2024 Peru Luxury Inca Trail Escape Tour

Arrival to Cuzco, reception and transfer to the deluxe Five star Inkaterra Casona. Free morning.
In the afternoon, a private tour of Cuzco city which includes the Cathedral, Qoricancha temple, and the Main Plaza.
Cuzco's history extends back to before 1000 BC when the Marcavalle Culture was the dominant power; indeed organized life in the City began practically with them. What is traditionally known as the Inka civilisation began around 1200 AD in its initial phase, with the first Inka, Manko Capaq and Mama Ocllo. It is also suggested that Pachakuteq, the ninth king, elaborated another foundation in 1438 which is also known as the expansive phase. Inca builders hereafter laid out the city in the form of a puma, with the fortress of Sacsayhuaman as the head. After the arrival of the Spanish to the city on November 15th 1533, Francisco Pizarro re-founded it for the Spanish King on March 23rd 1534. In 1536 Manko Inka began a long and bloody war against the Spanish invaders with a siege lasting over 8 months over the city. The Spanish subsequently destroyed many of the structures in the city or used them as foundations for many of their own churches and buildings. Dinner and accommodation.

Meals: D

After breakfast, a tour of the ruins surrounding the Inca capital including the Sacsayhuaman Fortress overlooking the city of Cuzco, a pre Inca architectural masterpiece; Kenko, a rock sanctuary whose main attraction is the monolithic altar representing a puma, the red fortress of Puca-Pucara, and Tambomachay. After the tour lasting about two and half hours return to your hotel.

Meals: B

Full-day excursion to the beautiful Urubamba, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, situated between Pisac and Ollantaytambo. It is an exceptionally fertile valley that was and remains the larder of Cuzco. Visit the village of Pisac, founded during colonial times, and set at the foot of a hill crowned by the remains of an ancient Inca city. On Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Indians barter their products in the main square and artisans from around the area sell their woven alpaca wool blankets and ponchos, engraved gourds, antique reproductions, jewellery, etc. On Sundays, it is also the meeting place for Mayors from all the villages in the region, dressed in their traditional costumes to attend morning mass. After a buffet lunch, a visit to Ollantaytambo, the only Inca town that was not defeated by the Spanish with an opportunity to explore the ruins which tower above. Late afternoon return to Cuzco whilst visiting en-route the traditional market of Chinchero. Return to your hotel.

* Private Luxury Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Meals: B & L

After an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred to Chilca by private car where you will meet with your Quechua porters and prepare for the Inca Trail with a session of yoga from your personal instructor. After some relaxing, breathing and stretching techniques, you will be ready to embark on the four day trek that awaits you. You will cross over the turbulent Vilcanota River, with magnificent views of Nevado Veronica (5,900m/19,000ft) and continue along the trek admiring the Llactapata archaeological site, and stopping at the Huayllabamba River for lunch. All meals are in very large dining tents with outstanding three course meals freshly prepared by your chef. After lunch, we will visit the archaeological sites of Patallacta, Qente, and the valley of Cusichaca along with the magical Polylepsis forest before continuing the hike. To help us focus on the true nature of our trek, our destination and our very location, our personal porters will be playing the Quena, or ancient Andean flute. We also encourage to talk with our porters to learn a little about their ancient customs and ways or life. Our hiking today will last approximately 7 hours. Upon arriving to our campsite, we shall enjoy relaxing massages and a warm shower to help sooth away any aches and pains. Dinner before listening to the intriguing stories and legends from our Quechua porters. Overnight camping on the trail.

Meals: All meals

An early start today as this is the most demanding day of the entire trek and we shall gain considerable altitude. We will see outstanding views to the east of the Huayanay peaks and to the west of the rugged Vilcabamba Range. After breakfast, we shall begin the climb up through the first pass at 4200 m/13,750 feet at Warmiwanusqa. Passing 3 ecological zones such as the Yunga, Quechua and Puna, we shall ascend 1000 metres in 5 hours. Our porter's enticing music will help us to marvel at the views rather than the difficult ascent. Lunch will be taken before the final two sections of ascent. Upon reaching the summit of Dead Woman's Pass, we shall celebrate our achievement by paying homage to the Apus or mountain gods, before descending into camp. Massages and a warm shower before a welcoming dinner near Pacaymayu. More secret myths will unfold tonight as the porters explain the significance of the Apus, or mountain gods. Overnight camping on the trail.

Meals: All meals

After breakfast, we shall begin the ascent of the second pass, although still demanding, this is easier than the previous day's ascent. A visit to the famous archaeological site of Runquraqay. We will continue on to the restored town site of Sayaqmarka ("Town in a Steep Place") and explore the Sayaqmarka Ruins, admiring at the same time the fabulous cloud forest which is now all around us. The third pass of the Inca Trail in this section is a long white granite roadway, with some ascents and descents traversing a thickly forested mountainside. We will finally descend to the magnificent archaeological site of Phuyupatamarka ("Cloud Level Town") where a fine lunch will await us. After lunch, we will then begin the decent to Winaywayna, an outstanding Inca complex built into the mountainside. A visit of the ruins before our last massage and trail shower. After relaxing, we shall enjoy dinner carefully prepared by our chef. We shall also meet with our porters for the very last time and exchange thanks and talk about the ancient paths upon which we have trekked for the last few days. Overnight camping on the trail.

Meals: All meals

Early morning wake up at 4:30 AM for breakfast and to begin the final trek to Intipunku, and the first site of the archaeological complex of Machu Picchu. We will descend rapidly from cloud forest into high jungle habitat. Orchids and hummingbirds are commonly seen along this spectacular section of the trail high above the river. We will arrive at Intipunko "Gate of the Sun" to observe the sunrise over Machu Picchu from an elevated vantage point. We will then continue down to the royal road and at last the "Lost City of the Incas". Arrival and transfer of our belongings to the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel.
We then immediately begin our tour of Machu Picchu. Built by the Inca Pachacutec, and comprising stone blocks fitted with masterful precision, Machu Picchu harmoniously blends into the mountain landscape. There are many theories as to the origins behind Machu Picchu but three of the most popular ideas include a temple to the sun, a fortress against the jungle inhabitants and a sanctuary for the Incas. This fabulous city holds houses, temples, warehouses, a large central square and all connected by narrow roads and steps, which is surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side which were used for agriculture. We shall visit the Main Plaza, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of Three Windows, the Circular Tower and the Sacred Sun Dial and Burial Grounds. After the guided tour, you can enjoy an afternoon of self-exploration and discovery. Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge before a free afternoon for more personal appreciation. Accommodation at the Sanctuary Lodge hotel.

Sanctuary Lodge Hotel   |  Meals: All meals

After breakfast, we shall return to the complex for a very different tour of the site; this time with a Shamanic guide. We shall also experience the ancient offering to the Pachamama or mother earth, within the grounds of the Sanctuary. Board the Hiram Bingham train for Cuzco and enjoy dinner and cocktails onboard. Reception and transfer to the Casona Inkaterra Hotel.

Casona Inkaterra Hotel   |  Meals: All meals

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight back to Lima (flight priced separately).

Meals: B

End of our services.