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Overview

Peru - Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Cusco, Peru
Jun 27 - Jul 5, 2026
MCLELLAN ADVENTURE TRAVEL image
MCLELLAN ADVENTURE TRAVEL
$2,299
Deposit: $500

About your trip

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Peru. Begin your journey in the vibrant capital, Lima, where you can indulge in world-class cuisine and explore stunning colonial-era historic sites. Next, you might want to embark on an unforgettable hike along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, a true marvel of ancient architecture. Finish spending time in Cusco before conquering the iconic Rainbow Mountain. If time permits, you may gegin your adventure with an early arrival excursion option to visit Lima followed by a thrilling stops in both Paracas, along the cost, and then at the majestic sand dunes of Huacachina.

What's included

Transportation for tours

Guides

English-speaking

Meals, only as indicated

(B, L, D)

Hotels

Double occupany

Select Entrance Fees

All Tours

As mentioned in the itinerary

What's not included

Tips

For drivers and guides (prepaid - added later)

Visa Fees

Travel Insurance

Spending Money

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 23rd

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 23rd image

Arrive in Lima [This is an optional early arrival extension]

Tour guides will pick you up and transport you to the hotel.

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 24th

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 24th image

Lima City Tour [This is an optional early arrival extension]

Pick up at 10:00 am. We will visit old and modern Lima for about a 6-7 hour tour. Places to visit include:


·      Miraflores – Park of Love

·      Miraflores – Huaca Pucllana

·      Lima Center – Plaza San Martin

·      Plaza de Armas of Lima or Main Square

·      Monastery of San Francisco de Lima and its catacombs

·      Casa Aliaga


After the tour concludes, we will return to the hotel for a leisurely evening. (B, L)

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 25th

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 25th image

Paracas National Reserve [This is an optional early arrival extension]

Travelers will be picked up at around 5am. During the trip, you will have the chance to see the "Chandelier", a geoglyph that is used as a point of reference for sailers and big ships. It is also believed to have a strong connection with the Nazca lines and other geoglyphs found in Peru. Once we reach the islands of the Paracas National Reserve, we will observe many sea lions and Humboldt penguins living in and around many small caves. We will enjoy the natural habitat of the area as we see see hundreds of guano birds, such as the cormorans, piqueras, pelicans, seagulls and tendrills. Paracas National Reserve. During this excursion, you will see large groups of flamencos feeding in the sea. You will later visit the Obelisk, a monument built in commemoration of the expedition and liberation of Don Jose of San Martin. You will continue to see part of what was the rocky formation of the "Cathedral", partially destroyed by the earthquake of Pisco in the 2007. After this portion of the tour concludes, you will be returned to the Bay of Paracas where you can eat at any of the seafood restaurants located in the area. After this, enjoy some free time to buy souvenirs, or simply relax in front of the sea and take in the majesty of this wonderous place. We will finish with a drive to the city of Ica, which is the oasis town in Huacachina (about 2 hours). Finally enjoy the sunset before checking in to your hotel for the evening. (B)

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 26th

EARLY ARRIVAL: June 26th image

Huacachina Sand Dunes [This is an optional early arrival extension]

One of the main attractions of spending time in Huacachina is sand boarding and dune buggy rides. These activities are popular among visitors who want to experience a thrill like none other. We will do this in the morning. Whether you choose to try boarding or not, visiting the sand dunes is a must when visiting Peru. After an epic tour full of fun activities and unforgettable experiences, it is time to go back to Lima. Our guide and driver will take you to our original hotel. (B) 

Day 1: June 27th

Day 1: June 27th image

Arrive in Cusco

Our guides will pick you up and transport you to the hotel.

Day 2: June 28th

Day 2: June 28th image

Sacred Valley Tour

We start the day by looking at the city of Cusco from the lookout at Cristo

Blanco, from here we will enjoy a panoramic view of Cusco valley. We

continue our trip to visit the ecological park and animal rescue center of

Cochawasi. In this place, we will see a remarkable number of rescued nativeanimals, birds and mammals of the andean world. condors, pumas,

chinchillas, foxes etc.


Once we get into the Sacred Valley we will visit the massive Inca city of Pisaq.

There our guide will explain to us about the historical background of this

place. We will continue briefly in Urubamba for a well deserved lunch and in

the afternoon we will visit the impressive Inca site of Moray and the salt mines

of Maras. After this, we will head back to Cusco for a dinner on the town. (B,

L)

Day 3: June 29th

Day 3: June 29th image

Begin Inca Trail Hike

Today marks the first day on our Incan Trail adventure. After getting picked up

at the hotel, we will travel two hours by bus from Cusco to Piskacucho where

the hiking journey starts. We will get across the Urubamba river, one of the

most important tributaries of the Amazon river. Then we will view the Inca

Fortress of Huillca Raccay and the Inca city of Llactapata (patallacta). Finally,

we will enjoy the breathtaking views of the Urubamba mountain range and the

snow capped peak of Wakay Willca (Veronica) which stands at 5860m/1922ft.

