Get acquainted with the intriguing blend of Inca and Spanish culture and discover Cuzco's lesser-known sights on a guided walking tour. Ever been curious about controversial coca? Take the opportunity to taste mate de coca (coca tea) - some people claim it helps with high-altitude acclimatization.

Day 2 Sacred Valley/ Ollantaytambo

Travel through the fertile Sacred Valley and learn about the local lifestyle, browse traditional handicrafts and pick up a few words of the Quechua language at a community visit. Look out for the maize crops alongside the river and covering the terraces that stretch high up the valley walls. Spend the night in Ollantaytambo - a magnificent example of Inca urban planning.

Days 3-6 Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu

Trek a trail that once linked the Inca Empire. The ancient paths wind past mountains, across high plateaus and through dense cloud forest and temple ruins. Climb over challenging mountain passes - including 13,776 ft.-high Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass) - and camp out in the evenings. On the final day, climb the steps to Intipunku, the Sun Gate, and see magnificent Machu Picchu rising from the mist. Rest for a moment before striking out to uncover the mystery of these amazing Inca ruins.

Optional trips to the Urubamba River or mountain bike rides through the Sacred Valley are highly recommended. For those with weary legs, have lunch at Aldea Yanapay Cafe, part of a self-sustainable organization that provides the kids of Cuzco with health and education facilities.

Intreped Travel