Wild Peru

Welcome to Peru! Upon arrival in Cusco (3,400m), you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure as you acclimatise to the altitude. The undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas, Cuzco is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and the gateway to Machu Picchu.

Cosmopolitan Cuzco (also Cusco, or Qosq'o in Quechua) thrives with a measure of contradiction. Ornate cathedrals squat over Inca temples, massage hawkers ply the narrow cobblestone passages, a rural Andean woman feeds bottled water to her pet llama while the finest boutiques sell pricey alpaca knits.

Following breakfast this morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco and transferred to Patabamba Community. Its original name, Patabamba, means ‘plain' or ‘flat place' in Quechua. You will arrive at Patabamba Community (3,800m) at approximately 8 am and witness a coca leaf ceremony conducted by local scholars. The locals will then show you how to collect leaves, flowers, and herbs (depending on the season), which are used in the traditional process of dyeing fabric to make clothes; a technique passed down through many generations.

At 9 am, you depart from Patabamba and head to Huchuy Qosqo archaeological remains (3,550m). Located at 3,550m, the name comes from a Quechua word which means Little Cusco; however, it was also known as Q'acyacawana which means in Spanish ‘place from where we can see thunder'. Historically, it is known for being the place of Inca Wiraqocha, who died there according to legend. In colonial times, a mummy found was assumed to be Inca and was burnt by Francisco Pizarro.

During your walk, you will enjoy Inter-Andean valleys typical of the region, with impressive viewpoints over the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After a midmorning traditional-style snack, explore a part of the Inca trail which is also part of the Q'apac Ñan. In the village of Pukamarca, you will be able to take a break and enjoy a lunch box prepared by Patabamba Community members.

Continue walking until you reach the archaeological remains of Huchuy Qosqo. From here, descend through typical flora and fauna from the region to the Huchuy Qosqo Community, arriving at the lower part of the Community before crossing to Lamay Qosqo (2,940m), where you will see the differences between the two communities.

• Walking Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles.
• Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate

Early this morning, enjoy a local breakfast with the Huchuy Qosqo community. From here, you will travel to the Huayllafara Community, where you will be welcomed at the Cultural Centre for Interpretation with traditional music and beautiful flowers, along with a ‘tinka' – a symbolic benediction to Mother Earth to thank her for this new day and for spending it with people from different cultures.

After your welcome, you will meet the “Yachaqs – Children of the Earth.” The “Yachaqs” (Quechua for “wise”) are experts in Andean agriculture. Understanding the cycles and needs of Pachamama (Mother Earth) is not only ancient knowledge but also crucial for the village's survival. In Huayllafara, you will learn about Andean agriculture and its environmental importance through the eyes of the Andean people. Community members will teach you about vertical control, time cycles, seasons, and agricultural rituals.

You will then apply your new knowledge using traditional tools to plant or harvest food and manage a team of oxen. This hands-on experience will deepen your understanding of Andean agriculture and the villagers' relationship with the Earth. After working up an appetite, enjoy a delicious lunch with local dishes prepared fresh with ingredients harvested from the fields of Huayllafara.

• Walking Distance & Time: – 8 km, 6hrs.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Altitude: 3,550 m

Following breakfast with the Huchuy Qosqo community, you will continue to the Janac Chuquibamba community, where you will be welcomed with flowers and traditional Andean music. From here, enjoy a 30-minute walk to a rocky hill, where you will find many Achupalla plants. These spiny-leaved plants are regarded as a gift from Mother Earth by the members of the community; having medicinal purposes and are also used in many ways including making cooking utensils, bags, belts, and firewood. Even the Suksakuro worm which can be found living inside it is considered a delicacy and very nutritious! Discover the mysteries and uses of the Achupalla plant and taste the local gastronomy with products from the area.

After your walk, enjoy a lunch made by the locals with ingredients harvested from the village fields. You will finish your experience in the Andes with a traditional Earth ceremony called ‘Pago a la Pachamama' or ‘Payment to Mother Earth' to thank her for our experiences and learnings. Transfer to your hotel in Cusco.

• Walking Distance & Time: 10 km, 7hrs.
• Difficulty: Moderate.
• Altitude: 3,600 m

Early in the morning, you will start with a fascinating trip through the fertile valley of Vilcanota to Checacupe. You will visit a colonial temple and then head uphill to the valley of Pitumarca, where you will pass through an amazing canyon called Japura, which leads you to Chillca (total drive time approx. 4hrs). There, you will be welcomed by the local community. Enjoy a short walking tour until you reach the first ‘Tambo' (a place to rest). Once you have checked into your lodge, you will have time to relax and enjoy some typical music offered by the community.

• Walking Time: 1.5 hours.
• Difficulty: Low.
• Altitude: 4,368 m

Today, you will start your trekking journey in the wide valley of Pampa Uyuni, witnessing the unique sights of majestic ice floes. As the path narrows, you will approach the waterfalls flowing from Santa Catalina Mountain. Visit the small Paloma lagoon and take in the beautiful landscape, which is home to llamas and alpacas. Continue past another lagoon to reach Machuracay Tambo and your lodge for the night, situated at the base of the sacred Apu Ausangate Mountain.

• Walking Distance & Time: 11 km, 8hrs.
• Difficulty: High.
• Altitude: 4,350 m – 4,850 m

Be sure to enjoy a hearty breakfast this morning. After an uphill hike to the valley of Palomichayoc, you'll be rewarded with unforgettable views. Descend to Ausangate Cocha Lagoon and marvel at the southern part of the ‘Apu' ice floe. Continue through the unusual reddish sandy formations of ‘Inca's Snow Peak' and spend the night at Anantapata Tambo, located close to the spectacular mountains.

• Walking Distance & Time: 10 km, 8hrs.
• Difficulty: High.
• Altitude: 4,650 m – 5,200 m

Today is one of the most fabulous parts of your trek. You will be led along the multicoloured layers of the Rainbow Mountains. This red, yellow, sienna, grey and blue path will give you a great opportunity to study geological wonders and admire the unique beauty of this landscape. More than that, this is a perfect place to observe some groups of graceful wild ‘Vicuñas', thought to be the wild ancestor of the alpaca, which can be seen on these lonely paths.

You will overnight in Huampococha Tambo, surrounded by unusual rocky formations near the lagoon of the same name, the place where ‘Huallatas' (Andean geese) make their nests.

• Walking Distance & Time: 10 km, 7hrs.
• Difficulty: High.
• Altitude: 4,730 m – 5,100 m

After a last and short uphill hike to Anta Pass, you will gradually start descending. Soon you will see the first houses and cultivated fields. The landscape changes quickly and the reddish sandy formations take over the chalkstone mountains that make up the unique rocky woods. This is an ideal habitat for spotting the shy Viscachas. Your driver will be waiting for you when you reach the valley of Pitumarca to transfer you back to Cusco (3hrs).

• Walking Distance & Time: 8 km, 5hrs.
• Difficulty: Moderate to High.
• Altitude: 4,900 m

Today is yours at leisure to explore Cusco.

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.