Immerse yourself in Quechuan culture and hike into the lost city of Machu Picchu – creating unforgettable experiences of a lifetime.

The incredible beauty of Peru is evident on this adventure tour that explores the farmlands of the Sacred Valley and reaches the majestic heights of the Andes, the Inca Trail and the lost citadel of Machu Picchu. We begin in Cusco, where the wonders of the Inca and Spanish empires blend with a harmony belying the area's tumultuous past. In the Sacred Valley, formed by Andean foothills and the Urubamba River, our local guides accompany us to festive markets. Here we are free to purchase fine weavings and traditional carvings, or to simply soak in the vibrant colors and sounds of everyday life in Peru. We are welcomed into local homes, where we learn more about the traditions of life in the valley. Walking and hiking here exposes us to fascinating ruins that prepare us for the climax of our journey, a day of hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, where we have plenty of time to explore this mysterious and important center of Inca life.

Days 1-2: Our Peru walking tour begins in Cusco, the center of the ancient Inca world. Explore the many Spanish and Inca treasures in and around the city, and acclimate with easy walking past the ruins of Tambomachay, Q’enqo, and Sacsayhuaman.

Days 3-4: Descend into the Sacred Valley. Hike amid Inca and pre-Inca ruins. Bargain with local artisans for traditional Peruvian weavings and handmade pottery. Walk through golden fields of wheat at the base of the snow-covered Andes and past ancient salt mines that are still in use today.

Day 5: Hike Peru's Inca Trail, the famed and ancient footpath, through stunning mountain scenery past the picture-perfect ruins of Wiñay Wayna, through Intipunku (the Gate of the Sun), and into Machu Picchu.*

Days 6-7: Immerse yourself in the wonder of Machu Picchu with a full day of exploration, including the serene hour of sunrise for those who wish to wake early. Explore the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo or explore the impressive orchid garden at our riverside hotel. Return to Cusco by scenic train for a celebratory dinner at an excellent local restaurant and a final evening at our fine hotel.

Day 8: Depart from Cusco or begin trip extensions.

*Please note that Inca Trail hiking permits are limited and issued 'first come, first served,' so you are encouraged to reserve early.

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips, so that you can choose which works best for you.
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small – for our staff to handle.
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly – striving to preserve traditions and cultures around the world, and to protect fragile natural habitats.

Most Convenient Airport:
Jorge Chavez Lima - Calleo International Airport, Lima, Peru (LIM - for international arrivals), and Cusco Valazco Astete Airport, Cusco, Peru (CUZ - for domestic arrivals from Lima)

Meeting Time and Place:
12:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Hotel Novotel in downtown Cusco.

Departure Time and Place:
Cusco airport in time for your departing flights to Lima on the last day of the tour.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Trip Rating
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu is rated 2+, easy to moderate, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous).  The walks and hikes on this trip are easy to moderate with some moderately strenuous options, at altitudes of 8,000 to 12,000 feet. Walks and hikes are generally from 2-6 hours in length with minimal vehicle support.

Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more well prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself!  Please engage in moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, or cycling) for at least 30-45 minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip.  If you live in a flat area, try to incorporate some stairs into your workout, or use a treadmill with varying incline capability.  Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness program.  

The Altitude
Peru’s geography is as diverse as its culture, with altitudes from sea level to over 22,000 feet. Our trip begins and ends in Cusco, which is situated at 11,150 feet, in the foothills of the Andes. After our first night, we move to the Sacred Valley, and our hotel is located at 9,350 feet. Our third hotel, in Machu Picchu Pueblo, is located at about 6,500 feet. Our walks and hikes will take place at elevations of 8,000 feet to approximately 12,000 feet. There is time to move at a comfortable pace, allowing ourselves to adjust to the mountain air. Keeping well hydrated, avoiding excessive alcohol, eating frequent, light meals, and getting plenty of rest will help with any effects of altitude that you may feel.

Weather
The mountainous areas of Peru have pronounced rainy and dry seasons, which are more responsible for the prevailing weather than seasonal temperature fluctuations. While the dry season lasts only from May through September, the most significant rains fall from January through March. Temperatures do not fluctuate as much, although nights do tend to be colder from May through September. Any time of year, dressing in layers is a good strategy so that you can shed or add layers as the day heats and cools.

The following are average temperatures in Cusco:
                    high          low

April:           66°F        43°F
July:            66°F        34°F
August:       66°F        37°F
October:     68°F        44°F
December:  66°F        45°F

You may obtain more detailed weather information at www.weatherbase.com.

