Cusco & Inka Trail To Machu Picchu 09 Days / 08 Nights
Duration
9 Days/8 Nights
Tour Type
Daily Tour
Group Size
10 people
Languages
English, Spanish
ITINERARY
Day 1:- International Arrival in Lima
Day 2:- Lima: City Tour
Morning free to rest after your international journey. We recommend taking this time to relax and recover from your trip so you’re ready to fully enjoy your adventure in Peru. Lunch on your own.
In the afternoon, we will begin a guided sightseeing tour of Lima, the “City of Kings”, visiting the most important historical and cultural landmarks:
- Lima’s Historical Center, including:
- Plaza San Martin
- Plaza Mayor
- Government Palace
- City Hall
- Cathedral and Religious Art Museum
- Church of Santo Domingo, housing the tombs of Santa Rosa and San Martin de Porras
- Lima’s famous Colonial Balconies
- Convent and Church of San Francisco, one of the greatest monumental complexes of Colonial Art in the Americas and designated as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Highlights include:
- Basilica of 21 altars
- Convent cloisters
- Capitulary and Clementine Rooms
- Historic library
- Paintings from the Rubens School
- Sacristy featuring works by Zurbarán and Ribera
- Sevillian tile-lined patios
- Moorish arches
- The eerie underground catacombs
- Drive through the residential districts of San Isidro and Miraflores, passing:
- Huaca Pucllana (a ceremonial site from the Lima Culture)
- El Olivar Park with its centuries-old olive trees
- Miraflores Central Park
- Larcomar, a modern shopping and entertainment complex with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Optional: Enjoy a dinner with folklore show at Junius Restaurant, where you can experience traditional Peruvian music and dance while savoring local cuisine.
DAY 03: Lima / Cusco: City Tour and Visit to Nearby Ruins
Breakfast at your hotel. At the appropriate time, transfer to Lima Airport to board your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the morning is free to rest and acclimatize to the altitude. We recommend taking lunch at your hotel to recover and prepare for the afternoon’s activities.
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided city tour of Cusco, visiting:
- Plaza Mayor (Main Square)
- Cusco Cathedral, home to colonial masterpieces
- Temple of the Sun or Korikancha, once the most important religious site in the Inca Empire
The excursion continues outside the city, visiting key Inca archaeological sites:
- Kenko
- Tambomachay
- Puca Pucara
- Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, built strategically on a hill with panoramic views over Cusco. Famous for its massive stone walls, some stones measuring over 9 meters high and weighing more than 350 tons, showcasing the Incas’ incredible engineering skills.
At the end of the tour, return to your hotel.
Optional: Dinner in a traditional restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a folkloric show with Andean music performed on native instruments and dances that celebrate Peru’s rich cultural heritage.
Day 4:- Cusco: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Breakfast at your hotel. Today, enjoy a guided excursion to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Your first stop will be at Awana Kancha Museum, known as the Palace of Weaving. This living museum showcases traditional Andean weaving techniques using the wool of native South American camelids such as llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. You’ll observe the full textile process live: dyeing, yarning, warping, and weaving, performed by local artisans. You can also take photos with these iconic animals and, if you wish, purchase high-quality handmade textiles directly from the producers.
Next, visit the archaeological site of Pisac and its famous traditional market, where you can find an excellent variety of Andean handicrafts and souvenirs.
Lunch will be served at a beautiful hacienda restaurant in the Sacred Valley. Enjoy delicious local cuisine, cocktails in the garden, and views of the surrounding mountains. The hacienda also features an exhibition of Cusco textiles and a collection of colonial art, providing a unique cultural experience.
In the afternoon, continue towards the impressive archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, passing through the towns of Calca and Urubamba. Ollantaytambo, known as the “Living Inca Town,” offers insight into Inca urban planning and architecture.
At the end of the tour, return to your hotel in Cusco.
Suggestion for the evening: Take a relaxed stroll around Plaza de Armas to enjoy Cusco’s night atmosphere. Transport will be available should you wish to have dinner at a restaurant of your choice.
Day 5:- Cusco / Machu Picchu - Inca Trail (Cusco – Piscacucho (km 82) -Wayllabamba)
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll board our boat heading towards Blanquillo, renowned for its impressive Macaw Clay Lick. On the way, we’ll make a brief stop at Limonal Checkpoint to officially register our exit from the Reserved Zone.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a short guided walk to explore the surroundings of the Blanquillo Oxbow Lake, where we’ll go in search of caimans in their natural habitat.
