Compare Active Machu Picchu by Southern Explorations vs Lights of Peru, The Inca Empire by Say Hueque

Day 1: Arrive Lima

On your arrival in Lima, you will be met by our representative who will accompany you to your hotel. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional Lima tours and trips to nearby sites to fill your time. Ramada Hotel Upgrade - $40 per person. Since many international flights arrive here late in the evening, we highly recommend a hotel upgrade to the Ramada, a comfortable four-star hotel located within the Lima international airport. This upgrade is well worth the cost because it will save you up to two hours of transfer time between the city and the airport.

Day 2: Lima – Cusco

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning you will be taken from your hotel to the airport for a morning flight to Cusco (10,856 ft.), center of the Inca Empire. After checking in at your hotel, today’s Peru travel begins with a guided walking tour through the colorful markets of Cusco, making stops at the colonial cathedral and the impressive Incan Temple of the Sun (Koricancha) followed by a lunch of regional cuisine. You will spend the afternoon in the Inca heartland in the vicinity of Cusco. Among the important sites you’ll visit are Cusco's temples; Sacsayhuaman, a fortress with megalithic stone terraces; the stone Kenko containing subterranean altars; Puka Pukara, a small fortress that once protected the royal capitol; and the royal baths of Tambo Machay. You'll be returned to your hotel for the first of three free evenings in colonial Cusco.

Day 3: Whitewater Rafting

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After an early breakfast, your guide will get you to the put-in spot for today’s Peru rafting adventure about an hour away. Following a safety briefing, the trip begins with a stretch of small rapids and calmer waters to practice the basics of river-running technique, passing spectacular Inca ruins and terraces. Along the way, the guide will explain the remarkable history of these Inca architectural feats. While enjoying the canyon and scenic views, you pass under an ancient Inca bridge. The rapids continue to increase in difficulty and size, eventually progressing to Class IV. Before taking on the challenge of the final and largest rapid, you will disembark to scout this one with your guides. Once a safe line has been chosen, you will return to your rafts to run this adrenaline-filled finale to your Peru river rafting journey. After lunch, the next stop is Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), a small town with a famous Incan archeological site before returning to your Cusco hotel.

Day 4: Hike To Huchuy Cusco

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you will be transferred by private van to the start of today’s Peru trek that includes an old Inca road and impressive views, as well as an opportunity to learn about local farming techniques and explore some rarely visited Inca ruins. The route travels high above Cusco and the outlying town of Cora, ending at an elevation of 13,780 feet, where Lake Qoricocha is located. The slowly contouring trail climbs to an elevation of 14,107 feet where some ancient Inca platforms in the hillside are believed to mark the boundary and entrance to the Huchuy Cusco Inca Estate. The rest of the day’s terrain is flat or downhill, passing herds of llamas and alpacas. The hike travels through the rustic village of Pucamarca, past an Inca bridge in a narrow canyon and offers spectacular views of the Incas’ Sacred Valley. You will arrive at a particularly scenic spot to enjoy a picnic lunch or snack. Continuing on, the contour on the high ridge brings you to the entrance gates of Huchuy Cusco and the extensive ruins themselves. Little is known about this mysterious site which translates to “little Cusco” in the Quechua language of the Incas and may have been the country retreat of one of the first Incas. Its three-story storage houses, trapezoid-niched walls, large main square, ten-ft terraced walls and hidden location above the Sacred Valley make these ruins a real pleasure to explore. Afterwards you will hike the rest of the way down to where the van will be waiting to return you to Cusco for a relaxing dinner and evening on your own before turning in at your hotel.  HIKE DETAILS: Approx - 8.2 miles | 6+ Hours Altitude: from 11,385 ft to 14,110 ft.

Day 5: Via Ferrata – Zip Linning

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning you will be picked up at your hotel for the start of today’s Peru tours, making stops in the Sacred Valley to capture some magnificent photos. In about two hours, you will rendezvous with your local expert guides for the unique experience ahead, surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery with extraordinary views of the Sacred Valley below, lasting a good part of the day. The Via Ferrata is a system of cables and steel ladders drilled into the mountain that gives visitors without climbing experience the thrill of ascending a 984-ft rock face protected by a waist and chest harness with double-carabineer system for maximum safety. Within the Via Ferrata are several zip lines consisting of six connected cables ranging in length from 300 feet to 1,650 feet, totaling 6,560 feet. After completing this exciting day’s activities, you will be taken to the hotel in the town of Ollantaytambo, where you will spend the night.

