itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LIMA
Upon arrival in Lima you will be met at the airport and transferred to your welcoming boutique hotel where you will have a chance to freshen up and rest.
Accommodation: Villa Barranco
DAY 2: DISCOVER LIMA
The best way to get to know Lima is to take a tour of the central area first, followed by some free time afterwards to potter independently around the neighbourhoods of Miraflores or Barranca. So, this morning, enjoy a tour of Lima complete with your own, private guide. You’ll visit both modern and colonial Lima, starting in the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, and will come away with a good overview of the impressive archaeological site of Huaca Huallamarca. Next, head to the historic centre which comprises the World Heritage Site of Santo Domingo Convent and the Main Square which is surrounded by the Presidential Palace, the Archbishop's Palace, the Municipality of Lima and the Cathedral. Afterwards, sample a ‘pisco sour’ - a traditional Peruvian tipple - and the tour then culminates in a visit to the Larco Museum, an incomparable private collection of treasures from ancient Peru which encapsulates more than five thousand years of Peruvian history. The afternoon is then free to spend at leisure.
Accommodation: Villa Barranco
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)
Wake the kids early today for a car transfer to ‘kilometre 82’ where the day begins 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 Mercado, is a lovely property nestled amidst central 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 Mercado
DAY 10: GUIDED TOUR OF CUSCO
Explore the once Inca capital, Cusco, with a private guide. The tour begins at Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and centre of worship of the sun god, on the site of which the Dominicans built a church which survives to this day. Then on to the Main Square, where you will visit the cathedral, the most important religious building in the city. The climb then continues to Sacsayhuamán fortress, an impressive example of Inca military architecture followed by a visit to Kenko, where the sun, moon and stars were once worshipped. Next, there’s the chance to explore Puca-Pucara, which is thought to have once been a "tambo", or rest and lodging place, for the ancient Inca people. Finally, a visit to the Inkas Expression art workshop, where you will be able to see Andean art being created by artists working in silver, paint and wood.
Accommodation: El Mercado
DAY 11: EXPLORE CUSCO AT LEISURE
Spend today independently exploring bustling Cusco, the breathtakingly beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site, at your own pace. Spend some time in one of the many cafes at the Plaza de Armas and visit the chocolate museum and a whole host of ancient Inca palaces, temples and Spanish Colonial buildings.
Accommodation: El Mercado
DAY 12: FLY FROM CUSCO TO PUERTO MALDONADO AND BOAT TRANSFER TO REFUGIO AMAZONAS
Today, make the short flight to Puerto Maldonado and your final destination, Refugio Amazonas, for the grand finale of the holiday, a 3-day, fully immersive Amazon rainforest experience.
Accommodation: Refugio Amazonas
DAY 13: REFUGIO AMAZONAS
Highlights of the activities include visits to the Canopy Tower, Clay lick and Oxbow Lake. The Canopy Tower takes you high above the dense vegetation, and from the top you will see miles of pristine forest stretching in every direction. Because animals are at their most active up in the tree canopy, you’ll also enjoy incredible opportunities to see the local wildlife. The Oxbow Lake visit reveals the most important and distinct habitats in the Amazon. These lakes form when a river bend gets cut off from its main channel, creating calm, fish-filled lakes. After a quick boat trip from the lodge, you hike a short distance inland to the lake where you’ll enjoy pleasant catamaran ride around the lake with your guide to spot wildlife. Due to the lake’s biodiversity and rich abundance of fish, there’s a good chance of spotting the Hoatzin - a bizarre, dinosaur-like bird - along with troops of Squirrel Monkeys, rare Giant Otters, huge Caiman, and majestic Macaws flying overhead. Moreover, if you visit the Oxbow Lake at the Posada Amazonas lodge, you might even get to see the fascinating and much-feared Piranha.
Accommodation: Refugio Amazonas
DAY 14: REFUGIO AMAZONAS
For one of the best tropical bird experiences in the whole of the Amazon, a visit the Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is a must. Due to particularly rich nutrients, most likely salt, found in the cliff soil, the Clay Lick attracts dozens of species of colourful birds; from huge Red and Green Macaws to Mealy Parrots, the birds flock here to munch on the nutritious clay. The macaws are the largest — and certainly the loudest — of the bunch and the humid jungle air fills with their screeches as they settle into trees above the bluffs, swooping down to feed on the clay. The Chuncho Macaw Clay Lick is one of the most stunning wildlife spectacles in the world, making it a must-see for any nature lover. In addition to the above-mentioned activities, there are several different guided hikes on offer, plus local farm visits, opportunities to take part in scientific research and beautiful sunset cruises on the Tambopata River.
Accommodation: Refugio Amazonas
DAY 15: TRANSFER FROM REFUGIO AMAZONAS TO AIRPORT FOR ONWARD FLIGHT
This morning, you'll be transferred by boat back to Puerto Maldonado airport to catch your onward flight.
