Compare Machu Picchu Luxury Tour by HE Travel vs Peru with Machu Picchu 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Days 1-2: Lima

There are no activities scheduled on the arrival day, so you can schedule your flights to arrive in the evening of Day 1 or during the night. Whenever you arrive, we offer a transfer to our hotel, where rooms have been reserved starting from the evening of Day 1.

On Day 2, we enjoy a full day tour of Lima including the Colonial section, the cathedral, San Francisco Church, and the presidential palace. We will also visit a private art collection and a Museum showcasing Peru’s heritage. This evening we enjoy dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant overlooking a pre-Incan site.

Days 3-4: Cusco to Sacred Valley

In the morning we transfer from our Lima hotel to the airport for the scenic one-hour flight over the Andes to Cusco.

Upon arrival at the Cusco Airport, we will transfer to our private air-conditioned van for a ride into the Sacred Valley. We drive over the Pampa de Anta Pass, then descend a steep mountain road into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the loveliest valleys on earth. Look for llamas, women dressed in colorful clothing and stunning mountain vistas as we make our way through the valley. During our two days in the Sacred Valley, we will visit the Incan ruins at Ollantaytambo. We spend the next two nights in our unique hotel that captures the essence of the Valley. A day in this beautiful and fertile valley provides us with a restful interlude between our busy days of sightseeing. A short morning drive takes us to Pisac, with its extensive Inca terraces, the remains of a royal palace and a colorful market. After lunch at a private hacienda, the afternoon is at leisure.

Days 5-6: Machu Picchu

Today, we drive to Ollanta station where we board the train for Machu Picchu. Riding along the Urubamba River is an exciting and visually stunning experience. We pass through narrow gorges and see lovely terraced fields verdant with vegetation high up in the mountains. Our home for two nights is the fine Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, managed by Orient-Express. Lunch will be served upon arrival.

Just beyond the terrace of our hotel is Machu Picchu, a complete Inca city high on a mountain saddle, sometimes hidden in a forest of clouds. Its steeply terraced slopes fall away to the river, which rushes through a great hairpin bend 1,200 feet below. The Spaniards supposedly never found it, and for centuries it remained unknown, untouched and overgrown with vegetation. In 1911, Dr. Hiram Bingham rediscovered it and brought it to the world’s attention. Since then, Machu Picchu has attracted travelers, explorers and archeologists. Much has been written and revealed about this great city, but much is still debated and unknown.

Over the next two days, we will have plenty of time to contemplate the mystery of this fascinating site as we walk among the ancient ruins of staircases, temples and a sundial. Nothing is more delightful than stretching out on a blanket alongside the Inca walls amidst the wildflowers, lying in the sun, reading, writing up travel notes, or daydreaming.

Dawn is an incredible sight at Machu Picchu. As the clouds part and the sun appears over the tops of the snow-capped Andean peaks, the light begins to color the ancient stones. Shadows and light transform the ancient city. If you wish you can be awakened early to hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, a challenging climb of about an hour and a half (not recommended when wet), and return to the hotel for a well-earned breakfast.

During our time here, we can return to the Inca city at our leisure, making additional hikes to the Sun Gate or to the curious Inca drawbridge, or simply relaxing in this unique place.

Days 7-8: Cusco

Our last morning at the Sanctuary Lodge is free for one final personal exploration of Machu Picchu. After lunch (on your own) we take the bus from our hotel down to the railroad station in the valley, and return to Cusco by train and bus, a journey of approximately four hours.

For our stay in Cusco, our accommodations are at the stylish Hotel Monasterio, a restored 16th century monastery now managed by Orient-Express. The traditional Spanish-style rooms are beautifully appointed and offer oxygen enrichment for those who feel affected by the altitude. The courtyard, dining area and main hall offer a quiet charm unknown in most hotel experiences. Dinner is on your own this evening, with a wealth of fascinating restaurants to choose from in the nearby main square.

On our morning tour of Cusco we see the great Spanish colonial churches and palaces built upon massive Inca stone foundations. The cathedral is atop the Inca Wiracocha’s palace. Santo Domingo Church stands upon the huge semi-circular walls of Coricancha, the Inca temple dedicated to the sun. To saunter along the cobbled streets of Cusco is to see archaeology come to life. Lunch is on your own, then dinner is at a very special restaurant inside a museum.

Day 9: Departure

In the middle of the day we transfer from our hotel to the airport for the one-hour flight to Lima. Travelers leaving in the late evening can make arrangements for a day room at a hotel by Lima Airport, sightseeing or last-minute shopping. Individual extensions to an Amazon eco-lodge or to a private island in Lake Titicaca may also be available following our tour. Please contact us if you would like to extend your Peruvian holiday.

Day 1: Welcome to Lima

Arrive in Lima for the first day of your journey. In the evening meet your Travel Director and fellow travelers at the hotel bar for a welcome dinner and drinks.

