Machu Picchu Adventure

Bienvenidos – Welcome to Peru.

Your adventure begins in Lima, the country’s vibrant coastal capital. Today is all about arriving, settling in, and gently shifting into adventure mode. This evening we gather for our first group dinner — a chance to meet your fellow walkers, share a meal and begin our journey together.

2 Nights Dazzler by Wyndham, Miraflores Lima or similar

Please note: We are offering to package return flights with this trip. Please advise us at the time of booking if you wish for us to package your flights.

Meals Included: Dinner

Today, we enjoy a guided exploration of Peru’s capital.

After breakfast, we set out to explore Lima, a city where pre-Columbian history and Spanish colonial architecture sit side by side. We visit the historic centre and Plaza Mayor, soaking up grandeur, local markets and everyday life.

An optional cooking class is on offer for those seeking a deeper taste of Peruvian culture.

Meals Included: Breakfast

It’s time to fly to the Peruvian Andes city of Cusco. Our transfer takes us to the airport following breakfast at the hotel.

Upon arriving in Cusco, we check into our accommodation in the heart of the historic centre and spend the remainder of the day gently acclimatising.

Cusco sits at an elevation of 3,399m above sea level, and although this isn’t an altitude of great concern, being able to relax allows your body to adjust. Going for a gentle walk, avoiding strenuous activity, increasing potassium and water intake, and getting enough sleep are ways to support your body.

Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco’s cobblestone streets, ornate cathedrals and vibrant plazas offer a fascinating blend of Andean tradition and colonial influence. Wander the nearby laneways, sip coca tea in a courtyard café, or simply rest in your room or around the hotel – today is about easing into the rhythm of the Andes.

2 Nights Casa Andina Standard Catedral or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Altitude: 3,399m at Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast
Altitude: 3,399m at Cusco

We travel to the Chinchero Plateau this morning, an Andean plain framed by snow-capped peaks and patchwork farmland. Here, we visit a local weaving cooperative where women keep centuries-old textile traditions alive. Their techniques and motifs are exquisite – get ready to make some purchases! We then step inside the town’s picturesque colonial church. Built directly on Inca foundations, this is one of the first Roman Catholic buildings in Peru.

From the plateau, we begin our first true Sacred Valley walk, descending along beautifully restored Inca pathways through ancient terraces and fertile valleys to the Urquillos Valley.

4 Nights Tunupa Lodge, Ollantaytambo or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 8km
Altitude: 3,760m

Today, we stay fully immersed in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We set off for a scenic hilltop above Urguillos Valley, overlooking this small, lesser-known village that offers us a quieter and more authentic cultural experience, nestled within the breathtaking Andean landscape. With wide views across fertile farmland and rugged ridgelines, from here we begin a scenic downhill walk through the vast terraces and remarkable ruins of Pisac. This ancient Inca fortress and citadel combines residential, military and ceremonial sites. Its stonework is among the most impressive in the Sacred Valley, from terraces that sweep dramatically down the mountainside, to temples and walls built with finely cut blocks that fit so precisely no mortar was required.

After lunch in Pisac, we explore the town’s colourful crafts market, a lively place to browse for textiles, pottery and silver.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Walking Distance: 6km
Altitude: 2,972m

This morning, we drive to Moray to begin an awe-filled day of exploring the Sacred Valley along quieter trails rarely walked by tourists. Moray is a remarkable series of circular terraces, believed to be an ingenious Inca site where crops were cultivated in different micro-climates. This high plateau offers sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

From Moray we continue to Maras, a salt-producing village dating back to pre-Inca times. Thousands of dazzling salt pools cascade down the mountainside, forming a striking mosaic of whites and ochres. We then take a gentle downhill walk of about an hour to Pichingoto, home to the salt miners. This trail and village offer a quieter glimpse of the Sacred Valley and insight into local life.

We are picked up in Pichingoto to return to Ollantaytambo, where the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy soaking up every day life in this picturesque Inca town.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Walking Distance: 12km
Altitude: 3,500m

Today is a day of ancient paths and living culture.

We begin with exploring Ollantaytambo – one of the best-preserved Inca villages in Peru. Its cobbled lanes, stone doorways and ancient canals still carry mountain water through the town, an example of Inca ingenuity that has survived for centuries. The village is a significant archaeological site and a common starting point for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Rising above Ollantaytambo is the dramatic fortress and citadel, with steep terraces and commanding views.

