Incas, Trails & Condors

17 Days - from $800

If you love walking there can be few better places than the area around Cusco in Peru. We spend 7 days exploring the Urubamba Valley around Machu Picchu, along a network of paths making up the Inca Trail. We stay with our Quechua hosts as part of our community project in the area, and get a remarkable insight into the lives of the locals. Heading for the coast we take a boat trip out to the wildlife sanctuary of the Ballestas Islands, and visit the Colca Canyon, famed for its condors, as well as the extraordinary Nazca Lines - just some of the highlights on this incredible Peruvian odyssey.

If you love walking there can be few better places than the area around Cusco in Peru. We spend 7 days exploring the Urubamba Valley around Machu Picchu, along a network of paths making up the Inca Trail. We stay with our Quechua hosts as part of our community project in the area, and get a remarkable insight into the lives of the locals. Heading for the coast we take a boat trip out to the wildlife sanctuary of the Ballestas Islands, and visit the Colca Canyon, famed for its condors, as well as the extraordinary Nazca Lines - just some of the highlights on this incredible Peruvian odyssey.

Itinerary:

Nights 1-4: Southern Desert & Coast Visit to Paracas National Park, coastal wildlife reserve Overnight stay in colonial Lima Boat trip to see the seals & seabirds on the Ballestas Isles Visit to the Nazca Lines and Chauchilla Cemetery Nights 5-9: Andes & Altiplano 2 night stay and guided trip to see Colca Canyon and condors 2 night stay in the beautiful white city of Arequipa Overland through the high andes of Peru Quechua Indian homestay and community crafts project Nights 10-16: Inca Heartland OR Trek the Classic Inca Trail up the Royal Inca Road Guided visit to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas Sacred Valley tour and entrances to all major sites EITHER hike unspoilt Inca Trails and visit Quechua communities in remote stunning Andes scenery away from tourist treks on our exclusive Inca Trails Community Trek. 7 nights in and around Cusco and the Urubamba Valley

Optional Extras

• If time allows dune buggying or boarding in the spectacular sand dunes of Peru Desert
• Fly over the Nazca lines
• Guided tour of Arequipa's Santa Catalina convent
• White-water rafting and mountain biking in the Cusco region

Accommodation: Mainly hostel/hotel and wildcamps(35% camping, 65% hotels)
Meals: All food is covered by the kitty while camping.
Vehicles: Overland expedition vehicle and local minibus
Crew and Guides: 2 crew, local guides as necessary
Notes: WHICH INCA TRAIL? When you book this trip, you will have a choice of either the Community Inca Trail or the Classic Inca Trail. The costs for each are included, but you must tell us when you book, if you want to book the Classic Inca Trail. If you do not tell us this you will automatically be booked onto the Community Inca Trail. For full details click hereIf you choose to do the community trek then you will receive a small refund from kitty.Kitty does not cover food while staying in hotels and hostels.
Reverse Itinerary: trips that run in reverse are specified with an 'R' in the dates and prices table below.