Overnight at the lodge near Blanquillo.
Day 6:- Inca Trail (Wayllabamba - Warmiwañusca - Pacaymayo)
After breakfast, the most challenging section of the Inca Trail begins, involving a steep ascent that will take approximately three hours. The goal is to reach the first mountain pass known as Warmiwañusca or “Dead Woman’s Pass”, situated at an impressive 4,200 meters above sea level. From this point, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Andean landscape and experience the satisfaction of having conquered the highest point of the entire trail.
After a well-deserved lunch at Vizcachayoc, the route continues with a gradual descent towards the Pacaymayo campsite, located at around 3,500 meters above sea level, where you’ll enjoy dinner and spend the night surrounded by nature.
Day 7:- Inca Trail (Pacaymayo - Phuyopatamarka – Wiñayhuayna)
After breakfast, the ascent resumes towards the second most important mountain pass of the route, located at approximately 3,900 meters above sea level. Along the way, you’ll have a guided visit to the fascinating Archaeological Complex of Runkurakay and later to the Inca Citadel of Sayacmarca, situated at 3,600 meters above sea level.
Lunch will be served at Chaquicocha, after which the trek continues towards Phuyupatamarca, meaning “Town in the Clouds”, where you’ll explore another remarkable Inca archaeological site. After a brief rest, the hike continues until reaching Wiñay Huayna or “Forever Young”, one of the most impressive archaeological complexes along the trail, where a guided tour will help you appreciate its terraces, structures, and stunning location overlooking the mountains.
Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Note: The campsites mentioned (Phuyupatamarca and Wiñay Huayna) are the standard stops according to the route operated by Enjoy Peru, although they may vary depending on the management regulations of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary, without altering the overall itinerary.
Day 8:- Wiñay Huayna - Machu Picchu - Cusco
After an early breakfast (around 05:00 a.m.), begin the final stretch of the Inca Trail, hiking for approximately one hour through the forest until reaching the Inti Punku, or Sun Gate — the historic entrance to Machu Picchu. From this vantage point, you will enjoy your first panoramic view of the iconic Inca citadel, an unforgettable sight as the morning light illuminates the site.
Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, you’ll enjoy a guided tour through its most important areas, including:
- The Main Square
- The Circular Tower
- The Sacred Solar Clock
- The Royal Quarters
- The Temple of the Three Windows
- The ancient cemeteries
After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore the citadel at your own pace.
Later, meet your group to descend by bus to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, return to Cusco by train. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your selected hotel.
Evening at leisure.
We recommend enjoying dinner at one of the many restaurants in downtown Cusco and taking a relaxing stroll around the Main Square to appreciate the city’s night ambiance.
Day 9:- Cusco / Lima / International Departure
Breakfast at your hotel in Cusco.
At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima, where you can connect with your international flight back to your home country.
End of our services.
We hope you enjoyed your experience in Peru and look forward to welcoming you again.
Included / Excluded
INCLUDED
- In Lima: Transfers, City Tour. Lodging and breakfast
- In Cusco: City Tour, Inka Trail, lodging and breakfast
- In Machu Picchu: Guided visit of the Inca Citadel.
- 08 Nights accommodation
- All breakfasts and meals as specified in the programme
- All entrance tickets for the excursions mentioned above
- All the transfers indicated in the itinerary.
- Train ticket Cusco – Aguas Calientes – Cusco
- Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes- Machu Picchu- Aguas Calientes
- All applicable taxes
- All bilingual guided tours (english/spanish) as described in the itinerary
EXCLUDED
- International and domestic flights
- Airport taxes
- Baggage excess
- Alcoholic drink, soda or bottled mineral water
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- International or National personal telephone calls
- Meals not mentioned
reviews
RELATED TOURS
El Valle Sagrado es un territorio que se desarrolla a lo largo del río Vilcanota–Urubamba y unió los pueblos de Pisac y Ollantaytambo.
El Tour Laguna Humantay es una mágica experiencia donde se reencontrará con la naturaleza en lo alto de los Andes Peruanos, ademas de apreciar paisajes realmente hermosos cerca al segundo pico más alto
El Valle Sagrado es un territorio que se desarrolla a lo largo del río Vilcanota–Urubamba y unió los pueblos de Pisac y Ollantaytambo.
Se trata de una formación montañosa teñida de varias tonalidades producto de la compleja combinación de minerales. Las laderas y la cumbre están teñidas..
