Starting and finishing in Cuzco, you’ll hike in the footsteps of the Incas, cycle through Andean villages and explore the Amazon jungle on our 10-day ‘Jaguar’ Ultimate Peru Adventure. Everyday will have you exploring new landscapes and taking in the captivating history Peru has to offer.
You’ll have the choice to hike either the Classic Inca Trail or the lesser-known Lares Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where you’ll have plenty of time to explore the enchanting passageways and stone structures. That’s not all this adventure entails though, you’ll also cycle through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, hike the Sacsayhuamán fortress, visit Pisac market and wander the virgin jungle of the Amazon.
The variety of activities and landscapes on this Ultimate Peru Adventure tour will give you a Peruvian trip like no other – and an experience you’ll never forget!
A few more reasons why you've gotta go:
01
The moisture from the Amazon basin writhes up through the mountains at night creates a fog. As the sun rises, the curtain of fog unfolds revealing the Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
02
Explore fascinating ancient city of Machu Picchu, first with a local guide, then further on your own.
03
Sit back, watch and listen for wildlife on a motorized canoe ride through the headwaters of the Amazon River. Giant otters, capuchin monkeys, caiman and an array of birds can be found in this area.
Arrival:
Cuzco, Peru CUZ
Departure:
Cuzco, Peru CUZ
Download PDF Itinerary
Day 1
Day 1:
Arrive in Cuzco, hike Sacsayhuamán fortress
Our trip starts in Cuzco, the heart of the Inca empire. Your trip leader will greet you with a cup of hot coca tea – a local specialty. After lunch, we’ll set off for a walk around this amazing ancient city and up to Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking the main Plaza and Cuzco Valley. The fortress, meaning ‘House of the Sun’, is a magnificent archaeological site representing a set of jaguar’s teeth with massive, perfectly fitted stones weighing up to 130 tons (143 tons) each and was the place where the Incas made their final stand against the Spanish conquistadores. No one really knows what the Incas used Sacsayhuamán for – some say it was a sanctuary and temple of the sun, others say it was a granary. No matter who is right, you’ll have a lot of fun hearing all the stories this amazing area inspires. Later, we’ll take a walk through the colorful Cuzco street markets. If you prefer, you can take some time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cuzco’s lively town square and meet up again later for an evening meal.
Meals Included
L, D
Overnight
Ramada Wyndham Costa del Sol, Cuzco
Day 2
Day 2:
Cycle Sacred Valley, visit Pisac market, hike Pisac ruins
We’ll head into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas this morning, stopping just above Cuzco, where we’ll jump on our bikes and ride down through breath-taking scenery, dotted with local villages and surrounded by the massive green slopes of the Andes. We’ll finish our ride in the small town of Pisac, where we’ll have a chance to check out the colourful mercado artesanal. From here we’ll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. These Inca terraces rise 610 meters (2000 feet) up from the river below. It’s a heart-pumping walk up through ancient agricultural terraces – you’ll never forget the views of Pisac and the Urubamba Valley! After exploring the ancient complex, we’ll descend the original Inca stairways and head back down the valley to Cuzco. This is the largest existing fortress-city of the Incas, and it’s the perfect warm-up for your Inca Trail trek tomorrow!
Day 3 (afternoon) – Hike Lares Inca Trail to Cuncani
From Cuzco, we’ll head in the direction of the Sacred Valley. The road leads to Lares and crosses the Amparaes Pass. This phenomenal drive winds through arid landscapes, crosses rivers and you’ll see some of the most stunning mountain vistas in Peru. Our final destination is the hot baths of Lares. Here, naturally occurring hot springs await us before we set out on our trek. From the thermal baths unfolds a small track used by local children and community members of Lares. We’ll pass through hand tilled fields and crops of quinoa and potato, amongst quaint stone houses. After a gradual climb of a few hours we’ll stop for a delicious lunch, before continuing on to the community of Cuncani, where we’ll set up camp for the evening.
Option B, Classic Inca Trail
Day 3 (afternoon) – Hike through the sacred Valley of the Incas
We’ll leave Cuzco and make our way through the Sacred Valley of the Incas before starting our hike at Piscacucho, or Kilometer 82 as it is known by the locals. From here we’ll spend the day hiking alongside the Rio Cusichaca, surrounded by massive Andean peaks, Inca ruins and semi-arid forest. We’ll visit a couple of small villages along the way, then have lunch and rest a while on the way to our first camp, Pisonay. When you arrive at camp, you’ll find our porters have set up your tent so you can simply relax with a hot drink and get to know your fellow travelers. Tonight our cooks will prepare the first of many sumptuous hot meals for us to enjoy in our dining tent – you’ll be impressed how well we take care of you on the trail.
