Itinerary

Sunday - Arrive Cuzco, hike Sacsayhuamán Fortress
Our trip starts in Cuzco, the heart of the Inca empire. Your trip leader will greet you with a cup of hot coca tea - the local specialty to help you adjust to the altitude. After lunch, we'll set off for a walk around this amazing ancient city and up to Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking the main Plaza and Cuzco Valley. The fortress is a magnificent archaeological site representing a set of jaguar's teeth with massive, perfectly fitted stones weighing up to 130 tonnes each and was the place where the Incas made their final stand against the Spanish conquistadores. No one really knows what the Incas used Sacsayhuamán for - some say it was a sanctuary and temple of the Sun, others say it was a granary, and yet another theory is that it was the place where the old Inca king would play football using the heads of his enemies! No matter who is right, you'll have a lot of fun hearing all the stories this amazing area inspires. Later, we'll take a walk through the colourful Cuzco street markets. If you prefer, you can take some time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cuzco's lively town square and meet up again later for an evening meal.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (L,D)

Monday - Cycle Sacred Valley, visit Pisac market, hike Pisac ruins
We'll head into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas this morning, stopping just above Cuzco where we'll jump on our bikes and ride down through breathtaking scenery, dotted with local villages and surrounded by the massive green slopes of the Andes. We'll finish our ride in the small town of Pisac, where we'll have a chance to check out the colourful mercado artesanal. From here we'll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. These Inca terraces rise 2,000 feet up from the river below. It's a heart-pumping walk up through ancient agricultural terraces - you'll never forget the views of Pisac and the Urubamba valley! After exploring the ancient complex, we'll descend the original Inca stairways and head back down the valley. This is the largest existing fortress-city of the Incas, and it's the perfect warm-up for your Inca Trail trek tomorrow!
ACCOMMODATION: Ollyantaytambo lodgings, Ollyantaytambo (B,L,D)

Tuesday (morning)- Start your Inca Trail options
It's an early start this morning as we start our trek to Machu Picchu! When you book, you can choose between two 4-day/3-night options - the Lares Inca Trail or the Classic Inca Trail. The next four days will take you on a journey through the Andean wilderness and give you an unbeatable insight into the indigenous cultures that have shaped the Peruvian highlands.
Click on the Inca Trail headings below to read about each option:

Classic Inca Trail Option
Lares Inca Trail Option

If you're not keen to hike the Inca Trail, no worries - just let us know and we'll work out an alternative option!

Friday (afternoon) - Explore Machu Picchu, climb Huayna Picchu Mountain
Today you can walk for about two hours, or much longer if you like. We have all day to explore the many passageways and stone structures of this mysterious place. If you're keen and there's time, we'll climb Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, for spectacular views of the site and the valley below. It's a steep 90-minute climb, but the views are worth the effort. After plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu, we'll head down to Aguas Calientes for a soak in the hot springs before taking a scenic train ride back to Cuzco.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B,L,D)

Phil: "Lots of people ask me which is the best trail to Machu Picchu - the Lares Inca Trail or the Classic Inca Trail. I've tried to decide which one is my favourite and I can't. You'll meet great people, see amazing scenery, hike hard, and learn about Peru and its people on both trails, making them equally memorable."

Saturday - Free day in Cuzco
Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and it's a fabulous place to spend a day exploring - it's no wonder it's the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city! Walk along Cuzco's central streets, lined with massive Inca-built stone walls that form the foundation of the city and blend into the colonial and modern architecture that has been added over the years. You can take the day to explore Cuzco's most popular temples, museums, churches and fortresses. Alternatively, we'll help you arrange one of the many optional guided activities available including mountain biking, hiking, or horse riding. There's also no shortage of great food and entertainment in Cuzco, with restaurants to suit any taste, cafés for coffee in the Plaza de Armas and great bars with local music.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B)

If you're short on time, it's possible to finish your Jaguar trip here and we'll fly you back to Lima this morning.

If you're too busy to come along for the entire adventure, that's OK! We're very flexible - and we have lots of options for the time-stressed. Give us a call - you'll be surprised at how well we can work with your schedule, even if it doesn't appear obvious when you first read our itineraries!


