Inca Trail and Lake Titicaca

The tour begins when we collect you from Lima International Airport and taken to your hotel where you check in.

Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned, so you may arrive at any time. We can organize guided city tours, recommend museums, or sightseeing tours.

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.  There are some excellent museums in Lima, well worth checking out.

The day starts with a flight from Lima to Cusco, the center if the Incan empire. You will be met at the airport by a representative. You will be transferred to the hotel, the rest of the day is free to unwind and acclimatize to the altitude (10,856 ft).

Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city of this continent as well as a hub of the South American travel network! The city attracts people from all around the world, who arrive not only to visit a unique destination, but also to experience an antique culture that differs a lot from the occidental 21st century´s way of life. One could easily spend a week just in and around this site. Inca-built stone walls line most of the central streets and it is not necessary to go far to see other major Incan ruins! This is a city steeped in history, traditions and legends!

Every year, Cusco is visited by thousands of travelers, who come to delve into its noble, but tragic past. It is a perfect base for optional explorations around the city´s surroundings as well as for a range of outdoor activities.

The most important monument of the Cusco City is without any doubt Qorikancha - the Golden Temple and the main temple of the Incan empire - Tawantinsuyo, where the Sun god was worshipped! 

Cusco also has got numerous colonial churches. The most important of them is the Cathedral on the main square. Its construction started in 1559 and it took 100 years to finish!! The Cathedral can pride on the biggest depository of Colonial art of the city! A vault containing remains of the famous Incan historian - Garcilaso de la Vega is just past the entrance. Other churches that are worth seeing are La Compañía, La Merced and San Francisco.
There are also some of the most fabulous ruins in and around Cusco. Saychaywaman, Q'enko, Tambomachay, Puca Pucara, Tipon to name a few.  They are large monolithic, mysterious and very advanced architecture and construction.

Take a day trip to the ageless Sacred Valley. En route you will see Inca terracing that ascends the steep valley walls, the destroyed temples of Pisac and sweeping vistas of ragged grey mountains. Acquaint yourself to the local culture of Pisac, the hometown of one of the best fabric markets in the Andes.The archaeological site of Pisac is located on the hill called Intihuatana, with a set of platforms and an impressive view of the valley. We stop in Urubamba for a buffet lunch (not included). Continuing the journey; we travel to Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft), a little town with a dramatic Inca fortress. Overnight at hotel in Ollantaytambo.

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We spend the night in this small town before heading for the start of the hike on the next morning.

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a famous trek to Peru, the hike the Inca Trail involves 4 days treks with professional guide, cook and porters.

Inca Trail Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco - Km 82 - Llullucha Pampa

Early morning, we pick you up from your hotel and take you by our private transport to the starting point of this 4 day Inca Trail hike - Piscacucho, also called Km 82 (2,350 m). There, your Tour Guide gives you a briefing about the following Machu Picchu trek and after that, you cross the checking point of the Classic Inca Trail. Then you hike along the Urubamba River visiting the Incan archaeological sites of Willca Raccay and the enormous Llactapata. Later on, you continue up to the Cusichaca River Canyon offering magnificent views of the Cordillera Oriental; particularly, the Veronica Mountain (5,850 m). You have lunch in Chamana to later continue along the Cusichaca River observing several Incan agricultural stepped terraces and irrigation channels until reaching the picturesque village of Wayllabamba. Thereafter, you start ascending while appreciating various eco-systems along the way. Later in the afternoon, you get to the village of Llullucha Pampa, a place of your first campsite (3,850 m). There you have dinner and a rest afterward.

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours

Trekking distance: 17 km

Max. elevation: 3,850m (12,630 ft)

Min. elevation: 2,600 m (8,530 ft)

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Day 2: Llullucha Pampa - Chaquicocha

Early after breakfast, you continue your Machu Picchu hike ascending towards the highest point of the trail - Abra Warmiwañusqa (= Dead Woman´s Pass) at 4,200 metres passing through the cloud forests of Yunkachimpa and Corral Punku offering excellent views of surrounding snowcapped peaks. From Warmiwañusqa, you descend to the Pacaymayo Valley (3,300 m), where you have a lunch break. Then you continue hiking through the valley to the Inca´s ruins of Runkuracay where a guided tour follows. Afterwards, you climb up and get over the second pass - Abra Runkurakay (3,860m) walking on this "Royal Inca´s Highway" down to the next Inka site - Sayacmarca. On the way, you pass the Yanacocha Lake. In the end, we get to our second campsite - Chaquicocha (3,670 m).

