Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
You'll arrive in Lima and check into your hotel. If you get there by 1:30pm, meet your tour leader at 2pm for a welcome meeting and guided tour through the historical centre. The walk takes in colonial architecture and Plaza San Martin. The Catacombs of the Convent of San Francisco are worth a look if time permits.
Optional Activities
- Guided city tour of Lima's historical centre and colonial architecture
- Visit Catacombs of the Convent of San Francisco
- Try local cuisine - ceviche or pisco sour
Landmarks/POIs Plaza San Martin Catacombs of the Convent of San Francisco Jorge Chavez International Airport - Day 2
Lima to Paracas
Head south on the Panamerican Highway to Pachacamac, an ancient religious centre with pre-Inca and Incan adobe walls and temples preserved by the desert climate. Then continue toward Paracas and its national park, where you'll see unusual lunar landscapes and spot diverse birdlife.
Included Activities
- Visit Pachacamac ancient religious centre
- Explore Paracas National Park
Landmarks/POIs Pachacamac Paracas National Park - Day 3
Paracas to Nazca
An optional trip to the Ballestas Islands gives you a chance to see sea lions, seabirds, and penguins. After that, you'll travel south past the enormous dunes at Huacachina Oasis toward the Nazca Lines. Climb the viewing platform to take in the massive geoglyphic figures etched across the desert floor.
Included Activities
- View Nazca Lines from viewing platform
Optional Activities
- Excursion to Ballestas Islands by launch to see sea lions, seabirds, and penguins
Landmarks/POIs Ballestas Islands Huacachina Oasis Nazca Lines - Day 4
Nazca to Arequipa
The drive takes you through desert landscapes along the coastal route past Puerto Chala. There's an optional stop at the Quebrada de la Vaca Inca ruins, believed to be part of the original Inca Trail to Cusco. Later you'll climb into the Andean mountains and arrive in Arequipa, with snowcapped peaks surrounding the city.
Optional Activities
- Visit Quebrada de la Vaca Inca ruins
Landmarks/POIs Puerto Chala Quebrada de la Vaca El Misti - Day 5
Arequipa
Explore Arequipa, which sits at 2,380 metres surrounded by snowcapped mountains. Your morning includes a walking tour of the Santa Catalina Convent, a walled complex that housed 450 nuns in seclusion for nearly four centuries. The afternoon is yours to wander the Plaza de Armas, see the cathedral, check out the archaeology museum, and walk through colonial districts.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Arequipa
- Visit Santa Catalina Convent
Optional Activities
- Visit twin-towered cathedral
- Explore archaeology museum
- Wander through colonial districts
Landmarks/POIs Santa Catalina Convent Plaza de Armas - Day 6
Arequipa to Colca Canyon
Head north from Arequipa into the Altiplano, passing herds of llamas and alpacas along the way. You might spot a vicuna if you're lucky. The trip reaches its highest point at 4,800 metres before descending toward Chivay and Colca Canyon. The afternoon is free for bathing in hot springs or taking an optional walk through the Colca Valley.
Optional Activities
- Bathe in hot springs
- Moderate 8-kilometre walk in Colca Valley from Canocota following the Colca River through the mini canyon, taking approximately 3 hours
Landmarks/POIs Colca Canyon Chivay La Calera Colca River - Day 7
Colca Canyon
Walk through the spectacular Colca Canyon on foot, moving through terraces above the Rio Colca with volcanic peaks towering overhead. The trek begins in Coporaque, passes the Pre-Inca ruins of Uyo Uyo, and takes you past colcas or traditional storage caves. You'll cross the orange Sifon Bridge to reach Yanque and return to your hotel.
Included Activities
- Moderate 8-kilometre walking tour of Colca Canyon
Landmarks/POIs Colca Canyon Coporaque Uyo Uyo Sifon Bridge Yanque - Day 8
Colca Canyon to Puno
Start early and head to Mirador Cruz del Condor to spot the rare Andean Condor in flight. Then drive east via Patapampa Pass toward Lake Titicaca, the world's highest navigable lake at 3,856 metres and the legendary birthplace of Inca civilization. You'll arrive in Puno on the lake's northwestern shore.
