DAY 1 - LIMA

Welcome to Lima! To make your arrival to Peru stress free, if you have requested a free airport transfer we will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Otherwise you can meet us at the hotel where a welcome note will be waiting for you at reception. On the first day of the tour we meet at 2PM at the hotel to have our main briefing (please make sure you arrive on time, if there's a delay to your journey please contact us). This is where you will meet your tour group and dedicated tour leader to discuss the itinerary for the trip. We will also gather your next of kin, passport and insurance information. Make sure you grab a bite to eat before, because after the briefing we head straight into the city for a walking orientation of the historical centre so you can navigate around the city. Your English speaking guide will tell you about the history of Lima and point out the best museums, restaurants and amenities. We will end the tour by exploring the famous catacombs with your dedicated guide.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Twin or double room in a hotel from in Lima.
• Activities: Walking orientation of the historical centre of Lima, private tour of the catacombs.
• Transport: Private minibus.

DAY 2 - AMAZON RAINFOREST

Today we take an early morning flight to Puerto Maldonado in the Amazon rainforest. We leave our bags in secure lockers and take a small duffel bag (provided) with us for our two nights in the jungle. We meet up with our local English speaking guide and then hop in a motorboat and head down the river. After disembarking at our jungle lodge we will have time to relax and soak up the scenery.

Inclusions

• Accomodation: Shared room in a jungle lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Activities: Motorboat ride on the river through the Amazon jungle, nightwalking tour in the jungle.
• Transport: Airport transfers to and from the airport, flight to Puerto Maldonado, motorboat.

DAY 3 - AMAZON RAINFOREST

After a 30 min boat ride to an oxbow lake, we disembark on a trek through the jungle with plenty of stops to see native plants and animals. Depending on the time of year we will take different routes to ensure we get the best chance to spot wildlife. If we are lucky we may spot macaws, swarms of butterflies, monkeys and the giant river otter. The trek takes about one hour and depending on the time of year can be a bit muddy so make sure you pack appropriately and come prepared. The lodge will provide gumboots for your trek to keep your feet dry. At night, we will go for another boat ride to try and spot some caymans.

Inclusions

• Accomodation: Shared room in a jungle lodge.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Activities: Amazon jungle wildlife watching trek, catamaran boat ride on the oxbow lake, cayman searching at night.
• Equipment: Gumboots to keep your feet dry (if needed).
• Transport: Motorboat and catamaran.

Optional: A second walk to a viewing tower above the tree canopy where you can spot even more animals. It is a whole different picture of the jungle you can admire from the heights.(free)

DAY 4 - CUSCO

Boat ride to pick up our things. We take a short, early morning flight from Puerto Maldonado to Cusco. Once we arrive at the hotel you will have some time to relax to help you acclimatise to the altitude (3,350m/11,000ft). That afternoon we will meet for a city orientation of Cusco. On this orientation we will point out the best tourist spots, museums, restaurants and amenities in the ancient Inca capital. We will get to go to the chocolate museum and taste some delicious local chocolates. In the evening around 6PM we will have a briefing about the trekking options and provide you with a duffel bag for your hike. The duffel bag can take 6KG of gear, the rest of your bag will be held safely at the hotel in Cusco. The porters will carry your duffel bag ahead of you on the walk and you can access them each night when you arrive at the camp.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: A double or twin room in a hotel in Cusco.
• Meals: Breakfast.
• Activities: A walking orientation of Cusco, visit to chocolate museum.
• Transport: Motorboat, transfer to the airport, flight to Cusco, transfer to Cusco accommodation.

