Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
8 Days
Starting From
$4,645.00
10 Days
Starting From
$6,145.00
per person, double occupancy
Want more from your experience?
Add an ExtensionPeru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
The altitude of Machu Picchu takes some getting used to—which is why we’ve designed a gradual introduction to this very special Peruvian adventure. Arrive in Cusco, at 11,000 feet—then journey to a lower altitude for your first walks in the Sacred Valley. Here, the local insight of your Peruvian leaders really shines as they join you in a friendly neighborhood cantina to rub shoulders with the locals over a glass of chicha de jora. With included Inca Rail Passes, you can choose to ride the train all the way to Machu Picchu—or disembark and hike the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate. An optional extension to Lake Titicaca brings you through the lush Andes mountains—and deep into a Peruvian cultural experience you won’t find anywhere else.
Highlights
- Delight in a morning walk on ancient farm paths through the peaceful Andean Highlands.
- Trek a scenic footpath through the lush Andean countryside to Maras village, where the locals still use traditional techniques to mine the terraced saltpans.
- Marvel at mountain and river views from the panoramic windows of the Vistadome train as you make your way down the narrowing valley from Ollantaytambo.
- Hike the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate – the original entrance to Machu Picchu – taking in sweeping views of the ancient ruins from above.
- Discover the ancient Inca capital Cusco on a walking tour of the old city. Enjoy free time to shop for delightful Peruvian crafts, art, woolen textiles and silver jewelry.
Positive Impact
Country Walkers is proud to support Wine to Water with a donation on behalf of each guest on this tour. Wine to Water is an international organization providing access to clean drinking water and emergency supplies in water-challenged regions. We believe in giving back to the places that have enriched the lives of our guests. We’re committed to identifying and supporting sustainable initiatives in a variety of areas including education, world health, economic equality, safe drinking water, the environment, and the preservation of cultural traditions.
Accommodations
Linger Longer with a Tour Extension
2025 Pre-Trip Extension - Lima
- Two nights at Pullman Lima Miraflores
- Airport car service for arrival
- Guided visits in Lima including the Larco Museum
- Daily breakfast, one lunch
- City information
2 Nights From
$
545
per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $195
Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.
Start off your first day in Lima right by having a Country Walkers representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
Included Meals: Breakfast
A County Walkers representative will meet you at 9:00 a.m. in the hotel lobby today for your included exploration of Lima. Today you will visit the Cathedral of Lima, the San Francisco Monastery, and the Larco Museum. The Larco Museum holds the world’s most extensive private collection of pre-Columbian art. You may want to try the local ceviche during an included lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, after an early breakfast, you’ll take complimentary transportation from your Lima hotel to the Jorge Chaves International Airport for your flight to Cusco. A representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and assist with your transportation.
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, gather your luggage and exit the baggage claim to look for a representative holding a Country Walkers sign. Enjoy complimentary transportation to your Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel, about 20 minutes away. Please note that your hotel room may not be available until 2:00 p.m.; however, you may store your luggage at the reception desk while you explore the city.
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure—perhaps explore the city, rest up in the hotel, or select a local restaurant for lunch and dinner. We provide detailed city information to help you plan your day.
Once you arrive in Cusco, it is advisable to rest and avoid strenuous activity as your body acclimates to the altitude (10,900 feet / 3,322 meters). Also, be aware of dehydration and drink plenty of water to help prevent altitude sickness. A couple of hours’ rest at this time will go a long way toward feeling more comfortable later.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Pullman Lima Miraflores
2025 Post-Trip Extension - Peruvian Amazon
- Two nights at Reserva Amazonica Lodge
- Flights between Cusco, Puerto Maldonado, and Lima
- Airport car service for arrival and departure
- Choice of daily guided explorations including the Twilight River Boat Ride & Rainforest by Night Walk Entrance to Lake Sandoval (INRENA), and Canopy Walkway
- 6 meals—2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- City information
2 Nights From
$
1195
per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
Breakfast is from 5:00-10:00 a.m. Today, you may choose to enjoy an excursion to Lake Sandoval. After a 30-minute boat ride to the Tambopata National Reserve, wildlife surrounds you during a one-hour walk to reach the lake. Then, glide in a wooden canoe across a beautiful oxbow lake. This area is home to the endangered giant river otter as well as red howler monkeys, macaws, prehistoric hoatzins, anacondas, point-tailed palm creepers, and side-neck turtles. Spend two hours on the lake delighting in all that it has to offer.
