Amazon Adventures

Peru Tours and Travel

Peru Walking Tour

Day 1 - arrive Lima, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 - breakfast, then transfer to the airport to fly to Cusco. Upon arrival at Cusco airport, claim your luggage, walk out the exit and meet your representative, who will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco, approximately a 20-minute drive. Once you arrive in Cusco (10,912-foot elevation), it will prove very helpful to rest and avoid strenuous activity as your body acclimates to the altitude. Also, beware of dehydration and drink plenty of water to help avoid altitude sickness. A couple of hours' rest now will go a long way in making you more comfortable later.

In the mid afternoon, join your fellow travelers for a brief orientation followed by a walking tour of Cusco. Evidence of both the original Inca city and the Spanish colonial city established in 1533 will be pointed out as we explore Korikancha (“Temple of the Sun”), Cusco Cathedral and the San Blas district. In Incan times, San Blas was a settlement for ancient craftsmen who saw “yachay” – Quechua for “teach and learn” – as their special calling. Today, the area is famous for the unusual Baroque-style pulpit in the San Blas Church and for its artists and artisans.

In the evening, get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome reception and dinner.

Day 3 of WALKING TOUR Tambomachay/Puka Pukara/Sacsayhuaman
After breakfast, we transfer six miles (25 minutes) north of Cusco to begin our day, taking our time as we trace our way back in the direction of the city, visiting the most important Incan monuments. This is a spectacular area for our walks, with Andean mountain views, colorful villages and impressive remains of the Inca Empire. Walking on a mostly gentle downhill slope, today provides further opportunity to acclimate to the altitude.

We first visit Tambomachay (the highest elevation of the day at 12,267 feet), which may have fulfilled an important religious function linked to water and the regeneration of the land.

Walking on a mostly gentle downhill slope, we'll stop to explore the complexes of Puka Pukara, Qenqo and Laqo. Our Trip Leaders help paint a picture of priests standing atop Qenqo, pouring llama blood into the carved zig-zag channels.

We find a comfortable meadow overlook to enjoy a picnic lunch. We learn about the survival of some pre-Hispanic rituals and their impact on Andean life, too.

After lunch, saving the most impressive for last, we visit Sacsayhuaman. Though only a fraction of its original size and scope, the stonework of this fortress will astound and baffle. We take a moment to look back over the orange tile rooftops of Cusco before our short transfer into the city.

Cusco and its many dining options are at your doorstep tonight.

Day 4 of WALKING TOUR Moray Teraces/Chinchero Market/Maras
We leave Cusco and shuttle to Chinchero (12,398 feet), 17 miles northwest. Today is Sunday, and the town's weekly market is in full swing. This traditional Andean market features locals in traditional dress who come into town from surrounding hamlets to barter and sell everything from livestock to woven handicrafts. The setting for the market is just beneath a massive Incan wall.

We then take a short transfer to explore the ancient terraces at Moray. Started before the Inca, these enormous concentric circle terraces are thought to be part of an experimental agricultural complex that was improved and enlarged upon by the Inca.

We walk scenic footpaths downhill to Maras village and the Maras salt mines. At lunchtime we will picnic, but also stop at a typical Andean chicheria for an opportunity to sample some of the region's more unusual (but commonly consumed) food and drink, including chicha (corn beer).

The terraced Inca salt pans of Salineras are still mined for salt using methods unchanged over centuries. These mines are fed by underground saltwater springs. From here, we continue to walk downhill to the Urubamba River, where we meet our shuttle for the short trip to our hotel in Yucay (9,373 feet). Settle into comfortable accommodations, built around a former monastery, and have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 5 of WALKING TOUR Urubamba Valley Village/Pisac
We spend the morning walking through local life in the peaceful Urubamba Valley. Our morning walk is along the ancient farming paths in this primarily agricultural community. We visit a village and its weavers. Textile production has profound historic and cultural significance in the Andes, and this community – organized and operated by women -- is part of a highly successful project to rescue and revive this way of life. We will witness how their gregarious processes of spinning, gathering of natural dyes, setting up of the looms, and the creation of designs are all fundamental to family and social bonds.

