Machu Picchu & Amazon Adventure

Our trip starts in Cusco, the heart of the Inca empire. Your trip leader will greet you with a cup of hot coca tea – a local specialty. 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, meaning ‘House of the Sun’, is a magnificent archaeological site representing a set of jaguar’s teeth with massive, perfectly fitted stones weighing up to 130 tonnes (143 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. 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.Hiking:2 kilometers (1.2 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 200 meters (656 feet)

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 artesanal. From here we’ll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. These Inca terraces rise 610 meters (2000 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 to Cusco. This is the largest existing fortress-city of the Incas, and it’s the perfect warm-up for your Inca Trail trek tomorrow!
Biking:20 kilometers (12 miles), 2-3 hoursHiking:3 kilometers (1.8 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation + 250 meters (1,476 feet)

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 - 3,840 meters (12,600 feet)Hiking:11 kilometers (6.8 miles), 4-6 hours, elevation + 600 meters (1,968 feet)

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)
Hiking:14.4 kilometers (9 miles), 7-9 hours + 1,000 meters (3,280 feet)

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. Hiking:Distance: 5 kilometers (3.1 miles), 4 hours, elevation -800 meters (2,624 feet)

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!Hiking:11 kilometers (6.8 miles), 7-8 hours, elevation - 650 meters (2,120 feet)

Good Morning! Rested and enthusiastic for our ultimate day you have the option to relax this morning or have a wander round the town.
We will then lunch early in one of Aguas Calientes’ excellent restaurants in order to arrive to the Machu Picchu 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.
As the site closes for the day at 5:30pm we will 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.
Hiking:Wander around the ruins, 2 hours, elevation +/- 200 meters (656 feet)Hiking:(Optional: Huayna Picchu Hike) 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), 2-3 hours, elevation +/- 360 meters (1,181 feet)

Today we’ll take a short flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, a frontier town in the Amazon basin. We’ll take to motorized canoes and glide deep into the jungle down the Tambopata River, one of the headwaters of the Amazon. Listen for howler monkeys in the tropical forest canopy above and spot macaws perched high on the riverbanks. This area is teeming with wildlife and the boat trip to our jungle lodge is a great opportunity to look for giant otters, capuchin monkeys, caiman and an array of birds that can be found in this area. After lunch, we’ll experience the jungle with all of our senses by exploring on foot this time. Keep an eye out for the rainforest dwellers – including several species of monkeys – that come out in search of food in the late afternoon! After dark, you’ll have a chance to get back on board the canoes with a spotlight in search of the nocturnal caiman (South American crocodile) lurking in the river.Hiking:2 hours, short hikes in the jungle

This morning we’ll explore some of the many miles of jungle trails that criss-cross the dense rainforest. We’ll travel by motorized 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 biologically diverse place on Earth and you’ll discover more about the amazing flora and fauna here, as well as learn 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 on foot to look for tarantulas, insects and frogs that come out after dark.Hiking:2 kilometers (1.2 miles), 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. This is the last day of your trip in Peru, if you have time to spare after the trip, we’re happy to give you 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!