Itinerary
- Day 1
Lima
Your Peru adventure kicks off in Lima with a 2 pm welcome meeting at your hotel. After that, head downtown for a guided walking tour through the historical centre, checking out colonial mansions, palaces and churches. The rest of the afternoon is open for you to explore on your own - there's the Museum of the Inquisition if you want to go that route, or just walk around the city streets. If you're interested, there's an optional Lima Bites and Sights Tour in the evening through Urban Adventures that takes you to the bohemian Barranco district for local street food and Pisco cocktails.
Included Activities
- Welcome meeting at hotel
- Guided walking tour of Lima's historical centre
Optional Activities
- Visit Museum of the Inquisition
- Lima Bites and Sights Tour with Urban Adventures - Barranco district street food and Pisco cocktails tour
Landmarks Museum of the Inquisition Barranco District 
- Day 2
Lima to Cusco
Start with breakfast, then fly to Cusco for your second welcome meeting at 2 pm where you'll connect with additional group members. Your leader takes you on a walking tour of the city to see main attractions and lesser-known spots like Qoricancha temple, San Pedro market, the main square, the 12 Angled Stone, Regocijo Square and San Blas Square. Before free time, you'll stop at Casa Intrepid for your trek briefing. Later in the day, explore on your own or meet up with your group to find dinner and try some local Peruvian dishes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Flight to Cusco
- Welcome meeting at 2 pm
- Leader-led walking tour of Cusco
Landmarks Qoricancha Temple San Pedro Market Cusco Main Square 12 Angled Stone Regocijo Square San Blas Square - Day 3
Sacred Valley
You'll drive through the Sacred Valley (known as Wilcamayo to the Incas), passing by maize crops on terraced walls with the sacred river below. Stop for lunch in a local community to learn about traditional lifestyles and Quechua language, and if it's market day, browse local handicrafts like beads and ponchos. Visit AMA Restaurant in Urubamba, a social enterprise that trains and employs single mothers - you'll grab a snack there and hear about their work in economic growth and gender equality. Then continue to Ollantaytambo where you can walk around the town's archaeological site, seeing ancient Inca city remains with views over the present-day settlement below.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in local community), Snack (Snack and drink at AMA Restaurant)
Included Activities
- Drive through Sacred Valley
- Lunch in local community with cultural exchange
- Visit AMA Restaurant in Urubamba - snack and social enterprise orientation
Optional Activities
- Browse local handicrafts at market (if market day)
- Explore Ollantaytambo archaeological site
Landmarks Sacred Valley AMA Restaurant Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site 
- Day 4
Three Route Options: Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or Cusco
Your day depends on which route you booked. If you're on Route 1 (Inca Trail), you'll travel by minivan to the 82 km marker to meet your porter crew and guide, then trek uphill to camp at 3100 m/10,170 ft, passing Inca sites like Ollantaytambo, Huillca Raccay and Llactapata with views of snow-capped Veronica Peak. On Route 2 (Quarry Trail), an early start gets you to Choquequilla ceremonial site, then you climb Qory Song'o hill for valley views, explore sacred tombs, visit Perolniyoc Cascade lookout and arrive at camp around 3700 m/12,140 ft lunchtime, with time to explore Q'orimarca archaeological site. Route 3 (Train Option) involves driving from Ollantaytambo to Pisac for market shopping and local empanadas, returning to Cusco where you can pick up picnic items at San Pedro Market.
- Meals
- Dinner (Nourishing meal prepared by cook at campsite (Route 1 and 2))
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Minivan transfer to 82 km marker, guided trek with porters support, camp dinner
- Route 2 Quarry Trail: Visit Choquequilla ceremony site, climb Qory Song'o hill, explore sacred tombs, visit Perolniyoc Cascade lookout, explore Q'orimarca archaeological site
- Route 3 Train Option: Drive to Pisac, visit Pisac market, return to Cusco
Optional Activities
- Route 3 Train Option: Buy local picnic items at San Pedro Market in Cusco
Landmarks Ollantaytambo Inca Site Huillca Raccay Llactapata Veronica Peak Choquequilla Qory Song'o Perolniyoc Cascade Q'orimarca Archaeological Site Pisac Market 
- Day 5
Three Route Options: Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or Cusco
Route 1 (Inca Trail) tackles a challenging 5-hour steep climb to Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4200 m/13,780 ft, the highest and toughest point with valley views below, then you descend to Pacaymayo Valley campsite at 3650 m/11,975 ft. Route 2 (Quarry Trail) brings the most challenging day with a 3-hour walk to Puccaqasa pass at 4370 m/14,340 ft for valley views, a lunch stop, then 2 hours hiking to Kuychicassa at 4450 m/14,600 ft (the highest pass), descending to Intipunku sun gate with Nevado Veronica mountain views and camping at 3600 m/11,810 ft. Route 3 (Cusco) has you taking a taxi to Tambomachay archaeological site outside Cusco, then doing a 2-3 hour walk back into the city stopping at Puka Pukara, Quenqo and Saksaywaman sites. You'll have a free afternoon in Cusco to visit art galleries or find dinner.
