Ancient Incas of Peru

B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner

Day 1 Arrive Lima

Today we will arrive in Lima at any time. There are no planned activities, so head out to explore the city. In the evening we will meet our Tour Guide and fellow group members to go over the details of our trip.

Day 2 Cuzco (B)

In the morning we take a quick flight to Cuzco, after which we will enjoy an orientation walk of this beautiful historic city. The remainder of the day is at our leisure to relax or explore the cobblestone streets during the afternoon and evening. Cuzco is considered the center of Peru. This beautiful colonial town offers much to the visitor with its nearby ruins, museums, churches and lively atmosphere. Among the more adventurous optional activities available to us in Cuzco are: horseback riding around archeological sites such as Sacsayhuaman, Tambo Machay and Puca Pucara, white water rafting on the Urubamba River, and mountain biking down to the Sacred Valley and a to an Inca ruin along the way.

Day 3 Urubamba (B,L,D)

An early start takes us from Cuzco with a Discovery Adventures Guide into the Sacred Valley for a full day tour. We visit the Planeterra Community Weaving Project and have the pleasure of meeting the women and watch them create their artist wares. Next we head out for a tour of the Pisac ruins and handicraft market, followed by quick stop into a Chicha House to try the popular local beverage, which is fermented from corn, similar to how beer is made. We arrive in the Inca town of Ollantaytambo for our first taste of what lies ahead on the Inca Trail. Our night is spent in a comfortable hotel in an idyllic setting outside of Ollantaytambo where we assist in the preparation of a thousand year-old tradition, a Pachamanca, an ancient ceremony akin to the Polynesian meal of burying a variety of delicious treats wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked with pre-heated rocks buried in the ground.

Days 4-7 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (4B,3L,3D)

We embark upon a once-in-a-lifetime journey on the ancient trail of the Incas and do it in style. Our deluxe trek offers comfortable mattresses, gourmet food and upgraded camping facilities. Friendly local porters and Discovery Advenures Guide ensure that our trip is worry-free. The 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is physically challenging but worthwhile and the excursion is within the ability of people who are reasonably fit. It is a 25-mile hike, with three high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 13776 ft. We depart Ollantaytambo for km 82 where we begin our walk in the footsteps of the Incas. With breathtaking views at every step, we move from high plateau areas to dense cloud forests. Depending on the season, we may see a great variety of flora, including miniature and large orchids and fiery rhododendron bushes. We pass several smaller ruin sites, the first of which is Llactapata. On our second day, we climb the long steep path to Dead Woman’s Pass. At 13769 ft above sea level, this pass is the highest point of the trek. The second pass of the hike is at 13113 ft where on clear days, we enjoy superb views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba mountains. The trail goes through some beautiful cloud forest on the gentle climb to the third pass, where we walk through a causeway and a tunnel, both original Inca constructions. The highest point of the third pass is at 12136 ft. On clear days we are rewarded with beautiful views of the Urubamba Valley below. Soon we reach the serene ruins of Phuyupatamarca, or the 'Town above the Clouds', at about 11972 ft above sea level. We camp here or an hour and a half further along close to Wiñay Wayna ruins, a grandiose terraced hillside site, with panoramic views of the valley below and just a short hike from Machu Picchu. On the final day of the hike we climb the steps to the Sun Gate overlooking the peaks that surround Machu Picchu. When the morning is clear, there is no way to describe the feeling of the first views of Machu Picchu, as the mist rises off the mountains early in the morning and the famous site appears in front of us.

Those choosing not to do the Inca Trail, will follow the below itinerary:

Day 4-7 Cuzco, Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (4B)

For those not hiking the Inca Trail, we return back to Cuzco on Day 4 where we visit a Planeterra street kids drop-in home. Before we arrive, we stop at a local market where we have the opportunity to buy gifts (food, pencils, stationery) for the project. Our Day 5 is at leisure with numerous optional activities for us to choose from. On Day 6, we enjoy a scenic train ride through the Andes to Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu. We take a brief orientation tour of the town and the remainder of the day is free for optional activities such as a visit to the hot springs, shopping or we can even venture up to Machu Picchu to have more time to explore. On Day 7, we rise early to meet up with the hikers at Machu Picchu for our guided tour and then return to Cuzco later in the afternoon.

Day 8 Lima (B)

A morning flight brings us back to Lima around midday. In the afternoon we enjoy a guided tour of the historical center of Lima, followed by a unique visit to Pueblo Libre, known especially for its historic association with Pisco production. We enjoy a typical pisco sour or some traditional food with the locals while soaking in the atmosphere.

Day 9 Depart Lima (B)

After choosing your desired tour, you will need to select a departure date that works for you. You can view all of our dates and prices on any tour page. You may also want to consider the need for a private room during the tour. Please remember to ask for an air quote. It is important however that you do not purchase tickets that carry cancellations penalties until your trip is guaranteed to run.

Availability Options

• Available – Trips marked as available means there are at least 4 spots left on your tour.
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Inca Trail Status - For Peru trips that involve hiking the Inca Trail permits often sell out many months in advance. Permits can either be available, on request or sold out. If sold out, then you can either take a different hiking route to Machu Picchu or extend your stay in Cuzco and visit Machu Picchu by train. We recommend the sooner you book your trip the better.

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