From Cusco to Machu Picchu

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Machu Picchu has a gravitational pull. So strong that Inca culture still influences people today. Some still practice the 600-year-old pottery techniques. Others, like you, are influenced from thousands of miles away. It urges you to hike the hills of Cusco at 11,000 feet above sea level, investigate the ruins of Sacsayhuamán, "Stonehenge of the Andes," make friends with the local schoolchildren who live in hidden weaving communities in undiscovered valleys, stand above it all at the summit of Montaña Machu Picchu and testify to the resilience of humanity. Theirs and yours. 

Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited. We recommend booking a minimum of 4-6 months prior to departure date to significantly increase your chance of securing a permit. If permits are unavailable during some seasons, you will take a train to Aguas Calientes, bus to the entrance and hike into Machu Picchu.

Days 1-2 Extraordinary archaeological sites  Explore Cusco, once the center of the pre-Columbian Inca Empire  Visit Coricancha, a Spanish Colonial church built atop the ruins of an Inca temple  Our local guide shares deep insight into Peru's culture and ancient civilizations as we journey through Puca Pucara, Q'enko, Temple of the Moon and Sacsayhuamán  A long-time friend and Quechua shaman teaches us the meaning of his indigenous "Pago a la Tierra" ceremony Discover the superb collection at Cusco's Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and sip a pisco sour in the museum's historic courtyard.

Day 3 Walk amid the Inca salt pans' beautiful honeycomb of pools high above the Urubamba River Valley  Alpaca sweaters, decorative gourds, appetizing smells and colorful characters fill Pisac's lively market Admire some of the finest Inca masonry at the Pisac ruins.

Day 4 Visit a weaving community tucked in the hills to experience authentic rural Andean life In peaceful Ollantaytambo, meet kids at the local school, climb the ruins of an Inca fortress and walk along the terraced valley Urubamba is a great place to shop for ceramics crafted using traditional Inca techniques at the internationally acclaimed Seminario Studio  A culinary highlight is our exclusive Peruvian cuisine cooking class with Sol y Luna's chef.

Days 5-7 Machu Picchu, the incredible "Lost City of the Incas," replete with intricate stonework and mysterious religious designs Hike on the Inca Trail, lined with ancient stones and stairs, to reach the Gate of the Sun and your first unforgettable view of Machu Picchu Got an intrepid streak? Summit Machu Picchu Mountain for a bird's-eye look at the ruins Spend a second full day exploring the "Lost City" with a local expert who provides insight into this sacred site Explore the grounds of the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel with a local naturalist to learn more about the area's flora and fauna.