4-Day Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley trip, with 1-day Inca Trail - Peru

Today you’ll take the train to the starting point of the ‘Camino Real’ trail, where your guide will be waiting. Setting off at 2300m altitude, you’ll cross a footbridge over the Urubamba river and follow the Inca trading route towards Machu Picchu, passing several small ruins along the way. It’s a relatively tough trek with some uphill sections, so you’ll need a reasonable level of fitness.

You’ll stop for lunch in scenic Winay Wayna, an ancient Inca city tucked between terraced fields and home to some beautifully preserved ruins. Afterwards, the trek continues downhill through shady forests until you arrive at the Sun Gate, where you’ll catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu before descending to Aguas Calientes. Here you can soak in the local hot springs and stay in a comfy hotel in the centre of town.

After exploring the ruins you’ll take the train to Ollantaytambo – tucked away in the Sacred Valley, surrounded by both gorgeous scenery and ancient Inca sites. A cobblestone maze of tiny streets where local life carries on as it always has, it’s a sleepy and beautiful place to explore. Your main luggage will be waiting at a cosy guesthouse near the centre of the village, close to some lovely places to eat and drink, where you’ll spend the next 2 nights.

Ollantaytambo is the best-preserved example of Inca city planning, so it’s packed with fascinating sights. We’d recommend heading up to the Inca fort for sunrise, with sweeping views across the valley as it wakes for the day. Afterwards, you can relax in the sunshine, hike between the terraces or ride horseback through the hills. We’ve left your time here free, since it’s a wonderful place to be lazy and there is a great variety of short hikes and visits to Inca ruins which you can arrange locally.

At the end of your stay, we’ll arrange a private transfer to take you back to Cusco, around 2 hours away.

If you’d like to discover the Pisac ruins and learn more about the local Ammaru culture, you can add on this full day trip to your Sacred Valley stay. After discovering the fascinating history of these Inca ruins you’ll journey to a nearby village to learn how this community live. They farm using simple (yet effective) tools and are expert weavers. It’s a perfect opportunity to pick up a unique souvenir.