INCA TRAIL & AMAZON ADVENTURE – 12 DAYS

This day, we rise early, have breakfast at the hotel, and catch a one-hour flight from Lima to Cusco. When we arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, Cusco welcomes us with clear skies, drier and fresher air, and a special energy that you feel as soon as you touch the ground.

After feeling this connection, our staff transfers us to our hotel, and along the way, we observe Cusco’s streets that are full of history and mysticism. Once we’re settled in, we get ready and have lunch to begin our Free Walking Tour, a 2- to 3-hour tour that transports us to the past.

On this guided tour, we’ll visit the historic center of the Imperial City of Cusco, where we’ll feel the Inca energy in every place we visit. We begin our journey at the Plaza de Armas, the Stone of the 12 Angles – an Inca stone that, when touched, evokes the spirit of the Inca. We then visit the San Pedro Market, an icon of Cusco for its living culture housed within its facilities, which is unmissable.

We continue our tour toward the San Blas Neighborhood, known as “the artisans’ quarter,” Qorikancha or Temple of the Sun (panoramic view), 7 Little Lambs Street, a picturesque little street perfect for cover photos, Huaca Sapantiana, an architectural jewel that seems suspended in time and wrapped in nature, San Cristobal Viewpoint, which allows you to see Cusco in all its grandeur, from the heights and in complete calm.

Finally, we visit museums and viceregal churches that tell us the history of Cusco (walking tour). Today was a day of transition, but also of first impressions. Cusco is already beginning to reveal itself as a city rich in history, color, and vibrant culture. Tomorrow we’ll start to discover it in depth.

Our third day begins early with a pickup from our hotel, marked by the excitement of experiencing one of the most fascinating days of the entire trip: the Super Sacred Valley tour. We’ll leave behind the city of Cusco and take the route that descends toward the valley, where the landscape will immediately begin to change: the mountains will open up, the sky will become wider, and the green tones of the countryside will start to dominate the view.

The first stop is Chinchero, where we’ll be welcomed by a community proud of its heritage. There, local women, dressed in traditional costumes, will demonstrate their ancestral weaving techniques on looms, and we’ll learn about natural dyes and the symbolism of Andean designs. Then we visit the circular terraces of Moray, enormous circular depressions in the earth, like amphitheaters sculpted by the Incas, which were used as agricultural laboratories. Each level of these terraces has a different temperature, which allows them to experiment with diverse crops. We’ll walk on this terrain and marvel at the ecological and scientific intelligence of the Inca civilization, and then head to the Maras Salt Mines, featuring more than 4,800 pools of brilliant white salt that cling to the mountainside, forming a surreal sight.

Then we’ll head to Urubamba to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch prepared with ingredients from the region, and afterward, we’ll continue toward Ollantaytambo, which not only preserves its original Inca design but also comes alive through its stone streets, canals, and ancient houses that transport us to the past. Finally, we visit the archaeological site, from there, the views are majestic: terraces that extend like green waves on the hillsides, perfectly assembled stone temples, and water canals that still whisper Inca hydraulic wisdom and the artisan market of Pisac, where the colors of textiles, ceramics, and local music invite us to immerse ourselves in living culture, returning at night to our hotel in Cusco.

Get ready for a day filled with discoveries, incredible photographs, and moments that will connect you with a culture that remains alive and vibrant.

This day begins with breakfast at the hotel, followed by transportation that picks us up to transfer us to the starting point of the City tour in Cusco. A journey that will take us to discover the secrets hidden by this city, once the capital of the Inca Empire. Our first visit is Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, a masterful example of Inca architecture and cultural syncretism. We continue toward Sacsayhuamán, the imposing ceremonial fortress with its colossal walls, where you’ll feel small before gigantic stones that seem to touch the sky; next, we visit Q’enqo, a mysterious ritual center with carved formations; we’ll explore its carved channels, altars, and underground passages that still preserve an air of mystery. We conclude the tour by visiting Puka Pukara, an Inca military post, and Tambomachay, also known as the “Inca’s Bath,” featuring remarkable water channels.

Finally, after visiting and touring a piece of Cusco’s history, we board the transportation that leaves us at our hotel. In the evening, our guide comes to your hotel to provide information and everything necessary to enjoy our experience on the Classic Inca Trail.

The big day has arrived! On this day, we rise early to begin the 4-day Inca Trail tour. We leave early from our hotel in a transportation to head to Ollantaytambo, where we’ll have breakfast and make any last-minute purchases. With excitement overflowing, we continue our journey to km 82 – Piscacucho, where we begin our connection with Inca energy.

After passing the first checkpoint of the Classic Inca Trail, we begin our hike toward the archaeological site of Patallacta, where we have a brief guided visit. Then we continue toward the food area, where a delicious lunch awaits us, filling us with energy to continue the hike. Finally, after our effort, we arrive at Wayllabamba (campsite), where we’ll dine accompanied by the natural sounds of the jungle and spend the night in comfortable camps.

This day we have a different awakening, surrounded by nature and Inca energy. After waking up well, we have breakfast to recharge our energy and begin the ascent toward the highest point of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Warmiwañusca Pass (4,215 m above sea level), also known as “Dead Woman’s Pass.” From there, we’ll have a panoramic view of the landscapes characteristic of the cloud forest. Don’t miss this view! After staying for a reasonable time, we descend to Pacaymayo camp, where we’ll enjoy an exquisite lunch prepared with local ingredients. At this camp, we also dine and rest to recharge for the next day.

