Ultimate Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure

The trip starts in Cusco, the heart of the Inca empire. Your trip leader will greet you with a cup of hot coca tea – the local specialty to help you adjust to the altitude. After lunch, we’ll set off for a walk around this amazing ancient city and up to Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking the main Plaza and Cusco Valley. The fortress is a magnificent archaeological site representing a set of jaguar’s teeth with massive, perfectly fitted stones weighing up to 130 tons each and was the place where the Incas made their final stand against the Spanish conquistadores. No one really knows what the Incas used Sacsayhuamán for – some say it was a sanctuary and temple of the Sun, others say it was a granary, and yet another theory is that it was the place where the old Inca king would play football using the heads of his enemies! No matter who is right, you’ll have a lot of fun hearing all the stories this amazing area inspires.

Later, we’ll take a walk through the colorful Cusco street markets. If you prefer, you can take some time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cusco’s lively town square and meet up again later for an evening meal.
Accommodation: Wyndham Costa del Sol, Cusco
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 1.2 miles (2 kilometers)
Elevation Gain/Loss: 656 feet (200 meters) descent, 656 feet (200 meters)

We’ll head into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas this morning, stopping just above Cusco where we’ll jump on our bikes and ride down through breathtaking scenery, dotted with local villages and surrounded by the massive green slopes of the Andes.

We’ll finish our ride in the small town of Pisac, where we’ll have a chance to check out the colorful mercado artisanal. From here we’ll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. These Inca terraces rise 2,000 feet up from the river below. It’s a heart-pumping walk up through ancient agricultural terraces – you’ll never forget the views of Pisac and the Urubamba valley! After exploring the ancient complex, we’ll descend the original Inca stairways and head back down the valley. This is the largest existing fortress-city of the Incas, and it’s the perfect warm-up for your Inca Trail trek tomorrow!
Accommodation:  Wyndham Costa del Sol, Cusco
Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 12 miles (20 kilometers), 2-3 hours

Hiking: 1.8 miles (3 kilometers) 2-3 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,476 feet (250 meters) ascent

From Cusco, we’ll head in the direction of the Sacred Valley. The road leads to Lares and crosses the Amparaes Pass. This phenomenal drive winds through arid landscapes, crosses rivers and you’ll see some of the most stunning mountain vistas in Peru.

Our final destination is the hot baths of Lares. Here, naturally occurring hot springs await us before we set out on our trek. From the thermal baths unfolds a small track used by local children and community members of Lares. We’ll pass through hand-tilled fields and crops of quinoa and potato, amongst quaint stone houses. After a gradual climb of a few hours, we’ll stop for a delicious lunch, before continuing on to the community of Cuncani, where we’ll set up camp for the evening.
Elevation: Lares Inca Trail Camp - 12,600 feet ( 3,840 meters)
Accommodation:  Lares Inca Trail Camp
Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6.8 miles (11 kilometers) 4-6 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1,968 feet (600 meters) ascent

If we have clear skies at sunrise, we’ll wake to the imposing view of Colque Crus, a majestic mountain capped by a glacier, which provides water to the local community. We follow the path next to an icy stream that will take us towards the pass. The ascent is challenging. On reaching the summit a stunning view of the Pampas of Anta awaits us, followed by a descent that will be most welcome after the challenging climb. The descent is steep but beautiful, crossing a small forest of ‘Polylepis’, the endemic and endangered trees of the high Andes.

Just after the forest and with an incredible view of the valley below we will stop for lunch. After which the drop continues until we reach our camp, a tranquil paradise surrounded by trees and crossed by a small river.
Elevation: Lares Inca Trail Camp - 4,040 meters (13,400 feet)
Accommodation:  Lares Inca Trail Camp
Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 9 miles (14.4 kilometers) 7-9 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3,280 feet (1.000 meters) ascent

This morning will be our last on the trail and after breakfast there will be a chance to take photos with our support crew, cooks and field staff. All those who made this trip possible. From here the walk becomes easier down to the piscigranja (fish farm). We will feel the climate changing, becoming warmer and more alive, with more variety in vegetation as hummingbirds accompany us on our journey.

After a few short hours we will meet our private transportation that will take us to Ollantaytambo for an overnight stay at the stunning & unique El Albergue hotel.
Accommodation: El Albergue Hotel, Ollantaytambo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 3.1 miles (5 kilometers), 4 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,624 feet (800 meters) descent

Embarking on the exhilarating journey from Kilometer 104 to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu is an awe-inspiring adventure that promises a blend of natural beauty, ancient history, and physical challenge. From Ollantaytambo, we take the train to Kilometer 104 to begin our day trek along the famous Inca Trail. The anticipation builds with each step as we hike high above the valley floor to the magnificent Incan site of Wiñay Wayna. Here we find a fabulous sense of peace far from the crowds, with superb views of the imposing verdant mountains and native orchids. The trail now becomes gentler, meandering through beautiful rainforest, then up the ancient stone "monkey steps", until eventually there it is – our first glimpse of the Machu Picchu citadel!

Arriving at the Sun Gate, with its panoramic views of Machu Picchu, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This iconic vantage point reveals the grandeur of the ancient citadel, framed by the surrounding lush green mountains and the winding Urubamba River. After snapping photos to your heart’s content, we make our way across the site to take the bus down to Aguas Calientes. But don’t worry, we’ll be back for a full day of exploration tomorrow!
Accommodation: Hatun Inti Boutique, Aguas Calientes
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 6.8 miles (11 kilometers), 7-8 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 2,120 feet (650 meters) descent

Good Morning! Rested and enthusiastic for our ultimate day you have the option to relax this the morning or have a wander round the town. Then we will lunch early in one of Aguas Calientes’ excellent restaurants in order to arrive to the Citadel in good time for our full afternoon tour. Accompanied by our guide, we take a 25-minute bus ride to the sanctuary of Machu Picchu at 2,400 meters (7,874 feet).

