ITINERARY:

DAY 1: LIMA

Reception at Lima Airport and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time to rest and prepare for starting your trip around our magical country.

Overnight in Lima.

DAY 2: LIMA - CUSCO

Breakfast.

Transfer to Lima's Airport. Flight Lima- Cusco,

Reception at Cusco Airport or bus station and transfer to your selected hotel. Free time available to rest and so avoid altitude sickness.

In the afternoon, sightseeing tour of Cusco visiting the Main Square, the Cathedral ( built between 1560 and 1664 is considered one of the most imposing strutures in the city). and the Temple of the Sun or Korikancha (the most important temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun and whose walls were plated with sheets of gold). Take a pleasant walk in the bohemian District of San Blas, home to the best known craftsmen of Cusco. Visit its beautiful church, to admire its impressive carved wooden pulpit, with images of local fruits carved into it in filigree. Pop into some of the craft shops in its small Main Square. On your way back to the Centre of Cusco go through Hatunrumiyoc Street with its famous Twelve-angled stone.

Then, we drive out of the City to visit the Inca sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara and the impressive Fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The latter site is strategically built on a hill overlooking Cusco and is famous for its enormous carved stones, some of them standing over 9m / 30ft tall, and weighing over 350 tons, set together with astounding precision to form the outer walls.

Overnight in Cusco.

DAY 3: CUSCO - SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS

Early morning bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way we visit a weaving centre/museum, where the local weavers explain the textile making process from shearing, spinning and dying with plant extracts to the actual weaving.

We continue our tour with a visit to the archaeological site of Pisaq, fascinating for its location and architecture. We will have plenty of time to explore this beautiful place. After a picnic with fantastic views of the valley below, we visit the colorful handicraft market in the village of Pisac. In the afternoon we drive to the typical village of Ollantaytambo, often described as a living museum, for the descendants of the Incas continue to live in the houses built by their ancestors.

Overnight in Ollantaytambo.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.

DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS- INCA TRAIL: CUSCO-Km 82- HUAYLLABAMBA

Early morning bus ride to the start of our hike at Km 82 from where we follow an easy path along the Urubamba River towards the first archaeological site at Llaqtapata (2650 m). After a rest we continue into the side valley of Cusichaca where we enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon we follow the Cusichaca Creek on a soft uphill to our first camp at the village of Huayllabamba (3000 m).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 5: INCA TRAIL: HUAYLLABAMBA - PACASMAYO

After an early breakfast we start our long and steep climb up to Warmiwañusca Pass (4200 m) which is the highest point on our hike. The ascent leads through different ecological levels that offer a variety of orchids and birds (many endemic to the area).

From the summit we can view the second pass, the ruins of Runcuracay and our camp down in the valley which we will reach after a 2 hour descent. On a clear day the camp offers fantastic views towards the glaciers of Mount Veronica.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 6: INCA TRAIL: PACASMAYO - PHUYUPATAMARCA

Today is the most diverse day of our adventure. We start in the morning with the climb up to the second pass at Runcuracay (3900 m) that offers fantastic views of the Vilcabamba Range with its glaciers, weather permitting. A 2 hour descent brings us to the fascinating archaeological site of Sayacmarca. After exploring this beautiful construction we continue - now on original Inca stone path - through high cloud forest with its lush vegetation, offering glimpses of waterfalls, valleys, canyons and glaciers like Salkantay. In the afternoon we arrive at our camp on the last high pass, Phuyupatamarca (3600 m), from where we get our first glimpse of Machupicchu. With good weather we have the most spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding snow peaks and far way down the Urubamba River.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

DAY 7: INCA TRAIL: PHUYUPATAMARCA - MACHUPICCHU- AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast we say goodbye to our Quechuan porters and start the long and steep descent (over Inca staircases) towards the archaeological site of Wiñaywayna, considered one of the most beautiful sites in the area due to its location and architecture. We visit this magnificent site and enjoy lunch in fantastic surroundings before we continue our hike through high cloud forest with its diverse flora and fauna towards the famous Sungate or Intipunku. From here we can enjoy the first and best view of the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machupicchu (2400 m). A short walk brings us down to the entrance from where we continue by bus to the village of Aguas Calientes. Here we can choose to relax in the natural hot springs and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 8: MACHUPICCHU - CUSCO

