Peru, Land of the Incas.

Enjoying only a fraction of the fame and publicity of its neighbour Machu Picchu the Inca city of Choquequirao is nevertheless equally impressive. Covering an area twice the size of Machu Picchu this spectacular site overlooks the magnificent Apurimac River Canyon in an area often visited by Condors and other distinctive Andean Wildlife. The region is also crisscrossed by thousands of kilometres of ancient Inca Trails, some of which we will use in the course of our Choquequirao Trekking Tour. The local Quechua communities here go about their agricultural way of life in this harsh environment, surrounded by spectacular glacier capped ‘apus’ or mountain gods, in ways that have changed little for hundreds of years. Come and join us on our trek to this little Inca known gem!    Read more

The 4 day trek Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is truly one of the World’s great walking routes – almost a pilgrimage for many visitors to Peru. The objective of our trek is the magnificent Inca City of Machu Picchu, an Inca city left undisturbed by looters and unknown to the outside world until its remarkable discovery by Yale professor and explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. The site is now listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as was recently voted one of the seven ‘New Wonders of the World’.  Remarkable as Machu Picchu may be, the 4 day Inca Trail, part of a vast network of roads binding together the Inca Empire from Ecuador to Northern Chile is equally special. Traversing a wonderful range of Andean Ecosystems from mountain meadows to lush cloud forests and with vistas of magnificent snow crested summits this trail should be appreciated for its natural assets in addition to historical ones. In many places we use sections of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu that have been in use for hundreds of years, passing Inca archaeological sites and storehouses as we go – sites that themselves possess their own u... Read more

From the marine wonders of Pacific Ocean through ancient desert cultures of the Nazca and up on the spectacular Mountain heights of the Andes, Peru is a nation of awesome landscapes and diverse living cultures. In our 16 day Peru Classic Program Itinerary we investigate the offer 2 ½ weeks of action packed adventures, from flying low over huge and mysterious forms of the Nazca Lines, carved into the vast and empty desert to watching thousands of playful sealions and even dolphins surrounding the rich seas of the Ballestas Islands.  In Cusco, Ancient Capital of the magnificent Inca Empire we discover Peru’s living culture and magnificent ancient monuments. We visit the inspiring and beautiful ‘Lost City of the Incas’, Machu Picchu, located in an awesome location on an Andean Ridgetop, surrounded on 3 sides by steep forested canyons and often enveloped by the clouds themselves. Often enveloped by mists rising from the Amazon Basin, Machu Picchu is truely a ‘city in the clouds’. The reasons why it was abandoned are still a mystery, but our guided tours throughout the journey provide an intimat... Read more

Peru is a land of contrasting landscapes and cultures, a land with fascinating history and a nation bursting with spectacular wildlife, proud traditions and colourful, welcoming people. Our most extensive Peru Classic tour takes you on a 19 day odyssey across landscapes as unique, strange and wonderful as any on earth, from the cool wildlife rich waters of the Pacific Ocean, across the barren and seemingly lifeless plains of the driest desert on Earth, into the great ice clad heights of the Andes Mountains and finally into the lush green wildlife wonderland of Amazon Rainforest - the planets greatest and most biodiverse expanse of Tropical Wilderness.  On Peru Classic tour route we discover the little known marine hotspot of the Ballestas Islands, a fantastic area to spot Sea Lions (which occur here in their thousands), flying over the enormous mysterious Nazca Lines – geometric figures and images of animals echoed into the landscape more than 2000 years ago – an awesome site. We witness the living beauty of the world’s largest flying bird, soaring on 3m wings over the Colca Canyon, one of World’s deepe... Read more

The fabulous ruins of the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu set amongst the outstanding forested peaks of the Peruvian Andes have achieved almost legendary ‘must see’ status with visitors to Peru. Machu Picchu was recently voted one the ‘New Seven Wonders of the World’ and has long held UNESCO World Heritage Status – a unique Inca settlement never raided by the Spanish conquistadors and unknown to the outside world until rediscovered by explore and Yale University Hiram Bingham in 1911.  As impressive as Machu Picchu itself is the beautiful Inca Trail to Machu Picchu that winds through the stunning scenery of the Urubamba Valley, passing stunning vistas of snow clad peaks and numerous Inca archaeological sites that are fascinating in their own right. To arrive at Machu Picchu and look down at this world renowned vista after hiking part of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu is a very special experience. For those who may not have the time to complete the full 4 day Inca Trail hike but still want to get out on the trail we offer this 2 day itinerary, consisting of a day on the trail, followed by an in depth... Read more

Machete Tours Luxury Peru itinerary packs in many of Peru’s magnificent landscapes and classic experiences into an action packed but luxurious 10 days in this endlessly diverse and fascinating Andean Kingdom. Prepare to be surprised, enlightened and spoiled on this holiday of a lifetime! This tour is a for clients looking for that little bit extra – stay at some of the finest hotels in Peru, located to give wonderful views and easy access to the fascinating areas that we are exploring in our itinerary. This is also a tour for those who appreciate the very finest in Peruvian and international cuisine. Perfect for those looking for a relaxing but constantly entertaining getaway, an anniversary or perhaps even a honeymoon!  Explore the highest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca, home to the Uros, the floating islands and indigenous people from both the Quechua and Aymara cultures. The great glacial mountains in the vicinity of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, gods to the Incas and to the local people are additional reminders of the great forces that have sculpted not only this landscape but also its people and i... Read more