TOUR SUMMARY

• Duration: 12 nights / 13 days
• Trip Focus: A high energy trip to maintain or increase fitness
• Transport: Flight, bus, train, RUNNING, HIKING
• Group Size: Max 12 + SET Tour Leader, Min 4

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Guided runs, hikes and mountain biking through spectacular scenery
• The city of Arequipa and the Colca Canyon
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• 4 Day Inca Trail Hike
• The ancient city of Cusco and its Inca sites
• Mountain biking in and around The Sacred Valley
• Finishing a tour in better shape than when you started

WHAT IS FIT-TRIP PERU, AND IS THIS ADVENTURE FOR YOU?

This is a new concept in adventure holidays with runs, hikes and mountain biking spread throughout the itinerary. We start off at sea level, gradually moving up in altitude. When the altitude is over 3000m, we introduce hikes, as it is difficult to run in such high altitude. You don’t need to be a sub 2.30 marathoner to participate in this tour, but be in good running shape and able to run comfortably for 1 hour.
Runs will be at an easy pace with the option to up the tempo a bit if you wish. We will be running for the fun of running while touring through spectacular scenery and visiting amazing places. We also include a couple of mountain biking sections for variation. The object is to help maintain fitness and hopefully improve your fitness and strength while on tour. Most of all, it’s about having fun and exercising with like minded people who love fitness.
The tour includes Arequipa and the Colca Canyon, the deepest canyon in the world. The incredible Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail or similar hike. Accommodation is generally simple but comfortable. There may be some multi-share nights. There is a long travel day, on day 3. All activities are optional, so you can sit the odd one out if not feeling up to it.

ITINERARY

Day 1
LIMA, ARRIVAL DAY. You are free to arrive and check in at any time. There will be a briefing that night and a chance for you to meet your traveling companions and ask questions. The information will be awaiting you at the reception regarding that nights briefing. If arriving late in the evening, don’t worry! You will be briefed in the morning and meet the group. (Briefing will cover the runs and hikes ahead, times altitudes terrain etc) WELCOME DINNER
Day 2
AREQUIPA.  A short flight brings us to arguably Peru's most beautiful city, Arequipa. This delightful city exhibits a colonial past and traditional values, through its architecture and its people. Situated under the volcano "El Misti", you will be able to stroll around the city enjoying the local museums, churches, convent and Arequipa's main plaza. That evening we can sample some of the many traditional dishes from the province. A walk around the city and optional gym session at 2400m, 7920ft Optional early morning run on Lima’s beaches (B)
Day 3/4/5
COLCA CANYON.  From Arequipa we travel to Chivay and then onto the Colca Canyon, home to the famous Andean Condor. Seldom anywhere else, will you be able to view these birds close up, as they sore above us while on the edge of the deepest canyon in the world. We will be able to visit local villages, soak in thermal baths and sample the life and music, all set in spectacular scenery. You will come away with a true appreciation of how life is, in this part of the Andes. We return to Arequipa on day 5. 1 to 2 hour hikes in and around the canyon at 3400m, 11220ft (B)
Day 6
CUSCO.  A short flight over the Andes, brings us to Cusco another stunning city rich in Inca history. Surrounded by ancient Inca sites, churches and museums. Even the cafes and bars are full of ambience and character. There is plenty here for all to do and see. (Early morning 45min to 1hr jog in Arequipa and along the river Chile at 2400m, 7920ft and hiking in and around Cusco at 3400m, 11220ft)
Day 7
OLLANTAYTAMBO. Today we journey along the same path as the ancient Incas, through the sacred valley of Urubamba to Ollantaytambo. We will have the option to mountain bike and hike in and around some Inca sites. Guided tour of sacred valley with hiking 2 hours plus mountain biking at 3400m to 2800m, 11220ft (B,L,D)
Day 8/9/10/11
INCA TRAIL.  A short ride in the morning brings us to km 82 where our hike begins on the ancient trail of the Incas. Our local guide, cook and porters ensure an enjoyable hike through spectacular scenery, taking in ancient Inca sites on the way. Our hike finishes with an early morning arrival to the sun gate of MP and a guided tour of this incredible Inca site. We have most of the day to enjoy this special place, and later in the afternoon we descend to Aguas Calientes, where we catch a train back to Cusco for night 11. (B, L, D)Special Note
Due to new Inca Trail regulations and the restriction of the number of hikers allowed to be on the trail at any one time, an alternative Inca Trail may have to be used. These hikes are as spectacular as the Inca Trail with far, far less people, ending below the site of Machu Picchu. Sunrise can still be seen at Machu Picchu, with an early rise on Day11, and a hike up to the entrance of the site. GET IN EARLY FOR YOUR INCA TRAIL PERMITS
Day 12
CUSCO.  Free time to explore this great city, go mountain biking, rafting, horse riding, shopping, or just relax in one of the many cafes and soak up the special atmosphere which makes Cusco,a truly unique place. Recovery day and FAREWELL DINNER (B,D)
Day 13
DEPARTURE DAY. Return flight back to Lima to international connections. HASTA LUEGO Y GRACIAS AMIGOS
 
IMPORTANT NOTE: S.E.T reserve the right to run this tour in reverse order.
Nicholas White does not claim to be a training expert in any way. He has over 10 years running/hiking experience and runs for the love of running and a keen fitness enthusiast. This is by no means a training camp. Nicholas has lived and worked in Peru over the last 6 years as a runner, adventure tour guide and independent traveler. He has run, biked, hiked and lifted weights, numerous times, in all the places outlined in the itinerary. The object of the tour is to improve fitness with running and hiking at altitude, but most importantly to have fun and run in places where you as a traveler, may not have the local knowledge to do so.
 
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TOUR PRICE ... PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING!

• Guided runs and hikes through spectacular scenery
• 4-day Inca Trail or similar hike with local guide, cook, and porters
• Colca Canyon excursion
• Mountain biking in the Sacred Valley
• Guided tour of Machu Picchu
• Bilingual guides
• All domestic flights within Peru.
• All land transport during the itinerary.
• The cost of entry for all scheduled tours.
• All meals as listed Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• All hotel accommodations* (on a twin share basis including continental breakfast). *Additional accommodation can be arranged at the clients request
• International transfers in and out

PAYING LOCALLY

Most of our adventure tours involve a local payment. Paying locally allows us to keep the overall cost of our tours competitive and pass the savings on to you. These funds are put towards local expenses. In some developing countries the transferring of funds is at times problematic so this is a way to help us serve you, whilst saving you money. This is especially true of Argentina since the devaluation of the peso. Payment is to be made to your leader upon arrival in cash.

All prices are approximates and subject to currency fluctuations until final payment has been made.

TESTIMONIAL

"One of my most memorable excursions in all my 11 years of running was with Nick in Corporaque, Colca Canyon. At daybreak, I followed Nick over cobble stoned passageways in this tiny Peruvian town, past small mud houses and fenced-in pens for their farm animals. We ran up into the mountains behind the village, dodging alpacas grazing on the hillside, climbing over old rock walls and jumping across streams. It was 6am and the sun was just rising over the Andes, casting a beautiful pink-orange glow over us -- it was by far the highlight of my travels with Nick."
Melanie Kaan, PERU 2003