Practical Trip Details
- Duration: 9 days / 8 nights
- Price: US$2,550 per person
- Trip style: Privately guided journey
- Minimum travelers: 2 people
- Accommodation: Eight nights in carefully selected 4-star hotels
- Arrival airport: Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima (LIM)
- Departure airport: Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima (LIM)
- Domestic flights required: Lima to Cusco on Day 3 and Cusco to Lima on Day 9
- Airfare: International and domestic flights are not included
- Train service: Round-trip PeruRail Vistadome service between the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu Pueblo
- Activity level: Easy to moderate, with city walking, stairs and uneven stone pathways
- Highest overnight elevation: Cusco at approximately 11,150 feet / 3,400 meters
- Meals: Daily breakfast, the Lima food-tour tastings and additional meals specified in the itinerary
Best Time to Travel
This trip can be enjoyed throughout the year, but May through September generally offers the driest conditions in Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. These months are also Peru’s busiest travel season, so hotels, trains and Machu Picchu permits should be reserved well in advance.
April, May, September and October offer an appealing balance of generally favorable weather, greener landscapes and fewer visitors than the June–August peak. From November through March, travelers should expect a greater chance of rain, particularly during January and February, along with greener scenery and lighter crowds.
Flights and Arrival Planning
Travelers should book international flights arriving at Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. A private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Miraflores.
The required Lima-to-Cusco flight on Day 3 and Cusco-to-Lima flight on Day 9 are not included in the tour price. FlashpackerConnect will provide the recommended flight schedule so your flights align with the included transfers and daily program.
If you plan to connect from Cusco to an international departure in Lima on Day 9, allow a generous connection window. Travelers who prefer a more relaxed departure may add a final night in Lima.
Altitude and Activity Level
This itinerary is designed to support gradual acclimatization. After flying to Cusco, you’ll travel directly into the lower-elevation Sacred Valley for two nights before returning to Cusco later in the journey.
No strenuous trekking is required. Travelers should be comfortable walking for several hours, climbing stairs and navigating cobblestones and uneven archaeological-site pathways.
Altitude affects every traveler differently. Staying hydrated, limiting alcohol during the first few days and maintaining a comfortable pace can help your body adjust.
Machu Picchu Entry
Machu Picchu visits follow designated circuits with timed entry tickets. Your admission ticket, shuttle transportation and privately guided visit are included.
Entry to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain and additional Machu Picchu circuits is not included. These tickets have limited availability and must be requested in advance.
Booking at least four to six months ahead is recommended for preferred travel dates, particularly from May through September. Holiday periods and June travel may require even earlier reservations.
Train Luggage
PeruRail permits one small bag or backpack per passenger weighing up to 17.6 pounds / 8 kilograms and measuring no more than 115 centimeters when its dimensions are combined.
Travelers should pack a small overnight bag for Machu Picchu Pueblo. Larger luggage will be securely stored or transferred while you complete the Machu Picchu portion of the journey.
What to Pack (essentails)
- Comfortable walking shoes with good traction
- Lightweight, breathable layers
- A warm jacket for cool mornings and evenings
- A compact rain jacket or poncho
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat
- A reusable water bottle
- A small daypack for Machu Picchu
- Your original passport for flights, trains and entrance to Machu Picchu
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