Walking Tour In Peru

Check-in to hotel today and look out for Explore notices near reception for more information about the tour and timings for tomorrow. Your tour leader will meet you in Juliaca, but a local representative is on call in Lima in the event of any problems.

Overnight Standard Hotel

We fly up to Juliaca on the high Altiplano, then make a short drive to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world at an elevation of 3810m, and also the legendary birthplace of the Inca civilisation. The local Aymara, Quechua and Uros people have larger lungs, hearts and spleens, and blood that is particularly rich in red corpuscles. This has enabled them to adapt to high altitude living. En route to Puno we visit the 'chullpas' (funeral towers) of Sillustani, which probably date from the 14th century.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

From Puno we take a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to explore the floating reed islands, home to the Uros people who live on the lake itself. Their islands are made from totora, a reedlike papyrus that grows in the shallows and is used in most aspects of their life, including the construction of their boats and homes. We then continue to the less visited island of Taquile which has preserved much of its Inca and pre-Inca heritage and the islanders still speak the language of the Inca – Runa Simi or Quechua. Later, there is the opportunity to visit the British built Yavari Steamer now under restoration (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we follow the legendary route taken by the first Inca ruler - Manco Capac - on his way to find Cusco. Driving up to the northern limit of the Altiplano we cross Las Raya pass (4335m) and descend to Cusco visiting the Inca temple ruins at Raqchi en route. Depending on time, those who wish may visit the colonial church at Andahuaylillas. The scenery is desolate but magnificent and we may spot flocks of llamas and alpacas grazing on the windswept pastures. We arrive at this fascinating mountain city and check into our hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The old capital of the Inca Empire survives only in its ruins, imbued with an atmosphere of mystery and grandeur. The Spanish colonial city, with its attractive pink tiled roofs, arcaded plazas and steep winding alleyways, stands upon tremendous Inca foundation stones. This morning we take a walking tour of this lovely city to see important Inca and Colonial monuments, such as Plaza de Armas, the Koricanha and the Inca wall of Hatunrumiyoc with its famous twelve-sided stone. The stone, measuring some 5 feet across, has the typical bevelled joints which create the patterns of light and shadow on Inca walls. This afternoon we have some free time to relax in the city or perhaps take in some of the outlying Inca sites such as Cusco’s temple-citadel, Saqsaywaman which broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire. 20,000 conscripted workers toiled for 90 years to finish it.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

With a full free day in Cusco there’s the chance to go white water rafting on the Urubamba River (optional), or perhaps visit the market town of Pisac, strategically located at the head of the Urubamba Valley (optional). Pisac once controlled the road connecting the Inca Empire with Paucartambo on its eastern borders and the magnificent Inca ruins that once so dominated this valley still occupy the mountainside above the town, providing a worthy match for any of the temples of Machu Picchu. Other alternatives include a full day visit to the outlying Inca sites at Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay, or maybe a visit to the fortress-citadel of Saqsaywaman. Built to defend the Inca capital, Saqsaywaman broods high above the town, its huge, zigzagging stone walls broken into 66 sharply projecting angles to catch attackers in a withering crossfire. Meant to represent the head of a puma, 20,000 conscripted workers toiled for 90 years to finish it and it was the site of one of the most fiercely fought battles of the Spanish conquest, when the Incas made one last ditch attempt to drive out the Spanish, an attempt that ended in defeat and death for thousands of them. Otherwise you may want to chill out in Cusco and enjoy the atmosphere of this lively town.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The major highlight of the trip is without doubt the trek along the Inca Trail. It runs across the ‘Machu Picchu Archaeological Park’, part of it over the ancient Inca highway which connected Cusco with Machu Picchu. To the east runs the Kusichaca river; to the north the Urubamba; and to the south lies the Cordillera. The trail was first explored by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and opened for walkers in 1970 by an expedition led by the Peruvian archaeologist Victor Angles. The famous ruins of Machu Picchu are not the only historical remains within the area: many other interesting sites are hidden in places which can only be reached on foot, and have scarcely been explored. We take a bus to Mollepata and continue by truck to the start of the trek. Here we meet our trek guide, porters and muleteers. After lunch we hike for about 12kms to Soraypampa (4500m).

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Over the coming days we trek along the extended Inca Trail route – arguably the most beautiful of all the trails to Machu Picchu. On our second day we trek to Inca Chiriasca, the highest point on the trail at 5017m. After crossing the pass we have lunch. We camp at Sisaypampa (4250m). Total walking 16km, 8hrs.
On our third day we have a simple day’s descent today to Paucarkancha seeing incredible landscape and ruins en route. Total walking 9km, 5hrs.
From here we follow the course of the Kusichaca river and the trail leads to Wayllabamba, a quiet village of Inca origins and the last settlement on the route. We continue to Llulluchapampa (3750m) which affords stunning views of the snowy peaks around us. Here we set up camp for the night. Total walking 10km, 4 hrs).
On the fifth day we trek over the Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman) Pass (4200m), to the valley of the Pacamayo river with its tropical vegetation. We then cross the Runkuraqay Pass (3993m). Here the selva (jungle) becomes visible on the slopes of the mountains. Sayaqmarka ruins are on a rocky promontory. They command an imposing view and have only one means of access, a narrow granite stairway. Sayaqmarka was walled-in, and has an elliptical fortified tower and other interesting constructions. Our trail goes through high jungle with vines, exotic flowers (among them orchids) and luxuriant trees, then on through an Inca tunnel and along a ridge above the Urubamba river to the lovely Phuyupatamarka ruins (3650m). The views of the Urubamba and (if we are lucky) the snowcapped peaks of Veronica (5750m) and Salkantay make these ruins one of the most beautiful places on the trail. Total walking 15km, 7hrs.

Overnight Basic Camping Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On our final day of the trek we descend to Winay-Wayna ruins (2650m), a small Inca city which, like Machu Picchu, was abandoned for unknown reasons. Then from Inti-Punku – the Gate of the Sun – there is a sudden and fantastic view of the ‘Lost City’ itself, Machu Picchu, set in a grandiose landscape that amazes all spectators. We walk down through the site and catch a local bus down the Hiram Bingham road to the small settlement of Aguas Calientes. Tonight we recommend a dip in the nearby thermal springs to ease aching limbs (optional). Total walking 16km, 6hrs.

Overnight Standard Hostel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Our final morning is spent at Machu Picchu, probably the most astounding feat of engineering in all of ancient America. Temples, stairways, palaces and gabled stone dwellings are scattered everywhere, testifying to the energy and ingenuity of the builders. Train times permitting, there may be time to climb the steep peak of Wayna Picchu to look down on the Temple of the Sun. Later we return to Cusco by train and then by bus.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we fly back to Lima where there's time to go on an optional city sight-seeing tour. You can choose to take a classic tour of the colonical centre or perhaps take one of our special 'detour' trips that take you away from the usual tourist spots to see the real Lima. There's also the chance to visit the Gold Museum or the excellent Larco Museum.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast