After all these months and weeks of preparing and talking about this adventure, it is finally time to depart! You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel where you are free to rest in the hotel or explore as a group the cosmopolitan area around Miraflores, the suburb of Lima where our hotel is located. Some of Lima's best galleries and shops and restaurants are found in this area. Founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima is the oldest capital in South America, with a superb combination of Spanish Colonial and 19th century European architecture.

Meals:  Nil

You tour starts in downtown Lima, where you make a scenic tour of the built-up area, a World Heritage listed by UNESCO. Arrive at the Plaza Mayor from where you can see the Presidential Palace and the Cathedral of Lima, imposing buildings of Spanish influence. On the way back to Miraflores, you will have a panoramic view of the Huaca Pucllana, an ancient archaeological centre made up of pyramids, ramps and deposits in the middle of the city. Finally, pass through the famous Love Park, inaugurated on February 14, 1993, from where you have a privileged view of the Pacific Ocean.

Meals:  B

An early morning departure after breakfast for the short but spectacular flight to Cusco (3,400 m) (10,200 ft), arriving there around mid morning. You'll be met by your guide and transferred from Cusco airport to our hotel for a short initial briefing and then a few hours of rest, essential to initiate successful acclimatization. In the evening you'll have a longer briefing to discuss aspects of the itinerary and in particular the trek.

Meals:  B

Enjoy a guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour begins with a visit to the Convent of Santo Domingo, which was built over the Inca temple of Coricancha, one of the most important precincts dedicated to the cult of the sun. Ancient chronicles say that its walls were covered with gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Next, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the Plaza de Armas. Then head to the hills of Cusco where the fortress of Sacsayhuaman is located, whose imposing walls offer an impressive panoramic view of Cusco. Continue to Qenqo, an archaeological complex of religious use where it is believed that the Incas practiced rituals related to agriculture. Continue the tour to Puka Pukara, the "red fort" in Quechua; an architectural complex of supposed military use, with multiple environments, plazas, baths, aqueducts and towers. It is believed to have been used by the Inca entourage while the leader rested in Tambomachay, which is the last archaeological stop on the tour. It is believed that it was an enclosure of water worship, which had an extraordinary hydraulic system. At the end of the tour, return to your hotel.

Meals:  B,L

You will start your tour en route to the Pisac market, which has scores of stands that exhibit and sell products manufactured by the residents of the area everyday. Beautiful alpaca textiles, musical instruments, paintings, carvings, necklaces and replicas of old Inca pieces stand out. You will continue to the Pisac archaeological vestiges, which as the largest complex of terraces in the area and a masterpiece of the agriculture of the Inca Empire. Next, free time for lunch at the previously agreed restaurant and then you will visit the Ollantaytambo Park, making a series of tops at points of interest. The Ollantaytambo town, typical example of the urban planning of the Incas, whose residents still live in accordance with their old traditions. Pachacútec (1438-1471) conquered the town, destroyed it and built a new one, absorbing it as part of his empire. It exhibits one of the most remarkable complexes of the Inca Empire. You will return to your hotel in Ollantaytambo at the end of the tour.

Meals:  B,L

We pick you up early in the morning from your hotel to Piscacucho (Km. 82), which is the start point of the Inca Trail. We will make a stop at Ollantaytambo Town for 15 to 20 minutes. Once we reach Piscacucho, we begin our hike until reaching a nice and quiet campsite near Wayllabamba where you will stay. Lunch will be served on the way. At the camp, dinner will be served and spend the night. Hiking distance: 12 km (7.7 mi) Hiking time: approximately 5 - 6 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After having breakfast, we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent toward the highest pass on the trail known as Warmi wañusca (4,200 m)(13,776 ft). Then we begin the descent to our second campsite in Pacaymayo, where we will have lunch and dinner. Walking distance: 11.5 km (7.2 mi) Walking time: approximately 6 - 7 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

The third day is the longest one, but also the most impressive and the most interesting, due the number of archaeological sites and the lush cloud forest area that we cross that is so rich in Andean flora and fauna. From Pacaymayo we climb to Runquracay Pass, and then descend to our lunch stop at Chaquicocha. Next we will continue up an easy climb, until we reach Phuyupatamarca Pass (3,700 m) (12,073 ft), walk on through the cloud forest until we reach our final campsite at Wiñayhuayna (2930 m) (8,792 ft). At the campsite, dinner will be served and then spend the night. Hiking distance: 16 km (10 mi) Hiking time: 8 - 9 hours

Meals:  B,L,D

After a good night's sleep at this lower altitude, and an early breakfast, we start the last day of the trek. We walk down along an incredibly well preserved section of the trail with great white granite slab walls and staircases all impressively set in high jungle. On the way we'll take time out to explore the recently cleared extensive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, before covering the last couple of miles to finally reach Inti Punku (The Gateway to the Sun) awe-inspiringly set above the 'lost city' of Machu Picchu. Your first view of the ruins really does take your breath away! After a brief 'first look' at the ruins, we head down to our hotel in Aguas Calientes for a well deserved soak in the nearby hot springs (optional). *Important: It is important to be aware that, because of all the rules on the Inca Trail, there may be changes in the actual trek itinerary and the campsites we use.

Meals:  B,L

Today we start early to thoroughly explore these remarkable and truly enigmatic ruins. After a professionally led tour of the site we're free to explore the rest of the amazing sights. Mid-afternoon we depart from Machu Picchu for the extremely pretty train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco.

Meals:  B

To begin our trip from Cusco to Puno, board the touristic bus that will take you through the wonderful Andes sceneries. First, stop in Andahuaylillas, a town located 40 km (25 mi) from Cusco that has as its main attraction the Church of Andahuaylillas, nicknamed the ‘Sistine Chapel of America’, due to the impressive art found in it. After this, continue the route to Racchi, where the Wiracocha Temple is located, a surprising 30 m (90 ft) wide by 20 m (60 ft) high construction of rectangular shape. Have a tasty lunch in Sicuani, followed by a brief stop in La Raya, the highest point between Puno and Cusco, over 4,313 m (12,939 ft) above sea level. Then, arrive at the town of Pucara, where the Pucara Lithic Museum is located. Developed between the years 100 and 300 AC, this town was the first proper urban settlement of the lacustrine highlands. Finally, arrive in the city of Puno.

Meals:  B,L

Leave the port of Puno to the vastness of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world and part of the border between Peru and Bolivia; countries sharing the Aymara population indiscriminately. The lake covers more than 8000 km2 (5000 mi2) and its islands have developed different communities that maintain their ancestral customs and clothing up today. Taquile, Uros and Amantani are the main islands. Your first stop will be at Uros; an ancient society that populates a series of artificial islands made of reeds. These are made weaving reeds in areas where it grows thicker forming a natural layer. Then visit Amantaní; a circular island with an average díameter of 3.4 km (2 mi) whose rich highland customs have captured the attention of travellers from all over the world. In the evening dine at your host´s house and then, if desired, participate in a rural musical performance before bedtime

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast you will board a motorboat to head to the island of Taquile, which is Quechua speaking, unlike the other Aymara-speaking islands in the lake. In Taquile you will have lunch at a local restaurant. Then return to the boat and head back to the city of Puno. Transfer to Juliaca airport to take your flight to Lima. Arrive at Lima Airport. A transportation service and a guide will pick you up from the airport at the scheduled time to transfer you to your hotel in Lima. The Peruvian capital is a modern metropolis full of history, currently undergoing an exciting process of cultural and economic changes.

Meals:  B

Catch your return flight home.

Meals:  B