Discover both the cultural and scenic highlights of Peru, from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Combine awe-inspiring day-hikes through fertile valleys and highland plateaus with a rich mix of visits to ancient sites and interactive experiences in traditional villages — all from the comfort of perfectly located luxury hotels. Cap it off with a half-day hiking up the classic Inca Trail to the legendary lost citadel of Machu Picchu, and a full day to experience the site at a leisurely pace the following day. This inspiring eight-day trip captures the best features of Peru in an achievable hiking adventure you won't soon forget!
Discover both the cultural and scenic highlights of Peru, from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Combine awe-inspiring day-hikes through fertile valleys and highland plateaus with a rich mix of visits to ancient sites and interactive experiences in traditional villages — all from the comfort of perfectly located luxury hotels. Cap it off with a half-day hiking up the classic Inca Trail to the legendary lost citadel of Machu Picchu, and a full day to experience the site at a leisurely pace the following day. This inspiring eight-day trip captures the best features of Peru in an achievable hiking adventure you won't soon forget!
Arrive in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Meet your MT Sobek representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel near the city's main square. In the early afternoon, meet your Adventure Guide for a walking tour that introduces you to the history of the Inca civilization and its former capital with its ornate cathedrals, adobe walls, carved balconies, hidden courtyards, and cobblestone streets. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at Uchu, a local fine-dining restaurant located near the Cusco Main Square and featuring contemporary Peruvian cuisine.
Accommodation: Palacio del Inka
Activity: 3-hour walking tour of Cusco
Transportation: 30-minute airport transfer
Meals: Dinner
Explore Chinchero and Hike at Moray & Maras
Day 2
Depart Cusco this morning and head to the Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop en route for the ultimate foodie experience! Located in Chinchero, half way between Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Agricultural Engineer Manuel Choqque researches and experiments with native potatoes and tubers to improve their nutritional composition, and in the process produces a rich variety of colors, flavors and textures that are grabbing the attention of the culinary world. He welcomes you privately for a fascinating presentation about his work, as well as a chance to taste traditional uchucuta sauce, made out of Peruvian hot peppers, and his surprisingly delicious Andean tuber and potato wines. Also learn how traditional Andean textiles are made during a private demonstration, and stroll through Chinchero's lively weekly market. Continue to the ancient site of Moray to see its impressive circular terraces that were used by the Incas as a botanical laboratory. Stop for a memorable lunch prepared by top chefs at the Iskay Maras Home, surrounded by a lovely landscape of high mountains and green fields. Visit the salt pans of Maras, where one of the finest salts in the world is extracted. The patchwork effect of hundreds of salt pans in varying shades of white, pink and beige is wonderfully photogenic. Hike from Maras down to the town of Pichingoto, at the bottom of the Sacred Valley, then drive the short distance to the hotel to check in. Dinner this evening is at the hotel.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba-Sacred Valley, Peru
Activity: 2 hours / 3.4 miles hiking with 86' elevation gain & 500' elevation loss
Transportation: 3-hour private bus transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike from Pisac Ruins to the Valley Floor
Day 3
Explore the ancient ruins of Pisac, perched on a hill high above the valley, and featuring some of the finest Inca stonework in existence as well as beautiful, sweeping terraces that perfectly highlight the contours of the mountain terrain. Hike down through the ruins and then along a network of stairs, tunnels and walkways down to the town of Pisac. Enjoy lunch at Hacienda Huayoccari, a gorgeous gem hidden in the lush fields of the Sacred Valley. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the grounds of this contemporary hacienda-style property surrounded by flowers, mountains and trees.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba-Sacred Valley, Peru
Activity: 3-4 hours/6.3 miles hiking with 939' elevation gain & 1,510' elevation loss
Transportation: 1.5-hour private bus transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike Narrow Trails from Pumamarca to Ollantaytambo
Day 4
Follow a dirt road high into the Andes, where you'll observe the native Quechua way of life in local villages. Hike an Incan path from the small archeological complex of Pumamarca to the Choquicancha agricultural terraces, and enjoy a picnic lunch with spectacular views of the Sacred Valley below.
