Essential Inca Trail

High in the altiplano hills, Cuzco was the geographic, cultural and political centre of a vast Inca empire, which stretched from present-day Quito, Ecuador, to Santiago, Chile, at its peak. After Spanish conquistadors invaded, they built on top of Inca structures, resulting in unique architecture, a fusion of Spanish and Inca styles. Remember to take it easy on arrival in Cuzco (and drink plenty of water) to help your body adjust to the altitude (11,155ft/3,400m). There is a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this afternoon/evening. Stay: Royal Inka 1 Hotel (or similar).

Today is free, allowing you time to acclimatise and explore Cuzco, one of the most beautiful cities in South America. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people-watching, and Qorikancha (the Sun Temple) in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery is worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs such as alpaca jumpers and scarves.

Outside the town are more Inca ruins, notably the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, where the Inca armies made their last stand against the conquistadors. Cuzco is also the gateway to the Sacred Valley of the Incas; if you wish to visit, your leader can help organise an excursion, including Pisac Market (optional). If you fancy something more active, there is an array of other optional activities available from Cuzco, including paddleboarding on a lake, mountain biking, or a combination of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley.

In the evening, you need to pack and weigh your kitbag ready for the Inca Trail tomorrow – remember to keep your passport somewhere accessible for the Inca Trail checkpoint. For advice on what to pack, speak to your tour leader or refer to the Essential Equipment section of the Trip Notes. Stay: Royal Inka 1 Hotel (or similar) (B).

Early this morning, we transfer (1hr 30min) from Cuzco into the Sacred Valley. Reaching the town of Ollantaytambo, we drive for one hour along the final stretch of road to the start of the Inca Trail at Piscacucho, recognised among adventurers as Km82. After greeting our trekking crew, we show our passports at the checkpoint and begin the fabled Inca Trail trek.

Our route today runs alongside the Urubamba River, beneath the snow-capped peak of Nevado Veronica, passing through cactus gardens and settlements, until we reach the terraced Inca ruins of Llactapata, where we continue up the Cusichaca Valley to camp near the village of Huayllabamba (9,186ft/2,800m). Stay: Huayllabamba Camp (full-service camping) (B/L/D).

The morning begins, as all do on our Inca Trail trek, with a hot drink delivered to your tent. Today's journey is both challenging and rewarding, marking the most demanding and best-known stretch of the trail. A slow and steady climb takes us through a cloud forest to the meadows of Llulluchapampa, then we summit Dead Woman's (Warmihuañusca) Pass, the highest point on the trek at 13,829ft (4,215m).

After a well-deserved round of high fives and photos at the summit, we begin our steep descent on original Inca steps to reach our campsite in the scenic valley of the Pacaymayu River (11,811ft/3,600m). Warm up in the dining tent with a hot, fresh meal followed by a well-deserved sleep under the Andean night sky. Stay: Pacaymayu Camp (full-service camping) (B/L/D).

After a hearty breakfast, we start the day with a climb, which takes us past the ruins of Runquracay and over the Runquracay Pass (12,894ft/3,930m), our second and final pass. From here, the Inca Trail becomes a clearly defined rolling path of flat boulders, providing access to sites only available to those on foot. One of the standout archeological sites we visit is Sayacmarca (11,893/3,625m), perched high above the green cloud forest. At one point, the trail passes through an Inca tunnel on the way past the ruins of Phuyupatamarca and ultimately descends to our final campsite at Wiñay Wayna. Stay: Wiñay Wayna (full-service camping) (B/L/D).

Our final trek starts at 5. 30am with torches (flashlights) in hand – or on heads – to reach the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) by 7. 30am for our first glimpse of Machu Picchu. Please note, the ruins can be shrouded in mist in the early morning as the sun warms the cloud forest. We then descend into Machu Picchu, an architectural and engineering marvel with a staggering mountain backdrop. The Spaniards never found it, the Incas left no records of it, so Machu Picchu remained an enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.

Our Machu Picchu visit is an immersive, educational experience, with our expert guide showing us classic photo opportunities and incredible ruins, while unravelling the mysteries of the Incas. After the tour, we take the afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30min) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (1hr 30min). Stay: Royal Inka 1 Hotel (or similar) (B).

The trip ends today and we begin our return journeys home after breakfast. However, if you're not ready for the adventure to end, speak to your sales representative to extend your stay in Cuzco (B).