Peru
Peru – Best of Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu (10 days)
Peru – Best of Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu (10 days)
Duration
10 days
Start/End
Cusco
Tour type
Individual · Group
Level
Moderate
Overview
The Inca Trail is one of the most legendary hiking trails in the world. For four days, you follow the original Inca steps through valleys and cloud forests, cross passes over 4,200 meters high, and discover ruins like Runkurakay, Phuyupatamarka, and Wiñay Wayna. Finally, you glimpse Machu Picchu through the Sun Gate.
Ten days that bring together the best of the Cusco region. You explore the cobblestone streets and Inca sites of Cusco, discover Chinchero, Moray, the salt ponds of Maras and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley and spend a day with Quechua families in the highland community of Patacancha. On the short Inca Trail you hike from Km 104 past Wiñay Wayna to the Sun Gate and see Machu Picchu for the first time from above. The next morning, you explore the Lost City of the Incas on a private guided tour. Back in Cusco, the market of Pisac, the colorful Rainbow Mountain with the Red Valley and the turquoise Humantay Lake complete the journey. All tours are private, with experienced local guides and comfortable 3-star hotels.
Tour Code
Maximum altitude
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival in Cusco
Hotel in Cusco
Transfer and guided walk through the historic center
Welcome to Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft), the former capital of the Incas! Your Incatrekkers guide meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The first day is all about getting used to the altitude. In the afternoon and evening, a relaxed walk takes you through the historic center: Plaza de Armas with the cathedral, Plaza Regocijo, Plaza San Francisco and the artists' quarter of San Blas, the San Pedro market, the famous twelve-angled stone and original Inca walls. Optional: chocolate workshop at the ChocoMuseo.
Arrival in Cusco
Day 1
Hotel in Cusco
Transfer and guided walk through the historic center
Welcome to Cusco (3,400 m / 11,155 ft), the former capital of the Incas! Your Incatrekkers guide meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The first day is all about getting used to the altitude. In the afternoon and evening, a relaxed walk takes you through the historic center: Plaza de Armas with the cathedral, Plaza Regocijo, Plaza San Francisco and the artists' quarter of San Blas, the San Pedro market, the famous twelve-angled stone and original Inca walls. Optional: chocolate workshop at the ChocoMuseo.
Day 2
Cusco City Tour
Hotel in Cusco
Qoricancha and four Inca sites above Cusco
The tour begins at Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun and the most important religious center of the Incas. By private transport you then visit the four Inca sites above the city: the mighty Saqsayhuaman with its monoliths weighing up to 120 tons, the carved rock altars of Qenqo, the military lookout of Puka Pukara and the water temple of Tambomachay with its fountains. (B)
Cusco City Tour
Day 2
Hotel in Cusco
Qoricancha and four Inca sites above Cusco
The tour begins at Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun and the most important religious center of the Incas. By private transport you then visit the four Inca sites above the city: the mighty Saqsayhuaman with its monoliths weighing up to 120 tons, the carved rock altars of Qenqo, the military lookout of Puka Pukara and the water temple of Tambomachay with its fountains. (B)
Day 3
Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Full-day tour through the Sacred Valley
Pickup at 7:30 am. In Chinchero, Quechua weavers show you how wool is dyed and woven by traditional methods. In Moray, the circular terraces of an Inca agricultural laboratory await you, and at the salt ponds of Maras local families still harvest salt as their ancestors did. After lunch you visit Ollantaytambo, the living Inca town, with its mighty terraces high above the valley. Overnight in Ollantaytambo; the rest of the afternoon is free. (B)
Sacred Valley: Chinchero, Moray, Maras and Ollantaytambo
Day 3
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Full-day tour through the Sacred Valley
Pickup at 7:30 am. In Chinchero, Quechua weavers show you how wool is dyed and woven by traditional methods. In Moray, the circular terraces of an Inca agricultural laboratory await you, and at the salt ponds of Maras local families still harvest salt as their ancestors did. After lunch you visit Ollantaytambo, the living Inca town, with its mighty terraces high above the valley. Overnight in Ollantaytambo; the rest of the afternoon is free. (B)
Day 4
Patacancha highland community
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Day with Quechua families
After breakfast, a private vehicle takes you up to Patacancha, home of Quechua-speaking families who farm and keep llamas and alpacas as their ancestors did. You visit the local school, where you can hand over school supplies to the children. After lunch you get to know the daily life of the families, learn about their traditional weaving techniques and see how the llamas are caught and loaded for treks. Return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. (B, L)
Patacancha highland community
Day 4
Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Day with Quechua families
After breakfast, a private vehicle takes you up to Patacancha, home of Quechua-speaking families who farm and keep llamas and alpacas as their ancestors did. You visit the local school, where you can hand over school supplies to the children. After lunch you get to know the daily life of the families, learn about their traditional weaving techniques and see how the llamas are caught and loaded for treks. Return to your hotel in the Sacred Valley. (B, L)
Day 5
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Train to Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu
Pickup at 6:00 am from your hotel in Ollantaytambo. A 1.5-hour train ride along the Urubamba River takes you to Km 104 (2,050 m / 6,725 ft), the start of the short Inca Trail. After the permit and passport check, you pass the Inca site of Chachabamba and climb for about four hours to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), the "forever young" terraces.
