Machu Picchu Active Adventure
Days
7
Activity Level
Moderate
Host City
Cusco, Peru
From
$2,995 USD
A Machu Picchu Journey
Join The Explorer’s Passage (TEP) on an unforgettable journey to Peru, where you’ll experience the best of the Andes, Cusco, and the legendary Machu Picchu. This adventure takes you through Cusco’s most iconic landmarks, including the awe-inspiring Sacsayhuaman ruins and the fascinating Qorikancha temple, before embarking on the exhilarating Inca Trail Express trek. Follow in the footsteps of the ancient Inca as you hike through rugged terrain, picturesque valleys, and high mountain passes, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Andes. Your journey culminates at the legendary Machu Picchu citadel, where you’ll explore this remarkable site in-depth, uncovering the rich culture and history of the Inca civilization while taking in sweeping views and capturing unforgettable photos of one of the world’s greatest wonders.
Trip Highlights
Let’s Plan Your Trip Today:
TRIP COST
From $2,995 USD per person
Our Peru trips are all-inclusive, crafted with the intent of providing you with an unforgettable adventure travel experience.
More info. on pricing
More questions? Read more about pricing here
Start dates
Custom dates are available every month.
To inquire about a custom date,
please contact us!
Duration
Starts at 7 Days / 6 Nights
Accommodations
Relax in comfort & luxury
Various Options
6 Nights in Hotels
Choose between a 3.5 / 4 Star, 5 Star, or 5+ Star hotel package option.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate
Sample Trip Itinerary
Inca Trail Express Route map
Want more information? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
Itineraries include detailed descriptions of each day, tips on travel arrangements, regional highlights, and more. It’s the perfect resource to help you choose!
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco, Peru
Bienvenidos a Peru! Upon arrival at Cusco International Airport, you will be greeted by a member of our team. Experience the scenery and history in the beautiful capital city of Cusco as you are then transported to your hotel. This afternoon and evening, after settling in to your hotel, you will have free time to explore this extraordinary high-altitude city (~11,000 feet / ~3,350 meters above sea level). Later, you will enjoy dinner with a special VIP guest at one of our favorite restaurants in Cusco. Additionally, your guide will coordinate with you to provide a detailed pre-trek Inca Trail Express briefing on Day 1.
Day 2: Cusco Back Yard Hike & City Tour
After breakfast, visit the mysterious Inca fortress of Sacsayhuaman overlooking Cusco, then continue to Huayllarcocha to spot local birdlife. Hike briefly to the Cara del Inca rock formation, the Temple of the Moon, and Cusilluchayoc, the Temple of the Monkeys. Arrive in San Blas for a traditional Andean lunch. In the afternoon, explore Cusco’s cobblestone streets, visit Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun) inside Santo Domingo, and see the Plaza de Armas with its historic cathedral and Church of the Triumph before returning to your hotel.
Day 3: Hike Through the Sacred Valley
In the morning, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and driven into the Sacred Valley to visit Moray, an extraordinary Inca agricultural site where circular terraces created diverse microclimates for growing different crops. Continue toward Maras to explore its 3,000 multicolored saltpans, still harvested by local families, where you can walk among the pools and taste the famous mineral-rich salt. Descend to Pichingoto, a little-visited Inca village with cliffside dwellings and a colonial church, before returning to your accommodations.
Day 4: Huayllafara Community Hike
This morning begins with a gentle hike from La Base in Lamay village along a riverside trail that ascends through forest rich with native plants and wildlife, leading to the community of Huayllafara. Here, you’ll take in sweeping views of Andean farms and homes while observing daily village life, families tending crops, herding animals, weaving, and caring for children all at once, before sharing a wholesome snack with the locals. With stunning vistas of the valley and surrounding peaks, you’ll return to La Base Lamay and then to your hotel for a restful afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s more challenging adventures.
