Peru: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley & Cusco with Anisha

Welcome to Peru, where a once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits you! We’ll meet you at Cusco Airport, and once acquainted, will take you on a scenic journey to the Sacred Valley. Almost as soon as we’ve left the airport, we’ll be in the Andes where mountains spread out as far as the eye can see. We’ll take the time to stop en route, so you can experience the very best viewpoints and get snapping with your camera. Lunch will be taken at the beautiful Piuray Lake, before we complete the journey to your hotel, situated in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Once checked-in, the rest of the day is yours to do as you please. Relax and unwind, or why not head outside and take a look at some of Peru’s greatest sights and heights.

Wake up and get stretching - today’s your first full-day in the Sacred Valley! After a hearty breakfast, we’ll travel to the village of Ollantaytambo. We’ll explore the sacred landscape with an expert guide in this village that’s virtually unchanged since Inca times.

Today, you're in for a culinary treat – you'll be feasting on a traditional Andean lunch known as Pachamanca. This Quechua word means “earth pot” which relates to the dish in which the meal is baked and seeing the whole experience of making the food on this open farm is half the fun! The meal includes a welcome cocktail based on Caña Alta, cuts of lamb, pork and chicken marinated in Andean herbs, fresh salads, seasonal root vegetables, peruvian sauces, purple chica, the desssert of the day, and an Andean elixir shot! Truly a feast for citadels! After lunch, we'll visit the amazing Pinkulluna viewpoint - here you’ll see what’s in store for tomorrow.

Rise and shine, for today we’ll begin the hike to Machu Picchu, via a shortened two-day Inca Trail. Following breakfast we’ll catch a train towards Chanchabamba, and complete the rest of the route on foot. Here we’ll visit a small but important Inca site, once used for storage and transport to the neighboring heights of Machu Picchu. We’ll continue the trail, with views of snow-capped mountains and the breathtaking vista of the Urubamba River, until we reach a waterfall. Enjoy the pleasures of alpine bathing, before we continue to the magnificent Inca terraces of Wiñaywayna, located at 2,700 m. After lunch, we’ll reach the Sun Gate, where the first sight of the magical Machu Picchu comes into view. Take some time to soak up the atmosphere as you’ll be scaling the peak tomorrow! Finish off the day with a short journey to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you can grab some much-deserved RnR. Note: If you do not wish to hike and prefer to have a free day then go to Machu Picchu by train, please let us know upon booking. Price remains the same.

Today’s the big day, so get those legs warmed up before we set off this morning! Following a bus ride up the steep, zigzagging road to Machu Picchu, you’ll enjoy a fully-guided excursion around one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Here you’ll learn all the secrets of the ancient Inca culture and enjoy dramatic views of the Andean mountains wherever you look. Following some three hours at the citadel site, we’ll return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have time to explore this famous village at the foot of the mountain. Later, transfer to your hotel in Cusco and enjoy a fabulously rewarding sleep.

Today can be as relaxing or as strenuous as you choose to make it! Once you’ve recovered from yesterday’s exertions, you’ll have one of Peru’s most exciting cities at your disposal. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cusco is a delight for the senses and wonderful to explore on foot. Be sure to take in the Main Square, San Francisco Church, Koricancha Temple, and San Pedro Market. Take a stroll through Cuesta San Blas and visit the local craft workshops and galleries. Alongside ancient ruins and stone architecture, Cusco has a wonderful vibrancy, so don’t forget to take some time out, grab a coffee and simply breathe in the atmosphere! This is a great opportunity to pick-up some souvenirs and enjoy a celebratory evening with your fellow explorers.

You have one final day in Peru. What will you do? You can explore the city or take an optional trip to Rainbow Mountain. We'll start early as we make our way to the high mountain landscapes of Rainbow Mountain. We leave and travel for about two and a half hours towards the side valleys of the Ausangate Mountain Range, where our hike begins. From here, we'll be hiking approximately 7 km in total, 3. 5 up and 3. 5 down towards the peak of Rainbow Mountain. This high-altitude hike begins at about 4, 500 m and ends at 5, 200 m. , Making it reasonably demanding. Although it's not an easy adventure, the surreal landscape of the area makes this journey well worth the effort. After some time at the top, we begin our return hike and then drive back to Cusco, where we should be arriving at around 4.30 pm. Then, you can enjoy one final dinner in this sacred city.

Where did the time go?! Sadly today marks the end of your amazing adventure, but what stories you’ll have to tell the people back home! Enjoy one last Peruvian breakfast and say goodbye to your new friends before we transfer to the airport. Now’s the time to pinch yourself because yes, that amazing adventure really did just happen! Here’s to the next time.