How many days do you need in Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley?
- Most travelers spend 6-7 days in Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley combined
- Visiting Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Sacred Valley in 4 or 5 days is possible, but it will feel rushed
- With 8 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
- The most common extensions are Lima, the Amazon, and Puno
How Many Days to Spend at Machu Picchu
Recommended Itineraries for Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
Recommended Itinerary for 1 Week
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Fly from Lima to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 2 | Sacred Valley Tour: Cusco, Chinchero & Ollantaytambo | Ollantaytambo |
| Day 3 | Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu |
| Day 4 | Machu Picchu Excursion | Cusco |
| Day 5 | Day Trip to Palcoyo Rainbow Mountain | Cusco |
| Day 6 | Fly to Lima, Depart |
Explore the essential highlights of Peru, including visits to Cusco, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain, on this weeklong adventure. Begin with a night in Lima and head to the Sacred Valley, where you'll enjoy cultural experiences and a tour of the Maras Salt Flats. Hike part of the famed Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, where you'll spend a day immersed in Inca history. End your trip with a special hike to the brilliantly-hued Rainbow Mountain. Read more
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Extended Itineraries
5-Day Itinerary Including Lima
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Explore | Lima |
| Day 2 | Cusco & Sacred Valley Tour: Cusco, Pisac & Ollantaytambo | Ollantaytambo |
| Day 3 | Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu |
| Day 4 | Machu Picchu Excursion | Cusco |
| Day 5 | Fly to Lima, Depart Peru |
This itinerary is ideal for travelers who have a limited amount of time in the Sacred Valley and really want to make it count. Spend five days delving into the beauty and rich culture of the Sacred Valley. Walk in the footsteps of the Inca on the short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and top it off with an exploration of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Read more
9-Day Itinerary Including Lima & Puno
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima, Explore | Lima |
| Day 2 | Lima Market & Food Tour | Lima |
| Day 3 | Fly from Lima to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 4 | Tour the Sacred Valley: Cusco, Pisac & Ollantaytambo | Ollantaytambo |
| Day 5 | Maras & Moray Tour, Train to Aguas Calientes | Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu |
| Day 6 | Machu Picchu Excursion | Cusco |
| Day 7 | Fly in Puno, Explore | Puno |
| Day 8 | Lake Titicaca Tour: Uros Floating Islands & Taquile Island | Puno |
| Day 9 | Fly to Lima, Depart |
Explore Peru's cities, Machu Picchu, and the largest lake in South America on this nine-day exploration of local Peruvian culture. Start in metropolitan Lima and explore the vibrant food scene and history. Continue to Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, and visit ancient ruins and colorful textile markets. Next, spend a day visiting the iconic Machu Picchu ruins. Finally, venture to Lake Titicaca to see its floating islands and native culture. Read more
10-Day Itinerary Including Lima & the Amazon
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lima | Lima |
| Day 2 | Lima City & Food Tour | Lima |
| Day 3 | Fly from Lima to Cusco | Cusco |
| Day 4 | Sacred Valley Tour: Cusco, Chinchero & Ollantaytambo | Ollantaytambo |
| Day 5 | Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu | Aguas Calientes/ Machu Picchu |
| Day 6 | Machu Picchu Excursion | Cusco |
| Day 7 | Transfer to the Amazon | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 8-9 | Jungle Excursions | Puerto Maldonado |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Lima, Depart |
Go from the Sacred Valley to the Amazon with this 10-day itinerary. Explore the markets, small towns, and Inca ruins around Cusco before walking a section of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Then, travel east to Puerto Maldonado, your launch point to the rainforest. Spend multiple days viewing wildlife like the giant river otter and tropical parrots, and spend your nights in the comfort of an eco-lodge. Read more
How to travel between Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
How to get to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu needs little introduction—it's South America's most famous and most visited travel destination. Getting to this complex of Inca ruins, as almost every Peru-bound traveler wishes to do, always involves first traveling to Cusco. Read more
How to get to the Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley is the name given to the valley of the Río Urubamba and the pretty tradition-rich towns and villages that cling to its sides amidst a clutch of Inca ruins. The valley begins twists and turns beneath steep mountainsides north of Cusco. Cusco is the only real access point to the Sacred Valley because it acts as one of Peru's biggest transport hubs. All travel to the Sacred Valley, therefore, first necessitates a journey to Cusco. Read more
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