8 Day Peru Tour Classic

Machu Picchu, Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
  • Tour code

    PE1

  • Start

    Lima (LIM)

  • End

    Cuzco (CUZ)

  • Tour type

    Cultural

  • Max Group Size

    18

  • When To Go

    Feb, May, Sep

  • Activity Level

    1 - Light

  • Overnight in

    Lima, Yucay, Aguas Calientes, Cusco

Highlights

  • Larco Museum, Lima
  • Exploring Urubamba: "Sacred Valley of the Incas".
  • Mysterious Machu Picchu: a must see!
  • Scenic 'Vistadome' train

Description

On our Classic Peru tour the sight of Peruvian villagers going about their daily business amid their mud-brick houses that stand in the foreground of the mighty peak of Salkantay is a sight that is perfect material to fill the many pages of our photo-albums once you have arrived back home. The image of the clustered ruins of Machu Picchu enveloped by the lush green grass that grows high on the slopes of the Andes will definitely provide a photograph rich in colour. While in the capital city of Lima, take the time to inspect the winding streets lined with many wooden balconies brimming with flowers and let this picture soak into our memory. The Cuzco area provides imagery that is something truly worthy of wonder, but it also contains antiquity that teaches us more about the country's vibrant past. The Sacsayhuaman's massive stature shows us the power and influence of the ancient civilizations of this glorious land.

On our Classic Peru tour the sight of Peruvian villagers going about their daily business amid their mud-brick houses that stand in the foreground of the mighty peak of Salkantay is a sight that is perfect material to fill the many pages of our photo-albums once you have arrived back home.

Today we arrive in Lima, Peru. In recent years, this city has undergone some wonderful restorations of the plazas, ornate facades, and wooden balconies for which it is famous. Named the 'City of Kings' by the Spanish Conquistadors, Lima is the capital of Peru. Founded in 1535 by Francisco Pizarro, where the River Rimac meets the Pacific Ocean, this was the most important Spanish city during the colonial era with a population of about 100,000 inhabitants. Today the city is home to more than 7 million people.

Overnight in Lima (Miraflores).

Included Meal(s): Dinner

This morning we will make our way to the Plaza de Armas, the most important plaza in Lima. The oldest surviving part of the plaza is the impressive bronze fountain, erected in 1650. Surrounding the plaza is the exquisite Archbishop's Palace, the cathedral, and the Government Palace where handsomely uniformed presidential guards are on duty all day. We visit the cathedral where the great conquistador Francisco Pizarro's tomb lies. After, we will continue to San Francisco's Church to visit the extensive catacombs that lie underneath, before then stopping for some lunch at Ficus Hacienda. Here we will also get to enjoy a wonderful exhibition of beautiful Peruvian Paso horses. We then proceed to the Larco Museum, which showcases remarkable chronological galleries and an excellent overview on 3,000 years of development of Peruvian pre-Columbian history. Located in a unique vice-royal mansion of the 18th century built over a 7th century pre-Columbian pyramid, is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Features the finest gold and silver collection from ancient Peru and the famous erotic archaeological collection, one of the most visited Peruvian tourist attractions. For an unforgettable experience, Larco is one of the few museums in the world where visitors can also choose to enter the storage area with its 45,000 classified archaeological objects. Later we head to the trendy area of Miraflores where people stroll along the cliff tops and watch the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean. The best location is the new "Love Park," with its magnificent monument to lovers at its centre. Dinner will be on your own this evening.

Overnight in Lima.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Lunch

Early this morning we fly to Cuzco, located in a fertile valley at 3354 m (11,004 feet). This is the archaeological capital of the Americas and the ancient capital of the Inca Empire that, at its height, stretched from Colombia in the north, through Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, and down to central Chile in the south. Although the empire already existed in the 12th century, it remained small until the mid-15th century. Over the next 100 years, it expanded massively but declined due to the civil war and the conquest by the Spanish conquistadors under Francisco Pizarro in 1533. On arrival we will travel by road into the Urubamba Valley, or "Sacred Valley of the Incas," along one of the most scenic drives on our trip, to the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo located on a spectacular ridge with deep valleys on either side. We can admire the carefully constructed and maintained farming terraces on the surrounding hillsides. We continue to the town of Yucay on the bank of the Urubamba River (2300m / 7,590 ft). This is an attractive little town of particularly fertile lands whose name translated into Spanish means "deceit" or "bewitchment". According to legend, in the middle of the 15th century, the Inca Huayna Capac was captivated by the incomparable magnificence of Yucay's setting and decided to settle here.

