It is of course impossible to predict exact weather conditions, and mountains are notorious for creating their own, localised conditions. You can expect the days to be warm and generally sunny, with temperatures between 12 and 20°C whilst the temperatures can drop to below freezing at night. Roughly speaking temperatures decrease by approx. 1ºC for every 200 metre increase in altitude. Machu Picchu can attract large amounts of precipitation all year as clouds move up from the Amazon basin. Rain here can be heavy, but is seldom prolonged. Mist can form overnight but usually lifts as the sun rises. For more information we recommend visiting www.worldweather.org.

Day 1. Fly London to Cusco.

Day 2. Arrive Cusco. Guided city tour.

You will be picked up from Cusco Airport and transferred to the hotel. Spend the afternoon visiting the city of Cusco, ancient capital of the Incan Empire and where we can see the interesting blend of the Incan and Spanish cultures. The outing begins at the Qoricancha Temple, an old Incan palace and main centre for the worship of the sun god, Inti. Once the Spanish conquered Peru, the Dominican order built a lovely church over this temple’s foundations: the church of Santo Domingo that is still there today. Then we continue with the Cathedral, and 4 archeological sites located 15 minutes outside of the city: Sacsayhuaman, a fortress that has layered walls located behind each other, the rear ones higher than the frontal ones. The Incas had built it on the side of a hill, taking advantage of the altitude changes. We will also visit Quenqo, which takes its name from the Quechua word K'enko, meaning "labyrinth", perhaps due to the labyrinthine underground galleries or the small canals carved into the rocks in a zigzag shape. Pukapukara was built to fulfill military functions, whilst Tambomachay is notable for the excellent architecture used.

Hotel

Meals included:

Day 3. Drive to Incas Sacred Valley and visit Pisac then transfer to Ollantaytambo.

After breakfast at the hotel, the guide will pick you up, drive for about an hour until Pisaq, where we will visit the archeological site and the market. The archeological site has an impressive architecture layout erected on the top of a hill, and is considered one of the most important sites of the Sacred Valley, with fascinating stone block walls forming an amazing architectural complex. The craft market is located in the main plaza, offering a wide variety of products such as textiles, pottery and silver jewellery. The knowledge and skills of this type of craft gets passed down from generation to generation. We will stop in a nice restaurant for lunch, then after some rest we will continue to Ollantaytambo, which is an important architectural complex of the ancient Inca Empire, and one of the few places where the Spanish conquistadors lost a major battle. Very well known for its “andenes” (terraces dug into the slopes of mountains for agricultural purposes), Ollantaytambo was a highly effective fortress that also served as a temple. Then, we will continue to the town of Ollantaytambo, “the unique living Inca town”: the best surviving example of Inca city planning, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century.

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

Day 4. Drive to Km 82 to start trek. Trek via Llactapata and Kusichaca to Wuayllabamba Camp.

We will transfer you from the hotel to Km. 82, where we will meet our porters and equipment. We start our trek escorted by the porters, going through semi-arid terrain along the Uruamba River with magnificent views of snow-capped mountains. We will leave the Urubamba valley and will have an overview of it before setting off up to the Kusichaca River to our first campsite in Huayllabamba (around 3000m altitude).

Km. 82 to Huayllabamba: 11 km / 6 hours approximately.

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5. Ascend to Warmihuañusca (highest part of trek) then continue to Pacaymayo Camp.

After a healthy breakfast we will begin to walk to the Warmihuañusca pass (4200m). After a short time, we will reach the top of the pass. From here, it is possible to see the other side of the way leading to the Runkurakay ruins. At the end of a gorge, we will stop at a place called Pacaymayo (3600m), our second camp.

Huayllabamba-Pacaymayo: 7km / 7 hours approximately

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6. Ascend to Runku Raccay Pass then continue to Wiñayhuayna Camp.

We depart from Pacaymayo and a while later a zigzagging but short ascent will take us to the Runkurakay circular ruins. There is no sign of human life, only great forests and abrupt hills. After a good rest, we will start our way down and then we will clearly notice that the Inca Trail is well preserved from this point. In a short while, we will get to the steps which go up to Sayacmarca ruins (3620m). From Sayacmarca the stone road begins to go into the jungle, continuing our trek towards Phuyupatamarca ruins. The trail crosses the "Lago Seco" and for brief moments we will go up and down. We will then cross "The Tunnel", a natural cavity produced by a landslide but adapted by the Incas. The Inca Trail well-traced borders continue on the hills full of moss and ferns. After crossing a small pass, we will see some steep steps and under them the Ceremonial Centre of Phuyupatamarca ruins (3650m). After a short rest we will start to go down the trail hiking for 3 hours until we reach Wiñaywayna (2700m), the main archaeological site after Machu Picchu in the Inca Trail, we will visit the site, from where we can see the Urubamba valley and the river. The path goes down to WiñayWayna ruins (2650m), where we will have our last campsite.

