You will be met at the airport and privately escorted to your hotel.

The morning is at leisure to recover from the international flight. Afternoon city tour of Lima. The city has always been one of the most important cities in South America since it was founded by the Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Your sightseeing tour explores the historic quarter and modern districts of the city: the main square with beautiful buildings. The Government Palace, the City Hall, the Palace of the Archbishop and the Cathedral are still the most important places in town. You continue on to the San Francisco Monastery and then the most popular place, Plaza San Martin. Your tour ends in the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores.

Flight to Cusco. Our comprehensive afternoon tour includes the beautiful church of Santo Domingo, the Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, the amphitheater of Kenko. This is followed by a visit to Puca Pucara, a strategically located ‘red fortress’ that dominates the entire area before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.

Day at leisure. We suggest you to stroll through the streets of San Blas artisan quarter. Its steeped cobblestone alleys not only offer spectacular views of the city but are lined with workshops and galleries, a great way to soak in the artistic atmosphere. San Blas church houses an imposing pulpit considered one of New World’s finest woodcarvings. In case you may want to enjoy a good cup of coffee in a cozy atmosphere we suggest you to visit the Coffee Shop of Bartolome de las Casas Cultural Center. Here you'll find international newspapers as well as interesting books in different languages. Our last tip is to go for a stroll on board an old wooden streetcar, now motorized. The tour lasts 85 min. and departs several times daily from the Plaza de Armas.

A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 88 of the Machu Picchu railroad. After getting acquainted with our trail crew we set out, crossing a footbridge to hike a gentle two hours down the Urubamba canyon, and then visit imposing sculpted Inca farming terraces and the settlement of Llaqtapata on the banks of the Cusichaca side river. We then climb a short way up the Cusichaca valley to Wayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.

We climb the steep-sided Llullucha valley past a rushing stream and through enchanted native polylepis woodland. Crossing the rim of a small plateau, we abruptly find ourselves in the puna, the treeless grasslands of the high Andes. The trail traverses an open slope opposite mighty mountain crags as we ascend to the first and highest pass Warmiwañusca (4,200m/13,776ft). Here we encounter spectacular views of the trail ahead to the second pass, and look back to the sweeping snow-capped peaks and valleys of the Huayanay massif. Note the diversity of wild flora and fauna that can be found all along the valley. The trail descends to the floor of the forested Pacaymayo valley (3,600m /11,811ft), where we make camp.

This day is the longest but also the most impressive, due the number of archaeological sites that we visit and learn about from our guide. We pick up an Inca stairway and ascend again past the small Inca site of Runkuracay (3,970m / 13,024 ft). As we reach the second pass, the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snow-capped peaks of the Pumasillo range. We descend to the ruins of Sayacmarca (Inaccessible Town), an intricate labyrinth of houses, plazas and water channels, perched precariously on a rocky spur overlooking the Aobamba valley. The Inca trail, now a massive structure of granite paving stones, continues along the steep upper fringes of the cloud forest through a colorful riot of orchids, bromeliads, mosses and ferns. At the third pass pinnacles topped with Inca viewing platforms overlook the archaeological complex of Phuyupatamarca (Town over the Clouds). Pausing to explore the wondrous maze of Inca stone towers, fountains and stairways and also impressive views of the Urubamba River (2,700m/ 8,860 ft), we begin a long descent through ever-changing layers of cloud forest. An Inca stairway partly cut from living granite leads us finally to our camp by the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the largest and most exquisite of the Inca Trail sites.

An early morning hike takes us across a steep mountainside through lush, humid cloud-forest and broadleaf vegetation. Suddenly we cross the stone threshold of Intipunku (Sun Gate) and encounter an unforgettable sweep of natural beauty and human artistry –a backdrop of twisting gorge and forested peaks framing the magical city of Machu Picchu. We complete the final leg down the royal flagstone walkway, past outlying shrines and buildings and into the heart of Machu Picchu, where we spend the rest of the morning with a guided tour of the highlights and some individual exploring among Machu Picchu’s multitude of hidden nooks and corners. In the early afternoon a bus takes us to the small town of Aguas Calientes, where we board our return train to Cusco.

Day at leisure. Today you have the opportunity to explore Cusco’s markets on your own. Here you will have the chance to purchase all sorts of beautifully hand made items fashioned and sold by the local inhabitants. A memorable á la carte dinner in ‘La Cicciolina’ rewards you for the 4-day hard trek. This chic restaurant is considered by many as the best in town. It offers Mediterranean fare with local touches in a great atmosphere. You may either perch at the appealing bar for a drink and 'tapas' or sit in the cozy and originally decorated dining room. The restaurant serves adventurous dishes made with traditional Peruvian ingredients (e.g. alpaca, guinea pig or trout) using Mediterranean and Asian techniques. Additionally the menu includes a fine and vast selection of handmade pastas. A fantastic wine list complements your choice.

Flight to Lima. We suggest you to stroll through Barranco, Lima’s traditional ‘belle epoch’ district. Barranco is a pleasant suburb of Lima that has kept its character much better than most of the city and the bohemian heart of the city. At proper you will be transferred to the airport for your international flight.

Transfer from Cusco to the start of the trail for Inca Trail Classic

Entrance fees for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Three-season tents: 4-person expedition tent of high quality material for DOUBLE occupancy to offer more comfort and enough space for backpacks

One sleeping pad per person

Dining tent with tables and chairs

Kitchen tent

Toilet tent (only if assigned campsites do not have toilets)

Experienced English speaking guide

Cook and cooking equipment

Porters (to carry tents, food and cooking equipment)

Well-paid and well-treated porters (accommodation in tents for guides, cook and porters, no porters under age of 18, fair wage, no more than 18 kg of trek load, insurance in case of accident)

All camp waste is hauled out of the park

Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners + daily morning snack + daily tea service except last day)

Comprehensive first-aid kit including oxygen bottles

Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town - Train ticket Aguas Calientes – Cusco in the available class

Transfer from the train station in Cusco to your hotel ?

Personal porters can be hired to help carry your personal backpack and sleeping bag. A porter can carry up to 18 kg, what should be enough for two people.

Supplement for train ticket Machu Picchu-Cusco in Vistadome Class (First Class).

‘Eureka’ sleeping bag, extreme – 18°C (includes sleeping bag liner).

Thermarest self-inflating mattress.

An extra hotel night in Aguas Calientes can be arranged at additional cost (depending on the selected hotel category)

Original passport

Backpack

Rain jacket or poncho

Trekking shoes

Water bottle

Warm clothes (jacket, fleece and sweaters)

Flashlight and batteries

Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, rain or cold

Sun block and insect repellent

Towel and toilet paper

Snacks: biscuits, energy bars, chocolate, etc.

Cash (no ATM machines in Aguas Calientes)

Swimsuit (if you plan on visiting the hot springs at Aguas Calientes after the trek)

January: 7, 14, 21, 28

February: (Inca Trail closed)

March: 2, 4, 11, 18, 25

April: 21, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29

May: 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30

June: 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 30

July: 2, 4, 7, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 25, 28, 30

August: 1, 4, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 22, 25, 27, 29

September: 1, 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29

October: 3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31

November: 4, 11, 18, 25

December: 2, 9, 16, 21,23, 28,30