ceremonial buildings flank the bright green grasses around the plaza, the great hall, and imposing ceremonial staircase. Thanks to a team of Peruvian archaeologists, the city is gradually being restored with just 30 percent of the ruins uncovered from the dense vegetation. We have a good chance to spot Andean condors soaring overhead as we explore today. After your tour you'll begin the trek back to Cachora along the route we came. Our campsite for tonight is Chiquiska (1800m / 5905ft.) in the base of the valley by the Apurimac River.

Choquequirao: These spectacular ruins reign over a majestic setting that is often compared to that of Machu Picchu. Choquequirao was first mentioned in documents in 1710 and visited by several explorers in the 19th century. It was also Hiram Bingham's first taste of a lost city in 1909. Bingham believed that the site was a fortress, built after the Incas defeated the powerful Chancas to cut off their possible retreat into Vilcabamba. Although almost certainly not the last Inca capital of Vilcabamba the Old, what has long been thought to have been just a remote and small outpost has actually been revealed as a sizable Inca city. Archaeologists are even now finding dozens of buildings along the precipitous ridge leading to the river.

Maximum Altitude: 1,990m/6,270ft. Distance to walk: 11,4km approx. Time of walk: Around 8 hours Difficulty: Moderate /Difficult

Accommodation: Camping in the great outdoors
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7| OCT 20

CHOQUEQUIRAO TREK 4TH DAY CHIQUISKA-CACHORA-CUSCO

Today is the final stretch of the trek as we make our way back to Cachora. Winding our way back up the side of the valley we'll have our final views of Choquequirao in the distance before arriving to Cachora in the late afternoon and traveling by bus back to Cusco.

Maximum Altitude: 2,900m / 9515ft. Distance to walk: 10km approx. Time of walk: Around 4 hours Difficulty: Moderate

Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8| OCT 21

PERUVIAN HEARTS-CUSCO

We will spend the morning and early afternoon with some of the Peruvian Promise students and their families. After breakfast at the hotel we will visit Izcuchaca, a small town, where some of the Peruvian Hearts’ students live. Peruvian Hearts is a 501(c)(3) charity organization that encourages social, economic, and political change in Peru through the education and empowerment of young women.

Peruvian Hearts works to end poverty and gender inequality by educating young women and creating community leaders in Peru—one girl at a time. Peruvian-born Ana Dodson developed this nonprofit organization to enable young women to embrace education, believe in their own power, and dream of a life beyond the conditions they were born into.

In the afternoon, enjoy exploring Cusco on your own. We will end the day with our Farewell Dinner at the fabulously, festive Museo De Pisco, owned by Seattle Native, Adam Weintraub. Get ready for our own private Pisco tasting with some delicious tapas and live music. WHOOP!

Accommodation: Maytaq Wasin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9| OCT 22

LIMA-EXPLORE HOME

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Lima. Watch the windows as the snow-capped peaks of the Andes become coastal desert!
Overlooking the Pacific, this modern district of Lima is incredibly hip! You can enjoy the seaside parks, visit boutiques and enjoy delicious criolla food like fresh, citrusy cebiche or causa – an incredible combination of spicy mashed potatoes and creamy seafood filing!

At the appropriate time, you will be escorted to the airport for your journey home.

Meals: Breakfast

Trip Cost, Payment

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

International airfare, internal flights, meals not specified after each itinerary day, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessitated by airline schedule changes or other factors, cost of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.). Trip members must provide sleeping bag and pad (sleeping bags and pads can also be rented).

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

At time of reservation $600
Balance due ($2900) 90 days prior to departure

CANCELLATION AND TRANSFER FEE SCHEDULE

Up to 91 days prior to departure: No charge! 61-90 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost 46-60 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 45 days or less: 100% of trip cost

TRIP COST

$3500 (10-12 members)

To offer the lowest possible cost, our trips are priced according to the number of participants on the trip. All costs are per person, based on double occupancy. If you wish to have a single room, please note additional costs will apply.

TRIP COST INCLUDES

• Leadership of a Kirchoff Fitness Adventure Travel Trip Leader and local guides
• Fitness training, guidance and hiking prep for the trek
• Accommodations in hotels and in top quality tents on trek
• Most meals except ones stated in itinerary
• Ground transportation and airport transfers as noted
• Permits
• Camp staff, group camping and cooking equipment, except sleeping bags and pads
• Sightseeing as noted