Day 2: Explore Lima Relaxed Start

Explore the colourful capital of Peru this morning with your Local Expert. Delve into its colonial past and see key attractions, including the Cathedral of Lima, the Government Palace, the Archbishop’s Palace and City Hall. Visit the San Francisco Monastery and its underground cemetery. One for those with an appreciation for art, head to Museo Larco, a private museum located in Lima’s Pueblo Libre District. It is the highest-rated museum in South America and houses the largest collection of Pre-Columbian art. Indulge in a Highlight Lunch with an 18th-century garden as your backdrop. After lunch, meet a local guide who will take you around the Museo Larco and share the museum’s private collection with you. Delve into Peruvian culture, its ancient history and the country's religious beliefs. Return to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 3: Lima to Sacred Valley

Take a transfer to the airport in the morning, where you'll catch your flight to the ancient capital of Cusco. Begin your tour of the Sacred Valley, while taking in impressive views on your scenic drive along the way. After a few stunning photo stops, enjoy lunch at Altar Inca, surrounded by some of the most impressive views of the region. Enjoy a leisurely trip to your hotel for the next couple of nights, where the evening is yours to do as you please. We recommend that you rest in order to adjust to the altitude comfortably.

Day 4: Explore Sacred Valley Relaxed Start

Start the morning off with a visit to the Maras salt pans, where the Incas harvested their salt. Today, the salt from Maras is exported to the entire world. Move on to an Incan laboratory in Moray, an archaeological site close to Cusco. Find out more about the ideal altitude to grow crops in the Sacred Valley. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience as you visit a local traditional Quechua weaver in the Sacred Valley and learn about the importance these textiles have in shaping personal and regional identities. Afterward, make your way to Laguna Piuray, where you’ll enjoy a Pachamanca, a traditional Peruvian feast, for your Highlight Lunch. In the evening, transfer to Hacienda Huayoccari, where you'll discover this gem of the Sacred Valley while exploring its grounds and small museum. Sit down for a special Peruvian dinner before heading back to your hotel, the luxurious Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel.

Day 5: Explore Machu Picchu

Transfer to the station for your IncaRail train ride. Enjoy lunch on your way to Machu Picchu pueblo, the gateway village to Machu Picchu. On the way, visit the Ollantaytambo ruins, followed by a stop at a local house in the village’s cobblestoned old town and visit with the family living there. In the afternoon, visit Machu Picchu, where you’ll meet your Local Experts for a guided visit in small groups. They will take you through the ruins and explain their historical and archaeological significance, as well as the importance of their location. Set high in the Andes Mountains, it offers spectacular scenery and history, dating back to the 15th century. End your day with a relaxing dinner and drinks at your hotel.

Day 6: Machu Picchu at Leisure

Take in the breathtaking landscapes of Machu Picchu for a second time. Spend your morning exploring at your own pace, with your Travel Director on hand to answer any queries you may have. The afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax back at your hotel or perhaps explore the town of Aguas Calientes on your own. Spend the evening as you please before sitting down to a Highlight Dinner with your fellow travelers.

Day 7: On to Cusco

After breakfast, return by train to Ollantaytambo, where you will transfer to the ancient city of Cusco. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco showcases a mix of Spanish colonial architecture, ancient remains and a lively cosmopolitan scene for modern inhabitants. On arrival in Cusco, head out on a walking tour with a Local Expert. Visit its cathedral and the Korikancha temple, the most important temple in the Inca Empire. The evening is yours at leisure. Ask your Travel Director for local restaurant and bar recommendations.

Day 8: Exploring Cusco

Start your day with a walking tour of Sacsayhuaman, a citadel built in the reign of Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, the ninth Sapa Inca of the Kingdom of Cusco. Afterward, choose to join a local expert on a guided hike of the Inca ruins at Puca Pucara. Alternatively you can explore the artisan bohemian neighborhood of San Blas and visit the prestigious art galleries. After lunch at Pachapapa, visit San Blas Church and the surrounding streets, before making your way to San Pedro Market, where you will find local produce. Later, make your way to the city’s planetarium, for a private, after-hours tour. Learn about astronomy, cosmology, and its influence on Andean culture. While here, try some local delicacies paired with hot wine.

Day 9: Leisure time in Cusco Relaxed Start

Choose between an optional visit to Rainbow Mountain, the ChocoMuseo, where you’ll learn more about the chocolate making process, or perhaps relax and simply enjoy the facilities at your hotel? Set in a beautiful 16th century building, make the most of this boutique hotel’s signature spa and Andean-inspired healing treatments, massages, facials and custom spa packages. In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Celebration Dinner at Calle del Medio, where you will toast to your adventures and end of your trip.

Day 10: Depart Cusco

It’s time to say goodbye to your fellow travelers as your trip comes to an end. Take a private transfer to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.