Day 01: Lima

Arrive at the City of the Kings at any time during the day. Take the time to explore this colonial city and all the attractions that it has to offer.

Day 02: Cuzco.

Arrive in Cuzco at any time and explore this ancient city with its cobblestone streets, colonial churches, and Inca archaeological sites. Alternatively, enjoy a drink on a balcony around the Main Square. This cosmopolitan city has great night life where you can meet people from every corner of the worldrld.

Meals Included: breakfast (1),

Day 03: Cuzco City Tour

Visit of the four ruins nearby; 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, a beautiful fountain fed by a spring forming a series of basins continue to the city of Cuzco; the Main Square and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun.

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Day 04: Sacred Valley – Ollantaytambo

This morning we will head east to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping at established viewpoints along the way to see both the luscious landscape and typical Andean crops of quinoa, kiwicha and potatoes. We will then have the chance to visit the indigenous Andean community of Ccaccaccollo, which is assisted and supported by our non-profit organization, OYE. Here you will learn about the traditional customs of the people living in this area, and they will teach you the ancient weaving techniques that they have practiced for many centuries and continue to use today to support their community. Later in the morning we will head to Awanacancha, another great place to observe llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and guanacos.

Around midday we will visit the Inca citadel of Pisac, which is located directly above the town with the same name. The citadel is well-known for its magnificent agricultural terraces and for the Intihuatana (hitching post of the sun). We will then descend to the colonial town below, which is highly popular for its traditional market and elaborately dressed locals. This is a good place to shop for handicrafts.

After a one hour drive we will arrive in the best preserved Inca town, Ollantaytambo. This town is distinguished by its massive fortress and ceremonial centre, its ruins and its narrow cobblestone streets. When viewed from above, the town has the shape of a corn husk, and the fortress the shape of a llama.

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Days 5, 6, 7: Inca Trail.

Depart from Ollantaytambo and drive alongside the Urubamba River until we arrive in the small town of Piscacucho. This is the check point where the world’s most famous trek begins. Our adventure from here will take four days and three nights in total.

This hike is for individuals with at least average physical fitness. The total distance to hike is 43km/27 miles. The trail crosses valleys, mountains and three high passes. On the second day, we will reach very high elevation hiking at 4,200m/13,769 ft above sea level, through Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman Pass). Visit the archaeological site of Runkurakay, a semicircular ruin with a great view of the Paqaymayo valley. The third day the path becomes gentler, heading uphill to cross the last high pass, where we will then start descending to the ruins of Puyupatamarca, the “town above the clouds”. On clear days it is possible to see both the Urubamba valley and the Vilcabamba mountain range, with its beautiful snow covered peaks. Our last camp is close to the ruins of Wiñaywayna (Forever Young), which obtained this name due to the abundant orchid that blooms and grows here year round.

Our staff of professional guides, cooks, and porters will make sure this adventure is worry-free. The camping gear provided is top quality. Our porters carry the majority of the equipment, but please expect to carry a day backpack with your camera, snacks, raincoat and jacket.

Fact: The Inca Empire was originally linked by more than 40,000km/25,000 miles of trails, crossing deserts, mountains and jungles.

Meals Included: breakfast (3), lunch (3), and dinner (3)

Day 08. – Machu Picchu – Cuzco.

We will rise very early in the morning and hike the last 7km/5 miles until we arrive at Intipunku (Sun Gate) where we will have the once in a lifetime experience to watch the beams of the rising sun swim into every crevice of ancient Machupicchu. Words will not be able to describe the beauty of the view ahead, and you will see the worth of all of the hard work put into the trek to get here. Also, during most of the year it is possible to overlook Machupicchu while mist rises off of its regal structures.

Visit Machupicchu in a guided two hour tour of the most important temples and sectors of this great ruin. Then explore on your own the wonders of the Lost City of the Incas. Later this afternoon we will return to Cuzco by train and bus.

Machupicchu was recently honoured to be part of the New 7 Wonders of the World and, as well as many of our other destinations on this journey, is one of the World Heritage sites on UNESCO’s prestigious list. In spite of this, it is not mentioned in any of the chronicles from Spanish colonialism. No one knows its function and even though it has been studied by scientists for decades, many questions remain unanswered. The town was forgotten for centuries and covered by dense vegetation until July 24th, 1911, when an 11 year old native boy led the American historian Hiram Bingham to the site where he made the re-discovery of this phenomenal structure. It was all done by accident as Bingham was actually in search of the lost town of Vilcabamba.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Passengers who are either not interested or not able to hike the Inca Trail can choose to spend 2 days in Cuzco and then travel by train to Aguas Calientes. They may take an early bus the following morning to the entrance of Machupicchu and meet the hikers there. Please advise your travel agent or Footprint Expeditions while booking if you decide not to hike the Inca Trail.

Also note that the Inca trail will be closed for general maintenance during the month of February every year. In addition, inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control may occur and the original itinerary might change.

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Days 09, 10, 11: Puno

Enjoy a beautiful bus ride crossing the Andes from Navel of the World to shores of the Great Titicaca Lake.
Early transfer to the port for the boat journey on Lake Titicaca to the floating islands of Uros. Made entirely of reeds and inhabited by the Aymara Uros people, they live in huts built on platforms of reeds, not more than 30-40 cms/1foot thick. Short hike on the islands, then the boat trip continues as far as the to Amantani Island, where a local host family will show you their traditional and simple way of life. Next day we will go to island of Taquile. Members of this self supporting Aymara community receive visitors in their colourful national costume and show them around the island. Taquile is also renowned for its fine, decorative weavings. we will have opportunity for some spectacular views over the haunting beauty of Lake Titicaca. Return to Puno

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Day 12 – La Paz

Travel around the shoreline of Lake Titicaca by local bus and arrive in Yunguyo, a small town we use to change buses and cross the border to Bolivia. Our destination is La Paz,  Arrive in the highest capital city in the world

La Paz has unique markets located across the city, like the infamous Witches Market where it’s possible to buy potions for love, money and health, or to protect from evil spirits and bad energies. Also the city has a vivid and traditional culture, with most of its inhabitants descending from the Aymaras and Quechuas.

Meals Included: breakfast (1)

Day 13. – Departure day

Meals Included: breakfast (1)