Machu Picchu & the northern kingdoms

You will make your way back to the airport for your flight to Jaén. Upon arrival in Jaén you will be met at the airport by your driver and taken to your hotel outside of the small village of Cocachimba.

Walk through the magnificent cloudforest scenery on your private trek to the spectacular Gocta Waterfall.

Travel from your hotel to the town of Chachapoyas on a private transfer. On the way you will stop and have a short walk to reach the viewing area for the mysterious cliff sarcophagi built by the Chachapoya people.

Continue on your journey through northern Peru via a private transfer to Leymebamba via the Kuelap ruins. At Kuelap you will take a glorious cable car ride, followed by a walk up to the ruins. Here you will learn about the current theories on the site and take in the incredible views.

Today begins with a visit to the Leymebamba Museum to view the collection of over 200 Chachapoya mummies and remarkably well-preserved textiles. It can be rather unnerving! After a drive through the countryside you will arrive at the village of Santo Tomas where you will begin your walk to the viewing platform of the Revash ruins built high into the cliffs above.

Today you will embark on one of the most spectacular drives in Peru as you cross landscapes ranging from cloudforest to the desert-like region around the Marañón Canyon. For the most part the road is a paved single track winding up and down the mountains — the views are gorgeous.

On your privately guided tour of the Cajamarca region today you will visit the site of Cumbe Mayo, see 3,000-year-old petroglyphs, and admire the stonework at an altar once used for rituals performed on the full moon.

An early start this morning as you make your way to the airport via private transfer for your flight to Lima. Here you will pick up the onward flight to Cuzco. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in Cuzco. You have the afternoon to begin acclimatizing.

Enjoy a privately guided tour of the highlights of Cuzco and nearby Inca ruins.

Leave Cuzco and head into the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the way you will stop to visit the Inca fortress at Písac as well as the bizarre agricultural terraces of Moray and salt pans at Maras.

Enjoy a day at leisure in the beautiful Sacred Valley. You might like to have a relaxing day to catch your breath before visiting Machu Picchu tomorrow. However, if you are still feeling energetic there are plenty of things to do in the area, including walking, mountain biking and horse riding.

Get your hiking shoes on for an active day as you make your way toward Machu Picchu. Begin with a privately guided trek along km104 (the final days of the classic Inca Trail) before reaching the ancient Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. In the evening you will make your way down to the town of Aguas Calientes below the ruins.

Today you may return to Machu Picchu for a guided tour with your private guide. You also have tickets to climb Huayna Picchu mountain for an alternative view of this fascinating site. In the afternoon return to Cuzco by rail and road.

Today you will be met at your hotel and driven to the airport in good time for your domestic flight to Lima. Here you will connect with your international flight home.