Next, explore the well-preserved ruins of the monumental fortress at Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Inca Empire won a major battle against the Spanish. Also explore the town, a former Incan settlement that retains fascinating vestiges of Incan town planning. On the way home, stop to see an award-winning ceramicist who uses ancient techniques to create unique pieces of art and sculpture.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba-Sacred Valley, Peru
Activity: 3 hours/4.5 miles with 350' elevation gain and 1,700' elevation loss; plus 200 steps up and down at Ollantaytambo
Transportation: 3-hour private bus transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience the Legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Day 5
Ride a classic Vistadome train up the narrowing gorge of the Urubamba River, disembarking at kilometer 104. Then, begin your half-day hike along the Inca Trail to the lost citadel of Machu Picchu. Stop first to visit the small Incan site of Chachabamba, then begin to climb upwards, emerging into a lovely cloud forest, and past a waterfall to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Continue ascending ancient stone steps and the narrow trail up to Intipunku, the original entrance to Machu Picchu. Pause to absorb the awesome view, then follow the trail down to Machu Picchu itself, arriving mid-afternoon. Continue by shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes and relax at the hotel for the rest of your day. (Optionally, skip the hike, continue by train, and explore Aguas Calientes on your own in the afternoon.)
Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel-Aguas Calientes
Activity: 6 hours/7 miles hiking with 1,640' elevation gain
Transportation: 1.5-hour train ride
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Magical Machu Picchu
Day 6
Enter the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu by morning light. Take a highly informative tour of the site's main structures and learn about their importance in the lives of the Incas. Take a challenging climb up either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain (optional and based on availability for the date) and be rewarded by breathtaking views of the citadel and the surrounding mountains. Enjoy lunch, then return to the hotel to relax, join an excursion, or stroll the lush gardens, including the world's largest native orchid collection with 372 species.
Accommodation: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel-Aguas Calientes
Activity: 3 hours guided walking tour of Machu Picchu, plus 2-3 hours/2 miles optional mountain hikes
Transportation: 30-minute public bus
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Journey back to Cusco
Day 7
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, with time for a short local hike or relaxing at the hotel. Mid-morning, catch the Vistadome train back to Ollantaytambo, arriving around noon. Enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch of poultry, potatoes, and vegetables, cooked underground with hot stones according to a technique that has lived on since the Incan Empire. You are in for a unique experience! After lunch, continue back to Cusco and check in to the hotel. In the evening, explore Cusco before a festive farewell dinner at one of the city's best restaurants.
Accommodation: Palacio del Inka
Transportation: 1.5-hour train ride, 1.5 hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bid Farewell to Cusco & Fly Home
Day 8
After breakfast at the hotel and a leisurely morning, depart on homeward-bound flights.
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Manuel L.
Manuel started out as a field assistant with MT Sobek more than 20 years ago, and is now considered one of the best trek and tour leaders in Peru. He graduated with a degree in agriculture and when not guiding trips, he raises white corn on a farm in a valley near Cusco. Manuel's knowledge of the local Quechua language combined with his extensive studies in Inca culture, provide a unique understanding of the Andean people. His love of Peru and easygoing manner make him the ideal traveling companion.
Manolo L.
Manolo is one of Peru's most skilled adventure travel guides, with more than 20 years of experience leading treks and whitewater rafting trips. A resident of Cusco, Manolo is well versed in the rich history of the Andes and the classic trekking routes that trace the footsteps of the Inca trade paths. His knowledge of the region, people, and traditions immensely enrich the travel experience. He 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.
Arrive in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Meet your MT Sobek representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel near the city\'s main square. In the early afternoon, meet your Adventure Guide for a walking tour that introduces you to the history of the Inca civilization and its former capital with its ornate cathedrals, adobe walls, carved balconies, hidden courtyards, and cobblestone streets. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at Uchu, a local fine-dining restaurant located near the Cusco Main Square and featuring contemporary Peruvian cuisine.
Depart Cusco this morning and head to the Urubamba Valley, known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Stop en route for the ultimate foodie experience! Located in Chinchero, half way between Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Agricultural Engineer Manuel Choqque researches and experiments with native potatoes and tubers to improve their nutritional composition, and in the process produces a rich variety of colors, flavors and textures that are grabbing the attention of the culinary world. He welcomes you privately for a fascinating presentation about his work, as well as a chance to taste traditional uchucuta sauce, made out of Peruvian hot peppers, and his surprisingly delicious Andean tuber and potato wines. Also learn how traditional Andean textiles are made during a private demonstration, and stroll through Chinchero\'s lively weekly market. Continue to the ancient site of Moray to see its impressive circular terraces that were used by the Incas as a botanical laboratory. Stop for a memorable lunch prepared by top chefs at the Iskay Maras Home, surrounded by a lovely landscape of high mountains and green fields. Visit the salt pans of Maras, where one of the finest salts in the world is extracted. The patchwork effect of hundreds of salt pans in varying shades of white, pink and beige is wonderfully photogenic. Hike from Maras down to the town of Pichingoto, at the bottom of the Sacred Valley, then drive the short distance to the hotel to check in. Dinner this evening is at the hotel.
