The walk to Machu Picchu is one of the world's greatest treks | Drew Collins

Celebrating in the streets of Peru | Richard I'Anson

Sunshine over Macchu Pichhu | Michael Croft

Sunshine over the ancient Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman above Cusco | Sue Badyari

Local Peruvian smiling for the camera | Richard I'Anson

Breathtaking views from upon Machu Picchu | Richard I'Anson

Traditional Andean weaving | Andreas Holland

Cusco and Machu Picchu

A relaxed cultural journey through Cusco the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

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15 reviews

7 Days from

$1420 USD

Trip Code: CMP

View dates to Book Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain - additional permit cost

$90 USD

Solo Traveller Supplement

$310 USD

Single Supplement

$370 USD

Duration

7 Days

Activities

7 days adventure touring

Accommodation

6 nights hotel

Meals

1 Dinner
2 Lunches
6 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint

47kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(280kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu with two guided visits
Discover Cusco’s churches plazas markets and Inca foundations
Travel through the Sacred Valley with views of surrounding mountain ranges
Spend a night in Aguas Calientes below Machu Picchu
Enjoy extra time in Cusco to acclimatise and explore at leisure

Overview

This relaxed cultural journey explores the heart of the former Inca Empire without the need for trekking. Spend time acclimatising in Cusco before travelling through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu by train. Enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu with time to explore the citadel at a comfortable pace, plus an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. With experienced guides and a well-paced itinerary, this trip offers an enriching way to experience Peru’s most iconic sites.

Itinerary

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Meet on arrival in Cusco and transfer to your hotel in the historic centre of the city. Spend the afternoon resting or taking gentle walks around nearby plazas to begin acclimatisation at altitude. Cusco’s layered history blends Inca foundations with colonial architecture, creating a fascinating introduction to Peru. A trip briefing will be held at your hotel at 6pm to outline the upcoming details of your adventure (if you have not been met with the representative beforehand), all timings of pre-departure briefings will be re-confirmed locally in Cusco by our local guides. Accommodation: Abittare Hotel or similar

Meals: Nil

Enjoy a guided tour of Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and now a vibrant Andean city. Visit Coricancha and the Cathedral before travelling into the hills to explore Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo and Puka Pukara. These sites reveal the sophistication of Inca engineering and ceremonial life. Return to Cusco with free time to browse artisan markets or relax at your hotel. Accommodation: Abittare Hotel or similar NB: This day trip is shared with other travellers

Meals: B

Travel into the Sacred Valley, stopping at viewpoints overlooking dramatic Andean landscapes. Explore the impressive ruins of Pisac, with their agricultural terraces and ceremonial structures, before visiting the colourful local market. Continue through the valley to Ollantaytambo, a living Inca town. Visit its monumental fortress, built into the mountainside above the village. Accommodation: Sol Ollantay Hotel or similar NB: This day trip is shared with other travellers

Meals: B,L

Transfer to the railway station at Ollantaytambo and travel by train through the Sacred Valley toward Machu Picchu. On arrival, enter the sanctuary for a guided visit of the citadel’s main sectors. Learn about the site’s history, layout and cultural significance. Descend by bus to Aguas Calientes for the night. Accommodation: Hotel El Mapi or similar *Important: To ensure the protection and conservation of the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu and enhance the visitor experience, several restrictions and regulations are in place. The site features three main circuits divided into ten predetermined routes. Visitors are limited to a maximum of four hours within the site to reduce congestion and preserve the ruins, and admission is not permitted after 4pm. Additionally, all visitors must be accompanied by a guide.

Meals: B,D

This morning we get up early to savour the views and atmosphere of the mystical morning light over Machu Picchu. We are treated to a unique second visit to Machu Picchu including another guided tour (conducted by a local guide) visiting the sites that you may have missed yesterday in this colossal sanctuary. In the afternoon or early evening we depart from Machu Picchu for the train ride back to Ollantaytambo where we transfer to our vehicle for the drive back to Cusco. Accommodation: Abittare Hotel or similar NB - depending on train schedules, we may arrive into Cusco very late at night. OPTIONAL HUAYNA PICCHU CLIMB OR MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN CLIMB - For the adventurous, you can purchase a permit for either the Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain climb (please enquire for costs). Choosing this option means forgoing the guided tour of Machu Picchu, which is non-refundable and non-transferable. Huayna Picchu, with its narrow trails, reaches an elevation of 2,963m, while Machu Picchu Mountain, with a wider path, peaks at 3,082m. Both climbs are steep, slippery, exposed, and involve vertiginous drops, requiring a minimum of 3 hours return. Note that these climbs are not guided. Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable, and a waiver form must be signed before purchase. Both permits are limited and sell out quickly, so please contact us if interested.

Meals: B,L

A good day to relax and perhaps do some 'tourist shopping', selecting from a great variety of expertly made craft work - including alpaca sweaters and hats, ceramics, weavings and traditional Andean instruments. In and around Cusco there are a number of day trips that can be booked and paid for locally. Accommodation: Abittare Hotel or similar

Meals: B

After breakfast we offer a transfer to the airport where services conclude.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Airport transfers on day 1 and day 7 of the trip
Entrance to Machu Picchu on two occasions
Expert local bilingual guides
Comfortable well located hotels
Private air conditioned transportation
Train to Machu Picchu
Sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed

Not included

International airfares and departure taxes
Internal flights and taxes
Meals not stated in itinerary
Tips
Personal expenses such as beverages, laundry costs or phone calls
Visas
Travel Insurance (compulsory)