Spectacular Cusco 7 days

Welcome to Peru! Whether you are embarking on a solo adventure, traveling with loved ones, or enjoying a well-deserved retirement getaway, our representative of Peru Grand Travel will meet you at the Cusco airport to escort you smoothly to your hotel. You’ll be greeted with warm coca leaf tea to help you settle in, followed by free time to rest and adjust to the mountain elevation.

Later in the day, ease into your journey with a immersive historic walking tour in Cusco (2 Hours). We’ll visit the San Pedro Market— filled with tropical fruits, colorful woven textiles, and authentic local life. Next, stroll through ancient cobblestone streets to the sacred Temple of the Sun Qoricancha, the heart of the Inca Empire. We'll end our stroll in the charming, bohemian San Blas Neighborhood, renowned for its artisan workshops and panoramic city views.

Step into a day that reveals the living culture and agricultural genius of the Andes. We begin at the circular terraces of Moray, an ancient Inca research station where concentric platforms plunge up to 150 meters deep. Each level was built with its own irrigation channel, creating a distinct microclimate — the temperature difference between the top and bottom of these depressions reaches an astonishing 15°C, a feat of engineering that still puzzles historians today.

From there, we head to the historic town of Maras, where colonial architecture and stone-carved doorways have survived for centuries, offering a genuine glimpse into Andean traditions that locals still preserve. The journey culminates at the Maras Salt Pans: thousands of terraced pools cascading down the mountainside, worked by local families using the very same methods practiced since Inca times.

As the sun sets, we'll return you to Cusco, dropping you off at your hotel. But not before a delicious dinner at local restaurant, the perfect way to close out a day steeped in history, flavor and breathtaking landscapes.

Immerse yourself in the landscapes of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the "Vilcanota Valley." Our first stop is the hillside archaeological complex of Pisaq, perched atop a mountain and famous for its sprawling agricultural terraces and architectural structures scattered across the slopes — a stunning mix of landscape and Inca engineering. Afterward, browse the artisan market, where local craftspeople sell handwoven textiles and pieces inspired by ancient traditions.

We then take a scenic drive to Urubamba for a buffet lunch bursting with authentic peruvian flavors: fresh salads, hearty soups, classic hot dishes, the famous ceviche and delicious desserts.

In the afternoon, discover Ollantaytambo, a preserved Inca town guarded by a massive fortress built to defend the valley from invaders. Wander its ancient cobblestone streets and get a genuine feel for what this military, religious and cultural center was like at the height of the Inca Empire.

To close out the day, we visit Chinchero, home to the remains of the royal hacienda of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. Marvel at the Inca walls surrounding the main square, and the colonial church built atop Inca foundations. Learn about Chinchero's legendary weaving craft, still practiced by local artisans today.

As the afternoon winds down, we'll return you to Cusco, dropping you off right at your hotel.

Relax and soak in the scenery as we transition toward Machu Picchu. At the agreed time, we'll pick you up from your hotel for a transfer to the train station, where you'll board an unforgettable train to Machu Picchu — a journey of roughly 2 hours through dramatic mountain canyons down into Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo.

Upon arrival, our representative will be waiting at the station with a sign bearing your name, ready to walk you to your hotel. This is the quietest day of the trip — the perfect chance to unwind before the big day ahead. Spend a peaceful afternoon exploring the charming streets of Aguas Calientes, browsing local artisan shops, or soaking in the town's famous natural hot springs. Grab a bite in the late afternoon and rest up: tomorrow, Machu Picchu awaits.

In the morning, at the scheduled time, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the bus station for a short, scenic 20-minute to the world-famous citadel of Machu Picchu, also known as the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu or "The Lost City of the Incas."

Alongside your expert guide, spend about 2.5 hours uncovering the mysteries, history and extraordinary architecture of this wonder of the world, visiting its main attractions and taking in magnificent vistas at every turn.

In the afternoon, return to Aguas Calientes, where you'll have free time to enjoy a relaxing lunch at a beautiful local restaurant (lunch not incluide). Afterward, board the train back to Ollantaytambo (departure time may vary), retracing the same scenic route. On arrival, our representative will be waiting to take you by bus for a comfortable transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.

Your last full day in the Andes is yours to shape. Pick one of three unforgettable excursions — each departing early from your hotel in Cusco and returning the same evening — and let us know your choice in advance so we can prepare everything for you.

Humantay Lake

Departing at approximately 4:30 a.m., we'll head northwest out of Cusco, passing through picturesque villages before reaching Limatambo and climbing on to Mollepata, where breakfast and lunch await. Along the way, we'll stop at Miraten de Markahuasi to explore its archaeological remains, with your guide sharing insights on the local flora, fauna and traditions as we continue toward Soraypampa.

From Soraypampa, our trailhead, your guide will brief you on high-altitude trekking before the roughly 2-hour hike to the Humantay Lake — a turquoise glacial gem framed by the towering Humantay and Salkantay snow peaks. After time to rest and capture photos, we'll retrace our steps to Soraypampa, then drive back to Mollepata for a well-earned buffet lunch before returning to Cusco.

Palccoyo

Ideal for travelers seeking a less-crowded, more accessible alternative to the classic Palccoyo Mountain hike. After acclimatizing in Cusco for at least a day, we'll gather the full group (16 people maximum) and head south for about 2.5 hours to the Pitumarca district, where a hearty breakfast awaits — followed by a chance to stock up on snacks for the road. We'll continue to Combapata, stopping to photograph its colonial bridge, then walk for about 1.5 hours along the Salcca River on a scenic dirt trail, spotting native alpacas against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery. Our destination is the community of Palccoyo, at 4,100 meters, where privileged views of the colorful Palccoyo mountain range — with its three vividly colored peaks — and a dramatic rocky valley await, all reachable via a gentle, easy-going hike.

Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

For those ready for the classic high-altitude adventure. We'll head south through Collasuyo, once part of the ancient Inca Tawantinsuyo, stopping after about 2 hours in the community of Paucarpata (CUSIPATA) for a buffet breakfast and a chance to stock up on snacks and energy drinks. From there, roughly an hour more brings us to the Phulawasipata base camp, where we begin our ascent.

The approximately 2-hour hike (3.5 km) rewards you with striking views of the Hatun Ritti glacier (4,825 m), grazing Andean camelids, and the mirror-like Puka Qocha and Qomer Qocha lagoons — before the legendary Rainbow Mountain itself comes into view, its striped, technicolor slopes as surreal in person as in photos. After time to soak it all in and snap photos, we descend back to base camp (about 1.5 hours) for transport to Cusipata and a delicious lunch, arriving back in Cusco by around 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy your final breakfast in the Imperial City. At the scheduled time, our team will pick you up from your hotel for your private transfer to the Cusco airport for your onward flight.
If your flight leaves later in the day, you are welcome to leave your luggage with the hotel front desk while you do some last-minute exploring.