Itinerary

Day 1: Lima

Your trip starts today in Lima. No activities are planned so you may arrive at any time. Upon arrival at the hotel, please check for a notice in the lobby from your Tour Guide confirming the time and place of your pre-departure briefing and any other relevant information.

Day 2: Lima - Paracas

Meals included: 1 breakfast

We generally arrange a tour briefing at our hotel first thing in the morning, at around 8.30am. If you are unable to make this meeting, please check at the hotel reception for a message from your tour guide. Your local tour guide will take down the details of your travel insurance. Today is a free day to explore Peru's capital. Your tour guide is on hand to help you arrange any optional sightseeing tours required. Highly recommended is a visit to the colonial city centre, taking in some of the many excellent museums that house priceless artefacts from the ancient Inca and coastal civilisations. The desert city of Lima, once deemed ‘La Ciudad de los Reyes’ or ‘The City of Kings’, is a vast buzzing metropolis of over 8 million people. The heart of the city is full with Spanish colonial splendour, fine art and baroque architecture. In the late afternoon we take a bus and travel south, following the Pan American Highway through the desert to the seaside village of Paracas where we spend the night.

Day 3: Ballestas Islands - Nazca

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After breakfast we travel by small motor boat to the nearby Ballestas Islands. Commonly referred to as the 'little Galapagos', the spectacular arches and many caves on the islands provide shelter for thousands of rare sea birds and sea lions. Environmental regulations prohibit us from landing but we'll get close enough to get some great shots of the wildlife and the natural rock formations of the islands. You should also be able to see the famous 'candelabra' carving, marked into the desert hillside. This carving has nothing to the do with the Nazca Lines but is thought to be an old pirate warning engraved over 200 years ago. In the mid-afternoon we continue on by bus to Nazca, arriving in the early evening.

Day 4: Nazca - overnight bus

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today is a free day to explore the mysterious Nazca Lines. The lines are a series of geoglyphs, located in the Nazca Desert, a high arid plateau that stretches more than 80 kilometres between the towns of Nazca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana. They were created by the Nazca culture between 200 BC and AD 700. There are scores of individual figures, ranging in complexity from simple lines to stylized hummingbirds, spiders, monkeys, fishes, sharks, llamas and lizards. The desert area surrounding Nazca are littered with many ancient cemeteries that contain hundreds of preserved mummies and tapestries. In the early evening we board the overnight bus to Arequipa. Leaving the coastal plains behind, our bus climbs into the Andes to an altitude of 2325 metres en route to Arequipa.

Day 5: Arequipa

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After arriving in Arequipa in the early morning, we transfer to our hotel. Founded in 1540, Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru and arguably one of its most beautiful. It is situated at an altitude of 2380 metres and lies at the base of the spectacular El Misti volcano. Arequipa has many fine colonial-era Spanish buildings built of sillar, a pearly white volcanic rock used extensively in the city, and from which it gets its nickname La Ciudad Blanca (''the white city''). The historic centre of Arequipa was named a UNESCO world heritage site in 2000, in recognition of its architecture and historic integrity. You have free time today to wander the city and to visit the famous Santa Catalina monastery and some of the many other beautiful churches and museums in the city.

Day 6-7: Colca Canyon - Arequipa

Meals included: 2 breakfasts

Today we continue our journey by driving into the Colca Canyon. Twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in USA and with an average depth of 3400 metres, this canyon is one of the deepest in the world. Stretching over 100 kilometres, the grey smoking mass of Volcan Sabancaya looms in the background. The surrounding ‘Altiplano’ (high plain) is dotted with grazing llamas and alpacas, as well as stone cairns that were built by the Indians. Unlike most of the Grand Canyon, there are areas of Colca Canyon that are inhabited, with terraced fields dating back to pre-Colombian times that still support agriculture and human life. Amidst the stunning scenery of the canyon we have the opportunity to spot one of the world’s largest flying birds. Travelling past unspoiled Andean villages you may be lucky enough to see giant Andean condors gliding on the thermal draughts below. We stay overnight at a hotel inside the canyon before returning to Arequipa.

