Lima, Cusco & the Inca Trail

With its stylish contemporary design, cutting-edge technology and ideal location, the flagship Casa Andina Premium Collection Miraflores hotel is the top of its class in every aspect. Once called the Miraflores Cesar's, this modern hotel icon was dramatically transformed into a luxury hotel. Its quintessential Limeno flavour reverberates in the exquisite art collection of contemporary local artists and prized colonial era antiques, in both public spaces and accommodations.

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning. The city tour begins with a visit to the Plaza des Armas, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Plaza is lined along two sides with shops: Portal de Escribanos and Portal de Botoneros. In the centre of the Plaza is a bronze fountain dating from 1560. The plaza is also home to the Cathedral, with its splendidly carved stalls, silver-covered altars surrounded by fine woodwork, and mosaic walls bearing the coats of arms of Lima and Pizarro. Continue to the San Domingo Convent. You will also see the old colonial streets in the centre of the city. Conclude your tour with the visit to the Larco Herra Museum, famous for its collection of Pre-Columbian art.

Casa Andina Premium Collection Cusco is a beautifully renovated 18th-century manor house, just 3 blocks from Cusco's Plaza de Armas, replete with authentic colonial character. It offers the intimacy of a boutique hotel but the comforts and services of a much larger property. Several rooms in the original structure of the hotel feature surviving colonial frescoes unearthed during renovation.

Enjoy a guided tour through the "imperial city's" Incan and Colonial past. The tour starts at Koricancha, an old Incan palace, then continues to the Main Square - Plaza de Armas - on which sits the exquisite Church of the La Compania de Jesus, and other colonial buildings. The tour continues to Sacsayhuaman Fortress, an impressive example of Incan military architecture that overlooks the city of Cusco.

It is from here that your tour ends with a unique experience - that of a sundowner overlooking what was once the heart and capital of the might Incan Empire. With the mighty stones of Sacsayhuaman at your back and the sun setting over this UNESCO world heritage city enjoy sparkling wine and some small snacks to savor your day and your view.

From Cusco, you will drive into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, stopping to explore the impressive ruins at Ollantaytambo. At the end of the road (approximately 88 kilometres in length), you will meet the support team of porters for lunch, and then begin the Inca Trail.

The first section is ideal for acclimatization purposes as you hike along the sacred Urubamba River. You will camp the night at Llactapata, beside some spectacular ruins. The tour believes in camping and trekking in style, whilst walking, all you will need to carry is your daypack. Your support team of traditional porters carries all camping equipment and performs all camp chores and all food is prepared by the cook.

You will trek up the Cusichaca Valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail. The path continues on up past humming birds and stunted cloud forest. Your camp is the beautiful grassy area at Llulluchupampa and has outstanding views down the valley.

Possibly the hardest day of the trek, you will rise early and head to the highest point of the trail - the impressive Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass, 4200 metres). You will then descend into the Pacasmayo Valley and then climb again, passing the Inca ruins at Rucuracay.

Your second pass of the day (3998 metres) will give you spectacular views of the Vilcabamba Range. Walking on an incredibly well-preserved Incan pathway, you will pass Sayacmarca ruins with plenty of time for an in-depth tour and explanation. You will continue along the ridge, passing through tunnels and fantastic views and a slight ascent brings you to the Phuyupatamarca ruins, where you will camp.

Your final day of hiking brings you down into the Cloud Forest on a seemingly endless Inca Stairway to Winay-Winay (2600 metres), another impressive ruin full of orchids and swallows. Then, it is on to Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun, for your first glimpse of Machu Picchu. After treasuring the moment, you pass through the ruins and catch a bus down to your hostel in the nearby town of Aguas Calientes.

Returning first thing in the morning, you will have Machu Picchu virtually to yourself for a full guided tour, with time afterwards to wander through the ruins, soaking up the amazing atmosphere. After a late lunch in Aguas Calientes, you will catch the afternoon train back to Poroy and a bus from here back to Cusco.