Discover Peru’s Lost City of the Incas
Your TourHero
This trip is looking for a TourHero! If you love to travel and love to organize, get your crew together and make this trip your own! When 5 or more people book this trip, you can travel for free. Chat with us below to get started!
Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Travel Date
Mar 19 – 23, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
6 – 16
Transportation
Van (Transporter Volkswagen or similar), Train, Plane
Tour Price
Your Fellow Explorers
Age range
19 – 25
Travel interest
Hiking, nature, culture, photography
Your Local Guide
With a passion for creating unique and customizable itineraries that highlight authentic experiences in Peru, the team at Peru InsideOut ensures that no two trips with them are ever the same. Their pioneering spirit takes visitors to dynamic and unforgettable places, offering insights into city life, history, wildlife and nature. With years of experience, local knowledge and training, every trip is a varied delight from start to finish. Let the knowledgeable guides from Peru InsideOut do all the hard work for you, so you can simply concentrate on the adventure of a lifetime.
In this adventure-packed itinerary, get up close and personal with the fascinating lost citadel that is Machu Picchu, a mystical remnant of the ancient Inca civilization. Towering high above lush vegetation and dreamy mists on the eastern slope of the Andes, this wonder of the world is a bucket list for many. With its diverse ecosystems, terrains and cultures, Peru is a gem for the adventurous thrillseeker and curious traveller.
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.
Your TourHero
This trip is looking for a TourHero! If you love to travel and love to organize, get your crew together and make this trip your own! When 5 or more people book this trip, you can travel for free. Chat with us below to get started!
Duration
5 days · 4 nights
Travel Date
Mar 19 – 23, 2022
Activity Level
Moderate
Group Size
6 – 16
Transportation
Van (Transporter Volkswagen or similar), Train, Plane
In this adventure-packed itinerary, get up close and personal with the fascinating lost citadel that is Machu Picchu, a mystical remnant of the ancient Inca civilization. Towering high above lush vegetation and dreamy mists on the eastern slope of the Andes, this wonder of the world is a bucket list for many. With its diverse ecosystems, terrains and cultures, Peru is a gem for the adventurous thrillseeker and curious traveller.
Timeline
- Day 1 · Lima
- Arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport
- ~ 30 mins van
- Check-in at 1900 Backpackers Hostel (or similar according to availability)
- Free afternoon – explore Lima
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 2 · Lima and Cusco
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Lima city tour
- Lunch (not included in price)
- ~ 1 hr 15 mins plane
- Check-in at Supertramp Hostel Cusco
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 3 · Sacred Valley of the Incas
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Sacred Valley of the Incas tour
- Lunch in Urubamba
- ~ 1 hr 30 mins train
- Check-in at Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 4 · Machu Picchu and Cusco
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- Sunrise Machu Picchu tour
- Check out of Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes
- ~ 1 hr 30 mins train
- Check-in at Supertramp Hostel Cusco
- Dinner (not included in price)
- Day 5 · Departure
- Breakfast (not included in price)
- ~ 1 hr 15 mins plane
- Journey ends in Lima
Details
Day 1
Welcome to Lima — the beating heart of Peru
Upon arrival to this exciting and vibrant Peruvian capital, you'll be picked up from the airport and transferred to your accommodation for the night, the 1900 Backpackers Hostel. Filled with colonial-era riches and deeply rooted in culture, Lima is postcard-perfect at every turn. As the only South American city that faces the ocean and a melting pot of different cultures, it is no surprise that Lima has rightfully earned the title of gastronomic capital of Latin America. After a late afternoon briefing with your guide about your tour tomorrow, enjoy the rest of your evening as you please, whether you're exploring Lima by foot - or by mouth!
Day 2
Learn about thousands of years' worth of rich history and cultures condensed into a half-day city tour of Lima
Your day tour of Lima begins with a view of the incredible archaeological site of Huaca Pucllana, a staggering adobe pyramid not to be missed. This city was the ceremonial and administrative heart of the Lima Culture, a society which developed in the Peruvian Central Coast between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD. Your next stop will be in downtown Lima, where you'll visit important UNESCO sites such as the Government Palace, Plaza Mayor, San Martin Square and Cathedral - and learn a whole lot about the city's rich history! The last stop of the tour will be a visit to the bohemian quartier of Barranco, which has garnered a reputation for being the coolest neighborhood in the city. After having lunch at your leisure, you'll be transferred to the airport in the afternoon where you'll be flying into Cusco. After a quick flight, you'll be transferred to your accommodation of the night, the eclectic and much-loved Supertramp Hostel.
Day 3
Get your camera ready as you embark on the epic Sacred Valley of the Incas tour
After breakfast at your leisure, you'll begin the day's excursion through the Urubamba valley, also known as the 'Sacred Valley of the Incas'. Located about 500m (1500ft) lower than Cusco at 2900m (9514ft), this trek will help ease into the high altitudes. Your first stop of the day will be the unmissable and bustling Pisac market, where you'll experience authentic local culture and way of life - be awed at the intricate craftsmanship of local artisans hard at work, and even try your hand at bartering for handmade goods! After a local meal for lunch served in the city of Urubamba, you'll continue on to a scenic train ride to Ollantaytambo, a well-preserved example of the superiority of Inca city planning. Be prepared to have your breath taken away by the stunning lush vistas that lay at your feet - you'll want to make sure you have extra camera batteries for this!