The day concludes with us setting up camp near a small village,

Wayllabamba. (B,L,D)

Day 4: June 30th

Day 4: June 30th image

Wayllabamba to Pacaynayu

Today is a big day! The flora and fauna on this part of the trek are incredibly

varied. You will see many birds, such as hummingbirds. Additionally, the

plants and trees, such as the "Polilepys" or "Queuna" tree grow in an

astonishing cloud forest located at 3650m/11972ft. You will feel a real sense of

achievement reaching the top of "Dead Woman's Pass" today, which is an

astounding 13,779ft. We will finish the day with a 2 hour descent into our

campsite at Pacaynayu for a much needed rest. (B,L,D)

Day 5: July 1st

Day 5: July 1st image

Continue Trek Visiting the "Town in the Clouds"

Today we visit the archaeological site of "Runcuracay." Spectacular views of

the surrounding mountains from Runcurakay Pass will capture everyone's

attention. Then get a chance to explore the Incan site of "Sayacmarca" and

gaze at the magnificent scenery as you pass through another lovely cloud

forest. Finally, we will visit the Incan site of "Phuyupatamarca" (meaning"T own in the Clouds") and get to walk through the impressive agricultural site

known as "Intipata." This is the most amazing day of the trek. (B,L,D)

Day 6: July 2nd

Day 6: July 2nd image

Arrive at Machu Picchu

Today marks our final day of hiking. We will take a visit to "Inti Punku" ("Sun

Gate") 2370m/8792ft before sunrise to finally get our first dramatic view of

Machu Picchu from 2400m/7873ft with the sun rising over it! From the trail

there will be a chance to take the famous postcard photograph of Machu

Picchu. Next we will begin a walking tour (2 hours) of Machu Picchu with a

guide. There will be an optional climb of Huayna Picchu 2720m/8923ft (45

minutes). After the tour concludes you are free to wander around the stunning

site before returning by bus or foot to Aguas Calientes. From there we will

take the scenic train ride back to Cusco. (B,L,D)

Day 7: July 3rd

Day 7: July 3rd image

Free Day in Cusco

Today is a free day to enjoy Cusco at your own pace. Nestled in the Andes and once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is a city steeped in history and vibrant local culture. You may choose to explore the cobblestone streets of the historic center, visit the lively San Pedro Market, or step into the many artisan shops and galleries. For those looking to go deeper into the city’s past, the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) and the Cusco Cathedral offer striking examples of the fusion between Inca foundations and Spanish colonial architecture. Others might opt to relax in one of the city’s charming cafés or book a spa treatment to unwind. Whether you spend the day discovering ancient ruins, sampling local cuisine, or simply taking in the highland atmosphere, Cusco’s unique rhythm is yours to enjoy. (B)

Day 8: July 4th

Day 8: July 4th image

Rainbow Mountain

We pick you up from your hotel and take you on a 3.5-hour bus ride to

Vinicunca, where we stop briefly to have a super powerful breakfast made of

Andean products such as Quinoa and chocolate before we start our climb to

the amazing Rainbow mountains of Peru. After our delicious breakfast, we will

start our slow ascend to the rainbow mountains of Cusco. The rail to the

Rainbow mountains is quite clear with no chances to get lost. However, the

altitude of this place is a challenge that we must overcome along the way to

reach the lookout of these magnificent rainbow mountains. It takes about 2.5

hours to make it to the top walking at a slow pace. Our guides will make sure

that your experience hiking at this altitude will be a pleasant learning

experience. They will explain to you about the Rainbow Mountain geology as

well as the people and landscape along the way. After we enjoy the best

views of the Rainbow Mountain and we take the most beautiful pictures - free

of other people interfering - of this unbelievable place, we will start our slow

descent down to our starting point, where we will have a tasty lunch before we

return back to Cusco. (B, L)

Day 9: July 5th

Day 9: July 5th image

Depart for Home

After breakfast, say your goodbyes, enjoy one last look at Cusco, and head to

the airport for your return flight home. (B)

About your organizer

After completing a graduate degree in Global and International Studies from the University of Kansas and running successful trips around the world for Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Luke McLellan, a teacher by trade, began McLellan Adventure Travel. As interest grew within the local community, Luke saw an opportunity in 2018 to curate and run exciting new travel opportunities to various locations around the globe. McLellan Adventure Travel offers guided trip options annually during the summer months. ​

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