About this trip
Eight days across Peru's Sacred Valley, ending at Machu Picchu by whichever route you choose to get there. You start in Lima, move through Ollantaytambo's ruins, then tackle the Inca Trail, the Quarry Trail, or the scenic train, before finishing in Cusco.
This is a trip built around one goal: reaching Machu Picchu on foot or by train, with the Sacred Valley's history and landscape filling in the days around it. Expect a good amount of walking throughout, and proper hiking if you pick one of the trekking routes.
Cusco at the end gives you a chance to properly unwind, with good food and plenty going on after days spent at altitude and on the trail.
What you'll do
- Explore Ollantaytambo's Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley
- Choose your route to Machu Picchu — Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or scenic train
- Reach Machu Picchu and take the guided circuit through the site
- Camp along the trail with basic facilities if trekking
- Wander Cusco, Peru's cultural and culinary hub
- Start in Lima, taking in its Spanish colonial architecture
- Spends time at altitude, so check the medical and health guidance before you go
- A good level of fitness is recommended — lots of walking throughout, and strenuous hiking if you choose the Inca Trail or Quarry Trail
- If trekking, you'll camp with basic facilities rather than staying in hotels
Worth it if you're fit and want brilliant guides on the Inca Trail. Think twice if you need flexible itineraries or detailed architecture history in the cities.
- Guides like Daniel and Rolando were genuinely knowledgeable, engaged, and made the experience memorable.
- Lima and Cusco walking tours lack depth on architecture and history compared to the Inca Trail itself.
- Itinerary changes aren't always offered equally; some travellers couldn't switch or cancel when plans shifted.
- Expect hard physical slog, cold nights, wet weather, and multiple city transfers between stops.
Distilled from real traveller reviews on TourRadar — we don't edit out the bad bits.
The same-vibe trips, side by side — price, value per day, and how each is moving. Only we can lay two operators' trips out honestly.
Sorted by fit — never by who paid. Price moves and fill fill in from our own tracking as it builds.
Departing in Sep is cheapest — from £1,065, about 33% below the priciest month (Jul).
Getting there
Opens Trip.com, pre-filled — one-way so you can book your return whenever. Prices & booking shown there.
Where to stay
A night before your tour in Lima · 3 Sept – 4 Sept
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