Travel Itinerary from Lima to Machu Picchu 8 Days of holiday in Peru exploring Lima’s historic center & Miraflores, imperial city of Cusco & nearby ruins, The charming Sacred Valley of the incas & the majestic Machu Picchu inca citadel.
Arrive in the bustling city of Lima (505 ft / 154 m), the capital of Peru. Upon landing at Jorge Chavez International Airport, you’ll be greeted by our representative and escorted to your selected hotel via private transfer. Settle in and enjoy your first night in this dynamic metropolis.
Start your day with a guided tour of Lima (505 ft / 154 m), known as the City of Kings. Your excursion begins at the historical center, where you’ll visit key landmarks such as Plaza San Martín (505 ft / 154 m), the iconic Plaza de Armas (505 ft / 154 m), and the stunning Convent of San Francisco (505 ft / 154 m), home to famous catacombs. The tour will then take you to the modern district of Miraflores (259 ft / 79 m), where you’ll enjoy spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean from the renowned Park of Love (259 ft / 79 m). This half-day tour offers an insightful look into both the old and new aspects of Lima.
In the morning, you’ll be transferred from your hotel to the airport for a domestic flight to Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. After your arrival and hotel transfer, the exploration of Cusco begins.
Start by visiting Plaza San Cristóbal (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), which offers a panoramic view of the entire city. From here, stroll to San Pedro Market (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), where you can absorb the local culture. Marvel at the Temple of Koricancha (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), a masterpiece of Inca architecture, and see Santo Domingo Church (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), built over the foundations of an Inca temple. The walk continues through the San Blas District (11,152 ft / 3,399 m) to the famous Hatun Rumiyoc Street (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), home to the renowned Twelve-Angle Stone.
The adventure proceeds to nearby Inca ruins, including Sacsayhuamán (12,142 ft / 3,701 m), a massive fortress with towering stone walls, and Qenqo (11,482 ft / 3,500 m), an ancient ritual site. Finish your day with a visit to the military lookout Puca Pucará (11,975 ft / 3,650 m) and the architectural wonder Tambomachay (12,140 ft / 3,701 m), known for its intricate stonework and water channels.
Begin your day with an early departure to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (9,186 ft / 2,800 m), known for its rich history and fertile lands. The valley offers a stunning combination of natural beauty and historical significance. Your first stop is Pisac (9,514 ft / 2,900 m), where you’ll explore its famous archaeological site and vibrant market.
Travel through the towns of Coya (9,514 ft / 2,900 m), Lamay (9,186 ft / 2,800 m), and Calca (9,514 ft / 2,900 m), all nestled along the Vilcanota River (9,514 ft / 2,900 m). Stop in Urubamba (9,420 ft / 2,870 m) for lunch, and afterward, head to Ollantaytambo (9,160 ft / 2,791 m), a historic site known for its impressive Incan terraces and fortress. This tour is a perfect mix of scenic landscapes and cultural exploration.
Today, you’ll board the train for a picturesque journey through the Sacred Valley (9,514 ft / 2,900 m) to Aguas Calientes (6,693 ft / 2,041 m), the gateway to Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m). This scenic train ride is one of the most memorable in South America, offering breathtaking views of lush greenery, towering mountains, and flowing rivers.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, you will be transferred to your hotel for the night. Prepare for the unforgettable experience awaiting you at Machu Picchu.
Rise early for the short bus ride up to Machu Picchu (7,972 ft / 2,430 m), where your guided tour begins. Explore the famous Incan citadel, visiting key structures like the Temple of the Sun, the Sacred Plaza, and the Royal Quarters. After the tour, take the challenging but rewarding hike to Wayna Picchu (8,920 ft / 2,720 m). Only 200 visitors are allowed to climb this steep peak daily, where you’ll find terraces and ancient ruins at the top.
After descending, visit other sacred sites such as the Temple of the Moon (7,218 ft / 2,200 m) and the Great Cavern (7,218 ft / 2,200 m). Conclude your visit by heading to the Sun Gate (8,923 ft / 2,720 m), a stunning lookout over Machu Picchu.
Later in the afternoon or evening, board the train back to Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), where you’ll transfer to your hotel.
After a relaxing morning in Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m), you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Lima (505 ft / 154 m). Upon landing in Lima, you’ll be taken to your hotel to enjoy one last night in Peru’s capital.
At the scheduled time, you’ll be privately transferred to Jorge Chavez International Airport (505 ft / 154 m) for your international flight. As you leave Peru, take with you the incredible memories and experiences from your journey through this beautiful country.
“INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is a 100% Peruvian local company and tour operator in Cusco, with many years of experience in hikes, adventure tours, and travel packages. We are a 100% local company.
Our dream as a local company is to offer personalized travel and hiking experiences, operated solely by local professional staff, focusing on a PERSONALIZED and HIGH-QUALITY SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel operating agency, in addition to practicing RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE actions with the environment and local people.
We consider our staff as family and guarantee them a fair salary. We are very proud of our team! Without their support, we could not offer the quality of service that hundreds of our travelers have enjoyed.
At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we are aware that our reputation and what our passengers say are crucial for our travelers to trust their next vacations; you can check the reviews our travelers leave on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google; in an honest and reliable operator to create your adventure in Peru.
To offer a more personalized service at “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we maintain a limit of 8 people for each of our groups. This distinguishes us from other companies that operate with larger groups.
We are very proud of our guides. They are experts and professionals, fluent in English. They are experts and knowledgeable about the routes, and they are passionate about Inca heritage and history. Our guides are dedicated to their continuous personal and professional development, researching to offer you accurate and recognized theories about Inca and Andean culture. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with degrees in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” is an uplifting experience, we prioritize your comfort and enjoyment throughout the hike, and you will have the assistance of our porters. You will interact with local people, explore incredible sites, and rediscover ancient Inca ancestral towns. Our porters carry your gear, prepare your meals, set up our camp tents, and take care of you while you relax.
We provide our porters for free with: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable travel bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. All are hired from isolated communities, improving their economic circumstances and supporting the education of their children. We treat all our porters like family!
Our team (guides, cooks, porters, muleteers) and our equipment make “INCAS EXPEDITIONS” stand out among our competitors. On our adventure hikes, we include:
At “INCAS EXPEDITIONS,” we have always believed in giving back to isolated local communities. As part of our commitment to responsible tourism, we carry out various social projects and always hire local people.
We are very proud to support our local people. We not only employ them but also support their families, contributing to a holistic approach with our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones.