Llactapata Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

¡Bienvenidos! Welcome to Lima, Peru's largest city and central metropolitan hub, and home to one-third of the country's population. Lima has a fascinating history and a diverse mix of cultures. Amerindian, European, Afro-Peruvian, and Asian—especially Chinese and Japanese—influences make Lima a dynamic and exciting city to explore. Settle into your hotel before heading out to explore the city with our guide in the afternoon. (There are also options to go parapenting in the afternoon) With some of the world's top restaurants and an eclectic mix of culinary styles, there is no shortage of delightful and exciting dining options for the evening (by your own account). Overnight: Lima
Hotel: Grand Faraona, Miraflores ...more ...less

Early in the morning you'll transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport, catching a morning domestic flight from Lima to Cusco. After collection from the airport in Cusco you'll begin your journey into the Sacred Valley en route to Pisac, a village known for its traditional market and immense Inca fortress. During our visit, you'll have plenty of opportunities to stop for photos as you pass terraces, irrigation canals, and picturesque mountain views. In the afternoon, you'll depart for the town of Ollantaytambo, which contains some of the best-preserved Inca architecture in the entire Sacred Valley. You’ll walk around the Inca Fortress and ceremonial site of Ollantaytambo, marveling at these extraordinarily well-preserved ruins. Set around a tranquil plaza, renowned for its peaceful charm. The little-altered layout of the town offers an unprecedented peek into the way of life of its past peoples, the Incas. Even the street names are the original ones from ancient times. Roam the winding alleys & plazas. From Ollantaytambo you'll transfer to Santa Teresa, a mountain jungle town, where you'll spend the night before beginning the Llactapata Inca Trail the following day.
Overnight: Santa Teresa
Hotel: Quechua Eco Lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Leaving from Santa Teresa at around 8am, you'll begin at the trail head for the Llactapata Inca Trail through to Machu Picchu. Trekking and weaving through the surrounding misty mountain valleys and jungle terrain that leads all the way to Machu Picchu; you'll discover ancient Incan trails, paths and sites that leave an iconic & magical impression of how life was in these mystical mountains back in Incan times. Stopping for lunch around midafternoon, you'll then reach a hydroelectric train station after a couple more hours, where you'll board a 45-minute journey into Aguas Calientes.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes
Hotel: Raices or Retama
Meals included: Breakfast, Boxed Lunch

Today, early in the morning you'll catch the bus up to Machu Picchu. It is a 25-minute bus ride to the sanctuary (2400 m). Your guide will lead you in an exploration and discovery of the many corners of this enigmatic Incan citadel. Your guide will lead you in exploration for around 2 hours, after which you'll have plenty of personal time to explore on your own. If you feel like an uphill challenge, you have the option to climb the infamous mountain of Huayna Picchu. It is important to know that to climb this mountain, you need to buy a separate ticket in advance. There will be enough time for pictures, after which you'll take the bus down to Aguas Calientes to catch your train back to Ollantaytambo where our private transportation will be waiting to drive you back to Cusco.
Overnight: Cusco
Hotel: Casa Cristobal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today is your last day in Cusco, Peru! You will be met at your hotel for a transfer to Cusco Airport, where you will take a domestic flight to Lima to transfer to your homeward-bound flight. It's never goodbye, only until next time!
Meals included: Breakfast