The Amazon and Inca Trail enables you to discover this Andean country by visiting its capital and seeing its growing progress. Stay at a jungle lodge in the Peruvian Amazon to spot incredible wildlife, hike through the ancient ruins of Cusco and visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Immerse your senses at the colorful local markets, visit the Incan town of Pisaq and the fortress of Ollantaytambo and follow the Incas footsteps on the ancient Inca Trail for 4 days finishing at the breathtaking Machu Picchu.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is most famous and preserved road that the Incanato had. With its cobbled path it crosses important archaeological ruins such as Huayllabamba, Runcuracay, Sayacmarca, Puyupatamarca, Huíñayhuayna and inti Punku before arriving at the great citadel of Machu Picchu.
It’s necessary to have at least four days to explore it. The geography is rugged and allows to contemplate landscapes of great beauty that includes imposing snow-capped mountains, lush jungles and forests. The water abounds in the ravines which are protected from the strong wind, a characteristic of the steps of height.
From the ancient town of Cusco to jungle exploits in the Amazon and the famous Inca Trail Hike, this marvelous journey has it all. Fall in love with the Sacred Valley before starting one of the most excellent short hikes in the world. We begin the hiking through exquisite landscapes, following the course of the Urubamba River, over the high pass at Warmiwañusca and later the second pass at Abra Runkuracay. The view of the Andes will amaze you. From here the path turns through the Gateway of the Sun to Machu Picchu, where we take our time touring this astonishing and mysterious site. The river boat trip and rainforest walk in the rainforest are high points. You will stay in a jungle lodge - an ideal place for rainforest hikes, spotting wildlife and canoeing. This eventful trip ends in the lovely town of Cusco.
Crew: Tierras Vivas Representatives in Lima and Cusco, professional local bilingual Tour Guides, a Cook and Porters
Accommodation: 3* hotels (5 nights), jungle lodge (2 nights), campsites (3 nights).
Meals: 10x breakfast, 5x lunch, 5x dinner, 3x afternoon tea.
Transportation: 2x domestic flights, transportation by private van, motorboat transportation, 1x train (Expedition Class).
Camping equipment: You can view our 4 day hike the camping equipment!
Lima | Peruvian Amazon | Cusco | Sacred Valley | Ollantaytambo | Machu Picchu
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You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. There are no activities planned, so that you can arrive at any time. You are free to unwind at the hotel or amble around the town of Miraflores, the part of Lima where the hotel is situated. Some of Lima's finest galleries, museums, shops and restaurants are around here. Established by Francisco Pizarro in 1535, Lima is the oldest capital in South America, with an excellent mixture of Spanish colonial and 19th century Europen architecture. If you have time we recommend the Museo de la Nacion or the Larco Herrera Museum.
Transfer to Lima airport to take a flight to Puerto Maldonado which lies deep in the Peruvian Amazon. Transfer from Puerto Maldonado to Tambopata River Port where you travel into the Amazonas by a motorized boat over the Madre de Dios River to our lodge settled snugly in the jungle. On our journey to the lodge, we will enter the buffer zone of this 1.3 million hectare conservation unit, where you have a chance to see bird species typical for the river and the forest´s outskirts.
The jungle lodge combines a native architecture and materials with a low-impact technology intending to preserve the local environment. Rooms of the lodge are simple, but comfortable, containing mosquito´s nets over each bed, flush toilets, showers (but without hot water) and kerosene (paraffine) lamps for lighting (there is no electricity). Staff of the lodge are naturalists, tourism professionals and community members who speak english.
You explore the Peruvian Amazon with local guides. On the third day of this Amazonian trip, we transfer you back to the airport of Puerto Maldonado for your flight to Cusco located in the high Andes.
Upon arrival to Cusco, meet and greet, and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to acclimatize to its high altitude and discover the city at your convenience.
Cusco was the capital and heart of the Incan Empire (Tawantinsuyo = the Country of the Four Cardinal Points) that served as a base to Inca´s expansion into new territories. It is also the archaeological asset of the Americas. The oldest running inhabited city on the continent, Cusco is infused with a feeling of enigma and importance. You can see a Spanish style in the city today with its charming pink tiled roof, arched plazas and steep bending alleyways. The city stands on huge Inca foundation stones, as you walk around town you can't miss the Inca Empire connection, from the stone walls that line the streets to the museums filled with antiques and relics of long gone communities.
