Machu Picchu hiking tour from Lima

The tour begins with a pick-up from Lima International Airport. A representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals area holding a sign with your name on it. They will coordinate your private transfer and check-in at the hotel.

To make the most of your brief visit to the Peruvian capital, we recommend the following ways to explore the city:

• Historic Center: Take a walk through the Main Square to see the Lima Cathedral and the Government Palace. For an insight into colonial architecture, a visit to the catacombs of the San Francisco Convent is recommended.
• Coastal districts: Take a stroll along the Miraflores boardwalk to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean. Alternatively, visit the nearby district of Barranco, which is renowned for its Republican-style architecture, art galleries and cultural offerings.
• Gastronomic offer: Make the most of your free time by sampling the city's many restaurants and trying the famous local cuisine, including traditional dishes like ceviche.
• Larco Museum: This is an excellent way to get an introduction to a large and well-preserved collection of pre-Columbian art before you start your trip to the Andes.

If you would prefer a structured itinerary to optimise your time, we can organise guided city tours or specific sightseeing tours on the outskirts, provided you coordinate with our team in advance.

We will coordinate your transfer to Lima Airport in the morning, where you will board your flight to Cusco City. Upon arrival, our representative will be waiting for you in the terminal with a sign bearing your name, ready to welcome you and take you directly to your hotel. You are free to spend the rest of the day resting and acclimatising to the altitude of the region (3,400 metres above sea level), which is a vital logistical step.

Cusco is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the continent. Here, ancient Inca stone walls form the foundations of colonial architecture. To make the most of your free time and explore this historic centre at a moderate pace, we suggest the following options:

• Main Square and The Cathedral: Take a walk through the heart of the city and visit its impressive cathedral. Construction of the cathedral took a century, and today it houses the region's largest collection of colonial art, as well as the crypt of chronicler Inca Garcilaso de la Vega.
• Colonial Temples and Churches: Just a short distance from the main square, you can admire the iconic architecture of temples such as La Compañía de Jesús, La Merced and San Francisco.
• Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): Explore the Inca Empire's holiest religious centre, a stonework masterpiece over which the Spaniards built the Santo Domingo Convent.
• San Pedro Central Market: Immerse yourself in daily Andean life by visiting this vibrant market, which is ideal for viewing local produce and traditional cuisine, as well as purchasing handicrafts.
• San Blas Neighborhood: Take a walk through the narrow, steep, cobbled streets of this historic district, which is renowned for being home to the workshops of the city's most prominent artisans and artists.
• Nearby ruins: If you are acclimatising well, there is no need to travel far to see the Inca sites. On the outskirts of the city, you can visit the impressive archaeological sites of Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay.

The excursion begins with an early morning bus transfer from your hotel. This journey through the Sacred Valley is essential for understanding Andean engineering, and it will help you to acclimatise before you start hiking to Machu Picchu.

Today's itinerary focuses on two archaeological sites of great historical importance:

• The Archaeological Complex and Town of Pisac: The first stop is the impressive historic centre located at the summit of the mountain. The tour focuses on the 'Intihuatana' sector, a solar observatory offering unparalleled panoramic vistas of the valley. Next, you will descend to the picturesque town to explore its colonial heritage and vibrant culture.
• Inca City of Ollantaytambo: The tour continues towards this strategic location, which functioned as a vital administrative, agricultural, religious and military centre during the time of the Tahuantinsuyo. There will be a detailed exploration of its carved stone sites and large stepped terraces.

The day concludes with an overnight stay in Ollantaytambo. As it is the closest town to the start of the official trail, resting here is the best way to prepare logistically and physically for the Inca Trail Trek the next morning.

The 44 kilometre (27-mile) expedition requires proper physical conditioning in order to overcome steep terrain and three mountain passes, with a maximum altitude of 4,200 metres (13,776 feet) being reached. Strict logistical preparation is required due to the weather conditions, including equipment for night-time temperatures below freezing and protection against sudden rains, regardless of the season.