We’re close to Machu Picchu! On our third day of hiking, we rise early to have breakfast and continue our journey to the archaeological site of Runkurakay, renowned for being an ancient Inca checkpoint where food was stored.

After this first stretch, we continue walking surrounded by nature and natural sounds. Thus, we arrive at Sayacmarca, surrounded by impressive vegetation that transports us through time. We continue to Phuyupatamarca, known as “the city above the clouds,” feeling close to heaven and breathing air full of history.

Finally, we visit Intipa, an agricultural center that supplied food to the ancient inhabitants, before arriving at our campsite in Wiñaywayna, where you feel a strong connection to Inca culture. Here, we’ll have tea time, a moment where you share laughter and experiences of this hike with your travel companions. To end the day satisfactorily, they’ll offer us dinner prepared with Andean products.

The effort was worth it! Today, we wake up with the best vibes to visit Machu Picchu. After getting up, we begin walking toward Intipunku (Sun Gate), where you can appreciate the first panoramic view of Machu Picchu —a view that will remain etched in our memory.

After having this spectacular view, we descend toward Machu Picchu for a guided visit of approximately 2 hours, feeling that sense of mysticism and connection with the Andes. Ultimately, we have free time to explore on our own. After living this unique experience, we take the bus toward Aguas Calientes, where we’ll have time to enjoy lunch and then board the tourist train to Ollantaytambo, where transportation awaits us to return to our hotel in Cusco.

Today, we’ll have free time to rest after completing the incredible Inca Trail hike a few days ago. If you still have the strength and wish to explore more of the places that Cusco has to offer, we offer you two completely free hiking options.

Option 1: Humantay Lake, a jewel of the Andes, with its unique turquoise waters that will make you feel like you’re on another planet. We’ll have free time for photographs or walking around the lake.

Option 2: Rainbow Mountain or Vinicunca, a geological formation of multicolored stripes (resulting from minerals and erosion), offering a privileged view of the mountain that is ideal for taking Instagram-worthy photos, and taking with us the memory of having walked in the Peruvian Andes.

In the morning, we wake up early, get ready, and say goodbye to Cusco, taking a piece of history and lived moments with us to our hearts. We board transportation that takes us to Cusco airport to take our flight to the city of Puerto Maldonado, “Capital of Peru’s Biodiversity.” During the flight, we can appreciate the spectacular landscape change: from the sacred mountains of the Incas to the immense green carpet of the Peruvian jungle, where a completely different adventure awaits you.

When we arrive and take our first breath, we’ll feel the warmth of Puerto Maldonado. At the airport, they kindly transferred us to Puerto Capitanía. They boarded the boat that would take them to the lodge, letting the Madre de Dios River carry them through its waters, while the jungle landscape unfolded around them like a living canvas. Upon arriving at our lodge, we’ll be received with a warm welcome and refreshing fruit nectar. It will be the perfect moment to breathe deeply, let tranquility envelop us, and settle into our room, that small refuge where we’ll begin to feel the magic and heartbeat of the Amazon.

In the afternoon, after enjoying a delicious typical jungle lunch, we’ll venture toward the magical Monkey Island, a natural sanctuary where wildlife unfolds in its most authentic form. There, among the thicket and murmur of the jungle, we’ll have the privilege of observing various species of monkeys, who move freely and curiously. Upon finishing this experience, we’ll return to the lodge to recharge with a comforting dinner.

When night falls, the jungle will reveal another of its mysteries. We’ll embark on a peaceful boat excursion along the river, venturing into the darkness in search of elusive white caimans. With the help of our flashlights, we’ll also have the opportunity to spot the majestic capybara, the world’s largest rodent, which appears silently on the riverbank.

Then, with hearts full of new emotions, we’ll return to the lodge to rest under the jungle’s nocturnal song, feeling that the adventure is just beginning.

After a typical breakfast full of energy, we’ll venture on foot into the vibrant heart of the tropical jungle, surrounded by the whisper of leaves and the song of invisible birds. Our walk will take us to the magical Sandoval Lake, a water mirror that holds in its depths the mystery of piranhas and the wildlife that inhabits its shores. We’ll navigate in a rowing boat, in complete silence, to enjoy the dance of birds and discover playful monkeys that peek through the branches, as if inviting us to be part of their world.

Upon returning to the lodge, a nutritious lunch will await us, giving us a moment to share and recharge. In the afternoon, we’ll rise above the jungle on the Canopy Walkway, walking about 30 meters high. From this suspended walkway, we’ll take in an impressive panoramic view of the Madre de Dios River. This perspective will connect us even more deeply with the grandeur of this ecosystem.

When night falls, we’ll embark on a guided walk to discover the nocturnal inhabitants of the jungle: creatures that awaken under the moonlight and reveal another facet of Amazonian biodiversity.

In the early morning hours, when the jungle still breathes calmly and mist floats over the river, we’ll board the boat to visit one of the most fascinating natural spectacles of the Amazon, the parrot clay lick.

In silence, we’ll approach this natural sanctuary, where hundreds of parrots descend among the trees to feed on clay, an essential element for their metabolic balance. The sound of their wings, their sharp songs, and the contrast of their feathers with the surrounding greenery will create a moment of wonder and a deep connection with nature in its purest form.

After this magical experience, we’ll return to the lodge to enjoy our last breakfast in the middle of the jungle. With souls filled with memories and learning, we’ll take our backpacks and depart for Puerto Maldonado, where we’ll board the flight to Lima, bidding farewell to this corner of wildlife that will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on each of us.