Day 1
Lima
Day one of the tour begins with your arrival at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima, Peru. Post arrival you will be transferred to your hotel in Lima (transfer inclusive).
Day 2
Lima/Tambopata
On the second day, the group will take a local charter and fly to Puerto Maldonado before continuing in a motorized canoe to a cosy lodge. Located near Tambopata National Reserve in the Amazon rainforest. Enjoy an evening walk with a naturalist guide before dinner, keeping your eyes open for some of the rainforest's nocturnal creatures, and spot local bird species on the lush shores of the Tambopata River en route to the lodge.
Day 3
Tambopata
During the third day, we will explore the rainforest ecosystems with naturalist guides. Take a look at the treetops for toucans, howler monkeys, and sloths and paddle along the oxbow lakes in a canoe for the chance to see river otters, turtles, and anacondas if we're lucky. Get a closer look at caimans, the smaller cousins of alligators, which often hide along the muddy banks of the river after dinner by taking a motorized canoe tour.
Day 4
Tambopata/Cusco
On day four, the group will leave the jungle by boat for Cusco and then take a flight above the Andes into Peru's Inca heartland. Learn about the role that astronomy played in the lives of the ancient Incas this evening at the Cusco Planetarium, a presentation on the skies of the Southern Hemisphere. View the stars through the planetarium's telescopes if the weather permits.
Day 5
Geiranger
Day five will witness the group leaving for a scenic drive to a sacred valley for a full day of exploration with a local escort. The next order of business will include a visit to ‘Parque de la Papa’ or the ‘Potato Park’, which is an initiative run in tandem with the local people from the Andean community. The initiative is an effort to preserve hundreds of varieties of native potatoes. The guide will take you around the park where you will learn about the importance of weaving and potato cultivation in the Andean culture. Next, the group will move to a location to explore the ancient Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisac. This will later be followed by a meal prepared by the locals making use of the fresh organic produce growing around you.
Day 6
Inca Trail
On day six, the group will begin the Inca Trail, departing Urubamba by van to reach the trek's starting point. As we get warmed up for the more challenging days ahead, hike along meandering streams and through remote mountain villages and ancient ruins to get a taste of the enchanting Andean countryside.
Day 7
Inca Trail
Day seven will witness the start of a new adventure in the heart of Peru. Today, we climb the long, steep path to Warmiwanusca, also known as Dead Woman's Pass, the highest point on the Inca Trail at 4,198 meters (13,769 feet). During your climb up the rugged terrain, you'll see stunning views of the Sacred Valley. By early afternoon, you'll reach our camp. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at camp.
Day 8
Inca Trail
On day eight the group will cross over two beautiful mountain passes. The first pass is Runquraqay, at 3,950 meters (13,113 ft), from where you can see the snowcapped peaks of the Cordillera Vilcabamba on a clear day. Move on through the dense and foggy forest to a gentle climb to the second pass. Where you’ll arrive at the misty Inca ruins of Phuyupatamarca at 3,650 meters, popular as “the city above the clouds”. The group will either camp here or a little further ahead, near the mesmerizing terraces of the Winay Wayna ruins, that lie at an altitude of 2,650 meters above sea level.
Day 9
Machu Picchu/Cusco
Day nine and the final day of the hike will commence before sunrise. The group will reach Sun Gate, the last checkpoint on the Inca Trail in time to witness the daybreak over Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is a 15th century Inca Citadel that came back into the stoplight with its rediscovery by Hiram Bingham in 1911. Take a hike down for a guided tour through the terraces and temples of this breath defying UNESCO world heritage site. Post this the group will catch a bus to the town of Aguas Calientes, where the group breaks for lunch. After a hearty lunch, the group will head back to Cusco via train.
Day 10
Cusco
After a scrumptious breakfast, you will be transferred to the Alejandro Velasco Astete Cusco to board your flight back home.