Day 6: Mountain Biking In The Sacred Valley

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

An early morning drive gets you to the start of today’s Peru mountain bike tour to the indigenous communities of Chequereq, Cruz Pata, the ruins of Moray, the town of Maras and the salt mines of Pichingoto. Your journey ends back in Ollantaytambo for lunch and another overnight stay in your comfortable hotel.

Day 7: Ollantaytambo – Train To Machu Picchu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

On today's Inca adventure, you will at last reach the long-anticipated destination of Machu Picchu, symbol of the Inca Empire. To get there, you'll walk from the hotel to the train station for the picturesque train ride along the Urubamba River into a cloud forest before arriving in Aguas Calientes, the nearest town to Machu Picchu. You'll go by bus the rest of the way, reaching an elevation of 7,875 feet and spend the day exploring the ruins. Afterwards you will return to Aguas Calientes in time for a soothing soak in the town's famed hot springs before enjoying a leisurely dinner on your own. Overnight at a nearby hotel in Aguas Calientes. (B) OPTION: INCA TRAIL HIKE KM 104 UPGRADE – $150 Per Person (If permits available) For active travelers who can’t imagine seeing Machu Picchu without hiking the Inca Trail to get there: You depart on the 8 AM train from Ollantaytambo, arriving two hours later at station KM 104. After registering at the checkpoint, you’ll hike first to WnaWayna. During this three-hour Inca Trail hiking segment you will see ruins, waterfalls and many varieties of flora and fauna as well as spend one to two hours exploring the beautiful WnaWayna ruins. From here it is another two hour walk to reach Machu Picchu. You will arrive at the ruins in the late afternoon when there are few visitors. After a brief Machu Picchu tour, you will be transferred to Aguas Calientes by bus and spend the night in a charming hotel. Your evening is unscheduled to allow you time to explore the town and soak in its famed hot springs.

Day 8: Day Hike - Machu Picchu Mountain - Chinchero Market - Return Cusco

Meals: Breakfast

Rising early to escape the crowds, you return to the royal citadel, starting with what is for most travelers the highlight of their Peru tours, sunrise at Machu Picchu. From here, you'll continue along the Inca Trail on a three to four hour round-trip hike, ascending another 2,000 feet to the summit of Machu Picchu Mountain for a breathtaking view of the complex and surrounding area that most travelers never get to experience. You'll go by bus to Aguas Calientes and take the early afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo where a private van will be waiting for the trip to the colorful market in the village of Chinchero. Here you'll visit a community of textile artists who craft original organic pieces according to the techniques of their ancestors, to learn how the wool and alpaca are shorn, spun, dyed and woven into the high-quality creations for which this region is famous. Chinchero is the perfect place to find uniquely Andean souvenirs of one’s Peru tours. You'll be transported back to Cusco for a final relaxing evening and overnight at your hotel.Hike Details: Approx - 5.8 miles | 3-4 Hours Altitude: from 7,875 ft to 10,055 ft.

Day 9: Cusco - Lima - Return Home

Meals: Breakfast

Southern Explorations drivers take you to the airport in the morning for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight, marking the end of Southern Explorations services. Trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can also be arranged.

Day 1: Welcome to Your 8-Day Trip to Perú - Lima

Transfer from the airport to your hotel – Day at leisure

Upon your arrival in Lima, we’ll be waiting to drive you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time in Lima!

Lima is the capital of Peru; the jumping-off point for nearly all trips to the country. In the Colonial Era, it housed the viceroyalty, making it the most powerful city-hub of South America.

Today, its native and foreign heritage coexist; its well-preserved, amazing colonial churches and archeological sites (heading south to Caral Sacred City) exist in harmony with Peru’s beautiful beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean and its delicious seafood.

Day 2: City Tour in Lima

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings.

We’ll start with a scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which expands from the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire, like that of the Cathedral, which was built up in the 16th century and finished after 80 years of hard work!

Our next stop will be to Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that was granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains.

