This amazing package in Peru travel takes you through the rich biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest, to the lost city of Machu Picchu, along the legendary Inca Trail. One of the most popular of our Peru Tours, your explorations begin in the Amazon, where experienced naturalist guides will lead you on exciting jungle treks and canoe trips down river, while teaching you of the ecological wonders that surround you. Along the Inca Trail, you will marvel at engineering masterpieces attesting to the rich cultural history of this ancient people. An adventure awaits you at the Sun Gate, where you will explore the compellingly beautiful ruins of Machu Picchu. This fascinating Peru tour was designed for explorers, adventurers, and discoverers alike who seek the journey of a lifetime.

Day 1 Lima
Arrival and met by our representative to transfer you to your hotel. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional museum visits or tours of the city and surrounding sites.

Day 2 Lima - PTO Maldonado- Amazon Jungle Lodge

Take a morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Puerto Maldonado. A one hour motorized canoe ride up the Tambopata River brings you to the lodge, where you unpack and unwind. Receive a short welcome orientation and a complete briefing on the lodge and the Ecotourism Project before the afternoon activity, climbing the Canopy Tower. The Canopy Tower is a 115 ft. (35 m) scaffolding tower offering spectacular views of the river and the surrounding forest. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Puerto Maldonado
Rise at dawn for a visit to the Tres Chimbadas oxbow lake. After an early breakfast, depart from Posada Amazonas by boat and take a brief walk to the lake shore. From here embark on a long, easy canoe ride around it the lake. Scout out giant river otters, turtles, hoatzin, and wading birds. Return to the lodge's trails in time for a visit to a small parakeet clay lick. Dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of parakeets congregate here on clear days to ingest clay, creating an incredible photo opportunity. In the afternoon, visit the community's ethno-botanical center. Hike the trails around the center with one of the residents, who will explain the everyday uses of forest resources in medicine, construction, food, and fiber. Return to the lodge for the evening. (B, L, D)

Day 4 PTO Maldonado - Cusco
Make an early departure down river to Pto. Maldonado and then transfer to the airport for a short flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. Southern Explorations' drivers pick you up at the airport and take you on a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza De Armas. From there, you will be taken to your hotel, where you will be free for the remainder of the day to relax and acclimatize to the altitude (10,856 ft). (B)

Day 5 Cusco
The morning begins with a guided walking tour of the local markets of Cusco, the colonial cathedral, and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After a break for lunch, you'll depart for an afternoon tour of Cusco's temples and visit each distinctive Inca sight, including the fortress of Sacsayhuaman with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with its carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; the small fortress of Puka Pukara that protected the royal capital from attacks, and the water temple Tambo Machay. An evening briefing session orients you to the upcoming trek. (B)

Day 6 Cusco - Sacred Valley
Embark upon a day-long guided excursion through snowcapped mountains to the legendary Sacred Valley, as majestic today as it was during the reign of the Incas. Along the way, Inca terracing climbs the steep valley walls and the ruined temples of Pisac inspire panoramic views of the jagged granite mountains. Pisac is the location for one of the best textile markets in the Andes. There, your bargaining skills and enjoy the local culture. After lunch, reach Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), a small town with an impressive Inca fortress. Overnight at a local hotel in Ollantaytambo. (B)

Day 7 Sacred Valley - Paucarcancha Camp
Wake up early for the morning bus ride to (Km82), where the trek begins. After meeting our porters you'll cross the Urubamba River by bridge. Continuing on our way along the winding path, between the sloping banks of the Urubamba River, we experience a stunning view of the Vilcanota mountain ranges and Mount Veronica (18,745 ft.). Our route takes us through the narrow Cusichaca valley, with slopes that show the clear imprint of an ancient culture and its agriculture practices. Later, we pass the small indigenous community of Huayllabamba (9,025 ft.), to camp in the archaeological zone of Paucarcancha. (B,L,D)

