Inca Trail Trek & Amazon Experience

Welcome to Lima, Peru. Upon arrival at Lima airport, you’ll be met by our representative and will be transferred to your hotel. With Indigenous cultures dating back millennia, this country is a fascinating land of Amazonian rainforests, diverse wildlife and soaring mountains. Your adventure begins in Lima with a welcome meeting at 2 pm at your hotel in Lima. After, head downtown for a guided walking tour of the city's historical centre to take in the colonial mansions, palaces and churches that line the streets. Then, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free. You might visit the Museum of the Inquisition to learn about Spanish colonialism in Peru. Otherwise, wander around the city until night falls, then embark on an optional Lima Bites and Sights Tour with Urban Adventures, taking you to the bohemian Barranco district to sample the best local street food and Pisco cocktails.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your included flight to Cusco, home of the Inca empire. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Take the time to acclimatize to the city's 3450-metre high (11,150 ft) altitude. Cusco is a favorite destination of many visitors to Peru. As you wander the streets and side alleys of the city you will witness the perfect tapering Inca stonework that provided the foundations for many of Cusco’s colonial and modern buildings. Later, discover the fascinating heritage of the former Inca capital on a guided orientation walk. Wander through its colonial streets and vibrant plazas while visiting highlights such as the Qoricancha Temple, San Pedro Market, the Main Square, the famous 12-Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. This evening, head to Casa Intrepid for a briefing about your upcoming trek. Afterwards, enjoy some free time to explore Cusco independently or join your fellow travellers for dinner and sample some of Peru’s renowned local cuisine

Today you’ll drive through the Sacred Valley, known as Wilcamayo to the Incas. Covered in agricultural terraces and maize crops, this region has been a source of livelihood for the locals for centuries. Here, you’ll visit a local highland community and experience an ancient cooking ritual known as pachamanca. Meaning ‘earth oven’ in Quechua, this ancient cooking uses a pit heated with stones to slow-cook marinated meat and vegetables. It's a great chance to learn about the community's traditional lifestyle and maybe even try to wrap your tongue around a few Quechua words! If it’s market day, you'll also have time to browse the beads, ponchos and other handicrafts on offer. After, visit AMA Restaurant in Urubamba – a cafe that provides training and employment opportunities to local women who are single parents. Enjoy coffee and cake here and learn how this inclusive enterprise is supporting the community. Continue your journey to Ollantaytambo, where you can relax at your hotel or opt to explore the fascinating Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (at your own expense).

Depending on the travel arrangements you made before the trip, during the next four days you’ll be either hiking the Inca Trail (Route 1), hiking the Quarry Trail (Route 2) or staying in Cusco for two days before taking the train to Aguas Calientes (Route 3). All routes visit Machu Picchu. While away from Cusco, the bulk of your luggage will be stored at your hotel. If you’re hiking the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, the evening before you leave you'll receive a small duffle bag to carry your clothes in for the next four days (5 kg maximum). Your team of porters will carry these bags for you, together with the food and equipment for the trail. You won't have access to these items until the end of each day, as the porters will always be ahead of the group. If you’re travelling to Aguas Calientes by train, you'll be able to leave most of your luggage at the hotel in Cusco and travel with only a small bag for the overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.

Route 1 Inca Trail
It’s time to set off on the Inca Trail! Travel by minivan to the 51-mi marker (8819 ft) and meet your local trekking guide, chef and crew of porters. Today's mostly uphill trail includes the Inca sites of Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay and Llactapata, as well as incredible views of snow-capped Veronica Peak. When you arrive at your first campsite (10,170 ft), kick your boots off and unwind with a nourishing meal prepared by your cook. If it’s a clear night, don’t forget to look up to see the glittering Andean skies.

Route 2 Quarry Trail
Make an early start today and drive to Choquequilla, a small ceremonial place where Incas worshipped the moon. From here, you’ll head to the small community near Qory Song’o (Golden Heart) hill, where you’ll climb to the top for the incredible views of the Soqma Perolniyoc, Pachar and Huarocondo valleys. There are also several sacred tombs in the area, protected by the locals, which you can explore with your leader and even see some of the original structures crafted from wood and leather. These remains have never been seen by travellers before, so you can be a part of this exclusive experience. Carry on to the Perolniyoc Cascade lookout, where you can stop for some snacks and photos. Arrive at the campsite, 12,140 ft above sea level, around lunchtime. After, set off to explore the Q'orimarca archaeological site, which once served as a checkpoint to the Incas.

Route 3 Cusco
After spending the night in Ollantaytambo, take a short drive to the town of Pisac. Pisac is well known for its market. Here you’ll have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs and perhaps try some local empanadas. Arrive back at Cusco in the afternoon, where your leader can take you to San Pedro Market, where you have the option to buy some local favorites for a picnic tomorrow or enjoy having some free time. Perhaps head out for dinner– your leader will have plenty of local recommendations.

Route 1 Inca Trail
Gear up for the most challenging part of the trek. Today you’ll ascend for five hours up a steep path to reach the highest point of the trail – Warmiwanusca, or colloquially known as 'Dead Woman's Pass' – which sits at a height of 13,780 ft above sea level. While it’s challenging (get ready to work up a sweat!), you’ll be rewarded with amazing views of the valley below. You’ll then descend to the campsite in Pacaymayo Valley at 11,975 ft – this is where your trusty walking poles will come in handy. Arrive at camp and dig into a well-earned dinner after a big day.