DAY 5 - SACRED VALLEY/OLLANTAYTAMBO

We travel from Cusco through the Sacred Valley by private minibus to Ollantaytambo. We visit 2 archeological sites, Pisac and Ollantaytambo, where we can learn about Inca philosophy and culture. Along the way you can see the meandering river and terraces before stopping to view some local handicrafts and have some lunch. In the afternoon we have a tour of the ancient Inca site in Ollantaytambo that overlook a beautiful view of the whole valley, here the guide will describe the history and customs of the Incas who once lived here. We stay the night in Ollantaytambo.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: A double or twin room in a hotel in Ollantaytambo.
• Meals: Breakfast and lunch.
• Activities: Sacred Valley tour visiting the archeological sites at Ollantaytambo and Pisac.
• Transport: Private minibus to Ollantaytambo.

DAY 6 - TREKKING

Today you leave for your arranged trek. Either to the Classic Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail. You will need a daypack to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen and anything you may need during the day.

Option 1 - The Inca Trail: Today you start out on the 43 km trek that leads you to one of the wonders of the world - Machu Picchu. You will be taken by private minivan to the start of the trek. From here there is 10km, an estimated 7 hour mainly uphill hike to the campsite which sits at 3100m above sea level. On the way you will marvel at the Incan ruins of Huillca Raccay, Canabanba and Llactapata.

Option 2 - The Inca Quarry Trail: This morning you start on your 26 km hike that reaches 4450 m above sea level. We will take a private minivan to Rafqà where we start our hike and meet our chefs and porters. Along the way we will stop at Chonquequilla, an archaeological site where the Incas worshipped the moon. We walk all morning past small local farming families and beautiful vistas to our first campsite at 3700 m above sea level. Nearby the campsite there is the archaeological site of Q'orimarca that we can explore after relaxing over lunch.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Camping in a 2 person tent with an inflatable mattress.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Activities: The Classic Inca Trail or Quarry Trail with an English speaking guide, professional chefs and porters.
• Transport: Private minibus to the start of your trek.

DAY 7 - TREKKING

Option 1 - The Inca Trail: Today is the most challenging day of the trek, we will walk 12 km in total today starting at 3100 m above sea level. At halfway, after approximately 4 hours we will arrive at our lunch spot at Llactapata where we will provide a delicious meal and more water for your bottles. We will then walk up a steep track to cross what is known as the ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ at 4215m above sea level. Here you can see the sweeping views across the Pacaymayo Valley and take the great photo opportunity. You will then descend to the campsite at 3650 m above sea level after approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

Option 2 - The Quarry Trail: Today we embark on the most challenging day of the hike. In the late morning we should cross the mountain pass of Pucca Qasa. Here you can enjoy sweeping views across the valley. We walk across a saddle before crossing the second mountain pass of Kuychicassa at 4450 m above sea level. We descend to our second campsite for the night.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Camping in a 2 person tent with an inflatable mattress.
• Meals: Breakfast,lunch and dinner.
• Activities: The Classic Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail with an English speaking guide, professional chefs and porters.

DAY 8 - TREKKING

Option 1 - The Inca Trail: Today we hike 16 km. We start by hiking through the valley before crossing the second mountain pass, Runkurakay Pass which sits at 2900 m above sea level. We then descend down to a valley where we explore the Sayacmarca archaeological site. We then cross our last pass at 3700 m above sea level, here we find ‘The Town above the Clouds’, Phuyupatamarca at 3550 m above sea level. An approximately 2.5 hour hike down the Inca steps takes us to our campsite next to the Winay Wayna archeological site.

Option 2 - The Quarry Trail: With tired legs from yesterday we complete the downhill walk to the end of the trail. We pass the Kachiqata quarry, which lies unfinished because of the Spanish invasion. We return to Ollantaytambo where we take the glass roofed tourist train to Machu Picchu Town. As you roll by watch the high mountains and flowing river. You will have the afternoon to relax or explore the Machu Picchu town which is nestled in the mountains with a beautiful river running along the length of the town.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Camping in a 2 person tent with an inflatable mattress on the Classic Inca Trail option. A night in a twin or double hotel room in Machu Picchu town for the Quarry Trail option.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• Activities: The Classic Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail with an English speaking guide, professional chefs and porters.

