Lima – Cusco – Classic Inca Trail – Tambopata 12D/11N

Trip highlights:

• Arrive in one of the most unique and varied countries of South America – Peru.
• Explore the enchanting Sacred Valley and experience the ancient culture of the Andes.
• Trek for four days on the long Inca Trail, among gorgeous mountain landscapes and enigmatic Inca ruins, ending up at Machu Picchu citadel.
• Be intrigued and amazed by an expert guided tour of Machu Picchu; climb to Huayna Picchu to get panoramic vistas of Machu Picchu.
• Visit Cusco and its off-the-beaten-path hidden treasures.
• Venture deep into the marvelous rainforest of Tambopata accompanied by expert professional guides.
• Leave your trip planning in the hands of the luxury travel experts of South America

Trip Description

An adventure across the Andes and into the jungle, this is the perfect trip for those who want to experience the full Inca trail as well as explore the Peruvian Amazon. Uncover the mysteries of the Inca Empire in Cusco and the enchanting Sacred Valley. Hike along the Inca Trail, accompanied by expert guides and porters, and follow in Inca footsteps right to the gates of Machu Picchu. Then dive into the legendary Amazon jungle, spotting rare wildlife and exotic flora. Luxury accommodations and personalized service will make this twelve-day expedition an experience to write home about.

Upon your arrival, our representative will be waiting to welcome you and take you to your hotel, where we will provide all the information about your trip.

In the afternoon you will have free time to rest and relax.

After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the airport for your flight to Cusco. When you arrive in Cusco, we will be waiting for you at the airport to bring you to the Sacred Valley, which is located at a lower altitude than Cusco, so you will have an easier time acclimating to the altitude. On route to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will stop at the Inkarri Museum, to immerse you in the history of the many pre-Incan cultures that influenced the Inca civilization as it expanded to become a great empire. You will then arrive at your hotel to rest in luxury for the night.

Breakfast/Lunch

In the early morning we will pick you up from your hotel to start the tour of the magical Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting first the archaeological site of Pisac—a place where the history and knowledge of the Incas is in full display, and where you can appreciate the beautiful terraces and the impressive construction of the urban center. We will then visit the local handicraft market town of Pisac, where you will find extraordinary handmade textiles, silverware, pottery, and more. Later we will head to Urubamba, where we will have a delicious lunch right in the heart of the Sacred Valley.

We will continue the tour by visiting the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where you can appreciate the beautiful and complex architectural design of the place, built as a military and administrative base, while also serving as a final resting place.

After visiting these stunning and beautiful sites, we return you to your hotel.

Breakfast/Lunch

Early in the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel to travel to kilometer 82 by bus, arriving at the starting point of the Inca Trail. Here we will meet the porters and the rest of the team that will be joining us. We’ll start our trek led by the porters.
We will walk down along the Urubamba River, enjoying magnificent views of the snow-capped peaks, until we reach the ruins of Llactapata.

We then leave the Urubamba Valley behind and follow the Kusichaca River until we reach Huayllabamba, about 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) above sea level.

There we will spend our first night in a comfortable campsite. We will stop for lunch along the way.

Walking time: 11 kilometers approximately (7 miles) in 6 hours.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

This morning we will get up very early, and after a nutritious breakfast we will start our ascent to the Warmiwayñusca (Dead Woman) pass, at 4200 meters (13780 feet) above sea level, through a narrow path filled with vegetation.

After about 6 hours of hiking, we will have arrived at the summit of the pass. From here we will enjoy breathtaking views of beautiful snow-capped mountains punctuating the blue sky. We will stop along the way for lunch.

Once we reach the end of the pass, we will stop at Pacaymayo, located at 3600 meters (11811 feet) above sea level, where we’ll set up camp to spend the night.

Walking distance: 7 kilometers approximately (4.5 miles) in 7 hours.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today we’ll pass through one of the most beautiful stretches of the Inca Trail, due to the number of archaeological sites en route.
After breakfast, we will go up a small hill leading to the circular ruins of Runkurakay, which was used in the Inca era as a military vantage point.

We will rest for a while, and then we will begin our descent down a very well-preserved stretch of the Inca trail until we reach the stairs leading to the ruins of Sayacmarca, located on a natural promontory at 3620 meters (11877 feet) above sea level.