Hike Lares Inca Trail over Paso de Pumahuanca to Paccha | Hike Inca Trail to Pacaymayo
Option A, Lares Inca Trail
Day 4 – Hike Lares Inca Trail over Paso de Pumahuanca to Paccha
If we have clear skies at sunrise, we’ll wake to the imposing view of Colque Crus, a majestic mountain capped by a glacier, which provides water to the local community. We follow the path next to an icy stream that will take us towards the pass. The ascent is challenging. On reaching the summit a stunning view of the Pampas of Anta awaits us, followed by a descent that will be most welcome after the challenging climb. The descent is steep but beautiful, crossing a small forest of ‘Polylepis’, the endemic and endangered trees of the high Andes. Just after the forest and with an incredible view of the valley below we will stop for lunch. After which the drop continues until we reach our camp, a tranquil paradise surrounded by trees and crossed by a small river. Tonight, if we find some dead tinder, we’ll enjoy a cosy campfire.
Option B, Classic Inca Trail
Day 4 – Hike Inca Trail to Pacaymayo
Today is an unforgettable day. You’ll be woken with a cup of coca tea brought to your tent door. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll begin our hike on what will be our most challenging day. Today we climb 914 metres (3000 feet) up to Warmiwañusqa, or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ altitude 4400 metres (14,435 feet). The trail winds its way up through a beautiful mountain pass with stunning panoramic views of the alpine wonderland. It’s a challenging hike to the pass, and the 360º views make every step worthwhile. After celebrating our ascent, we’ll walk down cobbled steps paved by the Incas over 500 years ago to Pacaymayo Valley, our camp for the evening. Again, we’ll already have tents set up so all you need to do is relax and enjoy the evening.
Hike Lares Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo | Hike Inca Trail to Wiñay Wayna
Option A, Lares Inca Trail
Day 5 – Hike Lares Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo
This morning will be our last on the trail. From camp the walk becomes easier down to the piscigranja (fish farm). As we descend we’ll feel the climate changing, becoming warmer and more alive, with more variety in vegetation, and we’ll be accompanied by hummingbirds along the way. After a few short hours we’ll meet our private transportation that will take us to Ollantaytambo Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. As the train travels along, the valley turns into a canyon and the scenery alters, as the cloud forests begin to appear, on our approach to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. We will disembark the train at Aguas Calientes. After a well-deserved shower we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the best restaurants in town.
Option B, Classic Inca Trail
Day 5 – Hike Inca Trail to Wiñay Wayna
The scenery gets even better today! We’ll explore several fascinating Inca fortresses as we descend, with the cloud forest becoming more and more lush as the air becomes warmer and denser. The ancient ruins and increasingly verdant surroundings lend an eerie mood to the day as we make our way down to our next camp, Wiñay Wayna. This is our final night on the trail, with breath-taking views and another hearty dinner!
Meals Included
B, L, D
Overnight
Local hotel, Aguas Calientes (2,040 meters (6,692 feet)) or Classic Inca Trail camp (3,600 meters (11,810 feet))
Day 6
Day 6:
Explore Machu Picchu
Option A, Lares Inca Trail
Day 6 (morning) – Visit Machu Picchu
After an early breakfast, we’ll head up to the ancient city of Machu Picchu, where we’ll join the rest of our group.
Option B, Classic Inca Trail
Day 6 (morning) – Hike to Machu Picchu
After a very early breakfast, we hike about an hour in the dawn light to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. We’ll wait here for the sun to rise and the morning fog to lift, giving us our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. It’s a moment to savor before we make our way down to explore this mysterious ancient city!
Both Options Day 6
We’ll meet our local guide who will show us around this fascinating ancient city. Afterwards, you’ll have all morning to explore the many passageways and stone structures of this mysterious place on your own. If you were on the Lares Trail, you’ll also have the chance to hike back to the Sun Gate for a unique perspective on these remote Inca ruins, set high on the top of a mountain surrounded by lush peaks. After plenty of time to explore Machu Picchu, we’ll take a scenic train ride back to Cuzco.
Meals Included
B, L, D
Overnight
Ramada Wyndham Costa del Sol, Cuzco
Day 7
Day 7:
Free day in Cuzco
Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and it’s a fabulous place to spend a day exploring – it’s no wonder it’s the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city! Walk along Cuzco’s central streets, lined with massive Inca-built stone walls that form the foundation of the city and blend into the colonial and modern architecture that has been added over the years. You can take the day to explore Cuzco’s most popular temples, museums, churches and fortresses. Alternatively, we’ll help you arrange one of the many optional guided activities available including mountain biking, hiking, or horseback riding. There’s also no shortage of great food and entertainment in Cuzco, with restaurants to suit any taste, cafés for coffee in the Plaza de Armas and great bars with local music.
Meals Included
B
Overnight
Ramada Wyndham Costa del Sol, Cuzco
Day 8
Day 8:
Journey to the Amazon, wildlife viewing in Tambopata Reserve
Today we’ll take a short flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, a frontier town in the Amazon basin. We’ll take to motorised canoes and glide deep into the jungle down the Tambopata River, one of the headwaters of the Amazon. Listen for howler monkeys in the tropical forest canopy above and spot macaws perched high on the riverbanks. This area is teeming with wildlife and the boat trip to our jungle lodge is a great opportunity to look for giant otters, capuchin monkeys, caiman and an array of birds that can be found in this area. After lunch, we’ll experience the jungle with all of our senses by exploring on foot this time. Keep an eye out for the rainforest dwellers – including several species of monkeys – that come out in search of food in the late afternoon! After dark, you’ll have a chance to get back on board the canoes with a spotlight in search of the nocturnal caiman (South American crocodile) lurking in the river.
