By undertaking the tour of Inca Trail Trek, you enjoy the magic of this ancient country enabling you to see a mix of its traditions and cultures as well as taste traditional cuisines of the Peruvian rainforest, highlands and coast.
During the tour, we visit some of the biggest cities of Peru such as the capital Lima, Cusco and Puno. We also see the city of Puerto Maldonado situated in a rainforest´s part of Peru - Amazon Basin. There, we enjoy exploration around the Peruvian jungle observing loads of animal and plant species! After that, we take a flight to the formar capital of the Incas - Cusco Cityto latercontinue to the Sacred Valley of the Incas where we get ready to start trekking an antique road known today as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
After having this Machu Picchu hiking behind us, we continue to Puno to tour the astonishing Titicaca Lake during a 2 day trip. We finish this amazing Peruvian holiday by a relaxing day in Puno City.
The last day we take you to a nearby airport to take your return flight to Lima.
Come and enjoy the Inca Trail Trek.
In the beginning of your Peruvian holiday, you are welcomed by our Representative in Lima and taken to a 3* hotel in a modern part of Lima. Then, you continue to Puerto Maldonado to discover the Peruvian Amazon during a 3 day trip. After that, you take a flight to reach the Cusco City. The rest of the day is free to acclimatize to altitude. The next day you will be touring the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After an overnight in Ollantaytambo we get ready for hiking the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After that you will fully realize that hiking to and visiting Machu Picchu is a lifetime experience. Later that day, you return to Cusco where you also spend the following day to recover your strengths after hiking the Inca Trail! Then, you enjoy a first-class sightseeing bus stopping on each important site of the route to Puno where you spend the night. In the morning, you start the last adventure exploring the islands of Taquile and Amantani and the floating islands of Titicaca Lake for 2 days! There, you are given a unique opportunity to experience antique cultures of the islands, get to know their way of life, share their traditions and even stay overnight in a family homestay on the Amantani Island! When back in Puno, you can relax or buy some souvenirs and also get ready for a flight back to Lima from a nearby ariport on the last day.
Day 01: Lima
Day 02-04: Peruvian Amazon
Day 05: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 06-09: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Day 10: Cusco City
Day 11: Sightseeing bus to Puno
Day 12-13: Titicaca Lake Tour
Day 14: Puno
Day 15: Departure Day
Crew: A Inca Trail Machu Representatives in Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco and Puno and professional local bilingual Tour Guides, a Cook and Porters during theInca Trail to Machu Picchu.
Accommodation: 3* hotels (8 nights), jungle lodge (2 nights), campsites (3 nights), family homestay (1 night) on the Titicaca Lake Tour.
Meals:13x breakfast, 8x lunch, 6x dinner, 3x afternoon tea (Please allow 100-150 for meals not included).
Transportation: 2x domestic flights, transportation by private van, motorboat transportation, 1x train (Expedition Class).
Please note that the first day is an arrival day and no activities are planned, so that you can arrive at any time. When you arrive to the airport at Lima, our Representative waits for you holding a sheet with your name and takes you to your hotel.
The capital of Lima is also known as the "City of the Kings" as it was founded by Francisco Pizarro on the Day of the Three Kings (Epiphany) in 1535. The Plaza de Armas (main square) is a heart of old Lima. There can be found the Cathedral, Governmental Palace and Archbishop´s Palace.
We transfer you to the Lima´s airport to take a flight to Puerto Maldonado laying deeply in the Peruvian rainforest. Then we travel by a motorized boat over the Madre de Dios River to our lodge settled deeply in the jungle. On our journey to the lodge, you have a chance to see bird species typical for the river and the rainforest´s outskirts such as a black skimmer, a pied lapwing, a capped heron, a roadside hawk (Buteo magnirostris), a kingfisher, a swallow or a tyrant flycatcher.
The jungle lodge combines a native architecture and materials with a low-impact technology intending to preserve the local environment. Rooms of the lodge are simple, but comfortable, containing mosquito´s nets over each bed, flush toilets, showers (but without hot water) and kerosene (paraffine) lamps for lighting (there is no electricity). Staff of the lodge as well as multilingual Naturalists-Guides mostly consist of local communities' members.
Every day, you explore the Peruvian jungle with our local Tour Guide. The Amazon jungle covers about a half of Peruvian territory and it is located in the Amazon Basin! Thanks to its isolation it keeps hidden to casual travellers. Puerto Maldonado is the main city of the region and is mostly accessed by air from the capital and from Cusco. The city lies on confluence of the Madre de Dios and Tambopata Rivers. It is a busy and booming tropical frontier city which principal activities are gold mining, cashew nut collecting, timber exploitation, agriculture and ecotourism.