Estimated trekking time: 7-8 hours

Trekking distance: 12 km

Max. elevation: 4,200 m (12,630 ft)

Min. elevation: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)

Difficulty: Challenging

Day 3: Chaquicocha - Wiñay Wayna

Today, we start hiking passing through lovely subtropical vegetation and many important archaeological sites. Before we reach the first site, we get over Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,670 m) and just behind it, we can see the Phuyupatamarca Inka complex (3,600 m), one of the best preserved and most completed sites of this 4 day Inca Trail hike. The complex is located on the top of a mountain and it corresponds with its Quechuan name that means the "Town above the Clouds". After a guided tour, we have lunch there. Then, we start a steep descent via a cloud forest offering an opportunity to see beautiful orchids and different bird species on the way to our last campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2,700 m). There, we have a guided tour of the same-named impressive archaeological complex consisting of a religious sector, urban sector and an agricultural centre with lots of stepped terraces. Afterwards, we are served dinner and then we go to sleep to get ready for the exciting Machu Picchu hike!!

Estimated trekking time: 5-6 hours

Trekking distance: 10 km

Max. elevation: 3,670 m (12,040 ft)

Min. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)

Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4: Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco

This is the last day of the Machu Picchu 4 day hike so we get ready early in the morning and after breakfast, we start climbing antique steps to Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) to see 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, depending on the chosen circuit, you have an opportunity to climb either the peak of Wayna Picchu (45 minutes up and the same time back) orMachu Picchu Mountain (1 hour, 30 minutes up and down) on your own to take some panoramic pictures of Machu Picchu!! This 4 day trek to Machu Picchu finishes by afternoon's descend to the town of Aguas Calientes where we take a train back to Cusco. Arrival in the evening.

Estimated trekking time: 3 hours

Trekking distance: 4 km

Max. elevation: 2,700 m (8,860 ft)

Min. elevation: 2,400 m (7,875 ft)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Today is a relaxing day, free time to explore the fascinating imperial city of the Incas, visit its market, buy souvenirs, take optional activities, and get ready for one last night in the city

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.

Today, very early, transfer to boat, excursion boat across Lake Titicaca; on the trip we will visit two different islands. Firstly we'll visit Uros, floating islands, where people Andean live or Aymara, and then we'll visit the Amantani Island where we will have a warm reception of the local people. In the afternoon we do a trip to theTemple of Pachamama Pachatata or with the Guide. In the evening the family will make a welcome reception for new visitors with folk music. Here appreciate the traditional life for the local people.

 
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.

Transfer to the airport of Juliaca (a city nearby Puno) to take a flight to Lima.

Please note: A return flight to Lima can be arragend upon request. 

End of service, or a perfect time to extend your trip.
To do so, please contact us.

• Welcome by our Representative at arrival
• All airport arrival and departure transfers
• Accommodation: 3* hotels (8 nights), campsites (3 nights), a local homestay on Amantani Island (1 night)
• All entrance fees according to the itinerary
• Bilingual local Tour Guides as per itinerary
• A Cook for the Inca Trail
• Porters to carry food, camping and cooking equipment and 7 kg of each passenger's stuff during theInca Trail
• Meals: 12x breakfast, 7x lunch, 4x dinner, 3x afternoon tea during the Inca Trail;
• Camping equipment of the Inca Trail: personal double tents, sleeping foam matts, tables and chairs, a cooking tent with cooking equipment, dining and toilet tents
• Duffel bag
• Daypack
• A blanket and pillow 
• Rain ponchos
• Food for the Inca Trail
• A sleeping bag (for up to -5°C) for the Inca Trail
• 1x domestic flight: Lima - Cusco
• Tourist land transportation in accordance with the itinerary
• A shuttle bus down from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes Town
• Tourist train (Expedition) from Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) to Ollantaytambo
• Motorboat transportation on the Titicaca Lake.

• Pre & post tour accommodation,
• Last flight Juliaca-Lima,
• International flights and airport departure taxes,
• Meals not mentioned,
• Travel insurance,
• Tips and baggage portage to local staff (please note: it is a custom to give tips in Peru, however, it is not obligatory),
• Other extras not specified.
• Meal budget: Please allow USD 100-150 for meals not included.
• 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: There is one local flight included in the cost of your tour. It is very important that we have got your passport details at the time of booking in order to process all air tickets! Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to each flight departure!

Highlights by Archaeological Sites

Best moment from the Trek

Encampment Equipment

Additionals