Included Activities
- Visit Mirador Cruz del Condor to view Andean Condors
Landmarks/POIs Mirador Cruz del Condor Patapampa Pass Lake Titicaca Puno - Day 9
Uros and Taquile Island
Travel by motorboat to the Uros floating islands made of totora reeds. Continue to Taquile Island, where islanders speak Quechua and keep Inca heritage alive. Walk to the top of the terraced island to watch the sunset, then stay overnight in a local village house with dorm rooms and shared facilities.
Included Activities
- Visit Uros floating islands
- Travel to Taquile Island by motorboat
- Easy 1-kilometre walk to top of Taquile Island to watch sunset
Landmarks/POIs Uros Islands Taquile Island - Day 10
Taquile Island
Walk across the island to take in the views. You'll explore local traditions of music and dance, and pick up locally-produced knitted goods made by island men. In the afternoon, walk back down to the harbour and return to Puno by boat.
Included Activities
- Easy 5-kilometre walk across Taquile Island
- Return to Puno by motorboat
Optional Activities
- Purchase locally-produced knitted goods
Landmarks/POIs Taquile Island - Day 11
Puno to Sacred Valley
Follow the legendary route of the first Inca ruler on a public bus heading north across the Altiplano, crossing La Raya pass at 4,335 metres. You'll stop at the Inca temple of Raqchi, then descend through mountains toward Cusco. Switch to a private vehicle and continue to Ollanta in the Sacred Valley, spotting llamas and alpacas grazing on windswept pastures.
Included Activities
- Visit Raqchi Inca temple
Landmarks/POIs La Raya Pass Raqchi Inca Temple Sacred Valley Ollantaytambo - Day 12
Sacred Valley
This is a free day to explore the Sacred Valley at your own pace. Visit the market at Pisac with its impressive Inca ruins spread amphitheatre-style above the town, or walk to the ruins at Moray. Another option is Misminay village to experience authentic Andean agricultural life, traditional weaving, and local food traditions.
Optional Activities
- Visit Pisac market and ruins
- Walk to Moray ruins
- Visit Misminay village community
Landmarks/POIs Pisac Market Pisac Ruins Moray Misminay - Day 13
Sacred Valley to Inca Trail or Quarry Trail Start
This marks the beginning of either the classic Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu. On the Inca Trail: drive to Ollantaytambo for a walking tour, then take a bus to KM82 at 2,600m to start the trek. Meet your trekking crew and porters, then hike following the Urubamba River to Llaqtapata ruins where you'll camp under spectacular night skies. On the Quarry Trail: drive to Rafq'a at 2,800m, meet your support staff, trek through the remote community of Socma to the Perolniyoc waterfall viewpoint, then climb to camp at 3,600m near the archaeological site of Q'orimarca.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Ollantaytambo (Inca Trail) or trek to Perolniyoc waterfall (Quarry Trail)
Landmarks/POIs Ollantaytambo KM82 Llaqtapata Ruins Rafq'a Socma Perolniyoc Waterfall Q'orimarca - Day 14
Day 2
On the Inca Trail: visit Llaqtapata ruins before continuing through the Kusichaca River valley to Wayllabamba village, the last settlement on the route. Gradually ascend through cloud forest to Llulluchapampa at 3,800m with views of snowy Veronica Peak. On the Quarry Trail: this is the most challenging day. Climb to Puccaqasa pass at 4,370m with spectacular mountain views, then reach Kuychicasa, the highest pass at 4,450m. Visit sacred Intipunku overlooking the Sacred Valley, with views of Veronica Mountain. Camp at Choquetacarpo at 3,600m.
