Walking and journey times are approximate.

Day 2: Cusco (overnight Cusco).

Fly from Lima to Cusco and meet with your tour leader for the trip. Transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise as Cusco is at a height of 3400m. Why not take a look round Cusco’s beautiful Main Square.

Day 3: City Tour- Cusco (overnight Cusco).

Enjoy a guided city tour of this beautiful city. The tour starts at the impressive Colonial Cathedral in Cusco, after, visit the Temple of the Sun – Koricancha. From here we go by bus the visit the archaeological Inka sites that overlook Cusco: Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay.

Today we travel for 1½ hours to the town of Patabamba (3700m), where we will briefly visit the Artisan market. Later we will take a walk along an old horse trail where we will observe the wild vegetation and appreciate the remains of the Inca Path. As we reach the community of Siwa we will ascend gradually. The ascent increases the difficultly of the walk and we will arrive in 1 hours time at the Pukamarka Pass (4200m). Throughout, this hike has a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley and the Inca towns of Pisac, Coya, Lamay, Granary and all the mountains that surround the sector. After the lunch we will descend (approx 1 1/2 hours) to reach at the Archaeological Site of Huchuy Qosqo crossing by the Leon Punku Canyon where we can appreciate the Inca path. At Lamay our bus will collect us and transport us to our hotel in Pisaq where we will spend the night.

Day 5: Sacred Valley (Overnight Cusco).

We start our tour of the Sacred Valley by visiting the Inca ruins in Pisaq and then travel through the Sacred Valley and visit the town and Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is one of the few remaining truly Incan towns where people still live in traditional houses. Get a chance to learn a little about the local people, their way of life and their traditional weaving techniques. We return to our hotel in Cusco for the evening.

Day 6: Start Choquequirao Trek (camping) Cusco – Cachora -Chiquisca.

We leave early this morning and take our private to the town of Cachora (2850m), located to the north east of Cusco (3400m). It is here that we meet the horsemen and pack the horses with their load ready for our journey.They will carry all our camping equipment throughout our trek. Taking our day packs, we walk along the edge of the mountain. At the strategic viewpoint of Capuliyoc (2800m) we can see the first views of the archaeological site of Choquequirao, as well as of the impressive Apurimac Canyon and part of the Vilcabamba mountain range. We will find an increase in temperature as we enter deeper into the canyon. Tonight our campsite is in the forest of Chiquisca (1930m).
Approx. walking time 5 hours.

Enjoy a full breakfast as today is our “dia dificil” and we will need the energy! We begin by descending for approximately 30 minutes to Playa Santa Rosalinda (1500m), here we start our long ascent of the mountain. We reach Marampata (2850m), where we will have a beautiful view of the archaeological complex of Choquequirao and enjoy the more temperate climate of the mountainside. In the enigmatic evening of Choquequirao we may be lucky to observe the flight of Cóndor. Marampata will serve as our campsite for the night (2950m.).
Approx. walking time 7 hours.

Day 8: Choquequirao – Rio Blanco.

We can watch the dawn rise over Choquequirao or “Cuna de Oro” and explore the ruins for ourselves. Our knowledgeable tour leader will present us with information concerning the history, ruins and recent excavations. Even now, Choquequirao (3050m) keeps many ancient secrets, because at the moment only 30% of the archaeological site has been uncovered. After the visit, we head in the direction of Choquequirao Pass (3270m), and later to the ruins of Pinchaunuyoc 2450m. There, we descend to the deepest part of the canyon known as the White River(1900m). Here we will camp for the night.
Approx. walking time 6 hours.

Day 9: Rio Blanco – Minas Victoria.

Early in the morning, we will ascend towards the town of Maizal (3000m); this can prove to be quite a difficult section, as the path slopes through tropical forest. Later we continue our ascent along an ancient Inca path which is worsening due to the constant natural erosions of the mountain and the intense humidity of the place. Arrive at the interesting old silver mines of Mina Victoria thought to have been worked for over 1000 years. Camp over night at Minas Victoria (4000) for the night.
Approx. walking time 9 hours.

Day 10: Minas Victoria – Yanama:

This is one of the easiest days of our trek as we ascend to the San Juan Pass (4200m). From this location we have a magnificent view of the glaciers of Vilcabamba (5000m). From there we descend to the charming Andean village of Yanama (3530m), where we shall set up our campsite.

Day 11: Yanama – Totora Pampa.

At day break we will eat breakfast and climb to the highest point of our trek known as Yanama Pass (4500m), with hopefully spectacular views of the snow capped peak Salkantay (6264m), the highest peak in the region and most important in Inca times. In this region there is always the possibility of catching a glimpse of a condor in flight. We descend to our campsite in the small community of Totora.

Day 12: Totora Pampa – La Playa.

Our final day of hiking takes us through lush vegetation of coffee and tropical fruit plantations, into pristine cloud forest. We follow an ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata (2650m), an Inca site that is only recently being excavated. We will also have a truly amazing view of Machu Picchu that few tourists get to see from the back. We descend to the Urubamba valley to the hydroelectric plant from where a short but spectacular train journey brings us to the bustling tourist town now know as Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly called Aguas Calientes). Here we check into our hotel and enjoy a shower before heading out to sample one of the many restaurants and bars. There is also the option to enjoy the thermal springs.

Day 14: Visit Machu Picchu. (Overnight Cusco).

Day 15: Free Day Cusco.

Enjoy a relaxing day or take in some more of Cusco’s sights.  Perhaps shop for souvenirs, have a massage or look around the local market of San Pedro. (many other activities can be arranged through your tour leader – just ask).

Day 16: Lima

Day 17: Depart Peru.

Transfer to airport to catch your international flight.