Itinerary #2: Explore Machu Picchu and the Amazon Rainforest. This site has beautiful Inca terraces, a colonial church, and a large plaza. Can’t blame your son at all for being a bit jealous. Can you tell how excited my daughter is in this photo? These ruins looked like a bowl of circular terrace fields resembling a Roman ampitheater. Of course, we came home with several bags of salt. This was a well put together post on your trip! Ollantaytambo Archaeological Park | Included in the Cusco Tourist Ticket | A Few Blocks from the Lovely Main Plaza de Armas of Ollantaytambo | Llamas roaming around | Tour Guides Available onsite. Puka Pukara literally translates to “red fortress” and is perched on top of a lovely hill. It was. 2. Follow along with this suggested one week itinerary of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, or stay longer, and visit some of my suggested “off the beaten path” gems. It also didn’t help that we were all sleep deprived from the plane rides. We saw glimpses of it as we made our way to the top of the mountain. You’ll probably have an evening flight back home, so you may have enough time for a ceviche lunch in Lima and, if you’re ambitious, a short tour of colonial Lima Centro in the late afternoon. Thanks for the inspiration! First, you’ll need to buy your Cusco Tourist Ticket. Secondly, it boasts a gorgeous Inca ruin that towers over the whole village. There ended up being 14 total people on the trip..., which was perfect. , Pisac looks so interesting! Book directly with the operator. Now, we know why many say to take it easy on your first day. The city is also great for diving into the ancient Incan history of Peru, with many museums dedicated to archaeological finds. This impressive church is not included on the Boleto, but it has been called the “Sistine Chapel of South America.”, St. Peter Apostle Church | Ruta del Barroco Andino Ticket | 15 PEN (valid for 3 other churches) | 5 minutes by bus from the Rumicolca Gate of Pikillaqta | More info here, Independent Travel Guide: Tipón, Pikillaqta, & Andahuaylillas: An Epic Day Trip From Cusco. The biggest ruin was Saqsaywaman (pronounce it like sexy woman). I loved the local drawings on the train car we rode. Exploring Peru’s Sacred Valley of the Incas feels like going back in time. This was one of the best places to buy cheaper food souvenirs like chocolates, Inka corn and fried plantains. Went on my first trip with Under30 (to Machu Picchu/Peru) and it was great! We went back out to eat our packed lunches/snacks, used the restroom and went back into the ruins. After lunch visit the great Inca ruins looming above town; either hike up to them (this may be very challenging for those who’ve just arrived) or take a taxi. Based on this first experience with SmarTours, I plan on booking with them next year...but the next tour guide has big shoes to fill. It’s free to go into the interactive museum. The tour costs usually DOES NOT include the Cusco ticket. I called stating I had already been promised a refund and they said that was no longer an option. You start off your one week in Peru journey by flying into the capital city of Lima, where you will then catch your next flight to Cusco. Don’t worry, it’s free! We just need to confirm you are human. This is my 3rd trip with SmarTours and I will travel with them in the future. :) Thanks so much for all of the detail – you have us excited about Peru, though we have no idea when we could work it in. Based on this first experience with SmarTours, I plan on booking with them next year...but the next tour guide has big shoes to fill. The Pisac ruins remains a favorite site among tourists. I do have one small suggestion. He would eventually die here, in his palace in Chinchero. This definitely looks like a travel wish list trip! I certainly have no problem with that; it’s spectacular and on everyone’s bucket list. I'm kind of obsessed with hiking in the mountains, soaking in hot springs, and seeking out the most authentic travel experiences possible! Book directly with the operator. Thank you! Or take a taxi back toward Urubamba and hike along the river to Salineras de Maras, the ancient salt mines, or catch a combi and then taxi to Moray, an enigmatic Inca agricultural site. Yeah, that's it. In Plaza Nazarenas, check out the beautifully designed Museo de Arte Precolombino (MAP) and some of the upscale alpaca goods shops on the square. If following along with this Cusco and Sacred Valley itinerary, it’s convenient to sleep in the village of Urubamba. Jewel in the Rough: Mission San Juan Capistrano, Tip for Visiting Machu Picchu with Kids - Vacation Mavens podcast, Tips for Visiting West Glacier National Park: 2-Day Itinerary, Spain: Costa Brava Towns to Visit on a Day Trip, If you’re visiting during high season (June-Aug), be sure to reserve your tickets as soon as possible. Please check the box below to My teen daughter and I joined three of my girlfriends and two of their daughters for a girls getaway. The Cusco Cathedral is one of two beautiful churches that dominate Plaza Armas. We did a tour through this incredible cathedral and its chapels. The tour finishes with sweeping sunset views at Bar Limbus. Love all the archeological sites! What a great guide! It was a surreal feeling to finally be standing in front of this postcard view after many years of dreaming about it. Those using a collectivo will be dropped off at the Maras Transportation Hub. Read all about our adventure at Ollantaytambo Fortress. I hope that helps. The accommodations were excellent, clean rooms, comfortable beds and very kind and helpful staff. Nature lovers will jump at the opportunity to dip in the freezing alpine lake of Laguna Juchuyocha with views of Chicón glacier in the backdrop. If your muscles are aching, many vendors offered full body massages for 20 soles ($6 US). When we almost ran afoul of a nationwide strike that shut down roads in and around Puno, our schedule was changed and our transporation to the