Inca Trail (8 days)

Bienvenido al Peru! Welcome to Peru.

Your local representative will organise a pre-trip meeting at around 2:00pm where your local payment will be collected. This will be followed by an orientation walk and an optional group dinner: a great time to try the local specialties. At the joining point hotel, ask reception to direct you to the notice board for your welcome note explaining where to meet.

Check-in time at the joining point is at midday. Early check-in is not guaranteed however if you arrive early luggage storage is available. For those who arrive early, we recommend you talk a walk around Miraflores. Go from Central Park (Parque Kennedy) to LarcoMar via Larco Avenue. Alternatively go to Parque del Amor (Love's Park) for a nice view of Lima's beaches. Other things to see and do include a tour to Pachacamac (approx 30 km from downtown Lima), the Museo de la Nacion, Museum of the Inquisition, Gold Museum and Archaeological Museum. Please note that on day 2 we include an orientation walking tour in downtown Lima so there is no need for you to visit downtown prior to the trip.

While Peru's capital officially began life in 1535, when Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro founded the city on the Day of the Three Kings, settlements had been scattered through the valley since before the Incas. The city was in fact built on top of existing palaces and temples belonging to the local chief who had little choice but to move on. Lima was in its prime during the Spanish colonial days and much of the city's attraction now lies in its well preserved historic centre.

Flanked by streets of ornate colonial mansions, palaces and churches, Plaza Mayor is the best place to start any exploration of Lima. Take a walk through the old streets to get a feel for colonial life. On one side of the plaza is the cathedral, which houses the remains of Lima's founder, Francisco Pizarro. Nearby is the 16th century monastery of San Francisco which boasts a canvas of the last supper that has a distinctly Peruvian flavour: the disciples dine on guinea pig and drink from gold Incan cups. But the monastery's catacombs are the real draw-card, and have been Lima's underground general cemetery for hundreds of years. Another fascinating church is the Iglesia de La Merced, just two blocks from the Plaza. There are many fine museums in and around the city including the Museo del Tribunal de la Santa Inquisicion, which gives a fascinating insight into the Spanish Inquisition and the Museo Nacional de Arqueologia which offers a look at Peru's succession of ancient cultures.

Away from the historic centre, mingle with the locals in Lima's cosmopolitan coastal districts of Miraflores, Barranco and San Isidro. Limenos (Lima's residents) are friendly and there are plenty of great restaurants and cafes to sample ceviche, a local seafood specialty.

An early morning flight (approx 70 min) takes us to Cusco. As we will arrive about 9am, the hotel rooms in Cusco will not be ready, however they can store your luggage.

In the afternoon we will take a short orientation walking tour and introduce you to some of the fascinating lesser known sights of this wonderful town. This includes a visit to a coca shop and a taste of a very special coca tea, and also the local San Pedro market.

The Cusco region truly is the heart and soul of Peru. The city itself is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and was the home of the Incas for two centuries before the Spanish built their first capital here. Today, Cusco is a fascinating combination of both cultures. Inca-built walls line the central streets and many of the elegant colonial buildings are built on or around Incan foundations. This is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend and is a perfect base for outdoor activities and optional explorations into the Incan world.

Take the time to acclimatize to the city's 3,400 m (11,150 feet) altitude and explore the many baroque churches and ancient temples that dot the city. The cathedral, built on top of an Inca palace, dominates the Plaza de Armas, Cusco's picturesque heart. The cathedral is one of the city's greatest repositories of art and houses an elegantly carved choir stall and a gold-covered Renaissance altar. Also worth visiting are the churches of La Compania, La Merced and San Blas.

There are several impressive Inca ruins within the city, the most easily accessed being Coricancha, once the Inca Empire's richest temple. Once plated in thick gold, the Spaniards built a Dominican Church atop its sturdy walls. The stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman is also worth a visit. Looking over the city from its hilltop position, the fortress is built out of massive stone blocks and is the ultimate example of the Inca's military strength.

Travel by local bus through the Sacred Valley (Approx 60-90 min), on the outskirts of Cusco. Known as Wilcamayo to the Incas, the lush, fertile valley has long been the main source of food for the high Andes. Maize crops can be seen surrounding the river and covering the terraces carved high into the valley walls. 

We will head to a community along the Valley to learn about local lifestyle and activities and if our visit coincides with market day we can spend time browsing the stalls in search of hand-painted beads or warm ponchos and maybe practising some of the local language, Quechua.

