Peru Hiking
From Cusco to Machu Picchu
With legendary Machu Picchu as its centerpiece, this Backroads hiking adventure offers an intimate introduction to Peru's bounty of cultural and geographic treasures. Join us to trace the path of an ancient civilization, beginning in Cusco, where Inca-built stone walls attest to its long history. Venture into the Sacred Valley of the Inca, where relics and ruins of the distant past still shape the vibrant Andean culture of the present. Visit colorful Quechua markets, marvel at towering glacier-capped peaks and, finally, feel your heart race as you visit Machu Picchu, one of the world's most magnificent archaeological wonders.
Permits to hike the Inca Trail are extremely limited so we recommend booking a minimum of 4-6 months prior to departure date so significantly increase your chance of securing a permit. If permits are unavailable during some seasons, we will take a train to Aguas Calientes, bus to the entrance and hike into Machu Picchu.
- Walk amid the Inca Salineras' beautiful honeycomb of pools
- Machu Picchu: the incredible "Lost City of the Incas"
- Visit a weaving community hidden in the hills
- Sacsayhuamán ruin, "Stonehenge of the Andes"
- Rub elbows with the locals at Pisac's lively market
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Cusco
Meet in Cusco, which rests at 11,200 feet 
Take a guided walk through the cobbled stairways of the historic city center and view the remains of Coricancha, once the Inca empire's grandest temple Hike in the hills above Cusco to Tambo Machay After a picnic lunch, continue to the Temple of the Moon Accompanied by our local guide, investigate the extraordinary Sacsayhuamán ruin, called the "Stonehenge of the Andes."
Days 3-4 Urubamba
High above the Urubamba River Valley, hike through the altiplano and ancient salt pans, which are still farmed today Rub elbows with the locals at Pisac's lively market In the peaceful town of Ollantaytambo, climb the ruins of an Inca temple and fortress before walking along the terraced river valley Journey into a remote valley to visit local schoolchildren and a weaving community hidden in the hills Back in Urubamba, take the opportunity to shop for Andean ceramics crafted using traditional Inca techniques.
Days 5-7 aguas calientes
After a morning train ride, hike on the Inca Trail - still lined with ancient stones and stairs - and arrive at the "Gate of the Sun" for an unforgettable view of Machu Picchu Spend the next day strolling through Machu Picchu to view the Lost City's intricate stonework and mysterious religious designs Feeling intrepid? Summit Huayna Picchu for a bird's-eye look at the ruins Return by train to Ollantaytambo, where we catch a bus bound for Cusco.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
I had an amazing week. When thinking about the value of the trip, I could not have put together the number and range of activities for a single week on my own. Not even close. So really, it is like having three weeks of vacation seamlessly organized into a single week. All I had to do was show up. My favorite aspect of the trip is how the activities fit together like a story across the week as opposed to a random collection of activities. Wow.- Ventura, CA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
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Peru Hiking
INCA HOSPITALITY: Premiere Inns
Hotel Monasterio del Cusco
Cusco (2 nights) Originally a 17th-century seminary, this five-star hotel offers a tranquil courtyard and garden, and refined Spanish-Colonial décor.
Sol y Luna Lodge
Urubamba (2 nights) At this beautiful lodge in the Sacred Valley, enjoy the pool and admire the views from the terrace of your private bungalow. Or, Willka T'ika, an acclaimed retreat with Spanish-Colonial garden cottages.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Aguas Calientes (2 nights) This graceful Peruvian hotel, with charming adobe cabanas surrounded by tropical gardens and a pool, is embellished with traditional handicrafts and stylish furnishings, and is 100 percent carbon neutral.
Peru Hiking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking Tour of Cusco 3.5 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Walking 3.5, 5, 5.6 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- 2.2, 4.4, 6.2 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- 1.9, 2.8, 4.7 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 2.2, 6.8 miles
- 500 - 2500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 4 2 Route Options Available
- 2.2, 3.7 miles
- 0 - 2000 feet elevation gain
- Guided Tour of Machu Picchu
Day 7
- Conclusion of Trip
Please note that altitude and rugged terrain make the routes feel more challenging than the mileage suggests.