As a country of South America listed on Countryaah.com, Peru is known to many as a travel destination only for Machu Picchu and alpacas. Of course the stronghold of the Incas is one of the highlights, but there is much more to discover and also places apart from mass tourism. A round trip through Peru takes you to modern cities such as Lima, along the Pacific coast to the Ballesta Islands, the small Galápagos Islands and further into the highlands. In Colca Canyon you can watch the mighty Andean condor and follow in the footsteps of the jaguar in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. In the region around Cusco you will find many impressive Inca ruins – it feels like you are traveling back in time. We strongly recommend visiting Northern Peru during your trip. Here everything is much more original and less known to travelers. Explore ruins from the pre-Inca period and take a traditional cooking class. Or how about a hike through the Andes? In northern Peru you will get closer to the locals during your trip and learn a lot about their culture and history. In addition, the north offers some beautiful beaches, which are ideal for beach holidays or a surf trip. But what you are guaranteed to find everywhere in Peru are the warm and open locals and delicious food. The best time to travel to Peru is May to October. Peru can be discovered both as an individual tour with your own guide and driver, by luxury train and as part of a small group round trip. We advise against a rental car tour in Peru for security reasons.
On this four-day guided tour, you’ll hike past meandering rivers, historic ruins, and scenic mountain panoramas, with the assistance of porters, cooks, and guides hired from the local communities. The terrain is rough and steep, but the sense of achievement you will feel when you reach Machu Picchu at sunrise is incomparable.
This is a guided tour operated by G Adventures. Of course, this tour can also be included in an individual tour. We would be happy to work out a tour tailored to your interests and budget.
Best travel time: May to October
Travel time: 5 days
Travel planning: Combine this guided tour with a round trip through Peru .
Tip: This trek takes you over passes that are very high. Acclimatise yourself to the altitude beforehand so that you can enjoy the trek to the fullest.
Day 1: Cusco
Your adventure “Inca Trail” starts in the morning. To do this, you will take part in a pre-trek briefing today, which will provide you with all the details.
Day 2: Cusco – Inca Trail
Travel by minibus from Cusco to the start of the Inca Trail. Your adventure begins with an easy day of hiking past meandering streams, stunning Andean scenery, and ancient Inca ruins.
A crew of local porters, cooks and guides take care of all the details during the hike. The porters carry most of the equipment. All you have to do is strap on a small daypack with water, rain gear, snacks, camera, etc.
Day 3: Inca Trail
In the morning we set off early for the steep ascent to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass. At 4,198m, this is the highest point of the hike. You will arrive at the camp in the early afternoon and have enough time to relax and rest afterwards.
Day 4: Inca Trail
On your way you will cross two more mountain passes and pass impressive ruins. The first pass is the 3,950m high Runquraqay, from which hikers can take a look at the snow-covered Cordillera Vilcabamba on cloudless days. The hiking tour continues through the cloud forest to the second pass of the day. The gently rising path leads through original Inca buildings. The highest point of the pass is at an altitude of 3’700m. On cloudless days you can enjoy the spectacular view over the Urubamba Valley from here.
At an altitude of 3,650m you reach the ruins of Phuyupatamarca, the “city above the clouds”. You can either pitch your tent here or an hour and a half further near the Wiñay Wayna ruins at 2,650m.
Day 5: Machu Picchu – Cusco
The last day of the hike starts at night so that you can reach the Sun Gate at sunrise. On cloudless days you can get your first glimpse of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu here. Hike down to Machu Picchu and discover the site on a guided tour. You will then have time to explore it more closely on your own. Optionally, you can visit the Inca Bridge.
At noon you will take the bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will board the train to Ollantaytambo. You drive the last stretch to Cusco in a private vehicle.
From Cusco you can continue your journey within Peru.