After the visit to the community we wait at the bus stop for the next local bus to Ollantaytambo, the most popular town of the Valley, situated at 2,792m above sea level, where houses have been built over an ancient Incan town, and which still has the remains of an Inca fortress popular in historical Incan stories.

We spend the night in Ollantaytambo at the far end of the valley. This geometrically perfect town is a magnificent example of Incan urban planning. It is especially admired for the huge terraces that guard the great temple-fortress that clings to cliffs. This is one of the few places the Incas defeated the Spanish.

The four day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a demanding but incredibly rewarding trek. We catch a bus (approx 2.5 hrs) to the 82km marker and are joined by a crew of local porters, cook and guide. The trail is part of a series of Incan highways that linked the empire all the way from Quito in Ecuador, to Santiago in Chile. As we hike from high plateau to dense forest, you will see the ruins of ancient villages, temples and inns, the first of which is Llactapata, burnt to the ground by the last Inca Emperor to discourage Spanish pursuit down the trail. 

The starting point of the trek is located at 2,850m above sea level. Day 1 includes some uphill trekking to the campsite (over 3,000m above sea level). Take advantage during the 4 days of the trek to get to know your porters. You will realise they work the hardest on the team and are gentle people willing to share with you their culture, language and trek experiences.

The second day is the most challenging of the trek as we ascend a long steep path (approx 4 hrs) to reach the highest point of our trek, Warmiwanusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at a height of 4,200 m (13,779 ft), before descending to the Pacaymayo Valley (3650m above sea level/2 hrs downhill). Depending upon what has been established by the Government, you might camp here today, or may need to continue further up and down.

We might cross the first and second passes on day 2. From the second pass, Runkuracay (3,980m above sea level/90min uphill) we can enjoy views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba before descending to the ruins of Sayacmarca (90-210min downhill). From here it is only a few more minutes to the Chaquicocha campsite (3,620m above sea level).

Today we continue over the third pass and soon reach the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the 'Town above the Clouds' (3,850m above sea level/90min uphill). Start descending real Inca Steps (2 hrs) to reach our final night's camp by the Winay Wayna, or 'Forever Young' ruins (2,750m above sea level), with panoramic views of the valley below.

Enjoy free time to relax, shop and explore more of Cusco's sights. Rest weary legs at a cafe on Plaza de Armas or head out to see more fascinating ruins at Tambomachay and Puca Pucara. For those who can't get enough active adventure there are plenty of opportunities to go mountain biking, horse riding or white water rafting on the Urubamba River. 

If you want some local interaction why not visit the Yanapay school project and help the kids with their homework, teach them some English, or share with them some of your skills such as dancing. You might also eat at Yanapay restaurant and help them in a different way.

Alternatively a visit to the ruins of Saqsayhuaman, Qenqo or Tambomachay is recommended.

You can depart at any time today. Check out time is 10am.

Today is a short final hike (90-120min) to Machu Picchu where we climb the steps to the Sun Gate to watch the ruins emerge from the mist below. The feeling as the as you see the ruins for the first time is indescribable. 

While it is thought Machu Picchu was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for Incan nobility, there is evidence this had been a sacred Incan site for much longer. Another school of thought is that this was an astronomical observatory. There is plenty of time for you to decide for yourself as you wander around the many temples, palaces and living quarters. You will have a guided visit (1.5-2 hrs) with plenty of free time afterwards. After taking advantage of the seemingly endless photo opportunities, it is time to return to Cusco for a well deserved shower and glass of Pisco Sour.

The trail is within the abilities of most reasonably fit people, but do come prepared: the trail is 45 km (28 miles) long and often steep. Generally the journeys consist of 7 hrs walking on average (both uphill and downhill), plus stops for snacks and lunch. Normally trekking starts at 7am (except for the fourth morning) and you reach the campsite around 4-5pm. There is always the possibility of rain, even in the dry season and temperatures may fall below freezing at night. The trail traverses three passes, the highest being 4,200 m (13,779 ft).

For those passengers not interested or unable to hike the trail it is possible to spend an extra 2 extra days in Cusco then travel by train to Aguas Calientes. The following morning there will be a bus to Machu Picchu passengers can join the rest of the group for the guided tour. This option must be arranged at the time of booking or local fees will apply.