Your day begins at 7:30 AM with a hotel pick-up in Cusco as you set out to explore the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas, a region known for its fertile lands, dramatic landscapes and remarkable archaeological sites. Traveling through scenic Andean valleys, your first stop is a traditional alpaca farm, where you will see llamas, alpacas and vicuñas, the iconic camelids of South America. Here, you will learn about their importance to Andean culture, including wool production, daily life, and their role in ancient and modern communities.

Next, you continue to the impressive Pisac Inca Site, located on a mountainside overlooking the Sacred Valley. During a guided walking tour, you will explore agricultural terraces, ceremonial structures, stone stairways and viewpoints, while learning how the Incas mastered high-altitude farming and land management. After the visit, you travel through the heart of the valley following the Urubamba River. You will stop in Urubamba for lunch at a local restaurant featuring fresh regional flavors. In the afternoon, you visit the famous Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools have been harvested since pre-Inca times. This unique landscape is still worked by local families today. The day concludes with a guided tour of Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved Inca towns, known for its massive stone terraces, ceremonial temples and living Inca streets. After the visit, you will take Train to Aguas Calientes where you overnight.

• Accommodation. Inti Punko Machu Picchu or Similar

• Entry Fees: Included

• Meals: Only Breakfast at Hotel

Today you will visit Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and South America’s most iconic archaeological sites. In the morning, you will leave Aguas Calientes by shuttle bus through the cloud forest to the citadel entrance. Your local guide will lead you along Machu Picchu Circuit 1, known for its elevated walkways and panoramic viewpoints. From these points, you will see the entire stone city framed by Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, offering great photo opportunities and insight into Inca urban design.

During the guided tour, your guide will explain the history, architecture, and spiritual significance of Machu Picchu, which served as a royal estate and ceremonial center for the Inca emperor Pachacútec. You will learn about the site’s precision stonework, water systems, agricultural terraces, and its connection to the surrounding mountain deities, known as Apus. After Circuit 1, you will hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), the original entrance for Inca Trail travelers. This moderately challenging hike offers views of the citadel and mountains, showing how the Incas first approached the site. The experience lasts about four hours, combining cultural discovery with a high-altitude walk. Afterward, you will return to Aguas Calientes for a free afternoon to relax and explore.

• Accommodation. Inti Punko Machu Picchu or Similar

• Entry Fees: Included

• Meals: Only Breakfast at Hotel

Today you will return to Machu Picchu for a deeper exploration of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. After breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes, take the morning shuttle to Machu Picchu and enter with your local guide. The day focuses on a guided walking tour of the main archaeological sector, offering insight into the Inca city's daily life, spiritual significance and architectural achievements.

The guided tour lasts about two hours and covers Machu Picchu’s key sites, including ceremonial temples, sacred fountains, stone streets, residential areas, and agricultural terraces. You will learn about the Inca worldview, engineering, and the religious importance of water, astronomy, and mountain worship. After the tour, continue with the Huayna Picchu hike, a popular and challenging trail that takes about two hours round trip. The summit provides panoramic views of the citadel, Urubamba River canyon, and surrounding Andean peaks. This offers a memorable conclusion to your visit.

After the hike, take the bus from Machu Picchu to Aguas Calientes. You will have free time for lunch (not included) or to explore the town. In the afternoon, board the return train to the Sacred Valley. A private driver will then transfer you to Cusco. You are expected to arrive at your hotel between 7:00 and 8:00 PM, concluding your journey through Peru’s most iconic destination.

• Accomodation. Rumi Punko or Similar

• Entry Fees: Included

• Meals: Only Breakfast at Hotel

Today you will dive into Peruvian gastronomy, one of the most celebrated cuisines in the world, through an immersive cooking experience in Cusco. Your day begins at 9:00 AM with a hotel pick-up, followed by a guided visit to the historic San Pedro Market, the heart of local food culture. With a professional local chef, you will walk through vibrant aisles filled with Andean grains, native potatoes, fresh vegetables, aromatic herbs, exotic fruits and traditional spices. During the visit, your chef will explain how these ingredients are cultivated, their nutritional and ceremonial importance, and how ancient Inca food traditions still influence modern Peruvian cuisine.

