When to go
March and April, and July and August
Price
From £4,649 pp (including flights)
Flight time
12hrs 53mins
Introduction
Go on a memorable journey across Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca. While here, you will visit Sacred Valley and the Pisac Market, which has stores that sell local produce, handicrafts, and jewelry. You will also follow in the footsteps of the Inca tribe by spending 4 days walking the Inca trail, which’ll take you to the iconic Machu Picchu site.
At a Glance
Duration
16 days & 15 nights
Guide price
Group: £4,649pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Cuzco – Sacred Valley – Inca Trail – Machu Picchu – Cuzco – Puerto Maldonado – Lima
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
5 out of 7 - Challenging
Age Range
13+
Star Rating of Tour
Superior
Accommodation
Hotel Inkarri | Huayllabamba Camp | Hostal Inkarri or Koyllur Inn | Phuyupatamarca Camp | Tunupa Lodge | Hotel Presidente or Inti Punku El Tambo | Nape Lodge | Hotel El Tambo
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 8 people with a maximum of 16
Start/Finish
Cuzca – Lima
Highlights
Walk the Iconic Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is one of the most popular walking trails in South America. It is 26 miles long and includes a range of stunning scenery, such as cloud forests, tropical jungles, and a labyrinth of ruins and tunnels. The trail takes about 4 days to complete.
Visit Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an ancient Inca ruins site. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, and its existence was not widely known until 1911 when Yale University professor Hiram Bingham discovered the site. Many of the dwellings in Machu Picchu date back to the 15th century.
Various Optional Activities
Outside of walking the Inca Trail, you will have the chance to go on jungle walks, boat rides, and explore canopy towers. In Cuzco, you can also browse the market district and arrange optional excursions, such as mountain biking, zip-lining, and paddle-boarding.
Recommended Hotels
Hotel Inkarri | Huayllabamba Camp | Hostal Inkarri or Koyllur Inn | Phuyupatamarca Camp | Tunupa Lodge | Hotel Presidente or Inti Punku El Tambo | Nape Lodge | Hotel El Tambo
Sample Itinerary
Inca & Amazon Adventure Family Holiday
On this 16-day sample itinerary, you will explore the Inca capital of Cuzco and walk the iconic Inca Trail. The Inca Trail will take you from Urubamba River to Huayllabamba, the ruins of Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman, and then Cross Dead Woman’s Pass to Pacaymayu. You will then be rewarded with a trip to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, which has dwellings that date back to the 15th century.
Day 1: Leave London
Leave London in the evening.
Day 2: Cuzco
Arrive at Cuzco, the ancient capital city of the Inca people. Cuzco has a unique combination of Incan and Spanish architecture, due to the Spanish conquistadors building on top of the Inca dwellings.
Go to the hotel for a group greeting and welcome brief. Then explore the city’s many landmarks. Also, drink plenty of water, and give your body time to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Spend 3 nights at the Koyllur Inn or similar.
(N)
Days 3 – 4: Cuzco
Spend the next 2 days exploring Cuzco and enjoying many optional activities. Notable landmarks in Cuzco include the Plaza de Armas, a popular gathering place with a fountain, and the Qorikancha Sun Temple, which is dedicated to the highest gods in the Inca religion.
Outside of Cuzco, you can explore the Inca ruins. One of the most popular ruins is the Sacsayhuaman fortress, which was constructed in the 15th century and many of its walls still stand to this day. Other optional activities include mountain biking, zip lining, cooking lessons, and paddle boarding.
In the evening of Day 4, participate in a briefing for the upcoming trek. Pack and weigh your bags and prepare supplies.
(B)
Day 5: Inca Trail
Leave Cuzco and drive to Ollantaytambo in the early morning. Purchase any more items that you may need before the trek begins. Head to the start of the Inca Trail at Piscacuchio and meet your trekking crew.
Show your passport at the checkpoint and start walking the Inca Trail. Today, you will walk along the Vilcanota River, reach the Llactapata ruins, and set up camp at Huayllabamba.
Approximately 6-7 hours of walking for 11km.
Stay overnight at Huayllabamba Camp.
(B, L, D)
Lares Trek: Lares – Cuncani
In the morning, leave Cuzco and drive to Lares Pass. On the way there, purchase snacks and visit the Totora ruins. Then, drive to Lares hot springs and have lunch. Begin your trek after lunch, walking through the Cuncani community.
Approximately 4-5 hours of walking for 11km.
(B, L, D)
One Day Inca Trail
Drive to Tambomachay, one of the highest hills in the region, and return to Cuzco on foot. Enjoy an open-air picnic lunch.
Approximately 5-6 hours of walking for 6.5km.
Stay overnight at Koyllur Inn or similar.
(B, L)
Day 6: Inca Trail
Go on a long climb through a cloud forest and reach Llulluchapampa. Then head to Warmihuañusca, also known as Dead Woman’s, Pass. Then descend to Pacamayo River and set up camp.
