Exploring Peru and Hiking the Inca Trail

After breakfast, you are picked up from your hotel for a day full of culture and beautiful nature. Our first visit is to Moray, a small community famous for its embedded amphitheater that is formed by circular terraces which seem to disappear into the ground. Scientists think that Moray has played an important role in the agricultural research conducted by the Incas.

Shortly after your visit, you will head to the salt mines located near Maras dating from colonial time. We will then continue to Ollantaytambo, an ancient form standing proudly in the famous Sacred Valley.

The day is concluded with a visit to Chinchero, believed to be the mythical birthplace of the rainbow. On Chinchero's main plaza, you find a colonial church built in the 17th century along with the chance to experience the Pisac Market.The Pisac Market is one of the most famous markets in the Cusco region. A large section of the market offers souvenir stalls where you can find weaving, jewelry, ponchos, hats, Andean instruments, ceramics, alpaca products, and a range of other gifts to take home to loved ones. Upon returning to the hotel, the rest of your day will be at leisure.

We start our day with a 51 mile drive in the Sacred Valley of the Incas to the starting point of our trek in the community of Piscacucho. Upon arrival, porters will be waiting with your equipment ready and will accompany you throughout the journey. They are an essential part of this adventure, and you will be glad to have them along for the ride.

We will begin our journey parallel to the Urubamba River, toward the town of Miskay, surrounded by beautiful views of the imposing Mount Veronica. From here, climb to the viewpoint of Llactapata, where we observe this ancient Inca agricultural center.

At this point, we will say goodbye to the Urubamba Valley and introduce ourselves to the Huayllabamba Valley, where we will camp in a village of the same name built on the foundations of an ancient Inca settlement.

After a hearty breakfast, we will begin our journey hiking up to Llulluchapampa, through the Uncas Forest, followed by the Dwarf Forest, and finally arrive at the top of the Inca Trail.

Take in the breathtaking scenery as we reach the gap of Warmihuyñuska at 13,829 feet, where the landscape transforms into an arid Andean highland. We will then descend 2,952 feet by stone steps, bringing us to a cloud forest. In this area, we will have the opportunity to watch several species of native birds until we reach the Pacaymayo area where we will camp for the night.

Today, you will be taken aback by some of the most beautiful scenery we will encounter on the Inca trail. As we begin our ascent towards the Runkurakay Gap, take in the step of Warmiñuska and the valleys that descend to the Amazon.

Continue towards the cloud forest as we make our way into a wide, paved and well-preserved Inca trail surrounded by orchids, ferns, and bromeliads to the ruins of Sayacmarca. It is an ideal habitat for birds and the Andean bear, which we will hopefully see in this area.

Finally, we make our way to Phuyupatamarca, where we will camp and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Urubamba and Vilcanota mountain ranges. As we settle in, you will be in awe of the landscape which dissolves before our eyes to make way for the Amazon. Enjoy the rest of the evening at the campsite, recapping the highlights of our journey and wildlife that was observed along the way.