When to Reserve
It is important to sign up early, as the Peruvian government has a permit system in place which strictly limits the number of hikers on the Inca trail at any given time. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. If you dream of hiking into Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, now is the time to reserve. There are alternative hiking options if permits are not available at the time when you reserve. This will not affect our visit to Machu Picchu, just the hike to the ruins. Please contact our office with any questions regarding this.

When to Go
Peru is generally delightful for hiking from April through December. We avoid scheduling trips during January through March as this is the height of the rainy season. That being said, the hillsides and valleys tend to be greener in April, May and June. Later in the dry season the fields turn golden and the campesinos harvest their crops.
 

Overview: First-class Cusco hotel and historic country lodges, all private baths.

Night 1: Hotel Novotel
Cusco, Peru

Built to incorporate an early 16th-century house, this well-located hotel in the heart of historic Cusco showcases the exceptional style of colonial architecture.

Nights 2, 3 & 4: Posada del Inca
Yucay, Peru
          
This country lodge is located on the site of a restored, 350-year-old monastery surrounded by the foothills of the Andes. Property features include a quaint chapel, restaurant, gift shop, and lounge.

Nights 5 & 6: Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Machu Picchu Pueblo, Peru

Highest rated hotel in Machu Picchu region (Travel + Leisure, "World's Best Hotels")
                   
With Andean-style individual bungalows in a quiet riverside spot in the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, this acclaimed hotel is renowned for its progressive sustainability programs. An impressive tropical garden showcasing a wide variety of native plant species, stone paths, and canals flowing with spring water create a special atmosphere.

Night 7:  Hotel Novotel
Cusco, Peru

Built to incorporate an early 16th-century house, this well-located hotel in the heart of historic Cusco showcases the exceptional style of colonial architecture.

DAY 1
Arrival to Cusco; afternoon city tour; Tambomachay, Q’enko and Sacsayhuaman

Walk – easy to moderate, 2-3 hours.

After a group lunch and brief orientation, we begin our exploration of the land of the Incas in the city of Cusco (11,150’), whose name is taken from the Quechua word for "naval” or "center.”  Here, dramatic Spanish colonial architecture blends with solid Inca masonry in a harmony belying the area’s tumultuous history.  Beautiful cathedrals abound, often built directly on top of ancient Inca temples. The juxtaposition of pagan and Christian art and architecture is fascinating. After exploring the center of Cusco, we drive to the surrounding countryside for a walk beginning at the ruins of Tambomachay, or El Baño del Inca. Depending on the time, we may hike from this ancient ceremonial bath through scenic farmland and past the important archeological sites of Pukapukara and Q’enqo. We reach the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman, where we encounter our first example of the huge boulders the Incas used in building temples and fortresses. The stonework of the Incas is unsurpassed by that of any other culture. Massive rocks were painstakingly ground to fit so perfectly together that no mortar was needed, and many walls have remained for over 500 years in spite of tremors that sometimes occur in the area. It is mind-boggling to think of the work that went into producing these temples and fortresses.  

After time to freshen up at our hotel, we dine at one of our favorite restaurants while enjoying traditional music.
Hotel Novotel, Cusco

DAY 2  
Chinchero, Moras to Moray, and into the Sacred Valley

Hike – easy to moderate, 3-5 hours on hiking trails and country roads; approximate elevation loss of 1,500’.

This morning we leave Cusco for the Sacred Valley, stopping along the way at a local market and the village of Chinchero.  Here we meet local weavers who have begun a cooperative based on one of the tenets of Inca philosophy: service to community. We are introduced to traditional spinning, dying, and weaving methods that result in beautiful and unique cloth. If you plan to purchase weavings to bring home, this is a great place to do so.

From Chinchero we continue toward the Sacred Valley, taking a side trip to Moray, an important experimental agriculture site for the Incas. Here we enjoy a leisurely lunch among the beautiful golden wheat fields with magnificent views of the Andes. After lunch we visit the Maras salt mines, which have provided salt for the southern highlands since the time of the Incas. We pass directly by the white pools as we descend to the Urubamba River and into the Sacred Valley.

Later this afternoon, we arrive at our hotel for the next three nights, a charming country lodge on the site of a restored, 350-year-old monastery. If you like, relax with a Pisco Sour in front of the lodge’s fireplace before we meet for dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.
Posada del Inca, Yucay

DAY 3  
Pisac Ruins and Market Day

Hike – easy to moderate, 2-4 hours on trails.

After breakfast we depart for Pisac, where we begin today’s walk. The well-preserved ruins above the town offer excellent views and further insight into the spiritual life of the Incas. Here are good examples of Inca stairs, and the hills above the site are dotted with caves which functioned as ancient burial grounds. The belief was that the ancestors would be able to watch over and protect the living from their vantage point on the hillside. In the town of Pisac we visit the local market and have the opportunity to bargain for pottery and colorful Peruvian weavings.