Meals Included
B, L, D
Overnight
Amazon Lodgings, Amazon jungle
Day 9
Day 9:
Wildlife hike, virgin jungle exploration
This morning we’ll explore some of the many miles of jungle trails that criss-cross the dense rainforest. We’ll travel by motorised canoe and hike through virgin forest to experience the wealth of native flora and fauna under the Amazon rainforest canopy, and learn how the indigenous people thrive in this challenging environment. The Amazon is the most biologically diverse place on Earth and you’ll discover more about the amazing flora and fauna here, as well as learning about the incredible medicinal plants that are found in this region. After lunch, you have the rest of the afternoon free to hang out at the lodge with a book or continue exploring the surrounding area on your own. If you’d prefer to hike a little more this afternoon, you can head out with our naturalist guide on little-known trails that pass by the homes of some of the rarest animals in the rainforest. This evening we’ll brave the jungle on foot to look for tarantulas, insects and frogs that come out after dark.
Meals Included
B, L, D
Overnight
Amazon Lodgings, Amazon jungle
Day 10
Day 10:
Return to Cuzco, depart for home
This morning we leave the rainforest and take a boat back to Puerto Maldonado, where we’ll catch a short flight to Cuzco. This is the last day of your trip in Peru, if you have time to spare after the trip, we’re happy to give you suggestions on how to make the most of it. On the other hand, if you’re on your way home today, we’ll send you back refreshed and invigorated from the great food, exercise, rest and adventures you’ll have had with us in Peru!
If you arrive on the first day of your trip, an Austin Adventures South America representative will meet you at the Cuzco airport (CUZ) (flights to arrive by 11am) and take you to your accommodation. If you’re already in Cuzco, you’ll meet your trip leader and the rest of your group in the lobby of your joining hotel at 12 noon.
On the last day of your trip we’ll fly you to Cuzco airport where your trip ends.
Crowned by the towering Andes and tucked between the Amazon and the Pacific, Peru offers a captivating mix of adventure, nature, and history. Embedded in every active traveler’s Top Ten List is the great city of the clouds, Machu Picchu. Our route takes us there from bustling Lima to the cobblestone streets of Cusco, from ruin to ruin across the Sacred Valley, and by train and breathtaking footpath over the Inca Trail. Catch a glimpse of the Andean Condor, a vulture with the largest wingspan of any land bird – 10.5 feet! Discover the colorful street markets, friendly people, and strong local culture of Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca empire. Photograph the myriad of salt pans in Maras as the sun reflects off the water’s surface, slowly evaporating and leaving salt in its wake. Delight in the traditional Peruvian dish of Pachamanca: lamb, mutton, pork, chicken, or guinea pig, marinated in spices and baked with the aid of hot stones in an earthen oven known as a huatia. Did you know that Machu Picchu is called “The Lost City” because when it was “rediscovered” by Yale explorer Hiram Bingham III in 1911, the jungle had literally swallowed the complex ruins? Even a knife blade can’t be inserted between the precise mortarless joints of the stones used in the building of Machu Picchu, and many of these stones weighed more than 50 tons! Come explore Peru with the experts in adventure travel!
Meals
The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments, and receptions – except one dinner on your own – are included as indicated by the itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
Pre-departure Information
After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire, and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
What's Included
Included in the Trip Price
Double occupancy rooms with private baths.
All meals except a day on your own in Cuzco.
Fully trained, bilingual professional guides and knowledgeable local partners.
Bikes, helmets, and other necessary equipment – all safe and well maintained.
Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip.
Austin Adventures T-shirt & luggage tags.
Pre-departure and packing information.
Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, & local partner & expert gratuities.
Entrance fees to attractions in Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu & Huaynapicchu.
Not Included in the Trip Price
Flights from Lima – Cusco – Lima (approximately $500 per person, depending on availability).
Guide gratuities.
Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities.
Dinner on Night 1 during the trip.
Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses.
Air and land transportation to/from host cities.
All types of personal insurance.
Personal expenses.
View the "Wow Factor" Included in Each Austin Adventure
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
1Easy (1)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
2Moderately Easy (2)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
3Moderate (3)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
4Moderate to Challenging (4)
Activity levels are subjective depending on your general level of fitness and your experience; however, all of our trips are self-paced.
5Challenging (5)
New Zealand Expert
Kristie Lane
Kristie is from the Hawkes Bay, a beautiful spot on the East Coast of the North Island well known for the sunny weather, great beaches and world-class wines – Her three favourite things! She’s spent the last 8 years living abroad in Melbourne, the Whitsundays and most recently Edinburgh while working in the Travel industry. She’s now back in New Zealand after extensive travel throughout Europe, the US and Asia and is a Travel Specialist here at Austin Adventures. When she isn’t planning your trips she is planning her own, ticking off her own travel wish list as often as possible!
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