Trek and Project Expedition

1. 1–2

   Days 1–2

   Arrive Cusco

   Meal included: dinner

   We begin our journey in Cusco where we meet our local STC Expedition Leader and transfer to the hotel. The rest of today’s plan will depend on the arrival time of our flight and we will also get our first taste of Peruvian cuisine!

2. 3

   Day 3

   Biking tour & market visit

   All meals included

   Suitable for all cycling skill levels, this activity is an excellent way to explore Cusco’s surroundings. Our route passes through quaint villages and magnificent mountain views, and we may have the opportunity to stop at some Inca archaeological sites. Following our cycling tour, we head to a local market to see what we can buy with our spending money.

3. 4

   Day 4

   Urubamba rafting and travel to community project

   All meals included

   This great day of rafting takes us down a beautiful section of the Urubamba River. On arrival we inflate the rafts and receive a full safety briefing and instruction in the art of white-water rafting. The river flows through a beautiful canyon filled with great rapids, torrent ducks, and views of the surrounding peaks.

4. 5–8

   Days 5–8

   Project phase

   All meals included

   We travel to our community project at a village off the main Sacred Valley. The exact nature of the project will be decided nearer the time, as it will depend on the needs of the community. Typical projects we have arranged in the past consist of construction or manual work (such as clearing drainage channels, building foundations, levelling ground, and installing irrigation systems to remote hamlets). Working with the local community on sustainable tourism initiatives and being guided by a long-term local project partner ensures that our project is responsible, sustainable, and answering a genuine need in the community. Being based in the community, there will be opportunities for playing sport with the locals and participating in everyday life — perhaps helping to plant or harvest crops, or learning traditional trade crafts. On day eight we say goodbye and return to Cusco.

5. 9

   Day 9

   The Salkantay Trail

   All meals included

   Our Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu begins with an early morning departure from Cusco, travelling by private bus to Mollepata — a journey of around two hours — where we stop for breakfast. We continue for a further hour to the trailhead, where we meet our team of horsemen and women who organise the transport of our luggage and equipment. We will see where landslides have impacted the trail before setting off on our first section of walking — around one and a half hours to Soraypampa. Here we have the option to make the steep climb to the beautiful Humantay Lake at 4,220 m, which takes approximately one hour up and 45 minutes down. We return to Soraypampa for lunch before taking the trail steadily uphill for a further one and a half hours to our campsite for the night at 4,150 m.

   Hiking time: 4–5 hours approx. · Distance: 10 km · Lowest point: 3,206 m · Highest point: 4,220 m

6. 10

   Day 10

   The Salkantay Trail

   All meals included

   We have a long day of trekking ahead of us, through some of the most incredible scenery in Peru. This will be our most challenging day, as we ascend to the highest point on the trail.

   We first climb to a mountain pass at 4,650 m (15,200 ft), which takes approximately two hours depending on the group. From here we have sublime views of two huge snow-capped mountains: Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. After a rest and time to enjoy the views, we continue downhill for around two hours as the scenery and ecosystems begin to change, heading towards Huayracpunku where we stop for lunch. We then set off again, trekking for around three hours through jungle-like scenery until we reach our second campsite at Colcapampa at 3,000 m (9,800 ft), where we set up camp and enjoy a well-earned meal after a hard day on the trail.

   Hiking time: 9 hours approx. · Distance: 19 km · Lowest point: 3,000 m · Highest point: 4,650 m

7. 11

   Day 11

   The Salkantay Trail

   All meals included

   After a hearty early breakfast we set off through a region of jungle known as the ceja de selva — the swathe of jungle that lies between the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. We cross the Lluskamayo River and find ourselves in a world of waterfalls, tropical fruits, and colourful birds. If we are lucky, we may even spot a cock-of-the-rock, Peru’s national bird. The temperature is much warmer here, and the various waterfalls and streams provide plenty of opportunities to cool down with a refreshing splash in their crystal-clear waters. We reach our final campsite at the village of La Playa at 2,500 m (8,202 ft), where there is plenty of free time to relax and enjoy the nearby hot springs — the perfect way to soothe aching muscles after a long day on the trail.

   Hiking time: 8 hours approx. · Distance: 23 km · Lowest point: 2,500 m · Highest point: 3,000 m

8. 12

   Day 12

   The Salkantay Trail

   All meals included

   We make an early start and set off towards Llactapata on a steady three-hour climb, with wonderful views of the Santa Teresa Valley below us as we ascend. We reach Llactapata, an impressive Inca ruin that is thought to have served as an important rest stop and roadside shrine on the journey to Machu Picchu, to which it is connected via the Inca Trail. From here we catch our very first glimpse of our final destination — Machu Picchu in the distance.

   After a rest and time to take photos, we continue downhill for around two hours, passing plantations of coca, bananas, and other crops, before reaching the Hydroelectric Station for lunch. We then walk for a further couple of hours until we arrive in Aguas Calientes, the lively town that sits below Machu Picchu.

   Hiking time: 8 hours approx. · Distance: 24 km · Lowest point: 2,040 m · Highest point: 2,800 m

9. 13

   Day 13

   Machu Picchu

   All meals included

   We visit the jewel in the crown today, the world famous Machu Picchu. We enjoy a guided tour of the Citadel as well as free time to explore at our own pace, before returning to Aguas Calientes for lunch. In the afternoon we take the train back to Cusco.

10. 14

    Day 14

    Drive to Lake Titicaca

    All meals included

    We travel across the high Altiplano to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. At 3,811 m, Lake Titicaca is the highest navigable lake in the world. At this altitude the sun is very strong during the day, but temperatures drop quickly once it sets.

11. 15

    Day 15

    Explore Lake Titicaca, including islands

    All meals included

    We take a boat out to the floating reed islands of the Uros people. Life on the islands is based entirely on the totora reed, which grows in the lake and is used to construct their houses and boats. It is said that the Uros began their floating existence by constructing the islands to isolate themselves from the belligerent Collas and Incas. Whilst it is clear that they are no longer as secluded as they once were, they remain a truly unique and fascinating sight.

12. 16

    Day 16

    Return to Cusco

    All meals included

    We say goodbye to our village stay and head back towards Cusco. Along the way we explore the Sun Route, which includes several fascinating stops — Andahuaylillas, Raqchi, and La Raya — each offering a unique cultural experience. We arrive back in Cusco for our final dinner together, celebrating the end of a wonderful Peruvian adventure.

13. 17–18

    Days 17–18

    Depart Peru on overnight flight to UK

    Meal included: breakfast

    On our final day in Peru, we transfer to the airport to catch our return flight to the UK. Depending on the departure time, there may be an opportunity to pick up some last-minute souvenirs.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.