Sunday - Arrive Cuzco, hike Sacsayhuamán Fortress
Our trip starts in Cuzco, the heart of the Inca empire. Your trip leader will greet you with a cup of hot coca tea - the local specialty to help you adjust to the altitude. After lunch, we'll set off for a walk around this amazing ancient city and up to Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking the main Plaza and Cuzco Valley. The fortress is a magnificent archaeological site representing a set of jaguar's teeth with massive, perfectly fitted stones weighing up to 130 tonnes each and was the place where the Incas made their final stand against the Spanish conquistadores. No one really knows what the Incas used Sacsayhuamán for - some say it was a sanctuary and temple of the Sun, others say it was a granary, and yet another theory is that it was the place where the old Inca king would play football using the heads of his enemies! No matter who is right, you'll have a lot of fun hearing all the stories this amazing area inspires. Later, we'll take a walk through the colourful Cuzco street markets. If you prefer, you can take some time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cuzco's lively town square and meet up again later for an evening meal.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (L,D)

Monday - Cycle Sacred Valley, visit Pisac market, hike Pisac ruins
We'll head into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas this morning, stopping just above Cuzco where we'll jump on our bikes and ride down through breathtaking scenery, dotted with local villages and surrounded by the massive green slopes of the Andes. We'll finish our ride in the small town of Pisac, where we'll have a chance to check out the colourful mercado artesanal. From here we'll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. These Inca terraces rise 2,000 feet up from the river below. It's a heart-pumping walk up through ancient agricultural terraces - you'll never forget the views of Pisac and the Urubamba valley! After exploring the ancient complex, we'll descend the original Inca stairways and head back down the valley. This is the largest existing fortress-city of the Incas, and it's the perfect warm-up for your Inca Trail trek tomorrow!
ACCOMMODATION: Ollyantaytambo lodgings, Ollyantaytambo (B,L,D)

Machu Pichu Peru

Tuesday (morning)- Start your Inca Trail options
It's an early start this morning as we start our trek to Machu Picchu! When you book, you can choose between two 4-day/3-night options - the Lares Inca Trail or the Classic Inca Trail. The next four days will take you on a journey through the Andean wilderness and give you an unbeatable insight into the indigenous cultures that have shaped the Peruvian highlands.
Click on the Inca Trail headings below to read about each option:

Classic Inca Trail Option
Lares Inca Trail Option

If you're not keen to hike the Inca Trail, no worries - just let us know and we'll work out an alternative option!

Friday (afternoon) - Explore Machu Picchu, climb Huayna Picchu Mountain
Today you can walk for about two hours, or much longer if you like. We have all day to explore the many passageways and stone structures of this mysterious place. If you're keen and there's time, we'll climb Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu, for spectacular views of the site and the valley below. It's a steep 90-minute climb, but the views are worth the effort. After plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu, we'll head down to Aguas Calientes for a soak in the hot springs before taking a scenic train ride back to Cuzco.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B,L,D)

Phil: "Lots of people ask me which is the best trail to Machu Picchu - the Lares Inca Trail or the Classic Inca Trail. I've tried to decide which one is my favourite and I can't. You'll meet great people, see amazing scenery, hike hard, and learn about Peru and its people on both trails, making them equally memorable."

Saturday - Free day in Cuzco
Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and it's a fabulous place to spend a day exploring - it's no wonder it's the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city! Walk along Cuzco's central streets, lined with massive Inca-built stone walls that form the foundation of the city and blend into the colonial and modern architecture that has been added over the years. You can take the day to explore Cuzco's most popular temples, museums, churches and fortresses. Alternatively, we'll help you arrange one of the many optional guided activities available including mountain biking, hiking, or horse riding. There's also no shortage of great food and entertainment in Cuzco, with restaurants to suit any taste, cafés for coffee in the Plaza de Armas and great bars with local music.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B)

If you're short on time, it's possible to finish your Jaguar trip here and we'll fly you back to Lima this morning.

amazon rainforest

Sunday - Journey to Amazon rainforest, wildlife hike
Today we'll take a short flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, a frontier town in the Amazon basin. We'll take to dugout canoes and glide down the headwaters of the Amazon, deep into the jungle. Listen for howler monkeys in the tropical forest canopy above and spot macaws perched high on the riverbanks. This area is teeming with wildlife - we'll look for giant otters, capuchin monkeys, caiman and many other jungle animals on our boat trip to the lodge. After lunch we'll head out in search of the plethora of monkey species this area is famous for. Keep an eye out for the rainforest dwellers that come out in search of food in the late afternoon!
ACCOMMODATION: Lodge in the Amazon jungle (B,L,D)