Day 8: Puno

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today we catch the bus and travel across the Altiplano to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, arriving in the early evening. Puno lies at an altitude of 3860 metres above sea level and the people of this region are descendants of the Aymara, a strong looking people who once ruled the high plateaus. According to legend, Puno was the cradle of Inca civilization. Manco Capac, the first Inca, is said to have risen from the waters of Lake Titicaca and under instructions from the Sun God, founded the Inca Empire. Lake Titicaca at 3815 metres is the world's highest navigable lake and also the second largest lake in South America, covering an area of 8400 square kilometres.

Day 9: Lake Titicaca (Amantani Island Homestay)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

This morning we board our boat and travel across the waters of Lake Titicaca to the floating reed islands inhabited by Uros Indians. We make a brief stop at one of these unusual islands and then continue across the lake to our homestay on beautiful Amantani Island. This island is more remote than most and not as spoilt as the popular island of Tequile, which has unfortunately felt the heavy impact of tourism. After arriving in Amantani, our tour guide divides our party up into smaller groups and we move into various family homes for our overnight stay. Please be warned that the facilities are quite basic. Many homes have no electricity and the bathroom and toilet facilities are not the best! Despite this, the homestay experience is sure to be a highlight of our trip to the region and offers great opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges.

Day 10: Puno

Meals included: 1 breakfast

We enjoy breakfast with our host family and then have time to explore the island. There are two mountain peaks on the island that offer excellent hiking opportunities, Pachatata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth). Along the way terraced hillsides with stone walls, grazing alpacas and the national flower, Cantua, which grows all over the island. The inhabitants of Amantani Island practise a very traditional lifestyle, free from the luxur

Day 11: Puno - Cusco

Meals included: 1 breakfast

We travel by bus to Cusco. At first we climb up to the Le Raya Pass (4321m), before continuing past the hot springs at tiny Aguas Calientes and descending beneath spectacular mountain countryside. We arrive in magnificent Cusco in the late afternoon. Established on the foundations of the original Inca town, Cusco is a city of contrasts, both modern and ancient. Known the world over for the incredible archaeological ruins of nearby Machu Picchu, travellers flock to this trekkers haven to soak up its awesome culture and beautiful surroundings. At an altitude of over 3300 metres Cusco is also a great place to acclimatise in preparation for the hike to Machu Picchu.

Day 12: Cusco

Meals included: 1 breakfast

There is so much to see in and around Cusco. Your tour guide takes you on a walking tour of the central part of town, which includes the impressive Plaza de Armas, the cathedral and the Koricancha Museum. You also have time to make your own discoveries including travelling out to the great Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko and Tambo Machay. You may also wish to explore further afield into the beautiful Sacred Valley and visit the market town of Pisac. Utilising these two days and your spare day at the end of your trek to Machu Picchu, there is time to take in all these great sites.

Day 13-16: Important Note

We trek the ‘Classic’ and the ‘Lares’ routes, both of which culminate in a visit to the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu. Although we normally trek the 'Classic' route, it is restricted by the number of trekkers permitted on the trail each day and unless you have booked early, it maybe difficult or impossible for us to secure the necessary group permits (especially during the peak season). It is also closed during the month of February for cleaning and rejuvenation. If we are unable to confirm your permit for the 'Classic' route we will use the ‘Lares’ trail. This is an exceptional alternative. Venturing further off the beaten path, this trek winds its way through remote rural villages and provides stunning views across the Andes Mountains. Along the way you can mingle with local families, llama herders and weavers, renowned for their brightly coloured hats and ponchos. The trek is of similar altitude and level of difficulty as the Classic route and also culminates in a visit to the village of Aguas Calientes and the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu, recently voted one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’. The following description refers to the 'Classic' route. Please refer below to the 'Itinerary Variation' section of this trip note for details of the Lares route.

Day 13: Inca Trail to Yuncachimpa (13km)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

We leave Cusco by bus and travel over the mountain range and down into the Urubamba Valley to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. Built on a steep mountainside this grand citadel served as both a temple and fortress and is one of the few sites where the Incas were able to defeat the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. Their success was however short lived, with the Spaniards returning with force to claim victory. Here we have time to gaze upon the massive Inca fortifications before continuing to Kilometre 82 - the starting point of our trek. Today is a relatively easy hike past the ancient hilltop fort of Huillca Raccay and the beautiful archaeological site of Llactapata. Along the way there are stunning views of snow-capped Veronica Peak (5860m). Our first camp is just past the village of Wayllabamba at 3000 metres.