Our view of highland life in Peru continues with a visit to a school and a chance to meet a family in their home.

In the afternoon, we visit the mountaintop site of Pisac. Despite the excellent condition of many of the structures, little is conclusively know about the site's actual purpose. It appears to have been part city, part ceremonial center and part military complex. We continue our walk down the valley to the equally well known Pisac market square, passing ancient terraced fields and herds of goat, cow and llama.

Day 6 of WALKING TOUR Ollantaytambo
We end our visit in the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a visit to Ollantaytambo. Called just “Ollanta” for short, it is best known for its fortress perched above the village, the site of one of the few Incan victories over the Spanish. The village is one of the few in Peru that still maintains the Inca system of urban planning. You'll feel as though you've stepped back in time as you wander the cobblestoned streets. Homes and streets here have not changed dramatically since Incan times. Free time for lunch in this interesting town.

Tonight, we celebrate our visit to the Sacred Valley over a special dinner.

Day 7 of WALKING TOUR The Inca Tail/Machu Picchu
We shuttle early this morning to Ollantaytambo to catch the narrow-gauge Vistadome train. Our train ride is down the narrowing valley offering breathtaking views of the river and surrounding peaks.

Hikers disembark at the “Km 104” marker (7,183 feet) to start one of the world's iconic walks. This is the final stage of the famed Inca Trail. The walk offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, cloud forests and an unforgettable entry into the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Expect to be on the legendary trail for five hours with a mostly continuous ascent. An elevation gain and loss of about 2,000 feet and some steep stair climbing will keep you on your toes. (Note that a minibus support van will not be available on the Inca Trail. You will be required to hike the entire 7 miles.)A picnic break is well deserved.

All your effort is rewarded when you arrive at Intipunku, the Sun Gate (8,954 feet), the most spectacular approach to Machu Picchu from above. This was the original entrance to the “Lost City.” Take some time to take it all in! Then, continue down to our hotel located below Machu Picchu. You'll have all of tomorrow to discover the wonder of Machu Picchu, both with your Trip Leaders and independently.

For those looking for a less strenuous option – and for those unable to obtain a permit for the Inca Trail – you'll stay on the train past Km 104, arriving in Aguas Callientes in the late morning. Check into the inn and grab lunch. You may wish to take advantage of the spa services, or walk the incredible orchid gardens at the inn. You may also take the bus up to the main entrance of Machu Picchu and hike in to meet the rest of the group, or just walk the site at your own pace.

Tonight, we enjoy dinner at our acclaimed inn.

BOOK EARLY FOR THE INCA TRAIL: If you want to hike the Inca Trail on Day 7, you should make your reservations as early as possible! The Peruvian government limits the number of hikers on the trail at any given time. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

Day 8 of WALKING TOUR Machu Picchu
Today is yours to explore at your own pace. Early morning options include birding on the hotel grounds and taking the shuttle up to explore Machu Picchu as the sun rises -- and before the day trippers arrive from Cusco. Shuttle buses operate on a regular schedule from our hotel to the ruins and back. Trip Leaders will be leading a number of guided walks around Machu Picchu, as well as in the surrounding area, including a round trip walk to Inca Bridge (1.5 miles) and to Mandor Waterfalls (4 miles). A scurry up nearby Huayna Picchu (9,000 feet) provides another option for a spectacular viewpoint.

Enjoy lunch at your leisure at the café near the entry gate, in one of the restaurants in Aguas Calientes or at your hotel.

Return to the hotel when you choose. You may wish to continue your exploration until dusk, or return to the hotel by shuttle bus or on foot (2,000-foot decent). Enjoy recounting the day over an included dinner tonight.

Day 9 of WALKING TOUR Cusco
Enjoy a relaxing breakfast. Several walking trails begin right at the hotel or you may wish to visit the tea plantation located within the hotel grounds.

Leaving from our hotel, return through the Sacred Valley to Cusco by Vistadome train.

There is time to soak in some last Andean culture in the colorful plazas of Cusco. Tonight, we're out on the town for a festive dinner.

Day 10 - breakfast, then free day till you are transferred to the airport