Explore Machu Picchu
8 days
From $ 1999
Duration8 days
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This eight-day adventure into Peru’s culture and history offers an ideal introduction to Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites. Take a scenic train to the famous citadel and enjoy free time to explore its many corners. Roam the Sacred Valley, taking in incredible views of the Andes. Travelling with knowledgeable guides who know this region best, we’ll leave no stone unturned.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 8 days
    Service level: Upgraded
  • Physical Grading: Average
  • Ages: 12+
Explore Machu Picchu - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Lima
Get ready for a very busy tour exploring the best of Peru in a week. We recommend booking a pre-night in Lima (in particular if your flight arrives into Lima in the evening) to recover from international flights and rest up before the excitement.
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included. Please note that if you booked the Lima Cooking Class it does not include extra time in Lima and we highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodation. You will be picked up from your hotel at approx 10:00 am (10:30 from Aug-Dec) and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return to your hotel around 13:00.

Please note that hot water shortages and power outages can be fairly common in Peru (even in upgraded hotels and private homes). We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control.
Day 2: Lima/Urubamba
Board an early flight to Cusco then head to the scenic Sacred Valley. Explore the pre-Inca salt pans of Las Salineras and tour the Maras and Moray ruins. Enjoy a traditional pachamanca-style meal of local specialties. There are some very early morning starts on this trip to make the best use of our time and see as much as we can of Peru in a week.
Meals: B, D
Day 3: Urubamba
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley with a visit to the “Parque de la Papa” (“Potato Park”). An exclusive experience for Journeys travellers and part of G Adventures for Good, you'll walk through this rural community with a local guide to learn about potato cultivation, weaving, and the importance of both to Andean culture. Also, explore the Ollantaytambo and Pisac ruins and visit the G Adventures-supported Sacred Valley Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosqo.
Meals: B, L
Day 4: Urubamba/Aguas Calientes
For serious archaeology buffs, there is time for an optional independent visit to Machu Picchu before the guided tour the following morning.
Catch an early transfer to Ollantaytambo station and board the scenic train to Aguas Calientes with the option to visit the market. Please bear in mind that the town has several amenities, but is also geographically remote meaning services are sometimes more basic than one would assume. As the only option for travellers visiting Machu Picchu, the development of infrastructure has happened quite quickly, much without proper planning, and the focus on providing quality service may not be up to the standards experienced in other parts of the country.

Those who have chosen the option in advance to hike the "1-day Inca Trail" will disembark the train at km 104 to begin the trek. The trail rises steeply up into the mountains and will take hikers past the archaeological sites of Wiñay Wayna and Inti Pata, where the local guide will provide insights into the fascinating culture of the Incas en route to the trek's culmination at the Sun Gate. Enjoy a packed lunch along the way and reach the Sun Gate in the late afternoon with a chance for a preliminary exploration of Machu Picchu before the guided tour on Day 5. Transfer by bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes to rejoin the group and spend the night in a hotel. If time permits, take an optional visit to the nearby hot springs to soak your sore muscles.
1-day Inca Trail option:
Approximate Distance: 11 km
Estimated hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Meals: B
Day 5: Aguas Calientes/Cusco
Enjoy a guided tour of the Machu Picchu ruins. Get free time to explore on your own or take an optional visit to the Inca Bridge before returning to Cusco by train.
Meals: B
Day 6: Cusco
Please remember that star gazing is completely weather dependent and sometimes there can be cloudy skies.
Explore historic Cusco with options to visit museums or go whitewater rafting, horseback riding, or mountain biking. This evening, take in a different view of the night sky at the Cusco Planetarium. Enjoy a presentation on the southern sky, contemporary astronomy, and the ancient Inca relationship with the cosmos. Check out the on-site museum and use their telescopes to admire the stars. Please note that if you pre-book the Peru Culinary Bundle, on day 6 you will be picked up from your hotel at approx 12:30 and taken to a local market and restaurant to prepare and enjoy a traditional Peruvian meal. You will return back to your hotel around 16:00.
Meals: B
Day 7: Cusco/Lima
Fly back to Lima and spend an afternoon in Peru's bustling capital.
Meals: B
Day 8: Lima
Depart at any time. Your CEO can help arrange an optional transfer to the airport.
Meals: B
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Inclusions

Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Traditional Andean Experience, Urubamba Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Cusco Planetarium, Cusco Your G for Good Moment: Parque de la Papa (Potato Park), Urubamba Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay Your Discover Moment: Cusco
  • Arrival transfer
  • Two-day Sacred Valley tour including Ollantaytambo, Moray, and Pisac ruins and pre-Inca salt pans
  • Traditional pachamanca-style dinner
  • Scenic train and guided tour of Machu Picchu
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Private van, Train, Plane, Walking

  • Accommodation

    Hotels (7 nts)

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