After an early breakfast we take the first bus up to Machupicchu to enjoy sunrise in this magical place before other tourists arrive from Cusco. We enjoy this enigma in a guided tour and will have enough free time to explore the site individually or do some hikes before we descend to Aguas Calientes in the afternoon. Train ride back to Cusco, transfer to the hotel and overnight.

Meals Included: Breakfast.

DAY 9: CUSCO - LIMA

Breakfast.

At proper time transfer to the airport in Cusco.

Flight Cusco - Lima. Reception at Lima's Airport and transfer to your selected hotel.

In the afternoon sightseeing tour of Lima which consist of the best combination of attractions in Lima from pre-Hispanic, Colonial and Modern times.

You will have a guided tour of Huaca Pucllana, a magnificent ceremonial and administrative site, dating back to the IV century A.D. You will also visit Huaca Huallmarca, a typical pyramid characteristic of sacred pre-Hispanic edifications found along the Peruvian coast.

Then you will have a visit to Lima's historic downtown, including Paseo de la República , Plaza San Martín, the Main Plaza and the surrounding monuments: the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral, the Archbishop's Palace, City Hall, the Desamparados train station, the Museum of the Banco Central de Reserva and the Moorish-style houses and balconies along Lima's old streets.

The next stop will be San Francisco Convent, with the best exhibition of Colonial Art in Latin America . The tour includes the Choir Hall, the Monks' Library and the Sacristy, featuring a collection of Zurbarán and Rivera oil paintings. After visiting the Main Patio of the Cloister to see its fine XVI century Seville tiles and Moorish Arches, the tour will proceed to the Underground Crypts known as the Catacombs.

Finally you will have a visit to the traditional neighborhood near the San Isidro Golf Club, the Olive Grove park and the modern LarcoMar shopping and entertainment complex, a distinctive landmark of Modern Lima offering a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean . The tour of LarcoMar features a splendid exhibit of Peruvian alpaca textiles, and jewellery and handicrafts from the many regions and civilizations of historic Peru . Lunch

Return to your selected hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Lima.

DAY 10: LIMA - OUT

Breakfast.

At proper time transfer to the airport and assistance on your departure.

INCLUDED

Flight Tickets Lima- Cusco - Lima.

Train ticket from Aguas Calientes - Cusco.

Bus ticket from Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes.

02 Nights accommodation at a selected hotel in Lima.

02 Nights accommodation at a selected hotel in Cusco.

01 Night accommodation at a selected hotel in Ollantaytambo.

01 Night accommodation at a selected hotel in Aguas Calientes.

In and out transfers.

City tour in Cusco.

Full day excursion to the Sacred Valley.

City tour in Lima.

All applicable taxes.

Bilingual guided tours (English/Spanish).

Entrance fees for the excursions mentioned above.

Entrance fees to national park & sanctuary of Machupicchu

All meals as indicated in the itinerary.

Inca Trail:

03 Nights camping (double tents)

Private transport to Km 82

Camping equipment (double-, dining- and kitchen-tents, mats, etc.),

bilingual guide, cook, porters (for personal gear too)

NOT INCLUDED:

Baggage excess.

Additional nights or flights cancellation.

Sleeping bags

Alcoholic drinks soda or bottled mineral water.

Snacks.

Laundry.

Not mentioned or optional tours/meals and extra services such as tips and laundry

International or National personal telephone calls.

Airport taxes ($28 for International flights and $5 for Domestic flights).

SEASON: All year (during February the classic Inca Trail is closed for maintenance and we offer the alternative route along the Urubamba river)

FITNESS-LEVEL: Active strong (4200 m)

(Min. 2 Participants)