itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Upon arrival in Lima you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel where you will have time to freshen up and rest.
Accommodation: Girasoles
DAY 2: DISCOVER LIMA
Explore Lima at your own pace. We recommend making your way to the Historic Centre to see World Heritage Site Santo Domingo Convent, the Main Square and the Larco Museum, an incomparable private collection of treasures from ancient Peru which offers up a superb overview of more than five thousand years of Peruvian history. Alternatively, enjoy an easy day exploring the thriving neighbourhoods of Miraflores and Barranco, making time to sample Lima's world class food scene and don’t miss the chance to try a traditional ‘Pisco Sour’ tipple. Upgrades to a half-day guided city tour are available - do get in touch if you’d like more info.
Accommodation: Girasoles
DAY 3: FLIGHT FROM LIMA TO CUSCO AND TRANSFER TO SACRED VALLEY HOTEL
Fly to Cusco and make the onward transfer to the breathtakingly beautiful Sacred Valley which sits at very high altitude in the Andes. Take plenty of time today to relax and acclimatise in preparation for the impending Inca Trail trek.
Accommodation: Pakaritampu
DAY 4: DAY AT LEISURE IN SACRED VALLEY
Enjoy another restful day exploring the Sacred Valley at your own pace. We recommend taking a slow morning to allow the hordes of tourists to pass through on their way to Machu Picchu. Once the crowds have dispersed, Ollantaytambo has a real charm and it’s very easy to explore on foot. Traditional Andean ways of life continue to this day and there’s plenty to see from the Inca-era grid of cobblestoned streets, to the traditional adobe buildings and babbling irrigation channels. Ollantaytambo is well known for the ruins of the massive Inca fortress with large stone terraces on the hillside above the village which is well worth a visit.
Accommodation: Pakaritampu
DAY 5: MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE SACRED VALLEY
Head out today on a wonderful mountain bike adventure to explore the stunning landscapes of the Sacred Valley, passing through local villages and discovering fascinating archaeological ruins along the way. Routes may vary, but one good example of a half-day excursion begins with a descent to the Moray archaeological complex comprising several concentric terraces that were once farmed by the Incas. Then on to Maras, enjoying the open road and impressive views of the surrounding mountains along the way, followed by a climb to the Maras salt mines, where salt has been extracted for thousands of years. At the end of the cycling route, you’ll be met and transported back to the hotel for a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Pakaritampu
DAY 6: COMMENCE THE INCA TRAIL (OLLANTAYTAMBO – HUAYLLABAMBA)
There’s an early-morning car transfer today to ‘kilometre 82’ where the day starts with a light, easy trek to the first archaeological complex, Llactapata, which will ease you all gently into acclimatising to the altitude. The hike then continues up to Hatunchaca where camp will be set up for the night.
Throughout the four-day trek, there’ll be a combination of wonderful mountain views, lush sub-tropical vegetation and architectural ruins to explore, and porters will carry all equipment and up to 7kg of luggage per person. The porters are local Quetcha people who know the area very well and usually set off slightly earlier to ensure that overnight camps are set up before you arrive.
Approximate walking time: 4 ½ to 5 hours (distance 12 km)
Altitude: beginning of trek: 2,750 m.a.s.l. / ends at: 3,000 m.a.s.l.
Accommodation: Camping (in-camp upgrades possible)
DAY 7: HUAYLLABAMBA – PACAYMAYO (SECOND DAY OF INCA TRAIL)
A carbohydrate-based breakfast on this second day of the Inca trail is the most important meal of the trek in preparation for today’s demanding hike. The hike commences through the Huayllabamba Valley to Yunca Chimpa in Llulluchapampa (3750 m.a.s.l.) and from here you’ll witness the Huayanay Valley before arriving at the highest section of the path known as the ‘Warmiwañusca’ or ‘Dead Woman's Pass’, which sits at 4,200 metres (approx. 14,000 feet) and which can be quite intense and challenging for some given the high altitude. The climb will take most of the morning and then after lunch, there’s a short, two-hour descent to Pacaymayo where camp will be set up for the night. With any luck, the porters and chef will have gone on ahead to set up camp and have your well-deserved, three-course dinner cooking on the fire. Don't be surprised if everyone heads to bed early after a tough but rewarding day.
Approximate walking time: 7 hours (distance 13 km)
Altitude: beginning of trek: 3,000 m.a.s.l. / ends at: 3,800 m.a.s.l.
Accommodation: Camping (in-camp upgrades possible)
DAY 8: PACAYMAYO – WIÑAYWAYNA (THIRD DAY OF INCA TRAIL)
Today is the most diverse day in terms of sites and views. In the morning, there’s an ascent to the second pass, Runcuracay, which sits at 3,680 metres (around 12,800 feet) followed by a short two-hour descent to the stunning archaeological site of Sayacmarca with its far-reaching views of the surrounding valleys and snow-peaked mountains. There will be some time to explore this fascinating spot before continuing along the original Inca stone path to the Phyyupatamarca complex where you’ll have a short tour before descending the 3 kilometres to Wiñaywayna. Here, camp will be set up for the night amongst the mystical ruins.
Approximate walking time: 10 hours (distance 15 km)
Altitude: beginning of trek: 3,800 m.a.s.l / ends at: 2,650 m.a.s.l
Accommodation: Camping (in-camp upgrades possible)
DAY 9: TREK WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU VIA SUN GATE, THEN ON TO CUSCO
After breakfast, you will head to the Inti Punku area, known also as the Sun Gate, where you will enjoy an impressive view of the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu. From here, it’s a short hike to the citadel itself. You will visit these impressive and remarkably well-preserved ruins accompanied by a guide who will explain the history and structure of this wonderful place. Finally, you will board a bus and head to the train station and make the onward journey to Cusco on the Vistadome train. Your hotel for the next couple of nights, El Retablo, is a simple, well-presented property nestled amidst Cusco’s ancient cobbled streets.
Approximate walking time: 2 ¼ hours (distance 6 km)
Altitude: beginning of trek: 2,650 m.a.s.l. / ends at: 2,400 m.a.s.l.
Accommodation: El Retablo
DAY 10: EXPLORE CUSCO
Spend today independently exploring bustling Cusco, the breathtakingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site. You might want to book a massage for your weary legs or spend some time in one of the many cafes at the Plaza de Armas taking in the fabulous views. The chocolate museum, ‘El Museo Cacao’, is well worth a visit and provides excellent insight into cocoa production in Peru, not to mention cooking classes and marshmallows with chocolate fondue in the café! There’s also a whole host of ancient Inca palaces, temples and Spanish Colonial buildings to discover.
Accommodation: El Retablo
DAY 11: EXPLORE CUSCO
There’s so much to see in Cusco that you’ll be glad of another day to wander around and soak up all the sights and sounds. If you’d like to upgrade to a guided city tour then please get in touch for more information.
Accommodation: El Retablo
DAY 12: DEPART
You will be transferred to Cusco airport in good time for your flight home.
