Your first full day in Peru begins today. After breakfast, travel 20km to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, with an accompanying visit to the Písac archaeological site. Take your time to explore the ruins, including the ceremonial bath and temple complex areas.

Continue to Písac market – where people from remote communities used to barter their products – and pick up souvenirs while sampling empanada pastries. After, immerse yourself in a charming Andean community to discover their culture and traditions, like learning about how they dye and weave textiles.

After lunch, we’ll visit Ollantaytambo, a still-thriving Inca village located below an ancient fortress and temple.

If you haven’t woken up yet after breakfast this morning, you’ll be sure to when you abseil or zipline down from your hanging pod. A 30-minute drive will bring you to a local restaurant for lunch before you visit the circular terraces of Moray, where Incan agricultural “research laboratories” were once located. Now that you’re on the other side of the Sacred Valley, take in views of the dramatic Vilcabamba and Urubamba mountain ranges.

Visit the town of Maras next and cross the extensive Maras Pampas by van or a gentle hike, where locals farm the land and rear animals. You’ll also get to learn about the façades of the ancient houses before returning to Cusco. Be sure to go to bed early as there is a very early wake-up call on day five.

Begin with another early start to your second day of your Inca Trail experience at 6am. After breakfast, you’ll begin the most difficult part of the trek with an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9km. Along this climb, observe the changing scenery from sierra to puna (a dry and high area with little vegetation).

On the way to the first mountain pass – the Abra Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s Pass, 4,215m) – you may catch glimpses of llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at high altitudes. You’ll also cross a cloud forest – the habitat for hummingbirds, sparrows and spectacled bears.

After crossing the pass, we’ll descend into Pacaymayo valley (3,600m) and set up camp. You will have hiked for about 7-hours today over 11km.

On your fourth and last day, you’ll finally reach the world wonder that is Machu Picchu. Rise at 4am and depart from Wiñaywayna at 5am. Begin an hour’s hike to Intipunku (Sun Gate) just in time to see the sunrise over the sacred citadel. Expect not to be just one of a few taking in the sight before you, but be sure to revel in the moment and take lots of photos as this is a memory you’ll want to cherish. Descend into the ancient city and enter the fortress from the highest point through the “House of the Guardians”.

Take a 2-hour guided tour, followed by free time to explore the ruins further. You can visit the ceremonial Temple of the Moon or the Inca Bridge, which was built by the Incas as a secret entrance for their army. You will hike for 4km over approximately 2-hours.

Take a 30-minute bus ride to Aguas Calientes for lunch and take the day off to do whatever you like. Dinner will be at your hotel.

A hotel pickup will take you to Jorge Chávez International Airport, and onward to Lima. There, you’ll catch your international flight out. Adiós!