Day 14: Inca Trail to Pacaymayo (11 km)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Today is the most difficult part of the trek as we climb to Warminwanusca, or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ (4200m). This is the first of three Andean high passes we traverse and the highest point on the Inca trail. Stopping to catch our breath we take in the superb panorama of the Vilcanota and Vilcabama mountain ranges, the ruins of Runkuracay ahead and Rio Pacamayo (Sunrise River) in the valley below. Here the trail changes from dirt to steps and stone pathways. Although not difficult we still need to make a steep descent to the valley below and our camp at Pacamayo (3600m). Located in a basin beneath the cliff tops, the campsite faces down the valley with a view over the cloud forest.

Day 15: Inca Trail to Winaywayna (15 km)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

We climb up to the unusual, round ruins of Runcuracay which is believed to have been an Inca tambo or post house. Forging on we continue to climb the Inca staircase and sighting the small mountain lake of Cochapata on the way to our second pass at 4000m, from where we are rewarded with spectacular views of Pumasillo (6245m) and the entire snow-capped Vilcabamba range From here it is a steep descent to our third pass and the ruins of Sayacmarca, where we enter the beautiful cloud forest full of orchids, ferns, flowers and hanging moss. The scenery will blow you away! Butterflies flutter across the trail and the air is pure and clean as we head to the breathtaking Winaywayna, (2450m).

Day 16: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (5 km) - Cusco

Meals included: 1 breakfast

The final leg o
Day 17: Cusco

Meals included: 1 breakfast

A free day in Cusco can be spent shopping for handicrafts or taking in some further sightseeing. Cusco is a maze of markets, artisan shops lining the streets and many museums filled with the rich history of Inca art. You might like to try some traditional cuisine- perhaps guinea pig, alpaca steak or ceviche, a raw seafood delicacy marinated in lime. If you haven't yet visited the Sacred Valley, this is your best chance to do so. Your tour guide can advise you on how to get there and show you where the bus to Pisac leaves from. Alternatively, you may just wish to relax and absorb the incredible experiences of the last few days whilst resting in one of the many cafes that line the streets of this quaint and fascinating town.

Day 18: Amazon Jungle

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Today we catch a flight to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. We then board a boat for the two-hour trip on the Tambopata River to our jungle lodge. Spanning 5.5 million square kilometres and spreading across nine nations, the Amazon rainforest region is undoubtedly one of the greatest wonders of the natural world. Home to thousands of indigenous inhabitants and more than a third of the world’s plant and animal species, it is the largest and most bio-diverse tropical rainforest on Earth. After settling in we receive a short briefing on the lodge before heading off into the jungle with a local native guide. They reveal to us their wealth of knowledge by pointing out the various jungle food, medicine, local flora and fauna. A twenty minute walk brings us to a 30 metre high cannopy tower, with views of the forest and winding Tambopata River. Now and again it is possible to see a toucan, parrot or macaw flying on the horizon.

Day 19: Amazon Jungle

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Early in the morning, we travel by traditional boat and go in search of giant river otters, caimen, hoatzin and wading birds. It's a great time to kick back, relax, and just listen to the sounds of the birds or monkeys from the riverbanks. When we return to our lodge, there may be time to visit a small parakeet clay-lick, where dozens and sometimes hundreds of blue-headed parrots, orange-cheeked parrots and cobalt-winged parakeets descend. Sometimes, even the rare rock parakeet congregate here on clear days to ingest clay. Alternatively, you may wish to stay at the lodge, and take a rest in one of the hammocks! After lunch we embark on an excursion to the indigenous Indian farmlands. This local organisation produces medicines out of forest plants, and administers them to nearby residents without access to modern day treatments. We take a walk around the farmlands, examine the various plant species, and gain an understanding of how this system has been so sustainable. After dinner, there is an optional presentation on the Infierno Ecotourism Project, conducted by a staff member each evening.

Day 20: Lima

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Early in the morning we transfer by boat back to Puerto Maldonado, where we board our aircraft for a short flight over the Andes to Lima. Our adventure comes to an end upon arrival at Lima Airport. If you are planning to depart Lima today, we advise that you do not book to depart until at least after 5pm (17:00 hrs).

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