Empire of the Inca

A short drive to the port brings you to the shores of the lake. At this altitude (3850m), the air is thin and clear and the glistening icecaps of a cordon of Andean peaks seem close. You sail to Amantani via the floating reed islands of the Uros Indians. The life of the Uros is based on the tortora reed, which grows in the lake and is used to construct their houses and boats. You spend around four hours sailing between islands and marvelling at the views across this vast body of water. The island of Amantani has six tiny villages and carefully maintained terraced fields where life continues much as it has done for centuries. It is well worth climbing to the island’s highest point for sunset. Spending the night in a village house affords a very special insight to the lives of the islanders. Rustic village house - 1 night (B)

An early start today as you take a shared tourist bus across dusty altiplano, dotted with llama, alpaca and the simple adobe dwellings of local herders. Once over the pass at La Raya (4321m) the scenery changes. The fertile valleys are still worked by beast or groups of industrious villagers; their timeless agricultural methods prove the value of the knowledge of long ago. You have the opportunity to stop at several places of interest along the way including La Raya pass and the Inca ruins of Racchi and Pucara (about seven hours drive). Alternatively you may prefer the option of making this classic journey by rail (additional cost) taking you through the same spectacular scenery in the comfort of Orient Express carriages. In the evening you arrive in Cusco, the seat of Inca rule for some 500 years. Hotel - 2 nights (B)

Driving along the Sacred valley, you pass many buildings that show the highly developed organisation of the Inca; nowhere more so than the terraced complex of temple, fortress and granary at Ollantaytambo, guarding the entrance to the Urubamba Gorge. We stop to explore the Inca site before a short drive takes us to the trailhead at the entrance to the national park at Piscacucho.  You begin the walk before lunch along the banks of the Urubamba river below the snow-capped peak of Mt. Veronica. Then in the afternoon a gentle climb brings you to a pleasant campsite just beyond the ruins at Llactapata (2950m). You carry only a daypack containing personal items as a team of porters carries all your main luggage, camping equipment and supplies. You will be provided with a duffle bag in which to put items needed for the trek. Anything you don’t need is left behind in Cusco in your main bag. Dome tents for sleeping are supplied and meals are served in a mess tent with folding tables and stools. The camp sites have basic toilet and washing facilities. Your team of porters and cooks take care of all camp chores leaving you free to relax and enjoy the magnificent Andean scenery. About 4/5 hrs easy walking today. Camp - 1 night (BLD)

Rising early this morning your group has Machu Picchu ruins largely to itself before the train brings in day-visitors from Cusco. The magnificent lost city, rediscovered by American archaeologist Hiram Bingham in 1911, stands on a high saddle dominated by the jungle-clad peak of Wayna Picchu. You have time to make the vertiginous climb to its summit for dramatic views of the city spread out below or simply just wander the myriad of steps and stairways of the site, revealing as they do a vast complex of immense structural, historical and archaeological worth. Later in the day you catch the train back to Cusco. Hotel - 1 night (B)