The best of Peru’s Incan legends—without trekking or camping

This popular adventure is active, yet easy, and takes in all the incredible sites that have drawn travelers to Peru for centuries. We’ll stroll the back streets of Cusco, dominated by the fine stonework of plazas and palaces created by craftsmen of ancient empires, explore the Inca ruins just outside the town, and hike to charming out-of-the-way villages. You’ll top off the whole adventure with a visit to iconic, breathtaking Machu Picchu, where you’ll marvel not only at the ruins themselves but at the thought of the long-vanished civilization that created this beautiful place.

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Activities

Easy touring, easy to moderate day hikes at medium elevation (max. 12,398')

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• See the best of Peru with the Andean adventure experts since 1971!
• Explore Cuzco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its spectacular Inca ruins
• Hike during the day and relax at night in the finest hotel accommodations

Duration: 7 days Start Location: Cusco End Location: Lima

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrive in Lima – connect with flight to Cusco

  Meet in Lima, Peru, and fly to Cusco. Afternoon walking tour of Cusco with an introduction to the illustrious history of the Inca civilization. Overnight at La Casona.

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  Day 2 : Cusco – Pisac – Urubamba Valley

  Visit the Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, and Tambo Machay en route to the Urubamba Valley. Enjoy the afternoon at the hilltop ruins of Pisac, the largest fortress-city complex of the Incas, then hike to the valley floor. (2-3 hours hiking)

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  Day 3 : The Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Maras, and Moray

  In the highlands, visit the town of Chinchero (12,398'), the earthworks at Moray, and hike to the salt pools below Maras. (2-3 hours hiking)

• Day 4 : Ollantaytambo

  Travel into the Andes to the village of Huilloc and hike to Ollantaytambo. In the afternoon enjoy a scenic train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes.

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  Day 5 : Machu Picchu

  Morning tour of Machu Picchu. Afternoon is free to explore on your own.

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  Day 6 : Return to Cusco

  The morning is free to explore on your own. Late train departure for Cusco.

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  Day 7 : Lima and fly home

  Fly to Lima. Afternoon tour of Lima includes the Gold Museum. Depart from Lima, or continue with one of our extensions to the Amazon rainforest or Lake Titicaca.

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  Casa Andina Private Collection—Miraflores

  The Casa Andina Private Collection—Miraflores hotel is the top of its class in every aspect. Once the Miraflores César's, Lima’s fondly remembered, original five-star hotel, this modern icon was dramatically transformed in 2008 into the capital’s newest luxury hotel. Its quintessential Limeño flavor reverberates in the exquisite art collection of contemporary local artists and prized colonial-era antiques, in both public spaces and accommodations.

  The 17-story hotel, with views over Miraflores and the Pacific coast, offers 148 sophisticated, contemporary luxury rooms and suites, with soundproofing and LCD flatscreen TVs in every room. First-class amenities include a heated, covered pool and breezy terrace, gymnasium with the latest exercise equipment, prestigious Joop salon & massage room, business center, and 5 multimedia-equipped corporate event & meeting rooms.

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  Casa Andina Private Collection—Urubamba

  The Sacred Valley’s most complete hotel: a mountain chalet-styled retreat with panoramic Andes views from every room and every angle. On more than 8 beautifully-landscaped acres, it contains an extraordinary, full-service “Sacred Spa”, a domed Planetarium & Observatory for stargazing in the massive Southern Hemisphere sky, and gourmet restaurant and bar.

  The 85 inviting, spacious rooms overlook the property’s extensive gardens and feature either private balconies or sunny sitting areas. Equidistant between Urubamba and Ollantaytambo, in the Sacred Valley, the hotel is perfectly positioned for easy access to the valley’s abundant attractions and incomparable Inca ruins, including world-renowned Machu Picchu.

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  Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

  A luxury boutique hotel just steps from the train, but a secluded natural paradise. Located in the small town of Aguas Calientes on the banks of the Urubamba River, the Pueblo Hotel was rated by Travel + Leisure readers  as a top 500 hotel of the world in 2006. Rustic elegance distinguishes the private bungalows, each with its own fireplace, and the lush gardens are home to orchids, exotic birds and other flora and fauna.

• La Casona

  Cusco

  A colonial manor house, now a luxury boutique hotel —perhaps the first Spanish construction in Cusco— centrally located on an Incan settlement near Cusco’s present-day main square. Eleven suites surround a sumptuous courtyard, where the patina of time is tastefully preserved. Contemporary amenities create the ambience of comfort and exclusivity enjoyed by residents in centuries past.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Manolo Lazo

  Manolo Lazo is one of Peru’s most experienced adventure travel guides, with more than 15 years of experience leading treks and whitewater rafting trips. A resident of Cusco, Manolo is well versed in the rich history of the Andes as well as the classic trekking routes that follow the ancient Inca trade paths. His knowledge of the country, its people, and traditions add immensely to your appreciation of the trip. Manolo is fluent in English as well as Spanish, and conversant in Quechua—the historic language of the Incas, and he has a gift for instilling confidence in every trekker.

• Manuel Luna

  Manuel started out as a field assistant with Mountain Travel Sobek more than 20 years ago, and is now considered one of the finest trek and tour leaders in Peru. Manuel graduated with a degree in agriculture and raises white corn on a farm in a valley near Cusco.

photo credits: ©MTS Photo File