airport for our flight to Lima managed half an hour before the roads closed. She followed the llamas moving to higher ground to try and take a selfie with them and ended up with this memorable shot. But, it was easy to see the difference between the manufactured ones and the products that took months to produce. Trip was fabulous, Enrique Virto was a superior host and tour guide. There was a Sun Temple up there and some ancient burial sites. See the best of Machu Picchu in one week with this travel itinerary, including the Sacred Valley and Cusco. We too want to go back as we felt we didn’t get enough of this amazing country. The Awanacancha weaving center was also home to four members of the cameloid family which were llamas, alpacas, vicunas and guanacos. In the main plaza, find local woman proudly selling their handiwork. Have lunch at Ulrike’s Café, right on the main square. These surreal artificial islands are unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Just a moment, Rover is fetching your perfect trip. Otherwise, head back to your hotel in the valley around Urubamba. Moray can either be reached via the above hike, or by public transportation. We landed in Cusco around 6:30 AM after a long flight from Los Angeles to Lima, a three hour layover and a little over an hour flight from Lima to Cusco. Later, get a taste of Cusco’s hopping nightlife at one of the pubs or nightclubs around the Plaza. If possible, it might help to have that first meal down the hill a ways. Cusco is actually higher above sea level than most destinations in Peru, including the famous lost city, which makes it ideal for adjusting the the higher alititude. This was a lookout point into the Sacred Valley. This is my 3rd trip with SmarTours and I will travel with them in the future. Culture Trip stands with Black Lives Matter. The powerful mountains tower in the backdrop and the mighty Urubamba River rushes nearby. There are plenty of places to pitch a tent, a sweet host family, and is conveniently only a few blocks from the Plaza. Get the Cusco Tourist Ticket that allows entry to 16 attractions found in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley boasts its own incredible Archaeological Parks and is engulfed with towering mountains glistening in glacial peaks. Adventure hikers will love the challenging climb up to Inti Punku, or the sun gate. Day 1: Through Cusco to the Sacred Valley. If you decide to take a red eye in, then just make sure you leave enough time to catch the second flight to Cusco. The patterned terraces on the hillside used for agriculture were quite a sight to see. Thank you! Thanks, Sarah! My choice of Smartours was quite serendipitous. You will now get the best private deals and world travel inspiration, delivered monthly to your inbox. Welcome to the Imperial City of Cusco! This beautiful colonial city was once the capital of the Inca Empire. You will now get the best private deals and world travel inspiration, delivered monthly to your inbox. Don’t worry! Everything else was all but flawless. Part of the Inca wall structures and its amazing construction of no mortar use could be seen within these buildings. Am very impressed by your itinerary well done! In Peru, altitude sickness is commonly known as “Soroche,” which may come in handy if heading to a local pharmacy or “Botica.” Altitude sickness symptoms can include: dizziness, loss of appetite, sleepiness, shortness of breathe, and nausea. An island girl at heart who loves cruising, National Parks & traveling the world with two kids in tow. See all activities, themes, and interests >, See all reviews for Cusco Top Operators & Trips, The Jungle, Machu Picchu, & Lake Titicaca, Access private discounts on trips you save. In one week, you can also experience Cusco, the Inca capital that’s become a dynamic travelers’ hub; the empire’s once-thought-lost imperial city; and the serene Urubamba Valley that the Incas held sacred. I probably should prioritize it soon though. I think you spent just the right amount of time there, but I would definitely take it slower on the first day if I had a week in Peru. With just one week until we cross the border from Ecuador to Peru, this is suxh a useful post, thank you! The sacred site is nice, but the real highlight is walking on this lovely trail. Day 2: Travel to Cusco where you will stay and explore in the ancient Inca capital. I had no idea that you could do Machu Picchu without hiking. Travelstride helps you find trips that move you, so you can choose with confidence. Cusco was considered the “navel” of the universe, and was the capital of the Incas until it was taken over by the Spanish. This was our view of Plaza de Armas (the main square). I love the photo with the lama – it is priceless. Cusco is actually higher above sea level than most destinations in Peru, including the famous lost city, which makes it ideal for adjusting the the higher alititude. Cusco Tourist Ticket, or Boleto Turístico Cusco, One Week Cusco and Sacred Valley Itinerary, Acclimation to Cusco & Independent Exploration, Visit ALL 16 Sites of the Cusco Tourist Ticket, Tipón, Pikillaqta, & Andahuaylillas: An Epic Day Trip From Cusco, Here’s a map and an overview of this hike, Hike to the popular salt mines, through the village of Maras, and reach the Archaeological Site of Moray, Discover ALL the Highlights of the Sacred Valley from Urubamba, two standing pillars of Saywa Archaeological Park, Pumamarca: A Hidden Gem Near Ollantaytambo, Things to Do in Aguas Calientes (Besides Machu Picchu), Independently Visit the Lares Hot Springs, Inti Punku, The Incredible Sun Gate in Ollantaytambo, Cares Gorge: Best Hike In the Picos de Europa, Day Trips from Cuenca Ecuador | 3 Awesome Local Villages, Cusco Day Hikes: Climb Stunning Cerro Picol, The Absolute Best Places to Eat in Tbilisi, Laguna Juchuycocha: A Hidden Alpine Lake in Sacred Valley, 15:45 (Pisco Sour cocktail lesson & sampling), Day Trip: Tour, Train, or Collectivo from Ollantaytambo or Cusco.