Through the cloud forest you continue to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku, 2,720 m / 8,923 ft) with your first view of Machu Picchu. Walk down to the citadel, then take the bus to Aguas Calientes for dinner and the night. (B, box lunch)
Distance: about 14 km / 8.7 mi · Time: 6–7 hours · Highest point: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Day 5
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Train to Km 104 – Wiñay Wayna – Sun Gate – Machu Picchu
Pickup at 6:00 am from your hotel in Ollantaytambo. A 1.5-hour train ride along the Urubamba River takes you to Km 104 (2,050 m / 6,725 ft), the start of the short Inca Trail. After the permit and passport check, you pass the Inca site of Chachabamba and climb for about four hours to Wiñay Wayna (2,650 m / 8,694 ft), the "forever young" terraces.
Through the cloud forest you continue to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku, 2,720 m / 8,923 ft) with your first view of Machu Picchu. Walk down to the citadel, then take the bus to Aguas Calientes for dinner and the night. (B, box lunch)
Distance: about 14 km / 8.7 mi · Time: 6–7 hours · Highest point: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
Day 6
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Hotel in Cusco
Guided tour of Machu Picchu and train back
Early in the morning you take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) and enjoy the morning light on a private guided tour of about three hours through the most important temples and sectors. Afterwards, bus to Aguas Calientes, lunch and train to Ollantaytambo, where your private transport takes you back to Cusco. (B)
Machu Picchu – Cusco
Day 6
Hotel in Cusco
Guided tour of Machu Picchu and train back
Early in the morning you take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft) and enjoy the morning light on a private guided tour of about three hours through the most important temples and sectors. Afterwards, bus to Aguas Calientes, lunch and train to Ollantaytambo, where your private transport takes you back to Cusco. (B)
Day 7
Pisac and its market
Hotel in Cusco
Pisac Inca site and traditional market
Pickup at 7:30 am. On the way to Pisac you stop at a viewpoint high above the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River. Your guide shows you the impressive terraces and temples of the Inca site of Pisac, then you have time to explore the colorful traditional market. Return to Cusco after lunch. (B)
Pisac and its market
Day 7
Hotel in Cusco
Pisac Inca site and traditional market
Pickup at 7:30 am. On the way to Pisac you stop at a viewpoint high above the Sacred Valley and the Urubamba River. Your guide shows you the impressive terraces and temples of the Inca site of Pisac, then you have time to explore the colorful traditional market. Return to Cusco after lunch. (B)
Day 8
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
Hotel in Cusco
Day hike to Vinicunca (5,050 m)
Pickup at 5:00 am. A three-hour drive through the South Valley of Cusco and traditional villages takes you to the trailhead, where you have breakfast. In about two hours you hike up to Rainbow Mountain (5,050 m / 16,568 ft) with its striking colored stripes, then continue along the ridge to the Red Valley.
After about 1.5 hours of descent and a one-hour drive you have lunch, then return to Cusco around 5:00 pm. (B, L)
Start: 4,330 m / 14,206 ft · Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi round trip · Time: about 4 hours · Highest point: 5,050 m / 16,568 ft
Rainbow Mountain and Red Valley
Day 8
Hotel in Cusco
Day hike to Vinicunca (5,050 m)
Pickup at 5:00 am. A three-hour drive through the South Valley of Cusco and traditional villages takes you to the trailhead, where you have breakfast. In about two hours you hike up to Rainbow Mountain (5,050 m / 16,568 ft) with its striking colored stripes, then continue along the ridge to the Red Valley.
