Hike the Highlights of Peru

Explore the best of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on stunning guided hiking trails in Peru. This 8 day adventure holiday for you and your family allows you to enjoy Peru at the perfect pace. Travelling with experienced guides, you’ll embark on short to medium hikes in spectacular locations around Cusco, ending with the legendary Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Day 1: Fly to Cusco (L)

After settling in, we introduce you to Cusco with the “Locals’ guide to Cusco”. This short city walking tour is a great way to get your bearings and also helps you get used to the altitude. The beautiful historic centre was declared a World Heritage Site in 1983 with Inca and colonial architecture evident all around. This evening, your guide will give you a full briefing for the adventure ahead.

Day 2: Cusco Ruins Hike (B, L)

Today you stretch your legs with a delightful hike in the hills above Cusco. First you visit the impressive site of Sacsayhuaman. Huge stone ramparts surround a beautiful grass amphitheatre.

Next is the Inca water temple of Tambo Machay lying at 3700m (12,000 feet) followed by a special picnic lunch. A trail through the fields leads you to the intricately carved Inca Temple of the Moon. From here a beautifully preserved section of royal Inca Trail leads you down into the old San Blas district, home to the city’s artists and finally into the Plaza de Armas.

Day3: Moray to Salt Pans Hike (B, L)

Leaving Cusco behind you start your journey to Machu Picchu. You drive to the fascinating circular ruins of Moray about one hour outside Cusco. After exploring Moray you take a mainly downhill trail through the fields. Along the way you stop for a for a homemade picnic with marvellous views across to the snow capped Viilcanota mountains before carrying on down to the spectacular salt pans of Maras. Finally you take the old track down to the Sacred Valley, where once llamas, then horses carried out the salt to be sent across the empire.

Your support vehicle is on hand most of the day, should anyone prefer to take a ride rather than walk at any point.

Day 4: Royal Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (B, L)

You start the day with an early transfer to catch the train towards Machu Picchu. Jumping off at km104 you pass through the control point and begin your Inca Trail trek.

First you visit the recently restored ruins of Chachabamba before gradually ascending through tropical cloud forest up towards the base of Wiñay Wayna. Here you climb more steeply on old Inca stairways through these beautiful terraces, stopping to enjoy a packed lunch, with a great view. You then continue along the Inca Trail.

Soon you will reach a final set of stairs to arrive at Inti Punku, the gateway of the Sun. As you step through the old stone gate-way, Machu Picchu appears laid out before your eyes. After plenty of photos you carry on past this wonder of the world to catch the bus down to the lively town of Machu Picchu Pueblo and a well-deserved hotel and shower. You will return to explore this ancient site in more detail tomorrow.
Total hiking distance: 11 km

Day 5: Machu Picchu tour (B,L)

Today you explore the pinnacle of Inca engineering – Machu Picchu. This astounding site lies in an even more astonishing location. Perched high on an inaccessible hilltop it is protected by huge cliffs and the raging Urubamba river.

Afterwards, catch the bus down to Machu Picchu Pueblo and board your train back along the Urubamba River. The scenery is beautiful and the train jolts softly along, allowing you to sit, stare out the window and reflect on all you have seen.

Day 6: Departure from Cusco (B)

Today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred back to Cusco airport in time for your return flight home or onwards to your next destination.

Our Price Includes:

Private round trip transfer Airport/Hotel/Airport
Accommodation as mentioned above inclusive tax and service charges
Support vehicle and luggage transportation
Meals as specified (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
English speaking guides
Services of Odyssey World’s local agents in Peru
Entrance fees and permit
Train and bus fare where indicated
Taxes

Our Price Excludes:

International flight tickets & airport taxes
Any meals other than those specified
Anything not stated above
Travel insurance
Early check-in/late check-out charges unless otherwise stated
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, tip etc.

Whilst walking all you need is your daypack as your over-night luggage will be transferred to your next hotel to await your arrival.

“Prices vary according to season and are per person based on two people sharing travelling together on a private tour. Price reductions are possible for larger parties. Additional nights in Cusco and onward tours can be arranged on request. Please ask us for more details and exclusions.