After lunch, perhaps you will discover the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway. A five-minute boat ride takes you to the Inkaterra Canopy Interpretation Center. After ascending the first tower, at 95 feet above the forest floor, you will walk through the treetops for one hour, along suspension bridges that link eight observation platforms. Enjoy landscapes and vistas that would be practically unimaginable from below, while you take in views of giant strangler fig trees, orchids, toucans, woodpeckers, trogons, and—with luck—monkeys and sloths. After your descent from the canopy, a 30-minute walk through the jungle gives you a chance to see the Amazon from a different perspective. In this lush ecosystem, you may observe various species of amphibians, birds, mammals, insects, and flora. At the end of your walk, return to the lodge.
Dinner is in the main dining room tonight. Then fall asleep to the song of the Amazon.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend the morning relaxing. You may purchase a snack or lunch at the Lodge, but you need to notify the staff by 10:00 a.m. to do so.
In the early afternoon, journey by boat and van to the Puerto Maldonado airport for your flight home via Lima. Upon arrival, check in to comfortable rooms for day use. Tonight, dinner is at your leisure before returning to the airport for overnight flights departing in the late evening. Your flights may arrive at your final destination in North America the following day.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Reserva Amazonica Lodge
This was an unforgettable trip with absolutely wonderful guides. We hiked and ate great food, but there was also so much more as the guides introduced us to the culture and history of Peru. The excursion was filled with insights as we shared their passion for the country.
Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
Country Walkers packed a lot into our Peru trip. Our 2 local guides, Jorge and Miquel, were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, courteous, and went the extra mile. Waters and snacks were plentiful each day. The boutique hotels were beautiful, immaculate, and convenient. The meals exceeded all of our expectations. The scenery was ever changing and so interesting. Hiking up to Machu Picchu and entering via the Sun Gate was the highlight as it was such an inspiring walk. That lunch was so delicious too. I would highly recommend the Peru tour to anyone who loves the outdoors and loves culture, food, and natural beauty.
Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
Expert Local Leaders
Experience your destination like an insider with people who call it home.
Boris Bonnet
Born and raised in Cusco, Boris has been guiding travelers through his homeland for over 20 years. After graduating from the University of San Antonio de Abad, Boris found his calling-introducing travelers to the rich tapestry of Peruvian cultural folklore, spiritual mysticism, and traditional local cuisine that feeds both body and soul.
Sergio Prieto
Born and raised in Cusco, Sergio Prieto attended the University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Cusco, one of the oldest universities in South America. An experienced guide, Sergio knows the key to a successful and enjoyable trip is not only sharing information about a place but also immersing guests in the local culture while providing a deep understanding of an area’s history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage.
Miguel Vergara
A native of Peru, Miguel Stalin Vergara Ugarte studied tourism at Andina University of Cusco and started guiding trips along the Inca Trail in 2004. Miguel’s passion lies in pre-Incan and Incan cultures and he makes great effort to retain his ancestral Andean traditions, particularly around folk medicine, rituals, and music. In fact, when not guiding or hiking in the surrounding mountains, you are likely to find Miguel entertaining his wife and children playing pre-Hispanic musical instruments.
Jorge Olivera
Jorge Olivera, a native of Cusco, is passionate about hiking and sharing the rich history of Peru with travelers from around the globe. As a veteran guide with over a decade of experience, Jorge is a boundless source of knowledge of local culture and gastronomy and looks to give guests unforgettable memories and an experience of a lifetime when they visit his home country.