After arriving in Cusco, we’ll head deep into the Sacred Valley to Ollaytantambo, a beautiful village known for its architectural gems and rich Incan history. It’s also the jump-off point for the Inca Trail!

Today will include a tour of local ruins and museums as you adjust to the elevation, enjoy the views of Mt. Veronica (“protector of the Sacred Valley” at 19,226 feet tall), sample local cuisine, and settle into Peruvian culture.

• Meals: Lunch
• Lodging: Las Qolqas EcoLodge

After a tour of another famous Incan site, we’ll hop on the Urubamba River for an exciting day of whitewater rafting. To the Incans, the river was known as Willkamayu, a Quechuan word for “sacred river.” You’ll pass through beautiful villages, more ruins, and some of the best places in the world to birdwatch (more than 400 species find their home in this valley).

After enjoying class I-III rapids, make your way to shore for a scenic lunch in the shadows of Huacay Huilcay (aka Mt. Veronica). A special traditional Peruvian feast awaits: Pachamanca, or “earth oven,” where deliciously spiced food is baked underground with hot stones.

• Meals: Breakfast & lunch
• Lodging: Las Qolqas EcoLodge

After a short train ride through the Sacred Valley and into the cloud rainforest, we’ll begin our climb toward Machu Picchu on the Inca Trail. We’ll eat lunch at Wiñay Wayna, another set of ruins impressively built into the steep mountainside, before trekking toward Inti Punku, aka the Sun Gate; this is where we’ll be rewarded with our first views of the citadel itself.

As you ascend the Inca Trail, keep your eyes peeled for wild orchids (there are more than 400 species!), Andean condors and deer, and giant hummingbirds.

• Today’s hike is about 6.5–7 miles with approximately 2,500 feet of elevation gain.

The next day, we’ll tour Machu Picchu itself, immersing ourselves in the ruins’ intricate stone constructions, free-ranging llamas and alpacas, and 360-views! Down in the village, you may even see Peru’s national bird, the rupicola, aka “cock of the rocks.”

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
• Lodging
  • Day 3: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
  • Day 4: Las Qolqas EcoLodge*

*On day 4, you may opt to sleep in the famous Natura Vive Sky Lodge instead, which are luxury capsules built into the side of the mountain, accessible by via ferrata! There is an additional charge for the sky lodge. 

A visit to the Sacred Valley isn’t complete without a stop at the fascinating salt mines, where thousands of shallow pools filled with salt water sit in steep, stepped terraces across a sprawling mountainside. It’s a stunning site. These pools produce Peru’s famous pink salt, mined by local families for the last 500 years. A perfect souvenir and wonderful gift for those who love cooking!

We’ll also tour the intriguing ruins of Moray, where little is known about the circular, amphitheater-like terraces built by the Incans—though many agree the site was used for experimenting with different farming practices.

Later, we’ll stop in the traditional town of Chinchero, world-famous and widely respected for its talented weavers and beautifully made textiles. Master weavers will demonstrate how they extract vibrant colors out of plants to dye hand-spun wool from alpacas.

• Meals: Breakfast & lunch
• Lodging: Palacio del Inka

On our final day in Peru, we’ll tour the many local markets within the city. We’ll also visit archeological remains like Sacsayhuamán and Q’enco. The former sits on a mountainside overlooking the city, originally constructed as a fortress to protect against conquering forces. Gaze in amazement at the giant stones fitting together in the shape of a puma’s head, with the tallest stone reaching 29 feet in height!

Q’enco, also spelled as Q’inco or Kenko, means “labyrinth”—this name was bestowed by Spanish conquistadors. Caverns, tunnels, and circular structures make up much of this ceremonial site’s shape, though little is known about its history.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch, & dinner
• Lodging: Palacio del Inka

On our last day in Peru, we’ll tour Coricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, and an Andean art museum (dependent on flight times). This afternoon, say goodbye to the magical world of Peru as you fly back home.

• Meals: Breakfast