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About the trip
Feast your eyes on magnificent landscapes, ancient ruins and dense jungles on our 'Jaguar' Ultimate Peru Adventure tour. Starting and finishing in Cuzco, you'll hike in the footsteps of the Incas, cycle through Andean villages and explore the Amazon jungle on our 10-day 'Jaguar' Ultimate Peru Adventure. Everyday will have you exploring new landscapes and taking in the captivating history Peru has to offer. You'll have the choice to hike either the Classic Inca Trail or the lesser-known Lares Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where you'll have plenty of time to explore the enchanting passageways and stone structures. That's not all this adventure entails though, you'll also cycle through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, hike the Sacsayhuamán fortress, visit Pisac market and wander the virgin jungle of the Amazon. The variety of activities and landscapes on this Ultimate Peru Adventure tour will give you a Peruvian trip like no other – and an experience you'll never forget!
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Max. Group Size
14
Guide Languages
English
Highlights
- Hike Sacsayhuamán fortress
- Cycle Sacred Valley, visit Pisac market, hike Pisac ruins
- Inca Trail, explore Machu Picchu
- Wildlife viewing in Tambopata Reserve
Meals
9 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 Dinners
Accommodation
Hotel Royal Inca or Hotel San Agustin
Included in the price
Day-wise Itinerary
ExpandDay 1: Arrive In Cuzco, Hike Sacsayhuamán Fortress
- Our trip starts in Cuzco, the heart of the Inca empire. Your trip leader will greet you with a cup of hot coca tea – a local speciality. After lunch, we’ll set off for a walk around this amazing ancient city and up to Sacsayhuamán fortress overlooking the main Plaza and Cuzco Valley. The fortress, meaning ‘House of the Sun’, is a magnificent archaeological site representing a set of jaguar’s teeth with massive, perfectly fitted stones weighing up to 130 tonnes (143 tons) each and was the place where the Incas made their final stand against the Spanish conquistadores. No one really knows what the Incas used Sacsayhuamán for – some say it was a sanctuary and temple of the sun, others say it was a granary. No matter who is right, you’ll have a lot of fun hearing all the stories this amazing area inspires. Later, we’ll take a walk through the colourful Cuzco street markets. If you prefer, you can take some time to soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Cuzco’s lively town square and meet up again later for an evening meal.
- Hotel Royal Inca I or Hotel San Agustin, Cuzco (Lunch, Dinner).
- Hiking Distance: 2 kilometres (1.2 miles), 2-3 hours. Elevation Gain: 200 metres (656 feet). Elevation Loss: 200 metres (656 feet).
Day 2: Cycle Sacred Valley, Visit Pisac Market, Hike Pisac Ruins
- We’ll head into the fertile Sacred Valley of the Incas this morning, stopping just above Cuzco, where we’ll jump on our bikes and ride down through breath-taking scenery, dotted with local villages and surrounded by the massive green slopes of the Andes. We’ll finish our ride in the small town of Pisac, where we’ll have a chance to check out the colourful mercado artesanal. From here we’ll begin a spectacular hike up to the Pisac ruins. These Inca terraces rise 610 metres (2000 feet) up from the river below. It’s a heart-pumping walk up through ancient agricultural terraces – you’ll never forget the views of Pisac and the Urubamba Valley! After exploring the ancient complex, we’ll descend the original Inca stairways and head back down the valley to Cuzco. This is the largest existing fortress-city of the Incas, and it’s the perfect warm-up for your Inca Trail trek tomorrow!
- Hotel Royal Inca I or Hotel San Agustin, Cuzco (All meals)
- Sacred Valley Biking Distance: 20 kilometres (12 miles), 2-3 hours
- Pisac Ruins Hiking Distance: 3 kilometres (1.8 miles), 2-3 hours Elevation Gain: 250 metres (1,476 feet)
Day 3: Inca Trail Options A And B
- Option A, Lares Inca Trail
- Hike Lares Inca Trail to Cuncani: From Cuzco, we’ll head in the direction of the Sacred Valley. The road leads to Lares and crosses the Amparaes Pass. This phenomenal drive winds through arid landscapes, crosses rivers and you’ll see some of the most stunning mountain vistas in Peru. Our final destination is the hot baths of Lares. Here, naturally occurring hot springs await us before we set out on our trek. From the thermal baths unfolds a small track used by local children and community members of Lares. We’ll pass through hand tilled fields and crops of quinoa and potato, amongst quaint stone houses. After a gradual climb of a few hours we’ll stop for a delicious lunch, before continuing on to the community of Cuncani, where we’ll set up camp for the evening. Lares Inca Trail camp (3,840 metres (12,600 feet)) (All meals). Hiking Distance: 11 kilometres (6.8 miles), 4-6 hours. Elevation Gain: 600 metres (1,968 feet).