Daily trekking distance: Approximately 4.7 miles
Day 5: Inca Trail Express Hike
After breakfast, you’ll travel by private transport to Ollantaytambo to board the train, which winds along the Urubamba River and into the lush, misty cloud forest of the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. Disembarking at KM104, cross a suspension bridge to the ruins of Chachabamba, a site likely dedicated to water deities, before beginning a three-hour ascent to Wiñay Wayna, another remarkable spiritual center perched on a steep slope. From here, continue along the ridge to Inti Punku, the Sun Gate, where the first breathtaking view of Machu Picchu unfolds below, a dramatic and unforgettable moment. The day ends with an overnight stay in the village of Machu Picchu.
Day 6: Machu Picchu Sanctuary
This morning you’ll hike the iconic peak of Huayna Picchu before enjoying lunch and embarking on a three-hour guided exploration of Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m). Following the longer Circuit 2 route through the citadel, you’ll wander through temples, terraces, and ancient homes, gaining a deep appreciation for the brilliance of Inca engineering and spirituality. After this immersive experience, board a scenic train to Ollantaytambo and continue by private vehicle back to your hotel in Cusco.
Day 7: Final Day in Peru
Today you will enjoy your last morning in Peru before being transferred by private vehicle from your hotel to Cusco International Airport for your flight home.
Customizing Your Peru Adventure
Are you interested in another activity or destination in Peru? Planning to spend extra time in the region, or interested in specific travel dates? Want to visit Rainbow Mountain, or experience the culinary delights of Lima? Perhaps you would like to spend more time in the Scared Valley? No problem. As experts in tailored trip planning, we can weave your interests and your timeframe into our customizable itineraries so that every detail of your extraordinary trip unfolds precisely the way you want it to. Click the options below to learn more:
Contact us today to get started customizing your dream trip to Peru!
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5-Star Review Average on TripAdvisor! Read More >
Trip Accommodations
5+ Star Accommodations
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas | Cusco, Peru
Bedding down in a former convent isn’t necessarily what you might expect. Lovingly restored, 17th-century architecture gives each artistic room and suite a distinctly colonial feel. Recline on a four-poster bed splashed with hand-embroidered silk coverlets. Bathe beneath hand-painted frescos using soap perfumed by the Palacio’s own flowers. Some suites feature original Inca stonework; others boast balconies with hypnotic views of Cusco’s distant, mist-wrapped mountains.
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas website
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge | Aguas Calientes, Peru
Sitting in the shadows of the Lost City, our lodge is an oasis of calm before or after a day exploring Machu Picchu. Unwind with a yoga session, take part in a traditional shaman ceremony in the garden, or sip muña tea in the Tampu Bar. Tranquility, wonder and beauty are at the heart of our unique experience. Cool botanical fabrics are offset by cherry-colored woods. King-sized beds provide space to unwind. Outside your windows, the mountains ripple into the distance.Signature dishes like a Jungle Landscape salad or Sacred Valley grilled trout evoke the Andean setting. Take a seat and let our authentic menu kickstart your Peruvian adventure.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge website
Sol y Luna | Urubamba, Peru
Each of their forty-three casitas is surrounded by gardens filled with flora native to the Sacred Valley and all face the Andes Mountains where the Incas believed their gods dwelled. Within each sanctuary, an outdoor terrace leads into the high ceilinged living space with terra cotta tile floors and some of our favorite Sacred Valley artifacts, Spanish colonial style furniture, a king size bed or two double beds made with goose feather duvets and Peruvian pima cotton sheets, and a spacious marble bathroom with deep soak bathtub.
5 Star Accommodations
Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru
Located in the heart of Cusco, Palacio del Inka is walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and museums. It is also located across from the Koricancha, the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire. The spacious rooms are exquisitely appointed, combining Peruvian art, handcrafted furnishings, as well as state-of-the-art technology. The on-site restaurant, Inti Raymi, serves particularly authentic Andean specialties, with ingredients organically grown in the Sacred Valley.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo | Aguas Calientes, Peru
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. The property has 12 acres of exquisite natural beauty, where 214 bird species – such as the golden-headed quetzal and the iconic Andean cock-of-the-rock – as well as the world’s largest native orchid collection (372 species) have been registered. The hotel also features an on-site restaurant overlooking the river, as well as a relaxing spa and sauna.
