Arrive To: Arrivals at the Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima.

Proceed through Immigrations, Baggage Claim and Customs before exiting the secured area of the airport. The Road Scholar representative will be waiting outside the exit door with a Road Scholar sign (only applies to Road Scholar group flights).

Transfer to the hotel and check-in.

*Note: This is a travel day; no meals or program activities are scheduled on this day.

Lodging: Ramada Airport Costa del Sol Hotel

Sacred Valley
Flight to Cusco and Coach to the Sacred Valley/Field trip to Ollantaytambo Ruins

Note: Program activities in the Sacred Valley are designed to help participants acclimate to higher elevations prior to starting the Inca Trail hikes. The group leader will monitor participants' ability to adjust to the altitude during this time. High elevations can have an adverse effect on hikers, even those in good shape.

Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel restaurant.

Morning: Depart to the airport for morning flight to Cusco.
Arrive in Cusco and transfer by coach to the Sacred Valley.
Visit to Ollantaytambo ruins with site lecture.

Ollantaytambo is a town with original buildings of Inca construction where the Inca retreated to make their last stand in the highlands against the Spanish. Running water still flows through the town in aqueducts. The terraces above the town still are farmed. The pinnacle above the town is a small burial ground.

Lunch: Lunch at a local restaurant in Ollantaytambo town.

Afternoon: Transfer to the hotel.
Arrive at hotel and check-in.
Time at leisure.
Lecture: A Brief Introduction to Peru, the Inca, and the Sacred Valley.
Lecture: Initial Preparations for the Inca Trail.


Dinner: Dinner at hotel restaurant.

Lodging: Posada del Inca - Yucay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At hotel restaurant.

Morning: Field trip to Moray with site lecture. The large series of circular terraces were built by the Inca as an outdoor agricultural research station. Walking around the terraces as they decrease in size to a central point will provide a wonderful opportunity to acclimate in preparation for the Inca Trail.

Continue with an excursion to the Salt Pans of Salinas for a brief demonstration of the salt extraction process. Walk 1 1/2 miles on a downhill trail to the Urubamba River and the small town of Salinas (approximately 45 minutes).

Lunch: At local restaurant.

Afternoon: Return to the hotel, followed by time at leisure.
Lecture: The Crops of the Inca, A Source of Health and Energy.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Lodging: Posada del Inca - Yucay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Depart for the town of Pisac.
Enjoy an acclimatizing walk in the vicinity of the Pisac ruins.


Lunch: Boxed lunch at Pisac.

Afternoon: Excursion to the Pisac Market for additional walking.
Return to the hotel and free time.
Before dinner, a local expert will conduct a final briefing session on the Inca Trail in preparation for our hikes.

Dinner: At the hotel restaurant.

Lodging: Posada del Inca - Yucay

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Inca Trail - Formal Registration Procedures/Hike to Patallaqta Ruins and Wayllabamba

Note: Consult the group leader if you feel unwell and/or are apprehensive about the Inca Trail hikes. Option #1:Take part in the first day of the hike and see how you feel. If you decide not to continue, provisions will be made to transfer you to Cusco. However, if you wish to stay, you will need to complete the hikes all the way through to Machu Picchu. Option #2: If you decide not to attempt any hikes, provisions will be made to transfer you back to Cusco. **Extra fees apply for Cusco provision.**

Breakfast: At the hotel restaurant.

Morning: Depart for Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, enjoy a brief stop for last minute purchases.
Transfer to Pisacucho (or Km 82) where we will meet our porters and have a final bathroom stop. Formal registration procedures are required at this time at the official control point at the start of the Inca Trail. Original, valid passports must be ready to be presented to the officials.

Once you are done with your registration, cross a footbridge over the Urubamba River and start your hike! This initial hike will take approximately 1:30 minutes before the first rest stop.

Stop for a 20 minute snack and rest break.
Arrive at the Patallaqta viewpoint. These classic Inca ruins at the intersection of three valleys with wonderful photo opportunities.

Lunch: Enjoy a sit down lunch at Tarayoq.

Afternoon: Continue walking for 1:45 minutes to the first campsite.
Time to rest and enjoy an extended tea break to revive body, mind and spirit.

Dinner: At the dining tent.

Lodging: Inca Trail Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early morning wake-up call with a hot beverage.
Breakfast at the camp.

Morning: The first portion of your hike this morning will take approximately 1:30 minutes.

The first stop will be at Avapata. Take the opportunity to rest, use the local toilet facilities, and/or rehydrate. Water and energy drinks will be available.
Continue walking on ascending stairs for 2:30 minutes.

Lunch: At Llulluchapampa.

