Trek to Machu Picchu & the Amazon — Self-Launched

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) — most routes connect via Lima with LATAM or Sky Airline. Arrange your own airport transfer by official taxi from the rank outside arrivals (~£5-8 to central Cusco). Check into your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas neighbourhood — both are perfectly placed for acclimatisation walks. Spend the afternoon strolling the cobbled streets, visiting the free Plaza de Armas and popping into the Qorikancha sun temple (£8 entry). In the evening, head to a local restaurant on Plateros or Procuradores street for a solo dinner of lomo saltado or alpaca steak (~£5-8). Drink plenty of water and consider coca tea from any café to ease altitude sickness — Cusco sits at 3,350m. Early night recommended.

🚌International flight to CUZ (via Lima); official airport taxi to centre (~£6)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco — twin/dorm from ~£12-18pp

• →Airport transfer by official taxi to central Cusco (~£6)
• →Self-guided wander around Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighbourhood
• →Visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — entry ~£8
• →Dinner at a local restaurant on Procuradores street (~£6)

Book a shared Sacred Valley day tour from Cusco via GetYourGuide or any agency on Procuradores street (~£20-25pp) — these depart daily and cover both Pisac and Ollantaytambo with an English-speaking guide and transport included. Pisac's terraced ruins and market are a highlight; Ollantaytambo's fortress is one of the finest Inca sites in Peru. Lunch is typically included or available at local restaurants (~£4-6). Return to Cusco by shared minivan in the afternoon. Use the evening to stock up on trail snacks from the San Pedro Market and attend any pre-trek briefing if you've booked a supported Salkantay trek operator. Early night — the trek starts tomorrow.

🚌Shared minivan included in Sacred Valley day tour

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco — twin/dorm from ~£12-18pp

• →Shared Sacred Valley day tour including Pisac ruins and Ollantaytambo (~£22pp via GetYourGuide or local agency)
• →Browse Pisac artisan market
• →Lunch at a local restaurant in the valley (~£5)
• →Stock up on trail snacks at Cusco's San Pedro Market

Book the Salkantay Trek as a small-group supported trek (5-day option) through a reputable Cusco-based operator such as Alpaca Expeditions, Peru Treks, or Llama Path — prices typically run £200-280pp including camping equipment, porters, cook and guide. Your operator will arrange the 3.5hr shared transfer from Cusco to the trailhead at Challacancha (3,780m) departing around 05:00. Enjoy breakfast at a local house in Mollepata before the trail begins. Trek through the Cordillera de Vilcabamba with your first views of Salkantay and Humantay peaks. Reach camp at Soraypampa (3,900m), then make the side-hike up to the stunning turquoise Humantay Lake (4,200m) before returning to camp for dinner. Porters carry your main bag — you only need a daypack.

🚌Shared minibus from Cusco to trailhead (~3.5hrs, included in trek package)

🛏Supported trek camping at Soraypampa — included in Salkantay trek package

• →Shared transfer from Cusco to Challacancha trailhead (included with operator)
• →Breakfast at local house in Mollepata (included)
• →Trek Challacancha to Soraypampa: 10km, ~4-5hrs, 420m ascent
• →Side-hike to Humantay Lake (4,200m) — turquoise glacial lake
• →Camp dinner at Soraypampa (included with operator)

The hardest and most rewarding day of the trek. Wake at dawn for coca tea and a hearty camp breakfast, then tackle the steep climb to the Salkantay Pass at 4,630m — the highest point of the entire route. Panoramic views of Salkantay Mountain (6,271m) reward the effort. Your guide will lead a traditional Inca offering ceremony (apacheta) at the summit — a genuinely moving experience. Descend steeply through Huayracmachay (3,850m) for lunch, then continue down into the cloud forest as the landscape transforms dramatically. A short transfer brings you to the quiet village of Collpapampa (2,950m) for a camp dinner and well-earned rest. Total: 21km, ~9-10 hours, 830m ascent / 1,610m descent.

