Following the Ancient Roads of the Inca Empire

Tracing the holy spine of the Andes, a tour through historic Inca heartlands is more than just a sightseeing itinerary; it is a slow immersion into an empire etched in stone, memory, and ceremony. From Cusco's cobbled lanes to Machu Picchu's cloud-wreathed fortress, this journey delves into the mysteries of one of the most formidable civilisations in pre-Columbian America. The cruise is timed to coincide with Inti Raymi, the sun's largest festival, and it delivers not just archaeological awe but also cultural vibrancy.

Day 1: Arrival in Cusco, The Navel of the World.

Flying into Cusco is a sensory experience. The city, which was once the epicentre of Tawantinsuyu, the Inca Empire, requires a slower pace and a deeper breath due to its elevation of over 3,300 metres. Spanish churches grow from Inca foundations, their stones neatly fitted without mortar. Time allows for a quick exploration of the San Blas area and Plaza de Armas. The old Inca walls still stand beneath the colonial facades, quiet but enduring testimonies to the demise of an empire.

Day 2: Sacsayhuamán's Mythic Origins

Sacsayhuamán, which rises above Cusco, is an architectural marvel. Massive stones, some weighing more than 100 tonnes, interlock with incredible precision. Thought to have served both military and ceremonial functions, the site becomes extremely poignant when one understands that each angle and shape was carved not only for use, but also as a tribute to holy geometry. From here, sweeping views of the city reveal its original puma shape, which is symbolic, sacred, and strategic.

Day 3: Qorikancha and the Golden Heart.

Qorikancha was formerly the most significant temple in the Inca realm, devoted to the sun god Inti. The Church of Santo Domingo was erected on its golden foundations by the conquistadors, although remnants of the previous temple can still be found. Intricate masonry demonstrates both cosmic knowledge and cultural resilience. In the museum below, Inca nobility mummies and agricultural artefacts tell the story of a civilisation that was deeply connected to both land and sky.

Day 4: The Sacred Valley (Pisac and Ollantaytambo)

Descending into the Sacred Valley, the environment relaxes and corn fields stretch between terraced slopes. Pisac's fortress remnants cling to rocks, reminding us of the valley's strategic importance. Below, a bustling market sells handwoven textiles and ceramic copies of Inca khipus—knotted records of wisdom.

Later, Ollantaytambo is one of the best remaining instances of Inca urban layout. Built in accordance with the natural mountain formations, its steep agricultural terraces and water channels are still operational. The location also commemorated a rare Inca military triumph over the Spaniards, with masonry mirroring the memory of resistance.

Day 5: Train to Aguas Calientes, Gateway to the Citadel.

A picturesque train ride follows the Urubamba River, leading into the mist-laden cloud forest. Aguas Calientes, while modern and rather chaotic, is an essential stepping stone to Machu Picchu. Time here allows for acclimatisation and a nighttime visit to the hot springs, where volcanic heat provides peaceful reflection before the ascent.

Day 6: Machu Picchu, the Inaccessible City.

As daylight comes, the ascent to Machu Picchu begins. Perched between peaks and long forgotten by the outer world, the citadel unfolds in calm majesty. The Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana Stone, and the Sacred Plaza together demonstrate a profound cosmological alignment. These stones are held together by devotion, expertise, and skill, rather than mortar. Because there are no written documents, the site resembles a question mark shrouded in moss and stone.

Day 7: Return to Cusco for Inti Raymi preparations.

Back in Cusco, the streets fill with dancers, musicians, and the smell of burning plants. Every year, hundreds attend Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun, which recreates the Inca solstice celebration conducted at Qorikancha and Sacsayhuamán. Costumes in gold and scarlet reflect the sun's light. It is a time to commemorate Pachamama, the Earth Mother, and Inti, the Giver of Life.

Day 8: Inti Raymi: Ritual and Revival.

Inti Raymi, which takes place on June 24, is more than just a reenactment. It is a resurgence. Locals, many of whom are Quechua descendants, incarnate ancestral memory through dance, procession, and sacrifice, albeit symbolic rather than physical. At Sacsayhuamán, the high priest preaches in Runa Simi, the Inca language, urging prosperity and equilibrium. The event concludes with the presentation of chicha and llamas fashioned of bread and flowers, symbolising the duality of life and nature. In that moment, the past and the present merge.

Day 9: Departure, Echoes of Empire.

When leaving Cusco, one leaves behind not only ruins, but also legends engraved in stone and chanted to the rhythm of drums. The Inca road (Qhapaq Ñan) formerly connected the Andes to the Amazon and the deserts to the sea, leaving a lasting legacy. Though time has moved power and landscape, the spirit of the Inca lives on in every terraced slope and solstice sun.

To journey through the Inca heartlands is to enter a world where stone breathes history and the mountains hum with memory. Every step along the Qhapaq Ñan is a dialogue with the past—where carved terraces mirror the stars above, and rituals like Inti Raymi ignite ancient rhythms in the soul. This is not merely a path traced across valleys and citadels, but a pilgrimage into the cosmology of a people who saw divinity in the earth, the sun, and the cycles of time. Here, the air is thinner, the silence deeper, and the sense of connection—profound.

As you leave the Andes behind, you do not part with the past; you carry it. In the rustle of woven textiles, in the scent of burning coca leaves, in the sunlit gaze of a Quechua elder—you’ll find traces of a civilisation that still whispers through the cloud forests. Let the sacred spine of the Andes stir your spirit, and allow the echoes of empire to walk beside you, long after the journey ends.