PERU’S SACRED VALLEY AND MACHU PICCHU
This trip is the perfect introduction to the highlights of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley area, explored predominantly on foot. Explore ruins in the surrounding area, including Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman. Trek through the Sacred Valley and explore Machu Picchu, one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit Cuzco, Imperial City of the Incas
- Hike through the Meadows of Llulluchapampa, Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman’s) Pass, and Pacamayo River valley
- Pass by ruins of Runquracay and Wiñay Wayna
- Inca site of Phuyupatamarca, and Inti Punku, the Sun Gate
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu with a local expert
AT A GLANCE
ITINERARY DETAIL
DAY 1: CUZCO
Arrive In Cuzco
The trip starts in Cuzco (3400m) today. The Inca capital – though small enough to be easily manageable – is among the most attractive cities in South America, with much of the centre comprising colonial-era buildings with Inca foundations, and it is full of interesting museums, churches and pre-Columbian sites. We will have a short walking tour of the city including a visit to the Qoricancha Sun Temple.
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| Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel |
It is recommended to take it easy upon arrival into Cuzco and to drink plenty of water to allow your body time to acclimatise to the altitude. We can also arrange for you to arrive a day or two ahead of time to give you longer to adjust to altitude.
There will be a welcome briefing in the hotel lobby this evening.
DAY 2: TAMBOMACHAY & SACSAYHUAMAN
Explore the Ruins of Tambomachay & Sacsayhuaman
The hills above Cuzco city are dotted with some of the most interesting Inca ruins. We drive to the highest, Tambomachay, and return on foot to Cuzco via Puca Pucara, Qenco and Sacsayhuaman: an easy acclimatisation walk to get used to the altitude. An open-air picnic lunch is included during the hike near the spectacular ruins. Walking details: 6.5 km, 5-6 hrs.
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| Tour: Explore the Ruins of Tambomachay & Sacsayhuaman Hike: Tambomachay to Cuzco Hike Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel Meals: B, L |
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| Distance: 6.5KM Time: 5-6 Hours |
DAY 3: EXPLORE THE OLDEST CONTINUOUSLY INHABITED CITY IN THE AMERICAS
Free Day in Cuzco
Today has been left free for exploring Cuzco, one of South America’s most beautiful cities. The Plaza de Armas is a fantastic spot for people-watching, and Qorikancha – the Sun Temple, located in the Santo Domingo Church and monastery, are worth a visit. The Mercado San Pedro is the place to try some local produce and there are many handicraft markets to shop for souvenirs such as alpaca jumpers and scarves. If you fancy something more active then there are an array of other optional activities available from Cuzco including paddle-boarding on a lake, mountain biking, or a combination of via ferrata and zip-lining in the Sacred Valley.
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| Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel Meals: B |
DAY 4: SACRED VALLEY TREK
Wander through the Pumamarca Ruins
Today we drive from Cuzco to Ollantaytambo (approximately 2 hrs drive) and then on to the Pumamarca ruins (approx. 30 minutes). These ruins are the remains of a hillside fortress and are built on a steep slope overlooking the Sacred Valley. Pumamarca ruins are less visited than others in the area so our time here should be relatively uninterrupted. After we finish exploring the Pamamarca ruins, we’ll walk back through the valley to Ollantaytambo, with views of the terraced countryside along the way. The walk should take about 3 hours.
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| Tour: Wander through the Pumamarca Ruins Hike: Sacred Valley Trek Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel Meals: B |
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| Distance: 3.7 KM Time: 3 Hours |
DAY 5: INCA TRAIL
Hike Past Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu
Today we have a day walk along a section of the Inca Trail, starting early with a train from Ollantaytambo. After showing our passports at the check point, we will pass by the archaeological site of Chachabamba and start our trek. The trail has impressive views of the valley and the Urubamba river, with orchids and begonias along the way and the sight of magnificent mountains all around. The trail passes the ruins of Wiñay Wayna where we will stop to explore and have our packed lunch. After visiting the attractive ruins of Wiñay Wayna, we have an undulating walk through cloud forest high above the river to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate. From here we get our first full sight of Machu Picchu itself, with Huayna Picchu rising behind.
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| Tour: Hike Past Winay Wayna to Machu Picchu Hike: Inca Trail Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel Meals: B, L |
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| Distance: 11 KM Time: 6-7 Hours |
DAY 6: EXPLORE MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu
In order to beat the day-trippers arriving from Cuzco and reach the ruins as early as possible, a very early start is required to queue for Machu Picchu; only government-registered buses can make the 30-minute drive up the winding road to the site entrance, and during high season (May-October) queues can be hours long.
Machu Picchu is one of the architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient world and what makes it all the more dramatic is its mountain backdrop of staggering immensity. The Spaniards never found it; the Incas left no records of it, and so Machu Picchu remained a great enigma, a city lost for centuries in the jungle until it was rediscovered in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham.
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| Tour: Machu Picchu Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel Meals: B |
New regulations for visiting Machu Picchu are now fully enforced; of the three possible visiting slots, we will purchase the morning slot from 06:00 until 12:00 (unless unavailable), you will be limited to a maximum of four hours within the site and must be accompanied by a guide. There will also be three set routes to follow around Machu Picchu; we select the most comprehensive route.
We catch an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo (1hr 30 mins) and continue by private bus to Cuzco (2hrs 30 mins)
DAY 7: DEPART CUZCO
Say Goodbye to your Tour Group
Today your tour ends after breakfast in Cuzco. Extend your trip by adding on an extension to the Amazon Rainforest or to Lake Titicaca. Ask us for details of these and other possible extensions.
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| Meals: B |
ACCOMMODATION
3 STAR HOTEL
Please note that one or several of the named properties might be substituted for similar alternatives in order to secure hotel availability. Please discuss with your Agent as trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved.
TRAVEL DETAILS
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Disclaimer: We do our utmost to ensure that information posted on our website is correct at the time of publication, however trip details are subject to change without notice by the suppliers and operators involved. We update the information as soon as possible when changes are advised to us, however, we cannot assume responsibility for such changes made by the suppliers and operators.