🚌Short shared transfer to Collpapampa village (included in trek package)

🛏Supported trek camping at Collpapampa — included in Salkantay trek package

• →Summit the Salkantay Pass (4,630m) — the trek's highest point
• →Traditional Inca apacheta offering ceremony at the pass
• →Descend through cloud forest into warmer, greener terrain
• →All meals included with trek operator

A shorter, more relaxed day as you descend along the Santa Teresa River through lush avocado and banana plantations, past waterfalls and into the Peruvian cloud forest. Arrive in Lucmabamba in time for lunch, then visit a local coffee farm for a guided tour of the growing, drying, roasting and brewing process — finishing with a fresh cup straight from the source (typically included or ~£5). Optionally, head to the Santa Teresa hot springs (45min transfer each way, payable locally ~£5-8) for a well-deserved soak in naturally heated pools. Return to camp at Lucmabamba, set in the grounds of a local farmer's house, for dinner under the trees. Total hiking: 12km, ~4-5hrs.

🚌Short transfer between sections (included); optional hot springs taxi (~£10 return)

🛏Supported trek camping at Lucmabamba — included in Salkantay trek package

• →Descend Santa Teresa River valley through cloud forest — 12km, ~4-5hrs
• →Coffee farm visit and tasting in Lucmabamba (~£5 or included)
• →Optional: Santa Teresa hot springs soak (~£6 entry + £10 return transfer)
• →Camp dinner at Lucmabamba farmer's grounds (included with operator)

Final trekking day and arguably the most atmospheric. After breakfast, climb steadily for two hours to reach Llactapata (2,700m) — a fascinating Inca archaeological site directly opposite Machu Picchu, offering your first teasing glimpse of the citadel across the valley. Your guide will explain the site's sacred significance. Descend to grab lunch at a local restaurant near Hidroeléctrica, the dramatic artificial waterfall that powers Cusco. From Hidroeléctrica, board the Peru Rail train to Aguas Calientes (30 mins, ~£15-20 — book in advance at perurail.com). Check into your hotel in Aguas Calientes — a lively town nestled in the valley below Machu Picchu. Rest up and explore the town's thermal baths (optional, ~£5) or browse the artisan market. Total hiking: 13km, ~6-7hrs.

🚌Peru Rail train Hidroeléctrica→Aguas Calientes (~£15-20, book at perurail.com)

🛏Hostal Presidente Aguas Calientes or similar budget hotel — twin from ~£20-30pp

• →Hike to Llactapata Inca ruins (2,700m) — first views of Machu Picchu
• →Lunch at local restaurant near Hidroeléctrica (~£5)
• →Peru Rail train Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes (~30 mins, ~£15-20)
• →Optional: Aguas Calientes thermal baths (~£5)

The big day. Pre-book your Machu Picchu entry ticket online well in advance at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35-40pp — timed entry slots sell out months ahead). Take the first Consettur bus up from Aguas Calientes town centre (~£10 return, buses run from 05:30) or hike up the steep Sungate path (free, ~1.5hrs). Explore the citadel at your own pace or join a small group guided tour bookable via GetYourGuide (~£20). The site is breathtaking — allow 3-4 hours minimum. Optional: pre-book the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain add-on (~£15 extra) for elevated views. Descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, then catch the Expedition train back to Ollantaytambo (~£30-40, book at perurail.com) and arrange a shared colectivo or taxi to Cusco (~£5-10). Back at your Cusco hotel by 21:00.

🚌Bus to/from Machu Picchu (~£10); Peru Rail to Ollantaytambo (~£35); colectivo to Cusco (~£5)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco — twin/dorm from ~£12-18pp

• →Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu gate (~£10 return)
• →Machu Picchu timed entry ticket (~£38 — book months ahead at machupicchu.gob.pe)
• →Self-guided or small-group guided tour of the citadel (~£20 via GetYourGuide)
• →Optional: Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain hike (~£15 extra)
• →Peru Rail Expedition train Aguas Calientes→Ollantaytambo (~£35)
• →Shared colectivo Ollantaytambo→Cusco (~£5)

Fly from Cusco (CUZ) to Puerto Maldonado (PEM) with LATAM Airlines — a scenic 1-hour flight over the Andes into the Amazon basin (~£55-80, book at latamairlines.com). Book your internal flight when booking the overall trip as seats sell quickly. At Puerto Maldonado, head to the pier and board a motorised wooden boat along the Río Madre de Dios into the Tambopata reserve. Pre-book 3 nights at a lodge like Tambopata Research Center, Posada Amazonas (run by the native Ese Eja community) or a similar mid-range jungle lodge — packages typically run £130-180pp for 3 nights all-inclusive with guided activities and boat transfers. Meet your jungle guide, settle into your cabana, and take a short introductory nature walk. After dinner, join a guided night walk along the riverbank to spot caiman, owls, nightjars and other nocturnal wildlife.

