Cusco, Sacred Valley & Classic Inca Trail 7D/6N

Itinerary

• Day 1 : Cusco airport transfer – Cusco city tour
• Day 2 : Cusco – Sacred Valley of the Inkas – Cusco
• Day 3 : Classic Inca Trail (Day 1 – Cusco – Km. 82 – Huayllabamba)
• Day 4 : Classic Inca Trail (Day 2 – Huayllabamba– Warmiwañuska – Pacaymayo)
• Day 5 : Classic Inca Trail (Day 3 – Pacaymayo – Chaqicocha – Wiñaywayna)
• Day 6 : Classic Inca Trail (Day 4 – Wiñaywayna – Machu Picchu – Cusco)
• Day 7 : Cusco – airport transfer – return flight to Lima

DAY 1 – CUSCO AIRPORT TRANSFER – CUSCO CITY TOUR

The 7 day tour to Machu Picchu will start with a personal reception at Cusco airport by your guide and driver, who will accompany you in your private transport to your hotel in Cusco.

Once at the hotel you can relax and enjoy an aromatic cup of coca-leaf tea and take lunch (not included) in one of the local restaurants, before beginning the afternoons’ tour of Cusco.

At 1.30pm you will regroup with your tour guide and private transportation to commence the tour of the Inca capital. The 4-hour tour will take you on a journey through Cusco’s most prominent historical sites such as the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, which was the religious, geographical, and political center of Cusco during the period of the Incas. The astounding Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán, whose stonework is so impeccable that it is said ‘will endure as long as the world itself’. And finally Q’enqo, a sacred Incan pilgrimage site, that once served as an astronomical observatory and mummification house.

On the City Tour Cusco, your personal tour guide will also accompany you around the famous San Pedro market and Plaza de Armas before returning you back to your hotel for 6pm.

DAY 2 – CUSCO – MIRADOR DE TARAY – PISAQ – OLLANTAYTAMBO – CHINCHERO – CUSCO

The Sacred Valley tour starts at 7:30am with pick up from your hotel in Cusco.

After a 1-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you’ll briefly stop at the Mirador de Taray to capture breathtaking photos of the valley from one of its famous viewpoints.

A further 30 minute drive will bring us to the archaeological park of Pisaq, the home of the famous Intihuatana ‘sundail’, and the first Inca fortress of the tour. Fulfilling many functions including ceremonial, religious & astronomical, the 15th century Inca refuge of Pisac is rich in history and offers one of the most spectacular views of the Sacred Valley from above.

After guiding you through the incredibly well-preserved stonework of the archaeological site, your guide and your transport will accompany you back down the valley for a peruse through the towns iconic market, cobbled streets and authentic plazas.

The afternoons’ tour will begin surrounded by the natural beauty of Urubamba. The largest town in the sacred valley and our lunch destination for the day. With a multidude of restaurants to choose from, you can treat yourself to anything from local cuisine, to a buffet lunch from only $20 USD (optional extra cost).

After lunch, your transport will take you alongside the Urubamba River, to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. Here your guide will accompany you through the bustling local markets and the famous Inca fortress that towers above the town. The strategic position and architectural sophistication of the site, offers visitors some of the most spectacular views of the sacred valley from above. The exquisite stonework and rich history of Ollantaytambo will take you and your guide on an impressive journey through Inca antiquity, before you return to your transport and head to the final site of the day.

Last but not least on the days itinerary, is the majestic town of Chinchero. Here you will participate in a short experiential tour with the local community and their resident alpacas, aswell as visiting the local market and have a guided tour of the Colonial Temple.

After a further 1-hour drive back through the Valley to Cusco, you will arrive at your hotel at approximately 6:00pm.

DAY 3 – CLASSIC INCA TRAIL (DAY 1: CUSCO – KM 82 – HUAYLLABAMBA)

The Classic Inca Trail 4-day tour begins with pick up from your hotel in Cusco at 6:00am.

After a 2-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you’ll stop off in the town of Ollantaytambo for breakfast (not included), and then continue on to the first checkpoint of the Classic Inca Trail at Kilometer 82. Here you will show your Passport, Registration Card or National Identity Document, to pass through the checkpoint into the national park. The first 2 hours of the hike are alongside the Urubamba river, and are considered to be a gentle training session for the days to come.

After a 5km hike, you’ll arrive at the 1st archaeological site of the trail, Patallacta or Llactapata, meaning ‘High Town’ in Quechua at 2,840 m / 8,136 ft. The complex once served as a large agricultural and urban center, and was an important checkpoint for travellers along the original Inca trail.

A further 20 mins down the trail is our lunch stop in Tarayoc. After which the trail ascends for 2 hours to a semi-tropical valley with an excellent view of the snow-capped peak of Veronica.

When you reach an altitude of 2,900 m / 9,514 ft, you will set up camp for the night in the village of Huayllabamba, meaning ‘Grassy Plain’ in Quechua.

• Estimated walking time : 5 hours
• Total walking distance : 12 km
• Altitude of our camp : 2,900 m / 9,515 ft

DAY 4 – CLASSIC INCA TRAIL (DAY 2: WAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSKA – PACAYMAYO)

After taking breakfast at camp, we will resume our Inca trail to Machu Picchu tour, and slowly ascend for 9km until we reach the highest point of the trail, the Warmiwañusca Pass or ‘Dead Womans Pass’ at 4,215 m / 13,828 ft. The trail will take you through beautiful forests of Queñua (Polylepis tarapacana) and reward you with a glorious view of the Vilcabamba mountain range at the summit.

