Peru with Classic Inca Trail

Lima, the capital of Peru, sits on the country's arid Pacific coast. Founded in 1535, its colonial centre is well preserved, but today Lima is a bustling metropolis and one of South America’s largest cities. The city is home to the various museums including the Museo Larco that houses a collection of pre-Columbian art and the Museo de la Nación, tracing the history of Peru’s ancient civilizations. Lima is known as the “gastronomical capital of the Americas”, encompassing specialties from ceviche and traditional coastal cooking to refined global fare. It even boasts several of the top restaurants in the world.

On arrival, please make your way through to the Arrivals Hall where our representative will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel. This service includes a driver and local English speaking guide, who will provide you with any useful information needed for your stay.

Embark on a 4 hour walking food tour in Lima's Historic Centre. The tour starts with pick up from your hotel and the first stop is the city's most famous 'Plaza San Martin'. After taking in one of Peru's most famous plazas and a photo opportunity of the Gran Hotel Bolivar, we will head to Lima's very own Chinatown and to the biggest market of the city!

During this food tour, you will have the chance to taste popular on-the-go delicacies that locals devour. While trying some tasteful local treats, you’ll be learning more about Peru's history and interesting facts around the local – informal – economy and daily life in Peru.

In the historic center of Lima, you will get to observe Lima's most emblematic architectural masterpieces, of Spanish and Moorish heritage. It will also be a great opportunity for you to people watch and immerse yourself into a truly joyful local
experience – we designed this food tour so that you could feel like a real Liman!

Overnight in Lima

You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Cusco.

Cusco, set at an altitude of 3,400 metres in the Peruvian Andes, was once the capital of the Inca Empire. It is known for its Spanish colonial architecture and Incan remains.

Overnight in Cusco

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).

This evening the trek operator will hold a pre-trek briefing with more details for the following days.

Early morning you will be collected from your hotel to travel along the Sacred Valley, before arriving at Km 82, the official beginning of the trek. On arrival at the starting point, register for the hike and cross the bridge over Urubamba river (2200m/4850f) to begin an unforgettable trek. The first day of the trail is easy to walk and a good warm up for the following days ahead. After roughly three hours, arrive in Miskay and stop for some well-earned lunch. You will also learn about the nearby archaeological complex of Llactapata.

After lunch, we continue the hike to Wayllabamba at 3,100m, where we ascend to Yuncachimpa 3,300m above sea level where the camp will be set up. Enjoy some rest time and a hearty-but-healthy dinner before your rst night under the stars.
The campsite has splendid views of the snow-capped peak of Mount Veronica.

Overnight Camping

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.

Overnight Camping

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. Your final night of the trail will be spent here.

Overnight Camping

The most anticipated day of the trek begins early with a trek Into Punku (The Sun Gate), where you will catch the first glimpse of the breath-taking Machu Picchu Ruins. The last descent takes almost one hour before arriving to Machu Picchu. On arrival at the ruins, there will be a guided two hour tour giving an insight into the history behind the
principal remains and monuments before some time to explore the ruins at your leisure.

*Note: you will only have access to the lower parts of the site and are unable to access the upper terraces and shrines of the citadel during this viewing. Due
to these restrictions, we have included an additional private tour of the site, which will follow on from this tour, allowing you to explore different areas of the sacred site with your experienced guide. You may also choose to scale the Huayna Picchu
Mountain, which gives you spectacular views of Machu Picchu from a different perspective. (Please note that access to Huayna Picchu Mountain requires an extra, limited-availability permit - please enquire at time of booking if you require one.)

Afterwards you may choose to visit the hot springs (wonderful for aching legs!) down in the village of Aguas Calientes.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Travel from Machu Picchu to Ollantaytambo in this comfortable train, and let your feet have a rest. Enjoy an authentic Andean experience, while relaxing in modern and comfortable interior design illuminated by Latin American music. Comfortable seats with tables in front to share the journey with friends.

Private Maras and Moray Tour
Today we will pick you up from Ollantaytambo train station for your Maras and Moray tour. Upon collection we will make a brief stop at your Sacred Valley hotel to collect your main luggage. The first stop will be Maras Salt ponds, believed to pre-date the Inca period, these shallow pools were dug into the mountainside which are filled with salt water from an underground spring from an adjacent mountain. Once the water evaporates, the salt is carefully collected and packaged up for sale. Witness locals harvest salt in the traditional way that has been practiced for well over 500 years. Situated roughly 7 km to the southwest of Maras, continue to Moray, which boasts an impressive Inca ruin of giant circular terraces that are believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation due to their exceptional irrigation system. On completion of this tour, you will be taken to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco

You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.