Afternoon: After lunch, begin your 2 hour walk to Abra Warmiwañuska. The first pass, Abra Warmiwañuska, is at an elevation of approximately 13,776 ft.
Descend to the second campsite at Pacaymayo (11,580 ft).
Tea time and relaxation.

Dinner: At the camp.

Lodging: Inca Trail Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early morning wake-up call with a hot beverage.
Breakfast at camp.

Morning: Begin the approximately 1 hour hike to the Runkuracay archaeological site overlooking the Pacaymayo Valley. Enjoy a site lecture.

The following 20 minutes will be spent hiking to the Runkurakay Pass (12,960 ft)--the second pass on the trail. After reaching the pass, continue downhill for approximately 1 hour before arriving at the narrow staircase that will take you into Sayacmarca ("Inaccessible Town"). Enjoy a site lecture.

The ruins of Sayacmarca are the remnants of a fortress or travelers' lodge used by the Inca. Sayacmarca was built on a narrow mountain ridge with only one entrance--probably planned as a means of defence. The thatched roofs are long gone, but an observatory, small plaza, ritual baths, housing complex, and other constructions remain. The lack of agricultural terraces and farmland point to a dependence on outside suppliers--a big weakness in times of war. In its heyday, Sayacmarca is thought to have housed as many as 200 people.

Leave the ruins and hike for another 20 minutes before breaking for lunch.

Lunch: Stop for lunch at Chaquicocha.

Afternoon: After lunch, continue walking for another 1:45 minutes to the last campsite at Phuyupatamarka (10,695 ft).
Once at the camp, reward your day's efforts with a tea break and free time before dinner.

Dinner: At the camp.

Lodging: Inca Trail Camp

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Machu Picchu -
Phuyupatamarka, Wiñay Wayna & Intipunku Ruins/Final Hike to Machu Picchu

Breakfast: Early wake-up call to witness the spectacular sunrise. Have your cameras ready! Hot beverages will be provided.
Enjoy your final breakfast at camp.

Morning: Begin walking to the Phuyupatamarka archaeological ruins, located approximately 15 minutes from the camp. Enjoy a brief site lecture.

The ruins of Phuyupatamarka (Cloud Level Town) include many terraces and a series of ceremonial baths. A large platform on the highest part of the site once served as an open-air temple--the Temple of the Sun.

Continue walking for another 3:30 hours and arrive at Wiñay Wayna in time for lunch.

Lunch: Lunch at Wiñay Wayna archaeological site.

Afternoon: After lunch resume walking. This final stretch of the Inca Trail will take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. Once at Intipunku (Sun Gate) we will begin the descent into Machu Picchu, just as the late afternoon shadows begin to accentuate the mysterious citadel.

After a quick walk through the ruins, board the bus to Aguas Calientes and check-in at your hotel. Enjoy a hot shower and commemorate the end of your exciting hiking adventure during dinner. Get a good night's rest in preparation for the next morning's activities in Machu Picchu.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Lodging: El Mapi Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Early breakfast at hotel.

Morning: Board a bus to the Machu Picchu ruins.

Field trip to Machu Picchu and site lecture. Spend the morning in both guided and individual exploration, visiting the most fascinating features of this astounding and mysterious Inca settlement. Some might want to take the optional hike to the summit of Wayna Picchu for an amazing overview of the site, while others may want to investigate Machu Picchu's many hidden architectural treasures.

Board the bus and return to Aguas Calientes town.
Arrive in Aguas Calientes and walk to the hotel.

Lunch: Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon: Transfer to the Aguas Calientes train station.
Board train back to Ollantaytambo Station. Once at Ollantaytambo, board bus to Cusco.
Arrive at Cusco hotel and check-in.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Lodging: Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cusco -
Sacsayhuaman Ruins/Cusco City Orientation/Music Presentation

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Field trip to the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman and site lecture.
Return to Cusco for a walking orientation of the city and a site lecture.


Lunch: At local restaurant in Cusco's main square.

Afternoon: Afternoon at leisure to explore Cusco on your own.
Lecture with presentation on traditional Inca instruments and music.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at local restaurant with local entertainment.

Lodging: Casa Andina Private Collection – Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Transfer to the airport to board flight to Lima.
Arrive in Lima and transfer to downtown area for lunch.

Lunch: At local restaurant.

Afternoon: Orientation to downtown Lima including the Cathedral and San Francisco Church.
Transfer to the hotel and check-in.
Time at leisure to rest, explore Lima, or finish packing.

Dinner: At local restaurant.

Evening: **Participants with late-night flights will transfer to the international airport this evening after dinner. Those with morning flights will be transferred the following morning in time for their international flights. **

Lodging: Casa Andina Select

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: At the hotel (dependent on flight times).

Morning: Transfer to the international airport to check-in for return flights to the U.S.

Meals Included: Breakfast