Camp

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

​Day 7. Final trek to arrive at Machu Picchu for a guided visit of Inca ruins. Train then drive back to Cusco.

We will start early this morning for our last day of hiking, heading towards Inti Punku (2740m), the Sun Gate, our last pass. From this place, Machu Picchu (2450m) looks unreal and beautiful. We will visit the citadel. Then we will head down to Aguas Calientes town from where we will take our train back to Cusco. Arrival to Cusco late at night.

Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

​Day 8. Fly to Puerto Maldonado. Transfer to Jungle Lodge.

Start your journey arriving to Puerto Maldonado, where our staff will welcome you and provide the necessary information for your stay. Navigate by outboard motorised canoe along the Madre de Dios River for approximately 25 minutes to Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción. Enjoy lunch with organic ingredients and native flavours. After lunch, take a walk through the Concepcion nature trails, where you will discover and learn about primary and secondary rainforest, its components, uses, transformations by humans, and its relevance for the world. At dusk navigate by outboard motorised canoe, on the twilight river excursion. By sailing on the Madre de Dios River, you will learn about its ecosystem, Amazonian creeks, nocturnal animals’ behavior, and the southern constellations. In the evening enjoy a nice dinner in the Casa Grande's dining room.

Hacienda Concepción

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

​Day 9. Wildlife and Amazon jungle exploration.

After a nutritious buffet breakfast, get ready for a long trek through terra firma into the Tambopata National Reserve towards Lake Sandoval. Here you will understand why Madre de Dios is called the biodiversity capital of Peru, while learning about the Reserve’s conservation efforts and the lake’s formation. Navigate by dugout canoe across this mirror-like oxbow lake that is home to the endangered giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), blue and yellow macaw (Ara ararauna), red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus), black caiman (Melanosuchus niger), and one of the world’s biggest fresh water scaled fish, the paiche (Arapaima gigas). Back to the lodge for lunch, and later the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and Anaconda Walk await. Take a 20-minute ride by outboard motorised canoe to the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Centre where you will learn about its construction and the conservation projects of ITA-Inkaterra Asociación (NGO). Ascend one of the two 98-foot towers (30m) and cross the 7 hanging bridges that connect the treetops at 28 metres high. Enjoy the breathtaking vistas and get the chance to watch white-throated toucans (Ramphastos tucanus), woodpeckers, trogons, squirrel monkeys (Saimiri boliviensis) and the three-toed sloth (Choleopus hoffmani). After descending go along the 200-metre wooden bridge over the swamps (aguajales). You will learn about the fauna and flora of this flooded ecosystem. At night get ready for an adventure on the rainforest by night excursion, where you will explore the Amazon rainforest that gives way to nocturnal animals who display intriguing behaviour patterns, and enhanced senses as adaptation mechanisms. Listen to nocturnal living nature sounds, and penetrate this hidden world. End up your day with a pleasant dinner.

Hacienda Concepción

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10. Boat back to Puerto Maldonado and transfer to Cusco Airport.

After breakfast, take a ride back to Puerto Maldonado by outboard motorised canoe. Arrive at the Butterfly House where you may wait for your flight back home while visiting this beautiful space and learning about the fascinating transformation of these colourful insects.

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11. Arrive London.

The walk along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be one of the most wonderful trekking experiences in South America. It takes you through enchanting scenery with different landscapes and climates before arriving at the spectacular city of the Incas: Machu Picchu. The trip grading is moderate with some strenuous sections. The terrain along this ancient pathway ranges from paved stones to dirt trails amongst soaring ice-capped peaks and sweeping valleys. It is also important to consider the altitude as the trek reaches 4200 metres at it's highest point. Porters accompany you so all you have to carry is a daypack. Most meals are provided throughout.

Please note - the Inca Trail walk is quite a challenging trek. Please consider your current fitness and commitment to maintaining /improving this in the months before you depart. To get the most out of this holiday and give yourself the best chance of success please put in the training!

INCA TRAIL SPECIAL REMARKS

Bookings for the Inca Trail, as per new Peruvian Government regulations, are only possible if there are spaces available for the Inca Trail (there are not allowed to be more than 400 people on the trail at any one time including passengers, porters, helpers, guides, etc.). Once we have a viable group size to operate this holiday we will check permit availability. Please consider that once purchased, the tickets and pre-payment amount are not refundable in case of tour cancellation.

It is important to send formal requests as soon as possible. Together with this, the following information is required:

- Full name (as per is stated in your passport)

- Passport number

- Nationality

- Date of birth

- Age

- Gender

- Dates for your trip

We will request this information from you when we send your booking confirmation.