Route 2 Quarry Trail
This is the most challenging and rewarding day of the hike. A 3-hour walk takes you to the top of the first pass of Puccaqasa, about 14,340 ft high. After enjoying the picturesque views of the valley, it’s a short walk before stopping for lunch. After, make the 2-hour hike to Kuychicassa, the highest pass of the trek at 14,600 ft. From here, descend to the sacred site that the Incas called Intipunku. This is a sun gate, where the sun will stream through at particular times of the year and there are views of the Nevado Veronica mountain year-round. Head to the campsite, only a stone’s throw away and at 11,800 ft.

Route 3 Cusco
Today, take a taxi to Tambomachay, an archaeological site just outside of Cusco. From here you’ll take a 3 to 4 hours walk back to Cusco. On the way, stop to admire some of the archaeological sites, including Puka Pukara, Quenqo and Saksaywaman. Arrive back in Cusco in the early afternoon and enjoy some free time. Maybe visit the Merida, Mendivil and Olave art galleries and workshops before finding a great spot to sit down and enjoy some dinner.

Route 1 Inca Trail
Start the day with a climb through the Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass at 13,058 ft. Stop for a breather and enjoy views of the snowcapped mountain of Cordillera Vilcabamba before descending for around 2 to 3 hours to the ruins of Sayacmarca. Believed to have been used by the Incas for ceremonial purposes, this maze-like stone structure sits on a mountain crest and is only accessible on foot. Continue over the trail’s third pass to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 12,631 ft, also known as the 'Town Above the Clouds'. You’ll then begin the 2-hour descent down the Inca steps to your final campsite by the Winay Wayna archaeological site. Make the most of your final night camping beneath the Andean peaks.

Route 2 Quarry Trail
Today’s hike will all be downhill. The first stop is the incomplete Kachiqata quarry, where the Incas were intercepted by the Spanish. Explore the cobbled streets of Ollantaytambo when you finish your trek. This is where you’ll meet with the travellers in your group who didn't hike, before taking the short train journey to Aguas Calientes. Spend the night in a hotel before tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu.

Route 3 Train to Aguas Calientes
After a 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo. This is where you’ll meet up with the travellers in your group who hiked the Quarry Trail. You’ll catch a 1.5-hour train through the winding Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes. The city is nestled in the cloud forest at the foot of Machu Picchu. Spend the night in a hotel before tomorrow’s visit to Machu Picchu.

Route 1 Inca Trail
Rise and shine for the final and most spectacular leg of the Inca Trail! After a 4 am breakfast, say bye to your porters as they descend to the train station and begin hiking. Once the final checkpoint opens at 5 am, push on for the last 2.5-hour trek to Intipunku (the Sun Gate) – the famous entrance of Machu Picchu. Weather permitting, you’ll enjoy epic views over the citadel. Surrounded by cloud forest with the river Urubamba running through the gorge far below, Machu Picchu (7972 ft) is one of those genuinely magical places, and your first glimpse of the ruins is something to remember.

Route 2 and 3 Machu Picchu to Cusco
Take an early bus up to Machu Picchu at 6.00 am. The city was built around 1440 AD as a country retreat for the Incan nobility, but there’s evidence that the land had been a sacred Incan site for much longer. Take a guided tour around the ruins of temples, palaces and living quarters. This is a day to remember! For all travellers, after taking advantage of the seemingly endless photo opportunities, it's time to catch the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll stop for an optional lunch together (NOT included). From here, take a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo, then drive back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.

After breakfast, enjoy a free day exploring Cusco at your own pace and making the most of everything this vibrant city has to offer. If you're looking for a relaxed experience, find a spot at one of the cafés around the Plaza de Armas and soak up the local atmosphere. For those seeking something more adventurous, the surrounding countryside offers excellent opportunities for activities such as mountain biking. You may also wish to purchase a Boleto Turístico (Tourist Ticket), which provides access to several of Cusco’s most interesting attractions and museums, including the Contemporary Art Museum, the Regional History Museum and the Qosqo Native Art Museum. Your tour leader will be happy to provide further information and recommendations.

Rise and shine early today for your journey into the wilds of the Peruvian Amazon. Take an early transfer to the airport, then fly to Puerto Maldonado. Here, you’ll pack a small duffle bag with essentials for the next two days. Board a motorised canoe and cruise deep into the jungle. The journey to your eco-lodge in the Madre de Dios region will take a couple of hours, so you’ll stop for lunch along the way. Settle into your thatched-roof lodge before a short orientation walk of your surroundings. Spend the evening taking in the sights and smells of the jungle and enjoy an I’m-so-far-from-home moment.

Get ready for an unforgettable day exploring the depths of the jungle! Set out on a half-day trek guided by local experts on the area's flora and fauna. Learn from your guides about the medicinal and practical uses for some of the plants that grow here, which Indigenous people have been studying and using for thousands of years. On your walk, keep an eye out for rainbow macaws and butterflies, and listen for the barking call of the peccaries and chattering of monkeys that call the jungle home. This part of the Amazon is also known to house capybaras, giant otters and jabirus, so keep your eyes peeled for these exotic creatures. Enjoy your packed lunch before going back to the lodge and some free time to relax. Once the sun goes down, venture out on a night walk in search of some of the jungle's nocturnal inhabitants (caimans, jaguars and anacondas).

Leave behind the natural wonders of the Amazon and return to Puerto Maldonado, where a flight will take the group back to Lima. Time permitting, the rest of the day is free to explore more of Lima's sights and maybe do some last-minute souvenir shopping. In the evening, enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner of Peruvian favourites with your fellow travelers and leader.

Your trip comes to an end today after breakfast, and there are no activities planned. You can depart at any time.