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Trek to Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass)
- Route 2 Quarry Trail: Trek to Puccaqasa and Kuychicassa passes, visit Intipunku sun gate
- Route 3 Cusco: Taxi to Tambomachay, guided 2-3 hour walk back to Cusco via archaeological sites
Optional Activities
- Route 3 Cusco: Visit Merida, Mendivil and Olave art galleries and workshops
- Route 3 Cusco: Find dinner spot
Landmarks Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass) Pacaymayo Valley Puccaqasa Pass Kuychicassa Pass Intipunku (Sun Gate) Nevado Veronica Tambomachay Puka Pukara Quenqo Saksaywaman - Day 6
Three Route Options: Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or Train to Aguas Calientes
Route 1 (Inca Trail) climbs through Pacaymayo Valley to Runkuracay Pass at 3980 m/13,050 ft with views of snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba, descends 2-3 hours to Sayacmarca ruins, crosses the third pass to Phuyupatamarca at 3850 m/12,630 ft (Town Above the Clouds), then descends 2 hours down Inca steps to your final campsite by Winay Wayna archaeological site. Route 2 (Quarry Trail) follows an all-downhill hike to the incomplete Kachiqata quarry where Incas were intercepted by Spanish, explore Ollantaytambo's cobbled streets, meet up with group members who didn't hike, take a short train to Aguas Calientes and stay at your hotel overnight. Route 3 (Train) involves a 1.5-hour drive to Ollantaytambo to connect with hikers, then a 1.5-hour train through Urubamba Valley to Aguas Calientes in the cloud forest at Machu Picchu's base, with hotel overnight.
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Trek through Pacaymayo Valley, pass Runkuracay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, descent to Winay Wayna campsite
- Route 2 Quarry Trail: Downhill trek to Kachiqata quarry, explore Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes
- Route 3 Train: Drive to Ollantaytambo, train to Aguas Calientes
Landmarks Runkuracay Pass Cordillera Vilcabamba Sayacmarca Phuyupatamarca (Town Above the Clouds) Winay Wayna Kachiqata Quarry Ollantaytambo Aguas Calientes Urubamba Valley 
- Day 7
Machu Picchu
Route 1 (Inca Trail) reaches its finale with the 4 am breakfast, goodbyes to your porters and the hike to Machu Picchu - one of the famed Wonders of the World. Once the final checkpoint opens at 5 am, you trek 2.5 hours to Intipunku (Sun Gate), and weather permitting, enter Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate with views of the Lost City of the Incas. Routes 2 and 3 catch an early 6 am bus up to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the ruins, temples, palaces and living quarters built around 1440 AD as a retreat for Incan nobility. All routes share endless photo opportunities, then head by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch together, take the scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo and drive back to Cusco, arriving in the evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch in Aguas Calientes)
Included Activities
- Route 1 Inca Trail: Final 2.5-hour trek to Intipunku (Sun Gate), entry to Machu Picchu
- Routes 2 & 3: Early morning bus to Machu Picchu, guided tour of ruins
- All routes: Bus to Aguas Calientes, lunch in town, train to Ollantaytambo, drive to Cusco
Landmarks Machu Picchu Intipunku (Sun Gate) - Day 8
Cusco
After breakfast this morning, you've got plenty of free time to explore Cusco at your own pace. Rest your legs and grab a coffee at a Plaza de Armas cafe while people-watching, or pursue something more active like mountain biking through the surrounding hills. Consider buying a Boleto Turistico (tourism ticket) for access to museums like the Contemporary Art Museum, Regional History Museum and Qosqo Native Art Museum. Talk with your tour leader if you want more details about what's available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Free time in Cusco
Optional Activities
- Mountain biking in hills surrounding Cusco
- Visit Contemporary Art Museum (requires Boleto Turistico)
- Visit Regional History Museum (requires Boleto Turistico)
- Visit Qosqo Native Art Museum (requires Boleto Turistico)
- Purchase Boleto Turistico (tourism ticket)
Landmarks Plaza de Armas Contemporary Art Museum Regional History Museum Qosqo Native Art Museum - Day 9
Cusco to Puerto Maldonado to Amazon Jungle
Rise early for your journey into the Peruvian Amazon with an airport transfer, then fly to Puerto Maldonado. Pack a small duffle bag with essentials for the next two days. Board a motorised canoe and cruise deep into the jungle for a 2-hour journey to your eco-lodge in the Madre de Dios region, which includes a lunch stop along the way. Once you arrive, settle into your thatched-roof lodge, take a short orientation walk around the surroundings and spend the evening taking in the jungle sights, sounds and smells.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch during motorised canoe journey)
Included Activities
- Flight to Puerto Maldonado
- Motorised canoe journey to eco-lodge in Madre de Dios
- Lunch during canoe journey
- Short orientation walk of lodge surroundings
Landmarks Puerto Maldonado Madre de Dios Region 
- Day 10
Amazon Jungle Exploration
Get ready for a jungle day with a half-day trek guided by local experts learning about flora and fauna and the medicinal and practical uses for plants that Indigenous people have studied for thousands of years. Keep your eyes open for rainbow macaws and butterflies, listen for peccary barking and monkey chatter. This part of the Amazon is home to capybaras, giant otters and jabirus so watch for these creatures. After your packed lunch, head back to the lodge for free time to relax. Once the sun goes down, venture out on a night walk searching for nocturnal inhabitants like caimans, jaguars and anacondas.
- Meals
- Lunch (Packed lunch during jungle trek)
Included Activities
- Half-day guided jungle trek with local experts
- Night walk in jungle
Landmarks Peruvian Amazon - Day 11
Amazon to Lima
Leave the Amazon behind and return to Puerto Maldonado, then fly back to Lima where a local representative meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore more of Lima's sights or do some last-minute souvenir shopping. In the evening, maybe gather the group for one last night out on the town with a celebratory farewell dinner of Peruvian favourites.
Included Activities
- Flight from Puerto Maldonado to Lima
- Airport transfer to hotel
Optional Activities
- Explore Lima's sights
- Last-minute souvenir shopping
- Celebratory group farewell dinner
- Day 12
Lima (Departure)
With no activities on the schedule, you're free to leave after breakfast. If you'd like to stay in Lima longer, get in touch with your booking agent about extending your stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
