Departing your hotel early we enjoy a spectacular drive across the Anta plains and down towards the Apurimac Valley, before climbing up to the small town of Mollepata and continuing on to Soraypampa.
We then meet our muleteers and start with a great acclimatisation hike to a beautiful mountain lake and a chance to stretch our legs before we head to our campsite on the large Soraypampa plain.

A beautiful but tough day’s hiking, as we climb out of the Mollepata Valley on a steep winding trail that slowly ascends to the highest point of the trek at 4650m. Weather permitting we will have spectacular views of the snowy glaciers of Salcantay.
We continue further down the valley to a more sheltered campsite at a lower altitude.

From the small community of Colcapata, we are now trekking into the cloud forest. We can find all sorts of jungle produce along the way – this valley is one of the biggest coffee-producing regions of Southern Peru as well as growing coca, papayas, oranges and other jungle fruits. We cross several small streams and finally arrive at Playa. This is our chance to grab a cold drink before the short hike along the road to Lucmabamba, where we camp beside some original Inca terraces.
Time permitting there may be a chance to catch a taxi down to the small town of Santa Teresa, which boasts gorgeous hot springs.

Our final day of hiking takes us through the lush vegetation of coffee and tropical fruit plantations and up into pristine cloud forest.
We follow an ancient Inca Trail to Llactapata, an Inca site that has only recently been excavated. We will also have a truly amazing view of Machu Picchu that few tourists get to see.
We’ll descend to the Urubamba valley to the hydroelectric plant from where a short, but spectacular train journey brings us to the bustling tourist town now known as Machu Picchu Pueblo. Here we check into our hotel and enjoy a shower before heading out to sample one of the many restaurants and bars.

Today you explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering – Machu Picchu. For years it was lost to the jungle. Rediscovered in 1911 by the Yale professor Hiram Bingham, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations.
This astounding site lies in an even more astonishing location. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop it is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba river. Things are slightly easier now than in the time of the Incas and so you start your day with a twenty minute bus ride up to the site.
Enjoy a fully guided tour of the residential, religious and agricultural sectors of the fabled “Lost City of the Incas – Machu Picchu”. (If you wish to visit Wayna Picchu, Huchuy Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain these require an extra permit. Please enquire at time of booking if you require one.)

In the afternoon, we board the train for an interesting ride along the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here our waiting bus whisks us back to our hotel. The scenery is beautiful and the train jolts softly along, allowing you to sit, stare out the window and reflect on all you have seen.

• Travel amongst impressive andean mountain scenery
• Visit the glacial lake of Humantay
• Get a great view of Machu Picchu from Llaqtapata
• Optional visit to Santa Teresa Hot Springs
• Get a day exploring the Machu Picchu citadel