Compare Classic Inca Trail 9-days by Adventure Unbound vs Peru: See & Experience Almost it ALL in 12 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours by Charlie The Traveler

Day 1: Arrive Lima

Accommodation: Lima Hotel

Your Peruvian adventure begins in the fascinating city of Lima. Upon landing, you’re greeted by a Peru Unbound guide who escorts you to your evening accommodations. If you’re up to it, explore some of Lima’s sites and famous dining options before bed.

Day 2: Travel to Cusco, City Tour

Accommodation: Cusco Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, fly to historic Cusco. After landing, you have time to relax in your hotel and acclimatize to the altitude before this afternoon’s activities.

This afternoon, set off into Cusco on a city walking tour. View Cusco’s ancient Incan ruins and Spanish colonial monuments such as the Main Square—known to the Inca’s as the Warrior’s Square, or Huacaypata—and the El Triunfo Cathedral, known today for its altar engravings but which also has a rich past as a former Incan temple. Our walk also takes you to the Convent of Santo Domingo, a Dominican church constructed over the foundations of the Incan Temple of the Sun whose walls were said to have been coated with sheets of gold. The tour concludes with a visit to Sacsayhuamán, an Incan fortress set upon 3 massive platforms, and the ancient city of Cusco.

Return to your hotel and enjoy an evening of independent exploration before bed.

Day 3: Explore Sacred Valley, Pisac and Ollantaytambo

Enjoy a fresh breakfast in Cusco before traveling to the culturally rich stretches of the Sacred Valley. We stop at the lively Pisac market, where Peruvians travel from across the region to buy and sell their traditional wares. After engaging with the locals and looking for some souvenirs, continue to the Ollantaytambo Fortress. This massive city serves as an excellent example of the Inca’s advanced urban planning, and you can explore an array of ancient military defenses, terraces, temples, quarries and storehouses.

After an afternoon witnessing the remains of the Inca’s impressive empire, continue to the Sacred Valley and your accommodations for the evening. This evening, set out on your own to explore the Sacred Valley and discover delicious Peruvian dining options.

Accommodation: Sacred Valley Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Hike Inca Trail to Huayllabamba

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Hiking Distance: 11 km/ 6 hours approximately

Wake up to a hearty breakfast before heading to Piscacucho, also known as the Km 82. Meet up with your porters and equipment before setting off on Peru’s iconic trail: the Inca Trail. Trek through semi-arid terrain along the Uruamba River bordered by looming snow-capped mountains and dotted with Incan ruins. It’s a relaxed hiking day with plenty of views to take in before reaching our campsite at Huayllabamba.

Day 5: Hike Inca Trail to Pacaymayo

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping at Pacaymayo

Hiking Distance: 7km / 7 hours approximately

Stunning views and a freshly prepared breakfast greet you this morning. Today’s stretch of the Inca Trail takes you up to the heights of the Warmihuañusca Pass, a difficult stretch that rewards you with views of the Runkurakay ruins and the staggered shadows of the Vilcabamba mountain range. Rest and enjoy the views before continuing the hike down to Pacaymayo, where we make camp for the evening. Enjoy a delicious dinner before falling asleep under the stars.

Day 6: Hike Inca Trail to Phuyupatamarca

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping at Phuyupatamarca

Hiking Distance: 7 km / 5 hours approximately

After a hearty breakfast, we continue on our way down another stretch of the Inca Trail. A short but snaking ascent takes you to the circular Runkurakay ruins. Explore the ruins before heading down a well-preserved Inca stone road to the steps leading to the Sayacmarca ruins. From Sayacmarca, the stone road leads into the jungle, continuing our trek towards the Phuyupatamarca ruins. A highlight of today’s hike is crossing “The Tunnel,” a cavity naturally produced by a landslide but adapted for use by the Incas. The trail then takes you across a small pass, from which you can the Phuyupatamarca ruins’ Ceremonial Center sitting below a set of steep steps. We make today’s camp in this stunning, historically rich area. 

Day 7: Hike Inca Trail to Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Aguas Calientes Hotel

Hiking Distance: 9 km / 8 hours approximately

Wake to another morning of fresh Peruvian air and a hot breakfast. Then, begin the trek to Wiñay Wayna, Peru’s main archaeological site after the Machu Picchu citadel. Explore the site and take in the surrounding views of the Urubamba valley and the river snaking through it while you rest from the first stretch. Then, set back on the path toward our last pass of the day: the Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate. From here, views of Machu Picchu, set off into the hills, stretch before you.

After a short descent, meet our transport to Aguas Calientes, where we spend the night. Relax and get refreshed your your hotel before enjoying an evening of independent exploration.

Day 8: Explore Machu Picchu, Travel to Cusco

Meals: Lunch

Accommodation: Cusco Hotel

After an early breakfast, venture out to explore one of Peru’s treasures: the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Wander through the ruins, learn more about the Inca’s enigmatic and evocative history and wonder at their artistic works before returning to Aguas Calientes. Enjoy a fresh lunch before hopping on a train back to Cusco. Upon arrival, travel to the hotel. Spend your final evening in Cusco with whatever adventures—active, historic or culinary—you wish before bed.

