Ultimate Inca Trek

After freshening up, you will be introduced to the city with the "Locals' guide to Cusco". This short walking tour is a great way to get your bearings and also helps you get used to the altitude. The beautiful historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 with Inca and colonial architecture evident all around.

Later in the day your guide will give you a full briefing for the adventure  ahead.

Accommodation: Hotel Anahuarque, Cusco

Meals: L

Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay lying at 3700 m and the Red fort of Puca Pucara followed by a picnic lunch nearby. From here, an optional hike following an ancient Inca trail takes us downhill to Cusco (or vehicle transfer) , stopping at the Temple of the Moon and other historical sites along the way.

Accommodation: Hotel Anahuarque, Cusco

Meals: B,L

Trekking distance: 12 km approx.

After visiting the ruins we follow an ancient mule trail with spectacular views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcanota. We will also see examples of the finest Andean farming on our way. We head back across the plains to the interesting town of Maras for lunch.

In the afternoon we descend from Maras to the amazing Salinas, a series of salt pans that have been worked since Inca times. We explore this amazing site then descend to the Urubamba river and our awaiting vehicle, which returns us to your hotel for the night.

Accommodation: Sol Natura Hotel, Ollantaytambo

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 11km, approx. 6 hours including time to explore

Ascent 50m

Descent 732m

Maximum altitude 3532m

With the crowds now long gone, we head to the Inca Trail control post. The afternoon's hiking is an undulating trail above the fascinating Urubamba river. Finally we arrive at the spectacular Inca site of Llactapata (2,788m / 9,146ft) and up to our camp for the night. (2,902m / 9,521ft).

Accommodation: Comfortable camping 

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 6km

Altitude: 2700m - 2902m

Accommodation: Comfortable camping

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 9km

Altitude: 2902m - 3800m

You continue on the well preserved Inca trail to Sayacmarca. Located at the junction of two old Inca roads, historians still argue over its exact purpose. A few more gentle ups and downs and you arrive at your stunning campsite for the night, Phuyupatamarca, or ‘the place above the clouds’ (3,650m /11,975ft).

Accommodation: Comfortable camping 

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 15km

Altitude: 3800m-4200m-3600m-3900m-3600m

As you step out of your tent the views are stunning. Perhaps you will see the sun rising over the snow-capped mountains of Salkantay (6,200m/20,341ft) and Veronica (5,800m / 19,029ft). Or perhaps you will have a cloud inversion, with the clouds filling the valleys beneath your feet.

After saying a fond farewell to your porters it is time to put on your boots and head to Machu Picchu. You descend through the cloud forest on beautiful Inca stairways, to Wiñay Wayna, another interesting ruin full of swallows and orchids. Finally you contour the hillside to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes.

After plenty of photos you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.

Accommodation: Hotel Hatun Inti Classic

Meals: B,L,D

Trekking distance: 12km

Altitude: 3600m - 2400m

Machu Picchu entrance times are set hourly and only valid for four hours. We usually aim for mid-morning entrance. This avoids the sunrise rush and ensures you have a good breakfast before the long day ahead. In the afternoon, we board the train for an interesting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting transfer whisks us back to Cusco and our hotel. Then, if we have the energy, we can explore Cusco’s many excellent restaurants and bars.

Accommodation: Hotel Anahuarque, Cusco

Meals: B,L,D

For those with more time we can offer you extensions to the Amazon rainforest, Lake Titicaca, Colca Canyon and Arequipa or even to the little visited northern Peru.

Meals: B