Peru Walking & Hiking Tour
7 days
6 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Premiere Hotels
2025: Jul-Dec2026: Mar-Dec

Sacred Valley, Cusco & Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu has a certain gravity. It pulls you onward at every step. But as you hike between lacy salt springs, through fields of quinoa and along terraced mountainsides, you realize: it was always about the journey.
Highlights
- Hike a section of the renowned Inca Trail, entering Machu Picchu for the first time through the ancient Sun Gate
- Sink into luxury at our pastoral garden resort in the verdant Sacred Valley
- Our knowledgeable local guide brings each kilometer to life with fascinating history and insider stories
- Explore the citadel of Sacsayhuamán, the fortress of Ollantaytambo and more spectacular Inca sites
- Savor Peru’s modern culture and cuisine in cooking lessons, intimate village visits and more

Start/End Cusco
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary

Days 1-2
Enjoy a private farm-to-table lunch in a local family home on the Maras plateau • Explore the beautiful white honeycomb of Inca salt pans above the Urubamba River Valley • Discover a traditional weaving community tucked in the hills • In peaceful Ollantaytambo, visit an Inca archaeological site and hike up a terraced valley • Shop for ceramics crafted using pre-Inca techniques at the Ceramicas Seminario studio in Urubamba • Enjoy an exclusive cooking demonstration with a local chef.




Nights 1-2
"An unpretentious but impeccably maintained lodge set in a wonderful garden surrounded by mountains," according to the Hideaway Report. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)

Days 3-4
Experience the 15th-century Inca retreat of Machu Picchu with its intricate stonework and mysterious religious designs • Hike the Inca Trail, lined with ancient stones and stairs, to reach the Sun Gate and your first view of Machu Picchu • Spend a second day exploring the incredible site with a local expert • Walk the grounds of our hotel with a naturalist to learn more about the area’s flora and fauna.




Nights 3-4
This eco-friendly hotel's Andean-style casitas blend seamlessly into the surrounding cloud forest. (pool, spa)

Days 5-7
Join a local guide on a walking tour of Cusco’s historic center to learn how it was the heart of the pre-Columbian Inca Empire • Following narrow streets lined with centuries-old walls, discover the grand main cathedral • A trail leads us among the hills surrounding Cusco to one of South America’s most impressive sites, Sacsayhuamán • Sip a pisco sour, Peru’s famous national drink • Enjoy some people-watching at buzzing Plaza de Armas.





Nights 5-6
This luxurious property, a former palace set in a tranquil plaza behind Cusco's main square, offers personal butler service and is home to the city's first outdoor pool. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
One of our hikes requires an Inca Trail permit, which Backroads will obtain on your behalf (included in your trip price). We recommend booking your trip four to six months prior to departure for the best chance of securing your permit. Passport information is required at the time of booking to secure train tickets and permits.
Also, Backroads leaders may not be able to accompany you along the hike requiring an Inca Trail permit. Rest assured that in this case you would be well supported by our local Peruvian guides—with whom we’ve been working for years—as well as a staff of porters.
Our hikes through Peru’s captivating, rugged terrain climb rocky and sometimes uneven paths, many of which are remote and do not intersect with roads. Vehicles will get us to and from the trailheads, but the nature of these trails is such that we won’t see our vans along the route. Ample trail support in the form of water, snacks and encouragement is provided by your Backroads leaders and local guides.
This trip has been designed to offer as many hiking options as possible. Since many of the trails are unmarked, we recommend that you hike in the company of a Backroads leader or one of our local support staff. On the few days when we’re in national parks, regulations require you to hike accompanied by one of our certified park guides.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a Premiere hotel. While it offers outstanding service and amenities, please note that it is not equipped with air-conditioning. Despite the region’s generally temperate climate and cool nights, guestrooms can occasionally become warm during peak temperatures.
Hotels
World-Class Hotels
Our hand-selected Premiere hotels offer exceptional hospitality and experiences as special as the regions we explore.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Nights 1-2
Premiere Hotel
"An unpretentious but impeccably maintained lodge set in a wonderful garden surrounded by mountains," according to the Hideaway Report. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Nights 3-4
Premiere Hotel
This eco-friendly hotel's Andean-style casitas blend seamlessly into the surrounding cloud forest. (pool, spa)
Nights 5-6
Premiere Hotel
This luxurious property, a former palace set in a tranquil plaza behind Cusco's main square, offers personal butler service and is home to the city's first outdoor pool. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
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#MyBackroadsTrip
Review Snapshot
by PowerReviews
Reviewed by 51 customers
Unforgettable experience
Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for many years. Hiking the Inka Trail and walking through the Sun Gate with my friends is a memory that will last a lifetime. The hikes, experiences, hotels and food throughout the trip were spectacular. Huge shout out to Backroads leaders (Sam and Volker) and local guide (Josee Ttito), who made this an experience I will never forget.
A very special trip
From the first day starting with introductions, the van ride, meeting our cultural guide, walking through the countryside, lunch, and the salt pans, I could tell this would be a very special trip. This was the case every day as we saw ruin after ruin each one pointed out and described by our cultural guide. Our visit to Machu Picchu was only one of the many highlights of our trip. Our cultural guide, Inca/Quechua, passionately explained Inca times to us. Village visits and opportunities to view crops and livestock added to our experience. Many tasty meals and comfortable accommodations. This was our third BackRoads trip and definitely the best one yet.
Amazing experience!
This trip was an amazing experience. My husband and I traveled with 2 other couple friends. The itinerary was perfect each day. We got to see so much and be outside in beautiful Peru. I loved the fresh air and exercise during the day, and then coming back to lush meals and accommodations in the evenings. We made friends within our group immediately and the leaders, James and Volker, were so knowledgeable and kind. Best of all, we didn't have to stress or plan; just show up when & where the leaders told us. Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail, the Sacred Valley, and all of Peru were all amazing, as expected. Unexpected highlights were the people of Peru: the Huilloc weaving community and the local guides, Jose Titto, Elena, and Willie. Our bus driver, Victor, was attentive to our every need as well. It was an unforgettable experience & I hope to do another Backroads tour soon.