- Option B, Classic Inca Trail
- Hike through the sacred Valley of the Incas: We’ll leave Cuzco and make our way through the Sacred Valley of the Incas before starting our hike at Piscacucho, or Kilometre 82 as it is known by the locals. From here we’ll spend the day hiking alongside the Rio Cusichaca, surrounded by massive Andean peaks, Inca ruins and semi-arid forest. We’ll visit a couple of small villages along the way, then have lunch and rest a while on the way to our first camp, Pisonay. When you arrive at camp, you’ll find our porters have set up your tent so you can simply relax with a hot drink and get to know your fellow travellers. Tonight our cooks will prepare the first of many sumptuous hot meals for us to enjoy in our dining tent – you’ll be impressed how well we take care of you on the trail. Classic Inca Trail camp (3,000 metres (9,842 feet)) (All meals). Hiking Distance: 12 kilometres (7.3 miles), 5-7 hours. Elevation Gain: 400 metres (1,312 feet)
Day 4: Inca Trail Options A And B
- Option A, Lares Inca Trail
- Hike through the sacred Valley of the Incas: Hike Lares Inca Trail over Paso de Pumahuanca to Paccha. If we have clear skies at sunrise, we’ll wake to the imposing view of Colque Crus, a majestic mountain capped by a glacier, which provides water to the local community. We follow the path next to an icy stream that will take us towards the pass. The ascent is challenging. On reaching the summit a stunning view of the Pampas of Anta awaits us, followed by a descent that will be most welcome after the challenging climb. The descent is steep but beautiful, crossing a small forest of ‘Polylepis’, the endemic and endangered trees of the high Andes. Just after the forest and with an incredible view of the valley below we will stop for lunch. After which the drop continues until we reach our camp, a tranquil paradise surrounded by trees and crossed by a small river. Tonight, if we find some dead tinder, we’ll enjoy a cosy campfire. Lares Inca Trail camp (4,040 metres (13,400 feet)) (All meals).Hiking Distance: 12.5 kilometres (7.8 miles), 7-9 hours. Elevation Gain: 1,000 metres (3,280 feet)
- Option B, Classic Inca Trail
- Hike Inca Trail to Pacaymayo: Today is an unforgettable day. You’ll be woken with a cup of coca tea brought to your tent door. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll begin our hike on what will be our most challenging day. Today we climb 914 metres (3000 feet) up to Warmiwañusqa, or ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ altitude 4400 metres (14,435 feet). The trail winds its way up through a beautiful mountain pass with stunning panoramic views of the alpine wonderland. It’s a challenging hike to the pass, and the 360º views make every step worthwhile. After celebrating our ascent, we’ll walk down cobbled steps paved by the Incas over 500 years ago to Pacaymayo Valley, our camp for the evening. Again, we’ll already have tents set up so all you need to do is relax and enjoy the evening. Classic Inca Trail camp (3,580 metres (11,745 feet)) (All meals). Hiking Distance: 11 kilometres (7 miles), 6-8 hours. Elevation Gain: 1,200 metres (3,937 feet). Elevation Loss: 600 metres (1,968 feet).
Day 5: Inca Trail Options A And B
- Option A, Lares Inca Trail
- Hike Lares Inca Trail to Ollantaytambo: This morning will be our last on the trail. From camp the walk becomes easier down to the piscigranja (fish farm). As we descend we’ll feel the climate changing, becoming warmer and more alive, with more variety in vegetation, and we’ll be accompanied by hummingbirds along the way. After a few short hours we’ll meet our private transportation that will take us to Ollantaytambo Station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. As the train travels along, the valley turns into a canyon and the scenery alters, as the cloud forests begin to appear, on our approach to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. We will disembark the train at Aguas Calientes. After a well-deserved shower we’ll enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the best restaurants in town. Local hotel, Aguas Calientes (2,040 metres (6,692 feet)) (All meals). Hiking Distance: 6 kilometres (3.6 miles), 4-5 hours. Elevation Loss: 800 metres (2,624 feet).
