Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima Airport to Barranco or Miraflores
You'll arrive in Lima today and the schedule depends on when your flight lands. If you get in during early to mid-afternoon, you'll head to either Miraflores or Barranco for the night. Those arriving later in the evening will stay at the Ramada Wyndham Costa del Sol instead. Either way, you'll have time to settle in and rest before tomorrow.
- Start point
- Cusco, Cusco, Peru (Hotel, 07:00 - 08:00)
- Day 2
Lima to Cusco
You'll fly to Cusco and spend the day adjusting to the high altitude of 11,000 feet (3,000m). Take things at your own pace around the plaza, try some coca tea to help with acclimatization, and head out for dinner at a local restaurant to get a feel for Cusco's food scene.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Transfer flight from Lima to Cusco
- Plaza exploration
Optional Activities
- Coca tea at local venue
- Day 3
Cusco
This is your free day to explore Cusco however you want. Walk through the narrow cobblestone streets, hike in the hills just outside the city, or simply relax in the mountain sun. You'll grab lunch at a local Peruvian restaurant where you can try crackling pork, pickled vegetables, and bread baked in earthen ovens with seasonal flavors.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free exploration of Cusco and ancient ruins
Optional Activities
- Short hike in hills outside the city
- Relaxation in mountain sun
- Day 4
Cusco to Rainbow Mountain
You'll leave around 7:30 a.m. headed for Rainbow Mountain. Starting from Hanchipata-Quesuno at 3,700m elevation, you'll hike uphill for three hours to reach the pass and see the views of Ausangate Glacier Peak. For the night, choose between camping in Chacco Huayllasca (cold but scenic) or a small dairy farm at Tambo Queque Norte (warm bed, dinner, and farm experience).
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Three-hour uphill hike to Rainbow Mountain
- Views of Ausangate Glacier Peak
Landmarks/POIs Rainbow Mountain Ausangate Glacier Peak 
- Day 5
Rainbow Mountain region to Cachora
You'll leave the Ausangate region and travel to Cachora in the Apurimac/Choquequirao area. After arriving, you'll have time to rest and get ready for the trekking ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Transfer from Ausangate region to Cachora
- Day 6
Trek Begin to Chikiska
You'll drive from your Cusco hotel to the rustic village of Cachora where your trek begins. After lunch, you'll follow switchback trails down into the dramatic Apurimac canyon. The trek ends at Chikiska, a small settlement on the mountainside with beautiful views down into the valley below.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive from Cusco to Cachora
- Trek from Cachora into Apurimac canyon to Chikiska
Landmarks/POIs Apurimac Canyon - Day 7
Chikiska to Choquequirao
You'll trek across the Apurimac River, passing through Santa Rosa and Maranpata. This is one of the harder days with steep paths through humid terrain depending on the season. Canyon views surround you as you approach Choquequirao ruins, where you'll set up camp for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across Apurimac River through Santa Rosa and Maranpata
- Approach to Choquequirao ruins
Landmarks/POIs Choquequirao 
- Day 8
Choquequirao Exploration
After breakfast at camp, you'll explore Choquequirao with very few other visitors around. Check out the main plaza, ritual bath, and the inlaid stone llamas. This 15th-century site sits 1,600m above the Apurimac River and remained hidden from the Spanish until Bingham found it. Much of it is still covered by jungle and cloud forest and remains unexcavated. You'll return to your campsite in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Choquequirao ruins including main plaza, ritual bath, and stone llamas
Landmarks/POIs Choquequirao - Day 9
Choquequirao to Maizal
This is the toughest day of your trek. You'll descend 1,400m from Choquequirao to the newly uncovered Picha Unuyoc ruins, then drop down to Rio Blanco for a refreshing swim. After that, you'll climb 1,200m back up to Maizal, a beautiful campsite at 3,000m elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to newly uncovered Picha Unuyoc ruins
- Descent to Rio Blanco
- Climb to Maizal campsite
Landmarks/POIs Picha Unuyoc Rio Blanco - Day 10
Maizal to Yanama
You'll trek from Maizal past long-lost silver mines through the Abra San Juan pass, reaching the highest point at 4,150m. From there you'll see views of the Cordillera Vilcabamba range before descending to the village of Yanama.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek past silver mines through Abra San Juan pass