An unsurpassed experience of Peruvian landscape and culture
Our first Backroads trip. Backroads got it right with a blend of hiking, learning, and luxury accommodations that surpassed our expectations,
Thank You for Another Incredible Backroads Adventure
Subject: Thank You for Another Incredible Backroads Adventure Hi Backroads Team, My wife and I have been big fans of Backroads for over 10 years. This was our third trip with you, and after a few years of planning our own travels with agents and guides around the world, returning to Backroads for the Peru trip reminded us why your adventures are truly exceptional. The Peru trip was led by three incredible guides — Connor, Martina, and Jose — and it was another unforgettable journey expertly orchestrated by the Backroads team. We thought that once we reached Machu Picchu, the remainder of the trip would be spent simply reflecting on the experience. However, our guides continued to surprise us with exciting and meaningful days that far exceeded our expectations. Kudos to Backroads and especially to Connor, Martina, and Jose for making this trip so memorable. We are already looking forward to our next adventure with you — and it won't be long! Thank you again, Michael and Sarah
If you can only do one thing, PICK THIS
This trip touched every part of me; physical, social , emotional and spiritual. The history, provided by a local, was beyond interesting. The hiking locations were inspirational , the food was phenomenal. I went with a friend and we made many more, with whom we plan to keep in touch- perhaps even to do another trip! I've traveled a lot, but this was truly special.
A once in a lifetime adventure
With Backroads, everything is taken care of. All you have to do is enjoy the scenery, get in a good workout & celebrate the accomplishment at the end!

Trip of a lifetime to Machu Picchu
Spending a week with my cousin was a treat but what made it unforgettable was the incredible, flexible organisation, spectacular hikes, stunning scenery but of course the overwhelming feeling of seeing Machu Picchu for the first time. Our group was so warm and friendly that any initial concerns of going on a "group" trip disappeared pretty quickly. My first trip with BR but already perusing the website for the next one. Thanks to the amazing trip leaders (I'm British and we don't tend to over enthuse!)
Awesome trip in Peru and on the Inca trail!
The trip leaders added so much valuable context and info to all activities of the trip. They even came through on both my birthday, and anniversary much to the surprise of my wife and I. Just a great experience overall and I highly recommend this trip. Machu Picchu is worth the hike!
A fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in Peru.
Peru is an amazing place to visit and Backroads takes all the guesswork out of making that happen. The hikes they choose, the cultural experiences they coordinate, the hotels they book, the restaurants they select, and the logistics they put together are so very well thought out. I can't imagine even trying to do all this without their expertise. On top of all that, you get a trip leader and local guide that are phenomenal in their abilities to execute such a well designed plan. It was an unforgettable experience.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
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