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

Your sightseeing tour explores Miraflores and San Isidro, the modern districts of Lima and its historic center, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassic movements also reached Peru and a handful of well-preserved buildings offer a glimpse of the blend of past and present that characterizes the capital. One of the best examples and included in our tour is the cathedral (16th century) containing the remains of the Spanish conqueror Pizarro. The next stop is at San Francisco the city’s most visited church (1674). Its underground tunnels lead to catacombs that served as cemetery until 1808 and still contain bones and skulls.

Flight to Cusco. Our comprehensive afternoon tour includes the major sites of interest in Cusco. The tour starts with Sacsayhuaman, a hilltop fortress that overlooks the city of Cusco. The largest stones used in its construction are nearly 8.5 m (28 ft) high and weigh 360 tons, fitting so perfectly together that a single piece of paper would not fit between two stones. Then we are driven to Kenko, the temple dedicated to Mother Earth. Before we head back to Cusco we stop at Puka Pukara (the red fortress) and Tambomachay (the resting place of the Inca). Once in the city we visit the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, a fine example of the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Just within walking distance we will enter the cathedral with its magnificently carved woodwork, ornate altar and many hundreds of canvases from the 17th-century 'Cusco Painting School'.

Day at leisure. Take the chance to explore the city in from a different perspective. A coach emulating the mule-pulled streetcars that once traversed Cusco takes you around the city. Several departures from the main square are offered daily. The ‘Tranvia de Cusco’ travels 75 minutes and passes by 40 attractions and sites around the city. Among others the beautiful Plaza Regocijo, the church La Merced (1651), the Fortress of Sasayhuaman and the statue Cristo Blanco. The tour costs S/. 25 per person and is accompanied by a Spanish/English speaking guide.

A spectacular early morning drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas takes us to our trailhead at Km. 82 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 to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the impressive Inca site of Llactapata (2,650 m / 8,692 ft) on the banks of the Kusichaca side river. We then gradually climb for about 5 hours the Kusichaca valley to Wayllabamba, the last inhabited village on the trail, where we camp.

Distance: 12 km (7,47 miles)

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Max. altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,000 m (9,840 ft)

We start today with the most difficult part of the trek. We climb for 9 km 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 Warmihuañusca (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 camp.

Distance: 11 km (6,84 miles)

Walking time: 6-7 hours

Max. altitude: 4,200 m (13,776 ft)

Campsite altitude: 3,500 m (11,480 ft)

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 Runkurakay (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.

Distance: 16 km (9,94 miles)

Walking time: 8 hours

Max. altitude: 3,900 m (12,792 ft)

Campsite altitude: 2,650 m (8,692 ft)

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.

Distance: 4 km (2,49 miles)

Walking time: 2 hours

Max. altitude: 2,700 m (8,829 ft)

Campsite altitude: 2,400 m (7,872 ft)

Note: park authorities may occasionally designate different campsites than those indicated in this itinerary

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.

This is the last venture of the young and talented chef Jaime Pesaque's that has already opened 'embassies of the Peruvian cuisine' in Punta del Este, Miami and New York. The menu features contemporary Peruvian cuisine made with local ingredients while the atmosphere vibes a casual chic ambiance. Designed by the renowned architect Jordi Puig, Calle del Medio, has a unbeatable location with views of Cusco's main square and the cathedral.

Flight to Lima. We suggest you a walk 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.

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

Entrance fees for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu

Three-season Timberline 4 Outfitter tents: 4-person expedition tent for DOUBLE occupancy to offer more comfort and enough space for backpacks

Foamy sleeping pad

Dining tent with tables and chairs

Kitchen tent

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 as mentioned in the itinerary (B: Breakfasts, BoxL: Box lunch, L: Lunch, D: Dinner) as well as daily morning snack and daily tea service except last day)

Boiled water during the mornings to refill water bottle

Warm water in the mornings and nights for washing

Comprehensive first-aid kit including oxygen bottles

Bus ticket from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes town

Transfer from the train station in Cusco to your hotel

Porter for your personal backpack and sleeping bag

Lunch and dinner on the last day of the Inca Trail

Sleeping bag (can be hired at an extra cost in Cusco)

Entrance fee for Huayna Picchu mountain

Tips

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

‘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)