World of the Incas - Andean Cultural Tours in South America

This is an upgraded version of our classic World of the Incas adventure, including an optional 1-day hike on the Inca Trail.

The Incas . . . Sons of the Sun . . . mysterious builders of stone fortresses, mountaintop citadels and golden temples. According to legend Manco Inca and Mama Ocllo, the first Inca rulers, came forth from Lake Titicaca to unite warring tribes under a common language and a unified religion, creating one of the most fabulous of ancient empires, Tawantinsuyo, “the four quarters of the world.” At its apex in the late fifteenth century, this impressive kingdom spanned an area more than five times the size of the state of California! The Incas governed this vast realm, which was connected by thousands of miles of stone-paved highways, from their cultural and religious center in Cusco. Persecuted by Spanish conquistadores, much of the Inca’s history was destroyed. Even so, many stone monuments stand today, a testament to the skill of their master architects.

Designed for those who wish to deepen their appreciation of the Incas in comfort, this exciting cultural & archaeological adventure takes us into the very heart of Tawantinsuyo. We begin in the Inca’s Sacred Valley, joining Quechua villagers at the traditional market in Pisac before surveying the ruins overlooking town. Next, we visit a family in Chinchero, enjoy a weaving demonstration by master craftswomen and view the fortress at Ollantaytambo. The following morning we take the Vistadome train to the famous Km 104 trailhead and begin our optional uphill hike to Wiñaywayna ruins where we join the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. As we reach Intipunku, the Gateway of the Sun, our first view of the ancient city is impressive and unforgettable. In 2007 Machu Picchu was honored as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, and we spend two full days exploring this jewel of Inca architecture and the nearby village of Aguas Calientes. Returning to Cusco by the scenic Vistadome train and private vehicle, we trace the footsteps of ancient Inca leaders in their royal palaces and admire the precise stonework of the Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman and other pre-Columbian sites. Our adventure ends with a tour of Lima’s splendid Amano Museum.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1 : Evening arrival to Lima, Peru's capital and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2 : Fly to Cusco (11,150') and drive to Pisac (9,708'). Stroll through the village on market day and hike through the ridgetop ruins complex.

Day 3 : Drive to the picturesque highlands and explore the town of Chinchero, the terraces at Moray and the Inca Salt Mines. Meet with Quechua weavers & tour Ollantaytambo.

Day 4 : Early morning drive to the Ollanta station and board the first-class Vistadome train. Depart at the Km 104 trailhead for optional 1-day hike to Machu Picchu along the classic Inca Trail. Enjoy a tranquil introduction to the ruins before checking into a suite at the impressive Inkaterra Hotel.

Day 5 : Experience sunrise at Machu Picchu, followed by a full day of guided explorations of the Inca's Lost City.

Day 6 : We have a final morning in Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes, then board the scenic Vistadome train for Cusco. Upon arrival we check into the exclusive and historic Monasterio Hotel.

Day 7 : Private walking tour of the city, Cathedral & Coricancha. Drive to the nearby hills and walk through the ruins of Sacsayhuaman & Tambo Machay.

Days 8-9 : Fly to Lima and join an expert guide for a private tour of the colonial section & the Amano Museum, then fly home.

Current regulations allow only 500 permits per day for the Inca Trail system and are given on a first-come first-serve basis. We recommend making reservations 4-6 months in advance to secure your space.

"This trip surpassed all of our expectations. The places we visited were amazing, the places we stayed were wonderful and top-notch, the food was great (and there was always more than enough of it!), our guides were experts and great people to spend time with and we truly had the trip of a lifetime. And because we didn't have to worry about a single detail, we were able to completely relax and enjoy ourselves and focus on the people and places we visited. We really felt like the tour provided us a chance to get to know not just the history of the area, but the people and culture of the present. Thank you for all that you did to organize this trip for us and to give us this experience we'll never forget and always treasure."
J Safari (Superior, CO)