Overnight in Yucay.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Today we take the early morning train* from Urubamba to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. The train journey to Machu Picchu is a highlight of any trip to the Andes; the scenery is simply spectacular, and the train allows you to enjoy it in comfort. The +/- 3 hour trip takes us through a changing landscape with wonderful vistas of the mountains and, deep in its dramatic canyon, the beautiful Urubamba River. Our early arrival from Urubamba ensures that we are at the site before the tourist throngs arrive on the train from Cuzco later in the morning. Machu Picchu, popularly known as the 'Lost City of the Incas,' is an ancient city of stone palaces, towers, temples and staircases. It is a very mysterious place, and to this day our knowledge of it remains sketchy. There are no records or artifacts on the site to indicate what any of the buildings were used for. Archaeologists have ascertained that the site was most likely a ceremonial centre and possibly used for administrative purposes for the populous region. Upon arrival at the Aguas Calientes train station, a bus will take us on the 6 km (4 mile) twisting journey up the mountainside to the site of Machu Picchu. Having already dropped our baggage at our hotel, we proceed immediately for a 2-hour guided walking tour of Circuit 1 (the Upper Terrace route). After a break for lunch, we will then continue with another 2-hour guided walking tour, although this time we will be following Circuit 2B. During these guided tours, we will see, among other features: the Intihuatana pyramid, the Water mirrors complex, the Plaza of the Sacred Rock, and the prison-like Temple of the Condor. After our tours we will proceed back to our hotel. * PLEASE bring an overnight bag for this one night at Aguas Calientes as the train enforces strict luggage limits. Our larger bags will be transported back to Cuzco for us. Please also note that, due to group size limits, groups exceeding 15 participants will be split between two guides for today's site tour.

Overnight at Agua Calientes (near Machu Picchu).

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

A large part of the beauty of Machu Picchu is created by its setting on a mountain top surrounded by deep valleys. By staying for a second day to visit Machu Picchu, rather than visiting as a day trip from Cuzco, we are able to savour the atmosphere of this very special place. In the early morning of our second day at Machu Picchu, some group members may choose to take the bus back up to the site with the weather-dependent hope of seeing the mist-clad mountains greet the morning sun (an optional excursion). Weather notwithstanding, the best thing about going up the second day is being there early when there are fewer people, allowing time to "soak it in," as well as the opportunity to climb Huayna Picchu. During our time in the village below the site, we will also include a visit to the Manuel Chavez Ballon Site Museum, which focuses on the "discovery," excavation, and history of Macchu Picchu. On display are historical photos, including photos of Hiram Bingham at Machu Picchu shortly after he came across the ruins, informative write-ups on the construction of Machu Picchu and the life of the Incas, and artifacts found at the site. Outside the museum is a very lush botanical garden running along the river; some plants are labelled and there are a few short trails. This is a nice shady area to rest on a hot day and is an easy 25 minute walk from Aguas Calientes down the road leading to Machu Picchu. Later in the afternoon we board the VISTADOME train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Station (1.5 hours) from where we bus back to Cuzco. * DUE TO strict limits on the number of visitors daily, if you elect to visit again today (optional - at your expense), you will need to book well advance online via www.ticketmachupicchu.com. You will need to choose the EARLIEST options for Machu Picchu only OR Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu if you want to hike Huayna Picchu (a difficult walk).

Overnight in Cuzco.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

This morning we visit some of the most important Inca sites in the Cuzco area. Sacsayhuaman is an impressive complex which, like so many others of that time, had both a religious and military purpose. The fortress known as the 'storehouse of the sun' incorporates some of the largest stones ever used in a building. The zig-zag walls represent the teeth of the sacred puma and provide an excellent defensive structure. The stones fit so perfectly together without mortar that not even moss can grow in the cracks! In the afternoon we return to Cuzco and enjoy a tour of the town. We visit Coricancha, the temple of the sun which was the most important location in the Inca empire. Entombed in the closed cloister of the Sto Domingo Church, these sacred walls were hidden from modern civilization until the colonial walls were brought down in 1950 by a powerful earthquake. We also visit the church of San Blas with its fabulously carved pulpit. Wandering the narrow streets of the San Blas artisan region we make our way to the cathedral which towers impressively over the Plaza Mayor. Inside we find precious paintings from the Cuzco School of Art, one of the most prolific of its era. This Inca city was laid out around a great central square in the shape of a puma, the god of lightning. Today, stone walls built by the Incas line most of Cuzco's central streets and form the foundations of colonial and modern buildings. The Inca buildings were so well built that the Spaniards simply knocked down the upper parts of the Inca temples and palaces and built their churches and mansions on top of the Inca walls. Shortly after the Spanish conquest, the capital was moved to Lima on the coast. Thus Cuzco has retained a wonderful, untouched colonial atmosphere. The culture is also very much alive here, and is evident in the music, clothing and handicrafts of the people. We have dinner at a local restaurant where we can try some typical Peruvian dishes. One may wish to try the "Pisco sour", a powerful drink made with a Peruvian liquor distilled from white grapes.

