The window to the heart of the Andes

Luxury Inca Trail to Machupicchu

After exploring Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Incas we will hike along the world famous Inca Trail to the most spectacular archaeological site in all of South America, all the while enjoying the finest comforts available in Peru.

Lima – Cusco - Sacred Valley (Urubamba) - Inca Trail to Machupicchu – Lima

Day 1: Arrival in Lima

On arrival you will be met by our representative at the airport and transferred to the Country Club Hotel, which is located in the San Isidro district, one of Lima’s most upscale districts and a major financial quarter. This district is characterized by green areas, residential neighborhoods, fine hotels and restaurants.

Day 2: Lima city tour

We will have all day to visit Lima’s capital, which was founded by the Spanish conquistadors in 1535 and known as the City of Kings. We will drive through a number of districts on our way to the historic center of the city, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will visit the main places of interest, including the 17th century San Francisco church and convent, with its catacombs. We will lunch at La Rosa Nautica, a charming restaurant located on the pier where you will have an opportunity to try traditional Peruvian cuisine from the coastal region. In the afternoon we will visit the Larco Herrera Museum, which houses some 4,500 pieces of pre-Columbian art from several pre-Inca cultures.

(Overnight at Country Club Hotel in Lima)

Day 3: Cusco highlights

This day begins with a transfer to the airport for the one hour flight to Cusco. On arrival you will be transferred to the Hotel Monasterio in Cusco to rest before our guide escorts you on your first sightseeing trip in Cusco. This tour includes the Inca Temple of the Sun, or Qorikancha, the magnificent Main Square with its imposing 17th century cathedral and, high above the city center in the surrounding hills, we will see the remains of the monolithic fortified temple complex of Saqsayhuaman. Just off the Main Square, the Inca Museum has an interesting chronological display showing the development of Andean culture in the Cusco valley from pre-Inca times to the arrival of the Spanish.

Day 4: Sacred Valley of the Incas - Urubamba

Today we leave the city for a full day tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is the setting for many Inca archaeological sites, as well as stunning scenery comprising of agricultural terraces crowned by high peaks. The valley floor is home to traditional villages where many aspects of local life continue unchanged. Our guide will share with you his great knowledge of local history and culture. We will visit the Awanacancha ranch, with its llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas, and then continue to the village of Pisaq. Here we will have plenty of time to visit the colorful local market of this peaceful colonial village, before lunching at the exclusive Casa Hacienda Orihuela, with its collection of Inca artifacts and colonial-era art. After lunch we will drive through the Sacred Valley to the village of Ollantaytambo, which is the last remaining example of Inca urban planning; here we will visit the fortress temple of Ollantaytambo as well as the village itself.

(Overnight at Sol y Luna Hotel in Urubamba)

Day 5: Urubamba – Km 82 – Patallacta

We leave our valley hotel after breakfast to drive to Km 82, which is the start of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Today will be an easy day to enable you to get used to the altitude; we will hike for a short distance only (about 4 miles) on relatively flat terrain on the left bank of the Urubamba River as far as the archaeological site of Patallacta, where we will camp (9240 feet / 2800 masl).

Day 6: Llactapata – Llulluchapampa

When trekking in the Andes we normally wake up early so we can begin the day by walking before the sun is strongest. Today we will begin by hiking uphill for about 7 miles to a beautiful location above the valley with fine views of the surrounding mountains and snow-capped peaks. We will camp at Llulluchapampa (12210 feet / 3700 masl), which is usually quite cold, but the views will make the uphill trek worthwhile.

Day 7: Llulluchapampa – Phuyupatamarca

Today will be the longest day of the trek to Machu Picchu, as we will walk 10 miles. We will hike up to the highest point on the Inca Trail to Dead Woman’s Pass (13860 feet / 4200 masl). We will hike for about 6 hours on an original Inca highway, visiting the archaeological sites of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca on the way; after lunch you find yourself walking for another 1½ hours along a paved Inca highway through cloud forest vegetation to the next campsite. We will camp at Phuyupatamarca (12210 feet / 3700 masl), overlooking the Urubamba river valley. At this spot the sunrises are often spectacular. From here we also have fine views of Mount Salkantay, which is the highest mountain in the region (20694 feet / 6271masl).

Day 8: Phuyupatamarca – Machupicchu

Today we will make an early start for the last 6 miles to Machupicchu. The trail descends for about 2½ hours to Wiñaywayna (8910 feet / 2700 masl). This is often described as the most beautiful Inca site on the entire Inca Trail. After visiting the site we will have lunch and in the afternoon we will hike for another two hours through the forest environment to the Sun Gate above Machupicchu, from where we will get our first panoramic view of the Inca city. When we arrive at Machu Picchu (8085 feet / 2450 masl) we will check in at the Sanctuary Lodge and as soon as you are ready you can go and explore Machupicchu with your tour guide.

Day 9: Machupicchu – Cusco

We will get up early to enjoy the sunrise over Machupicchu. Because our hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the ruins, all we need to do is get up, grab our cameras and stroll to the citadel!

Today you can choose to visit Machupicchu again or opt to hike up the mountain known as Huayna Picchu (which appears in all the classic photographs of Machu Picchu). Other options include the thirty-minute hike to the Inca drawbridge.

In the evening you will take the Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco. During the train ride a four course a la carte dinner will be served to you onboard. On arrival at the train station in Poroy you will be transferred by private vehicle to the Hotel Monasterio in Cusco.

Day 10: Cusco – Lima

(Morning free to relax or wander around Cusco’s historic center)

In the afternoon you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you will be met by our representatives and taken to your hotel, where a day room will be waiting for you. You will have the afternoon free before a farewell meal in the evening followed by your international flight home.