DAY 9 - MACHU PICCHU

Option 1 - The Inca Trail: We wake up before the sun today at 3:45am to hike approximately 1.5 hours to the sun gate. We set off early to the final checkpoint which opens at 5:30am to hike the last 2 and a half hour stretch of trail before entering the site through the famous sun gate. Here we can find a spot to take it all in and watch the mist roll through the mountains around Machu Picchu citadel. Now we have the time to take a private tour with your guide who will bring the city to life with his knowledge of this wonder of the world.

Option 2 - The Quarry Trail: An early rise of 5:30am to make the sunrise over Machu Picchu and beat the heat of the day. We take the 30 minute tourist bus up the winding mountain to Machu Picchu. Here we can find a spot to sit and take it all in. Watch the mist roll through the mountains around the Machu Picchu citadel and the sunrise over the ancient city. Now we have the time to take a private tour with your guide who will bring the city to life with his knowledge of this wonder of the world. In the afternoon we take the train to Ollantaytambo (1h 45min) or Poroy (3h) and then a private minibus back to Cusco.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Twin or double hotel room in Cusco.
• Meals: Breakfast.
• Activities: Exploring Machu Picchu with your private English speaking guide.
• Transport: Return tourist bus ride to Machu Picchu. Train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy (depending on train availability and seasonality), private minibus to Cusco.

DAY 10 - CUSCO

A free day to relax and unwind or set out on another adventure - it’s up to you! Your guide can give you directions and advice on how to enjoy the day from pointing you to the best place for an Incan massage, a spot of shopping or visit a museum.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Twin or double hotel room in Cusco.
• Meals: Breakfast.

Optional: Any of our day tours.

DAY 11 - PUNO

Today we drive 7 hours on a bus through the stunning Peruvian highlands of Altiplano. Make sure to bring some snacks with you because we will only have short facility break stops. Out the window we can catch a glimpse of Lake Titicaca as we enter the town of Puno. Here the traditional way of life for the local Andean cultures of the Aymara and Quechua is thriving. You will have the afternoon to relax and walk through the city streets.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Twin or double hotel room in Puno.
• Meals: Breakfast.
• Transport: Public tourist bus to Puno.

DAY 12 - LAKE TITICACA HOMESTAY

We take a boat tour of Lake Titicaca and explore the man made reed islands and meet the communities who live on the lake. We will explain the history of the reed islands and how they are built. We will continue to a peninsula laying on Lake Titicaca where we will meet the local host family you will be staying with this evening. Enjoy helping the family with the routines of daily life. We then have the chance to play volleyball or other games with the locals and later help them to prepare a delicious meal. Over dinner take the opportunity to practice your Spanish and share your stories with each other.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Homestay in basic accommodation with a local family.
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner with your homestay family.
• Activities: Lake Titicaca English tour, interactions with the locals and stay with a host family.
• Transport: Boat ride on Lake Titicaca.

Optional: Boat ride in traditional reed boat. (10 PEN)

DAY 13 - PUNO

Say goodbye to your local host family and make your way to another famous island named Taquile where we will check out some local handicrafts. The men will help the local men with knitting and the woman will help with spinning following the local customs. We then take the 2.5 hour boat ride from Taquile island to Puno. You will have the afternoon in Puno to relax. Tonight is our last night as a group so you may all want to enjoy a dinner together to reflect and say goodbye.

Inclusions

• Accommodation: Twin or double hotel room in Puno.
• Meals: Breakfast with your host family, lunch (options here are a soup, an omelette or trout meal)
• Activities: Lake Titicaca tour.
• Transport: Boat to Puno.

DAY 14 - JULIACA

We take a private minibus to Juliaca where there is an airport. We will take a flight to Lima where we finish our tour.

Inclusions

• Meals: Breakfast.
• Transport: Private minibus from Puno to Juliaca.

Optional: Extra hotel night in Lima to catch international flights the next day.