Day 9: Depart Cusco for Lima, Travel Home

Meals: Breakfast

After a final Peruvian breakfast, travel to Cusco’s airport to meet your flight to Lima. From there, catch your return flight home.

Day 1: Where Architectural Legacies Remain

Originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of the Kings), Lima has developed an important tourism industry. What stands out are the historic center, archaeological remains, nightlife, museums, art galleries, festivities, and popular traditions. The historic center of Lima was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988. A large number of architectural legacies remain. Highlights include the Basilica and Convent of San Francisco, the Plaza Mayor, the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Basilica and Convent of Santo Domingo, and the Palacio de Torre Tagle.

Note that we can provide you with a guided sightseeing tour only if you arrive before 4:00 pm.

Start point
Transportation will be arranged for you from the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru

Day 2: Vineyards, Exotic Drinks & a Buggy Ride on Huge Hills

We relocated from Lima to the city of Ica. There we are taken to two wineries. Peruvian wine dates back to the Spanish colonization of the region in the 16th century. After sampling some of the best wines and spirits Peru has to offer, we are taken to Huacachina. This village is built around a small oasis and is surrounded by sand dunes. We go dune bashing as well as sandboarding.

Day 3: Large-Scale Geoglyphs Seen From the Sky & Peru's Version of the Galapagos Islands

Before returning to Lima, we take a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands and then check out the Nazca Lines. The Ballestas Islands are an important sanctuary for marine fauna like the blue-footed booby. On the way to the islands, we see El Candelabro, a large-scale geoglyph that may have served as a beacon to mariners. The Nazca Lines were created between 500 BC and 500 AD. There are several theories as to why people of those times made these lines. Hear all about these different theories as we take a flightseeing tour over this group of geoglyphs.

Day 4: Exploring the Once Capital of the Inca Empire

We relocated from Lima to the colonial city of Cusco. Peru’s urban showcase destination Cusco is known for its rich heritage with the Inca and Spaniards as well as the charming architecture both empires left behind. Even though Cusco is also known for its proximity to the Machu Picchu archeological site, the city is popular in its own right. We are provided with a guided tour.

Day 5: Stunning Archaeological Sites Spread Across a valley

We make a day trip from Cusco to the Sacred Valley. The Chanapata civilization first utilized this area around 800 BCE because of the rich soil used for agriculture. The Qotacalla civilization lived here from 500 to 900 CE. The Killke civilization then lived here from 900 until the Incan Empire took over the region in 1420. The Incan Empire ruled this area until the arrival of the Spanish. Today remains of citadels and markets are found across this long valley.

Day 6: Multicolored Mountains Found Due to Melting Glaciers

We make a day trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain (a.k.a. Vinicunca). Mass tourism came after 2015, attracted by the mountain’s series of stripes of various colors due to its mineralogical composition on the slopes and summits. The mountain used to be covered by glacier caps, but these have melted due to global warming. We go horseback riding at Rainbow Mountain.

Day 7: Salt Evaporation Ponds in Use Since Inca Times & the Train Ride You Have Been Awaiting

Before relocating to the village of Aguas Calientes, we visited salt mines called Maras as well as an archeological site called Moray. Maras is well known for its salt evaporation ponds. There are over 5,000 of them, which have been in use since Inca times. Moray consists of several terraced circular depressions, the largest of which is approximately 30 meters (98 feet) deep. As with many other Inca sites, Moray also has an irrigation system.

Day 8: Experiencing One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Before returning to Cusco, we are provided with a guided tour of Machu Picchu. This 15th-century citadel is the most familiar icon of Inca civilization. The Incas built the estate around 1450 but abandoned it a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was not known to the Spanish during the colonial period. Machu Picchu remained undiscovered to the outside world until American historian Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Day 9: Two Architecturally Enticing Cities From Morning to Night

Before relocating to the colonial city of Arequipa, we have free time to explore Cusco further: whitewashed and narrow streets, a gorgeous main square, grandeur sites, and red-tiled roofs. Cusco is undoubtedly one of Latin America’s prettiest historic cities.

Day 10: One of the Nation's Top Three Destinations, Home to the Andean Condor

Today we make a day trip from Arequipa to the very scenic Colca Canyon. It is home to Andean condors, giant hummingbirds, Andean geese, Chilean flamingos, mountain caracaras, rabbits, deer, foxes, and alpacas. The Colca Canyon is Peru’s third most popular tourist destination, and for good reason.

Day 11: A Provincial Capital Made of Volcanic Stone

Before returning to Lima, we are provided with a guided tour of Arequipa. This destination definitely does not feel so large, even though it is the second-largest city in the country. Arequipa is characterized by colonial-era churches and mansions. The historic center is small but charming nonetheless.

Day 12: Our Tour Ends Today

Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima.

Note that if you can extend your trip, consider doing so. Lake Titicaca is worth 2 days, as is the Peruvian Amazon.

Endpoint
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Lima., Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chávez (LIM), Av. Elmer Faucett s/n, Callao, Callao 07031, Peru