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Itinerary
Day 1
NOTE: The below is a sample itinerary for a popular extension option to see the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Many of our guests, whether in the Galapagos or in Patagonia, will add this itinerary to their trip or custom build one with us. Please contact us with any questions. We are eager to help!
Arrive Lima
Upon arrival, on the first day of your trip to Peru, you will be welcomed by a Peru Unbound representative and transfered to your hotel, After check in you will have a briefing in which you will be handed your “Travel kit” which includes all your travel documents such as itinerary, flight, train and bus tickets, and hotel information.
Overnight in Lima.
Day 2
Lima – Cusco – Sacred Valley
At 07:00 hrs. Transfer from your hotel to Lima Airport for your one and a half hour flight, over the Andes Mountains to Cusco, the heart of the Inca Empire. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport in Cusco and escorted to your hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On route you will visit the town of Pisac, a picturesque Andean Village, best known for its traditional market. The market’s main day is Sunday, when locals from all over the region arrive at Pisac to sell their products, however the market does operate the rest of the week.
After visiting Pisac, continue to Urubamba were you will enjoy lunch and a Peruvian Paso Horse presentation and after we will visit Ollantaytambo, with its distinct Inca urban planning. Visit the religious, astronomical and military complex and marvel at huge boulders of nearly 60 metric tons which were moved to this site by the Incas.
Finally, continue to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Day 3
HIKE OPTION:
Ollantaytambo – km 104 – Machu Picchu:
At 05:15 hrs. approx. You will be transferred from your hotel to the train station at Ollanta, where you will board your train to KM 104. Here you will start your trek towards the archaeological site of Chachabamba (2150m/7052ft) and Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692f), you will hike upwards for about 8km, approximately 4 hours, until you reach the Inca Site of, Wiñay Wayna. This is an impressive complex made up of an agricultural center with numerous terraces, a religious sector and an urban sector.
We will then continue to Inti Punku ‘The Sun Gate’ which will take about one hour and from this point we can admire the Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (2400m/7874f). (Pls note that tour of the Sanctuary will be provided the next day).
Finally we will take the shuttle bus down the hill to the village of Machu Picchu, where you will overnight. Dinner is included at the hotel.
Day 4
Machu Picchu – Cusco:
This morning you will take the shuttle bus up to Machu Picchu (approximately 20 minutes). This stone citadel, located 112 km from Cusco, was discovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. The citadel was built on a very special spot covered in vegetation between two mountains: the Machu Picchu (old mountain) and Huayna Picchu (young mountain), at the foot of which meanders the Urubamba or Vilcanota River (lower Jungle featuring abundant flora and fauna). On arrival we will begin the tour of the Sanctuary.
Entrance Huayna Picchu is included.
Buffet lunch will be served at the Sanctuary Lodge and in the afternoon, take the first class train back to Poroy. Reception at the train station and private transfer to hotel in Cusco.
Day 5
Cusco - Lima
At 08:30 hrs. Departure from your hotel to begin your visit to Cusco’s Historical Inca and Spanish Colonial Monuments, such as the Main Square, known in Inca times as Huacaypata or the Warrior’s Square, it was the scene for many key events in Cusco’s history. The Cathedral, originally built on the site of the old temple of Suntur Wasi (House of God), now the church of El Triunfo, a particular interest are the choir cloisters, the pulpit, the engravings on the altar and furniture.
Continue onto the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, a Spanish construction belonging to the Dominican Order built upon the foundations of the Inca temple of Koricancha or Temple of the Sun. Koricancha (in quechua, site of gold) was the main religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the Sun and whose walls, according to the chroniclers, were plated with sheets of gold. Magnificent blocks of finely carved stone were used in its construction.
After, you will visit the surrounding ruins of the city of Cusco and Sacsayhuamán, a huge Inca fortress which is built on three overlapping platforms, each of them over 360 m long.
Finally, enjoy lunch at another of Cusco´s best restaurants before being transferred to the local airport to board your flight to Lima.
Upon arrival to Lima, reception at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 6
Lima - Home
Dates & Rates
Supplementary Information
Departures: Trips are custom-priced based on dates, availability, number of travelers, level of accommodations and specific activities. Pricing listed is based on a 6 day tour for 2 guests sharing Tourist Superior accomodations. Please contact for specific pricing.
FAQ & More
What is Included?
Included Private transportation for all the services Bilingual guide for all the services Tourist tickets for the tour in Sacred Valley Meals mentioned in the program Vistadome train round trip Inca Trail entrance fee km 104 Bus Down to Aguas Calientes Bus up and down to Machu Picchu Hotel for 2 nights in Sacred Valley Hotel for 1 night in Aguas Calientes Hotel for 2 nights in Cusco
What is Not Included?
Flights Tickets Tips Extra expenses not mentioned
Do I need a Visa?
Most travelers do not need visas; travelers of most nationalities are granted a 90 day tourist visa. All nationalities, however, need a tourist or embarkation card (tarjeta de embarque) to enter Peru, issued at the customs or on the plane before landing in Lima.
Are there any special events in Peru during the year?
Like most in South America, Peruvians love any excuse for a celebration and the country enjoys a huge number of religious ceremonies, festivals and local events. Carnival time (generally late Feb.) is especially lively almost everywhere in the country, with fiestas held every Sunday. Tours to Machu Picchu during these requires a bit more planning in advance for airfare prices calendar of major public holidays & festivals:
February Carnival - Celebrated most of the month prior to Lent throughout the whole country.
March/April Easter (Holy Week) - Fantastic parades all over Peru. ROW Adventures like the one in Cusco!
June 24 Inti Raymi - Cusco's main Inca Festival of the Sun. A great time to tour the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
August 13 - 19 Arequipa Week - Parades, firework displays, plenty of folklore, dancing, and craft markets.
September End of the month Festival of Spring - Involves dancing, particularly the local Marinera dance.
October 18 - 28 Lord of Miracles - Festival featuring large and solemn processions.
When should I visit Peru?
Difficult to answer, this is really a question of personal preference. The busy season is June to August and it's also the driest part of the year in Machu Picchu. If you don't mind being a little wet while avoiding a heavy flow of visitors, Machu Picchu in December and January is absolutely perfect for you. It's important to remember that tours to Machu Picchu happen all year round but the Inca Trail is closed in February each year.
What currency is used in Peru?
The current Peruvian currency, the Nuevo Sol - whose symbol is S/. Simply called a "Sol" . In Lima and Cuzco (and most other cities), Euros are as acceptable as US dollars for changing into soles.