Trip Overview
Looking for an active vacation in Peru while visiting the highlights and experiencing nature and local life? During this trip you will visit the coast, the Andes and you hike a little known and challenging route after visiting the wonderful Machu Picchu. The trip is rounded off by the chance to visit the fascination Sacred Valley and charming city of Cusco.
This tour includes sensitive destinations, therefore we request you to be as environmentally friendly as possible.
All food on this tour is prepared mostly with local ingredients.
Hotels with this mark are sustainable. We hope you will take them into account when making your reservation.
Trip Summary
Day 1: Welcome to Cusco
Day 2: Full Day in the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 3: Visit of Machu Picchu & Return to Cusco
Day 4: City Tour of Cusco & its Ruins
Day 5: Day Hike to the Humantay Lake
Day 6: ¡Adios Perú!
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival to Cusco
We welcome you to Peru!
Upon arrival in Cusco at the Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport, we will meet you and take you in a private transfer to your hotel in the historic center of the city. The rest of the day is free to acclimatize to the altitude.
Meals: None provided
Accommodations: (S) Inkarri
Day 2
Full Day Sacred Valley Tour
Today you will experience a full-day private guided tour of the Sacred Valley.
First, you will visit the ruins of the Andean town of Chinchero, located high up on the windswept plains of Anta (12,342.52 feet). You will find yourself surrounded by beautiful views of the Sacred Valley and the snow capped Salkantay peak that dominates the western horizon. This excursion combines Inca ruins with a typical Andean town, a colonial church, wonderful mountainous landscapes, and a colorful traditional market.
We continue visiting the sites of Maras and Moray. Along the way, you will have one of the best panoramic views of the valley. First, we will stop at the old salt mines, near the town of Maras, then at the huge circular agricultural terraces in Moray, which were built by the Incas in natural sinkholes on a limestone plateau overlooking the Urubamba Valley.
Then we go to Ollantaytambo, where we will visit the fortress, which was a strategic military, religious and agricultural center of the Inca. Next to the fort we visit the magnificent Inca terraces and learn everything there is to know about this historical place. After the tour we will take you to your hotel, which is located near the train station in Ollantaytambo.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: (S) Tunupa Lodge
Day 3
Train Ride – Machu Picchu Excursion & Return to Cusco
After a very early rise, you will board the train from the Ollantaytambo Station heading to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). This train journey is a spectacle in itself! You will be able to appreciate the Peru’s immense biodiversity, as you witness the landscape transition from Andean green fields to lush rainforest, descending alongside the Urubamba River.
Upon arrival to the Aguas Calientes train station, you will take a 20 minute bus ride up to the spectacular site of Machu Picchu. You will explore this enigmatic sanctuary where your expert guide will lead you through the ruins, providing archaeological and historical information on key areas of interest, including The Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (the Sun Dial) and the Sacred Plaza. You will appreciate the most amazing views from the top of this citadel! This is an opportunity to revel in the energy and atmosphere of one of the most significant and spectacular archaeological sites of the world, set high in the cloud forest.
You will also have the opportunity to see Llamas meandering around in their natural environment.
After descending to Machu Picchu Pueblo, you will have some free time for lunch, and wander through this picturesque town. In the afternoon, you will board the return train to the Ollantaytambo Station, where one of our representatives will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel in Cusco.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: (S) Inkarri
Day 4
Cusco City Tour & Inca Ruins
Early in the morning we will depart for a sightseeing tour around Cusco, the city that was once the capital of the Inca Empire. We will start by visiting the Plaza de Armas, where you can see the Cathedral and admire the splendid vestibules and the precious 17th and 18th century paintings of the Cusco School. Just a few blocks away you will find one of the most impressive buildings, the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun, whose interior walls are said to have been covered with gold.
After that, we will visit the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, one of the most important military and religious centers in Inca times. In addition, we will visit the archaeological complexes of Tambomachay, Puka Pukara and Qenqo. Afterwards, we will return to your hotel and you will have the afternoon free to relax or continue enjoying the magical energy of this city.
Accommodations: (S) Inkarri
Day 5
Hike to the Humantay Lake
We will leave Cusco very early in the morning around 03:00 – 04:00 am and we will head towards Mollepata (3000m / 9843f) where we will stop for a while to have breakfast then we will continue to our campsite of Soraypampa (3900m / 12795f ). From here, we start walking inside a magnificent valley, surrounded by snow capped mountains like Humantay (5217m / 17116f) and Salkantay (6264m / 20551f) until we reach the beautiful sparkling turquoise Humantay lagoon (3900m / 12795ft). After a rest and enough time to appreciate this wonderful place, we walk back. In Mollopata we will have lunch and then we will return to Cusco, where we will arrive in the late afternoon.
Climate: warm and cold
Transport time: 3 h 30 h
Walking time: 3-4 hours.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: (S) Inkarri
Day 6
¡Adiós Perú!
At a set time our representative will accompany you to the airport to take our flight back to Lima and connect with your international flight home.
Meals: None provided
Price per person (based on two persons in double accommodation)
Standard: $ 749 –
Our Hotels
Standard
Hotels subject to change.
INCLUDED
- Hotel accommodations for 5 nights with breakfast, as described in the itinerary.
- Private transportations hotel / airport in every destination.
- Excursions to the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu (private service; with Spanish-speaking Tour Guide)
- Excursions to Cusco & Humantay (shared service; with Spanish-speaking Tour Guide)
- All admission fees.
- 1 Lunch included.
- Train tickets to & from Machu Picchu.
- Bus tickets to & from Machu Picchu.
- 24/7 Emergency-response-phone (Spanish-English)
NOT INCLUDED
- International & domestic airfares, unless specifically mentioned.
- Travel insurance.
- Items of personal nature such as gratuities, internet charges, excess baggage charges, laundry, beverages and meals not described in the itinerary.