Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley Self-Launched Adventure (Inca Trail Option)

Fly into Cusco (CUZ) and check into your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas area. Spend the day acclimatising — take it easy, drink plenty of water, and sip coca tea (widely available). In the afternoon, explore on foot: wander the cobbled streets, visit the Coricancha Temple (£10 entry), and admire the Sacsayhuaman fortress just uphill from the city centre (included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket, ~£32, which also covers Sacred Valley sites). Grab dinner at a local menu restaurant on Calle Plateros for around £4-6.

🚌Fly into Cusco Airport (CUZ). Official airport taxi to city centre ~£3-5. Alternatively, pre-book a transfer via your hostel.

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco — both well-rated party-friendly hostels in the centre with dorm beds from ~£10-14/night

• →Self-guided walking tour of Cusco's Plaza de Armas and colonial architecture
• →Visit Coricancha Temple (~£10 entry, or included in Tourist Ticket)
• →Purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket (~£32) for access to 16 sites including Sacsayhuaman, Sacred Valley ruins and more
• →Optional: Inka Museum (~£8 entry) for Inca artefacts including mummies and ceramics
• →Acclimatise with coca tea and a relaxed evening meal at a local restaurant

Your Inca Trail permit (booked months in advance via an authorised operator — required by Peruvian law, you cannot hike independently) includes a local guide, porters, and all meals on the trail. Transfer by minibus from Cusco to Kilometre 82 (~2.5 hrs, included in your trek package). Cross the Urubamba River and begin the trail at a gentle pace through the Sacred Valley. Pass the ruins of Llactapata and enjoy river streams, Andean farmland, and llamas. Tonight, camp at the designated first campsite with cooked dinner provided by your trek team.

🚌Minibus transfer from Cusco to Km 82 trailhead (~2.5 hrs) — typically included in licensed trek package

🛏Designated Inca Trail campsite (included in trek permit package) — tents and mats supplied by porters

• →Book Inca Trail permit well in advance (minimum 6 months) via a licensed operator such as Alpaca Expeditions, Inca Trail Reservations, or SAS Travel Cusco — costs ~£250-320pp inclusive of guide, porters, meals and camping
• →Hike approx 12km from Km 82 trailhead through the Urubamba Valley
• →Visit Llactapata ruins en route
• →Spot llamas and Andean wildlife along the trail
• →Cooked dinner and overnight camping (tent, mat, sleeping bag provided or rent in Cusco ~£10)

The most challenging day on the trail. Start early and climb steadily to Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's Pass) at 4,198m — the highest point on the Inca Trail. Hike at your own comfortable pace, drink plenty of water, and take regular breaks. The views from the summit are extraordinary. After reaching the peak, descend to the second campsite for a well-earned rest. Your trek team will have dinner ready. Rent wooden walking sticks in Cusco before departure (~£3-5 for the trek) — metal poles are prohibited on the trail.

🚌Hiking — no additional transport needed

🛏Designated Inca Trail campsite 2 (included in trek permit package)

• →Summit Dead Woman's Pass at 4,198m — the highest point of the classic Inca Trail
• →Enjoy panoramic Andean mountain views from the pass
• →Descend to campsite 2 for rest and recovery
• →All meals provided by trek team (included in permit package)

Another stunning day on the trail. Cross the second pass at Runkuraqay (3,950m) with views of the snow-capped Cordillera Vilcamba. Hike through a spectacular cloud forest and pass through original Incan stone gateways. Descend to Phuyupatamarca ('town above the clouds', ~3,650m) — a breathtaking terraced ruin site. Continue down to the beautiful Wiñay Wayna ruins for tonight's camp. This is the last night on the trail; savour the atmosphere with your group around the campfire.

🚌Hiking — no additional transport needed

🛏Designated Inca Trail campsite near Wiñay Wayna (included in trek permit package)

• →Hike over Runkuraqay Pass (3,950m) with views of Cordillera Vilcamba
• →Walk through original Incan cloud forest tunnels and stone gateways
• →Visit Phuyupatamarca archaeological site (~3,650m)
• →Explore the stunning Wiñay Wayna ruins ('forever young') near the final campsite
• →Final night camping dinner with trek team

Rise before dawn to hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) and witness the sunrise over Machu Picchu — one of the most iconic views on earth. Descend the 45-minute trail into the citadel for your guided tour of Machu Picchu (entry included in your trek permit). Explore freely after the tour — the Inca Bridge is a free 15-minute detour well worth taking. Take the bus down to Aguas Calientes (~£6 return) for lunch and some downtime. Book your return train to Ollantaytambo in advance via PeruRail or Inca Rail (~£35-50), then a shared minibus from Ollantaytambo back to Cusco (~£3-5). Trip ends on arrival in Cusco.

🚌Bus Machu Picchu → Aguas Calientes (~£6 return). Train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo via PeruRail/Inca Rail (~£35-50pp). Shared minibus Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£3-5pp).

🛏Return to Cusco — re-check into your hostel if extending your trip, or head to the airport

• →Hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for sunrise over Machu Picchu — included in Inca Trail permit
• →Guided tour of Machu Picchu citadel (included in trek permit)
• →Free exploration of Machu Picchu — visit the Inca Bridge (~15 min detour, free)
• →Bus from Machu Picchu gate down to Aguas Calientes (~£6 return, book at the gate)
• →Lunch in Aguas Calientes (~£6-10 at a local restaurant)
• →Book return train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo via PeruRail or Inca Rail (~£35-50pp, book in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com)
• →Shared minibus Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£3-5pp)