Overview
Machu Picchu is actually in a jungle. Travel by foot along the Inca Trail to the lost city, you approach from above. And the stupendous blocks of stone in its walls are so finely carved that you could barely slip a piece of paper between them. Believe us, Machu Picchu retains the ability to startle and inspire you no matter how many years you’ve thought about visiting. You will get the shivers the first time you see it. On this unforgettable journey, you’ll spend all or part of three days at Machu Picchu (unlike the brief in-and-out visits many tours make). Plus we give you leisurely exposure to the rest of the country as our walking tours to Peru immerse you into its conquistador-tinged history, indestructible Inca architecture and spectacular geography. We’re in the Andes, so there are inevitable up-and-down trails, but we also offer frequent, easier walking options. And our guide is a native Quechua who’ll make you as comfortable in Cusco as you’ll be among mountain villagers and llama herders.
Highlights
At 10,900 feet above sea level, the air of Cusco (1 night) is thin. We don’t mind—it allows us a reason to relax in our five-star hotel, a restored 16th century monastery. Acclimated, we start the next day with a walk through the Peruvian countryside to Sacsayhuaman, one of the most massive and stunning Inca architectural sites.
DAYS 2-4 – SACRED VALLEY
Leaving Cusco, we drive to the spectacular Urubamba Valley and the mountaintop ruins of Pisac, followed by a traditional lunch at a gracious hacienda. From our inn at the foot of the Andes (3 nights), we visit a remote Andean village… learn about ancient ceramic and weaving techniques…wonder among long-necked, shaggy coated llamas and alpacas…and visit a remote village school.
DAYS 5-7 – AGUAS CALIENTES / CUSCO
Aguas Calientes (2 nights) is our base for exploring Machu Picchu. We travel to the legendary ruin by train and bus. (Or skip the train and climb a stretch of the Inca Trail for a jaw-dropping entrance to Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate.) With two leisurely days here, you can see the site on your own as well as with your guide…and take an orchid or birdwatching walk at our luxurious hotel before we return to Cusco.
Map
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Starting Point:
Cusco – 1:30 pm – Lobby of Belmond Hotel Monasterio -
Ending Point:
Cusco – 2:00 pm – Airport
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.
Talk to an expertSelect our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.
Why Choose Classic Journeys
Travel + Leisure has awarded Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you.
- Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
- Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
- Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
- Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
- Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
- Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
- Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.
Accommodations
We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Set among 13 acres of tropical gardens featuring over 140 species of orchids, this hotel proudly 100% carbon neutral. Spacious rooms are situated in unique hillside casitas and feature lovely tile floors, carved wood furniture and luxurious bathrooms.
Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado
On the banks of the Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, this luxury hotel is built to resemble an Andean village. Serene rooms offer stunning views of the valley. Quiet gardens are perfect for exploring, taking a dip in the pool, or sipping a pisco sour.
Belmond Monasterio
Located in Cusco’s historic center, this former 17th-century monastery is now a 5-star hotel. The rooms, furnished in a combination of colonial and modern styles, overlook a garden courtyard surrounded by the original stone arches of the monastery.
What’s Included
- Award-winning boutique hotels that provide you unlimited access to the people and places, culture and history you came to experience
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 3 dinners
- Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip and handle behind-the-scenes logistics
- Admissions to scheduled events as noted in the detailed daily itinerary
- Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage
- All land transportation during the trip
Above & Beyond Benefits
Invisible Check-In
- When your group arrives, we whisk you and your bags to your room immediately. No waiting – no tipping.
Privileged Access Events
- One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places and activities arranged just for you.
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