After about 1.5 hours of descent and a one-hour drive you have lunch, then return to Cusco around 5:00 pm. (B, L)
Start: 4,330 m / 14,206 ft · Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi round trip · Time: about 4 hours · Highest point: 5,050 m / 16,568 ft
Day 9
Humantay Lake
Hotel in Cusco
Day hike to the turquoise glacier lake
Pickup at 4:30 am and three hours' drive to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where you have breakfast. In about 1.5 hours you hike up to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft) at the foot of the Humantay glacier. Enjoy the view and time for photos, then descend to Soraypampa for lunch and return to Cusco around 5:00 pm. (B, L)
Start: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft · Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi round trip · Time: about 4 hours · Highest point: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Humantay Lake
Day 9
Hotel in Cusco
Day hike to the turquoise glacier lake
Pickup at 4:30 am and three hours' drive to Soraypampa (3,900 m / 12,795 ft), where you have breakfast. In about 1.5 hours you hike up to Humantay Lake (4,200 m / 13,780 ft) at the foot of the Humantay glacier. Enjoy the view and time for photos, then descend to Soraypampa for lunch and return to Cusco around 5:00 pm. (B, L)
Start: 3,900 m / 12,795 ft · Distance: 6 km / 3.7 mi round trip · Time: about 4 hours · Highest point: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Day 10
Departure from Cusco
Free morning and airport transfer
Enjoy a last morning in Cusco at your own pace – your guide is happy to give you tips. Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and your onward journey. (B)
Departure from Cusco
Day 10
Free morning and airport transfer
Enjoy a last morning in Cusco at your own pace – your guide is happy to give you tips. Private transfer to the airport for your flight to Lima and your onward journey. (B)
Price from
€1,690.00
Services
What's included
Transfers: All airport transfers listed in the itinerary.
Briefing: Pre-departure briefing at your hotel.
Tours: All tours and excursions in the itinerary as private tours with professional licensed guides.
Entrance Fees & Permits: All entrance fees, including the Inca Trail permit and Machu Picchu.
Train & Bus: All train and bus tickets for the tours and excursions.
Accommodation: Nine nights in 3-star hotels in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (double occupancy).
Meals: Daily breakfast, a box lunch on the Inca Trail and lunches as listed in the itinerary.
What's not included
Flights: International flights and domestic flights within Peru (including the flights to and from Cusco).
Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Meals: Meals not listed as included.
Personal Expenses: Drinks, laundry, phone calls and souvenirs.
Tips: Gratuities for guides, drivers and staff (optional).
Character of the trip
Fitness
Moderate
Altitude
High (up to 5,050 m)
Culture / nature
Culture-led
Fitness – moderate: One day hike of about 14 km (8.7 mi) and 6–7 hours on the Inca Trail and two day hikes to Rainbow Mountain and Humantay Lake of about 4 hours each. A basic level of fitness is enough.
Altitude – high: Cusco lies at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft; Rainbow Mountain reaches 5,050 m / 16,568 ft and Humantay Lake 4,200 m / 13,780 ft. The days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley help you acclimatize.
Culture & nature – culture focus: Inca sites, Andean weaving traditions, a visit to a Quechua community and Machu Picchu, complemented by high Andean landscapes.
Accommodation: Nine nights in 3-star hotels in Cusco, Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes (double occupancy).
Dates and prices
Individual dates
4 to 12 participants · €1,690.00 per person
Groups of 6 or more: contact info@silvertip.at for special rates and tailor-made options.
Notes on the trip
Good to know
Acclimatization: Cusco lies at 3,400 m / 11,155 ft. The first days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley help you get used to the altitude before the hikes.
Hotels: Comfortable 3-star hotels in double rooms; upgrades are available on request.
Inca Trail permit: Permits for the short Inca Trail are limited and personal – please book early and bring the passport you booked with.
Patacancha: If you like, bring school supplies for the children of the community – we hand them over together during the visit.
What to bring
Daypack & Binoculars: A small backpack for the day and good binoculars.
Original Passport: Mandatory (also for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu); ISIC card if you claim a student discount.
Clothing: Lightweight long trousers and long-sleeved shirts for the rainforest, warm layers, fleece, hat and gloves for Cusco, and rain gear (jacket or poncho).
Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots with ankle support and sandals.
Protection: Insect repellent, sunscreen, after-sun lotion, sunglasses and a hat.
Other: Headlamp with spare batteries, water bottle, personal first-aid kit and medication, camera, some Peruvian soles and optional walking poles (with rubber tips for the Inca Trail).
Information
Book as early as possible: Inca Trail permits are strictly limited and often sold out months in advance, especially from May to September. Permits for the following year usually go on sale in October. Please send us your inquiry as early as possible – ideally 6 to 8 months before your trip.