Trails of Peru

Amazing Tours through Peru

If you want to trek in the footsteps of the ancient Incas and explore the heart of the Inca Empire, you'll love Trails of Peru. Reaching the Sun Gate and seeing the sun rise through the mist over the famous Lost City of the Incas is a truly unforgettable experience.

+44 0208 689 1600

Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1 to 1 - Arrive Lima

The first day of your tour is simply an arrival day with no pre-organised activities. In order to allow time to relax and see some of the sights you may wish to add pre tour accommodation. On arrival please ask at the reception for information on when the pre departure meeting will be held.

Lima was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535 after he eradicated the Incas and made the city his capital. Lima has many fine colonial buildings and some of the best museums in South America including the Gold Museum, Museum of the Inquisition and the Catacombs below the San Francisco Church. Peru's capital has much to offer and many of the sights, including the city's two main squares the Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Martin, are within easy walking distance The Plaza de Armas houses the Cathedral, Municipal Palace and Presidential Palace where the changing of the guard can be seen every day at 12 noon. There are also many markets in Lima, possibly the best being in the central district.
Day 2 to 4 - Cuzco

Our Tucan Travel rep will transfer you to Lima airport from where you'll take a 60 minute flight up into the high Andes over spectacular scenery to the former Inca capital of Cuzco, which means ‘navel of the earth' in the Inca language of Quechua. This enchanting city has a mostly indigenous population of around 300,000 people, and you will be taken on an orientation walk of the city.

Cuzco, which means ‘navel of the earth' in the Inca language of Quechua, has a mostly indigenous population of around 300,000 and is centred around the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the Cathedral and La Compañia de Jesus Church. Its cloistered arcades house many fine restaurants, bars and shops. Make the most of your free days in Cuzco to explore its amazing churches, colonial buildings and picturesque streets, many of which have Inca walls, arches and doorways. On a hill overlooking the city stands the ceremonial fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where some of the most spectacular Inca walls can be found, including a massive 130 ton stone. There are also many optional excursions and activities available such as white water rafting, horse riding, mountain biking and canoeing on offer.

A full day is spent visiting the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Firstly we visit the Pisac ruins, perched on a hilltop with incredible views of the snow -capped mountains. We then go down to the famous traditional Indian market of the same name, which is full of colour and atmosphere. A great place for souvenirs! After lunch, we continue along the valley to the temple/fortress of Ollantaytambo with its enormous Inca terracing constructed on the side of a steep mountain.
Day 5 to 9 - Cuzco – Inca Trail Trek (or free time) – Cuzco

Those who are trekking to Machu Picchu either following the traditional Inca Trail Trek or the Lares Trek will have a briefing to prepare for the next few days and an early departure the following morning. More information on the treks can be found on our website under the highlights section.

During your hike of the Inca Trail you will cross spectacular passes and visit more Inca ruins en-route to the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu. A local guide will lead this expedition and there will be cooks and porters to carry the main equipment, leaving you with just a small daypack. The trek begins after a short bus journey and the first day is a relatively easy 4½ hour 13 kilometre walk which will get you limbered up for the highest pass at Warmiwañusca (4,200 metres) which you will reach before lunchtime on Day two (and which translates to “Dead Woman's Pass”!). During Day two you will cover approximately nine kilometres in about 5-7 hours and after the high pass it's all down hill as the trail winds its way along old Inca stairs to our campsite. On Day three we pass the ruins of Runkurakay, Sayacmarca and Phuyupatamarca, walking approximately 15 kilometres in seven hours.

The last morning, after an overnight stop at Wiñay-Wayna, you will rise early for the final walk to Machu Picchu and greet daybreak over the famous “Sun Gate”. There will then be time to explore on your own or simply take in the magnificence of the place after your guided tour.

The Lost City of Machu Picchu was originally completely self-contained, surrounded by agricultural terraces sufficient to feed the population, and watered by natural springs. Located high above the fast flowing Urubamba River, the cloud shrouded ruins have palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses, all in a remarkable state of preservation that will simply take your breath away.

The ruins were only discovered by the outside world in 1911, when American explorer Hiram Bingham found them while looking for another “lost city” called Vilcabamba. Due to their isolation many of the buildings are still quite intact and you can't help but admire Huayna Picchu (“Young Mountain”), which towers above the ruins. It is a hard climb to the top of the mountain (it takes about 50 minutes) but you are rewarded with spectacular views over the whole site. After spending most of the day at Machu Picchu you have the chance to soak your tired muscles in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes or meander through the markets before returning to Cuzco by train.

If you are not participating in either trek then you will visit Machu Picchu by train and have plenty of free time to enjoy the activities available in and around Cuzco.
Day 10 to 10 - Depart Cuzco

Your adventure of a lifetime comes to an end today, please confirm with the reception the check out time. If you have a late flight or have lengthened your stay by adding post tour accommodation you will have more time to explore the sights.

The itinerary listed above is to be used as a guide only. Occasionally we may need to update this document and it may be different to the information printed in our current brochure. Tour leaders may need to make adjustments due to unforeseen circumstances during the tour. It is very important that you visit our website and review a copy of this dossier as close as possible to your departure date in case of changes that may affect your plans. Any last minute changes may also be posted in the latest news section of our website.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

6 night(s) in hotel(s), hostel(s) & guesthouse(s), 3 night(s) trekking

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Tour Prices

Tour Price Per Person $ 1,840.00

Discounts

Without Inca Trail Trek deduct: $ -110.00
Without Carbon Offset $ -20.00

You can combine any two of the following rewards to get up to 10% off the price of your tour.

5% 3+ Person Offer - 3+ people on same tour $ -91.00
5% 2+ Tour Offer - One clients books two tours or more $ -91.00
5% Early Booking Discount - Book 6 months in advance $ -91.00
5% Loyalty Reward - Repeat Client $ -91.00

Supplements

No supplements.

Additional Prices (Optional)

Pre-tour Accommodation Price Per Person Per Night (Single Room) $ 43.00
Pre-tour Accommodation Price Per Person Per Night (Twin Room) $ 31.00
Pre-tour Accommodation Price Per Person Per Night (Triple Room) $ 24.00
Post-tour Accommodation Price Per Person Per Night (Single Room) $ 43.00
Post-tour Accommodation Price Per Person Per Night (Twin Room) $ 31.00
Post-tour Accommodation Price Per Person Per Night (Triple Room) $ 24.00
Arrival Transfer Price Per Booking Per Unit $ 37.00
Departure Transfer Price Per Booking Per Unit $ 18.00

+44 0208 689 1600