If you feel up to it in the afternoon we recommend a city tour. Visit San Pedro Market where you will find the authentic local essence and discover the local goods. The glorious Qoricancha or Sun Temple which is now the Santa Domingo Church is a must see; its Quechua name means Temple of Gold because it was once plentifully bestrewn in gold and its brilliance can still be felt within it's walls.
This gorgeous colonial city offers nearby Incan ruins, cobble-stoned streets, museums, churches and a lively atmosphere. Walk along San Blas, the artisans' community and Hatun Rumiyoc street to see the Inca Roca palace, which is now the Archbishops Palace and go by the Twelve Angle Stone to appreciate it from closeup. On the main square is the Cathedral with its priceless and extraordinary colonial art work.
Other good museums are the Inca Museum, Qoricancha Museum, Archaeological Museum (which also houses a small art exhibition), Regional Historic Museum and Religious Art Museum.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
You will be driven to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Sacred Valley provided the Inca culture with large amounts of food agriculturally and includes various Inca remnants. The valley has been formed by the Urubamba River also known as the Vilcanota River and it goes through Pisac and Ollanaytambo up to the ancient natural sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley is a lush agricultural region that keeps supplying the Cusco City with lots of its production. We are taken to the impressive Inca site of Pisac, an archaeological complex situated on the hillside high above the town, with amazing vistas of frost-topped mountains. This place has fascinating agricultural terracing carved into the mountainside. Uphill are well-kept temples, including a Solar Clock or Intiwatana which are magnificent designs.
Carrying on our tour of Pisac we then go to the its long-established market. An excellent location for buying some keepsakes! We have enough free time here to have a wander and buy some crafts or try some classic Andean foods, drop in to one of the wood ovens for a tasty empanada or bread. Then we stop in Urubamba, considered to be the capital of the valley, to have a buffet lunch offering Andean cuisine (not included in the tour). Afterwards we continue to Ollantaytambo, a little town brimming with native atmosphere and occupied since Inca times, we stop at the principle templethat was used as an Incan fortress during the Incas resistance. Beautiful views for some awesome photos.
We will be taken to the hotel where we can have some downtime for the rest of the day in this small town before we hike to Machu Picchu the next morning. Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days is physically demanding but worth it! An entire system of connections of joining roads linked Cusco to its colonies and its other commonwealths.
This wonderful route runs from high mountains down to cloud forest, going through ecological zones with an array of flora and avifauna and a variety of archaeological sites. There will be cooks, and porters to carry most of the equipment so you just need to bring a backpack with the necessities. It is within the ability of the most reasonably fit. This 44 km (27 mile) trek is often steep with 2 high passes to be crossed. Temperatures at night may fall below zero so it is important to be prepared for that! It also sometimes rain, even in the dry season.
Day 06: From the trailhead at km82 the route follows the left bank of the Urubamba River. We visit the Inca archaeological sites of Willca Raccay and the ruins of Llacatapata. We then continue up the Cusichaha River Canyon which offers magnificent views of the Cordillera Oriental, including the beauteous Veronica Mountain (5850m). Lunch in Chamana and continue along the Cusichaca River until reaching the village of Huayllabamba. From there we ascend through high Andean land coverd with trees and bushes named to a large area of flat land without trees named Llulluchapampa, the location of our first campsite.
Day 07: You will cross the highest pass on your second day at Warmiwañusca (translates to 'Dead Woman's Pass)! (4050m)(13,280ft) before descending as far as Pacamayo where you have a lunch break. We then go down hill, along a paved Incan road to the ruins of Runkuracay and Sayacmarca. We then you get over the second pass - Abra Runkuracay and walk down the 'Royal Inca Highway' down to Sayacmarca, finally reaching our campsite at Chaquicocha.
