Best of Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountains & More - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Lima

Welcome to Peru! Arrive in Lima, where you'll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Rest up for the remainder of the day, and prepare for your adventure in the following days.

Day 2: Lima to the Sacred Valley

This morning you'll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon your arrival, a representative will be waiting to take you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The elevation in the Sacred Valley is an average of 9416 feet (2870 m.). The Sacred Valley came to prominence during the time of the Incan Empire, when it was an agricultural, spiritual, and political center.

On the way, you'll stop at a llama sanctuary to visit the animals and enjoy a weaving demonstration. From there, you'll drive to the scenic Taray viewpoint for a Sacred Valley photo op before sitting down to lunch at a traditional hacienda in Pisac. Finish the afternoon with a visit to one of the most important archaeological sites in the region, where you'll explore an ancient Inca burial ground, irrigation system, and astronomy center. 

Finally, arrive at your hotel. Get some rest: tomorrow, you're going to Machu Picchu. 

Day 3: Machu Picchu

Early in the morning, head to Ollantaytambo, where you'll board the Vistadome Observatory Train for a scenic ride to Aguas Calientes. You will be able to appreciate Peru’s immense biodiversity as you see the landscape transition from Andean green fields to lush rainforest, descending alongside the Urubamba River. From Aguas Calientes, take a short bus ride up to Machu Picchu. Before your private tour, you'll eat lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant, located right at the base of the ruins. 

This 15th-century Inca citadel is located at 7970 feet (2430 m.), and is a masterpiece of engineering. It served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Incan Emperor Pachacutec and his royal court. Machu Picchu was abandoned 100 years after construction, and remained largely hidden to the outside world until the early 20th century. Machu Picchu means "old mountain," and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. 

Your guide will lead you around the site and explain the history and significance of the different buildings. Approximately one-third of the site has been reconstructed to its original form, giving visitors a sense for the grandeur and artistry of the original citadel. 

After the tour, take the bus back to Aguas Calientes for lunch in the picturesque town center. Return to Ollantaytambo by train, and back to your hotel.

Day 4: Tour the Sacred Valley of the Incas

This morning, travel to Ollantaytambo, one of the few remaining places in the Sacred Valley that have retained its original Inca urban planning. Walk through streets with Inca-era canals and see ancient houses that are still in use today. Climb the agricultural terraces, from which you can enjoy an Inca’s-eye view of the valley. From the top you’ll be able to see quarries from where the stone for Ollantaytambo was sourced. It’s amazing to think how far these large stones were transported, especially as the Incas didn’t have pack animals strong enough to carry them. 

From here you'll continue to Moray, an incredible complex of stone amphitheaters developed by the Incas. While the exact reason for the construction of this site remains unknown, historians believe the Incas constructed it to experiment with crop production in different micro-climates.  

From Moray, continue to Salineras de Maras, an incredible patchwork of stone pools and paths developed by the Inca as a means to harvest salt, which you will be able to see from a lookout point.

Finally, arrive in the ancient city of Cusco, where you'll spend the next few nights.

Day 5: Tour Cusco City and its Surroundings

Today, explore the amazing city of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire and one of the most historical cities in the Americas.

In the morning, begin your tour by visiting the Fortress of Sacsayhuamán, one of the most important military and ceremonial centers in Incan times. Continue strolling through the Plaza de Armas, where you will be able to explore the cathedral and admire its exquisite vestibules and priceless paintings from the Cusco School of the 17th and 18th centuries. Just a few blocks away is the Monastery of Saint Catherine of Siena, with its stone walls and overwhelming silence. Check out its beautiful art collection, and see how the nuns lived in the 17th century.

Finally, you will be able to learn about local people, food and much more during your visit to San Pedro Market. It's famous for its mouth-watering fruit juices, home-style meals, medicinal herb stalls, and rows of meats, bread, vegetables, and other necessities. The market allows a glimpse into Cusqueña culture, and shouldn't be missed.

Day 5: Hike to the Rainbow Mountains

The Rainbow Mountains are an incredible sight: multi-colored geological formations found among wild desert landscapes, snow-capped glaciated peaks, and herds of grazing alpaca. We will pick you up very early from your hotel (around 3:30 am) and drive about three hours to your trailhead in the southern region of Cusco. You'll stop en route for breakfast.

Your route depends on the mountain you choose to climb. Vinicunca was the first "Rainbow Mountain" to become popular with travelers, a four-hour roundtrip excursion offering commanding views of Ausangate Mountain along the trail. Palcoyo is another good option, with a shorter hike time (two hours roundtrip) and generally fewer crowds. 

Regardless of which you choose, there will be plenty of time to explore the area and take pictures, spending about 30 minutes at the top. 

A van will be waiting at the trailhead to take you back to Cusco, where you'll arrive in the early evening.

Day 7: Depart Cusco & Lima

You'll be transferred to the airport in Cusco in good time to check in to your flight to Lima. From Lima, connect to an international flight back home. !Buen Viaje!