Our guide will lead us on a 2-hour tour of exploration and discovery of the many curious corners within this enigmatic Citadel. We will then exit Machu Picchu citadel and have our lunch at Sanctuary Lodge, just outside the entrance to the citadel, before joining the group for the afternoon tour of the citadel. As the site closes for the day at 5:30pm we will take a bus back down to Aguas Calientes.

We then have a charming train journey back to Ollantaytambo and time to reflect on the amazing day at Machu Picchu. Our private transport will be waiting to take us back to the hotel in Cusco.
Accommodation: Wyndham Costa Del Sol, Cusco
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: Wander around the ruins, 2 hours
Elevation Gain/Loss: 656 feet (200 meters) descent

Today we’ll take a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, a frontier town in the Amazon basin. We’ll take to dugout canoes and glide down the headwaters of the Amazon, deep into the jungle. Listen for howler monkeys in the tropical forest canopy above and spot macaws perched high on the riverbanks. This area is teeming with wildlife – we’ll look for giant otters, capuchin monkeys, caiman and many other jungle animals on our boat trip to the lodge.

After lunch we’ll head out in search of the plethora of monkey species this area is famous for. Keep an eye out for the rainforest dwellers that come out in search of food in the late afternoon!
Accommodation: Sachavacayoc Jungle Lodge, Puerto Maldonaldo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: Short hikes in the jungle, 2 hours

This morning we’ll explore some of the many miles of jungle trails that crisscross the dense rainforest. We’ll travel by dugout canoe and hike through virgin forest to experience the wealth of native flora and fauna under the Amazon rainforest canopy and learn how the indigenous people thrive in this challenging environment. The Amazon is the most biodiverse place on Earth, and you’ll have the chance to find out more about the amazing flora and fauna here, as well as learning about the incredible medicinal plants that are found in this region.

After lunch, you have the rest of the afternoon free to hang out at the lodge with a book or continue exploring the surrounding area on your own. If you’d prefer to hike a little more this afternoon, you can head out with our naturalist guide on little-known trails that pass by the homes of some of the rarest animals in the rainforest.

This evening we’ll brave the jungle again in search of the nocturnal South American crocodile – the caiman.
Accommodation: Sachavacayoc Jungle Lodge, Puerto Maldonaldo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 1.2 miles (2 kilometers), 1-2 hours

This morning, we leave the rainforest and take a boat back to Puerto Maldonado where we’ll catch a short flight to Cusco. After our mid-afternoon arrival, you will have time to explore the bustling town of Cusco and enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many fantastic restaurants.
Accommodation: Wyndham Costa Del Sol, Cusco
Meals: Breakfast

Today we’ll cycle down from the spectacular La Raya Pass towards Puno, the capital of the Altiplano area and the gateway to Lake Titicaca – one of the most amazing rides you’re ever likely to do! This is one of Peru’s great highland areas where herds of alpaca and llama graze and snow-capped mountains rise steeply from the valley.

If you’d prefer not to cycle you can sit back and enjoy the ride on this incredible scenic journey to Puno, known as the folklore capital of Peru. Its narrow streets are filled with the sounds of the typical Andean music called saylla, the hustle and bustle of the local market, and the bell-ring of the triciclos, the local bicycle taxis!
Accommodation: Casa Andina Private Collection, Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Biking: 13.6 miles (22 kilometers), 2.5 hours

At 13,500 feet, Lake Titicaca is the world’s highest commercially navigable body of water. The Incas believed it was the cradle of civilization – the place where all life began. It’s a very special place dotted with islands that have unique living cultures and traditions, two of which we’ll visit today. The first is Taquile Island, where we’ll hike to the highest point of the island for breathtaking 360º views of Lake Titicaca, the Capachica Peninsula, Amantani Island and the Bolivian Andes.

On the way we’ll visit an isolated village and have the chance to meet the local people and learn about their famous textiles and culture. Then it’s a short boat ride to Amantani Island, where we’ll spend the night. Our hosts, members of the indigenous Quechua community, will meet us at the lake’s edge and are always up for a game of high-altitude soccer, if you’re keen! Aside from being a great workout it’s good fun and a unique way to get to know your hosts.
Accommodation: Amantani Local Houses, Amantani Island
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hiking: 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers), 45 minutes

Kayaking: 5.9 miles (9.5 kilometers), 2 hours

Our hosts will wave us off from Amantani’s port this morning as we leave under our own steam in sea kayaks! This is one of the most unforgettable activities of the whole trip. The lake is so big it feels like - and even smells like - the sea, and it has its own unique dark blue color.

We’ll spend the morning making our way across it to Capachica Peninsula, then hugging its shores, grazed by sheep and shadowed by ancient remnant agricultural terraces. We’ll get in our motorboat for the final section of the trip back to Puno, stopping along the way to visit the manmade Uros Reed Islands – you’ll be amazed at the unique lifestyle of the people who make these islands their home.

After lunch we’ll return to Puno by boat for our final dinner together.
Accommodation: Casa Andina Private Collection, Puno
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Kayaking: 6.2 miles (10 kilometers), 2.5 hours

This the last day of your two-week trip in Peru. We have a short drive to the nearby town of Juliaca before jumping on a plane to Lima. If you have extra time after your trip, join us for an optional Lima city tour or we’re happy to make suggestions on how to make the most of it. On the other hand, if you’re on your way home today, we’ll send you back refreshed and invigorated from the great food, exercise, rest and adventures you’ll have had with us in Peru!
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breakfast