WONDERS OF THE INCA TRAIL 11 Days / 10 Nights Itinerary

FULL ITINERARY

• welcome to Peru! Once you arrive at the  Lima International airport, look for your Authentic Peru Travel representative, who will be waiting for you. We will transfer you directly to your hotel located in the  Miraflores touristic district. Then, we will help you to check-in and to settle down at your hotel.
• You might have some free time to wander around the city on your own, exploring the surrounding areas at your own pace! We highly recommend that you  walk around the “Miraflores Boardwalk” to get the most beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, or just to stretch out your legs! In the evening, we recommend that you  enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the world-renowned restaurants in Lima “The Capital of the Peruvian Gastronomy”. Finally, spend a peaceful  night’s rest at your hotel, because the next day will be a big day!

Overnight in Lima.
Meals included: none.

• This morning enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel.
• Your private tour guide will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel to transfer you to the heart of the “City of the Kings”, where you will enjoy exploring the Plaza San Martin and Jiron de la Union, a fascinating boulevard that leads to Plaza de Armas, the main square. Following this, we will visit the Monastery of San Francisco, where you can see the enigmatic catacombs!, a World Heritage listed site. This monastery is renowned for its Spanish baroque architecture. The first cemetery of Lima, the catacombs, is hidden underneath the monastery’s floors.
• Visiting the Larco Museum in Lima is a fantastic way to delve into Peru’s pre-Columbian history. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of ancient artifacts, particularly those from the Moche and Inca civilizations.
• Then, we will go to a gorgeous seaside restaurant where we will taste the best of Peruvian cuisine. After finishing lunch, our driver will take you to your hotel where you will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure.
• Spend a beautiful afternoon at your own pace enjoying  your hotel or exploring the Miraflores Touristic district. This evening for dining we recommend that you consider the restaurants Central or Maido. Both of them are considered to be the best  in the country and currently holding positions # 1 and #6 respectively in the world’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023. Please remember that it is necessary to secure reservations in advance!.

Overnight in Lima.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

• At a previously arranged time, our staff will pick you up and escort you to Lima International Airport where you will take an hour and ten minute flight to Cusco. Upon your arrival to Cusco, known as “The Archaeological Capital of America”, you will be greeted and welcomed by a Authentic Peru Travel representative.
• Then, we will start our tour through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. First, we will visit the exceptional project of Awanakancha where locals use their ancestor’s techniques to transform the fur of the South American camelids into clothes through traditional weaving. We will witness people weave beautiful textiles such as multi-colored belts and exquisitely embroidered blankets and see the complete procedure of this art.
• Then, we will continue through the valley until we reach the town of Pisaq which boasts a great Incan archaeological site with magnificent terraced fields on the mountains. Once back in town, we will visit the traditional market, famous for its beautiful handicrafts made by local people.
• Finally, you will be escorted to your hotel for the night which is surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Sacred Valley.

Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

• We will have a delicious breakfast at the hotel.
• Then, our tour guide and private transportation will pick us up to start our private tour to Ollantaytambo. This was the Last Incan refuge during Spanish colonization and is a place which will make you feel like you have stepped back in time due to the style of the buildings.
• After, we will have a delicious lunch in Urubamba.
• Then, we will visit the salt mines located northwest of the town of Maras. Here, we will  find around 4000 small wells that are still used by local people today to provide themselves with salt. Next, we will go to the incredible circular terraces of Moray which were used as a kind of Incan laboratory to acclimatize crops.
• Finally, you will be escorted to your hotel which is surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Sacred Valley.

Overnight in Sacred Valley.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

• Today, very early in the morning, we will commence our journey on the majestic Inca Trail. Your tour guide and private transportation will pick you up from your hotel to transport you to KM82 Piscacucho, located just 20 minutes from Ollantaytambo.
• Upon arrival, we will be introduced to our chef and support staff, who will be accompanying us throughout the entire Luxury Inca Trail Trek. Starting from KM82 (2,700m, 8,850ft), our initial destination will be the Wayllabamba Campsite.
• The first two hours of the trek involve a gently paced ascent until we reach Miskay, a picturesque area where our chef and porters will have a prepared lunch waiting for us. Following lunch, we will embark on 3-4 hours of steady uphill climbing, depending on the pace.
• En route, we will be treated to breathtaking views of the first Incan ruin along the Inca Trail, named Llactapata. This site was primarily utilized for agricultural production. Here, you will have an excellent opportunity to pause, capture photos, and delve into the history of the area.
• As the day concludes, we will reach the village of Wayllabamba. The chef and porters will reward you by having your tent set up and your dinner ready and waiting for you.
• Finally, you will have time to unwind and await the arrival of nightfall.

Overnight in Wuayllabamba Campsite.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• Early in the morning, you will wake up to find hot water conveniently placed in front of your tent. Following this, you will indulge in a delicious breakfast to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
• Today’s journey will commence from an elevation of 3,000m or 9,850ft, and over the course of five hours, we will ascend to an altitude of 4,200m or 13,800ft, reaching the pinnacle known as Dead Woman’s Pass. This marks the highest point of the Inca Trail, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the Andean Mountains and their surroundings.
• Having conquered the most challenging segment of the Inca Trail, we will descend for approximately one hour before reaching the next stopping point, where our chef and porters will have prepared a well-deserved lunch.
• Following lunch, we will descend for an additional hour, arriving at the Pacaymayo Campsite, where you can spend the remainder of the day in relaxation.
• In the evening, a delightful dinner, expertly crafted by our chef, awaits you.
• Then, you will have the rest of the evening to unwind and await the arrival of nightfall.

