Exploring the Land of the Incas

This is a soft adventure itinerary. In addition to a lovely one night camping trek, we have included the 1 day Inca Trail to ensure you reach Machu Picchu the best possible way: on foot. If you want more activity, we recommend a couple of hours or a full day exploring the Valley on horseback. We have selected small, low key but very upscale properties, where you will feel totally pampered. Your lunch in Lima on the last day will be a treat!

Good time to travel: This itinerary is possible year round, except February when the Inca Trail is closed. Absolute Best time: April –June

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Day 1

On arrival from your evening international flight, you will be collected by our English-speaking representative and driven to Country Club Lima Hotel, a wonderful property dating back to the 1930's where it was the gathering spot for the Lima elite. You can also try a charming boutique option called Second Home Peru.

Day 2

Transfer to the airport to take your 1-hour morning flight to Cuzco (3,400m/11,220 ft). On arrival into Cuzco, you will be transferred to the Urubamba Valley (1 hour drive), which lies at lower altitude and makes acclimatization easier. The Urubamba river valley is dotted with villages, markets and archaeological sites. On the way to your hotel you will visit the wonderful ruins of Pisac and its famous market. Lunch at a local restaurant. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to acclimatize.
Overnight at Sol y Luna suites.

Day 3

You will be collected by your private guide and driven to the village and Inca site of Ollantaytambo, which boasts some of the finest Inca architecture known. Visit the site with your guide. Return towards your Hotel and head toward the small village of Chinchero, with impressive Inca walls and a lovely colonial church. The vegetable and craft market at Chinchero is also very picturesque. It takes place on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
Overnight at Sol y Luna suites.

Day 4

This is the most popular of the short treks we do, as it is quite easy, it covers very varied terrain and allows you to camp at a little-known Inca site, situated on a plateau with stunning views overlooking the valley and snow-capped peaks of the Vilcabamba range. It’s an excellent short trek for families! You will start your day by driving to Tauca, approximately 35 min. drive from your hotel in Urubamba in the direction of Chinchero. Here you will meet your crew and pack animals, and start your trek. This is a fully outfitted trek at the highest standard. You will need to carry nothing else than your camera and water bottle. Food is plentiful and made from fresh ingredients. Cooked breakfast and dinner, picnic lunch and morning and afternoon snacks with hot beverages. Tents will be pitched and ready when you arrive at your campsite. This trek is off the main tourist trail. Today you will walk a total of 5 hours (10km, 6.7mi).
Overnight in tents.

Day 5

Start your day with a nutritious cooked breakfast. Visit the site at your leisure and with your guide. After breakfast hike down from Huchuy Qosqo to the village of Lamay on the banks of the Urubamba Valley. This morning you will visit the fabulous ruins of Ollantaytambo, and its town. Enjoy a pottery lesson with the experts in Ollantaytambo. Try your hand at creating your own “masterpiece” under the guidance of one of the experts. Using rich colours and traditional patterns you can create a vase, or a cup – a lasting original momento of your family trip to Peru. This is a fascinating and fun two hour session for all the family. Lunch at a local restaurant and return to your hotel.
Overnight at Sol y Luna suites.

Day 6

You will be collected by your guide and driven to Ollantaytambo (30 min) at approximately 8:00am to take the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, the station that serves Machu Picchu . The total train ride is approximately 2 hours, mainly through wonderful cloud forest scenery. You will get off approximately 1 ½ hours before arrival at Aguas Calientes, and together with your guide, start your 1 day Inca trail. You will carry your daypack and box lunch only. You will cross a hanging bridge to then approach the small but interesting Inca archaeological complex of Cachabamba. After a brief visit of this site you will begin a three to four hours ascent to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna: an important Inca spiritual site, and one of the loveliest of all Inca ruins. At this point the trail joins with the main Inca Trail. From here you will be walking on Inca pavement. Here the Inca Trail cuts across the ridge above Machu Picchu to finally reach Intipunku or Gate of the Sun, from where the trail winds downhill into the lost citadel located right above the Urubamba River. You will then take a half hour bus ride down to your Hotel, the lovely Machu Picchu Pueblo, or enjoy the perfect location by the ruins themselves, at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.

Day 7

This morning you will be able to enjoy Machu Picchu almost all to yourself, as you will be able to access the site as soon as it opens, and watch the morning unfold. Machu Picchu at this time is pure magic. Guided visit of the site with your private guide. Machu Picchu, also known as "The Lost City of the Incas" is one of the world's most celebrated archaeological sites. Its location is spectacular. It is nestled in the Andean cloud forest on a high ridge straddling between two mountains with the Urubamba River curling like a snake below it. The mountain scenery surrounding it is magnificent and the site itself is also spectacular, with some of the finest and more complex Inca architecture known. Afternoon return via the Vistadome Train from Machu Picchu to Cuzco, journey time is approximately 3.45 hours. At the train station you will be collected and driven to either the Monasterio or La Casona where you will overnight.

Day 8

You will be collected by your guide for your walking tour of the city of Cuzco. Visit the Cathedral, Korikancha (the Sun Temple) and walk around this wonderful city observing the juxtaposition of Inca and colonial architecture and getting the feel of its wonderful atmosphere. Lunch at MAP café, one of the city's best restaurants. It is located in the outdoor courtyard of a wonderful colonial palace which is now the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, well worth a visit. Afternoon visit of Sacsayhuaman and other Inca sites around the city.
Overnight Monasterio or La Casona.

Day 9

Transfer to airport for your flight to Lima, where you will be able to make use of a day room. You will have a city tour conducted by one of our specialist guides, who are architects, conservators, or archaeologists. Lunch at the historic Casa Aliaga mansion in downtown Lima or Casa Ciurlizza, a private residence in Chaclacayo which houses an exquisite collection of decorative art, paintings and furniture. In the afternoon you will have a vehicle and driver at your disposal to go wherever you prefer. Transfer to the airport to catch our evening international flight.