Throughout the hike we will enjoy spectacular views and see many birds and a wide variety of orchids. From Sayacmarca we will enter the cloud forest through a stone path that will lead us to the ruins of Phuyupatamarca (city on the clouds) after crossing a small pass.

After that we continue to descend until reaching the ruins of Wiñay Wayna, undoubtedly one of the most beautiful structures after Machu Picchu, at 2650 meters (8695 feet) above sea level. After visiting the ruins we will go to the camping area where we’ll spend the last night of the trip.

Walking distance: From Pacaymayo to Phuyupatamarca 7 kilometers approximately (4.5 miles) in 6 hours, from Phuyupatamarca to Wiñay Wayna 4 kilometers approximately (2.5 miles) in 3 hours.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Today we wake up early to get the experience of a lifetime. We will leave from our campsite early in the morning and head towards the Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, the last pass on the Inca Trail at 2740 meters (8990 feet) above sea level. From this point, Machu Picchu will appear to be wondrous and unreal. After a guided visit through the citadel, we will have some free time to walk through it again. We will be assisted at the predetermined time in boarding the train to Cusco from the Aguas Calientes station. Arriving in Cusco, you will be taken to your hotel.

Walking distance: From Wiñay Wayna to Machu Picchu 5 kilometers approximately (3 miles) in 4 hours. From Phuyupatamarca to Machu Picchu 9 kilometers approximately (5.5 miles) in 7 hours.

Breakfast/Lunch

After a good breakfast, we will begin the tour of Cusco with its temples and monuments such as the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral, and the convent of Santo Domingo, which was built on top of the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, where you can see the impressive Inca constructions. There is also the archaeological complex of Sacsayhuaman, a masterpiece of Inca architecture, and where each year, on June 24, the famous Festival of the Sun or Inti Raymi is celebrated. Continuing the tour, we will visit Quenqo, with its monolithic altar, representing a puma, and then arrive at Puca Pucara, a beautiful spring-fed mountain that forms a series of pools. All of these sites are famous Inca monuments of great religious importance.

After enjoying a great lunch, one of our directors will share with you a unique experience created exclusively for Royal Luxury clients as a way to thank you for traveling with us. It will be a gift coming from our hearts.

Breakfast/Lunch

We start the day with a morning flight from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado. Then you will begin to experience the enchantment of the rainforest as you take a boat ride along the Madre de Dios River. After a short briefing, you will settle into your beautiful cabaña and enjoy your lunch in the dining room. Later, go on a guided walk along the trail system, into the Inkaterra Amazon Reserve’s natural area, where you will discover the flora and fauna of the Amazon basin, including impressive trees such as the Shihuahuaco and the strangely beautiful strangler fig. At nightfall, we will go on a thrilling twilight river excursion. As you discover this paradise, you will learn about differ animals habits, while searching for nightjars, owls, capybaras and up to three different species of caiman.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Wake up late or rise early — the choice is yours. During the morning you may go on the Lake Sandoval excursion into the Tambopata National Reserve. Glide in a wooden canoe, across a beautiful, mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter, as well as red howler monkeys, red-bellied macaws, anacondas, side-neck turtles and black caimans. Return to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica for lunch. After lunch, consider exploring the remarkable Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. During this expedition, be on the lookout for colorful toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, monkeys, and sloths. If you wish you may extend your excursion and watch the sunset from one of the towers. Finally, enjoy a great dinner at the lodge.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Enjoy a trip to Gamitana Creek, located 25 minutes by boat from the lodge, explore the rainforest along the banks of a winding, dark-water creek that is home to many piranha, caiman, turtles and birds, until the Sanipanga landing point. Navigate your way back downstream, observing the abundant flora and fauna along the way. You will return to Gamitana Farm to do a short guided tour to see how local farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Return to the lodge for lunch.

After lunch, enjoy the Hacienda Concepcion excursion, with over 200 different plant species, and learn about the uses and benefits of local flora, look for turtles, sun grebes, nightjars and exotic herons. Return to the lodge. Then consider the Rainforest by Night excursion through the Inkaterra Ecological Reserve at night. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

After breakfast, we will go to the airport in Puerto Maldonado for your flight back to Lima. On your arrival in Lima, we will take you to the district of Barranco to explore this bohemian and artisan neighborhood with the assistance of a guide and a private car at your disposal. Based on your international flight information, we will bring you back to the airport to help you check in.

Breakfast