Day 1 (Monday)
Morning flight from the UK to Lima, arriving evening the same day. You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel (2 nights).
Day 2 (Tuesday)
Free day in Lima. Optional Colonial Lima excursion.
Day 3 (Wednesday)
Transfer to the Cruz del Sur coach terminal for the 4 hour 'Cruzero' coach service down the coast direct to your hotel in Ica, a desert town (2 nights). In the afternoon, take a light aircraft flight over the Nazca Lines, which can only be appreciated from the air.
Day 4 (Thursday)
A free day around Ica. Visit the excellent local museum or vineyards, relax around the pool, try sandboarding on the dunes or hire a sand buggy.
Day 5 (Friday)
A one hour drive to Paracas is followed by an exciting boat ride to the Ballestas Islands wildlife sanctuary, where sea lions and penguins provide the entertainment. Return to Lima in the afternoon.
Day 6 (Saturday)
Morning flight to Cusco, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon free (4 nights).
Day 7 (Sunday)
Join us on a guided tour of Inca Cusco (optional).
Day 8 (Monday)
Free day in Cusco.
Day 9 (Tuesday)
Optional excursion to the Sacred Valley, including the famous market in Pisac.
Day 10 (Wednesday)
An early morning drive to the start of the trail, which follows the Urubamba River before starting to climb. We pass several Inca sites before arriving at Huayllabamba at 3,000m, where we have dinner and camp for the night.
Day 11 (Thursday)
A tough, but rewarding, day begins with a steep climb to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4,200m, from where the views are spectacular. We descend to our camp in the Pacamayo Valley.
Day 12 (Friday)
We climb again, crossing the second pass at 4,000m, seeing several Inca ruins on the way. The trail clings to the side of the mountain, passing through an Inca tunnel, before emerging to views of the cloud forest below. The path drops steeply, arriving at the fabulous Inca site of Wiñay Wayna, where we spend the night.
Day 13 (Saturday)
We set off before dawn, arriving at the Sun Gate in time for sunrise and our first view of Machu Picchu. Carrying on to the ruins we have a guided tour before descending to the valley, and perhaps resting our weary bodies in the hot springs of Aguas Calientes. We catch the afternoon train back to Cusco (2 nights).
Day 14 (Sunday)
A free day in Cusco to do some shopping or just unwind after the trek.
Day 15 (Monday)
A fascinating full-day coach journey across the altiplano, including guided visits to the Inca site of Raqchi and the beautiful colonial church in Andahuaylillas. After lunch in Sicuani (included), visit the pre-Inca site of Pucara, before arriving in Puno, on the edge of Lake Titicaca. Evening at leisure (2 nights). There is also the option to travel to Puno by train.
Day 16 (Tuesday)
A full day on the lake, visiting the floating Uros Islands before heading to the beautiful Taquile Island. After an energetic walk up the hill to the main village, have lunch of fresh fish caught in the lake.
Day 17 (Wednesday)
Visit the funerary towers of Sillustani before catching your flight to Lima (1 night).
Day 18 (Thursday)
Free day in Lima. Transfer to the airport for an overnight flight to the UK.
Day 19 (Friday)
Arrival in the UK.
A Night at Machu Picchu
If you are interested in spending a night at Machu Picchu after the Inca Trail, please ask us for details.