Explore Machu Picchu

Breakfast at Hotel; pick up from the hotel at 09:00am.
This culinary adventure will begin with a visit to the local market. You will see, smell, taste, and experience the infinite variety of textures, colors, aromas, and flavors.

Then, we will take you to our cooking studio where you will have a “hands-on” cooking lesson. You will learn about Peruvian cuisine and prepare delicious local dishes. After cooking, we will enjoy the lunch prepared by ourselves. The perfect reward for our hard work!

At 14:00pm pick up and transfer to Lima historical center. We’ll take you to a fascinating walking tour. We will show you palaces and castles hidden in Lima. We will also visit the great Saint Francisco Monastery and impressive underground Catacombs!

We will then visit “The Main Square”, Archbishop’s Palace and the Municipal Palace and many other great places with our local guide. Our historical center is considered a World Heritage protected by the UNESCO; we will show you the Original Spain Mansion Palace and enjoy its great collection of 18th Century paintings, its impressive sculptures and great original terrace. After the tour we will take you back to your hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel in Lima.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

Breakfast at hotel; at 06:30am pick up from the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco, the ancient Inca capital of the Incas. On arrival in Cusco, assistance at the airport and transport to your hotel, where the rest of the morning is free time to rest in the hotel in order to avoid altitude sickness.

Pick up from the hotel at 14:30pm – walking tour will begin at Colorful San Pedro market, there’s probably no better market to experience Cusqueñan life. Enjoy a first-hand look at how local residents live day-to-day outside the postcard perfection of Cusco’s main square. The guide will explain the history of this market as you wander through colorful stalls filled with fabrics, food, shaman stalls, etc.

After the market, we visit Cusco’s main square, a busy and vibrant space that marks the colonial center of the city; which features wide stone pathways and well-kept colorful gardens.

After, we will head to the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha) upon which the Convent of Santo Domingo has been built. Interesting fact: according to a legend, this temple was entirely gold plated which left many conquerors impressed with its magnificence when they came here! – The tour will end around 18:00pm.

Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast.
Suggested flight schedule — Lima (09:30am) – Cusco (10:50am)

Breakfast at hotel – pick up from your hotel at 07:30am.
We will embark on a journey back in time to the Incan’s Sacred Valley beginning in Pisac, 31 km from Cusco. The ancient Incan archeological site and city is located on the top of a mountain. There you will have the chance to witness the impressive stone masonry skill of our ancient ancestors. Afterwards, you will go down into the quaint little town and wander through its colorful market where you can buy beautifully crafted, hand-made products.

After this, lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Then, you will continue to Ollantaytambo, a military, religious, and agricultural center of the Incas located at the top of a mountain. Note: unlike other small towns, this one has maintained its original Incan design including outstanding stone buildings and narrow streets. It was once used as a fortress and administrative and urban center.

Stop in Ollantaytambo from where we catch the train to Aguas Calientes, upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, reception and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at the Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Expedition train — Ollantaytambo (19:04pm) – Aguas Calientes (20:45pm)

Breakfast at the hotel; around 06:00am you will ride a bus to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is an archeological site (2,430m/7,972ft) that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, the hilltop citadel deserved every bit of its fame.

Around 07:30am the guided tour begins, the guide will expertly direct you throughout the astounding ruins and its main streets. You can then wander around the town squares as well as climb the intricately carved stairways made of stone. Machu Picchu is considered to be the world’s spiritual center by esoteric wisdom. The guided tour takes around two hours.
From 10:00am to 12:00pm once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the citadel on your own.
From 12:30pm to 13:30pm take bus to Aguas Calientes.
From 13:30pm to 15:00pm take lunch on you own.

Return to Cusco: later board the train for the return trip to Cusco. You will stop at the Poroy station and then be picked up and driven to your hotel in Cusco.

Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Expedition train — Aguas Calientes (15:20pm) – Cusco (19:05pm). Note about train tickets: We will attempt to book tickets on this train, but if there are timetable changes or trains are fully booked, we may need to book an alternative service.

Pick up from hotel at 04:00am and transfer to head of the trail, will take around 3 hours.
Stop at the town of Cusipata; then we headed towards the beginning of the walk Phullawasipata (4626m/15,177ft). On the way we will provide you Breakfast (at the hotel you may not have option to get breakfast).

The day begins with a hiking route that follows a small stream. This portion of the hike is a true treat because you will have opportunities to see herds of alpacas and llamas. Get your camera ready because this route provides consistent views of Ausangate Mountain. In addition, you will hike through isolated villages and interact with local residents.

The hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5,030m/16,498ft) will take around two hours. Path is bracketed by uphill terrain with some flat terrain in the middle portion. You will have a chance to enjoy some snacks and take a break to soak up panoramic views once the top is reached. The break typically lasts 45 minutes. After the amazing view of the landscapes on the top, it is time to go back down. The hike back down to the trailhead should take between one hour and a half.

Our van will be waiting for us when we return. We will have lunch before we head to Cusco. We will embark on the 3-hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. Approximate arrival time is between 17:00 pm. Estimated walking distance: 8 km (4.97 miles) – Estimated walking time: 4 hours.

Overnight at the Hotel in Cusco.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel; at the scheduled time our representative will meet you in the hotel lobby, transfer and assistance on your departure.

Meals Included: Breakfast.
Suggested flight schedule — Cusco (10:40am) – Lima (12:05pm)

Have a great 7-day tour with Andean Journeys!