Mountains, forests and Inca ruins on the road to Machu Picchu
The most famous trek in the Americas, the Inca Trail offers a unique and unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery. Winding its way from the powerful Urubamba River, across mountain passes and through cloud forests, the ancient Inca road passes several ruined fortresses before reaching the fabulous lost city of Machu Picchu. We use excellent local guides and skilled porters on the trek, and we enjoy a free day in Cuzco after the trek for more exploration or relaxation before the long flight home. This trip gives the opportunity to spend two days at Machu Picchu, rather than trekking straight into the ruins and leaving for Cuzco the same day. A particular highlight is the return on the second day for a dawn tour of the ruins, before the crowds of day trippers and trekkers arrive.

Day 1 Start Cuzco. 2 Optional visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas; free time for sightseeing or rafting. 3 Start Inca Trail trek from Km82; walk alongside Urubamba River before climbing to Huayllabamba. 4 Cross Dead Woman's Pass, the trek's highest. 5 Over second pass to ruins of Sayajmarca and Phuyupatamarca. 6 Down Inca steps to Wiñay Wayna and Machu Picchu. 7 Visit Machu Picchu for guided dawn tour of site; return to Cuzco by train. 8 Free time to relax in Cuzco. 9 End Cuzco.