Welcome to Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire and the perfect starting point for your Peruvian adventure. Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), you’ll be met and transferred to the Andenes Hotel for check-in, allowing you to settle in comfortably and begin acclimating to the altitude (over 11,000 ft). Enjoy a walking tour of Cusco, wandering its cobblestone streets and exploring nearby artisan markets, or simply relax and soak in the city’s timeless charm before the journey ahead. In the evening, gather with your guide and fellow travelers for a warm welcome and trip briefing over dinner at Limo, before returning to the hotel to rest.​

Optional: Arrive a day or two early to acclimate to the altitude and explore Cusco's vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and rich history.

Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Andenes Hotel
Daily Activities: Walking city tour

Leave the city behind as you travel into the lush, terraced landscapes of the Sacred Valley. Begin your day in Chinchero, a village known for its Inca ruins and rich traditions. Then, choose your path: walk along ancient Inca trails to Urquillos on a scenic downhill hike, or opt for a cultural visit to the fascinating circular terraces of Moray and the salt mines of Maras.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Lamay Lodge
Daily Activities: Optional hiking activity: ~ 5 miles, 3 hours, ~ 2,500 feet elevation loss
Optional cultural activity: Exploration of the Moray agricultural complex

Dive deeper into the Sacred Valley’s charm with a morning hike from the village of Amaru to Viacha, or browse the colorful artisan market in Pisaq. Reunite with the group in Viacha to learn about traditional Andean farming, followed by an optional hike or ride to the Pisaq ruins. Cap off your day with a festive Pachamanca dinner at the lodge.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Box Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Lamay Lodge
Daily Activities: Optional hiking activity: ~ 5 miles, 3 hours, ~ 1,200 feet elevation +/-
Optional cultural activity: Guided Pisaq tour & Viacha visit

The day begins with a visit to Lamay and a guided tour of the Ancasmarca archaeological site. In the afternoon, choose between a cultural visit to a remote village to meet locals and learn from the community, or an active hike to Huacahuasi—from either Quelquena or Cuncani—passing turquoise lakes and towering mountain peaks.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Huacahuasi Lodge
Daily Activities: Optional hiking activities: ~ 2-4 miles, 2-4 hours, ~ 900- 1,400 feet elevation +/-
Optional cultural activity: Remote village textile weaving experience

Begin the day with a cultural visit to the village of Huacahuasi, where you’ll learn about daily life, heritage, and traditional weaving as local farmers and artisans share stories woven into textiles rich with Inca symbolism. Afterward, return to the lodge for a hands-on Peruvian cooking class and lunch.

For a more active experience, choose a gentle hike to nearby waterfalls or challenge yourself with a full-day trek from Quiswarani to Cuncani along the famed Trail of 1,000 Lakes. This high-altitude hike crosses dramatic mountain passes and offers sweeping views of lakes, valleys, and herds of alpacas and llamas.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Huacahuasi Lodge
Daily Activities: Optional hiking activities: ~ 1.5 miles, 2 hours (easy), ~ 5.5 miles, 6.5 hours, 2,600 feet elevation +/- (challenging)
Optional cultural activity: Visit Huacahuasi and cooking class lunch

This morning, your journey leads to the highland village of Huilloc, where the past feels strikingly present. If you're drawn to cultural connection, spend the morning with a local Quechua community, where ancient Inca traditions are not just remembered, they’re lived. Learn the meanings behind intricate weavings, join in age-old customs, and hear stories passed down through generations.

Prefer to stretch your legs? Set off on a scenic hike to the archaeological site of Pumamarka. Nestled among terraced hillsides, the site offers both quiet reflection and stunning views. After a picnic lunch at the ruins, your adventure continues. Travel by foot or vehicle through a patchwork of valleys and stone paths to the village of Ollantaytambo. With its cobblestone streets and towering fortress, this “living Inca town” is more than a stopover, it’s a living chapter of history and your home base for the journey to Machu Picchu.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Partner Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Daily Activities: Optional hiking activities: ~ 3-4 miles, 3 hours, ~ 100- 900 feet elevation +/-
Optional cultural activity: Explore enchanting Ollantaytambo village

Today presents one of the most memorable choices of your journey: how you’ll arrive at the foot of legendary Machu Picchu.

Choose the classic route and begin with a guided exploration of the majestic Ollantaytambo ruins, an extraordinary example of Inca engineering. Continue by boarding the Vistadome train for a scenic ride through the lush Urubamba Valley, arriving in Aguas Calientes as anticipation builds with every mile.

For travelers seeking a deeper challenge, an unforgettable alternative is available subject to availability and additional cost: the KM 104 Inca Trail hike. This full-day, challenging trek (6–7 hours) winds through cloud forests and ancient ruins, culminating at the Sun Gate with your first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu. However you arrive, the evening is yours to rest in Aguas Calientes—enjoy a warm meal, a hot shower, and the quiet thrill of knowing that tomorrow, the Lost City of the Incas awaits.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Partner hotel in Aguas Calientes
Daily Activities: Optional hiking activity: ~ 6 miles, 6 hours, ~ 3,000 feet elevation +/-
Optional cultural activity: Visit to the Machu Picchu citadel (subject to additional cost)

Start your day with an early morning bus ride up to Machu Picchu, the “sanctuary” of the Incas. Explore the citadel on a guided tour, marveling at the Watchtower, Temple of the Sun, and royal residences, and take a quiet moment to soak in the mystical atmosphere of this iconic site.

Afterward, you can opt for a hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain for breathtaking views of the Urubamba Valley and the edge of the Amazon. Note: Huayna Picchu tickets are subject to availability and an additional cost. Lunch follows in Aguas Calientes before a scenic Vistadome train ride back to Ollantaytambo and a transfer to your Cusco hotel, completing the day’s unforgettable adventure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Andenes Hotel
Daily Activities: Optional hiking activitiy (subject to availability & additional cost): ~ 2.5 miles, 3 hours, ~ 900 feet elevation +/-
Optional cultural activity: Free exploration of Machu Picchu citadel

Your Peruvian journey comes to a close today. Take the morning at your own pace, whether you're heading to the airport or choosing to extend your adventure with more time in Cusco or beyond. Wherever the road leads next, we wish you safe travels and unforgettable memories.

Included Meals: Breakfast