The final 3km of the day will be a descent down the mountain, through majestic cloud forests and humid microclimates. After completing the most challenging day of the Inca Trail, you’ll be relieved to arrive at camp in the Pacaymayo Valley at 3,620 m / 11,876 ft. This camp is the highest on the trail and offers you an experience of a lifetime of sleeping above the clouds.

• Estimated walking time : 8 hours
• Total walking distance : 12 km
• Altitude of our camp : 3,620 m / 11,877 ft

DAY 5 – CLASSIC INCA TRAIL (DAY 3: PACAYMAYO – CHAQICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA)

After taking breakfast at camp, you’ll begin the penultimate day of the Inca trail by ascending to the Runkurakay pass, passing by the Inca ruins of Runkuracay at 3,750 m / 12,303 ft. During the period of the Incas, this site was once an important resting place for the Chasquis, the Inca messengers or couriers, that facilitated their ancient ‘postal service’.

Ascending further up the trail, you’ll arrive at the highest point of the day, atop the Runkurakay pass at 3,950 m / 12,960 ft. The breathtaking views from the summit of Runkurakay are said to rival those of the previous day upon the Warmiwañusca Pass.

The next leg is a descent to the Sayaqmarka ruins, ‘Inaccessible Town’ in Quechua 3,600 m / 11,811 ft. This complex was once home to celestial scholars and an astronomical observatory.

After Sayacmarca, the surrounding vegetation begins to change as you enter the tropical Amazon rainforest. 30 minutes down the trail you will stop for lunch in ChaquiCocha.

Continuing along the trail, you’ll pass by 2 Inca tunnels carved out of granite rock in the mountainside. The tunnels give way to the third archaeological site of the day Phuyupatamarca, ‘The city above the clouds’. At a height of 3,665 m / 12,024 ft, these ruins are often clouded in jungle mist and are home to ritual baths and fountains which still function in the wet season.

The final stretch of the trail is a descent down 2,000 Inca stone steps, until you arrive at camp, bordering the impressive archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna, ‘Forever Young’ in Quechua. At 2,650 m / 8,694 ft, the complex it situated upon the steep slopes of the hillside, amongst 40 levels of agricultural stepped terraces, overlooking the Urubamba River. Built by the Emperor Pachacutec in the 15th century, it is one of the most famous sites within the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, and was once an important venue for agriculture, religion and administration.

After completing the longest day of the Inca trail, you are welcome to explore the Inca ruins, take a dip in a nearby waterfall or put your feet up at camp whilst enjoying a hearty dinner.

• Estimated walking time : 9 hours
• Total walking distance : 16 km
• Altitude of our camp : 2,700 m / 8,858 ft

DAY 6 – CLASSIC INCA TRAIL (DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO)

With the promise of Machu Picchu on the horizon, you will be woken early at 4am to take breakfast and say goodbye and thank you to the porters and chef. Your wonderful team will be heading back to Cusco with their equipment this morning, leaving you to cross the finish line with only your tour guide.

The final checkpoint of the trail opens at 5:30am, after which you will endure one last climb up the trail to the Inti Punku Sun Gate. After hauling yourself up the steep stone steps, you will be greeted by the most breathtaking, panoramic view of Machu Picchu. At 2,720 m / 8,923 ft, the sun gate is strategically located to welcome noble visitors of the Inca citadel, acting as a control gate for its elite visitors. Aswell as offering one of the most stunning views of the sanctuary of Machu Picchu and its mountains from above, the sacred site is also famed for framing the sunrise during the winter solstice in June.

With a camera full of photos of that unforgettable view, you’ll follow the trail onward to Machu Picchu. Descending for 45 mins to the gates of the Lost city of the Incas at 2,490 m / 8,169 ft.

Once you’ve entered the citadel, you’ll have a 2-hour tour of Machu Picchu. Throughout which your guide will take you on a journey through the rich history of the Inca city, leading you along its famous sites to the legendary panoramic viewpoint. From there you’ll be best poised for the perfect view of Machu Picchu & the iconic bucket list photos you’ve been waiting for.

As you soak up your surroundings, you’ll be guided through the ancient Inca streets to such landmarks as the temple of the sun, the central plaza and the iconic stepped terraces. As well as having time to explore the mysteries of the sanctuary alone.

Once you’ve regrouped with your guide, you’ll descend by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can treat yourself to a well earned lunch in one of Machu Picchu towns’ many restaurants. After lunch, you’ll board a train back to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll be met by your guide and private transport who will take you back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time 8pm.

*There will also be time to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain in this tour after your guided tour of the Inca citadel. However please be aware, this will be an extra cost of $70 USD per person and will involve an extra 2-hours hiking. Return to Cusco will therefore be aboard a later train and arrival time in Cusco will be approx 10pm.*

• Estimated walking time : 3 hours
• Total walking distance : 6 km
• Altitude of Machu Picchu : 2,430 m / 7,972 ft

DAY 7 – CUSCO – AIRPORT TRANSFER – RETURN FLIGHT TO LIMA

Day 7 will begin with breakfast in your hotel in Cusco.

At the appropriate time you’ll be picked up by your driver, and transferred to Cusco airport in plenty time to board your return flight to Lima.