Name: Classic Machu Picchu & Peru Tour
Brand: Zicasso
Rating: 4.860728744939271 (1235 reviews)

View of the ancient city of Machu Picchu in Peru

What to expect on this itinerary

Discover the classic wonders of Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley during your customizable 8-day Peru tour. Wander the historic center of Lima as it shines like a gem among the city’s diverse neighborhoods. Machu Picchu continues to linger in the clouds like a diamond in the sky, while the tasty Peruvian Pisco Sour cocktail offers a memorable tang to the classic treasures of Peru.

Countries Visited

Peru

Places Visited

Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Urubamba, Pisac, Moray, Maras, Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes

Suggested Duration

8 Days

Day 1

Lima – Day at Leisure

You will arrive in Lima to the bustling sounds of the City of Kings. Your private transfer will meet you at the airport and escort you to your luxurious accommodations, where the diversity of Lima sits along the ocean like a montage of smaller cities. Each neighborhood has a distinct culture and feel, different from any other space in the metropolis. The Plaza de Armas is gilded as the gem of the historic center, boasting the Spanish colonial past in the gorgeous structures that decorate the square. A stroll through the Surquillo district brings with it the aroma of fresh produce and spices from the farmers market.

Transfer

Accommodation

Day 2

Cusco – Cultural History Tour

In the morning, you will transfer to the Lima airport and soar over the vast peaks of the Andes, arriving in the timeless city of Cusco. The city will shimmer with the opulent buildings of its Spanish colonial past while the people preserve the classic Andean culture. The cobblestone streets spread through the city, from the wide lanes of the Plaza de Armas to the narrow alleys that lead to the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas. Along the ridges of the forest that stretches above the city, you can see the large looming stones of Saqsaywaman fort.

Transfer

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 3

Cusco – Culture at Amaru Villages

You will watch the wonders of the Sacred Valley open before you, from the cultural remains of the Pisca ruins to the remaining heritage of the Amaru, an isolated community indigenous to the Andes. The village sits along the sloping hills of the valley. The air is dense with the scent of freshly harvested quinoa and the crisp breeze of the plains. The villagers’ clothes shine purple, red, orange, and white along the lush green of the valley. You can join the women as they gather plants to use as natural dyes, grind and pulp the flowers into dust, and create the colors that they blend into their unique textiles.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 4

Aguas Calientes – Moray and Maras

Your guide will meet you at the hotel and escort you into the mountains to see the spectacular colonial villages of the Sacred Valley and the wonders that they contain. The village of Maras is known for the terraces of saltpans that climb up the mountainside. The square pools date back to the 15th century and capture the potent saltwater from the local spring. As the water drips, the pools fill. The salty scent of the village will remind you of the ocean. In the arid Andean air, the water evaporates leaving only the salt behind, ready for harvesting.

Transfer

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 5

Aguas Calientes – Lost City of Machu Picchu Tour

The sun will rise over the Lost City of Machu Picchu with you standing at the center of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The mist will roll over the plateau covering the ruins from a distance. You will see the stone city as the clouds began to burn away with the sunlight peeking over the mountaintops from your vantage point at the Sun Gate at 8,924 feet above sea level. After sunrise, you can climb the towering peak of Huayna Picchu, which allows for a small number of visitors to ascend the grand mountaintop each day.

Accommodation

Tour

Breakfast

Day 6

Ollantaytambo – Train to Ollantaytambo

In the morning, you will board the comforts of the train that will take you from the base of Machu Picchu at Aguas Calientes to the village of Ollantaytambo. With the stunning majesty of Machu Picchu forever fixed in your mind, the train will carry you beyond the contemporary sights of town to reach the living history of Ollantaytambo. The town itself has been filled with life since the late 15th century and continues to shine with bright textiles and lively Andean culture.

Accommodation

Transfer

Breakfast

Day 7

Cusco – Relax in Cusco

The city of Cusco will welcome you back with sunlight spreading across the narrow cobblestone streets. The continuous boisterousness of the city will return in the morning accompanied by the slightly bitter aroma of coca tea. Pearl-white buildings are stacked beside one another without space surrounding the streets that lead to San Blas. The cobbled alleyways retain their picturesque qualities captured by artists in renderings of the antique city. Within Plaza San Blas, you will find the quiet cool of the neighborhood surrounding you.

Accommodation

Transfer

Breakfast

Day 8

Cusco – Depart for Home

In the morning, you will wave goodbye to the streets of Cusco, the towering boulders of Saqsaywaman, and the mountain peaks of the Andes. Make your way to the airport to begin your journey home. You have wandered through the remains of Spanish colonialism and seen the tenacity of Andean culture. You have tasted the flavors of Peru, witnessed the vivacity of the clothing, and wandered amongst wonders on your trip to Machu Picchu. Your time in Peru has brought with it the experience of heritage and tradition revealing the classic Peru.

