Self-Launched Peru Inca Adventure: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). Take a pre-booked airport transfer or an official taxi to your hostel/guesthouse in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas area (~£5–8 by taxi). Crucially, take it easy today — Cusco sits at 3,400m and altitude sickness is real. Drink coca tea (offered free at most hostels), hydrate, and avoid alcohol. In the evening, wander around Plaza de Armas, soak up the atmosphere, and sample local food and chicha morada at a market stall or budget restaurant in the Centro Histórico.

🚌Official airport taxi to central Cusco (~£6). Alternatively, book a shared transfer in advance via GetYourGuide (~£8).

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco — well-rated social hostels with dorms from ~£12/night or private rooms from ~£25/night

• →Arrive at Cusco Airport — take an official taxi to your hostel (~£6)
• →Rest and acclimatise — drink coca tea provided by most hostels
• →Self-guided evening stroll around Plaza de Armas
• →Sample local street food and chicha morada near Mercado San Pedro

Start the morning with a self-guided walk through Cusco's historic centre — the architecture blends Inca stonework with Spanish colonial buildings in a fascinating way. Visit Mercado San Pedro for food sampling and local shopping (try fresh ceviche, tamales, and exotic fruits). In the afternoon, head uphill to the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress, a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride from the Plaza. The Boleto Turístico (Tourist Ticket, ~£35) covers Sacsayhuamán and several other sites across the region — buy it at the COSITUC office on Avenida El Sol. End the day at a café on the plaza with views over the city.

🚌Walking or short taxi (~£2) to Sacsayhuamán

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco

• →Self-guided walk around Cusco's historic centre and Inca stonework on Hatunrumiyoc street
• →Visit Mercado San Pedro for food sampling and local shopping
• →Visit Sacsayhuamán ruins — included on the Boleto Turístico (~£35 covers multiple sites)
• →Relax at a café overlooking Plaza de Armas — try a Pisco Sour

Join a half-day or full-day cultural workshop in a rural community near Cusco or the Sacred Valley. The Centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC) in Cusco city offers free demonstrations; for a hands-on weaving experience, book a community visit to Chinchero or Awanacancha (~£10–15 via GetYourGuide or direct). Pottery workshops can be booked through local arts centres in Cusco's San Blas neighbourhood — the traditional potters' quarter — for around £12–18. These can often be combined into a single half-day Sacred Valley community tour.

🚌Shared colectivo from Cusco to Chinchero (~£1.50 each way) or taxi (~£8 return)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco

• →Traditional weaving workshop at Chinchero community or Awanacancha (~£12, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Pottery workshop in San Blas neighbourhood, Cusco (~£15, book direct at local studios)
• →Browse San Blas artisan market for handmade crafts and souvenirs
• →Visit Centre for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC) for free cultural demonstration

This is one of the highlights of the trip — a thrilling downhill mountain bike ride through the Andes. Book a guided mountain biking tour from Cusco through GetYourGuide or operators like Gravity Peru or Apus Peru (~£35–50 per person including bike hire, helmet, and van transfer). The route typically descends from mountain passes above 4,000m down through cloud forest toward the Sacred Valley. After the ride, continue to Ollantaytambo by shared colectivo from Urubamba (~£1–2) or a pre-arranged drop-off from the bike tour operator. Check in to your guesthouse in Ollantaytambo.

🚌Mountain bike tour van transfers included (~£40 total for the activity). Shared colectivo Urubamba to Ollantaytambo (~£1.50).

🛏Hostal Iskay or KB Tambo Hotel, Ollantaytambo — budget guesthouses from ~£14/night

• →Downhill mountain biking in the Andes — book via GetYourGuide or Gravity Peru (~£40 including bike and gear)
• →Descent through cloud forest with views over the Sacred Valley
• →Arrive in Ollantaytambo — check in and explore the town
• →Optional: try traditional chicha (fermented corn beer) at a local chichería

Spend the morning with a warm-up hike to the Ollantaytambo viewpoint (Pinkuylluna mountain) — free and spectacular, taking around 45 minutes up. The views over the town and terraced ruins are incredible. Then explore the Ollantaytambo archaeological site itself, one of the best-preserved Inca sites in Peru (entry ~£8 on Boleto Turístico or ~£12 separately). In the afternoon, seek out a traditional Inca food experience — several local restaurants in Ollantaytambo serve authentic dishes like cuy (guinea pig), quinoa soup, and potato causa.

🚌Walking within Ollantaytambo

🛏Hostal Iskay or KB Tambo Hotel, Ollantaytambo

• →Morning hike to Pinkuylluna viewpoint above Ollantaytambo (free, ~45 mins)
• →Explore Ollantaytambo archaeological site — covered by Boleto Turístico or ~£12 entry
• →Traditional Inca lunch at a local restaurant — try cuy, quinoa soup, or causa
• →Wander the living Inca town — note the original water channels and stone streets

Today combines a segment of the Inca Trail with a scenic train ride. Take the Peru Rail or Inca Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo) — book in advance online as trains sell out, especially in high season (~£25–40 each way). Alternatively, book a one-day Inca Trail hike with a licensed operator from Cusco (~£60–80 via GetYourGuide) which includes a guided hike along a section of the original trail, finishing near Aguas Calientes. Arrive in Aguas Calientes in the afternoon — explore the hot springs (baths entry ~£5) and the riverside market. Dine at one of the budget restaurants on Avenida Pachacútec.

