Machu Picchu Tour – Travel 1 Week In Peru

Peru Travel Tours to Machu Picchu is one of the most fascinating and enigmatic locations on earth. Perched on a mountain ridge 7,972 feet (2,430 m) above sea level during the reign of the Inca Empire in the 1500s, the citadel in the sky was built. The city was abandoned and seemingly forgotten by Spanish conquerors in 1530s Peru until 1911 when explorer Hiram Bingham found it while exploring mist-shrouded ruins in National Geographic and brought worldwide attention to this amazing location.

This Machu Picchu tour is your chance to see the magnificent site yourself. After departing from Cuzco, the former capital of South America’s most powerful empire, you’ll go on a journey through the Sacred Valley, where Inca palaces and temples stand amid beautiful Andean towns and markets. You’ll also explore the ruins of Inca citadels and temples in the Sacred Valley before traveling by train along the Urubamba River to discover “the lost city of the Incas.”

Day 1: Arrival in Lima & Overnight in Lima

After a long flight, the last thing you want to do is lug your heavy suitcase through a crowded airport. But with our Peru Leaders representative waiting for you at the Lima airport, you won’t have to lift a finger! We’ll take care of your luggage and escort you to your airport hotel, where you can relax and catch up on some much-needed sleep.

And since we’re already taking care of the heavy lifting, why not let us take care of your travel plans for the rest of your trip? With our local knowledge and expert advice, we’ll help you make the most of your time in Peru. So sit back, relax, and let us take care of everything!

Day 2: Arrival in Cusco – Acclimatization

Once you’re at your hotel in the historic center of Cusco, you’ll be able to see beautiful examples of Spanish colonial architecture. As you explore the city, keep an eye out for Inca stonework – these are the remains of palaces and temples that were once part of the Inca imperial capital.

After checking into your Cusco hotel, you’ll have the remainder of the day to explore the city at your own pace. Just keep in mind that since Cusco is situated 11,300 feet above sea level, it’s advisable to take things easy this first afternoon. Most travelers acclimate within a day or two and have no trouble with slow-paced activities like exploring the main square, visiting museums, or popping into one of the many shops or cafes. And be sure not to miss out on an opportunity to sample some delicious Peruvian cuisine in one of Cusco’s casual and/or fine dining restaurants!

Day 3: Cusco City Tour

Spend the morning at your leisure. This is a good time to explore some of Cusco’s less-visited attractions including the famous San Pedro Market, the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, or one of Cusco’s many fine museums. Get a glimpse of Peru’s long artistic heritage at the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, hone your knowledge of the Inca Empire at the Casa Concha (“Machu Picchu Museum”), or make your own chocolate from scratch at the Choco Museum.

In the afternoon, meet our expert Cusco guide to tour the city’s must-see attractions. Stops include the Cusco Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, the fabulous Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, the gargantuan ruins of the Sacsayhuaman fortress/temple overlooking the city, as well as the ruins of Q’enko, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay nearby.
In the late afternoon, return to your Cusco hotel and spend the evening at your leisure. Enjoy the local cuisine and the splendor of Cusco at night, the surrounding hills twinkling with lights and the sky overhead littered with stars.

Day 4: Sacred Valley Full Day Tour

A full-day tour of the Peruvian Sacred Valley awaits, home to numerous ancient Incan royal estates. Stop in Pisac, known for its charming indigenous market and hillside Inca ruins overlooking the town.

On the outskirts of town, there is a handicraft bazaar with magnificent crafts and hand-woven clothing. Village women in traditional dress congregate in the market center to purchase and sell local fruits, vegetables, and other natural items.

Pisac Inca Ruins

As you walk through the Pisac ruins above, take little pathways with walls formed of incredibly carved stones for stunning views of the city and Sacred Valley below.

After Pisac, stop for lunch at a buffet restaurant to try both Peruvian and international cuisine near the town of Urubamba. The city is named after the sacred river (whose upper stretch is called the Vilcanota) that flows through the valley, on its way to Machu Picchu and eventually the Amazon jungle.

Ollantaytambo Inca Ruins Tour

Next, visit the spectacular fortress of Ollantaytambo. These magnificent Inca ruins that cling to the hillside were part of the royal estate of the Incan emperor Pachacuti. Later, during the Incas’ heroic resistance against the Spaniards, a great battle was fought, during which the Spaniards were repelled by the guerrilla emperor Manco Inca. The small town of Ollantaytambo at its base still has Inca houses, making Ollantaytambo the only Inca city that is still inhabited today.

The tour ends at your comfortable hotel in the Sacred Valley. If you’ve selected a hotel in Ollantaytambo, you can explore the former Incan town at your leisure, which still boasts mountain water coursing through Inca-built gutters in the center of its streets and where many of the inhabitants still speak the Incan language, Quechua.

Day 5: Machu Picchu Tour

The 2.5-hour train journey from your hotel in the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu is one of the most breathtaking rides in the world. The majority of the trip follows along beside the rushing Vilcanota river and weaves through gorges cut into mountainsides, offering stunning views of Andean landscapes as you travel from high-altitude plains down into the cloud forest.

At the meeting point of the Andes and the Upper Amazon rainforest, the vegetation dramatically transforms as the train approaches, providing passengers a close look at one of the world’s most spectacular changes.

Train To aguas Calientes

As the train arrives in Aguas Calientes, you will be greeted by our representative at the station gates. From there, it is only a short 20-minute ride up to Machu Picchu via bus. Surrounded by tall granite cliffs and a cloud forest inhabited by orchids and hummingbirds, this secluded Inca citadel is truly a sight to behold high atop a mountain ridge.

After that, meet your English-speaking guide for a 2-hour tour of the most critical locations at Machu Picchu, including the Intihuatana (Sun Stone), Sun Temple, and Room of 3 Windows. Machu Picchu is one of the “must-see” historical sites in the world.

The ruins of Paucarcolla are located on a granite spur 2,000 feet above the valley floor, providing breathtaking views of the cloud-covered Andes and the Urubamba River far below. After your trip, you have the option to explore further on your own and take some final photographs.

Looking to spend a little extra time at Machu Picchu? No problem! Just add an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes to your package. That way, you can explore the citadel twice – once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Then, head back to Cusco in the evening.

*Optional Hike to Huayna Picchu Mountain:

Hike up Huayna Picchu, the peak overlooking the Machu Picchu

Although this hike is quite steep and will take approximately three hours to finish, the stunning views of the Andes Mountains and Machu Picchu are well worth it. In addition, there have been many Inca burials discovered in cavities on this mountain. If you would like to add this activity to your itinerary, please let your Travel Advisor know.

Day 6: Departure from Cusco

After breakfast, meet our representatives at your hotel and transfer to the airport for your journey home or on to your next destination. Alternatively,

If you don’t want to miss out on any of our other fantastic Cusco excursions or Sacred Valley adventures, or if you’re looking for a great getaway from it all, check out our complete selection of Peru travel destinations.