- Option B, Classic Inca Trail
- Hike Inca Trail to Wiñay Wayna: The scenery gets even better today! We’ll explore several fascinating Inca fortresses as we descend, with the cloud forest becoming more and more lush as the air becomes warmer and denser. The ancient ruins and increasingly verdant surroundings lend an eerie mood to the day as we make our way down to our next camp, Wiñay Wayna. This is our final night on the trail, with breath-taking views and another hearty dinner! Classic Inca Trail camp (3,600 metres (11,810 feet)) (All meals). Hiking Distance: 12 kilometres (7.3 miles), 6-8 hours. Elevation Loss: 800 metres (2,624 feet).
Day 7: Free Day In Cuzco
- Cuzco is the archaeological capital of the Americas and it’s a fabulous place to spend a day exploring – it’s no wonder it’s the continent’s oldest continuously inhabited city! Walk along Cuzco’s central streets, lined with massive Inca-built stone walls that form the foundation of the city and blend into the colonial and modern architecture that has been added over the years. You can take the day to explore Cuzco’s most popular temples, museums, churches and fortresses. Alternatively, we’ll help you arrange one of the many optional guided activities available including mountain biking, hiking, or horseback riding. There’s also no shortage of great food and entertainment in Cuzco, with restaurants to suit any taste, cafés for coffee in the Plaza de Armas and great bars with local music.
- Hotel Royal Inca I or Hotel San Agustin, Cuzco (Breakfast)
Day 8: Journey To The Amazon, Wildlife Viewing In Tambopata Reserve
- Today we’ll take a short flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, a frontier town in the Amazon basin. We’ll take to motorised canoes and glide deep into the jungle down the Tambopata River, one of the headwaters of the Amazon. Listen for howler monkeys in the tropical forest canopy above and spot macaws perched high on the riverbanks. This area is teeming with wildlife and the boat trip to our jungle lodge is a great opportunity to look for giant otters, capuchin monkeys, caiman and an array of birds that can be found in this area. After lunch, we’ll experience the jungle with all of our senses by exploring on foot this time. Keep an eye out for the rainforest dwellers – including several species of monkeys – that come out in search of food in the late afternoon! After dark, you’ll have a chance to get back on board the canoes with a spotlight in search of the nocturnal caiman (South American crocodile) lurking in the river.
- Amazon Lodgings, Amazon jungle (All meals).
- Hiking Time: 2 hours, short hikes in the jungle
Day 9: Wildlife Hike, Virgin Jungle Exploration
- This morning we’ll explore some of the many miles of jungle trails that criss-cross the dense rainforest. We’ll travel by motorised canoe and hike through virgin forest to experience the wealth of native flora and fauna under the Amazon rainforest canopy, and learn how the indigenous people thrive in this challenging environment. The Amazon is the most biologically diverse place on Earth and you’ll discover more about the amazing flora and fauna here, as well as learning about the incredible medicinal plants that are found in this region. After lunch, you have the rest of the afternoon free to hang out at the lodge with a book or continue exploring the surrounding area on your own. If you’d prefer to hike a little more this afternoon, you can head out with our naturalist guide on little-known trails that pass by the homes of some of the rarest animals in the rainforest. This evening we’ll brave the jungle on foot to look for tarantulas, insects and frogs that come out after dark.
- Amazon Lodgings, Amazon jungle (All meals)
- Walking Distance: 2 kilometres (1.2 miles), 1-2 hours
Day 10: Return To Cuzco, Depart For Home
- This morning we leave the rainforest and take a boat back to Puerto Maldonado, where we’ll catch a short flight to Cuzco. This is the last day of your trip in Peru, if you have time to spare after the trip, we’re happy to give you suggestions on how to make the most of it. On the other hand, if you’re on your way home today, we’ll send you back refreshed and invigorated from the great food, exercise, rest and adventures you’ll have had with us in Peru!
- (Breakfast, Lunch)
Terms and Conditions
Expand- We understand that you’re making a commitment to us! This is your trip of a lifetime and you want it to be perfect! Our Active Adventures Assurance to you is a sign of our confidence in what we do and our ability to deliver exceptional adventure tours - rain, hail or shine! So here's what you can expect from us.
- Lifetime deposit: If for any reason you can’t travel on the trip you’ve booked, just let us know no later than 60 days before your departure and we’ll hold on to your deposit as a credit for you to use towards the balance of your next trip.
- Change your trip: We understand plans change. So to transfer your deposit to another trip, just let us know no later than 60 days before your trip and we'll take care of the rest.
- Refund for cancelled trips: Already paid off your trip and can’t travel? No worries! Just let us know no later than 60 days before your trip you'd like to cancel and we’ll provide a refund less your transferrable deposit, which can be used towards the balance of your next trip.
- For more information use the button below to read Booking Conditions: activeadventures.com/booking-conditions
