Experience Overview
If you’re eager to check Machu Picchu off your bucket list but not quite up for a trek, this seven-day itinerary lets you spend more time discovering the fascinating city of Cusco and the regions surrounding it. Explore the Sacred Valley and visit the G Adventures-supported Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op to learn more about traditional textiles and pottery. Tour the unique Inca sites of the Moray archaeological site and the ancient Maras Salt Mines. And, of course, you’ll get to see the Lost City of the Incas in the early morning light, following a local guide to learn about Machu Picchu’s history.
Highlights
- Soak in the views and culture of the Sacred Valley
- Learn about traditional ways of life and visit local markets
- Visit Machu Picchu.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2891
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Budget
Transport: Train and van.
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles: Budget
Supplier Code: SPLT.B
Starts: Cusco, Peru
Finishes: Cusco, Peru
Duration: 7 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Demanding
Includes
Activities
- Your G for Good Moment: Ccaccaccollo Community and Women's Weaving Co-op visit, Ccaccaccollo Your G for Good Moment: Parwa Community Restaurant the Sacred Valley, Lamay
- Sacred Valley guided tour
- Pottery making demonstration
- Visit the Maras salt pans and ruins of Moray
- Guided tour of Machu Picchu
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodation
- Hotels (6 nts).
- 6 breakfasts, 3 lunches
Transport
- Train and van.
Group Leader
- G Adventures Representative in Cusco, Inca guide for Machu Picchu.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 1629 (CAD 233 /day)
Itinerary
Day 1: Cusco
Arrive at any time.
Arrive early and spend some time exploring the city. Meet the group at the welcome meeting, check for the start time on the welcome note at the hotel.
Day 2: Cusco/Ollantaytambo
Enjoy a full-day guided tour of the Sacred Valley. Stop at the G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op before visiting a local pottery making community. Break for lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa Community Restaurant in Huchuy Qosco. After lunch, opt to head out on a hike to the Ollantaytambo storehouses and look out over the ruins. Or, wander around the cobblestone streets and visit a local Chicheria (corn beer bar).
Travel through the stunning Sacred Valley of the Incas, visiting a G Adventures-supported women's weaving co-op. Meet the women and learn about traditional weaving and dyeing. Opt to pick up some handmade souvenirs and textiles directly from the women who made them.
Have lunch at the G Adventures-supported Parwa community restaurant. Learn about the G Adventures for Good project and eat a delicious buffet-style lunch. Proceeds of this meal go directly back to the remote community.
Day 3: Ollantaytambo/Cusco
After breakfast visit the Ollantaytambo ruins where you'll walk up the 200 stone steps to reach the top. Return to the Sacred Valley with your G representative to explore the sites of the Maras Salt Mines and the ancient Incan agricultural terraces of Moray. Continue on a scenic drive through small villages and stunning views of the Andean countryside. Then visit the Chincheros ruins. Known to the Incas as the birthplace of the rainbow, this site offers stunning views of the Andean countryside. Return to Cusco for the evening.
Leave the hikers to start their trek and head out to explore Moray and Maras ancient Incan ruins. Enjoy a scenic drive through Andean farmland on the way.
Day 4: Cusco
Fill up on breakfast at your hotel in Cusco before walking to the Cusco Cathedral where your guide will meet the group for your walking tour of Cusco's colonial side. See the colonial and Inca architecture visible throughout the city and visit the Sapantiana staircase waterfall aqueduct before having lunch near the main plaza. Afterwards, walk back to the hotel and enjoy free time for the rest of the evening.
Day 5: Cusco/Aguas Calientes
After breakfast at the hotel in Cusco, the group will travel by van to Ollantaytambo to catch the scenic train to Aguas Calientes. After enjoying a quick orientation walk around the town of Aguas Calientes the group will have free time for optional activities. Opt to visit the Machu Picchu Museum, the Mandor Waterfalls, and the butterfly garden. Or consider taking a dip in some thermal baths to relax those muscles.
Day 6: Machu Picchu/Cusco
Rise early to enjoy a guided tour of Machu Picchu. After, catch the train towards Cusco.
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with your guide. Enjoy a guided visit to the ruins, then head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group. Take the scenic train back to Ollantaytambo to meet the van for the ride back to Cusco.
Day 7: Cusco
Depart at any time.
