Upon arrival in Cusco (3326m), KE Land Only package services begin with a group transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Here we overnight in the picturesque traditional town of Ollantaytambo (2800m). Spending our first night at the lower elevation of Ollantaytambo will also ease the acclimatisation process as we prepare for our trek up to 5000 metres.

You will be picked up from your hotel and depart towards Huilloc where you will learn about the customs of this community and will participate in a demonstration of one of the ancestral activities of Andean life: the process of making garments using traditional techniques, understanding the meaning of their iconography. A resident will show you the weaving process of typical Huilloc clothing. In addition to the opportunity to appreciate this traditional activity, you can buy one of these beautiful garments, contributing to the spiritual strengthening and identity of the Inca people, making this a complete and special experience. Then, you will depart towards the archaeological site of Pumamarca, composed of structures such as platforms, roads and canals and enjoy a delicious box lunch en route. Later visit the town of Ollantaytambo which has been continuously inhabited since the time of the Inca Empire. Finally, you will be transferred from Ollantaytambo to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Cusco hills of the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, visit the archaeological complex of Qenqo, and walk through the military architectural complex of Puca Pucara and the ruins of Tambomachay. Afterwards, you will be transferred to the restaurant in Pisac where you will enjoy lunch and then visit the Pisac market, where dozens of stalls display and sell products created by the local people. Highlights include beautiful alpaca textiles, musical instruments, paintings, carvings, necklaces and replicas of ancient Inca pieces. Continue to the ruins, visit the Inca astronomical observatory and stroll through the terraces, notable for its irrigation system. At the end of the tour we will transfer to Cusco and check in to our hotel for the evening.

After breakfast your guide will meet you at the hotel for a half day walking tour of Cusco including the Cathedral with its impressive collection of colonial art and architecture, the Coricancha which is one fo the most important temples in the Inca Empire and the finally you will immerse yourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of San Pedro Market, known for it's local produce and handicrafts. The afternoon is free to relax or explore the many shops, bars and restaurants. Overnight hotel

Today we will make the 3-hour drive to the start of our trek into the Cordillera Vilcanota. From Cusco, we drive first towards Puno, past the Wari site of Pikillacta and the old colonial towns of Andahualillas and Huaro. The road climbs steadily to a viewpoint where the Cordillera Vilcanota appears in the distance, with Ausangate and Colqe Cruz the dominant peaks. The drive takes us through a picturesque landscape and by way of several traditional villages including Urcos, Cattca and Ocangate. The small village of Tinqui is at an altitude of 3800 metres. Here, we meet our arrieros, the local Quechua Indian herdsmen and their mules and llamas which will be carrying our bags and equipment. We follow a wide, gently ascending path toward the northwest face of the impressive Ausangate mountain and have a light lunch around noon by the side of the trail. We continue walking through fields and past scattered stone farmhouses to our camp at Rodeana (3890m). You will have some free time to rest or get to know the surroundings before an early dinner.

We wake to the sounds of breakfast being prepared and the arrieros rounding up their animals. This is our introduction to camp life. After breakfast, we begin our trek around Ausangate, heading across the open puna or highland meadows and gradually gaining altitude. We may be lucky enough to see viscachas (the long tailed highland rabbit-like creature), condors and Andean foxes during today’s walk to Upis. We set up camp close to the hot springs of Upis, where we can relax and take in the magnificent view of Ausangate at the end of the valley. Altitude at camp is 4250 metres.

After an early breakfast we set off on our hike which takes us close to the Ausangate Glacier Peak. Here we are treated to incredible views of the mountain as well as the surrounding lakes and waterfalls. We may see llamas, alpacas and wild vicunas (the undomesticated ancestor of the alpaca) and perhaps a rare condor soaring above. We will have a 3-hour uphill hike to reach the first pass at 4800 metres before descending for 2 hours to our lunch spot. After lunch, it will take a further 2.5 to 3 hours to reach our campsite at Ausangate Cocha (4440m).

We wake early to a hot drink and breakfast and embark on the 2.5 to 3-hour trek to Rainbow Mountain. During our hike, we will take in breath-taking views of some of the highest peaks in the Andes and the valleys below. By arriving early, we will get to enjoy the stunning scenery of Rainbow Mountain before the other groups arrive. Your guide will help you explore the area, including the Red Valley, known for its striking mineral-rich landscapes and colourful striations. Once you've had time to capture those all important postcard-worthy photos our return trek will take us on to Ananta where a delicious lunch prepared by the cook awaits. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax and unwind at the Anantapata camp, situated at an elevation of 4500 meters.

Start the day with breakfast before embarking on a hike to the Palomani Pass. Along the 3-hour hike, you'll pass colorful lakes, green pampas, small villages, alpacas, llamas, and locals in traditional attire. At the pass, enjoy stunning views of the red lake and the Vilcanota mountain range. Afterward, descend to Huchuy Pinaya for lunch, then continue for 2 hours to Surapampa for an overnight stay. Keep an eye out for Viscachas, rabbit-like creatures with squirrel tails, resting on the rocks.