Approximately 6-7 hours of walking for 10km.
Stay overnight at Pacamayo Camp
(B, L, D)
Lares Trek: Cuncani – Kiswarani
Walk through a small valley and a series of waterfalls and lagoons in the morning.
Head to the top of Wilkiqhasa and enjoy marvelous views of Qolqe Cruz and surrounding areas. Then, proceed to the Kisawarani Collana conservation area, followed by lake Queunacocha for lunch. Then reach the Kiswarani campsite.
Approximately 7 hours of walking for 11km.
Full-service camping.
(B, L, D)
One Day Inca Trail: Andean Musical Experience
In the morning, visit the home of a local musician in San Blas. Here you can play local instruments and learn about their history. You will also get the chance to make zampona, a local Andean pipes instrument.
Stay overnight at Koyllur Inn or similar.
(B)
Day 7: Inca Trail
Climb past the Runquracay ruins and Runquracay Pass. Then proceed to a nearby rainforest, through an Inca tunnel. Reach the Phuyupatamarca Inca site.
Approximately 5-6 hours of walking for 12km.
Stay overnight at Phuyupatamarca Camp.
(B, L, D)
Lares Trek: Kiswarani – Cancha Cancha
In the early morning, walk uphill for 4 hours and reach the highest vantage point at Lares Trek. Then head downhill to reach Acopata, stop for lunch, and end up at a campsite in Cancha Cancha.
Approximately 7-8 hours of walking for 14km.
(B, L, D)
One Day Inca Trail Option: Pisac Market – Sacred Valley
Go to Cuzco in the morning and explore the local Pisac Market. Then go on a walking tour of the Inca ruins and enjoy a local meal with the community. From there, drive to Ollantaytambo valley and explore the Inca fortress.
Stay overnight at Tunupa Lodge or similar.
(B, L)
Day 8: Inca Trail
Start your day on the Inca steps, a 2km stone staircase. The walk offers panoramic views of the Vilcabamba range and the rivers below. Visit the Wiñay Wayna ruins, walk through a cloud forest, and head to Inti Punku.
Upon viewing Machu Picchu, take photos of the site and take a bus ride to Aguas Calientes.
Approximately 6-7 hours of walking for 9km.
Stay overnight at Hotel Presidente or Initi Punku El Tambo or similar.
(B, L)
Lares Trek: Cancha Cancha – Huaran
In the early morning, go on a 4-hour downhill walk to the Sacred Valley. Have lunch, say farewell to your trekking staff, and drive to the town of Ollantaytambo. Explore the town and take a train through the Urubamba River Valley, onward to Aguas Calientes.
Reunite with those who have been on the Inca Trail or One Day Inca Trail option at the hotel.
Approximately 4 hours of walking for 10km
(B, L)
Day 9: Machu Picchu
Make a very early morning start for Machu Picchu to avoid the crowds. Explore the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. It has dwellings that date back to the 15th century, which include towering walls, ramps, and terraces that are naturally cut in unique rock formations. On a guided tour, you will learn about the history of Machu Picchu, and the architectural details of the dwellings themselves.
In the afternoon, take a train to Ollantaytambo, and then a private bus to Cuzco.
Spend 2 nights at Koyllur Inn or similar.
(B)
Day 10: Cuzco
Enjoy a free day of leisure in Cuzco. Talk to your tour leader about arranging optional excursions and activities.
(B)
Day 11: Puerto Maldonado – Tambopata Reserve
Leave Cuzco early in the morning and fly to Puerto Maldonado. Then take a boat trip to a lodge in the Tambopata Reserve.
The activities you do at Tambopata Reserve will depend on local weather conditions and other factors. At the introductory briefing, you will learn about what you will be doing.
After dinner, go on a boat trip in search of alligators in rivers.
Stay overnight at Nape Lodge or similar.
(B, L, D)
Days 12 – 13: Rainforest
For the next 2 days, explore the nearby lakes, rivers, and rainforests. This will take you on foot and by boat, where you will encounter many wildlife, such as macaws, herons, jacanas, and giant offers.
Then head to Tres Chimbadas Lake and marvel at the local wild fauna, which includes black alligators, macaws, flying parrots, and monkeys. Then visit a Parrot clay lick, where various parrots and other birds meet in the early morning, at dawn.
Stay overnight at Nape Lodge or similar.
(B, L, D)
Day 14: Lima
By boat, transfer to Puerto Maldonado. Keep an eye out for early morning wildlife and admire the views. Your adventure will officially end at Puerto Maldonado airport. Say farewell to your fellow travelers and tour guide. Then fly to Lima.
Stay overnight at Hotel El Tambo 1 or similar.
(B)
Day 15: Lima
Transfer from your hotel to the airport and fly to London.
(B)
Day 16: London
Arrive back in London.
(N)