Tour Operator
G Adventures
G Adventures is an operator of small-group escorted tours. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with 28 offices worldwide. It offers more than 700 itineraries in more than 100 countries, and carries 200,000 travelers from 160 countries each year.
In Business Since 1990
Reviews
Kathy B. - Traveled, June 2024
An amazing trip that was very carefully organised and made even better by the lovely, fun and knowledgeable guides. Thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/07/2024
Adrienne S. - Traveled, June 2024
I needed a “complete-unplug-get-uncomfortable” trip, so opted for solo hiking in the Andes. And boy - did I get that, and so much more!! I left Peru stronger, happier, more connected, more confident and with 8 new friends from across the world - includin...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/27/2024
Kathryn M. - Traveled, June 2024
It was so nice that I didn't have to plan all of this myself. G-adventures takes away 90% of the stress of planning and preparing for a trip like this. There are so many details that they flawlessly took care of. Everyone from the team leads to the p...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2024
Christian Z. - Traveled, June 2024
G adventures had great, friendly, knowledgeable, and reliable people working with them. I enjoy how they use the locals to provide an authentic experience, and they are able to make sure you get where you need to be before the crowd.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2024
Kathryn S. - Traveled, June 2024
A challenging but rewarding experience, especially in terms of cultural activities and connection with nature--some of the most beautiful environments I've ever had the privilege to see. Group dynamics weren't great, but that's luck of the dr...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/22/2024
Elné H. - Traveled, May 2024
Amazing experience! Highly recommended to other adventurous travellers. The serenity of the off-the-beaten-track Lares trek was especially awe-inspiring, providing unfiltered, raw views of nature, better understanding of the local communities, and a deep...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/07/2024
Hetal P. - Traveled, May 2024
TRip was very well organized. Want to call our Caesar, Florence, Edward and Hulio.. who as a team made the trek possible.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/03/2024
Tobias L. - Traveled, May 2024
It was an unforgettable experience and I would recommend it to all of my friends!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/08/2024
Christen B. - Traveled, November 2023
The Lares Trek in Peru was spectacular! Everything ran smoothly, on-time, and exceeded my expectations. The guides were phenomenal in their knowledge, professionalism and camaraderie. All staff did an excellent job and I was sad when the trip came to an ...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/26/2023
Sibylle Z. - Traveled, October 2024
very exciting adventure. well organized and managed. Great and educational excursions, kept what was promised.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/17/2024
Alan C. - Traveled, October 2023
Great people and stunning scenery
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Laura D. - Traveled, September 2024
I had a fantastic time with G adventures, the guides were excellent in teaching you about Peru the history of the Incas and went above and beyond to make sure you had everything you needed whilst on the trip. Can’t recommend them enough!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2024
Patricia D. - Traveled, July 2024
I would say in one short paragraph that this experience superseded any expectation I had preconceived of the trip. I was so impressed with the cultural knowledge & integration, coupled with the crews professionalism & attentiveness to each person‘s needs...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/07/2024
Roelof V. - Traveled, June 2024
Nick my guide for the Lares trek was outstanding. Saying anymore will just diminish his efforts.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/26/2024
Mehmet B. - Traveled, May 2024
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Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/20/2024
John K. - Traveled, May 2024
Amazing trip. The only thing I would change is the recommendation of the thermal hot spring/spa at the end of the hike. The hot spring was terrible and not really a spa. The water was not hot and it was very dirty. Our group went there and left after abo...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/14/2024
Lauren Q. - Traveled, March 2024
I would like to thank wenny, and the whole crew from the chef to the assistant to the 2 horse men they truely went above and beyond for me and love there jobs. They are such lovely people and I feel so blessed to have that crew with me to do this trip! T...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/21/2024
Nigel S. - Traveled, November 2024
Overall, it was an amazing experience despite food sickness for one in my party. The people were incredible and we fell in love with Peru
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/28/2024
Annelise P. - Traveled, November 2024
Big adventure that was challenging, rewarding, and very wild/off the grid and beaten track. Beautiful scenery. Cool cultural experience learning about the Incas and local people.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/27/2024
Madeleine S. - Traveled, October 2024
A trip of a lifetime that I am very grateful to have experienced. Shoutout to the crew on our trek that did an OUTSTANDING job - chef Wenseslao & Leo. Almendra was absolutely critical and made the experience what it was, and Eddie was equally fantastic a...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/04/2024
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