Day 4
Experience the grandeur of Machu Picchu at sunrise, the emerald gem rising from the Andes
Today you'll be experiencing the true gem of Peru and the world wonder that has captured the hearts and imagination of so many - Machu Picchu. You'll be ready at 6:00 AM (it's worth it, we promise!) at the entrance gates for sunrise, known as Inkti Punku. This is a transformative and spiritual journey where you'll get to see the sun rise above mystical and surreal clouds to illuminate the wonder that is Machu Picchu. Your tour guide will share secrets and mindblowing facts about the history of Machu Picchu - this will be a truly unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience! You'll then hop on a shuttle bus back to Aguas Calientes later in the afternoon and then by train to Ollantaytambo, where a driver will pick you up to return to Cusco. You'll spend the night back at the Supertramp Hotel Cusco.
Day 5
Journey ends in Lima
Good morning! After breakfast at your own leisure, you'll be transferred to the airport where you'll take your return flight back to Lima. What a wonderful adventure it's been - hasta la vista!
Accommodation
1900 Backpackers Hostel (or similar according to availability)
The 1900 Backpackers Hostel attracts a young, fun and friendly crowd with its plethora of free activities, from yoga classes every morning to learning how to make your own ceviche. Their charming 1900 old school bar serves up cheap drinks, too! Its central location in front of the Lima Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum also makes it an ideal place to stay during your time in the city. Room type: 12-bed dorm or 8-bed dorm.
Supertramp Hostel Cusco (or similar according to availability)
Supertramp Hostel is a beautiful and eclectic hostel located in the historic center of Cusco right next to the alternative bohemian district San Blas. To Cusco's main square and main attractions it's only approx. 10 minutes by foot. The main entrance to the famous Inca ruins of Sacsayhuaman are only a few steps away. Room type: 12-bed dorm or 8-bed dorm.
Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes (or similar according to availability)
Located in the urban heart of Machu Picchu, Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes provides a welcome and comforting respite after a long day of trekking. With a rooftop bar and a private restaurant (Palate) just next door, travelers love staying here - especially to meet fellow travelers! Room type: 12-bed dorm or 8-bed dorm.
Included
- Transfers in and out in every city
- 1 night in 1900 Backpackers Hostel (or similar)
- 2 nights in Supertramp Hostel Cusco (or similar)
- 1 night in Supertramp Hostel Aguas Calientes (or similar)
- Shared occupancy in accommodation
- Day 3 lunch
- Private group tours - Lima City Tour and Sacred Valley
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
- Train ticket Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu and the ruins
- Services of experienced and qualified English speaking local guides as mentioned in the itinerary
- 24/7 guest support
Not included
- Flights
- All food not mentioned in inclusions
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Visitax and Environmental tax
Cancellation policy
Refunds for deposits
If you cancel your trip after placing a deposit but before your card on file is charged for the full payment, you can request a full refund of your deposit up to 30 days before the tour departure.
Refunds for fully-paid trips
If you cancel your trip after making the full payment, you may change or cancel your trip up to 30 days before the tour departure for a refund.
- Consistently rated as one of the top hostels in Lima, 1900 Backpackers Hostel is a favorite amongst young travelers. - Hostel World
- The majestic lost city of the Incas. - Agnieszka Mordaunt
- Vivid and eclectic, the Supertramp Hostel was designed for vagabonds - by vagabonds. - Supertramp Hostel
- Ceviche is a South American seafood dish that originated in Peru, typically made from fresh raw fish cured in fresh citrus juices, most commonly lemon or lime, but historically made with the juice of bitter orange. - Laurentiu Morariu
- Huaca Pucllana is a great adobe and clay pyramid located in the Miraflores district of central Lima, Peru, built from seven staggered platforms. It served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for the advancement of the Lima Culture, a society which developed in the Peruvian Central Coast between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD. - Wikimedia
- Be sure to try a pisco sour, considered by cocktail connoisseurs to be a South American classic; Chile and Peru both claim the pisco sour as their national drink, and each asserts ownership of the cocktail's base liquor. - Lorena Samponi
- Lima's Plaza Mayor. - Wikimedia
- Come see why Barranco has earned itself the reputation of being Lima's coolest neighborhood. - The Tiny Travelogue
- Practice your bartering skills at the local Pisac market. - Along Dusty Roads
- Vistas of lush emerald vegetation await you. - Serena's Lenses
- Llamas and alpacas live all around Machu Picchu. - Nathalie Marquis
- Be in awe of both Inca engineering and the grandeur of the Andes mountain range. - Adriana Aceves
- Hostel in Aguas Calientes - Tripadvisor
- Cusco is a delightful city to explore. - Joe Green