ON FOOT TO THE GATE OF THE SUN

Your first stop is bustling Lima, the capital of Peru, where you’ll spend the night at the boutique Second Home in the trendy, arty Barranco district, where you can browse local art galleries and walk along the nearby coastline, while the colonial architecture and pretty squares of Lima are just half an hour away. Don’t miss the city’s cathedral, located in the main square, which was built in 1535 but has undergone many reconstructions and transformations since. It is a powerful reminder of Spanish colonialism in all its glory. The modern-day cathedral contains 16 chapels, wooden and gold leaf baroque altarpieces, beautiful 17th-century Lima sculptures, and remarkable wooden choir stalls. After visiting the austere building, explore the Church of San Francisco, its convent and fascinating catacombs.

Take a scenic flight to Cusco, enjoying spectacular views of the Andes on the way. With the cosy and central boutique hotel El Mercado Tunqui as your base, explore this beautiful city, with its heady and colourful mix of Inca and Hispanic culture, where colonial mansions sit on Inca foundations. To acclimatise, as well as get a taster of the Inca Trail, hike around the many impressive Inca ruins just outside of Cusco, such as Tambo Machay. This is popularly called the Incas' Bath due to its finely preserved waterfalls, carefully diverted through fine stone channels. There’s also Puca Pucara, a delightful ruin on a small prominence, believed have been a 'tambo' (a rest house for travelling animals, goods and travellers), and Sacsayhuaman, with its distinctive zigzag ramps and tall walls. Although the smaller stones of Sacsayhuaman were used to build modern-day Cusco, the remaining stones are up to 8.5 metres high and weigh over 360 tons. This major centre obviously had many functions with storehouses, administration buildings, reservoirs and play areas, and was also the site of a crucial battle between the Incas and the Spanish.

Today, you will be met by your porters and guides for the start of your trek along the famous Inca Trail. Day one eases you in with a scenic winding path along the Urubamba River, before camp is set up at Llactapata. Explore the spectacular ruins nearby and settle into your tent for a well-earned rest.

On the next part of the trek, you'll hike up the Cusichaca Valley to the small hamlet of Huallyabamba, the last inhabited place on the trail, then onwards through spectacular cloud forest, accompanied by the sound of hummingbirds. Your camp for the night is at Llulluchapampa, with its incredible views of the valley.

This day of trekking includes several exhilarating mountain passes, and you'll see many more fascinating Inca ruins en route. Hike to the top of Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman's Pass), at over 4,000m, then down through the Pascasmayu Valley, where you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Vilcabamba mountains. You'll camp tonight at the Phuyupatamarca ruins, which are known as ‘the place above the clouds'. They are guarded over by the snow-capped Salcantay Mountain, which rises to over 6,500ft and was a sacred mountain for the Incas. Enjoy a hearty evening meal prepared for you by your cook.

Wake up to a spectacular sunrise on your final day of trekking. Hike down into the cloud forest on a series of Inca stairways to the Inca ruins of Wiñay Wayna, inhabited these days by swallows and orchids. Finally, you'll arrive at Inti Punku, the Gateway of the Sun, and get your first and most memorable glimpse of Machu Picchu. Navigate the ancient citadel and admire its majesty for as long as you desire, before heading off to rest and recuperate at the charming El Mapi hotel in Aguas Calientes. Tuck into delicious Peruvian cuisine, have a celebratory drink in the bar, relax in the hot water pool and have a boost of oxygen to help with the altitude. The following day, board the scenic Vistadome train through the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas, and past your trekking route. You are guaranteed to enjoy plenty more panoramic vistas, this time from the comfort of the train.

Having completed one of the world’s most iconic treks, spend the last days of your trip unwinding in the picturesque surroundings of the Sacred Valley and Sol y Luna, your authentic hideaway for three nights. If you tire of heading out for more adventurous activities, from hiking and biking to rafting and horse riding, then try your hand at cultural experiences such as cookery, traditional weaving and pottery, and visit a local school which is funded by Sol y Luna. When you just want to take it easy, go for a dip in the freshwater pool or linger over drinks in the Pisco bar, and soak up the idyllic surroundings before returning home via Lima.