SAMPLE TRIP

Inca Highlands

This short trip explores the Inca Highlands areas of the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco, with a wide range of outdoor, historic and cultural activities.

USD 5600

JAN-DEC

7 NIGHTS

Home SAMPLE TRIPS Inca Highlands

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We are able to vary the price of this trip considerably, simply by swapping out the lodges that it contains. This is likely to have a very significant effect on the level of polish of the trip, but in all cases it will remain cool and authentic. Make your selection here and the lodges will automatically change in the itinerary below.

Adventure

USD 5600 per person

This trip includes very cool, well-located and relatively well-priced lodges, suitable for more adventurous, easy-going and outdoorsy travellers.

Luxury

USD 7850 per person

This trip includes really good quality properties, perhaps without the intense polish of the very top lodges, but also without the premium price tag.

Premium

USD 12100 per person

This trip includes only the very best lodges in each location, suitable if you are looking for the ultimate polished and elegant experience.

Adventure

Luxury

Premium

USD 12100 per person

This trip includes only the very best lodges in each location, suitable if you are looking for the ultimate polished and elegant experience.

Trip Summary

Start location : Lima LIM

Lima

01 : Hotel B

Valle Sagrado

02 : Hotel Sol y Luna

03 : Hotel Sol y Luna

Machu Picchu

04 : Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

Cusco

05 : Inkaterra La Casona

06 : Inkaterra La Casona

07 : Inkaterra La Casona

End location : Cusco CUZ

Lima

Set on the central coast of Peru, Lima is the capital city and the main port of entry for the country. Virtually all travellers end up spending at least one night here. There are some good hotels in the upmarket southern suburbs, some impressive colonial architecture, several superb museums and a seriously trendy food scene.

Day 1

Arrival : Lima Airport LIM

lodge

Hotel B

Hotel B is set in the city of Lima in Peru.

Guest accommodation is in 17 comfortable rooms.

There's also a pleasant roof garden.

Lima is the capital of Peru, set on the central coast.

For centuries Lima was the capital of the vast Spanish territories in South America ...

... and the old centre contains a good deal of impressive architecture.

The quaint fishing village of Pucusana lies just to the south ...

... and makes a great day trip, including a delicious fish lunch ...

... and some impressive marine wildlife.

Back in town, the evening welcomes in flocks of paragliders.

Most people end up staying 1-2 nights in Lima, usually at the front end of a trip.

Valle Sagrado

Set between the Inca capital of Cusco and its primary religious centre at Machu Picchu, Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley) was the agricultural engine room of the great mountain empire. It’s a lovely place to relax and acclimatise, offering a wide range of historical, cultural and outdoor activities.

Day 2 , 3

Fly : Lima LIM to Cusco CUZ

lodge

Hotel Sol y Luna

Hotel Sol y Luna is set in the Valle Sagrado area of southeast Peru.

The lodge is centred on an elegant main building, leading out to a swimming pool.

There is also an extensive spa.

Guest accommodation is in 43 detached bungalows, in seven specification levels.

The main dining area is in a separate building.

Valle Sagrado is a rich agricultural area, that was the bread-basket of the Inca Empire.

The village of Pisac lies at the eastern end of the valley.

The place is rich with indigenous culture ...

... and has some impressive Inca ruins.

Moray is thought to have been an experimental Inca laboratory for creating maize cultivars.

Salinas de Maras comprises an ancient network of salt extraction terraces.

The village of Ollayantambo guards the entry to Machu Picchu ...

Above the village there are some very impressive Inca ruins.

Further west the valley closes in ...

... along which it's necessary to catch a train to Machu Picchu.

The Valle Sagrado is a lovely area for hiking, mountain-biking and horseback riding.

The lodge exists to support an extensive charitable school ...

... which guests are very much welcome to visit.

It's also possible to hike and kayak in the mountains high above the valley.

The usual stay duration in the area is 2-4 nights, usually in combination with further nights in Machu Picchu and Cusco.

Machu Picchu

Set high in the Andes Mountains to the west of the Valle Sagrado and Cusco, Machu Picchu is an iconic Inca citadel and arguably the most important archaeological site in South America. Of course it can get very busy during high season but there are still a few smart ways to visit.

Day 4

lodge

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is set in the Machu Picchu area of southeast Peru.

The lodge lies immediately outside the ancient citadel.

Guest accommodation is in 31 surprisingly modest rooms.

Staying here is all about enabling you to get into the citadel before the morning rush.

The famous citadel is set across a saddle, high above the valley floor.

This fabulous place was was built around 1450.

The site is thought to have been the summer palace of Emperor Pachacuti.

Some archaeologists say that this higher quality masonery dates from much more ancient structures.

The site was famously ‘discovered’ by American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911.

Cusco

Set high in the Andes Mountains around 700 km southeast of Lima, Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire, a fascinating place to explore, with a remarkable range of historic hotels. It’s also the main point of access for the Valle Sagrado, Machu Picchu and the trekking areas.