🚌LATAM flight CUZ→PEM (~£65); motorised boat to lodge (included in package)

🛏Posada Amazonas or similar community-run jungle lodge — 3-night all-inclusive package ~£150pp

• →Fly Cusco→Puerto Maldonado with LATAM (~1hr, ~£65)
• →Motorised boat transfer along Río Madre de Dios to jungle lodge (~included in lodge package)
• →Introductory nature walk with local jungle guide
• →Guided night walk — spot caiman, owls and nocturnal wildlife

Early breakfast before boarding the motorised boat for a ride deeper into the rainforest. Head out on foot with your wildlife guide through primary Amazon jungle, eventually reaching the beautiful interconnected lake system of Condenado. Here, hop into dugout canoes to explore the tranquil waters — the area is famous for its family of giant river otters, as well as abundant birdlife and aquatic life. Paddle yourself or sit back and absorb the extraordinary surroundings. Return to the lodge in the afternoon to explore surrounding trails independently, swim in the stream or birdwatch from the lodge's observation tower. After dark, head out by motorised canoe along the Tambopata River in search of caiman — your guide will sweep a spotlight across the riverbank to pick out the glint of eyes in the darkness. All meals and guided activities included in lodge package.

🚌Motorised wooden boat transfers (included in lodge package)

🛏Posada Amazonas or similar jungle lodge (included in 3-night package)

• →Jungle trekking with wildlife guide to Condenado lake system
• →Dugout canoe on Condenado lakes — giant otters, birds, aquatic life
• →Afternoon free time: birdwatching, swimming or lodge trails
• →Night canoe on Tambopata River — caiman spotting

Hearty breakfast before a 30-minute boat ride upriver to pristine Lake Sachavacayoc, a prime habitat for black caiman and giant river otters. Set out on foot into the Amazon with your expert nature guide — trek among towering Capirona and Palo Santo trees, bamboo groves and varied palms. Watch the canopy for capuchin and squirrel monkeys, parrots and toucans. Return to the canoes for a paddle across the serene lake, with excellent birdwatching opportunities all around. Back at the lodge in the late afternoon — spend the evening listening to the rainforest, journalling or chatting with fellow travellers from the lodge over dinner.

🚌Motorised boat transfers (included in lodge package)

🛏Posada Amazonas or similar jungle lodge (included in 3-night package)

• →Boat ride to Lake Sachavacayoc (~30 mins)
• →Guided rainforest trek — Capirona trees, bamboo groves, monkey and bird spotting
• →Canoe paddle across Lake Sachavacayoc — black caiman and giant otter habitat
• →Evening at leisure at the lodge — birdwatching or relaxation

Early morning motorised canoe back along the Río Madre de Dios to Puerto Maldonado — one last chance to spot howler monkeys staking out their territories and active birdlife at sunrise over the river. Your adventure ends at Puerto Maldonado Airport (PEM). From here, book a connecting LATAM flight to Lima (~£55-80) for international connections, or back to Cusco if continuing your Peru travels. It's often possible to book PEM→Lima on the same multi-city ticket as your international flight if flying with LATAM. Consider adding an extra night in Lima as insurance against flight delays if booking on a separate ticket.

🚌Motorised canoe to Puerto Maldonado (included in lodge package); taxi to airport (~£5); LATAM flight PEM→Lima (~£65)

🛏N/A — trip ends at PEM airport

• →Sunrise canoe return along Río Madre de Dios — final wildlife spotting
• →Transfer to Puerto Maldonado Airport (PEM)
• →Onward flight to Lima or Cusco with LATAM (~£65)