Incas, Andes & Sacred Valley Romance: Cusco and Machu Picchu
See it in NavoyA slow-paced journey for two through Cusco's Inca and colonial heart, the Sacred Valley's markets and terraces, and a day at Machu Picchu by train. The early days at lower altitude in the valley help with acclimatization, and the schedule leaves plenty of time for rest, long lunches and candlelit dinners. Highlights include Plaza de Armas, Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Machu Picchu, Maras and Moray, Sacsayhuamán and the artisan streets of San Blas.
1Arrival in the Navel of the World
$104Ease into 3,400 m with short, gentle walks around the historic centre. Drink coca tea, rest after lunch, then explore Inca and colonial landmarks before a romantic dinner.
Arrival in the Navel of the World
Plaza de Armas Stroll & Leisurely Lunch
Walk slowly around Cusco's main square, with its arcades, fountain and views of the Cathedral and La Compañía church. Have a relaxed lunch at a balcony restaurant and sip coca tea to help with the altitude. Rest at your hotel afterward.
Qorikancha Sun Temple
Visit the Inca temple of the sun, whose precise stonework supports the Santo Domingo convent. Go at a slow pace, and look for the curved wall and the view over the city.
Cusco Cathedral
Wander through the baroque cathedral. It holds colonial Cusco School paintings, including the famous Last Supper with a guinea pig on the table, and carved cedar altars. Take your time and sit when you need to.
Romantic Andean Dinner
Have a candlelit dinner of modern Andean cuisine near the Plaza de Armas. Try alpaca or trout with a pisco sour. Keep it early and light because of the altitude.
2Pisac Terraces and Ollantaytambo's Living Inca Town
$220Head into the lower, more comfortable Sacred Valley with a private driver. Visit the terraced ruins and the Tuesday market at Pisac, then move on to Ollantaytambo to sleep in its cobbled Inca-era streets.
Pisac Terraces and Ollantaytambo's Living Inca Town
Pisac Archaeological Park
Your driver takes you from Cusco to Pisac, about an hour away. Explore the terraces and Inca citadel at a gentle pace with valley views. This activity covers the private driver for the day and the Boleto Turístico, which is valid for 10 days and also covers Ollantaytambo, Moray and Sacsayhuamán.
Pisac Market & Lunch
Browse the Tuesday market for alpaca textiles, ceramics and spices. Then have a long lunch with empanadas from the traditional clay oven and a fresh juice.
Ollantaytambo Fortress & Town
Drive about 1 hr 15 min along the valley to Ollantaytambo, then check in at your hotel. Late in the afternoon, climb the Inca terraces of the fortress, which has huge stone blocks and a view of the Temple of the Sun. Afterward, wander the old streets with their working irrigation channels.
Dinner in Ollantaytambo
Have a quiet dinner in a cosy restaurant in the old town. Go to bed early before tomorrow's early train.
3Machu Picchu in the Clouds
$488Take a scenic train through the Urubamba canyon to the lost citadel. Spend a long morning at Machu Picchu, have lunch in Aguas Calientes, and return to Ollantaytambo by train in the evening.
Machu Picchu in the Clouds
Scenic Train to Aguas Calientes
Board the morning Expedition train from Ollantaytambo for about 1 hr 40 min of canyon and cloud-forest views. This budget covers the round-trip train for two, including the return later today.
Machu Picchu Citadel with Guide
Take the shuttle bus up to the site, which takes about 25 minutes. Explore with a local guide, who will explain the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana stone and the agricultural terraces. Allow time for photos and rests. Entry tickets with a timed slot and bus tickets must be booked well in advance.
Lunch & Stroll in Aguas Calientes
Take the shuttle back down and have a relaxed lunch by the river. Wander the artisan market and the streets of the town until your return train.
Evening Train to Ollantaytambo
Take the return train through the canyon at dusk, then rest at your Ollantaytambo hotel.
4Salt Pans, Terraces & Weavers on the Road Home
$152After a slow morning in Ollantaytambo, drive through the high plateau to Maras and Moray, then stop in Chinchero for weaving. Finish in Cusco with a quiet dinner.
Salt Pans, Terraces & Weavers on the Road Home
Maras Salt Pans
Your driver takes you from Ollantaytambo to Maras, about an hour away. See thousands of Inca-era salt pools glittering on the hillside. The budget includes the private transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco with these stops, plus the salt pan entry.
Moray Circular Terraces
Walk along the rim of the circular terraces, which Inca farmers used as an agricultural laboratory. Entry is covered by your Boleto Turístico. The altitude is about 3,500 m, so go slowly.
Lunch & Chinchero Weaving Cooperative
Have a relaxed lunch, then meet Quechua weavers in Chinchero. Watch them dye wool with natural plants and spin alpaca yarn. Visit the colonial church built on an Inca palace if you have time.
Quiet Dinner in San Blas
After about 45 minutes to Cusco and time to rest at the hotel, have dinner in a small restaurant in San Blas. Try local dishes such as cuy or lomo saltado.
5Sacsayhuamán Views and San Blas Afternoon
$80Take a slow morning at the great Inca fortress above Cusco, then spend the afternoon in the artisan quarter of San Blas. End with a sunset drink overlooking the city.
Sacsayhuamán Views and San Blas Afternoon
Sacsayhuamán Fortress
Take a short taxi up to the Inca ceremonial complex, whose zigzag walls use boulders weighing many tonnes. Walk the esplanade and the Rodadero hill, and look out over the red-tiled roofs of Cusco. Entry is covered by your Boleto Turístico, so the budget is for the taxi.
San Blas Artisan Quarter & Lunch
Walk down to San Blas, a hillside neighbourhood of workshops, galleries and cafés. Visit a local artisan's studio, then have a long, relaxed lunch.
Sunset Pisco at a Rooftop Terrace
Rest at your hotel, then enjoy a pisco sour or a glass of wine on a rooftop terrace while the light turns golden over the Plaza de Armas and the surrounding hills.
6Markets, Chocolate & Farewell Flavours
$95A gentle final morning of local food. Visit the San Pedro market, make chocolate, and have a last lunch in Cusco.
Markets, Chocolate & Farewell Flavours
San Pedro Market
Browse the stalls of Cusco's central market, which sell fresh juices, Andean potatoes, cheeses, flowers and spices. Try a fresh fruit juice at one of the juice stands and pick up edible souvenirs.
Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Workshop
Make your own chocolate from Peruvian cacao beans, from roasting to moulding, and take your creations home with you.
Farewell Lunch
Finish with an unhurried lunch of Andean favourites near the Plaza de Armas, and toast to the trip with a last pisco sour.