Kathy Sharpe and family
Sample Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive into Lima
Welcome to Lima where you will be met by our representative and assisted to transfer to your hotel for overnight.
Overnight airport hotel for easy travel the following day.
Day 2
Lima – Flight to Cusco – Sacred Valley
Enjoy breakfast, and then our representative will assist you with a transfer to the airport for your flight to Cusco.
Arrive into Cusco, meet your guide and driver, and head directly for the beautiful Sacred Valley and to the town of Pisac. Walk from the ruins to the main town of Pisac with your guide (approx 1:30 hrs. downhill) and enjoy the stunning views of the valley.
Afterward, transfer to the Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba.
Overnight Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Day 3
Huilloc – Pumamarca – Walk to Ollantaytambo and Pachamanca Lunch
Today, your guide will collect you in the morning, and then you’ll drive to a small community in the Andes, about an hour from your hotel. Here, visit a local Quechua family, and learn about their daily activities, artisan traditions, and how they survive in these remote areas.
Afterward, take a 30-minute drive to Pumamarca to explore the archeological site, and walk down a charming road through nature and small villages back to the living Inca town of Ollantataytambo.
Arrive in time to enjoy a big Pachamanca lunch at El Albergue Lodge’s restaurant and onsite farm.
After lunch, return to your hotel to relax before your early departure the following morning.
Overnight Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Day 4
Hike around seven lagoons near Ausangate Mountain
Your guide will collect you around 6:00 AM in the morning. From your hotel, drive about two hours to Tinki. From here, you’ll hike about three hours and enjoy the great vistas of Ausangate Mountain.
You will see gorgeous mountain and lake views.
After the daylong excursion, return to your hotel to enjoy a nice dinner and relax.
Overnight Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
Day 5
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
This morning, you’ll have another early start. Board the train headed for Machu Picchu, but get off early to hike a full-day trek on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.
Arrive at golden hour and hike down to Machu Picchu by entering through the Sun Gate. Enjoy the quiet of the afternoon as most day trippers depart. After you have enjoyed the atmosphere of Machu Picchu, you will board the bus with your guide and head to the small town of Aguas Calientes. Check in to your hotel, take showers, and have a celebratory dinner before a well earned rest!
Overnight at Boutique Luxury Hotel in Machu Picchu
Day 6
Explore Machu Picchu Site and climb Huayna Picchu Mountain
After an early breakfast, return to Machu Picchu where you will climb the Huayna Picchu Mountain — an iconic monolith beloved by photographers.
After the hike, return to tour the site a bit more before heading to Aguas Calientes for lunch. After lunch, board the train to return to Ollantaytambo, where your driver will meet you and take you to Cusco.
Overnight boutique hotel in historical Cusco
Day 7
Visit the Inca Site of Sacsayhuaman and San Blas in historic Cusco
This morning, your guide will meet you, and you’ll drive to explore the Sacsayhuaman archeological site – an essential site to the Inca empire. From here, walk down to the neighborhood of San Blas in historical Cusco. Have lunch at a nice local restaurant, and then the afternoon is free for your leisure. You may want to rest up, because tomorrow is another early start!
Overnight boutique hotel in historical Cusco
Day 8
Andahuaylillas Church – Colorful Mountain – Camp around Pomacanchi Lagoon
Today, you’ll be visiting a region many travelers do not often see! From Cusco, you’ll make a decent journey to be able to witness the five rainbow maintains at Palccoyo. After hiking around the area and taking in the beautiful views of the red and green mountains, set out driving through small Quechua towns before arriving at a charming lagoon where you will camp overnight.
Overnight camp at Pomacanchis Lagoon
Day 9
Day trip to little-known Inca site and return to Cusco
Today, you’ll make your way to some unique fortresses via a scenic drive. Once you arrive, start your hike, and enjoy the landscape with wild vicuñas. You’ll walk to Waqrapukara Fortress. This little-known and non-commercialized site is one of the most stunning in the country. Prominent stones are nestled in a river valley flanked by cliffs, making for stunning scenery. It was only recognized as a natural heritage site in 2017.
After your visit, drive back to Cusco for overnight.
Overnight boutique Cusco hotel
Day 10
Morning at leisure in Cusco and depart Peru
Today, after a very active and fun-filled itinerary, you’ll have the morning to rest and relax. Take the day at your own pace, or set out to explore the city that was once the heart of the Inca Empire.
Enjoy lunch in Cusco before catching your flight from back to Lima, where you will connect with your flight home.
