EA Special - Price includes domestic flights

This is the highly revered hike along the Inca Trail to the World Heritage Site of Machu Picchu. Uniquely perched in the Peruvian Andes, you will be in awe of the Inca’s ingenuity. You will also spend time visiting the original Inca city of Cusco and the authentic towns and markets of the Sacred Valley.

Type: Off Your Bike
Cultural: High
Physical: Moderate-Strenuous... but trail porters carry your gear!
Group size: maximum of 12
Transport: Local flight, train, van, hiking
Accommodation: 3+ star hotels; full-service camping

(click on any of the days below for more detail)

Upon your arrival at Lima International Airport we will transfer you to your hotel at the beach side town of Miraflores. Take a stroll down to the beach park of Parque del Amor, or enjoy the many street side cafes and seafood restaurants of Miraflores.

Accommodation at Casa Andina Miraflores Centro Hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel before we transfer to the airport for an hour flight to the bustling ancient Inca city of Cuzco.

We take a private tour of the city, starting out at the Santo Domingo convent monastery. This former Colonial monastery was previously the Koricancha temple, one of the most important temples devoted to worship of the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold Leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Also included in the tour are stops at the Plaza de Armas (the heart of the Inca Capital) and the Cathedral. After touring the most interesting sites of the city, you will be driven to the countryside outside Cuzco to visit some of the remarkable Inca ruins in the area. Included are the cultural centre of Sacsayhuaman, the temple and amphitheatre of Kenko, and the Red Fortress of Puca Pucara.

Accommodation at Casa Andina Plaza Hotel.

Our escorted tour takes us through the picturesque "Sacred Valley of the Incas" to visit the ruins that are regarded as the best surviving example of Inca city planning, Ollantaytambo. Walk through the quaint cobblestone streets of the nearby town that has been inhabited since the 13th century. Then, we take a drive through the Valley to the rural village and fabulous craft and food market at Pisac. If time permits (and if you have the stamina!) there is a stiff but spectacular climb to Pisca’s Inca fortress.

From the top of the island you will be able to see the Andes of Bolivia. After lunch take a quick dip in the beautiful clear blue waters of the Lake before we make the return trip to Puno.

Accommodation at Casa Andina Private Collection Hotel

And so the real dventure begins! We drive to Piskacuchu (2700m/8856ft), a community located on the 82nd kilometer of the Cusco–Machupicchu railroad, which is the starting point of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its left shore as it flows northwest along the Sacred Valley. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2800m/9184ft), to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2650m/8692ft). We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach the community of Wayllabamba (3000m/9840ft), where we set our first camp. All along the way we enjoy spectacular views of the Vilcanota ridge on the opposite side of the Urubamba River, where the impressive Veronica peak reigns at 5832 meters above sea level. Not to mention the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley.


After an early breakfast you will leave Wayllabamba behind to begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that is 9km long. During this climb, the landscape changes from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation). On the way to the first mountain pass, Abra Warmihuanusca (Dead Woman's Pass), you will see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at this altitude. You will also cross an area of the so-called cloud forest, the habitat of many different species of birds such as hummingbirds, sparrows, and the Andean bear, also known as the spectacled bear (Thermarctos orantus). We suggest that your day pack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves. Consuming easily digestible foods with high sugar content will not only maintain your energy, but help combat altitude sickness. Immediately after the pass you'll descend into the Pacaymayo Valley (3600 masl) where we will set up camp after approximately 6 hours of hiking.

This day is the longest but also the most impressive and interesting of all due the number of archaeological sites that you will visit and learn about from your guide. From Pacaymayo you'll go to the second pass, the Abra de Runkurakay (3960). Half way up, you'll visit the archaeological complex with the same name. This site, located at 3800 masl, consists of a small oval structure that is believed to have served as a watchtower. After going over the pass you will descend towards Yanacocha (Black Lagoon) and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayamarca (3624 masl). This beautiful complex consists of a semicircular construction with enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb, you will arrive at the third pass, the Abra de Phuyupatamarca (3700 masl). During this climb you'll be able to appreciate the magnitude of the Incas' ancient craft by walking along paths semi-detached from the mountain and perfectly arranged stone work bridging ravines. These protect the trail from problems arising from the multileveled Andean geography. You will go through an Inca tunnel to later arrive at the pass described above, then down to the complex of the same name. This is one of the most complete and best preserved archaeological complexes along the Inca Trail, and is located on the highest point of a mountain. Not surprisingly, Phyupatamarca means "town over the clouds". From one can observe a sophisticated sacred complex made up of water fountains with solid foundations and an impressive view of the Urubamba River (2700 masl). At this campsite you will find a lodge with a restaurant, bar and bathrooms with hot showers. The campsite has the same name as the complex and is located only five minutes away from the lodge, Winaywayna. This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural centre with numerous terraces, a religous sectorand an urban area.

On this last day of hiking. you'll awake at 4:00 am to leave Winaywayna an hour later and climb to Intipunku, or the Sun Gate. This will take an hour hiking along a trail of stones on the edge of cliffs in highland jungle. From this unique vantage point, you will see the sun rise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu. From Intipunku you'll descend into Machu Picchu, and 40 minutes later enter the citadel from its highest point, the "House of the Guardians". You'll take a complete guided tour of the Inca citadel lasting approximately two hours. You will then have time to walk around, climb Huayna Picchu, where there's a splendid view of the entire citadel, the valleys and the surrounding mountains. Or you may wish to visit the Temple of the Moon and the impressive Inca bridge. In the afternoon, we meet back in the town of Aguas Calientes where, if you like, you can relax in the thermal baths.

Accommodation at Hatuchay Tower Hotel

You will spend another full day at Machu Picchu with a prívate local guide to really absorb the remarkable energy of this citadel. We also recommend that you wake up early to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu. This is a once-in-a-lifetime sight. It is also worth the almost vertical climb to the peak of Huayna Picchu. The views are your reward!

Accommodation at Hatuchay Tower Hotel.

Morning to rest your weary legs and soak up the atmosphere of Agua Calientes its hot springs and its bustling market. In the afternoon, you will return to Ollanta station for the train ride back to Cuzco.

Accommodation at Casa Andina Plaza Hotel

Morning in Cuzco to explore the city, shop or visit a local school. In the afternoon we will fly from Cuzco to Lima and provide assistance at the airport for departing international flights.