Lima to La Paz: Sandboarding & Sunsets - Inca Trail

Day 1  Lima, Peru          
Arrive in Lima and transfer to your hotel. In the evening meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting.          
Day 2  Lima to Huacachina          
Climb aboard a local bus and travel along the coast of Peru to the oasis of Huacachina. Get your adrenaline pumping in a dune buggy on the desert dunes, ride the ups and downs in these desert mountains. After, head back to the oasis of Huacachina through the stunning dunes and watch the sunset in the distance.          

Day 3  Huacachina to Nazca      
Enjoy some time in Huacachina before heading to Nazca, stopping at a Pisco winery along the way to taste the country’s national spirit. In the evening indulge in a Pachamanca (Andean) style dinner in Nazca.

Day 4  Nazca to Arequipa          
Take an optional flight over the Nazca lines before an overnight bus journey to Arequipa.

Day 5  Arequipa      
Arrive into Arequipa and take a city tour to explore the ‘white city’. If you’re interested in history, you may want to visit the Santa Catalina Monastery and gain an insight into a bygone way of life. For spicy food lovers checking out one of the “Picanterías” is a must. Arequipa offers a variety of regional food including alpaca, shrimp, pork, lots of soups and spicy sauces.          

Day 6  Arequipa to Colca Canyon
Spend the day at the spectacular Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world. Stop off in fascinating villages and at miradors (scenic lookouts), with a little luck you might see Andean condors soaring over the majestic Andes. Later you may want to opt to have a soak in the hot springs.      

Day 7  Colca Canyon to Arequipa          
Start early today as you go on the lookout for flying condors. Head back to Arequipa to enjoy the city in the evening.

Day 8  Arequipa to Cusco
A free day of exploration awaits you in the beautiful colonial city of Arequipa. Later take the overnight bus to Cusco.

Day 9  Cusco          
Arrive in Cusco and spend a free day at leisure. Take advantage of the optional activities on offer from a city tour to white water rafting and horseback riding to mountain biking. If you fancy something a little different, you may want to pre book a Cusco Cooking Class.

Day 10  Cusco
Another day to spend as you wish, perhaps take a hike up the famed Rainbow Mountain or enjoy the city’s museums and local markets.          

Day 11  Cusco to Ollantaytambo      
Leaving Cusco behind, head into the Sacred Valley and visit the Ccaccaccollo community centre which enables local women to sell traditional textiles to travellers. Learn about weaving, meet the resident llamas, and opt to purchase a knitted item if something catches your eye. After the visit, stop to sample some local craft beer on the way to Ollantaytambo with some free time to explore the area.    

Day 12  Inca Trail          
Depart Ollantaytambo to begin your Inca Trail trek. Hike through beautiful scenery, with a variety of flora that changes with the seasons, passing several smaller ruin sites like Llactapata.      

Day 13  Inca Trail      
An early start today as you climb the long steep path to Warmiwañusca, better known as Dead Woman’s Pass, the highest point of the trek at 4,198m. Reach your camp by early afternoon with ample time to rest and relax.      

Day 14  Inca Trail          
Today you will cross through two more passes and ruins along the way. On a clear day catch a glimpse of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcabamba.  Hike through cloud forest on the gentle climb to the second pass of the day, walking through original Incan constructions. Camp at either the Phuyupatamarca ruins or the Wiñay Wayna ruins.          
Day 15  Machu Picchu to Cucso        
Rise early for the final day of your hike to reach the Sun Gate before sunrise. The best time to see the Lost City of the Incas is in the early morning light. Catch the first views of the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu on a clear day. Hike down to Machu Picchu for a guided tour of the site with free time to explore. Catch the bus to Aguas Calientes to meet any non-hiking members of your group. Eat and relax before your train back to Cusco in the afternoon.          

Day 16  Cusco          
After the last few days of hiking, spend your time relaxing in Cucso          

Day 17  Cusco to Puno          
Travel through the high Altiplano region to travel to Puno on Lake Titicaca.          

Day 18  Puno to Lake Titicaca          
Enjoy a guided tour of Lake Titicaca, visit the community on Taquile Island and enjoy a local lunch with spectacular views. After, cruise to another village for your homestay on the shores of the lake. The homestay experience will allow you to learn more about rural life in the Peruvian highlands and to participate in local traditions.        

Day 19  Lake Titicaca to Puno        
Leave the homestay families late morning, and visit the Uros Islands on the way back to Puno.  A popular optional activity in Puno is a visit to the spectacular chullpas (funerary towers) of Sillustani, a pre-Inca archaeological site only a short drive away.    

Day 20  Puno to La Paz, Bolivia        
Drive around the lake and through the Altiplano before crossing borders into Bolivia. Continue onto the city of La Paz.  

Day 21  La Paz          
Your tour comes to an end in the morning, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.