Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, your professional guide and private driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in historic downtown Cusco. Hotel check-in is available from 12:00 PM; if you arrive earlier, you can store your luggage and relax or take a short walk around the nearby plazas and colonial streets. This introduction helps you acclimatize to the altitude while experiencing the charm of the former Inca capital.

At 1:00 PM, you will meet your guide to begin the Cusco City Tour, exploring the city’s most important historical and archaeological landmarks. Your first stop is the Cusco Cathedral, a colonial masterpiece built atop Inca foundations, housing remarkable religious art and centuries of history. Next is Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), once the most sacred temple of the Inca Empire, known for its perfectly carved stone walls and its role in Inca astronomy and solar worship. After exploring the city center, you will travel by private transportation to visit four nearby Inca archaeological sites. At Sacsayhuamán, you will see massive stone walls and panoramic views over Cusco, learning about its ceremonial and military significance. You will then explore Qenqo, a ritual site with carved rock altars and underground passages, followed by Puca Pucara, a former military outpost and control point. The final stop is Tambomachay, known as the Temple of Water, where the Incas demonstrated advanced hydraulic engineering. After an afternoon of history and culture, you will return to Cusco, concluding the tour around 5:30 PM.

• Accommodation: Rumi Punko Hotel or Similar
• Entry Fee: Included
• Meals: Not included

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 settle into your hotel in Ollantaytambo, where you will spend the night surrounded by history and Andean beauty.

• Accommodation: Sol Natura or Similar
• Entry Fee: Included
• Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Your day begins with a 5:45 a.m. hotel pickup in Ollantaytambo. Your guide will walk with you to the train station, then you will take a scenic train ride to Km 104, the starting point of the 2-day Short Inca Trail hike to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, you will pass through the checkpoint and present your original passport. After a short briefing, you will prepare for the hike by applying sunscreen and insect repellent, organizing water, and readying your camera.

The hike starts with a gentle ascent to Chachabamba, an important Inca complex believed to be a ceremonial gateway to Machu Picchu. After a guided tour, you will continue uphill for about three hours to Wiñay Wayna, known for its agricultural terraces and temples. After exploring the site, you will have a freshly prepared lunch by your trekking chef.

After a brief rest, you will hike for about one hour to Inti Punku, or the Sun Gate, which offers your first panoramic view of Machu Picchu. From there, you will descend to enter Machu Picchu through the upper section of the citadel, known as Circuit 1, noted for its classic views. After enjoying the scenery and taking photos, you will take a bus to Aguas Calientes and stay overnight in a comfortable hotel, preparing for the next day's exploration.

Today features a guided visit to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Your day begins with an early wake-up call and breakfast at your hotel in Aguas Calientes. You will then board an early bus to the Machu Picchu citadel, arriving during the quieter morning hours. Upon arrival, you will take a guided tour of Machu Picchu via Circuit 3, the official route for all Inca Trail hikers as required by Machu Picchu regulations. This circuit covers the central and lower sectors of the citadel, including ceremonial rooms, the Temple of the Sun, sacred water fountains, agricultural terraces and residential areas. Your guide will provide insights into Inca history, architecture, astronomy and daily life during the approximately 2.5-hour tour.

After the guided tour, travelers with a reserved Huayna Picchu hike (subject to availability and an additional fee of USD 75 per person) will begin their ascent for panoramic views of Machu Picchu. Those without a Huayna Picchu ticket will return by bus to Aguas Calientes, with free time to explore the town, shop, or have lunch at a local restaurant (not included). In the afternoon, you will board the return train through the Sacred Valley. A private driver will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival is expected at approximately 8:00 p.m., concluding your Machu Picchu experience.

• Accommodation: Rumi Punko Hotel or Similar
• Entry Fee: Included
• Meals: Not included

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.