From here, we drive into the Patacancha Valley to the hamlet of Marcacocha, where our walk follows an ancient Inca trail to Pumamarca. With its rare circular structures, Pumamarca is a fascinating site dating back to pre-Inca times. Terraced fields still farmed today line our return journey back to Ollantaytambo.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Walking Distance: 14km
Altitude: 3,800m

Today is the highlight of our adventure! It’s the day we first set eyes on Machu Picchu, the utterly magnificent and sophisticated 15th-century Inca citadel.

An early start takes us by train to KM104, which is the starting point for the Short Inca Trail and the trailhead for today’s trek. After crossing a suspension bridge over the Urubamba River, we pause at the small but atmospheric site of Chachabamba (2,150m), before beginning the steady climb. The trail winds through lush cloud forest and ancient stone steps, gradually revealing expansive views of the valley below. At 2,700 metres, we reach Wiñayhuayna, one of the most impressive Inca complexes on the trail. agricultural terraces, ceremonial areas and remarkably preserved dwellings that cling to the mountainside.

After a pack lunch, the final stretch leads us to Inti Punku – the Sun Gate at 2,730 metres. Stepping through this portal, reveals Machu Picchu and its sprawl across the ridge below. It’s an unforgettable first glimpse, and after taking in the view, we descend to explore this ancient citadel for the first time.

Later this evening we board our bus for the windy descent to Aguas Calientes, where relaxing in the hot springs is the perfect way to end this extraordinary day.

Overnight El Mapi by Inkaterra, Aguas Calientes or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Walking Distance: 12km
Altitude: 2,745m

Today is an early start to experience Machu Picchu, this time in the soft morning light. The magical atmosphere of this ancient site as the first light washes over the stone citadel evokes a feeling no words can express. Our guided tour brings this sanctuary to life. We spend time exploring its temples, terraces, and hidden corners while imagining Incan life and the significance of Machu Picchu to those who lived there centuries ago.

After time to absorb the scale and beauty, we return by bus to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, we board the train to Ollantaytambo, then continue by road back to Cusco, reflecting on the extraordinary days we’ve just experienced, wandering through the valleys of the Peruvian Andes and immersed in both the remnants of the ancient Inca Empire and modern-day Peruvian culture.

2 Nights Casa Andina Standard Catedral or similar 

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Altitude: 3,399m

Enjoy a free day in Cusco — wander, rest, or pick up those last-minute souvenirs. Perhaps you’ve been saving that cooking class for this afternoon or have your eye on another tour? Maybe you simply wish to hole yourself up in a local café and watch as Quechuan city life goes by? Or maybe this day is your chance to rediscover Cusco feeling fresh and fully acclimatised to the altitude.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Altitude: 3,399m at Cusco

Your Big Heart Adventures Machu Picchu Adventure officially comes to an end today as we say goodbye to Cusco and the ancient Incan world. We carry the shared paths, cobblestone backstreets, ancient trails and quiet moments with us long after our journey ends. It’s been a phenomenal adventure with memories and stories that will last forever!

How does a four-day trip to the Amazon Jungle sound for those wishing to expand on their South American odyssey? This is an independent package, and you’ll be under the wonderful care of our local guide.

Meals Included: Breakfast

This Amazon Rainforest independent extension package from Puerto Maldonado offers an immersive jungle lodge experience with guided walks, river excursions, wildlife spotting and canopy-level views in the Peruvian Amazon. This extension is a great opportunity to experience the Amazon Jungle as part of your Machu Picchu Adventure, offering a rich contrast to the Andes. This Amazon experience invites you to slow down and tune in to one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

Please nominate at the time of booking if you’re interested, and we can help package your required flights and transfers. Please note: this is an independent add-on package – your Big Heart Adventures Leader will not be accompanying you.

Itinerary

extending DAY 12 | Into the Amazon

After your flight to Puerto Maldonado, the gateway to Peru’s Amazon region, you’ll enjoy a scenic canoe journey down the Madre de Dios River, watching the jungle envelop you as we travel downstream. Our destination is Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, a secluded eco-lodge set on a former cacao and rubber plantation. Nestled between the river’s edge and the protected forests of the Tambopata National Reserve, the lodge feels wonderfully remote, set within hundreds of hectares of pristine rainforest.

As you arrive, the Amazon announces itself—the call of macaws, the rustle of palm fronds, the hum of cicadas—a symphony of rainforest life. After settling in, there’s time to explore the lodge surrounds and begin soaking up this extraordinary tropical environment.

3 Nights Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción, Amazon (or similar)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13 | Amazon Wildlife & Canopy Walk

After a nature-filled slumber, our first full day in the Amazon Jungle is about exploring the rainforest on foot and by water – Jungle walks, lagoons and a night river safari!