The technical itinerary of the trail is as follows:

• Day 4 | Access control and Llactapata (Km 82 - Llulluchapampa)
  Your journey begins with a transfer to Piscacucho (Km 82). At the checkpoint, you must show your original passport for official entry. After meeting the support team (guide, porters and cook), you will walk to the Llactapata archaeological complex for exploration. The route includes a lunch stop in Miskay and concludes at the Llulluchapampa campsite.
  
  
• Day 5 | The most demanding section (Llulluchapampa - Chaquicocha)
  This day presents the greatest physical challenge of the entire route. It involves a continuous, steep ascent to reach the highest point, the Warmiwañusca pass. After descending, lunch is served in the Pacasmayo area. In the afternoon, the itinerary includes visits to the Runkuraqay and Sayacmarca archaeological sites, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at the Chaquicocha camp.
  
  
• Day 6 | Descent to the jungle brow (Chaquicocha - Wiñay Wayna)
  The tour begins with a short climb, followed by a descent towards the Phuyupatamarca archaeological complex. The route then continues to the Winay Wayna archaeological site. The day includes lunch, a thorough guided tour of the ruins and the final night of camping.
  
  
• Day 7 | Arrival at Inti Punku
  The hike begins before sunrise with the final ascent to the 'Inti Punku' ('Sun Gate'). This topographical landmark marks the end of the Inca Trail, offering the first panoramic view of the citadel. This prepares you for the descent and detailed exploration of the complex.

Information about visiting Machu Picchu:

Once you reach the final destination of the Sun Gate, you will begin your technical and cultural exploration of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The visit is organised as part of an official tour scheme designed to preserve the monument's integrity and ensure an orderly flow of travellers.

According to current regulations, in order to explore the archaeological site in full, it is necessary to purchase a Circuit 2 ticket. If this is unavailable due to high demand, the visit will be conducted via Circuit 1 or Circuit 3 instead. These alternative routes are designed to provide excellent panoramic and architectural views of the complex, ensuring a valuable photographic and documentary record.

Climbing the Machu Picchu Mountains

For visitors seeking an additional physical challenge to complement their visit, there are options to climb the peaks that guard the sanctuary. Please note that these activities incur an additional cost and require advance booking.

• Huayna Picchu: The Circuit 3A ticket is required. This involves a 45-minute steep climb up and the same time down.
• Machu Picchu Mountain: Access to Circuit 1A is required. It is a longer hike, taking approximately one and a half hours to reach the top.

At the end of your exploration of the mountains, you will begin your descent to the town of Aguas Calientes using the bus system. You will then have a short amount of time to explore the town before boarding the return train to Ollantaytambo or Poroy station. The service concludes with a private land transfer back to your hotel in Cusco, arriving at night.

FREE OPTION: Those who are unable or uninterested in hiking to Machu Picchu can return to Cusco or simply spend the next two days in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. In this case, they will take a tourist train (Expedition Service) to Aguas Calientes. They spend the night in a hotel and take a shuttle bus to Machu Picchu the next morning, where they will meet up with the first group of Inca Trail hikers. This option incurs no additional cost!

After the challenging Inca Trail expedition, the eighth day is entirely dedicated to physical recovery and a leisurely exploration of the ancient capital of the Tahuantinsuyo. Cusco offers an unparalleled atmosphere, with living history evident in every cobblestone alley. This allows you to experience the local culture at your own pace, without any logistical constraints.

The city offers many ways to enhance your stay, from artistic havens to vibrant traditional markets. You can also choose to visit the bohemian neighbourhood of San Blas, home to the most renowned master craftsmen, or stroll through the San Pedro Market or the Artisan Market on El Sol Avenue to purchase unique souvenirs.

If you want to delve deeper into the historical legacy, we recommend exploring the Pre-Columbian Art Museum or making a final visit to the archaeological centre of Sacsayhuaman and the other ancient buildings in the area. These monuments guard the secrets of a civilisation that originated in this valley and went on to rule much of the continent.

Take a transfer to Cusco airport to catch your flight to Lima. This marks the end of the Machu Picchu tour from Lima.
Please note that a return flight to Lima can be arranged upon request, or you could use this as an opportunity to extend your trip!