Day 08: Today we come into the cloud forest and descend to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca by way of a stone stairway. This is one of the best preserved and completed sites. It is on top of a hill and its name in Quechua means "Town above the clouds". After a guided tour we have lunch there. From there the route goes down a dizzying slant along Inca stone steps for about 3 hours to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, a charming Inca site positioned in thick forest. We have a guided tour, after dinner we set up camp at Wiñay Wayna.
Day 09: We hike the ancient steps to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, a further 2 hours from where we get our first sight of Machu Picchu. Accompanied by our guide we will go to the temples, houses, agricultural terraces and palaces and then have some time to have a look by ourselves. Afternoon return to Cusco by train.
Early morning of the last day, you will trek the last 5 kilometers of the classic Inca Trail in machupicchu to reach Inti Punku (the Sun Gate) before sunrise where we will enjoy the sanctorium of Machu Picchu as the sun comes up. You will have guided tour of the site and free time to explore. After your visit you descend to the town of Aguas Calientes where you can eat and unwind before taking your train back to Cusco in the evening.
Today you have time to explore at your leisure, maybe visiting some of the sites on foot or by bus. For the archaeological fans , the Inca sites of Q'enqo.
For the more adventurous there are optional activities such as white water rafting on the Urubamba River(grade 2-3) or mountain biking into the Sacred Valley of the Incas or Maras-Moray-Salineras and perhaps visiting some Incan sites along the way. You don't need to have experience to do these activities, instructions are given and all safety equipment provided.
You can also visit the four encircling Inca ruins along the way: Q'enqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay and the dramatic fortress of Sacsayhuaman, constructed startegically on a hill overlooking Cusco, distinguished for its huge carved stones, joined with amazing precision to form the outer walls, some of which are over 9m/30ft tall and weigh over 350 tons. You can also do horseback riding at these sites
Transfer to Cusco airport after breakfast. End of the tour or alternatively, a good time to extend your trip!
Please note: a return flight to Lima can be arranged upon request!
Meal budget: Please allow USD 100-150 for meals not included.
Single room: Please note that if you have booked the "Single Room" option for this tour, you receive your own single room for all overnights and a single tent for the Inca Trail.
Local flights: There are two local flights included in the cost of your tour. It is very important that we have got your passport details at the time of booking in order to process all air tickets! Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to each flight departure!
If you like to do the Amazon and Inca Trail Tour, please first check an availability on this website: Inca Trail Available. Choose year and month when you like to do the tour. Please note: the Inca Trail starts on the sixth day of the Inca Trail Expedition Tour! (For example, if you like to start the tour on the 6th of August, you need to check availability of the day 11th of August!)
If there is still availability of the Inca Trail on your date requested in the time of your booking, the booking of the Inca Trail Expedition Tour will be confirmed firstly by our Reservation Department via e-mail. Then your full personal details wil be required as well as a deposit in order to purchase your Inca Trail permit. (Please note that an Inca Trail booking is valid only for 1 hour!! If it is not paid within this time, it expires!!!)
Each February, the Inca Trail is closed to allow its conservation as well as to give vegetation a chance to recover. This is a suitable month to close it since it is the wettest month of the year too. However, Machu Picchu itself remains open during the month so you can visit it!
All Tierras Vivas adventurous group tours are accompanied by a Tierras Vivas Tour Guide, a Representative or an expedition team. The aim of our Tour Guides is to take a hassle out of our customers’ trips and to help them to have the best trip possible. The Tour Guides provide information on places visited, offer suggestions of what to see and to do, recommend a good place to eat and introduce to his/her colleagues. The Guides have a broad general knowledge of each country visited during a tour, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local Tour Guides where we think that more specific knowledge could add more enjoyment to visited places.
During the Inca Trail we spend three nights full-service camping, meaning that our camp staff will erect and dismantle the tents, cook, and do all camp chores for you: you need only carry your day pack. There will also be dining and toilet tents and bowls of warm water are provided both morning and evening for washing with
Accommodation in Lima:
Address: Calle Bellavista N 320
Tel: (+51) 1 4446033
Accommodation in Cusco:
Address: Calle Matara N 394, Cusco
Tel: (+51) 84 224466
Accommodation in Ollantaytambo:
Hostal Las Orquidea Real
Address: Av Ferrocarril , Ollantaytambo
Tel: (+51) 84 204032
During the tour, we request our hotels to get ready your rooms for time of your arrival, especially, if you arrive prior to standard check-in time. Nevertheless, this is not always possible. In this case, you just store your luggage in that hotel storage room and you can explore around your new destination in between.