🚌Peru Rail / Inca Rail Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (~£30 per person, book in advance at perurail.com)

🛏Hostal Cusi or El Mapi Hostel, Aguas Calientes — budget rooms from ~£18/night

• →Take Peru Rail or Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (~£30, book at perurail.com or incarail.com)
• →One-day Inca Trail hike guided section — book via GetYourGuide (~£65 including guide and lunch)
• →Soak in the Aguas Calientes hot springs (baños termales, ~£5 entry)
• →Explore the riverside market and dine on Avenida Pachacútec

The unmissable highlight. Book your Machu Picchu entry ticket well in advance (up to 6 months ahead in peak season) at the official site machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35–40 per person). Take the first bus up from Aguas Calientes (~£12 return) to arrive before the crowds, or hike the Inca Sun Gate trail if you're keen. Hire a licensed guide at the entrance (~£15 split between a small group) or use the free audio guide app. Spend 3–4 hours exploring the ruins. Return by bus and train back to Cusco (Peru Rail Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo ~£30, then colectivo to Cusco ~£3). Check back into your Cusco hostel.

🚌Bus Aguas Calientes–Machu Picchu return (~£12). Peru Rail back to Ollantaytambo (~£30). Shared colectivo Ollantaytambo–Cusco (~£3).

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco

• →Early morning bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (~£12 return, buy tickets at the bus station)
• →Guided walk around Machu Picchu ruins — hire a local guide at entry (~£15/person) or use audio guide app
• →Optional: hike to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) for panoramic views — no extra fee
• →Return by bus to Aguas Calientes, then train to Ollantaytambo (~£30), then colectivo to Cusco (~£3)

Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca / Montaña de 7 Colores) is a must-do and best done on a guided day tour from Cusco, as the trailhead is remote and at extreme altitude (~5,000m). Book via GetYourGuide or local operators such as Alpaca Expeditions or Andean Face (~£25–35 including transport, guide, and a basic lunch). Depart Cusco very early (~4–5am). The hike is approximately 7km round trip and takes 4–6 hours depending on fitness and acclimatisation. The multi-coloured striped mountain is genuinely breathtaking. Return to Cusco by early evening — rest up and rehydrate.

🚌Included in Rainbow Mountain tour (~£30 covers transport from/to Cusco)

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco

• →Full-day Rainbow Mountain trek — book via GetYourGuide or direct with Alpaca Expeditions (~£30 including transport and guide)
• →Hike 7km round trip to Vinicunca summit (~5,000m) with stunning Andean views
• →Optional: detour to Red Valley (Valle Rojo) for extra views and fewer crowds
• →Return to Cusco by evening — rest and rehydrate after the high-altitude day

Learn to cook Peruvian cuisine in a hands-on cooking class — book through GetYourGuide or direct with operators like Peruvian Cooking Classes by Marcelo Batata or Tiksi Perú (~£30–45 per person). You'll typically make an appetiser, a Lomo Saltado main course, and the iconic Pisco Sour cocktail. After class, enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring any remaining sights. In the evening, head out for salsa dancing — Cusco has a lively nightlife scene. Try Mama Africa, Mythology Bar, or The Meeting Place for live music and dancing.

🚌Walking within central Cusco

🛏Loki Hostel Cusco or Pariwana Hostel Cusco

• →Peruvian cooking class — make appetiser, Lomo Saltado, and Pisco Sour (~£35, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Free afternoon to explore Cusco's San Blas artisan quarter or visit the Qorikancha Sun Temple
• →Evening salsa dancing at Mama Africa or Mythology Bar in central Cusco (entry ~£3–5)
• →Optional: Pisco tasting at a local distillery or bar

Enjoy a final breakfast at a café near Plaza de Armas — try a classic Peruvian breakfast of pan con chicharrón or quinoa porridge. Use any free time to pick up last-minute souvenirs at Mercado San Pedro or browse the artisan stalls near the plaza. Head to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport for your departing flight. Allow plenty of time as the airport can get busy. Official taxis from central Cusco to the airport cost ~£5–8 and take around 20 minutes.

🚌Official taxi to Cusco Airport (~£6, ~20 mins from centre)

🛏Check out — departure day

• →Final breakfast at a café on or near Plaza de Armas — try pan con chicharrón
• →Last-minute shopping at Mercado San Pedro or artisan stalls near Plaza Regocijo
• →Transfer to Cusco Airport by official taxi (~£6) — allow 2 hours before flight