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Next, explore the well-preserved ruins of the monumental fortress at Ollantaytambo, one of the few places where the Inca Empire won a major battle against the Spanish. Also explore the town, a former Incan settlement that retains fascinating vestiges of Incan town planning. On the way home, stop to see an award-winning ceramicist who uses ancient techniques to create unique pieces of art and sculpture.
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Ride a classic Vistadome train up the narrowing gorge of the Urubamba River, disembarking at kilometer 104. Then, begin your half-day hike along the Inca Trail to the lost citadel of Machu Picchu. Stop first to visit the small Incan site of Chachabamba, then begin to climb upwards, emerging into a lovely cloud forest, and past a waterfall to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna. Continue ascending ancient stone steps and the narrow trail up to Intipunku, the original entrance to Machu Picchu. Pause to absorb the awesome view, then follow the trail down to Machu Picchu itself, arriving mid-afternoon. Continue by shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes and relax at the hotel for the rest of your day. (Optionally, skip the hike, continue by train, and explore Aguas Calientes on your own in the afternoon.)
Enter the awe-inspiring ruins of Machu Picchu by morning light. Take a highly informative tour of the site\'s main structures and learn about their importance in the lives of the Incas. Take a challenging climb up either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu Mountain (optional and based on availability for the date) and be rewarded by breathtaking views of the citadel and the surrounding mountains. Enjoy lunch, then return to the hotel to relax, join an excursion, or stroll the lush gardens, including the world\'s largest native orchid collection with 372 species.
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After breakfast at the hotel and a leisurely morning, depart on homeward-bound flights.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. Hiking 3-4 hours on most days and up to 6 hours on the optional hike to Machu Picchu. You'll be at altitudes of up to 11,200' in Cusco, so you should be in good health and physical condition. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 1
3-hour walking tour of Cusco
Day 2
2 hours / 3.4 miles hiking with 86' elevation gain & 500' elevation loss
Day 3
3-4 hours/6.3 miles hiking with 939' elevation gain & 1,510' elevation loss
Day 4
3 hours/4.5 miles with 350' elevation gain and 1,700' elevation loss; plus 200 steps up and down at Ollantaytambo
Day 5
6 hours/7 miles hiking with 1,640' elevation gain
Day 6
3 hours guided walking tour of Machu Picchu, plus 2-3 hours/2 miles optional mountain hikes
Accommodations
A highlight of the trip, accommodations include a 16th-century convent, whitewashed casitas, and a hacienda-style hotel.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel-Aguas Calientes
A village in its own right, Inkaterra Machu Picchu comprises 83 whitewashed casitas set among 12 acres of cloud forest complete with terraced hills, waterfalls, and lush gardens. The individual casitas feature inviting beds and rustically elegant decor. Diners in the first-class restaurant can indulge in Peruvian cuisine with a modern twist, while admiring views over the Vilcanota River.
Housed in a 500-year old mansion, the exquisite Palacio del Inka is located in the historic center of Cusco, just a five-minute walk from the main square. The rooms are beautifully appointed, decorated with Peruvian art, handcrafted furnishings and modern conveniences and comforts, such as LED TV, high-speed Internet access, and comfortable beds.
This Inkaterra property is a modern, hacienda-style hotel set on 100 acres in the countryside between Cusco and Machu Picchu. With only 12 rooms and 24 casitas, guests can experience solitude, space, and serenity while taking in breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley. The hotel's architecture and interiors reflect the region's cultural history, with colonial furniture, Inca masks, and handcrafted woodwork throughout.
Weather
Mild during the dry season, although it often cools down at night. Temperatures from 55°F-75°F. Jackets are necessary at night any time of the year.
May
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Cusco
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Cusco
68
37
67
33
68
35
69
39
70
42
Machu Picchu
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Machu Picchu
65
38
65
35
65
37
70
40
72
45
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival?
You will be met by a MT Sobek representative upon arrival at the airport in Cusco and transferred to your hotel.
Is it safe to drink the water?
We will provide purified water during the trip. We recommend that you bring a water bottle to replenish your supply of purified water along the way.
Do I need to bring walking poles?
They are recommended to give you support and balance.
Do I have to bring hiking boots?
The terrain can be rocky and uneven - hiking boots will help protect your feet.
Are hairdryers available at all hotels?
Yes - all hotels on this program offer hair dryers.
Are there many mosquitoes in Cusco and Machu Picchu?
Some travelers have been bothered by mosquitoes at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. We recommend that you bring mosquito repellent, and lightweight layers to cover arms and legs.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
The standard minimum age for this trip is 18, but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.