Transfer

Breakfast

Trip Highlights

Wander through the famous remains of Machu Picchu and the Sun Gate
Indulge in a comfortable luxury train ride through the Sacred Valley
Be one of the select few to discover the caves forming the hidden Temple of the Moon at Machu Picchu
Scour the sensational Incan ruins of Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo
Venture through the villages of the Sacred Valley to discover the ancient ways of the Amaru villagers
Discover the sensational saltpans of Maras during a private tour to view the distinctive images and imaginative method for producing the mineral
Bask in the sites and culture of Lima’s distinctive neighborhoods within the celebrated City of Kings
Descend beneath the city of Lima to view the fascinating catacombs of The Church of San Francisco

Starting Price

$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

Accommodations
In-country transportation
Some or all activities and tours
Expert trip planning
24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1235 reviews

Peru Tour Review: Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Amazon Rainforest, Salt Flats, Ruins, Village Visit, Walking Tour, Thermal Baths, 9 Nights

My adult daughter and I had the most wonderful trip planned by Zicasso's travel company. Their team was exceptional; educational, on time, and just a pleasure to be with. Our itinerary was just what we were looking for. From Lima to the Amazon Rainforest, Cusco, and ending with Machu Picchu, it was well planned and well executed. We have memories that will last us forever.

Our travel specialist was a pleasure to work with. She listened to our thoughts and improved our experience with her great knowledge of the country, cities, and historical sites we wanted to visit. The travel company exceeded our expectations on every level. Thank you to our specialist and the team she assembled. We now have fantastic memories that will last us forever!

Peru Anniversary Tour Review: Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Inca Trail, Sun Gate, Hiking, Scenery, 11-Day Trip

Zicasso's travel agent is a phenomenal trip planner and advisor, and he helped make my husband's and my 20th wedding anniversary trip exactly what we were hoping for. He listened to what we were interested in exploring, provided multiple options for tours and activities, and was incredibly responsive, even after we booked the trip. He patiently answered all of our questions and provided excellent recommendations for restaurants.

Furthermore, he paired us with an outstanding tour guide for our time at the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. He even left us a surprise at our hotel on the final leg of our journey! When we go back to visit South America, we will definitely reach out to him!

Peru Tour Review: Cusco, Lima, Machu Picchu, Lares Trail, Sacsayhuaman, Huayna Picchu, Sacred Valley, Salt Mines, Hiking, Biking, Local Cuisine, 12 Nights

Zicasso's travel specialist was spectacular in every way. From the inception of communication and planning, through arranging for all of our tickets, hotels, transport, and amazing dining experiences, to the incredible support and guides we enjoyed along the way... they were outstanding and we received five-star service.

We were a demanding group of 13, ranging in ages from 17 to over 60, and we all had an absolute blast! We had an absolutely amazing trip. The Lares Trail and Machu Picchu (and our climb up Huayna Picchu) are by far some of the most memorable experiences we've ever had.

Our guide and driver were awesome... kind, professional, and accommodating, and our guide especially was very knowledgeable, with so much respect and love for the surrounding nature and culture.

Our travel specialist was timely, attentive, and responsive to all of our requests, and helped us collectively achieve one of the greatest vacations we have ever experienced.

They were 100% accurate in terms of how to prepare us for the altitude and allow us enough time to acclimatize in Cusco (and with a great, long, mountain bike ride at high elevation). Our specialist provided excellent recommendations for how to fill some additional time in Cusco while we acclimated. We loved touring Cusco itself, and seeing Sacsayhuaman, several spots in the Sacred Valley, and the Maras Salt Mines were all unforgettable experiences. We also loved the hotel she had us at in Cusco. It was a great spot to be able to explore the city on our own time.

After seeing all of the coordination, especially for the Lares Trail and Machu Picchu, we're so relieved we chose to go through Zicasso for this trip and were connected with our travel specialist and her company. Everything was well planned and thought out, and if anything was not right, they sought to immediately correct it. Our guide was on top of every detail and it was great knowing our agent was just a text or phone call away.

Peru Tour Review: Lima, Machu Picchu, 8 Nights

I wish I could give more than five stars. My husband and I took our two children, ages 16 and 11, on this amazing trip. Zicasso's travel experts made great suggestions to help make the trip one for everybody to remember. They and their vendors were amazingly supportive, beyond what we expected during the trip in-country as well.

Peru Travel Review: Incan Culture, Hiking, 6 Nights

Zicasso's travel expert made my travel seamless and stress-free. The guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. I learned a great deal about the Incan culture. The driver was always on time and I felt safe traveling by car throughout the region.

Peru Trip Review: Machu Picchu, 3 Nights

Our Zicasso travel specialist's communication was great and he did a wonderful job organizing our trip. All went very smoothly.

Zicasso in the News

Classic Machu Picchu & Peru Tour

What to expect on this itinerary

Countries Visited

Places Visited

Suggested Duration

Customizable Itinerary

Lima – Day at Leisure

Cusco – Cultural History Tour

Cusco – Culture at Amaru Villages

Aguas Calientes – Moray and Maras

Aguas Calientes – Lost City of Machu Picchu Tour

Ollantaytambo – Train to Ollantaytambo

Cusco – Relax in Cusco

Cusco – Depart for Home

Trip Highlights

Starting Price

What's Included

Verified Traveler Reviews

Customizable Itinerary

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