The area of Tambopata ranges from Andean highlands situated around headwaters of local rivers through last remaining intact cloud forests to the lowland rainforests of the Peru´s Amazon Basin. Tambopata is famous for a wide variety of plants and animal populations that include over 1,300 bird species (including 32 parrot specias that are equal to 10% of the world parrot population!!), 200 mammal species (4 species of primates included), 90 species of frogs, 1,200 butterfly species and 10,000 species of higher plants! All of them are protected by law!!! Harpy eagle, a prehistoric looking hoatzin, tapir, peccary, jaguar, ocelot and playful river otters inhabitating its oxbow lakes are just a few to name some of these rainforest rare species!
On the last (third) day of this Amazonian trip, we transfer you back to the airport at Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Cusco located in the high Andes. You are welcomed by our Representative there and taking to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to be able to acclimatize to the high altitude as well as relax and explore a bit around this fascinating city.
One of the most spectacular days of the tour takes us through the Sacred Valley of the Incas that was once an important source of food to Incan people. Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that keep supplying the city of Cusco with much of its production. As it lays 600 metres lower than Cusco, its average temperature is 5ºC higher so it has got a very pleasant climate.
The tour shows us around the major archaeological sites placed in Pisaq and Ollantaytambo. At Pisaq, an optional two hour (5 km) trek allows us to fully appreciate this huge antique Incan city nestled high in this Andean range. Later on, we can observe a colorful handicraft market at the modern Pisac Town that is without any doubt a unique place to find perfect souvenirs! Then, we stop in Urubamba, considered to be the capital of the valley, where we have a buffet lunch offering Andean cuisine (not included in the tour). Afterwards, we continue to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo, a place that can boast with another large Incan site. Its major ruin is known as the best surviving example of Incan urban planning and engineering! But Ollantaytambo is more than that, it is an alive and breathing Incan town!! We stay overnight here to absorb its atmosphere in its total.
Ollantaytambo is strategically situated overlooking the beautiful Urubamba River Valley. We spend the night in this small town before we start Machu Picchu hiking the next morning.
This 4-day Machu Picchu hiking is physically challenging, but worthwhile!! Its difficulty is within ability of the most reasonably fit. This 44-km (27 mile) trek is often steep including 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4,200 m (13,776 ft). Temperature at nights may fall below zero so it is important to get ready for that! It also sometimes rains, even during a dry season!
The Inca Trail is the most famous ancient trek of the Incas. It begans with a morning trip to Km 82 - the initial hiking point. It is very important to not forget your passport with you because it is checked at the entrance as well as you get a stamp of the Inca Trail on it!! Our Porters and Tour Guides are a guarantee that the trip is without any worries, so you enjoy its awesome Incan ruins (Llactapata, Runkuraqay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarka, Wiñay Wayna) and spectacular mountain scenery every day as much as you can!! Early morning of the last day, you climb antique steps to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to watch the Sunrise above the long-expected citadel of Machu Picchu. Then, you enjoy a 2 and half an hour guided visit of the so called "Lost City of the Incas". Afterwards, you have an opportunity to climb either the peak of Wayna Picchu (45 minutes up and the same time back) or the Machu Picchu Mountain (1.5 hour up) on your own to take some panoramic pictures of Machu Picchu. At this moment, you can already understand why visiting Machu Picchu is so unbeatable experience.
In the afternoon, you descend to the town of Aguas Calientes to take a train back to Cusco. Arrival in the evening.
Please note:Inca Trail is closed during February due to general maintenance. Also, closures sometimes may occur as a result of inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control. In this case, we may hike the Lares Valley Trek.
FREE OPTION: Those, who are not able or interested in to do trekking, can get back to Cusco or just stay at the Sacred Valley and spend the following 2 days there. In this case, they reach Aguas Calientes by a tourist train (Expedition Service). They overnight in a hotel there. Next morning, they take a shuttle bus to Machu Picchu where they reunite with that first group consisting of the Inca Trail hikers.
This option is for no additional cost!!
IMPORTANT:If you decide not to do the trek, you must advice us enough time in advance(usually, a couple of weeks ago) in order to secure your train tickets!! Otherwise, we are not able to guarantee you this option for free!!
If you have any query, please do not hesitate contacting us.
After visiting Machu Picchu, you enjoy a relaxing day, during which you can just laze around the former capital of the Incas, visit its markets, buy some souvenirs, do some optional activities and enjoy its night life as well!
Today, we take a tourist bus that takes us to each important site of the Cusco-Puno route.
