Join NOLS Alumni for a trek through the historic region of the Inca Empire. Centered in the Vilcabamba Range and Sacred Valley in southern Peru, this trip walks sections of the Inca Trail, crosses through a variety of ecosystems including cloud forests and alpine highlands, and visits one of most famed historic sites in the world, Machu Picchu.

Participants for this trip will fly into Cusco, once the heart of the Inca Empire. Cusco is a Unesco World Heritage site known for its archeological ruins and, sitting at just above 11,000 feet, is the gateway to the surrounding mountains. Cusco is worth exploring for a couple days if you can extend your travel.

Our trip together begins with a NOLS organized shuttle transfer from Cusco to Urubama. A cozy lodge at the foot of the mountains will be home for our first two nights as we get acquainted with the altitude and prepare to head into the backcountry. A hike in the nearby Pumahuanca Valley to a gorgeous waterfall will aid our acclimatization.

Photo credit: Samuel Husley

Departing from Urubamba on the morning of day 3, we will transfer to Huancalle and hike into the backcountry carrying everything we need to camp for the next 5 nights. This is a true backcountry expedition. We will hike deep into the Sacred Valley and Vilcabamba Mountains. Getting off the beaten path will allow us to visit Incan and pre-Incan sites rarely seen by other visitors.

Hiking along the Inca Trail is one of the highlights of this journey. This 25,000 mile network of stone paved trails crosses the Andeans and once aided transit for travelers through history.

Photo credit: Samuel Husley

Our hiking days will range between 4 – 8 miles with 2,000 feet of average elevation change each day. Along the way we will pass through alpine grasslands where we can spot the glaciated peaks of Pumasillu and Sacsarayoc in the distance, Andean Condors, and maybe a herd of llamas or two. Elevation is the most significant challenge of this trek with our highest camp at 14,500 feet. Dropping into the valleys, the cool temps of the high mountains will quickly become humid and tropical. Moss covered cloud forests will envelope us with colorful orchids and tropical birds speckling the trees.

Photo credit: Samuel Husley

The final leg of our trip will bring us to Aguascalientes. This picturesque small town sits in the Urubamba River Gorge and will be our jumping off point to visit Machu Picchu. The next morning, we will take a bus up to the Machu Picchu Archeological Site which we will explore with a local guide.

Photo credit: Samuel Husley

Our trip concludes back in Urubama with a final night together and celebratory dinner. A shuttle will depart the next morning back to Cusco.

Because of the popularity of Machu Picchu, you must register before December 15th, 2025 to be guaranteed a ticket. You are welcome to contact us after December 15th to inquire about ticket availability.

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