Peru: Ancient Cities & the Andes

Land in Lima, drop your bag at the hotel, and find the rest of the crew. The first night is usually a casual meet-up in Barranco, the city's bohemian district. It's an easy place to find a local craft beer and get your bearings before the real trip kicks off tomorrow.

It's a travel day. Grab a seat on a local bus for the drive down the coast. The route cuts through a stark desert landscape, a straight shot south to Nazca. Settle in, watch the scenery change, and get ready for the strange landscapes ahead.

You've got a free day in Nazca. The main draw is booking a flight to see the famous Nazca Lines from the air—it's the only way to really see them. Other options include a tour of a pre-Inca desert cemetery. The whole group comes together for a Pachamanca lunch, a traditional meal cooked underground with hot stones. After that, it's time to find your seat on the overnight bus to Arequipa.

Arrive in Arequipa after the overnight bus and get settled. You have the day free to explore the 'white city' on your own terms. The Santa Catalina Monastery is a popular stop, a city within a city with a strange, quiet atmosphere. For food, the move is to find a local picantería—these are restaurants specializing in spicy regional dishes like rocoto relleno.

It's an early start for the long drive into the Colca Valley. The route climbs high into the Andes, passing vicuñas on the plains before dropping into one of the world's deepest canyons. The goal is to spot Andean condors circling on the thermals above the canyon walls. The day wraps with a chance to soak in local hot springs before settling in for the night, surrounded by the massive scale of the Andes.

It’s another early start to get to a viewpoint for the best chance of seeing condors riding the morning air currents. After that, the drive back towards Arequipa includes stops in a few local villages and a look at ancient farming terraces carved into the mountains. By evening, you're back on the road, settling in for another overnight bus ride, this time heading for Cusco.

Arrive in Cusco after the overnight bus. The main agenda is a free day to explore and, more importantly, acclimatize to the 3,400m (11,152 ft) altitude. This is a good day to take it easy. Wander the old city's cobblestone streets, find a café in the Plaza de Armas, or look into optional activities like a cooking class or mountain biking if you have the energy.

Today you leave Cusco for the Sacred Valley. The destination is the small community of Ccaccaccollo, where you'll visit a women's weaving cooperative. You can see how they dye and weave textiles—and meet the resident llamas. This isn't just a day trip; you'll be staying overnight with a local family, sharing a meal and getting a real sense of daily life in the valley. It's a good chance to practice the few Quechua phrases you've picked up.

After the homestay, you'll travel deeper into the Sacred Valley. The day is usually spent exploring the area, with options to visit the Pisac ruins and its artisan market. The journey ends in Ollantaytambo, a town built around a massive Inca fortress. Explore the ruins, grab dinner, and get your gear ready. This is your last night in a proper bed before the Inca Trail begins.

The Inca Trail trek starts now. A van ride from Ollantaytambo gets you to the trailhead at 'Km 82,' the official starting point. The first day is a relatively gentle introduction, following the river through a valley with views of Inca ruins like Llactapata on the opposite bank. A crew of porters and a cook handle the heavy gear and meals, so you only need to carry a daypack with water, snacks, and rain gear. You'll reach the first campsite in the afternoon.

Today is the toughest day of the trek. The morning is a long, steep climb up to the highest point of the trail: Warmiwañusca, or Dead Woman's Pass, at 4,198m (13,769 ft). The key is to go slow, drink lots of water, and chew some coca leaves if the locals offer. The air is thin and the path is relentless. After the pass, it's a steep descent to the Paqaymayo campsite for a well-earned rest.

This is the longest day on the trail, but also one of the most scenic. You'll cross two more passes, Runquraqay (3,950m) and a lower one at 3,700m, but the climbs are less intense than yesterday. The trail, much of it original Inca stonework, winds through lush cloud forest and past impressive ruins like Phuyupatamarca, the 'town above the clouds.' The day ends with a final push to the campsite near the stunning Wiñay Wayna ruins, perched on a steep hillside.

This is it. You're up before dawn for the final short hike to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. If the weather is clear, you'll get the classic first view of Machu Picchu as the sun rises over the mountains. After soaking it in, you'll hike down into the citadel itself for a proper guided tour. Once you've explored the ruins, a bus takes you down to the town of Aguas Calientes. From there, it's a train and then a vehicle back to Cusco, just in time for a massive post-trek celebration with the crew.

It's the last day. Pack your bags, exchange contact info with the crew, and head out whenever you need to. Depending on how late the post-trek party went, your main challenge might just be finding a good cup of coffee before heading to the airport.