7-Nights Peru In-Style: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

This 8-day trip through Peru’s Inca history focuses on Cusco and the Sacred Valley, including the area’s crowning glory, Machu Picchu.

Spend your first night in Lima, the capital of Peru. There are no planned activities here, but if you have time, consider an extra day or two to experience the economic and cultural heartbeat of today’s Peru. Then fly to Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, where the influences of the past blend with the distinct architecture of the colonial era.

Visit Chinchero to learn more about local handicrafts including spinning and weaving. See techniques that have been preserved through generations, and perhaps pick up a unique souvenir before going on to Ollantaytambo. This town is a masterwork of ancient engineering, featuring an innovative fresh water system and terraces. You’ll also visit Pisac, an archaeological marvel showcasing the stonemasonry skills of the Incas. Discover more examples of their ingenuity at the circular terraces of Moray, an Inca agricultural research station, and the Maras salt pools, where you’ll learn about the ancestral techniques used to extract salt, and irrigate the local farms.

Continue to the Sacred Valley and the highlight of your trip, Machu Picchu. Lost for 400 years until its rediscovery in 1911, many mysteries still shroud the archeological site. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to form your own theories as you explore, before staying overnight at Aguas Calientes. Then enjoy another day at the archeological site. You may want to hike Huayna Picchu for an alternative view, or glimpse the city from the Sun Gate before returning to Cusco.

Transfer to Lima the next day for your flight home.