Overnight in Cuzco.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

This morning we visit the ruins at Tambo Machay, Puca Pucara and Qenko. The latter is an Inca sacrificial site carved with inscriptions. We continue to Pisac with its lively market where you will encounter traditionally dressed locals with whom you can barter for colourful craft items. You will see many unique Andean musical instruments as well as dazzling textiles. Peruvian woolen items are justifiably famous for their imaginative designs, based on Inca art and the local flora and fauna. You can buy sweaters and caps made from the extremely warm wool of alpacas and llamas. We return to Cuzco with balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Cuzco.

Included Meal(s): Breakfast and Dinner

Departure from Cuzco.
BUEN VIAJE!

Included Meal(s): Breakfast

Price includes

  • Guided Tours: Professional guides for all sightseeing activities and excursions.
  • Transfers: Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
  • Accommodation: Well-located, heated / air-conditioned, mid-range (3/4 star) hotels with en suite toilet and bath throughout (probably shower only). Single rooms are limited and likely smaller than doubles. Porter service is usually available though you should be independent with your luggage, especially at airports and train stations.
  • Meals: Breakfast and dinner daily (hotels and local restaurants).
  • Transportation: All transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.
  • Gratuity Fees: Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.
  • Transfers: Airport transfers for land & air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
  • Staff and Support: Tour Leader, driver/s, and local step on guides.

Exclusions

  • International Flights: International airfare to/from the tour.
  • Personal Expenses: Tour Leader gratuity, lunches, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), departure taxes, domestic and international air taxes (if applicable).
  • Airport Transfers: Airport transfers for Land Only customers.
  • Travel Insurance: Optional trip cancellation insurance.
  • Trip Resource: Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs, shopping, and locally paid departure taxes.

Other notes

  • Seasonality and Weather: This tour is offered throughout the year. The cool and dry season runs from May to October; outside this time you will encounter warmer but perhaps rainy / misty conditions in the mountains. Serious heat / humidity are only a consideration in Lima.
  • Transport and Travel Conditions: Road transport by private air-conditioned motor coach, 24-36 seats depending on ultimate group size (see 'group size'). Numerous walking tours on uneven surfaces. Most of this tour occurs at high altitude and, though our itinerary spends a night at Yucay before climbing higher to Cuzco, some people are affected-check with your doctor. Scenic VISTADOME train from Aguas Calientes to Cuzco. Internal flight via scheduled local carrier.
  • Activity Level: 2 These are particularly busy tours that feature a lot of moving around, sometimes by train and short journeys on local transport. Walking tours of towns and cities are leisurely but you should be prepared to be on your feet for several hours. Some of our cultural trips that occur at high altitude and/or require greater independence with baggage handling (at hotels, airports, train stations) also fall into this category. To learn more about the Activity levels, please visit our tour styles page.

Booking terms

The easiest way to make a reservation is via our website; during office hours, you are also more than welcome to contact us by telephone. A non-refundable deposit is payable at the time of booking; if a reservation is made within 90 days, full payment is required. Some trips require a larger deposit. If international airline bookings require a non-refundable payment in order to secure space or the lowest available fare, we will require an increase in deposit equal to the cost of the ticket(s). Early enrolment is always encouraged as group size is limited and some trips require greater preparation time. Once we have received your deposit, we will confirm your space and send you a confirmation package containing your trip itinerary, any visa/travel permit related documents, invoice, clothing and equipment recommendations, general information on your destination(s), and forms for you to complete, sign and return to us. Your air e-tickets (if applicable), final hotel list, final trip itinerary, and instructions on how to join your tour, will be sent approximately 2-3 weeks prior to departure.

Hotel Casona de Yucay

Yucay, Peru
53 comfortable and cozy rooms, all of which are decorated in a local style. Rooms with ample windows with views of colourful gardens, mountains, and countryside. Rooms feature heat and hot water,…

El Mapi Hotel

Aguas Calientes, Peru
El Mapi is located in the charming village of Aguas Calientes at the foot of Machu Picchu. This centrally located hotel is only a few minutes away from the train station…

Royal Inka II

Cusco, Peru
This charming colonial property offers local flavour and friendly service. Modern rooms offer individual heating, colour TV, international telephone.

Overall rating

4.9

5 reviews
Excellent

Recent reviews

5 reviews
Doyle D. (Arlington, VA - US)

"Machu Picchu is Machu Picchu, so I won't say anything about that other than it's an incredible site. Two of my favorite excursions were the Peruvian Paso horses outside of Lima and the llama farm outside of Cusco. I wasn't expecting to be interested in either of these and found I loved them both. I also really enjoyed the Love Park in Lima with all the sayings from Latin American poets embedded in the mosaic wall. Transportation was consistently excellent. The meals more than met my expectations. I live in the Washington, DC area and many of the meals we had were as good as any you can find here. That's saying a lot! I was expecting a kind of rice and beans fare and instead found haute cuisine. One of the things about the trip that was outstanding for me was that the group "gelled", at least from my perspective. We just had a lot of fun. "

Verified booking
Allen B. (Calgary, AB - CA)

"Particularly enjoyed Machu Picchu. Excellent local guides- very knowledgeable and informative. Tour bus extremely clean. Excellent driver. Train ride was very enjoyable. Excellent flights. Our tour leader was very attentive to individual needs. Well organized. Very knowledgeable. Hotels on this tour was excellent. Great experience."

