This is the best trekking combination in the Andes—designed for active travelers who want to enjoy the full spectrum of incredible experiences that the southern Peruvian Andes have to offer! Our program features the intriguing architectural legacy of the Inca stonemasons, the rich cultural heritage of the highlands, the unique natural history and wildlife of the Altiplano and cloud forest and some of the finest mountain scenery and hiking in the world. We explore enigmatic Inca fortresses and hilltop citadels such as Pisac, Sacsayhuaman and Machu Picchu, and discover the true Andean spirit through interactions with local weavers, Quechua porters and remote llama herders. Colorful butterflies guide us past flowering orchids on the stone-paved Inca trail, and we savor the thrill of being face-to-face with the impressive ice walls and turquoise hanging glaciers of Mount Ausangate (20,900') as we circle the highest peak in the Vilcanota range!

We start our adventures with a couple of days in Cusco for acclimatization. We visit the remains of Inca temples and colonial palaces, raft or hike in the Urubamba Valley and explore picturesque Quechua villages. Next, we don our hiking boots and enjoy a 4-day, fully supported trek along the Royal Inca Road, South America's most scenic and diverse trail, leading directly to Machu Picchu! Along the way we explore Inca ruins that become progressively more complex and better preserved until we arrive to the Intipunku, or Gateway of the Sun, overlooking the world-renowned citadel. We have a full day to explore this magnificent archaeological site before returning by bus and train to Cusco. After a restful day at leisure in the city we're off on our second trek, heading southeast to the Vilcanota range. Our 6-day route crosses high passes with spectacular views, traverses through remote llama and alpaca pastures where we can meet Quechua herders and photograph large numbers of these graceful creatures, and finishes with a camp near relaxing, natural hot springs. Since this loop is not frequently trekked, we feel the solitude of these mountains as we enter deep gorges surrounded by towering snow-clad peaks.