Hike and bike the Inca trail in Peru

Welcome to Lima. Upon arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel by a private transfer – then it’s time for the fun to begin. After meeting your group, you’ll explore the district of Miraflores together on an introductory walking tour. Then, to kick things off in style, you’ll learn how to craft the perfect Pisco Sour, the nation’s favourite cocktail, under the guidance of a local Pisco master. Salud.

Begin the day in the Plaza de Armas, Lima’s main square. Take a stroll through the elegant streets with your fellow travellers, admiring the city’s colonial cathedrals and Incan landmarks. In the afternoon, head to one of Lima’s most innovative restaurants, as the chefs prepare a ream of Peruvian dishes before your eyes. Then, roll your sleeves up and learn how to make your own ceviche, a true Peruvian classic. Later in the afternoon, join your guide on a scenic walk through the bohemian district of Barranco, stomping ground of the city’s artists and musicians. The rest of the evening is yours, with Barranco offering an array of restaurants at your fingertips.

Today you’ll all catch a 90-minute flight from Lima to Puerto Maldonado, then step aboard a traditional Amazonian boat to cruise your way to your jungle lodge. With just enough time to freshen up, prepare to sweat all over again with an immersive rainforest trek. Hike through the steamy foliage, following huge butterflies through this lush habitat. In the evening, explore the rainforest under the cover of darkness with an atmospheric night-time boat ride down the river.

This morning will see you trek through the Tambopata Reserve to Lake Sandoval. Boasting an abundance of flora, fauna and wildlife, this route proves why this is regarded as the biodiverse capital of Peru. As night falls, be ready to channel your inner Attenborough, observing how the jungle changes as nocturnal animals emerge from hidden corners.

Today’s adventure will take you from the wild Amazon to the Andean city of Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, this beguiling city is the gateway to ancient citadels and ruins, scattered across a vast mountainscape. After checking into your new hotel, explore the picturesque stone streets lined with Inca architecture and baroque cathedrals, seeking out the perfect place to dine tonight. Easy in a foodie haven such as this.

Start your morning the local way: in San Pedro Market, perusing stalls lined with fresh produce and traditional textiles. Then, you’ll dive straight into Cusco’s rich heritage. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this imperial city was the historic capital of the Inca Empire until the Spanish Conquest in the 16th century. Begin at Koricancha Temple, built in honour of the Sun God, before weaving through the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman and the Qenqo Temple. After lunch, you’ll have the option to visit Cristo Blanco, where a formidable white statue of Christ rises over the Andes. Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon in Cusco however you please.

Today, you’re off to visit Manuel Choque, a local agricultural engineer who has produced some of the world’s most unique potato varieties. Admired by world-class chefs, Manuel boasts 370 different varieties of potato in his repository; when sliced open, the potatoes reveal vivid pink and purple flesh. Manuel will prepare a few of his prize potatoes for you to sample, flavoured with a traditional hot pepper sauce. Enjoy this unique taste of the highlands, then it’s onto Urubamba, where you’ll check into your new hotel. 

Prepare for a day of mountain biking in the Sacred Valley. Between shimmering salt terraces and Inca ruins, soak up magnificent views of the Andes expanding into the horizon. Your biking adventure will take you past the agricultural terraces of Moray, before gliding downhill to the salt mines of Maras. The rest of the day is best spent relaxing and admiring scenic views of the emerald slopes over a few cocktails at the hotel bar.

This morning will see you take the train up to Kilometer 104 on the Inca Trail, where you’ll follow a hiking trail through the mountains. Your first stop is Chachabamba, whose ghostly ruins are believed to have been a religious site, and the gatehouse to Machu Picchu. You’ll continue the ascent to a mountain waterfall: the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch, with majestic views over the Andes. Then it’s onto Inti Puntu, the Sun Gate, which looks out onto Machu Picchu itself – and where today’s hike culminates. You’ll then catch a bus down to Aguas Calientes, a town renowned for its medicinal thermal waters. Lined with restaurants, boutiques and an artisanal craft market, this typical mountain pueblo brims with Andean charm.

Today, you’ll be experiencing Machu Picchu in its full splendour. Located at 2,430 metres above sea level, the lost Inca citadel looks out over the ridges of the Andes Mountains – you’ll see exactly why Machu Picchu tops most travellers’ bucket-lists. Your expert guide will introduce you to the history of the region, then it’s over to you to explore the fortress at your own leisure. Enjoy lunch in the Lost City, before descending to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll hop on the train back to Cusco. On your final evening, enjoy a few rounds of Pisco Sours with your fellow travellers – a fitting finale to your Peruvian adventure.

After breakfast at the hotel, it’s over to you to make your own way to the airport. Alternatively, you could spend an extra night in Cusco to explore the city at your own leisure, or extend your adventure to neighbouring Bolivia.