What’s included in the trip

• Private airport pickup  at the beginning of trip and drop off at end of the trip.
• Southern Crossings bilingual guides.
• All other internal transport excluding transport to optional restaurants, bars, sights and excursions.
• Domestic flights Lima-Cuzco, Cuzco-Lima.
• Four nights of 3-star hotel accommodation and three nights of camping on the Inca Trail.
• Four days hiking the Inca Trail including bilingual guide, cooks, porters, tent, sleeping bag and thermarest mat.
• All meals while on the Inca Trail.
• Breakfast with every hotel stay.
• Machu Picchu excursion bilingual guide, Vistadome return train fare, transportation to/from ruins/Aguas Calientes, and one-day entrance to the Machu Picchu sanctuary including Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Private Cusco city tour with entrance fees, private vehicle, driver and professional guide.
• Private Lima city tour includes entrance fees, private vehicle, driver and professional guide.
• The Cuzco Visitor’s Ticket which includes entrance to the ruins in and around Cuzco and the Sacred Valley, and many churches and museums in Cuzco.
• 24-hour customer support line while on tour.

What’s not included

International flight to/from Lima, pre- & post- tour accommodation, visas, vaccinations, personal insurance, meals except where specified above, drinks, laundry, souvenirs, or tips. Medical travel insurance is not included through Southern Crossings. Cancellation insurance is advisable.

Detailed trip itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Lima anytime today and private transfer to your hotel. If arriving during the day, your hotel will be in the neighborhood of Miraflores, with good artisan markets and restaurants and you’ll have an included city tour in the afternoon, or you will have a Lima city tour when returning to Lima. If you would prefer to stay in Cusco or the Sacred Valley and skip Lima altogether let us know.

The city tour lets you explore the wonders of the colonial capital, you visit the famous Plaza de Armas, as well as the impressive Cathedral in the Plaza and the beautiful San Francisco church. You also get a chance to take in some beautiful views of the coast at Parque de Amor (Option 1).

Lima City Tour – Option 2: Larco Museum & Huaca Pucllana (upon request). Let us know if you would prefer this tour over the Cathedral Tour (or both for an extra fee). We could also plan a tour of the Huaca Pucllana at night if you have time in Lima. The site is lit up until midnight and looks amazing!

The Larco Museum is housed in an 18th century viceroyalty-era mansion. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the Larco Museum is a stimulating and inspiring space in which visitors can enjoy and learn more about the fascinating history of ancient Peru. The cultures gallery provides a clear and captivating narrative account of more than 5000 years of pre-Columbian Peruvian history. Visiting the Larco Museum with their more than 45,000 meticulously catalogued archaeological objects, is a unique experience.

The Archaeological Complex “Huaca Pucllana” was an Administrative and Ceremonial Center of the Lima Culture, a society that developed at the Peruvian Central Coast between 200 AD and 700 AD. Located in today’s district of Miraflores the “Huaca Pucllana” was built around 500 AD. “Pucllana” is one of the most important ancient monuments in Lima. Based on the “Huaca Pucllanas” architecture and found objects, it is believed that the complex was the heart of development of the “Lima Culture” and served as a ceremonial and administrative center.

Option 3: Bicycle tour of Lima and Barranco.

If arriving late at night, you’ll be close to the airport for a bit more sleep before your next day’s flight, and you’ll have your city tour of Lima upon your return.

Day 2

A short flight brings us to the famous Inca city of Cuzco. After checking into your hotel, we set out to explore the incredible capital of the Inca Empire. We head to the picturesque Plaza de Armas to the fascinating cathedral to see the colonial influence in the city, and we can admire the stunning architecture of the church and also the native influences subtly woven in into the artwork. Onwards to Coricancha church, where the colonial and Incan architectures are on display side-by-side directly contrasted with each other. Afterwards we make our way above the city to the imposing fortress of Sacsayhuaman where we can marvel at the incredible stonework and architecture of the Inca civilization. We head back to Cuzco in the late afternoon.

Day 3

A free day in Cuzco to acclimate to the high altitude before hiking the Inca Trail. People watching, strolling and visiting some extra sites on your Cuzco Visitor’s Ticket can easily fill a day, but if you’d like to ride horses, go mountain biking, or visit the Sacred Valley, just let us know and we can arrange it for you! Early to bed as the Inca Trail begins tomorrow! Option to add a Sacred Valley tour to your itinerary and sleep at a lower altitude tonight and closer to the start of the Inca Trail, just ask.

Day 4

Early this morning we start walking the Inca Trail towards Machu Picchu! A morning drive brings us to Piscacucho kilometer 82, start of the world-famous Inca Trail trek. Our first day is an easy one to get acclimated, as we gently climb through Andean valleys to the village of Huayllabamba, making our first camp just above it. Along the entire trek we are well taken care of by our team of porters and cooks, freeing us up to fully enjoy the Inca sites and vistas unfolding before us. Parakeets, bromeliads and the major Inca site of Llactapata are some of today’s highlights. Tonight, we camp at Wayllabamba.

Distance to hike 10km/6m.
Estimated hike time 5-7 hrs.
Min altitude 2,680m/8,790ft
Max altitude 3,000m/10,824ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.
Tonight we camp under the Andean sky.

Day 5

Up up up to Dead Woman’s Pass (Warmiwañusqa) as we pass through several ecological zones and microclimates to the highest point on the Inca Trail. Near the top of the world at 4200 meters (14,000 ft.) the air is thin, but the view is not to be believed. We then continue on to Pacaymayo, tonight’s campsite. On the way we will see more archaeological sites along the trail.

Distance to hike 10km/6m.
Estimated hike time 6-8 hrs.
Min altitude 3,000m/9,840ft
Max altitude 4,200m/13,880ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.
Tonight we camp under the Andean sky.

Day 6

Today we continue trekking past three of the most beautiful Inca sites anywhere in Peru: Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and Wiñaywayna. We camp at Wiñaywayna or nearby.

Distance to hike 15km/9m.
Estimated hike time 6-8 hrs.
Min altitude 2,700m/8,856ft
Max altitude 3,750m/12,300ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.
Tonight we camp under the Andean sky.

Day 7

A pre-dawn departure brings us to the Gate of the Sun to watch the first rays of sunlight strike the sacred city of Machu Picchu. Known as one of the greatest architectural achievements in the world, this historic sanctuary is considered one of the seven man made wonders of the world. After a guided Machu Picchu tour, take your time and enjoy this magnificent place. During peak visiting hours (10-2), try a hike on one of the surrounding Inca trails on Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain. In the late afternoon we’ll catch a train back to a hot shower and the other comforts of Cusco. Add an extra night and day at Machu Picchu to your itinerary if you wish.

Distance to hike 8 km/5m
plus the distance you hike at Machu Picchu.
Estimated hike time 5-7 hrs.
Min altitude 2,400m/7,872ft
Max altitude 2,700km/8,856ft
Everyone may hike at their own pace.