Additionally, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Resort was rated the #3 hotel in Central and South America in Travel and Leisure’s 2015 World’s Best Awards.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo website
Tambo del Inka | Urubamba, Peru
Escape to a luxurious and mystical journey at Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. This hotel in Peru is nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley and stands as a doorway to the vast cultural richness of this region. You’ll love lingering in your elegantly designed hotel room or suite with mesmerizing views of the Andes and the Vilcanota River from a private balcony. Savor the dining options available, with on-site restaurants featuring organic ingredients and local products.
3.5 / 4 Star Accommodations
Novotel | Cusco, Peru
The centrally located Novotel Cusco hotel is the perfect base for exploring this historic city and its surrounding wonders. Nestled in the heart of Cusco, the hotel seamlessly blends colonial charm with modern comforts. The architecture reflects a harmonious fusion of old and new, and this unique style extends into the spacious, elegantly appointed rooms, each equipped with free Wi-Fi to keep you connected during your stay. After a day of adventuring through the vibrant streets and ancient ruins of Cusco, unwind in the serene ambiance of the hotel’s lush courtyard. Relax under the shade of the canopy on the patio of this beautifully restored colonial house while sipping a traditional coca tea.
El Mapi | Aguas Calientes, Peru
Step into the smart, contemporary and cozy confines of El Mapi, amidst the picturesque Machu Picchu Pueblo. Discover an efficient, lively and friendly atmosphere, welcoming guests expecting an unfussy, down-to-earth break. The flowing lobby creates a sense of vitality. Lofty ceilings, panoramic windows and an open café allow natural light to filter between tall eucalyptus dried branches, creating an ambience of order and wellbeing. Relax in a pleasant and wholesome ambience after your enlightening visit to Peru’s most famous destination: the Machu Picchu archaeological site!
Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado Hotel & Villas | Urubamba, Peru
The hotel is located in the Sacred Valley of Cusco. It’s only a 30-minute bus drive away from the City of Cusco. It’s a cozy environment in the middle of the Urubamba Valley. Ideal if you want to relax and be close to the main tourist attractions of the valley. Alma Restaurant & Bar offers a breakfast buffet and a wide range of dishes. The hotel has games for children and they can also feed the sheep. The hotel organizes “pachamancas” [traditional Peruvian dish made with the aid of hot stones, of lamb, mutton, pork, chicken or guinea pig, marinated in spices].
Frequently Asked Questions
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Check here for our Frequently Asked Questions for our Machu Picchu Adventure, and if you can’t find the answer you are looking for then send us a message.
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Trip Support
There is no other operator in the travel industry that will provide the same level of personal attention to your travel experience.
Personal Attention & Preparation Before Every Trip
We get very involved with our travelers before each trip by offering a series of pre-planning calls in the months and weeks before departure. This provides you with an opportunity to hear directly from us on preparation, trip experience, and training. It also gives you the platform to ask questions about any aspect of the trip. We also provide comprehensive packing lists, pre-adventure checklists, and other detailed information.
Staff Support & Logistics
We go above and beyond our competitors in handling every aspect of your trip, so that you can focus exclusively on experiencing all that Peru has to offer. Our knowledgeable support staff takes care of the details of your in-country ground transportation, lodging, meals, tours, permits, and activities. We’ve even scheduled a bit of free time for you to explore, relax, shop, or eat on your own.
Additional Trip Information
Check out our detailed educational content on the Sacred Valley, written by our adventure team. The article provides a complete overview of everything that you need to know about this amazing journey in Machu Picchu.
