Follow the spectacular road of history on this magnificent tour of the Inca Trail. You will savor the wealth of the ruins and the beauty of the Andes. The footsteps of the Inca traverse mountains, stretch along rivers, and wander through jungle. The ruins decorate the mountains above and the valleys below and the treasure of Machu Picchu stands waiting to be sought. Each step is a wonder, each view offers a panorama of majesty, and the Inca Trail brings you to such great heights.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Lima – The Lima Seaside
Arrive in Lima, considered to be the City of Kings. The grandeur of the city sits within its diversity as the neighborhoods stretch along the expanse of the ocean. The air smells of the sweet sea and citrus, while each neighborhood adds a rich layer to the city’s eclectic wonder. Wander through the city and experience the splendor first hand with a visit to the Church of San Francisco. The yellow façade looks like the sun shining bright against the open blue sky. The church bells peel through the air and give a singing quality to the city. Enter the church and find the exuberant tile lining the walls, streaks of white and red climbing into the archways and circling the dome. Follow a guide into the depths of the church where the lights flicker like torches giving you a sense of adventurous exploration. The catacombs are damp and heavy with the rich history within the city. The stones are cold to the touch. The sound of shoes against dirt paths lingers in the air. The various tombs run along the walls and a large tomb sits within the confines of a deep, wide well-like structure.
Continue your exploration of history with a visit to the trendy seaside neighborhood of Miraflores. The Calle de Pizza emanates the scent of baked dough and melted cheese. Meander along the outskirts and find the stunning remains of Huaca Pucllana. The adobe bricks are stacked and tiered, making the pyramid look like an optical illusion, winding up and around each brick into the sky and the ground simultaneously. Wander amongst the bricks where you can see the modern city of Lima rising in the background, a reminder of the modern city siting atop fantastic history. The night brings with it the gentle glow of the pyramid in the spotlights bringing the ancient wonders to golden life against the starry night and lulling waves.
What's Included:
Day 2
Inca Trail – Ascending to Great Heights
Day 3
Inca Trail – The Length of the Trees and the Receding Lush
Day 4
Inca Trail – Amongst the Clouded Trees
Day 5
Inca Trail – The Sun Lights the Gate
Day 6
Cusco – Found the City in the Sky
Day 7
Cusco – Such Great Heights
Trip Highlights
- Follow in the historic steps of the Inca along the Inca Trail
- Experience the unparalleled wonder of Machu Picchu
- Be one of the select few to hike Huayna Picchu
- Climb through the heights of the Andes
- Discover incredible forgotten ruins throughout the mountainside
- Witness the wonderful culture that remains in the Andean altitude
- Traverse the trails of the Sacred Valley
- Deep beneath the City of Kings into the catacombs of the Church of San Francisco
- Enjoy decadent meals beneath the stars
Detailed Description
Follow the trail to the wonders of the Andes on this 7-day customizable tour along the footsteps of the Incas. From majestic ruins to sensational landscapes, each step takes you across history and brings you closer to stunning Machu Picchu. Walk through the clouds, over the cobblestone roads, and through the magnificent ruins where you can look down on lingering treasures from sensational heights.
Arrive in Lima with the City of Kings beckoning to you. Standing against the coast and sprawling across the shores of the Pacific, explore the majesty of the city, in its Spanish remnants and beneath the Church of San Francisco where the catacombs lie. Venture to Cusco where the city shines along the Andean hills like a pearl, mixed with a colonial past and mountain culture. Begin your trekking excursion along the banks of the Urubamba River as you take your first steps along the trail. Ascend above the valley to the stunning ruins of Llaqtapata strewn along the valley floor on top of agricultural terraces.
Continue your journey through the mountains as you climb higher into the Andes, away from the sweeping valley, and through the dense and lush jungle. The water careens through the floor and orchids blossom as you climb higher above the canopy and into the open, arid altitude where the jungle recedes. You will descend over the pass and into Phuyupatamarca, magnificent ruins angled over the mountainside, before continuing on to the grand remains of Wiñaywayna. Over the trail steps and beyond the Sun Gate you will discover the grandeur of the Lost City of Machu Picchu, where you can wander and explore the stone steps of this Wonder of the World. Eventually you will return to Cusco and depart for home. The exceptional sights of ruins strewn across the mountainside and orchids blossoming beneath the jungle canopy will never be less than majestic. As you fly through the clouds, over the remnants of the Inca Trail, you will always remember that you climbed to such great heights.
