Peru: Andean and Incan Adventure

Bienvenidos a Peru! Touching down in Lima, your Peru hiking trip begins with a quick transfer from airport arrivals to your overnight stay at the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport hotel. After the long flight, grab a restorative soak in the hot tub, burn off energy at the gym, or simply unwind over dinner so you’re refreshed and ready for the adventure ahead. 

After a restful night, wake up and make the quick trip to the airport for your flight to Cusco, the ancient Incan capital. Landing among sky-scraping peaks, a private driver shuttles you along cobblestone roads to Inkaterra La Casona, a grand 16th-century manor nestled in the city center. Settle into ornate rooms, adjust to the elevation with an altitude therapy treatment at the on-site Yacu Spa, or set off to explore at your leisure.  

Your day begins with a local chef showing you around the bustling San Pedro Market in search of ingredients for a cooking class. Stop in the hotel’s organic garden to pluck herbs before stepping into the kitchen to prepare traditional Peruvian food. Post-lunch, the grandson of a renowned Andean photographer arrives for a Cusco city tour. Intimately familiar with the city, his route roams from epic monuments to quiet corners overlooked by the crowds. 

With your guide at the helm, wend your way deeper into the Andes to Quillarumiyoc, an Incan archaeological site devoted to moon worship. At a farmhouse restaurant in the mountain village of Mollepata, fuel yourself on Andean fare before the three-hour hike along the Royal Path to Salkantay Lodge, an eco-escape hidden away in a glacial valley. End the day cozying together in the outdoor hot tub as the sun stains the snowy peaks of the Salkantay Massif.

Follow a footpath along rocky slopes and silent valleys to the shores of Lake Humantay, a jewel-toned lake sitting in the shadow of a glacier. At this sacred site, join in a traditional ceremony giving thanks and honoring Pachamama (Mother Earth). Feeling reconnected with the planet, hike back down to the lodge for lunch and a leisurely afternoon of quality time to rest before taking on the Salktantay Trek the following day. 

Set out from the lodge for the full-day trek traversing the lofty Salkantay Pass, the highest point along the Salkantay Trek, one of the most captivating hikes in Peru. Ascend along winding switchbacks as frosted peaks loom overhead before descending into misty valleys seemingly untouched by time, taking breaks to eat, catch your breath, and take in the views. A hearty meal in the rustic Wayra Lodge is your reward at day’s end. 

The following morning, your journey along the Salkantay Trek continues with a rugged descent through steep valleys. The roaring Salkantay River provides company as you walk through alpine pastures and farm fields, waving to locals in remote villages. A Pachamama feast, prepared the traditional way in an underground oven, greets you at Colpa Lodge. Lounging on the grassy lawn for the remainder of the day, savoring a moment of solitude. 

Trek past tumbling waterfalls and fruits orchards through the Santa Teresa River Valley. After lunch by the riverside, continue along the Llactapata Inca Trail to an organic coffee plantation hidden deep among the mountains. Further on, here at the edge of the Amazon Basin, Lucma Lodge awaits. Shrouded by subtropical jungle and avocado trees, the lodge welcomes tired hikers like yourself with a mountain-view hot tub, cozy rooms, and utter quiet. 

The final push to Machu Picchu proceeds with a climb up Incan-era stone steps heading into the clouds, offering views of Aobamaba River valley practically unchanged since ancient times. Reaching the ruins of Llactapata, get your first glimpse toward Machu Picchu. Descending to the valley floor through bamboo woods, board the train to Aguas Calientes, gateway to the city in the sky above. Come evening, fall asleep to the whispering sound of the river at the Sumaq boutique hotel. 

Four days following mountain trails have brought you to this moment: watching the sunrise on top of the Andes in Machu Picchu. Accompanied by an expert guide, roam the temples, terraces, and rooms or make the short hike up Wayna Picchu for a bird’s-eye view. Then, it’s back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch before taking the train to Cusco and the plush beds at Inkaterra La Casona. 

An early morning flight and two-hour drive brings you to Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake and, as legends say, the birthplace of the Incas. Set even higher in altitude than Machu Picchu, take it easy for the first afternoon at the lakefront Titilaka resort. Lounge on breezy sunbeds, stroll along gentle trails through the sunny countryside, or set off sailing Lake Titicaca’s sacred waters in a kayak. 

A full day discovering this lofty lake awaits, with a variety of guided excursions available to suit your interests. Sail across the glassy waters to visit the famed floating islands of Uros, where Uro-Aymara residents share their overwater-living way of life with you. Or, marvel at the Technicolor textiles woven by heritage artisans on Taquile Island. Toast the day with a glass of wine back at the lodge at night, the sky a crystal-clear canopy overhead. 

Another full day of explore-at-your-will awaits. Ease into the day with breakfast before heading down to the boat house for a spot of paddling, kayaking, or sailing on Lake Titicaca’s serene waters. Or, follow a storyteller-guide along dusty tracks and winding trails to larger-than-life monuments and archaeological sites carved into the very earth along the Aymara Route. Then, share one final night together at the lodge, swapping stories of your favorite moments from the trip over dinner. 

Make a final stop at the Sillustani archaeological site, a pre-Incan cemetery of towering chullpas, on the drive back to the airport in Juliaca. There, fly back to Lima and either onward to your next adventure or home, having shared unforgettable new experiences together.