Signature Peru With Inca Trail

Welcome to Lima, the capital of Peru. Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. Home to a plethora of interesting museums and a foodie’s delight, being the ‘gastronomical capital of the Americas’. On Arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Join your local guide will take you on an exclusive half-day tour of Lima’s culinary and historical highlights, designed by us to help you get the most out of the city, starting with a visit to a local market to sample some local fruit and a scenic stroll through the city’s historic downtown with some tastings of famous local bites along the way. Enjoy a stop at the San Francisco catacombs, a tour of Casa de Aliaga, a stunning colonial style mansion. End your tour with a Chilcano or Pisco Sour cocktail - both are made with the local brandy, Pisco. (B)

This evening the trek operator will hold a pre-trek briefing at your hotel where you'll have the chance to meet your guide and receive a overview of your upcoming adventure.

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Today, explore the city’s fascinating history, from the Inca times to colonial rule to the present day. Wind through narrow cobble-stoned streets and visit the market of Cusco. Along the way, get the chance to see the colonial buildings. Visit the fascinating Koricancha Temple of the Sun and the Cathedral, built on the ruins of an Inca Palace. From here, head to Sacsayhuaman, a former Inca fortress perched atop the hill above Cusco, it presents a work of impeccable engineering (gigantic carved rocks that fit with absolute precision).

Included is a BTG ticket which provides access to most of Cusco’s attractions and museums.

This morning, you will be picked up from your hotel to journey through the Sacred Valley, eventually reaching Km 82, the official starting point of the trek. Upon arrival, you'll register for the hike and cross the bridge over the Urubamba River (2200m/4850f) to begin your unforgettable journey. The first day of the trail is relatively easy, serving as a good warm-up for the days ahead. After approximately three hours, you'll reach Miskay, where you'll stop for a well-deserved lunch and learn about the nearby archaeological complex of Llactapata.

Following lunch, the hike continues to Wayllabamba at 3,100m, where you'll ascend to Yuncachimpa at 3,300m above sea level, where the camp will be set up. Take some time to rest and enjoy a hearty yet healthy dinner before your first night under the stars. The campsite offers splendid views of the snow-capped peak of Mount Veronica.

A demanding day of ascents and descents awaits, around 9km over seven to eight hours. The first 3km/2m are steep, with humid woodlands and the sounds of water to accompany you.

The trail first leads through the Valley of Llulluchapampa (3850m/12631f) and ascends for 2-3 hours until you reach the highest point: Warmihuañusca (4,200m / 11,111ft) also known as the ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’. See alpacas and llamas feeding of Ichu, a type of Andean grass. This is not only the highest point of the Inca Trail, but also the halfway point on the trek to Machu Picchu! Continue the hike down with a long and steep descent to Pacaymayu river towards Runkurakay Pass (3050 m/ 10007 ft) until reaching the camping site Chaquicocha at 35650 m (11975 ft) . There will be time to relax before an early dinner and a much-needed sleep.

The third day is the longest day of the trek, but not the most strenuous. You will be amazed of the changes in the ecosystems while walking to the tropical forest of Wiñayhuayna. Begin the day with an hour’s walk up original Inca steps to the archaeological site of Runkurakay at 3,800m (12,470ft). Pass a number of small lagoons to Runkurakay Pass before the trail snakes down to Yanacocha (the Black Lagoon) and continues to the archaeological site of Sayacmarca. Stop at Chaquicocha camp for lunch. Continue along the paved Inca path, through a preserved Inca tunnel to reach the Phuyupatamarca Pass and its ruins. From here, there are often incredible views of the snow-capped Mount Salkantay, the most beautiful mountain in the region. There is then a steep decent to Wiñayhuayna, an Inca site built into the hills with fountain structures and curved terracing, overlooking the Urubamba River.

We will commence our journey early in the morning, embarking on a trail for a three-hour hike until we reach Wiñay Wayna, situated at an elevation of 8,856 feet. The trail descends towards the Wiñay Wayna ruins, then proceeds towards Inti Punku, also known as the Sun Gate, standing at 9042 feet, which marks our final pass. From this vantage point, Machu Picchu appears ethereal, like a dream. Arriving at the renowned Incan citadel in the early afternoon, you will enter through the Sun Gate and have a brief overview of the amazing ruins before descending to the town of Aguas Calientes by bus. You may choose to visit the hot springs (wonderful for aching legs!) down in the village where you will overnight.

In the morning you will return by bus up the mountain to Machu Picchu for a guided tour. You will enjoy a two-hour private tour giving an insight into the history behind the principal remains and monuments before some time to explore the ruins at your leisure.

Then you'll depart from Machu Picchu town and take a train ride back to Ollantaytambo before returning to Cusco for an overnight stay.

You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport for your onward flight. If you would like to see more of Peru, we have several extension packages available such as a visit to the Amazon, Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, or a flight over the Nazca Lines to show you more of this fantastic country. (B)