Day 1: Saturday 19th May.

Day 2: Sunday 20th May .

Day 3: Monday 21st May - Tambo Machay - Cusco
Today we acclimatise further by walking from Tambo Machay, an ancient ruin 3700 metres above sea level, past fascinating Inca sites in the countryside around Cuzco. A gentle downhill walk takes us to Sacsayhuaman (pronounced "sexy woman"), a huge and impressive Inca ruin, before returning to the town and our hotel.
Walk approx 5 hours

Day 4: Tuesday 22nd May- Km 82 - Wayllabamba
A three-hour drive via Ollantaytambo takes us to the trail's starting point at Km 82 (2600 metres). The first half-day walk is fairly easy, following the snaking Urubamba River along an undulating path. After a good lunch, the trail drops down into a valley and we then begin a long, gradual climb. Along the way there are a couple of steep drops and climbs into gullies with spectacular views of Mt Veronica standing at 5,000m. At the end of the day there is a short sharp climb to our camp at Wayllabamba (3000 metres).
Walk approx 6 hours

Day 5: Wedenesday 23rd May - Wayllabamba - Pacamayo
Today is the exciting big climb to Dead Woman's Pass at 4,200m, so we prepare ourselves with a hearty breakfast. This is a relentless and steep climb on narrow trails, through lush grassland and cloud forest where the path can be muddy. We lunch on a pasture surrounded by amazing scenery, stunning snow-capped mountains behind us and a distant view to the top of the spectacular pass in front of us. The final stretch to the top of the pass is well-maintained with steps, but the pace is slow due to the altitude.

We descend 500m on steps to the welcome sight of our camp above Pacamayo (3700 metres).
Walk approx 8 - 12 hours

Day 6: Thursday 24th May - Pacamayo - Wiñay Wayna
Now on the Inca Trail proper the path is mostly steps which can be very steep. Fascinating ruins are visible every mile or so along the way. We cross our second highest pass at 3,900m with steps leading to the top and down the other side. We descend to the amazing Sayacmarca ruin and from here the trail is very pretty wide and easy-going with views of lush cloud forest. Our third pass is reached easily after passing through an ancient Inca tunnel in the rock and a gentle climb. We continue on to the ruins of Puyupatamarca and then descend steep steps to our campsite at Wiñay Wayna (2700 metres).
Walk approx 8 - 10 hours

Day 7: Friday 25th May - Wiñay Wayna - Machu Picchu
Today is the day we've all been looking forward to. We start early with a three-hour walk to Inti Punku, the sun gate, along a beautiful stretch of trail, scattered with ruins, some steep steps and a few large drops down to the Urubamba River. We arrive at magical Machu Picchu (2400 metres) at around 10am. We take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to soak up the mystical atmosphere of this awesome site and explore the magnificent ruins. We then catch a bus down to the train station at Aguas Calientes for the two-hour train journey, followed by an hour and a half bus ride back to Cusco. We check into our hotel, enjoy a buffet and relax .
Walk approx 3 hours

Day 8: Saturday 26th May - free day in Cusco
A chance to rest those aching limbs or explore the bustling town. In the evening we indulge in a well-earned celebration meal.

Day 9: Sunday 27th May - start the long journey home

Day 10: Monday 28th May - arrive London