Hidden Treasures of Machu Picchu – 7 Days

Upon your arrival at Lima International Airport, you’ll receive a warm welcome and assistance, followed by a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Here, you’ll receive a comprehensive briefing about your tour, along with vouchers for all included services and additional information to prepare you for your amazing Peru adventure.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. The morning is free for you to relax and acclimatize, preparing for the unforgettable journey ahead. At 1:30 PM, you’ll be picked up from your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour of Lima, the ‘City of Kings.’ This excursion brilliantly showcases Lima’s diverse attractions and its three historical periods: pre-Hispanic, colonial, and contemporary. Learn about the ancient pre-Columbian cultures that thrived here for thousands of years, and how Lima became part of the Inca Empire before its founding by Francisco Pizarro in 1535. Spend the night at your Lima hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to Lima Airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you’ll be met, assisted, and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a free morning to acclimatize to the altitude. At 1:30 PM, begin a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco. Visit Koricancha, the ‘Temple of the Sun,’ one of the most important shrines during the Inca era, and the imposing Cusco Cathedral in the main square. Continue to Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent megalithic Inca fortress overlooking the city. Next, explore Qenqo, a unique limestone outcrop used for religious ceremonies, before concluding the tour with visits to Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. Overnight at your Cusco hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a full-day tour of the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your first stop is the village of Qorao, offering stunning panoramic views. Continue to Pisaq, where you’ll explore both its remarkable archaeological site and its vibrant Indian market. After lunch in the Sacred Valley, visit the magnificent Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, strategically built to guard the valley entrance. This fortress features a series of intricately carved stone terraces and long staircases. In the afternoon, return to Cusco. Overnight at your Cusco hotel.

After breakfast, transfer from your hotel to the nearby Poroy train station for a scenic journey to the mysterious lost city of Machu Picchu. The train ride offers spectacular views of the Andes, transitioning into a jungle atmosphere as you descend to 2000 meters (6560 feet). After approximately 3.5 hours, you’ll arrive in Aguas Calientes. Check into your hotel, then choose one of two exciting afternoon options:

Option 1: Mandor Valley Birdwatching: Walk along the Vilcanota River, following the railroad tracks into the Mandor Valley to visit its beautiful waterfall. The valley is home to diverse and fascinating birdlife, including speckle-faced parrots and green jays, with a chance to spot the vibrant Cock-of-the-Rock. Relax and perhaps swim under the waterfall before walking back to your hotel in the shadow of Machu Picchu.

Option 2: Hike Putucusi: Embark on an exhilarating hike up Putucusi Mountain, culminating in a spectacular panoramic view of the Machu Picchu citadel from across the Vilcanota Valley. During the ascent, observe the stark contrast between the mountain cloud forest and elfin forest, along with a fascinating variety of trees, orchids, and birds. This ascent is considered one of the fastest non-professional climbs in the world. Overnight at your Aguas Calientes hotel.

Enjoy an early breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the bus stop for a short 25-minute ride up to the citadel of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, participate in a guided tour of this awe-inspiring archaeological site, visiting highlights such as the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, and the Temple of the Three Windows. Explore the houses, warehouses, and the large central square, all connected by narrow roads and steps surrounded by agricultural terraces cut into the mountainside. After the guided tour, you’ll have free time to explore the archaeological site at your leisure. You can take the opportunity to walk (approximately 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the summit of Wayna Picchu (optional, requires advance booking), offering magnificent views of the entire sanctuary. In the afternoon, return by train to Poroy train station and transfer to your Cusco hotel. Overnight at your Cusco hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Cusco Airport for your departure flight to Lima, where you will connect with your international flight back home.