Day 1: Meeting in Lima, Peru
All day
For your convenience and to ensure the smooth progress of your trip, we recommend that you choose a flight that arrives before 11:00 on the same day. After you arrive in Lima, Peru, we will arrange a walking tour of the city according to your schedule and then go to the hotel to rest.
Day 2 Lima - Arequipa
All day
After breakfast, transfer to Lima Airport. Fly to Arequipa. Peru's third-largest city boasts a mild climate, abundant water resources, and an altitude of 2,340 meters. This former Inca city boasted the highest Spanish population in the Viceroyalty during the Spanish colonial era. The remaining architectural ruins reveal the profound impact and value the colonials left on the city. After lunch, we'll visit Carmen Alto for panoramic views of the city. We'll then hike through the cobblestone Yanahuara district, home to the iconic Cusco School of Spanish-American Mestizo Art. We'll then visit the city's main square, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in Peru. We'll pass by the Church of the Society of Jesus and arrive at the Monastery of Santa Catalina, an authentic medieval monastery resembling a charming small religious castle. After dinner, we'll return to the hotel for the night.
Day 3 Arequipa - Puno
All day
After breakfast, take a bus to Puno. Along the way, enjoy the highlands, where llamas and vicuñas live and play. Upon arrival in Puno, enjoy lunch and acclimate to this highland town.
Day 4 Puno - Floating Islands - Taquile Island - Puno
All day
Today we'll visit the floating islands of the Uros people, a man-made archipelago woven from totora reeds from the lake. The Uros have lived on these floating islands since before the founding of the Inca Empire. Whenever foreign invaders arrived, they would paddle their islands far from the lake's shores to avoid danger, allowing this community to survive for millennia. We'll then continue to Taquile Island, where the inhabitants still speak a variant of the Quechua language. While retaining some Inca influences, the locals also have their own unique culture and clothing. After our visit, we'll enjoy lunch here before returning to Puno Port. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
Day 5 Puno - Cusco - Ollantaytambo
All day
Today we'll embark on a longer journey from Puno to Cuzco by public bus. En route to Cuzco, we'll visit the town of Pucara and the Pucara Lithic Museum. Pucara was the first urban settlement in the highlands, with a civilization that existed between 300 and 100 BC. After a short rest, we'll continue to Cusco's highest point, at 4,313 meters above sea level, where we'll have lunch in Sikuani. We'll then visit the Inca ruins of Raqchi, dedicated to the powerful Andean god Wiracocha. The 20-meter-high rectangular structure, topped with thatch, symbolizes the highest point in the New World. We'll then visit the Church of Andahuaylillas, known as the "Sistine Chapel of the Americas," renowned for its high-quality artwork. Built in the 16th century, it incorporates colonial elements within Wari ruins. We'll also have the opportunity to explore the beautiful churches of the Huaro and Checacupe districts. After the final stretch of the drive, we arrived at Ollantaytambo (2,800m above sea level).
Day 6 Ollantaytambo - Wayllabamba
All day
Hiking Information
Hiking distance: 12.3 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hours
Cumulative ascent and descent: +511 meters
Maximum altitude: 2953 meters
Today is the highlight of our trip. From here we begin our world-class ancient trail hiking tour. The "Inca Trail" is known as one of the most mysterious ancient trails in the world. There is a legend that it leads to the city in the sky. Along the way, we pass many relics of the Inca Empire and combine the vicissitudes of Inca history with endless natural wonders with magnificent plateau scenery.
After breakfast, depart by public transportation to Piscacucho, your starting point for the 82-kilometer Inca Trail. You'll arrive at a campsite near Wayllabamba (2,953 meters above sea level) and enjoy lunch along the way. Enjoy a breathtaking hike surrounded by flowers, birds, and the surrounding scenery, and spend a beautiful night under the moon and stars.
Day 7 Wayllabamba - Paqaymayu
All day
Hiking Information
Hiking distance: 11.5 km
Hiking time: 6-7 hours
Cumulative ascent and descent: +1257/-620 meters
Maximum altitude: 4210 meters
After breakfast at camp, we began the most demanding section of the ascent. After about three hours, we reached the first steep pass, Warmiwanusca (4,210 meters above sea level), the highest point on the entire Inca Trail, offering breathtaking views of the Andes mountains and glaciers. We then descended to Pacaymayo (3,600 meters above sea level) for our overnight stay. The afternoon was dedicated to relaxation, contemplation, and reflection on life amidst this breathtaking scenery. What a precious experience this will be!
Day 8 Paqaymayu - Wiayhuayna
All day
Hiking Information
Hiking distance: 16 km
Hiking time: more than 8 hours
Cumulative ascent and descent: +365/-1400 meters
Maximum altitude: 3955 meters
Today's hike is the longest and most impressive. Lush forests and archaeological sites complement each other beautifully, and your guide will share his or her knowledge of this remarkable region, its rich history, and its captivating Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaimayo, we'll ascend to the Runquracay archaeological site (3,500 meters), where we'll enjoy lunch at Chaquicocha. We'll continue our ascent until we reach the day's highest point, Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,680 meters), offering breathtaking views of the Vilcabamba and Salkantay mountain ranges. After crossing the pass, we'll continue through dense forest to our final campsite at Wiñayhuayna (2,680 meters). Along the way, we'll pass the Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarca (Village in the Clouds) and Intipata (Courtyard of the Sun).
Day 9 Wiayhuayna - Machu Pichu - Cusco
All day
Hiking Information
Hiking distance: 6 km
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Cumulative ascent and descent: +145/-300 meters
Maximum altitude: 2,700 meters
After a special breakfast, we departed camp and arrived before sunrise at Machu Picchu's Sun Gate to witness one of the world's most spectacular sunrises. Flanked by mountains on one side and a canyon over 4,000 meters deep on the other, with snow-capped peaks overhead and tropical rainforests below, Machu Picchu awakens in the golden morning light. This sacred "Sky City," located at the foot of the Andes Mountains in southern Peru, is the largest Inca ruins in South America. Its stone structure cleverly exploits the mountain's slopes and the uneven terrain, achieving a harmonious harmony between nature and architecture. A local expert guide will lead us through this lost city, explaining everything about it. At an altitude of 2,500 meters, we'll see former temples, plazas, residential areas, and plantations, all perched atop the dizzyingly steep Urubamba cliffs. The magnificent ruins enhance Machu Picchu's sense of history and our admiration for the Inca people. You'll enjoy some free time for photos and other activities. After visiting Machu Picchu, we will drive to Aguas Calientes, where we will have lunch before returning to Cusco by train and then bus.
Day 10 Cusco - Lima; Return or Extend the Trip
All day
For your convenience and to ensure a smooth trip, we recommend that you choose a return flight at 17:00 or in the evening.
In the morning, we will visit Cusco. According to the flight time, we will drive to the airport and leave this vast and magical country and embark on the return journey.
