Beyond the Inca Trail
Day 1 Depart from UK airport and fly to Lima via Amsterdam. Arrive in Lima in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Hotel, Lima.
Day 2 After a brief overnight stop in the busy capital of Lima you return to the airport and fly on up to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Incas. The rest of the day is yours to get used to the altitude and recover from the long journey. Hotel, Cusco (3,300 metres). (B)
Day 3 An incredible blend of Inca and Spanish colonial buildings, colourful markets, cathedrals and a clear atmosphere gives Cusco a unique feeling. After a morning to yourselves, you are given a guided tour of the city and the nearby Inca sites, helping you to acclimatise to the altitude and to learn about some of the extraordinary Inca culture. Hotel, Cusco (3,300 metres).(B)
Day 4 After an early breakfast at your hotel, you are driven across the high pampas and down the old Inca road, which the Spanish conquistadors used to reach Cusco. En route there is a stop at a local market, before finally reaching Mollepata (2,700 metres), where you begin your trek.
After seeing the pack animals loaded, the walking starts with a pleasant climb to the first campsite at Sayllapata, from where there are great views of Mount Salkantay (6,271 metres). Camp at Sayllapata (3,500 metres). (B,L,D)
Day 5 The route climbs as it takes you closer to the sacred mountain of Salkantay, and you end up in a bowl between the towering peaks of Salkantay, Humantay (5700 metres) and Nevada Rayusca (5350 metres). From tonights’ camp you can appreciate just why Salkantay has for centuries commanded so much reverence for the local people. Camp at Salkantay Pampa (4,000 metres). (B,L,D)
Day 6 Now skirting the flanks of Salkantay, you head north east across some high terrain, crossing the pass of Incachiriaska, which at 4,800 metres is the high point of the trek, to the next camp. Camp at Sisay Pampa (4,000 metres). (B,L,D)
Day 7 Today’s walking involves a long steady descent, passing Inca ruins at Papacahuhuarina and Paucarcancha. You have now joined the main Inca trail so must be prepared to see quite a lot more people about. However, after two high camps at nearly 4000 metres, you will be far better acclimatised than the people you meet who have just got there. Camp at Tres Piedras. (B,L,D)
Day 8 Today starts with a stiff climb up to the pass of Warmihuanusca (Dead Womens Pass) at an altitude of 4,200 metres. During the ascent you pass through three distinct ecological zones, from the tree filled valleys to the arid grasslands just below the snowline. There are more fine views from the pass, from where you descend past some fine waterfalls to your camp in some riverside meadows. Camp at Pacaymayu (3,600 metres). (B,L,D)
Day 9 A 300 metre climb takes you to the Runkuracay Pass (3900 metres). You are now following the wonderfully constructed Inca road that weaves through this rugged terrain all the way to Machu Picchu. From here on there are many wonderful Inca sites and even a hewn rock tunnel through which your route passes today.
On the steeper sections the route is stepped, sometimes descending into thick forest, and at other times offering more clear views to Salkantay. Your last camp on this trek is close to the impressive site of Winay Wayna, where walled terraces curve around the steep sided valley. Camp at Winay Wayna. (B,L,D)
Day 10 A pre-dawn start allows you to ascend to Intipunco to see the sunrise over Machu Picchu from the ‘sungate’, and to arrive early at the ‘lost city’ before the crowds arrive on the morning train from Cusco. You are given a guided tour of the ruins, as well as being allowed free time for reflection in this extraordinary place.
In the afternoon you descend by bus to Aquas Calientes, where you board the afternoon train to Ollantaytambo. Hotel in Ollantaytambo. (B)
Day 11 After visiting the Inca sites at Ollantaytambo you travel by road to Pisac, the last important Inca site of the holiday, before returning to Cusco in the late afternoon. Hotel, Cusco (3,300 metres). (B)
Day 12 A free day in Cusco with the option of doing some white-water rafting, pony trekking, mountain biking, or simply browsing the colourful and extraordinarily cheap local markets. These activities need to be booked in advance or through our local agent before you depart for the trek. Hotel, Cusco (3,300 metres).(B)
Please note: The 24th of June is the Inti Rami festival in Sacsayhuaman. This festival was most important in Inca times, celebrating the renewal of the Sun at the solstice of the midwinter, and, therefore, also the renewal of the Inca who was the descendant of the Sun.
It commences in the Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) in Cusco and moves, via the Plaza de Armas, to the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Here, there is a full programme of festivities, ritual and dancing from mid morning until the late afternoon. The setting is inspiring, being in the magnificent ruins of the enormous fortress of the Inca, and the participants recreate the regalia and music of the Inca. But this spectacular is not primarily a tourist occasion, you will find the fortress and the hills around it absolutely packed with local people come to be part of this reassertion of their history.
It is possible to pre book tickets for tourists that give you ringside positions on seats. These are in heavy demand and need to be purchased well in advance. We provide a guide to accompany the group and a packed lunch. There is also the opportunity to buy snacks from hundreds of local people who set up mobile kitchens on the surrounding slopes. This really is the foremost traditional festival taking place during the year in Cusco and ought not to be missed.
If you wish to join, you would need to inform us far in advance to book your seat as it does get very, very busy.(B)
Day 13 After a final free morning in Cusco, you fly to Lima to connect with your international flight, arriving home the following day.
Check our Books and Maps section where you will find a range of literature to help you get the most out of your South American adventure.
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