Today’s trek begins from Surapampa, heading towards the Campa Pass at 5070 meters above sea level. You'll awake to views of the Tres Marias snowy peaks and start the hike with a two-and-a-half-hour ascent to the pass. Along the way, we will hike through a lush green valley and take a break to enjoy lunch. Afterwards we continue towards the slopes of Ausangate and a final descent leading to our campsite for the night. During this part of the hike, you'll pass three glacial lakes - China Otorongo, Orco Otorongo, and Qomer Cocha, highly revered and well known for their mystical significance in the Andean World.

After a hearty breakfast and some tea, we embark on a one-hour hike through the Pampacancha Valley at 4300 meters, where you'll encounter vast open spaces and numerous llamas and alpacas. We then begin a two-hour climb to the highest point of the trek, Qampa Pass at 5400 meters, offering breathtaking views of the Three Peaks, the Pacchanta Valley, and, with some luck, sightings of wild vicuñas, deer, or even a condor. Afterward, we descend for three hours through the Pacchanta Valley, passing by Ausangate Mountain and the Two Twin Mountains, witnessing glacial moraines, lakes, and snow-capped peaks. We reach our campsite at Pacchanta (4200m) near the Pacchanta hot springs, where you can relax in the thermal waters with stunning views of Ausangate Mountain.

After breakfast, we depart from Paqchanta and head north along the front of the range. After about 3 hours, we will cross the pass at 4800 metres and descend for a short while before stopping for some lunch. We then continue our descent to the valley floor, cross the valley and ascend for 2 to 3 hours to our camp near a beautiful lagoon at Armacocha (4665m). This area offers stunning views of Nevado Callangate.

Start the day early to continue this beautiful exploration of the area near Ausangate Mountain. Continue the walk and have lunch on the road before reaching the Singrenaccocha lagoon, at an altitude of 4560 metres. This is a beautiful lagoon of intense blue colour, which embellishes, even more, the landscape of the mountains. Upon arriving in this area, settle in the camp and enjoy dinner during the afternoon.

After breakfast, leave from the camp in Singrenaccocha towards Mallma. The final trek out goes along the shore of the lake for a while and then descends to the town of Mallma. After approximately two hours of travel, a transportation service will pick you up from Mallma to transfer you to your hotel in the city of Cusco, arriving during the afternoon.

Take part in an unforgettable adventure through the Sacred Valley on a trek to Huchuy Qosqo. You will be picked up during the morning from your hotel in Cusco and transferred out of the city to start the walk. Go through beautiful landscapes and after approximately 4 hours arrive at the archaeological site of Huchuy Qosqo, a complex made up of large Inca walls and terraces. Once there, you will learn about the history of the place and have free time to rest. Enjoy a box lunch en route. Then, start the way back to the town of Lamay, from where you will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco.

Today you will be transferred from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, where you will get the Expedition Train to KM 104 which is the start of your trek. Today our trek takes us along the most impressive stretch of the Inca Trail. We'll visit beautiful Inca sites, see a variety of flora and fauna and get to take in the fantastic panoramas of the Andes Mountains. Covering 16km of the trail our journey begins in the Sacred Valley and works its way up along an original Inca Trail to the Inca site of Winay Wayna before continuing on to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku). As we make our way to Machu Picchu we'll pass through the lush and verdant cloud forest that covers the mountain and get to see a variety of plants, flowers and birds along the way. We may also see some larger mammals such as Viscachas (rabbit-like Chinchillas) and Spectacled Bears (if we are very lucky). After a full days trekking we'll arrive to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) in the late afternoon and get our first views of Machu Picchu spread out on the mountain below. The light at this time of day is great for photos and with fewer tourists in the site it's a perfect time to for photographs. After we've passed through the Sun Gate we'll carry on along the trail and past the entrance to the site itself and take the transfer but to Aguas Calientes in the valley below where we'll check in to our hotel.

Today we visit Machu Picchu, the site that was lost to the jungle but rediscovered in 1911 by the Yale academic, Hiram Bingham. Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1983, Machu Picchu exceeds all expectations. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop the citadel is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba River. An early morning bus from Aguas Calientes takes us up to the site, saving us from the relentlessly steep climb. A local guide will give us an interpretive tour of Machu Picchu and we will have ample time to soak up the mystical atmosphere of this incredible site. You will then complete the guided trek of Machu Picchu Mountain. Later that day you will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ollantaytambo on the Machu Picchu Expedition train. On arrival in Ollantaytambo you will be transferred back to Cusco, to enjoy your final night in Peru.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. A single group transfer to the airport is provided. If you wish to extend your stay in Cusco, it is possible to arrange extra night(s) at the group hotel. Please see the extensions section of the trip page on our website for details and prices of all options including visits to Lake Titicaca and the Amazon Rainforest.