Day 8 Paucarcancha - Llulluchspampa Camp
Along the trail, through the narrow hanging valley, you begin to see a cloud forest that harbors the Queñua tree, a rarity of the Andes. From here, the trail ascends steeply to a large pampas below the first pass. Camp overnight at Llulluchapampa (12,300 ft.), where you awake to the breathtaking view of Mt. Huayanay. (B,L,D)

Day 9 Llulluchspampa - Phuyupatamarca Camp
Physically, this is the hardest day of the trek, as the trail ascends steeply toward Warmiwañusca pass (13,680 ft.). From the pass, the trail descends to the Pacaymayo River and then climbs slowly past the ruins of Runkuraqay. A lower pass takes you from Runkuraqay to the ruins of Sayacmarca (12,628 ft.). Along the way, observe a marvelous section of Inca engineering, and then come upon the beautiful ruins of Phuyupatamarca (12,000 ft.), where you camp for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 10 Phuyupatamarca - Machu Piccu

Today, begin by the passing the Phuyupatamarca ruins, and follow the flag stoned trail that winds sharply down into the cloud forest and to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna (8,855 ft.). Wiñay Wayna is located along the same watercourse as Phuyupatamarca and boasts well-restored Inca ruins. After a two hour walk through a cloud forest along the Inca Trail, discover Machu Picchu (7,800 ft.) entering through Intipunku, the sun gate. After a brief tour, stay overnight at a hotel in nearby Aguas Calientes. (B,L)

Day 11 Machu Piccu - Cusco
The day is dedicated to exploring extraordinary Machu Picchu. The remainder of the day holds various opportunities for your own exploration, including a climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu or a walk through the lush cloud forest to the Temple of the Moon. The afternoon train takes you back to Cusco, where you are transferred to your hotel. (B)

Day 12 Cusco - Lima - Return Home
Morning transfer to the airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight. This marks the end of your Southern Exploration services. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can be arranged. (B)

*Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

Included in Tour Cost:
• Professional, English-speaking local guides and camp staff.
• Meals as indicated
• Plentiful, nutritious meals and snacks while on the trek (Vegetarian option available)
• All hotel and camping accommodations (twin shared basis)
• All transfers in private Van
• Entrance fees for Inca Trail, Machu Picchu and all scheduled tours and archaeological sites
• Porters to carry camping equipment and any excess gear
• North Face tents - three person
• Air mattresses
• Kitchen, dining and latrine tent
• Hot water in the morning for washing
• Drinking water through out the trek
• 2 tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu
• Train Ticket back to Cusco - Vista Dome train
• Southern Explorations pre departure services
• Airfare $395 (Lima/Puerto Maldonado/Lima/Cusco)

Not Included in Tour Cost:
- International round - trip airfare to and from Peru
- Airport taxes international (around $30) and local (around $5)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Sleeping bags, hiking boots, and other personal gear
- Continental breakfasts are included at all hotels. All other meals are not included unless specified in the itinerary.

Details about hiking the Inca Trail

The Machu Picchu and Inca Trail Tours consist of five to six hours of hiking per day. Plenty of time is allowed for you to set your own pace. You are expected to carry only a small daypack with your camera, spare film, water bottle, and rain gear. Porters carry additional clothing, personal effects, and the camping equipment. All trekkers are provided with a North Face tent and air mattress sleeping pad. Free from the weight of a large pack, you have more time for photography, observation, and exciting discovery on this Inca Trail Peru tour.

You will awake early in the morning to a fresh cup of tea brought to your tent, along with a bowl of hot water for washing. Expert trail cooks, with years of experience, will prepare your meals using fresh vegetables, beef, and chicken. Vegetarian offerings are also available.

Trekking begins around 8am and most of the day's distances are covered before lunchtime. We aim to arrive at the campsite by mid - afternoon, giving you plenty of time to unpack for the night and to enjoy your surroundings. You have ample time to walk at your own pace and take in the fascinating surroundings. This Inca Trail Hike is a trekker's dream.

For More Information
Visit Southern Explorations to reserve this Peru tour. Southern Explorations offers many tour packages to Peru, Costa Rica, the Amazon, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Bolivia, Agentina, Chile, Patagonia and Panama.