Overnight in Pacaymayo Campsite.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• First, we will enjoy breakfast before continuing our hike along the Inca Trail.
• Today’s journey will lead us to several archaeological sites along the trail. Initially, we will reach The Runkuracay Pass (3,900m or 12,800ft), where you can explore a beautiful, circular, walled ruin. This site served as a stable resting place for couriers and their animals during their travels along the Inca Trail. Additionally, from this pass, we will be treated to breathtaking views of surrounding mountains, including Salkantay and Veronica, with their snow-capped peaks.
• Following this pass, the remainder of the day will be predominantly a downhill hike along the remarkable, original path constructed during the Incan period. Along the way, we will traverse original tunnels. Our journey will then lead us to Sayaqmarca, an inaccessible old Incan town situated atop a steep cliff.
• After Sayaqmarca, we will follow the Inca trail to the enchanting ruin of Phuyupatamarka, believed to be an important religious site featuring sacred baths for ceremonial purposes
• A delightful lunch will be served at this site.
• Subsequently, we will descend a set of stairs to Wiñaywayna, our campsite for the night, where you will have the rest of the evening to unwind.
• Once there, the chef will prepare an exquisite dinner for you before you retire for the night.

Overnight in Wiñaywayna Campsite
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

• Today, we will need to rise early in the morning to continue our journey along the Inca Trail. After a challenging uphill walk of an hour and a half, we will reach The Sun Gate, known as “Intipunku,” the entrance to Machu Picchu.
• Congratulations! You will have officially completed the Inca Trail and will be rewarded with a majestic view of Machu Picchu, “The Lost City of The Incas.” From this vantage point, we will overlook the entire site of Machu Picchu and the beautiful mountain of Huayna Picchu.
• Following this, we will embark on a short downhill walk to Machu Picchu. In this sacred Incan site, you will delve into the history of the city and visit its truly remarkable temples. We will explore the aqueducts, houses, and share interesting facts about the sacred Incan terraces. After our guided tour of Machu Picchu, you will have ample time to independently explore this truly magnificent site.
• You might choose to visit the Incan Bridge, a secret entrance exclusively used by the Incan Army. Additionally, there’s an optional opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain; please note that there are only 400 spaces available daily, so it’s essential to book in advance with us.
• In the afternoon, you will return to Aguas Calientes, where you will spend a well-deserved night in a hotel.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch.

• Without a doubt, Machu Picchu is one of the most extraordinary places in the world. For many, a visit here represents the realization of a lifelong dream. Machu Picchu provides a variety of enjoyable hikes ranging from 1 to 3 hours. It is possible to undertake these hikes, such as the Wayna Picchu Mountain or the Sun Gate trek, independently.
• We will enjoy lunch at a charming restaurant located on the plaza.
• Afterward, you will return by train to Ollantaytambo and then take a bus to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch.

• Leaving early by private transportation, we will visit Sacsaywaman, a vast fortress built on three platforms overlooking the city of Cusco. From here we continue to Qenqo, a site of worship with a high rock carved into the shape of a puma. This feature dominates a series of canals and passageways also painted with animals. The road then continues uphill to Pukapukara and Tambomachay, the latter an interesting site containing Incan baths. We will then return to Cusco and visit the main attractions around the Plaza de Armas such as the Cathedral of Cusco and the Sun Temple of Qorikancha inside the Temple of Santo Domingo.
• After this, we will take you back through the city to your hotel.

Overnight in Cusco
Meals included: Breakfast.

• Depending on the departure time of your flight, our staff will pick you up and escort you to the airport by private transportation. Once at the airport, our program will conclude.

Meals included: Breakfast

This program will allow you to visit: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu. Additionally, you can add more exciting day tours in Cusco or another destination in Peru. This is just a suggested itinerary and can be customized based on your preferences, interests, and time constraints. Please see our package list for more options

The price is fully customizable and can be tailored and flexible in accordance  with your personal preferences and style. The price is basically determinated by final accommodation, travel dates and other custom preferences during the tour.

Included:

• 10 nights lodging at the hotels mentioned in the program, On Double Occupancy.
• All Excursions And Tours In Private Service.
• All transfers and transportation with private van.
• A Professional Driver.
• All entrance tickets to all the attractions mentioned in the program.
• One-way VISTADOME train ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Round trip bus ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu.
• Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
• A Professional English Speaking Tour Guide.

RECOMMENDED To Bring Within The Inca Trail

• Backpack and Daypack.
• Hiking shoes or boots.
• Rain coat or poncho.
• Water bottle, flash light, hat, sun block, sunglasses.
• Warm clothes, light clothes, 4 pairs of socks. Insect repellent.
• Bottle of water.
• Chocolates, candies or other snacks.
• Camera + films / video camera (optional).

RECOMMENDED HOTELS

The list below shows our recommended hotels that our travel experts have selected for each destination to make your vacation the best experience featuring superior service, good location, and all facilities necessary for a comfortable stay. We can book any Peru hotel for you, even if it is not on our list. Please just contact us for more information.

GALLERY