After exploring the market, you will head to a private cooking studio, where the hands-on culinary experience begins. Under expert guidance, you will learn to prepare a traditional Peruvian main course, using authentic techniques and fresh ingredients from the market. You will also craft a classic Peruvian drink, gaining insight into flavor balance, presentation and regional variations. Throughout the class, the chef will share personal stories, cooking tips, and cultural context, making the experience a meaningful exchange rather than just a lesson. Once the dishes are complete, you will sit down to enjoy the meal you prepared, savoring the flavors in a relaxed and social atmosphere. The experience concludes around 1:30 PM, leaving you with delicious memories and a deeper understanding of Peru’s culinary heritage and everyday life.

• Accomodation. Rumi Punko or Similar

• Entry Fees: Included

• Meals: Only Breakfast at Hotel

The Machu Picchu Guided Tour includes excursions to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the archaeological sites of Moray and Maras and a two-day visit to Machu Picchu. You will explore Circuits 1 and 2, hike to the Sun Gate, and may choose to climb Huayna Picchu. The tour also features a full-day hike to Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley, professional licensed guides, transportation, entrance tickets to major attractions and coordinated logistics for your journey.

The tour visits Machu Picchu over two consecutive days from Aguas Calientes, providing a more in-depth and relaxed experience. On the first day, you’ll take a bus to the citadel and explore Circuit 1, which highlights upper viewpoints and includes a hike to the Sun Gate. On the second day, you’ll return to explore Circuit 2, the most comprehensive route through the citadel, visiting temples, terraces and ceremonial areas, with the option to hike Huayna Picchu.

The Huayna Picchu hike is optional and requires a separate entrance ticket due to strict daily limits set by Machu Picchu authorities. Tickets must be reserved well in advance, as availability is limited, especially during high season. The hike is physically demanding but offers exceptional panoramic views of Machu Picchu.

This tour is rated moderate and is suitable for travelers with a basic to good level of fitness. While most of Machu Picchu is accessed by bus and walking paths, hikes such as Huayna Picchu and Rainbow Mountain include steep sections and high altitude. The itinerary allows time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley for acclimatization.

Yes, the Machu Picchu Guided Tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Peru seeking a comprehensive, guided experience. The itinerary blends cultural exploration, historical context and natural scenery, so travelers can appreciate each destination without managing logistics themselves.

The best time for the Machu Picchu Guided Tour is during the dry season from April to October, when weather is stable and ideal for sightseeing and hiking. April, May, September and October offer excellent weather with fewer crowds. The tour operates year-round, with greener landscapes during the rainy season from November to March.

Some parts of the tour, especially Rainbow Mountain, reach high altitudes. To minimize the risk of altitude sickness, the itinerary includes time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley for acclimatization. Staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol, eating light meals and following your guide’s recommendations improve comfort and safety throughout the tour.

Packing appropriately will enhance your experience. We recommend comfortable walking or hiking shoes, layered clothing for changing mountain temperatures, a waterproof jacket, sun protection, insect repellent and a small daypack. For hikes, trekking poles (optional) and snacks are also helpful, especially at higher altitudes.

Some meals are included, such as breakfasts at your hotels and select lunches during full-day excursions. Other meals, especially in Aguas Calientes, are not included, allowing you to explore local restaurants and enjoy Peruvian cuisine as you prefer.

This tour provides a more immersive Machu Picchu experience by extending the visit over two days and covering multiple official circuits. You’ll enjoy panoramic viewpoints, detailed guided exploration and optional hikes, along with Sacred Valley highlights and Rainbow Mountain. This approach offers greater context, depth and memorable views compared to a rushed single-day visit.