• Accommodation: Rumi Punko Hotel or Similar
• Entry Fee: Included
• Meals: breakfast - Lunch

Your adventure begins early at 4:30 AM with a hotel pick-up in Cusco, heading toward the remote Andes in private transportation. After about 2 hours of scenic driving, you arrive in the village of Cusipata for a nourishing breakfast to prepare for the hike. After breakfast, you drive for about 1 hour through high-altitude landscapes to the trailhead at approximately 4,350 meters (14,270 ft). Here, your guide gives a detailed briefing on altitude, weather, and hiking safety. You have time to get ready with sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses and water, while your guide carries oxygen and a basic first-aid kit for your comfort and safety during the hike.

Once ready, you begin the hike toward Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). The trail is a gradual uphill path, with altitude as the main challenge rather than technical difficulty. Your guide sets a slow, steady pace, allowing for frequent breaks to acclimatize and enjoy views of snow-capped peaks and grazing alpacas. After about 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking, you reach the summit, where the famous multi-colored mineral slopes of Rainbow Mountain appear before you. You have time to take photos, appreciate the unique natural formations, and celebrate reaching one of Peru’s most iconic high-altitude destinations. From here, you hike about 45 minutes to the spectacular Red Valley, a lesser-visited area known for its deep red landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery. At the viewpoint, you enjoy panoramic vistas that feel untouched and remote. After the hike, you descend to the trailhead, where your driver waits to take you back to Cusipata for a well-earned lunch. You then return to Cusco, arriving at your hotel around 5:00 PM.

• Accommodation: Rumi Punko Hotel or Similar
• Entry Fee: Included
• Meals: breakfast - Lunch

After exploring the highlights of Cusco and the Andes, it is time to say goodbye. About two hours before your flight, our professional driver will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and provide a comfortable, punctual transfer to the airport. This private transfer ensures a smooth, stress-free end to your trip, so you can relax and reflect on your Machu Picchu and Andean adventure. Thank you for choosing Champions. We look forward to welcoming you back to Peru in the future.

• Accommodation: None
• Entry Fee: Na
• Meals: Only breakfast at Hotel.

The Machu Picchu Hiking Tour features guided visits to Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Moray, Maras, the Short Inca Trail, Humantay Lagoon, Rainbow Mountain and the Red Valley. The package includes professional guides, transportation, entrance tickets and logistics for a seamless experience.

This tour is rated moderate and is suitable for active travelers with a reasonable level of fitness. While the Short Inca Trail is manageable for most participants, hikes to Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain involve high altitude and steep sections. No technical hiking skills are required and the itinerary allows time for acclimatization.

Hiking experience is helpful but not required. Trails are well established and guides maintain a steady pace with regular breaks. Travelers comfortable with several hours of walking and outdoor activities will find the tour rewarding.

The best time for the Machu Picchu Hiking Tour is the dry season from April to October, when weather is ideal and views are clear. April, May, September and October offer fewer crowds and excellent conditions.

Destinations like Humantay Lagoon and Rainbow Mountain are at high altitude. The itinerary includes time in Cusco and the Sacred Valley for acclimatization. Staying hydrated, maintaining a steady pace and following your guide’s advice help reduce altitude-related discomfort.

Yes, the Short Inca Trail is included. Permits are required and limited, so early booking is strongly recommended. We manage the permit process once your reservation is confirmed.

We recommend comfortable hiking shoes, layered clothing, a waterproof jacket, sun protection, insect repellent, a reusable water bottle and a small daypack. Trekking poles are optional but helpful for high-altitude hikes.

Some meals are included, such as hotel breakfasts and lunches during full-day excursions. In some locations, meals are not included, allowing flexibility to choose restaurants.

Yes, this tour is ideal for first-time visitors seeking an active, immersive introduction to Peru. It combines iconic landmarks, cultural experiences and scenic hikes in a well-organized itinerary.

This tour offers a deeper experience by combining multiple iconic hikes, cultural exploration and the legendary Short Inca Trail. It is perfect for travelers who want to explore Machu Picchu and the Andes through adventure, nature and authentic local experiences rather than standard sightseeing alone.