Please note! If you have purchased pre or post trip accommodation, you might be asked to change your room during your trip.
A kind of luggage you need to take with depends on a kind of tour you plan to undertake, a part of the country you like to visit, a year season and a length of your trip. In general, you should pack as lightly as possible because you carry your own luggage during most of our tours (however, there are not long walking distances – up to 30 minutes). We recommend you to keep weight of your luggage under 10 kg (22 lb.).
Most of travelers use a suitcase. However, a big backpack would be more suitable. In any case, please do not forget a small rucksack that you will need for daily travels (to carry your bottled water, camera, snacks, etc.). It is better to avoid a wheeled luggage and use luggage with shoulder straps.
Clothing to take with you depends on a year season in Peru and a part of country you plan to visit.
When visiting coastline of the Northern Peru and surroundings of Lima, then you need to pack some light cloths (for example, shorts, skirts, dresses, T-shirts), flip-flops, sandals, a head cover as a protection against the Sun (a hat or a cap), sun protection cream, sunglasses, mosquitos repellent and swimsuit, of course.
If you plan to visit Peruvian mountains (Andean mountain range or Altiplano), then we recommend you to take some trousers suitable for hiking, shorts, T-shirts and trekking shoes for the days; and sweaters, fleeces, hats, scarves and warm jackets for the nights. You also should take a sun protection cream, sun glasses and in some cases, mosquito repellent (depending on a route chosen). It is very convenient to have a light rain-gear available in a daypack (e.g. a waterproof poncho or jacket and/or waterproof trousers) as weather changes quickly and rains can suddenly occur. For more details, please check the below link of “What to Bring on the Inca Trail Expedition Tour”.
If you like to see the Amazonian rainforest (Manu, Puerto Maldonado, Iquitos, etc.), then the most important item of your luggage must be a mosquito repellent (20 DEET as a minimum recommended)!! Except that, you should take some light clothing with long sleeves and long trousers (to put into your shoes as a kind of protection against insect). You should not forget some waterproof cloths (especially, if you plan to visit the rainforest during a rainy season), comfortable and closed footwear, long socks and a hat.
This tour involves the wonderful Manu National Park. This park is located in the district of Kosñipata in Cusco and in Madre de Dios. This tour allows you to experience the beauty of the high Andes, the Manu Cloud Forest, Manu National Park and Blanquillo Areas where you can watch the beautiful flora and fauna. Manu Extreme Biodiversity
This tour takes you to the High Andes, the Manu Cloud Forest and Manu Blaquillo area. In this tour you’re going to explore the flora and fauna of the Peruvian Rainforest, experience breathtaking experiences on the jungle and you’re going to be able to see the flora and fauna of this place. This exploration increases the chance of spotting many rare species found within the Manu. Manu Park Iosphere
This alternative tour involves a visit of the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest, a 4 day Lares Trek to Machu Picchu and then a visit of the Titicaca Lake. On the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest you can watch the wonderful Flora and Fauna that Peru gives. On the Lares trek you’re going to see ancient ruins and then visit one of the wonders of the world, Machu Picchu. After that you head to Cusco and then to Puno to visit the highest navigable Lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. Peru Amazon and Lares Trek
This tour takes you through the Amazon Rainforest, the Lares Valley and then Machu Picchu. First, you trek the Lares Valley that leads to Machu Picchu, there you are able to see ancient ruins and the “New Wonder of the World” Machu Picchu. You also visit Cusco and the Sacred Valley of the Inca observing its ancient monuments and natural beauties. The other highlight of the tour is the Amazon Rainforest also called “Lungs of the World”. There you can explore its amazing flora and fauna. Peru Hike & Amazon
| Days | 11 |
| Code | PIE |
Activity level |
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