Trekking Adventures - Andes trek to Machu Picchu

On arrival in Cusco (3,400m) you'll be met by your guide and transferred from Cusco airport to our hotel located in the historic centre for a short initial briefing and then a few hours of rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatisation. In the evening you'll have a longer briefing to discuss aspects of the itinerary and in particular the trek. Overnight - Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral (or similar)

Meals:  Nil

Today we explore fascinating Cusco—the stunning royal city of the Inca Empire. Every alleyway we enter or corner we turn brings another surprise as we learn about this UNESCO World Heritage Listed city. Cusco was the royal capital of the extensive Inca Empire until 1533 when Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro stormed the city and established the new capital of Lima. When the Spanish conquered, Cusco was a sophisticated Imperial city with a complex hierarchy of impressive stone walls, royal palaces, religious and administrative buildings and residential dwellings. The Spanish preserved the bulk of the ancient stone city, adding many handsome churches, palaces and mansions over the following centuries, most in a distinctive style blending European Baroque style with local influences. Today we’ll also drive to visit the nearby Sacsayhuaman, a walled fortress set high above Cusco. The walls of this impressive site were built by the Incas from dramatic monolithic stone slabs, cut and arranged into staggeringly accurate configurations, like colossal jigsaw puzzle pieces. After taking in the stunning views over the city, we’ll have time to head back down to Cusco to explore more of the city and browse colourful Peruvian textiles and handicrafts at the local shops and open air markets. Overnight - Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral (or similar)

Meals:  B

We leave Cusco and head to the Chinchero Plateau to explore Chinchero, an important town in Inca times. The most striking remnant of this period is the massive stone wall in the main plaza which has ten trapezoidal niches. There are beautiful views overlooking the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with the Cordillera Vilcabamba and the snow-capped peak of Salkantay dominating the western horizon. Chinchero is believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. Visit the salt mines of Maras. This village is a salt-producing center that dates back all the way to pre-Inca times. There are over 3000 salt pools all carved into the mountain side. Discover Moray's mysterious concentric circular terraces which, according to some scholars, would be an agricultural research center. When the tour is over, we will end up in the Sacred Valley near a good restaurant where we can savour dishes made with locally grown produce. After a leisurely lunch we head for our hotel in the valley. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy beauty of this famous valley. Overnight - Hotel Pakaritampu (or similar)

Meals:  B

Today we enjoy another day in the beautiful Sacred Valley with a tour of Ollantaytambo. During our time in Ollantaytambo we visit its remarkable temple/fortress set high on a ridge above the village. We also explore the quaint village itself with a fascinating mixture of Inca and Colonial architecture. Overnight - Hotel Pakaritampu (or similar)

Meals:  B

Today we have an early start as we begin our scenic drive to our trailhead at Mollepata, where we will meet up with our team of muleskinners and their pack animals to start our 7-day trek towards Salcantay and Machu Picchu! After a picnic lunch we start hiking steadily uphill towards our first night’s campsite below Soraypampa (3,750 m / 12,300 ft). Today we’ll get our first glimpse of Salcantay’s sister peak, Humantay (5,950 m / 19,700 ft). Overnight at campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we’ll be woken early with hot tea brought to our tents, and after breakfast we’ll get an early start on our day’s hiking. We’ll hike for about 3 hours, steadily gaining altitude, before stopping for a lunch break at Salcantaypampa (4,150 m / 13,600 ft), set in front of an enormous mass of glacial moraine. After a rest we continue on for 2-3 hours of steady hiking towards at our next camp of Ichupata (4,400 m / 14,400 ft), set on the flanks of the majestic peak of Mt Salcantay (6,271m / 20,574 ft), which dominates the skyline for most of our trekking days. The camp at Ichupata is cold due to its proximity to the Salcantay massif, but since our cooks and pack animals will have set out earlier, we should find the camp already set up and a fresh pot of hot tea awaiting our arrival! Overnight at campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

After a hearty cooked breakfast we set off to hike across one of Salcantay’s ridges and over the mountain pass of Incachiriasca. At an elevation of 4,870 m / 15,970, Incachiriasca is the highest pass of our trek, offering us spectacular views of our dramatic surroundings. After a stop at the pass to rest and take photos, we head down to follow the ancient trail to our next camp at Acobamba, set on a lovely little plateau above Sisaypampa. Overnight at campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Acobamba we descend into the scenic Pampacahuana valley, passing simple shepherd’s homes and scattered communities, and stopping to visit the extensive Incan ruins of Paucarcancha (3,350 m / 11,000 ft). From here we trek up the valley towards the Ancascocha Pass. Tonight we camp just above the small village of Q’esca, home to shepherds and potato farmers. (We might also consider staying higher up and taking an alternative route to Q’esca). Overnight at campsite

Meals:  B,L,D

Another early morning today as we begin our climb up to the second high mountain pass of our trek, the Ancascocha Pass (4,695 m / 15,400 ft). From here we begin a steady descent, hiking through dramatic mountain scenery and passing two pretty alpine lakes known for their large trout. Tonight we camp near the small farming village of Ancascocha. Overnight at campsite.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Ancascocha we head down a narrow valley whose rivers run right down into the mighty Amazon. As we descend, the sparse alpine vegetation begins to change and we start to encounter larger trees—a good chance to spot some of the most common Andean birds in this region: the black-throated flowerpiercer, great sapphirewing, rusty-fronted canastero, creamy-crested spinetail, and, if we remember to look up, the endangered Andean condor—among the largest and heaviest flying birds in the world. Near the end of our day’s trek, we reach Hatunrumiyoq from where we’ll have incredible views of the rugged snow-capped peak of Mt Veronica (5,980 m / 19,500 ft). Our trek concludes and we take our transfer to our accommodation at Ollantaytambo. Overnight - Hotel Pakaritampu (or similar)

Meals:  B,L

Today we will take an early train from Ollyantaytambo to KM104 where we’ll trek up to join the last few hours of the incredible Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Our walk today takes along an incredibly well preserved section of the trail all impressively set in high jungle. On the way we’ll take time out to explore the recently cleared extensive ruins of Wiñay Wayna. We finally reach Inti Punku (The Gateway to the Sun) where we’ll have awe-inspiring views of the ‘lost city’ of Machu Picchu. From here we hike down to this ancient Incan city past colossal walls and stairs made of impossibly large stone blocks. Your first view of the ruins really does take your breath away! We'll enjoy a professionally led tour of the site before heading down by bus to our hotel in Aguas Calientes for a well-deserved soak in the nearby hot springs (optional). Overnight - El Mapi Hotel (or similar)

Meals:  B,L

This morning you have the option to return to Machu Picchu to climb the challenging Huayna Picchu (at your own expense. PERMITS MUST BE PRE PURCHASED) or rest and explore the township of Aguas Calientes at your leisure. After lunch will transfer back to Cusco. Overnight - Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral (or similar)

Meals:  B

Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun, is the most important festival of the Inca Empire to celebrate the winter solstice. We will have a full day to witness the colourful celebrations at Sacsayhuaman and throughout the streets of Cusco. Tonight we'll enjoy a final dinner in Cusco to celebrate our trip (at your own expense). Overnight - Casa Andina Standard Cusco Catedral (or similar)

Meals:  B,L

Today our trip concludes with a transfer to the airport for our flight back home.

Meals:  B