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)

You spend this morning exploring the vast fortress of Sacsayhuaman. The skillfully constructed outer walls consist of massive blocks of stone, the largest weighing over 350 tonnes. Close by you also visit some of Cusco’s outlying Inca sites – Q’enqo, Puka Pukara and Tambo Machay. A short drive of about 30 minutes brings you to Pisac where the local Thursday market fills the main plaza with bustle and brightly-coloured costume. Sitting high above the town perch the ruins of Pisac with sweeping terraces and spectacular views. After a 40-minute drive through the heart of the valley you arrive in Yucay your base for the next two nights.
Hotel - 2 nights (B)

Minibus to Pachar (Sacred Valley). Follow the Huarocondo Gorge a short way upstream to our trailhead at the village of Raphcca, (2,900m). Visit the little-known Inca ruin of Corimarca, high above the Soccma Valley. Camp here, or at a spacious set of Inca terraces a short distance up valley. Approx. walking 5hrs. Distance 5km.
Camp - 3 nights (BLD) 

Rising early this morning your group has Machu Picchu ruins largely to itself before the train brings in day-visitors from Cusco. Today you'll meet up with the rest of the group who have been on the classic Inca Trail.

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)