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Days
5
Price from
1503AUD
Map of Machu Picchu Experience – Independent including Peru

Discover Inca marvels hidden in the lush Sacred Valley

The true purpose behind Machu Picchu may always remain unsolved since the Inca had no written language and no historical records of the complex exist. Discover the theories and tales behind this incredible citadel on a five-day Peregrine Independent Experience in Peru. Not only will you enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu, you will also have time to explore charming Cusco and the lush Sacred Valley that surrounds. With all of the hassle of transfers and accommodation taken care of, your worries will stay focused on solving the mysteries of the fallen Inca Empire.

Start
Cusco, Peru
Finish
Cusco, Peru
Destination
Peru
Style
Independent Experiences
Theme
Independent Experiences
Code
PSMPX
Physical rating
Trip rating
2 reviews
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 4

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore the beautiful Spanish colonial architecture of Cusco and the hive of activity at the central San Pedro Markets. With plenty of time exploring at your leisure, you’ll really get to know this city.

  • Walk through the breathtaking hills of the Sacred Valley between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, visiting a local community for lunch.

  • No trip to this region is complete without a guided visit to the iconic Machu Picchu. Explore this Inca marvel with a local guide, learning of its engineering feats and intriguing history.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Due to the high altitude of the places we visit some people can suffer altitude sickness, regardless of age, gender or fitness. It even happened to Sir Edmund Hillary! Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

  • Independent Experiences are independent travel, without the stress. Peregrine’s Independent Experiences are a range of short trips that you can add to other experiences or as an extension to a longer tour, to craft your perfect holiday itinerary. Independent Experiences are for 1–3 travellers, come accompanied by a local guide and depart daily.

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Itinerary
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Welcome to Cusco – once the capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Your trip starts today with an airport arrival transfer to your accommodation. A local guide will welcome you this evening at approximately 7 pm to brief you on your adventure. Cusco’s main sites radiate outwards from the Plaza de Armas, which is dominated by the 17th-century Baroque cathedral. This is a city steeped in history, tradition and legend and is a perfect base for explorations into the Inca world or to enjoy a range of outdoor activities. Take the time to acclimatise to the city's high altitude and explore the many Baroque churches and ancient temples that line the streets.
Accommodation
  • San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Included in your trip is a ‘Full Boleto Turistico Pass’, which gives you access to 16 archaeological sites in and around Cusco. The ticket is valid for 10 days, so if you wish to make use of the ticket prior to today, please speak to a booking agent to reschedule the welcome meeting so your local guide can provide you with the pass.

Head on a half-day walking tour with your local guide – you’ll work out a time to meet at your welcome meeting yesterday which suits you both. Today, you’ll pass multiple city sights, including Koricancha – once the richest temple in the Inca Empire, with the walls covered in some 700 solid-gold sheets. Continue to the city cathedral, which houses an impressive collection of art and an ornate neoclassical altar. Stroll down past the legendary Twelve Angled Stone towards the San Pedro Market, where you will find vegetables, meats, local cheeses, chocolates, herbal medicines and many artisanal crafts. As your walking tour will finish up around lunchtime, why not order a freshly squeezed juice, some fried pork or one of Cusco’s renowned chicken soups. Afterwards, spend the rest of the day discovering more of Cusco, perhaps visiting more sites included on your tourist pass, or simply strolling to find a traditional Peruvian restaurant for dinner.
Accommodation
  • San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included)
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple entrance fee
  • Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today, you’re off to the Sacred Valley for a full day. Located between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, this valley is greatly treasured because of its climate, fertile land and the presence of the Urubamba (Sacred) River. During the tour, you will see evidence of the Inca’s engineering skills in the ruins of ancient aqueducts, irrigation canals, dams on the Urubamba River, imposing sets of terraces and centres of worship dedicated to Pachamama (Mother Earth), and the stone fortress of Sacsayhuaman. Join with a local community for lunch, and if it happens to be market day, wander the stalls and hunt down beautiful handmade beads and ponchos. Continue on to archaeological site of Ollantaytambo – one of the few places where the Incas defeated the Spanish. Here, view the site from its upper terraces to get some great views of the well-planned tow below. Afterwards, take a train to Aguas Calientes – the town at the base of Machu Picchu.
Accommodation
  • Santuario Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Today is the day! Rise early for a 5.30 am bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu, which will take approximately 30 minutes. You will be joined by a local guide who will take you through the Inca ruins, a breathtaking sight at any time of the day. Built around 1450, the city was deserted less than a century later following the Spanish invasion and ‘lost’ for hundreds of years before it was rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911. See the best of the citadel and learn more about the Inca Empire from your local guide, stopping for plenty of photo opportunities. Return to Cusco for the rest of the afternoon at leisure – after all of that wondrous sightseeing, why not celebrate with a pisco sour?
Accommodation
  • San Agustin Plaza Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
According to Machu Picchu visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction only and once the guided visit commences, exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. Once the guided visit concludes, visitors must exit the site. Personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not permitted.

Your Independent Experience will come to an end today after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Please ensure you advise of your flight details when booking your Machu Picchu Experience.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

5 breakfasts, 1 lunch

Transport

Bus, Private vehicle, Train

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights)

Included Activities

  • Cusco - Full Boleto Turistico Pass (access to 16 archaeological sites, transport & guides not included)
  • Cusco - Coricancha Temple entrance fee
  • Cusco - Cathedral Entrance Fee
  • Cusco - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Sacred Valley - Community visit & lunch
  • Machu Picchu - Entrance and guided tour

Dates & availability

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Important notes

PASSPORT DETAILS REQUIRED
Full passport details are required at the time of booking in order to purchase entrance fees to important sites such as Machu Picchu. Delays to provide this information may result in booking fees or changes to your itinerary.

MACHU PICCHU RULE CHANGES
Recently, Peruvian authorities released a new list of regulations for visiting Machu Picchu. These include:

1. Tickets are now only valid only for one entry, which means that passengers cannot leave the site and return at a later time.
2. Once passengers begin on a chosen circuit (there are three options) they cannot walk backwards and once they finish the circuit they must leave the site. They cannot explore afterwards.
3. The two allotted times to visit are 6 am–12 pm and 12–4.30 pm.
4. It is technically mandatory to have an official site guide (aside from our local leaders) to visit the ruins. However, as there are not enough official guides to cover the number of people who are granted entry, authorities are being flexible.

We encourage passengers to explore the upper part of Machu Picchu (Sun Gate and Inka Bridge) before their guided tour starts. Your leader will provide more information on what the group’s options are at the welcome meeting.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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