Welcome to Cusco- touch down, collect your luggage and meet your guide, then drive twenty minutes through the colourful South American streets to your hotel.

Meet in the Coffee Museum at 1pm to enjoy a tasty lunch and learn the story and about the people behind this popular drink.

After lunch step out into the Cusco streets and explore with one of our carefully chosen guides. They are not only very knowledgeable but also great fun to be with. You do not want to cram too much in on your first day at altitude, so relax and get used to being up high with a gentle walk around this old Inca capital.

Visit the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and the Qoricancha temple of the sun and perhaps take in the sights, sounds and smells of San Pedro food market too.

If you normally shop in supermarkets and farmers markets, you are in for a treat.

Stands full of juicy exotic fruits, counters heaving with cow heads and sheep hooves and cheerful local women selling handmade cheeses, local breads, healthy juices and even toad soup.

The evening is free to relax and wander around this UNESCO World Heritage listed city.

Today you stretch your legs with a delightful hike in the hills above Cusco.

First we visit the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman. Huge stone ramparts surround a beautiful grass amphitheatre.

Once the scene of fierce battles it now hosts the recreation of traditional Inca ceremonies such as Inti Raymi and Warachikuy.

Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay lying at 3700m (12,000 feet) followed by a special picnic lunch. From here it is all downhill to Cusco, stopping at the Temple of the Moon and other historical sites along the way. (B)

Leaving Cusco behind you start your journey to Machu Picchu. The hike starts at the fascinating circular ruins of Moray.

While some think it was a landing pad for alien spaceships, more likely is that the Incas built this as an experimental agricultural centre.

Concentric circular terraces allowed them to simulate different facing slopes and different growing temperatures to see what crops would grow where.

With another homemade picnic along the way you hike on down, past the spectacular salt pans of Maras to end in the Sacred Valley for the night. (B,L)

Departing Cusco early we drive along the Sacred Valley before, at Calca heading high into the Andes.

In just under two hours we will leave the vehicles and start our acclimatisation hike up an ancient Inca trail, through a narrow canyon where Inca burial tombs can still be seen. This is a perfect hike to allow clients to experience firsthand the affects of trekking at altitude.

We meet our bus further up the valley and transfer over a 4200m pass to the small community of Quisuarani where we set up base camp for the night. (B,L,D)

A beautiful day’s hiking as we climb out of the Quisuarani valley, hopefully meeting en route some of the colourfully dressed locals.

This whole area is famous for its weavings and at the various campsites, we can haggle for beautiful hand-made textiles at a fraction of the price of what they would be at home or even in Cusco.

Our trekking path borders the native tree reforestation project of ECOAN: this restored eco-system is home to several endemic birds. We descend past some spectacular waterfalls, crystal clear lakes, Llama herds and Viscachas (long-tailed rabbits) to the small village of Cuncani, where we have our picnic lunch.

Continuing in the afternoon we have a short walk over the ridge to the village of Huacahuasi where we will camp for the night. Those who have the energy can head down the  road and an old Inca Trail to the Lares Hot-springs, for a good soak in the “Banos del Inca” – The Incas’s Baths – a selection of perfectly heated pools (B,L,D)

This is a day filled with encounters with locals. Men head off to work in the potato fields, wooden ploughs slung over their shoulder. Women sit, legs outstretched weaving their traditional clothes on wooden looms. And small children sit motionless guarding herds of alpaca and llama, their ever faithful dog by their side.

You start fifteen minute’s drive from camp to begin towards the final pass. Lying at 4,200m/13,780ft the Ipsaycocha pass marks the border between Lares and the Patacancha Valley. You start gently and then climb one final steep section to gain the summit.

If you are lucky, you will have spectacular views of Mount Veronica. You take lunch by the beautiful Ipsay lake then follow an ancient trail to the Patacancha Valley and the village of Patacancha where the trek ends.

A vehicle takes down the valley and to your hotel for the night. (B,L,D)

You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 you pass through the control point and begin your Inca Trail trek.

First, you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up towards the base of Wiñay Wayna. Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to explore the various buildings and water features.

Here we can enjoy our packed lunch, with a great view. You then continue on perhaps the loveliest part of the whole Inca Trail.

Lush vegetation flanks you on either side, the scent of wild orchids fills the air, and all around you brightly coloured tropical songbirds fill your ears with song.

Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. After plenty of photos, you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower.

Total hiking distance: 11 km

Whilst walking all you need is your daypack as your over-night luggage will be transferred to your hotel in Machu Picchu town to await your arrival.(B,L)

Today, we transfer to Cusco airport in time for your internal and international flights home. Alternatively if you wish you can delay your departure by one day and have a free day to discover the delights of Cusco. (B)