- Trek to highest point at 4,150m
- Views of Cordillera Vilcabamba
Landmarks/POIs Cordillera Vilcabamba 
- Day 11
Yanama to Totora
You'll climb to Yanama Pass at 4,668m (15,315ft), the highest point on this trail. From the pass you'll descend to Totora village at 4,100m (13,450ft), which serves as your highest altitude campsite. With proper acclimatization, the altitude won't cause problems.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Yanama Pass - highest point of trail at 4,668m
- Descent to Totora
Landmarks/POIs Yanama Pass - Day 12
Totora to Santa Teresa
On your final hiking day, you'll trek from camp through fields and cloud forests along an imperial Inca trail. You'll pass Llactapata, a small set of ruins hidden in the wilderness with views toward Machu Picchu. You'll finish in Santa Teresa where you can soak in hot baths after the long trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek along imperial Inca trail
- Visit Llactapata ruins
- Trek to Santa Teresa
Optional Activities
- Hot baths in Santa Teresa
Landmarks/POIs Llactapata - Day 13
Santa Teresa to Machu Picchu to Cusco
You'll continue from Santa Teresa down to the Hydroelectric power station and take either a train or hike to Aguas Calientes, arriving mid-morning. In the afternoon, you'll take the 25-minute bus up to Machu Picchu for a quieter visit. Your guide will show you around this 15th-century citadel at 7,970 ft (2,430m) and explain the buildings. About one-third has been reconstructed. You'll return to Aguas Calientes by bus and take the train back to Cusco early in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Transport from Santa Teresa to Aguas Calientes
- Bus transfer to Machu Picchu
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu ruins
- Bus return to Aguas Calientes
- Train return to Cusco
Optional Activities
- Hike from Hydroelectric station to Aguas Calientes (alternative to train)
Landmarks/POIs Machu Picchu 
- Day 14
Jungle Arrival
You'll transfer from your Cusco hotel to the airport and fly to Puerto Maldonado, the jungle town. From there you'll head by boat to Huitoto Lake Lodge with great views of the jungle and its wildlife. After settling in, you'll take a jungle walk to spot nocturnal creatures like tarantulas, snakes, insects and birds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado
- Boat transfer to Huitoto Lake Lodge
- Jungle walk to observe nocturnal creatures
Landmarks/POIs Huitoto Lake 
- Day 15
Huitoto Lake Wildlife Exploration
You'll wake early to watch the sunrise over Huitoto Lake while listening to macaws and other birds. You'll go wildlife watching along the Aguajal Trail looking for birds, monkeys and animals. Back at the lodge by early afternoon, you'll relax at the viewpoint. Later you'll visit an enchanted island to see giant trees, insects, birds, alligators and monkeys. You'll fish for piranhas and end with an evening catamaran ride to spot alligators.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing over Huitoto Lake
- Wildlife watching on Aguajal Trail
- Island exploration with giant trees and wildlife
- Piranha fishing
- Evening catamaran ride with alligator viewing
Landmarks/POIs Huitoto Lake - Day 16
Jungle Exploration to Puerto Maldonado
You'll start with an early forest walk looking for river turtles, alligators and monkeys, checking out rainforest plants including the giant ceiba. After breakfast, you'll hike the Lupuna Trail to see wildlife and medicinal plants, stopping at a salt lick where you might see white-lipped peccaries, peccaries and tapirs. Later you'll do more wildlife trips and lake rides. Late morning you'll head by riverboat back to Puerto Maldonado to catch your flight to Cusco.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Early morning forest walk for wildlife observation
- Lupuna Trail hike with medicinal plants
- Salt lick wildlife viewing
- Wildlife trips and lake rides
- Riverboat return to Puerto Maldonado
Landmarks/POIs Huitoto Lake - Day 17
Cusco Exploration
Your last day in Cusco is free to explore at your own pace. You can visit local markets like San Pedro or wander through the old artisanal quarters of San Blas.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free time to explore Cusco
Optional Activities
- Visit San Pedro market
- Explore San Blas artisanal quarters
Landmarks/POIs San Pedro Market San Blas - Day 18
Departure
You'll meet your guide at your hotel in the morning or afternoon for a transfer to Cusco Airport. Then you'll fly to Lima and continue on to your next destination.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hotel transfer to Cusco Airport