Monday - Wildlife hike, virgin jungle exploration
This morning we'll explore some of the many miles of jungle trails that criss-cross the dense rainforest. We'll travel by dugout canoe and hike through virgin forest to experience the wealth of native flora and fauna under the Amazon rainforest canopy, and learn how the indigenous people thrive in this challenging environment. The Amazon is the most biodiverse place on Earth and you'll have the chance to find out more about the amazing flora and fauna here, as well as learning about the incredible medicinal plants that are found in this region. After lunch, you have the rest of the afternoon free to hang out at the lodge with a book or continue exploring the surrounding area on your own. If you'd prefer to hike a little more this afternoon, you can head out with our naturalist guide on little-known trails that pass by the homes of some of the rarest animals in the rainforest. This evening we'll brave the jungle again in search of the nocturnal South American crocodile - the caiman.
ACCOMMODATION: Lodge in the Amazon jungle (B,L,D)

Tuesday - Cycle through Andean villages and farms
This morning we leave the rainforest and take a boat back to Puerto Maldonado where we'll catch a short flight to Cuzco. After lunch, we'll be fitted with bikes and safety gear and head off for a spectacular ride through the green hills of the Cuzco valley. We'll spend the afternoon riding through Andean farms and villages, where we'll have the chance to meet the locals tending their crops and herds of llamas. The biking today is mostly gentle downhill riding through picturesque villages and valleys. If cycling is not your thing, you can skip it altogether and relax in Cuzco, or hike up to the many Inca fortresses overlooking the ancient city.
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Prisma, Cuzco (B,L,D)

If you're short on time, it's possible to finish your Jaguar trip here and we'll fly you back to Lima this morning.


Wednesday - Cycle La Raya Pass
Today we'll cycle down from the spectacular La Raya Pass towards Puno, the capital of the Altiplano area and the gateway to Lake Titicaca - one of the most amazing rides you're ever likely to do! This is one of Peru's great highland areas where herds of alpaca and llama graze and snow-capped mountains rise steeply from the valley. If you'd prefer not to cycle you can sit back and enjoy the ride on this incredible scenic journey to Puno, known as the folklore capital of Peru. Its narrow streets are filled with the sounds of the typical Andean music called saylla, the hustle and bustle of the local market, and the bell-ring of the triciclos, the local bicycle taxis!
ACCOMMODATION: Puno hotel, Puno (B,L,D)

Thursday - Hike Taquile Island, stay with local Quechua people
At 13,500 feet, Lake Titicaca is the world's highest commercially navigable body of water. The Incas believed it was the cradle of civilisation - the place where all life began. It's a very special place dotted with islands that have unique living cultures and traditions, two of which we'll visit today. The first is Taquile Island, where we'll hike to the highest point of the island for breathtaking 360º views of Lake Titicaca, the Capachica Peninsula, Amantani Island and the Bolivian Andes. On the way we'll visit an isolated village and have the chance to meet the local people and learn about their famous textiles and culture. Then it's a short boat ride to Amantani Island, where we'll spend the night. Our hosts, members of the indigenous Quechua community, will meet us at the lake's edge and are always up for a game of high-altitude soccer, if you're keen! Aside from being a great workout it's good fun and a unique way to get to know your hosts. When the game is over, we'll hike to the Pachamama (Mother Earth) temple at the summit of Amantani Island for unforgettable views of the sun setting over Lake Titicaca. Later we'll return to the homes of our hosts for a home-cooked meal. The Quechua people have maintained their traditional way of life for centuries, weaving wool, keeping cuy (guinea pigs), and farming their smallholdings. After dinner, we head down to the community hall to learn a few traditional dances with the locals. It's very quiet here - no streetlights, no cars, no dogs even! - and we're sure you'll love the tranquillity.
ACCOMMODATION: Family home, Amantani Island (B,L,D)

Friday - Sea kayak Lake Titicaca, Uros Reed Islands
Our hosts will wave us off from Amantani's port this morning as we leave under our own steam in sea kayaks! This is one of the most unforgettable activities of the whole trip. The lake is so big it feels like - and even smells like - the sea, and it has its own unique dark blue colour. We'll spend the morning making our way across it to Capachica Peninsula, then hugging its shores, grazed by sheep and shadowed by ancient remnant agricultural terraces. We'll get in our motorboat for the final section of the trip back to Puno, stopping along the way to visit the manmade Uros Reed Islands - you'll be amazed at the unique lifestyle of the people who make these islands their home. After lunch we'll return to Puno by boat for our final dinner together.
ACCOMMODATION: Puno Hotel, Puno (B,L,D)

Saturday - Return to Lima, depart for home
This the last day of your two-week trip in Peru. We have a short drive to the nearby town of Juliaca before jumping on a plane to Lima. If you have time to spare after the trip, we're happy to give you suggestions on how to make the most of it. You can also find more information on Lima here. On the other hand, if you're on your way home today, we'll send you back refreshed and invigorated from the great food, exercise, rest and adventures you'll have had with us in Peru! (B)

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