Health

Make sure you visit your local health centre at least 2 months before departure, to be advised on any vaccinations needed, including malarial and yellow fever precautions. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general we recommend however, that you be protected against TB, typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. Headaches and breathlessness are common at altitude - in rare cases, this may develop into Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Please inform your guide if you have any symptoms or if you taking any form of medication. Your guide will be trained in mountain first-aid, and will carry a comprehensive first-aid kit on every trek. If you maintain your fluid level with at least 3-4 litres per day, ascend according to the itinerary, and are adequately fit, you are unlikely to experience any problems. Keeping warm is essential, so make sure you change into warm dry clothes at the end of the day, and wear layers on trek. We recommend bringing a personal first-aid kit containing the following: high factor sun cream, lip salve, moisturiser, plasters, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, cold/flu tablets, throat lozenges, electrolyte powder, aspirin or equivalent, muscle rub, nail scissors, 100mm elastic bandage, knee/ankle supports if needed, and wet wipes. For more information we recommend visiting fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

​Passport and visas

Please allow plenty of time to renew your passport if it has less than 6 months validity. British nationals do not need a visa for Peru. For more information we recommend visiting https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/peru/entry-requirements

Money

The Peruvian currency is the Nuevo Sol, although the US dollar is also accepted in some restaurants. Please refer to www.xe.com/ for up to date rates. You will need to change the majority of your travel money whilst in Cusco at the beginning of your trip.

​Electricity

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

Please find below a non-exhaustive list of what to bring on your trip. Please note that the weight limit on most airlines is 20 kilos

Equipment:

• Daypack (20L + with camel back if possible)*
• Camera Equipment (with extra batteries)
• Small flashlight and batteries
• Canteen or water bottle
• Compass and scout-knife
• Plastic bag for alkaline batteries

*A duffle bag will be provided for personal belongs to be carried by porters on the trek.

Clothing:

• Comfortable hiking boots (used prior to trip)
• Rubber boots for hiking in the lowlands (optional)
• Washable sneakers or sandals (on camps)
• Fleece polar sweater
• Warm jacket
• Waterproof and wind parka
• Rain poncho and waterproof trousers
• Cotton long-sleeve shirts
• T-shirts
• Light dry fit long-sleeve T-shirts
• Long thermal underwear
• Lightweight trousers
• Hiking socks
• Sun hat
• Warm cap
• Wool gloves
• Shorts and swimsuit

Personal Basic Items:

• Small towel
• Toiletries
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent

Personal First Aid Kit:

• Prescription medicines
• Sunscreen lotion
• Band-Aid and tape
• Chapstick, Vitamins, Aspirin and Talc
• Antimitotic ointment
• Anti itch ointment

Optional:

• Lightweight binoculars
• Notebook and reading material
• Favourite snacks
• Water purifier

In addition, here is some advise from the coordinator & members on the 2018 trip -

• Hard cases can be used for the trip, and wheeled cases are useful. 
• You need to take tips for their walking poles - you are not allowed on the trail without tips. And also suggest that people take spare tips for their walking poles - most of the cheaper tips wore out on the first day
• Electrolytes are an essential item for the trek
• Peru uses two and three pin plugs but we found the most useful were the two pin European type as these fitted in all the sockets where the three pin ones only fitted in some of them
• Spare batteries for torches are essential
• Walking boots should be recommended, walking trainers are not really advisable
• A poncho is more useful than a raincoat. Walking trousers were not used by anyone
• For the jungle - Long-sleeved tops and long trousers are essential, but you can wear short-sleeved tops and shorts/skirts in the evenings and at some times during the day
• No walking boots are allowed to be worn inside the lodge, so soft-soled shoes need to be taken for indoor wear
• Currency - Soles are more useful than dollars as these are more readily accepted
• Water and food is of a very good quality on the trail and in the jungle
• Bladders are really good for the trek and in the jungle. The filtered bottles are good but not really needed as water is such good quality
• Hand gel, tissues and baby wipes are essential
• You get a lot of snacks on the trip, but a good idea to take extras
• Take plastic bags for dirty/wet clothes 
• Rucksack size - 30 litres max, you don’t need to hold much and you don’t want to be carrying a big one all day, every day
• Porters carry 7 kilos plus the sleeping bag - the sleeping bag is not included in the 7 kilos
• There is no phone or wifi in the Amazon 
• Need a powerful head torch.
• Lithium batteries and battery packs are not to be placed in suitcases but should be in carry on bags. Airlines are really strict on this
• Alcohol is not advised at the altitudes we are at and we only drank once we got to the lodge and lower ground

Provisional Flight Information

18/10/19 Heathrow to Bogata Dep: 2240 Arr: 0350 (+1)

19/10/19 Bogata to Cuzco Dep: 0720 Arr: 1050

27/10/19 Cuzco to Bogata Dep: 1550 Arr: 1915

27/10/19 Bogata to Heathrow Dep: 2255 Arr: 1535 (+1)