Dinner tonight is at a local hacienda, where there is the opportunity to enjoy traditional Peruvian dishes.
Posada del Inca, Yucay

DAY 4  
Mountain Village and Ollantaytambo

Hike – easy to moderate, 3-5 hours on dirt roads and trails; some steep stone stairs at ruins.  

Today’s hike begins in one of the mountain villages near the town of Ollantaytambo. After a visit to the local school, we depart Patacancha on foot, passing through the small village of Huillac. Taking our time on foot allows us a glimpse of the agricultural life the campesinos have lived for centuries, growing wheat and potatoes, and raising sheep and guinea pigs. We pass through remote areas where we may see isolated herds of llama or alpaca roaming amid the patchwork of cultivated fields. After a picnic lunch we return to Ollantaytambo, a charming town of cobblestone streets, ingenious aqueducts, and colorful market stalls at the base of an impressive ruin. Exactly how the Incas moved the rose-colored stone blocks from their quarry miles away is a mystery to this day. This spot, at a narrow part of the valley, is the only place where the Incas managed to stave off the Spanish conquest. By using their canals to flood the valley floor, they were able to prevent the invaders’ advance.
Posada del Inca, Yucay

DAY 5  
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Hike – moderately strenuous, 5-6 hours.  

Today we hike the final miles into Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, beginning with a scenic train ride to the trailhead. Our train has large observation windows, allowing everyone to enjoy amazing views of the Andes rising precipitously above us. We disembark at kilometer 104, and begin our journey to Machu Picchu. We soon come upon Chachabamba, a small Inca village in ruins. Our trail continues to climb gradually, switching back and forth across the steep hillside. The views are spectacular, and we may begin to recognize some of the steep, forest covered mountains that surround Machu Picchu, although the lost citadel remains out of sight.

After a few hours, the trail becomes more forested and we turn a corner to see the picture-perfect ruins of Wiñya Wayna before us. We take time to have lunch at the ruins, and marvel at the ingenuity of the people who created this complex village in such an unlikely place. From Wiñya Wayna, the trail begins to evoke a sense of history; ancient stone steps, pavements and complex retaining walls, still half covered with vegetation, surround us. A final steep ascent brings us to Intipunku (the Gate of the Sun), and as we come through the gate, the first unforgettable sight of Machu Picchu emerges below us. We have a few hours this afternoon to explore the lost city on our own or with our guides, or you may simply choose to find a quiet spot from which to soak in the splendor.

Late this afternoon we board a bus for a short ride to our award-winning hotel in the festive small town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, where we enjoy a feast in celebration of our hike.
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Machu Picchu Pueblo

PLEASE NOTE: It is important to sign up early, as the Peruvian government has a permit system in place which strictly limits the number of hikers on the Inca trail at any given time. Permits are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. If you dream of hiking into Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail, now is the time to reserve. There are alternative hiking options if permits are not available at the time when you reserve. This will not affect our visit to Machu Picchu, just the hike to the ruins.

DAY 6
Sunrise and full day at Machu Picchu

Touring Machu Picchu – easy 2-5 hours; optional strenuous hike, 2-3 hours.  

For those who wish to rise early, a very special experience is in store. An early bus will bring us back to Machu Picchu before sunrise, so that we can quietly enjoy the ruins before the crowds begin to arrive later in the morning. There is plenty of time to learn more about the complexities of this mountaintop city, or you may choose to challenge yourself to a final hike up Wayna Picchu, the dramatic spire that rises in the background of every classic photograph of the famed citadel.

When we are ready, a bus awaits to return us to the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, where you may choose to explore the village streets or relax in the comfort of our riverside hotel.
Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Machu Picchu Pueblo

DAY 7
Morning at leisure and return to Cusco

Optional walking – easy, 1-2 hours.

This morning we have the opportunity to explore the town of Machu Picchu and our hotel’s vibrant orchid garden before lunch and boarding the Vistadome train to return to Cusco. The ride takes a few hours, giving us plenty of time to relax, enjoy the views, and reflect on our journey before a final celebratory dinner in Cusco.
Hotel Novotel, Cusco

DAY 8  
Departure from Cusco

After breakfast we say goodbye and transfer to the Cusco airport in time for flights to Lima and homeward.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

• Expert leadership
• All accommodations
• All meals
• All transportation during the tour
• Archeological site entrance fees and Inca trail hiking permits
• All activities as noted in the itinerary