Zicasso offers a variety of customized tours of Machu Picchu. You may want to browse reviews of Machu Picchu trips for additional ideas and to read traveler reviews of their Peru experiences.
Starting Price
$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.87 stars based on 905 reviews.
Zicasso’s travel agent managed to ensure we were able to see and do all the things on our list, plus more! It was an amazing family adventure. We only had one issue with an airline delay, but she went above and beyond to help us. The guides and drivers were also spectacular.
Reviewed By Pamela N.
Zicasso's travel consultant planned the perfect itinerary for our family trip to Peru. She really listened to the types of experiences we wanted to have and absolutely delivered on everything she planned. All of our travel logistics went smoothly, with no issues, hiccups, or delays. She was also very responsive prior to our trip and the few times we reached out during our travels. And the app she used was extremely intuitive and helpful. I would highly recommend Zicasso's tour operator!
Reviewed By Jenifer Z.
Our trip from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. The Amazon jungle was a blast. I paid for an extra full-day excursion to fish for piranhas, which was definitely a great decision and one of the highlights of our trip (we had the piranhas for lunch, and they were delicious).
The Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu were fabulous. And then, the Galápagos were extraordinary, from the unexpected serenity of the place to the crew of the boat, and, of course, the proximity to wildlife, including snorkeling with sea lions. It was especially meaningful to be in these places with our entire family (10 of us). Everyone understood how special it was and we will all cherish the experience all of our lives.
The Zicasso travel company was fantastic from start to finish. Our travel specialist went far beyond the call of duty to help us, especially when one family members could not make the trip. He helped us with replacing that person with another. He was remarkably prompt, clear, and informative in all communications, both in planning the trip and during it. He has a very kind heart and is a great human being. I cannot say enough positive things about him.
Reviewed By bradley P.
My adult daughter and I had the most wonderful trip planned by Zicasso's travel company. Their team was exceptional; educational, on time, and just a pleasure to be with. Our itinerary was just what we were looking for. From Lima to the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, and ending with Machu Picchu, it was well planned and well executed. We have memories that will last us forever.
Our travel specialist was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our thoughts and improved our experience with her great knowledge of the country, cities, and historical sites we wanted to visit. The travel company exceeded our expectations on every level. Thank you to our specialist and the team she assembled. We now have fantastic memories that will last us forever!
Reviewed By Darrin G.
Zicasso's travel agent is a phenomenal trip planner and advisor, and he helped make my husband's and my 20th wedding anniversary trip exactly what we were hoping for. He listened to what we were interested in exploring, provided multiple options for tours and activities, and was incredibly responsive, even after we booked the trip. He patiently answered all of our questions and provided excellent recommendations for restaurants.
Furthermore, he paired us with an outstanding tour guide for our time at the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. He even left us a surprise at our hotel on the final leg of our journey! When we go back to visit South America, we will definitely reach out to him!
Reviewed By Kasha H.
Zicasso's travel specialist was spectacular in every way. From the inception of communication and planning, through arranging for all of our tickets, hotels, transport, and amazing dining experiences, to the incredible support and guides we enjoyed along the way... they were outstanding and we received five-star service.
We were a demanding group of 13, ranging in ages from 17 to over 60, and we all had an absolute blast! We had an absolutely amazing trip. The Lares Trail and Machu Picchu (and our climb up Huayna Picchu) are by far some of the most memorable experiences we've ever had.
Our guide and driver were awesome... kind, professional, and accommodating, and our guide especially was very knowledgeable, with so much respect and love for the surrounding nature and culture.
Our travel specialist was timely, attentive, and responsive to all of our requests, and helped us collectively achieve one of the greatest vacations we have ever experienced.
They were 100% accurate in terms of how to prepare us for the altitude and allow us enough time to acclimatize in Cusco (and with a great, long, mountain bike ride at high elevation). Our specialist provided excellent recommendations for how to fill some additional time in Cusco while we acclimated. We loved touring Cusco itself, and seeing Sacsayhuaman, several spots in the Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines were all unforgettable experiences. We also loved the hotel she had us at in Cusco. It was a great spot to be able to explore the city on our own time.
After seeing all of the coordination, especially for the Lares Trail and Machu Picchu, we're so relieved we chose to go through Zicasso for this trip and were connected with our travel specialist and her company. Everything was well planned and thought out, and if anything was not right, they sought to immediately correct it. Our guide was on top of every detail and it was great knowing our agent was just a text or phone call away.
Reviewed By Gary W.