Guided by a local naturalist, we set out on a jungle walk to find monkeys and capybaras before taking canoes out onto some of the jungle lagoons in the area. Hopefully, you’ll spot the large cayman and the giant river otter while learning how plants, animals, and people coexist in this complex ecosystem. We recommend heading up the Canopy Walk, an ecologically constructed hanging suspension bridge system with eight treetop observation platforms. This walk is an unforgettable opportunity to observe the rainforest from the rooftop! There’s even the chance to have sunset drinks from atop a tower. 

As evening falls, we head out on a short river journey by torchlight, scanning the banks for cayman before returning to the lodge for dinner.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14 | Amazon Rainforest at Your Pace

Today is yours to enjoy the Amazon at a relaxed pace. Choose from a range of lodge activities – explore nature trails, learn about medicinal plants, enjoy another twilight canoe cruise, experience a nocturnal rainforest walk, wander the Lodge’s botanical garden, tour the Brazil nut cabin, indulge in a holistic Amazonic Spa treatment, or simply take time to rest and observe the wildlife from the lodge grounds.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15 | Farewell the Amazon

Today, you depart the Amazon Jungle. After breakfast, you will be transferred back along the river to the airport in Puerto Maldonado. This is where your Amazon Jungle experience comes to an end— leaving you with memories of rainforest sounds, wildlife encounters, and a very different side of Peru.

What an epic adventure – From the remnants of ancient Incan civilisation, Quechuan culture and the breathtaking peaks of Peru’s Andes, to the expansive and hyper-diverse ecosystem of the Peruvian Amazon. WOW!
Meals Included: Breakfast

We grade the overall walking on this itinerary as MODERATE-CHALLENGING
(see our grading system)

This grading is provided as general advice only, and is based on our assessment and also feedback from past participants. Please consider your level of fitness and experience in regard to this rating, and if you’re unsure please contact us for more information

11 REASONS TO GO WITH US

Realistic Itineraries
we want you to love and be inspired by Peru. This tour itinerary is well-designed and realistic, allowing you to complete the full itinerary ….. we don’t over sell and under deliver

Be Fulfilled
this itinerary is designed to maximise your awe and leave you fulfilled. You will have time to acclimatise to the higher altitude in Cusco and its surrounds prior to walking the final section of the Inca Trail to the Sun Gate and down to Machu Picchu. You will visit Machu Picchu during the late afternoon and also early morning for an contrasting and extended exploration. We’ve planned this itinerary so you get the full experience and time to relax ….. you won’t leave feeling unfulfilled

Group Fitness
we want you to succeed and maximise your enjoyment, so pre-tour training walks, training programs, and group chats online are provided leading up to your walking tour (included as part of the tour price). These will assist you to practice on terrain that you are likely to encounter, meet your guides and other group members, ask questions on what to expect, receive advice on the trail, travel, and the destination, and gauge your level of fitness. Many people underestimate the difficulty of walking these trails and end up under-prepared and unfulfilled ….. so we invest in your preparation

Flexibility
our departures have 1 experienced host guide from Australia and local guides. Having an Australian host guide means we can better cater for group dynamics and individual needs. Incidents can mean changes to the itinerary become necessary, and if there was only 1 guide then these changes will impact on your expectations and your level of enjoyment ….. avoiding this is why we always have more than 1 guide

Safety
our host guide carries safety documentation, and our local guides carry group first-aid kits, communication devices, and safety equipment. In addition, safety procedures are in place, and constant communication is undertaken with local emergency services

Travel Assistance
our in-house travel specialists can assist you with travel insurance. If you want to see more of Peru, we can also package any accommodation, flights, and add-ons in addition to this tour. Package your Inca Trail adventure with us and save stress, time and money

Timing
we go at the best time of the year for comfortable conditions. We can’t guarantee perfect weather everyday, but you can book with confidence 

Nature Connection
we want you to feel de-stressed and re-energised. So, our Australian guides are also nature facilitators with skills to immerse you with your surrounds. Not only do we safely guide you and share our knowledge, we also provide invitations for you to slow down and connect deeper with nature (included activities such as an introduction to Shinrin-yoku ‘Forest Bathing’ ) <learn more about Forest Bathing here> ….. we’re pioneers of outdoor adventure with deep nature immersion

Meaningful Moments 
we will bring your Peruvian experience alive ….. a guide book and phone App alone can’t do this as well as our local guides

Small Groups
a maximum of 15 only on each departure. Meaning, it’s better for the environment and you won’t feel like you’re just a number in the crowd

Sustainable Travel
our ethical and sustainably focused local operators are carefully selected to deliver our tours in Peru, working with and employing local communities embracing minimal impact tourism