A Cultural Walking Adventure in Peru
Treasures of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Overview
The magnificent Sacred Valley of the Incas winds its way past the towering hilltop citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo to eventually culminate in the awe-inspiring citadel of Machu Picchu. In this realm of mountain splendor and ancient culture, we enjoy cultural walks, explore temple-fortresses and Inca-planned towns, and enjoy a special pachamanca feast in a remote Andean village. We'll sample Peru's acclaimed cuisine, meet weavers and artisans, then finish with a grand overnight stay at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, just steps from the ruins, which gives us fantastic and unrushed access to the Lost City.
Arrive: Cusco, Peru
Depart: Cusco, Peru
Highlights
- Explore magnificent Machu Picchu, with an overnight stay right at the ruins
- Be welcomed as family at a traditional pachamanca feast at a remote village
- Enjoy the exquisite Hotel Monasterio in Cusco and the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge
- Travel with expert Trip Leaders who introduce you to people and places you wouldn't find on your own
Itinerary
Welcome to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, now a World Heritage Site. We'll acclimatize to the altitude as we examine some of Cusco's impressive Inca sites, including majestic Saqsayhuaman, with its three tiers of outer walls made of massive and perfectly fitted limestone blocks. Our city walks include a visit to the Coricancha, a sacred Inca temple whose walls were once covered with sheets of gold, and the city's baroque cathedral, built on the site of an old Inca palace. We'll also roam the cobbled lanes of the San Blas district, home to artisans since the time of the Incas. Overnights are at the historic Hotel Monasterio, a converted 15th century monastery.
In the stunning Sacred Valley, sculpted by Inca-built agricultural terracing, we examine the Inca stonework at Písac, a temple-ruin clinging to a mountain spur. The fine Inca terraces of Pisac are still cultivated by local inhabitants and the terracing exhibited here reflects an unrivalled level of engineering ingenuity. We'll visit the village of Chinchero, where there's a large colonial church built directly on top of Inca walls. This quaint village is also home to a legendary artisan market. Other explorations take us on walks along the enigmatic Inca terraces of Moray and to the natural saline springs above the colonial village of Moray. Our overnights in the Sacred Valley are in the luxurious Tambo del Inka, a relaxing hideaway on the banks of the Rio Urubamba.
In the early morning, when the light is dramatic and there are fewer visitors, we explore the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo and the charming 13th century town below it, which still has its original Inca town plan. We'll also visit a wonderfully remote village where we're hosted for a traditional pachamanca (meat and vegetables slow-cooked over hot stones in the ground). Generations of WT's renowned Inca Trail crew and porters live in this village and we know many of the families as long-time friends.
An early morning ride on the Vistadome train brings us to Machu Picchu for our unforgettable overnight stay at the Sanctuary Lodge, right at the gates of this indescribable Inca city. We'll enjoy our lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge, then head out for a full afternoon of exploring Machu Picchu's reconstructed ruins of staircases, altars, temples, and fountains. Many travelers rush in and out of here in a few hours, but our overnight stay gives us easy access for multiple entries to the ruins with our specialist guide, including a sunrise visit and chance to climb Huayna Picchu, the striking peak directly behind the sanctuary. Depart via Cusco on Day 8.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip grading system. Cultural explorations are the focus of the trip, with hotel accommodations throughout. Much of the trip takes place at higher altitudes, ranging from 11,200 feet in Cusco to 13,779 feet in the Andean village of Patacancha, where we enjoy a traditional feast. Overland travel is by van.
While this is not a hiking trip per se, it is still a very active trip with good portions of each day spent exploring Cusco and small villages, on short hikes in the adjoining countryside, and with time spent investigating Inca ruin sites, which always involves climbing up and down steps along rough pathways.
Note on optional hike up Huayna Picchu: On Day 7, you will have the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu, the spectacular peak rising from the ruins. This hike is quite rewarding but not for the faint of heart or those with a fear of heights. The climb is steep, a bit of a scramble, and can be slippery. It's suitable for very fit hikers who like a challenge. Think stairmaster at the highest level!
For maximum enjoyment of the trip (and the wonderful scenery, food, and history that are a part of it), you must be in fit shape and ready to walk. We strongly urge you to train for the trip with regular exercise.
Being so close to the equator, Peru has only two climate seasons: a dry season from April to October, and a wet season from December to March. For hiking in the mountains, the April to October season is ideal; the countryside is green and lush, the skies are often blue and sunny, and the mountain vistas are at their clearest and most magnificent.
Altitude is the main factor controlling the climate. In the mountains, you'll encounter sunny days with daytime temperatures ranging between 65°F and 70°F degrees, dropping to the 40s°F and lower at night. The sun is very strong at high altitude and it can often be warm enough to hike in shorts and a t-shirt. However, it can also get extremely cold; if you're familiar with mountain weather, you know how suddenly it can get cold even in the daytime if the sun slips behind a cloud. Nighttime temperatures can drop to below freezing. Rain should not be a problem on our hikes, but always keep in mind that mountain weather is unpredictable and sudden storms can occur, especially on high mountain passes. The best preparation for the changeable climate of the high Andes is to dress in layers.
Lima lies in a coastal desert where rainfall is rare and temperatures are usually warm (70s°F and 80s°F). Days are overcast most of the year due to the Humboldt current that comes up from Antarctica and meets the warm, tropical El Nino current from the north to create the garua, or coastal fog/mist.
The climate in the Amazon Basin is generally warm and humid throughout the year but can also be unexpectedly cool (usually 60s°F) due to the breezes that blow down from the Andes.
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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.