MAGICAL ANDES 8D/07N
Enjoy the diverse ecosystems and landscapes that Mother Nature offers in this part of Peru. Explore the narrow streets and beautiful plazas of the ancient city of Cusco, filled with history and tradition, and visit other Inca cities in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Test your endurance by trekking the sacred Inca Trail for 4D/3N and then immerse yourself in the magic of the great Inca city of Machu Picchu.
Language
English or Spanish Tour
Altitude
3,400 m.s.n.m
Transportation
Car
Difficulty
Medium
Itinerary
Meals included:
This day, we will provide a transfer service from the hotel to the airport for a flight to Cusco, which lasts approximately one hour.
In the afternoon, we will explore Cusco’s beautiful attractions, such as the Qoricancha Temple, and the archaeological sites of Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay. A certified guide will lead the tour, and afterward, we will return to the hotel to rest. That night, you will receive a briefing about the Inca Trail.
Meals included: 01 breakfast
We will start early, heading northeast from Cusco. Along the way, we will stop at several viewpoints to admire the inter-Andean valleys and observe four types of South American camelids: llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicuñas. We will also see how alpaca fiber is used to create beautiful woven textiles.
Our first stop will be Pisaq, where we will ascend by minibus to the mountain housing the Inca ruins. Afterward, we will descend to the town of Pisaq, located along the Urubamba River, where we will visit its traditional craft market. Here, you can browse beautiful handicrafts and visit silver jewelry workshops.
Next, we will continue to Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch (not included).
In the afternoon, we will explore the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo, home to various structures dedicated to Inca deities. We will then check into our hotel, where we will spend the night. You will have free time to explore Ollantaytambo’s original Inca streets, walls, and water channels.
Meals included: 01 lunch & 01 dinner
INCA TRAIL – DAY 1: PISCACUCHO (KM-82) TO WAYLLABAMBA
Distance: 12 km
After a hearty breakfast at our hotel, our transport will pick us up at 08:00 AM to drive us to the Inca Trail’s starting point, known as Km-82 or Piscacucho. After reorganizing our gear, we will begin the hike, passing small villages such as Miskay and arriving at our first archaeological site: Llactapata. Here, we will take a break for an explanation of the site.
Afterward, we will continue to our lunch spot before trekking in the afternoon to our first campsite, Wayllabamba (3,000m/9,842ft).
Meals included: 01 breakfast, 01 lunch & 01 dinner
Distance: 9 km
On this challenging day, we will hike for about five hours, ascending to the trek’s highest point: the Warmiwañuska Pass (4,200m/13,779ft), meaning “Dead Woman’s Pass.” From here, we will descend to our next campsite, Pacaymayu (3,600m/11,811ft).
Meals included: 01 breakfast, 01 lunch & 01 dinner
Distance: 14 km
This is the longest day of the trek, covering 14 km along an original Inca path. We will experience different microclimates and pass by impressive Inca sites, including Runkurakay, Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca, and finally Wiñaywayna, where we will camp (2,750m/9,022ft).
Meals included: 01 breakfast
Distance: 6 km
We will wake up at 04:00 AM to begin a two-hour hike (6 km) to Intipunku (the Sun Gate), where we will witness a breathtaking view of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
We will have a two-hour guided tour of Machu Picchu, followed by free time to explore before taking the bus down to Aguas Calientes (Machupicchu Pueblo). From here, we will board the train back to Cusco.
Meals included: 01 breakfast
After four days of trekking, we will enjoy a well-deserved rest in Cusco, where you can explore the city’s streets, museums, or try traditional Peruvian dishes. We will provide recommendations for extra activities.
Meals included: 01 breakfast
We will transfer you from your hotel to Cusco Airport for your domestic flight back to Lima. From Lima, you will take your international flight home. (Hotel in Lima not included.)
