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Trek Peru - provisional itinerary

Cusco

Day 1

Fly London - Lima

Depending on the airline schedule you may stay in Lima tonight or fly directly to Cusco.

Day 2

Arrive Cusco

Morning arrival in Cusco. Once we are settled into the hotel the day is yours to relax and explore the sites of this beautiful city whilst adjusting to the altitude and watching the world go by in one of the many cafés in the Plaza de Armas. There will be a trip briefing later today to help you prepare for the coming days.

Llamas

Day 3

Tambo Machay - Cusco

Today we will start our trekking at the ancient ruins of Tambo Machay, the ancient ruins high above Cusco. We pass some of the amazing Inca sites in the surrounding countryside as we walk downhill to Sacsayhuaman, the huge and impressive Inca ruin on the outskirts of Cusco. As well as the stunning scenery around us, today's trek gives us a great opportunity to acclimatise to the altitude.

Trekking time approx 5 hrs

Day 4

Cusco - Lares - Kunkani

We start our day with a bus journey to the mountain town of Lares (at 3650m) where we have lunch and can visit the local hot springs. In the afternoon we hike to the town of Kunkani; this takes approximately four hours and is a lovely introduction into the life of the local Peruvians who live in these remote areas.

Trekking time approx 4 hrs

Roadside stalls

Day 5

Kunkani - Cruzcasa - Chacchapata

Today after breakfast we will begin our hike to Cruzcasa pass (at 4200 metres). From here we can see the highest peak in the mountain range, Mount Veronica, which towers above us at 5800 metres. Lunch is taken at the beautiful Lake Yanacocha and here we have a chance to relax, taking in the stunning scenery. After lunch we continue down to the local town of Wacawasi where we can visit the local families and their houses. After our visit we start our final climb of the day to our campsite, situated at 3900 metres.

Trekking time approx 7 hrs

Winai Winya ruins

Day 6

Chacchapata - Hatun Paso - Yanahuara Alto

We start today by leaving behind the villages and towns and continue our journey through the mountains and forests of this amazing country. Our first challenge of the day is a hike up the mountain of Hatun Paso (4600m); from here the summit, the magical Pumahuanca (5600m) comes into view above us. We then change our course down the mountain to Aurora Lake and then on to Yuraq Lake. We turn into the Quena forest where we stop in the shade for our lunch. After lunch we carry on our course downhill still through the forest to Yahahuara Alto (3100m).

Trekking time approx 7 hrs

Machu Picchu

Day 7

Yanahuara Alto - Agua Calientes - Machu Picchu

We wake this morning happy in the knowledge that our exertions today will be rewarded with a visit to the site of Machu Picchu. The morning starts with a short walk to the local town of Yanahuara where we take a bus to the Ollantaytambo train station. This breaktaking train journey - one of the highest in the world - takes us to Aguas Calientes where we take a short bus journey to the site of Machu Picchu. The ruins of Machu Picchu, rediscovered in 1911, are one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. While the Inca people certainly used the Andean mountain top, erecting many hundreds of stone structures from the early 1400's, legends and myths indicate that Machu Picchu (meaning 'Old Peak') was revered as a sacred place from a far earlier time. Whatever its origins, the Incas turned the site into a small but extraordinary city. After a tour of the site you will have free time to relax and take in this amazing spectacle.

Day 8

Free day

After a good night's sleep close to this incredible wonder of the world we board the morning train back to Ollantaytambo, then taking a bus for the final two hour journey back to Cusco. This afternoon is free for you to choose either to relax or to explore the city before your final night celebration dinner with your fellow hikers and a chance to reminisce about the week's hiking and spectacular scenery.