The last part of this historical day tour in Lima will be dedicated to the Larco Museum. Located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, this meticulously maintained museum is housed in a beautifully restored viceroyal mansion. Its exhibits boast the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artifacts, as well as pieces of ancient erotic art.

Since we’re on the topic of love encounters, we’ll finish the day at the “Love Park” built in 1993 to celebrate love in all its forms. Nestled in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, you can admire the cliffs from its colorful mosaic benches and take in the most beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.

After enjoying this romantic place and meeting the famous sculpture which immortalized the tender kiss of two passionate lovers, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.

Day 3: Continue Your Perú Travel Itinerary - Cuzco

Transfer from your hotel to Lima airport
Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel and take you to Lima airport to continue your 8-day trip in Perú. Take an hour’s flight to Cuzco, maybe the most international destination of Peru, since (but not only because…) Machu Picchu, the world-renowned Inca fortress, is located only 4 hours away! 

Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cuzco

Upon your arrival in Cuzco, we’ll drive you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening exploring the city at your own pace.

Day 4: Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress - Cuzco

Full-day tour to Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley, and visit Pisac, famous for its craft market where you’ll find the most exquisite pieces of jewelry, ceramic, and textile craftwork. We’ll continue our trip by visiting the archeological site of Pisac to admire the stone terraces built by the Incas, and last, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo to visit its stunning fortress. Admire the remaining towers and walls that used to keep the citadel safe and the royal guests it used to host. You will sleep in Cuzco tonight, at the end of the day, a transfer will drop you at your hotel.

Day 5: Travel to Machu Picchu - Return to Cuzco

Tour to Machu Picchu, discover the legendary city!
Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with a 4-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes (literally, hot water). This town is also known as “Machu Picchu Pueblo” and is the last stop before entering the remains of the most important archaeological site in Peru. Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” and is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You’ll finally reach Machu Picchu (the ancient sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec) after a short transfer by bus through the mountains.

Here, when we arrive at the exact destination that is the highlight of your trip, we will have special moments which will most certainly be cherished forever. Enjoy your first impressions of this jaw-dropping place, and breathe the magic in the air.

At the end of the tour, you will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Cuzco where a transfer will drive you to your hotel.

Day 6: City Tour in Cuzco

City tour in Cuzco and archeological sites

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to start your Cuzco tour with a visit to the Coricancha, also known as the “Temple of the Sun” the construction of which was ordered by Inca Pachacútec (1438-1471).

This is where the Sun (Inti, in Quechua) was worshipped during the reign of the Inca Empire, and during that time its walls were fully covered with gold sheets and its courtyards were adorned with golden corn and life-sized sculptures of llamas.

We’ll continue on to visit the Cathedral, the most important building in the Main Square (whose construction lasted almost a century) and one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America.

Our next stop will be the Sacsayhuamán fortress, an emblematic Incan piece of work, which protected the Holy City. The Sacsayhuamán complex was constructed with giant megalithic blocks, the transportation and construction of which continue to be a mystery.

This day will end with a visit to some archeological main attractions. You’ll visit Qenqo, located just over 2 miles away from Cuzco City, an archaeological complex mainly used for religious purposes, and where it is believed that agricultural rituals took place.

You will finally visit the vestiges of Puka Pukara, located 4.5 miles away from Cuzco. Puka Pukara, which means “red fortress”, was an architectural complex presumably used for military purposes.

At the end of this full historical and natural immersion in Cuzco’s heritage, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.

Day 7 Hike to Humantay Lagoon - Cuzco

Hike to Humantay Lagoon

You will leave Cuzco early in the morning heading to Soraypampa. On the way, pass by the city of Limatambo, an important entrance to Cuzco during the Inca Empire, and see the archaeological site of Tarawasi. Make a quick breakfast stop in a local restaurant before reaching Soraypampa and begin a mountain hike to Humantay Lagoon. Enjoy the stunning scenery of this wonderful place and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Heading back to Cuzco, take lunch at a restaurant along the route.

Day 8 The End of Your 8-Day Travel Itinerary to Peru

This is the end of your 8-day travel itinerary to Peru…at least for now! At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and head to the Cuzco airport to take your flight.

Keep on exploring other amazing destinations in Perú. Fire up your wanderlust with our featured trips to Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Peru.