Include
TRANSFERS:
- Transfers in Lima & Cusco
EXCURSIONS (GROUP OR PRIVATE) AS PER ITINERARY:
- City tour (Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Pukapucara, and Tambomachay), Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu
GUIDES & STAFF:
- Professional local tour guides
- Assistant guide (for groups of 9+ passengers)
- Cook & assistant cook (for groups of 9+ passengers)
- Porters (to carry camping gear and food)
- Personal porter (to carry up to 5 kg of personal belongings)
ENTRANCE TICKETS:
- Tourist ticket (City Tour, Sacred Valley, Inca Trail & Machu Picchu)
TRANSPORTATION:
- Tourist transport for excursions
- Expedition train from Machu Picchu Pueblo to Ollantaytambo
- Tourist bus from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Round-trip bus tickets to/from Machu Picchu
ACCOMMODATION:
- 3-star hotels (4 nights)
MEALS:
- 08 breakfasts
- 03 lunches
- 03 dinners
Not Include
- International flights & airport taxes
- Visa processing
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Extra activities during free time
- Personal expenses
- Accommodation before/after the tour
- Sleeping bag, inflatable mattress, trekking poles
Recommendation
Prices
Extras
SUGGESTED MEAL BUDGET:
- Approximately $120 USD for non-included meals
Is this trip right for you?
- This trip visits places at high altitudes, and as a result, some people may experience altitude sickness regardless of age or physical condition. Please refer to the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- This journey involves extensive walking to visit the sites, and if you choose to trek the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, you will face strenuous hikes. We recommend this trip for those with a good level of fitness. It is important to bring comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. See the “Packing” section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- For those trekking the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, accommodation will be in campsites with basic facilities. Undoubtedly, this experience is not just about reaching the final destination (Machu Picchu) but about the incredible journey itself.
- According to Machu Picchu’s visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site in a single direction. Once the guided tour begins, exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. After the guided visit concludes, visitors must leave the site, and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not allowed. Please refer to the Itinerary for more details.
- Travelers who choose different ways to reach Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or Train) will not follow the same routes within the site. This means that you may not be able to take photos together overlooking Machu Picchu, whether traveling on the same booking or separate bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Magical Andes 8D/07N tour lasts 8 days and 7 nights, designed to explore the landscapes and culture of the Peruvian Andes. It includes transportation to and from Cusco, professional bilingual guides (Spanish and English), visits to emblematic sites such as Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley (Pisac, Ollantaytambo), the Rainbow Mountain and local communities, accommodation in hotels or camps according to the itinerary, full meals (breakfasts, lunches and dinners according to the program), and entrances to the tourist sites. It does not include personal expenses, tips, international or national flights (such as the flight to Cusco from Lima), but we will provide you with a detailed list to prepare your trip.
The Magical Andes 8D/07N tour has a moderate difficulty level, with daily hikes that can vary between 2-6 hours, including mountainous terrain and altitudes up to 5,200 meters (such as at Rainbow Mountain). Good physical fitness, basic hiking experience, and acclimatization to Cusco’s altitude (3,400 meters) are required. We recommend training in backpacking before the tour and checking with us if you have concerns about altitude or your health, as our team can offer advice and adjust the itinerary if necessary.
The cost of the Magical Andes 8D/07N tour varies depending on the season, the type of accommodation (hotel or campsite) and whether it is a group or private service, but generally ranges between $800 and $1,200 USD per person for international tourists, and between 2,800 and 4,200 Peruvian soles for nationals, with possible discounts for students or minors. It includes everything mentioned, except flights and personal expenses. We accept payments by credit/debit card, bank transfers and, in some cases, cash at our office in Cusco. We recommend booking in advance to secure your spot and take advantage of special rates, as spaces may be limited.
We recommend you bring comfortable trekking boots, thermal and rain gear, a sleeping bag (if camping is included), sunscreen, a hat, drinking water, identification documents (passport for internationals, DNI for nationals), a flashlight, and a day pack. It is also useful to bring cash for purchases in local communities or tips, and layers of clothing to adapt to the variable climate of the Andes. Our team will provide you with a complete list of equipment and tips to acclimatize and enjoy the adventure. If you need to rent equipment, we can help.
It is not necessary, but it is an advantage. Our guides are bilingual and offer explanations in both Spanish and English, ensuring that both national and international tourists understand the history, culture and details of the Peruvian Andes, such as Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and Rainbow Mountain. If you speak another language, you can let us know in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate or provide materials in other languages. The experience is designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.
TALK TO AN SPECIALIST
One of our specialists will respond to your travel request as soon as possible.