Verified booking
Julie H. (Sarnia, ON - CA)

"Machu Picchu was the highlight -- also, being able to go back the second day & hike to the Sun Gate was amazing. Loved it so much. Would not eliminate any of the excursions. Enjoyed all the historic places. Had 2 local guides: Ricardo for the city tour in Lima and Jackie from Cuzco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & back to Cuzco. Both were very knowledgeable & did an excellent job. Paid attention to detail. Bus tour around Lima & the Sacred Valley -- very good. Enjoyed the train ride to & from Ollantaytambo to Aquas Calientes. All the restaurants chosen by our tour leader Pablo were excellent. Lots of variety of food, all very good. Really enjoyed the evening & dinner at the Casa Hacienda (with the Paso horses) outside of Lima. Dinners in Cuzco were also well selected -- enjoyed the music by Peruvian players one evening. Loved the tour. Enjoyed having a smaller group."

Verified booking
Rebecca F. (Granbury, TX - US)

"Very knowledgeable. Not only related to the tour highlights but also general info. I didn t hear him unable to answer any question that was asked of anyone in the tour group. Was very attentive to clients needs and desires. Daily asking how we felt about the tour and how we were doing."

Verified booking

Extend Your Trip

This tour is part of a series that can be upgraded to make for a longer trip.

+2 days in Peru

10 days Peru
2 - Moderate PE10
Larco Museum, Lima; Exploring Urubamba, "Sacred Valley of the Incas"; Mysterious Machu Picchu-a must see!; Scenic 'Vistadome' train to Cuzco; Beautiful, ancient Cuzco; Peruvian Amazon jungle experience…
$+1,021 /pp
Details

+3 days in Peru

11 days Peru
2 - Moderate PE5
Gold Museum, Lima; Scenic Nazca Lines overflight; Mysterious Machu Picchu-a must see!; Exploring the "Sacred Valley of the Incas"; Scenic 'vistadome' train…
$+1,201 /pp
Details

+5 days in Peru

13 days Peru
2 - Moderate PE11
Overnight in: Doha, Kuwait City, Manama, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Khasab, Muscat, Sur, Wahiba Sands, Nizwa, Salalah, Jeddah, Medina, Al Ula, Tabuk, Riyadh.
$+2,261 /pp
Details

+6 days and see Bolivia

14 days Peru, Bolivia
2 - Moderate PE2
Mysterious Machu Picchu-a must see!; Exploring Cuzco and the "Sacred Valley of the Incas"; Colourful Chinchero & Pisac markets; The Floating Islands…
$+1,991 /pp
Details

+9 days and see Bolivia

17 days Peru, Bolivia
2 - Moderate PE6
Venture in Northern Vietnam; Magical cruise on the untouched part of Lan Ha Bay; Majestic Angkor Temples, culturally rich Northern Thailand…
$+3,481 /pp
Details

+14 days and see Ecuador

22 days Peru, Ecuador
2 - Moderate PE10
Famed 'Avenue of Volcanoes'; Four-night Galapagos cruise; Mysterious Machu Picchu - a must see!; Scenic 'Vistadome' train…
$+8,191 /pp
Details

+18 days and see Ecuador

26 days Peru, Ecuador
2 - Moderate PE11
Guided Amazon adventure; Famed 'Avenue of Volcanoes'; Four-night Galapagos cruise; Mysterious Machu Picchu - a must see!; Scenic 'Vistadome' train…
$+10,351 /pp
Details

+20 days and see Ecuador & Bolivia

28 days Peru, Ecuador, & Bolivia
2 - Moderate PE12
Famed 'Avenue of Volcanoes'; Four-night Galapagos cruise; Mysterious Machu Picchu - a must see!; Scenic 'Vistadome' train; The Floating Islands of Puno; Sacred island of the Sun…
$+10,651 /pp
Details
Fast and easy

Book this tour

Book your unforgettable adventure today! For any questions or advice, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Have questions?

Booking@adventures-abroad.com 1-855-642-9801

Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

A non-refundable $500 deposit is payable at the time of booking (some tours require a higher deposit).

Transferring to another tour or tour date is only permissible outside of 120 days prior to departure and is subject to a $100 transfer fee. (Read our cancellation policy for more info.)

From: $3780 CAD pp
 2025
 2026

Deposit due today: $500

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