First, we need to pass through Southern Valley (also called the Sun Route), where we stop in the village of Andahuaylillas to visit the famous San Pedro Church, which is called the "Sistine Chapel of Americas", to observe the quality of its works of art. The church was constructed by Jesuits in the edge of the 16th and the 17th centuries. Its architectural structure is typical for small town´s churches while its wide walls are characteristic of colonial buildings. It is made of adobe and its facade is decorated with white painting. Two stoned columns are projected towards its main entrance. Although its architecture is relatively modest, its interior is richly decorated with amazing wall paintings.
After seeing the church, we continue towards the pre-Incan city of Pikillaqta beeing once one of the most impressive regional centers of the culture Wari.The culture was seated in Ayacucho and its centres were occupied by Incas for many years. Today, Pikillaqta is a national archaeological park of great importance!!
The word Pikillaqta is made up of Quechuan words "piki" = flea and "llaqta" = town, so that the meaning of the city´s name was the “City of the Fleas”. It does not want to say that fleas lived in the city nor that its inhabitants were lousy. The name was derived from the fact that each inhabitant lived in cramped conditions, in a very small room. Constructions of Pikillaqta consists of over 200 kanchas (apartments), 504 golgas (storages) and other constructions. The city accommodated a population of approximately 10 thousands of inhabitants. Some investigators supposed that Pikillacta turned into a city of “mitimaes” during Incan times ("Mitimae" comes from the Quechuan word "mitma" meaning "resettlement". So mitimaes were originally groups of families taken by Incas from their native place to loyal or conquered towns to perform political, cultural, social, and economic functions).
After this guided tour, we continue to Raqchi where we observe the Temple of Wiracocha(Incan god - creator).
Then, we go to La Raya representing the border between Cusco´s region and Puno´s region. This place is well-known for its viewpoint offering splendid views of surrounding Andes.
Our last stop is in the village of Pucara where we visit the Lithic Museum exhibiting artefacts of an pre-Incan culture.
Finally, we reach the city of Puno, where we accommodate ourselves in a hotel.
In the morning, we board our comfortable motorboat to explore the Amantani and Taquile islands as well as floating islands ofTiticaca Lake. We stop at the islands to view the magic of the lake's scenery and to meet friendly people of its communities.
The lake is located at 3,830 metres above sea level resulting in extreme wheather conditions with very cold nights and strong sunshine during days. The city of Puno situated on its shores is well-known for wealth of its traditional dances, there are up to 100 different varieties, usually performed in street processions celebrating of Catholic feast´s days. Another highlight and a popular optional activity of Puno is a visit of its nearby spectacular Chullpas of Sillustani, tower-like tombs of pre-Incan culture Colla.
Titicaca Lake is the largest lake in the world above 2,000 metres and the highest placed navigable lake in the world! Our first stop on the lake are the floating islands of the Uros people. The Uros began their unusual floating existence centuries ago in an effort to isolate themselves from militant Colla´s and Incan tribes. Unfortunately, Uros´ language got extincted, so nowadays´ Uros people speak Aymara due to intermarriages with Aymara´s speakers. There are about 300 families living on the islands, however, their number has been slowly declining.
The islands are made of layers upon layers of totora reeds that grew in the shallow of the lake. When layers, which are the nearest to water, start to rot, they are replaced with fresh totora layers on the top. Totora is basically used to make everything on the islands, including houses, real boats and small model boats serving as souvenirs. A construction of a real totora boat takes up to 6 months!
After visiting the Uros Floating Islands, we continue towards Amantani Island. There, we land and our Tour Guide shows us around the island with its stunning Titicaca Lake views and friendly inhabitants with their particular folklore. We overnight in familial houses on the island to experience a bit more of the local culture.
The following day, we continue our motorboat ride after breakfast in the familial houses. Our next destination is Taquile Island, famous for its fine handwoven textile and clothing considered as the highest-quality handicraft of Peru.Taquile and its textile art was even recognized by UNESCO in 2005.
After a visit of this spectacular island and enjoying its amazing Titicaca Lake views, we return to Puno at afternoon hours. There, we transfer you from the Puno´s port to your hotel.
Today is a relaxing day, free time to explore around Puno, visit its markets, buy some souvenirs, take some optional activities (for example, a visit of the Chullpas de Sillustani) and enjoy the last night in the city.
Transfer to the airport of Juliaca (a city near Puno) to take a flight to Lima.
Please note: A return flight to Lima can be arragend upon request !!!
End of service, or a suitable time to extend your trip.
To do so, please let us know using the contacts below!
Meal budget: Please allow USD 200-250 for meals not included in the package.
Single room: Please note that if you have booked the "Single Room" option for this tour, you receive your own single room for all overnights and a single tent for the Inca Trail.
Local flights: Two local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless noted otherwise. It is very important that we have got your passport details at the time of your booking in order to process all air tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and they will be given to you prior to each flight departure!