Included Activities
- Inca Trail trek Day 2 or Quarry Trail trek Day 2
Landmarks/POIs Llaqtapata Ruins Kusichaca River Wayllabamba Llulluchapampa Veronica Peak Puccaqasa Pass Kuychicasa Pass Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) - Day 15
Day 3
On the Inca Trail: start early trekking over Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's) Pass at 4,200m. After ascending for 2 hours with multiple stops, descend to Pacamayo River valley with tropical vegetation. Have brunch before ascending to Runkuraqay Pass at 3,950m. Descend through cloud forest, visit Sayacmarca ruins, and camp above Phuyupatamarca ruins at 3,579m with panoramic views. On the Quarry Trail: the walk is mainly downhill. Visit Cachicata Inca quarry where Incas were intercepted by Spanish conquerors. Descend 3 hours to Ollantaytambo for lunch and optional traditional farm visit. Stay in a hotel overnight.
Included Activities
- Inca Trail trek Day 3 or Quarry Trail trek Day 3
Optional Activities
- Quarry Trail only - Visit traditional Peruvian farm to learn about artisanal distillation methods and coffee production, with Pachamanca lunch
Landmarks/POIs Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's) Pass Pacamayo River Runkuraqay Runkuraqay Pass Sayacmarca Ruins Phuyupatamarca Ruins Cachicata Inca Quarry Ollantaytambo - Day 16
Final Day to Machu Picchu
On the Inca Trail: final trekking day. Say goodbye to porters and trek through Phuyupatamarca ruins into cloud forest. Descend stone paths and original Inca staircases (80% original Inca architecture) with spectacular valley views. Pass Intipata terraces to Winay-Wayna for lunch. Follow a mountain-edge path with wildflowers and orchids to Inti Punku for the sudden view of Machu Picchu. Walk through the site, then take the public bus down to Aguas Calientes. On the Quarry Trail: join via train to KM104. Trek through woodland, cross the River Vilcanota, and join the Inca Trail group at Winay-Wayna. Continue together through the Sun Gate into Machu Picchu. Reunite with the group and enjoy a celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes.
- Meals
- Dinner (Celebratory dinner in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Inca Trail trek final day to Machu Picchu or Quarry Trail final day joining Inca Trail
Landmarks/POIs Phuyupatamarca Intipata Terraces Winay-Wayna Inti Punku (Gate of the Sun) Machu Picchu Aguas Calientes - Day 17
Machu Picchu
Your final morning at Machu Picchu offers a chance to explore this remarkable feat of ancient American engineering with its temples, stairways, palaces and dwellings. Your tour leader will guide you through the citadel. Optional early hikes are available: climb Machu Picchu Mountain at 700m taking 2.5 to 3 hours, or Huayna Picchu Mountain at 350m taking 2 hours. Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, then train to Ollantaytambo and bus to Cusco.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
Optional Activities
- Unguided early morning climb of Machu Picchu Mountain (700m, 2.5-3 hours)
- Unguided early morning climb of Huayna Picchu Mountain (350m, 2 hours) - steep with drops, not suitable for those with fear of heights
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu Machu Picchu Mountain Huayna Picchu Mountain Ollantaytambo - Day 18
Cusco
Take a walking tour through Cusco's highlights. Begin at the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman stone fortress, then descend via an old Incan trail to the colonial San Cristobal neighbourhood with sweeping city views. Explore narrow old-city streets to the Sapantiana aqueduct, then head into artsy San Blas with its coffee shops and artisan workshops. Stop at Plaza de Armas for coffee, then see the sacred Qoricancha complex once dedicated to the Sun God. End at Mercado de Wanchaq local market with colourful stalls and fresh juice.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Immersive walking tour of Cusco
- Visit Sacsayhuaman archaeological site
- Explore San Cristobal neighbourhood
- See Sapantiana aqueduct
- Visit arty San Blas district
- See Plaza de Armas
- Visit Qoricancha complex
- Explore Mercado de Wanchaq
Landmarks/POIs Sacsayhuaman San Cristobal Sapantiana Aqueduct San Blas Plaza de Armas Qoricancha Mercado de Wanchaq - Day 19
Cusco
Your trip ends after breakfast. You're free to depart Cusco at any time. If your flight leaves later, luggage storage is available at the hotel. You can browse museum shops and wander the city's winding streets if time allows. If continuing to the Amazon, you'll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit museum shop for souvenirs
- Explore winding streets and alleys of Cusco
Landmarks/POIs Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
