Trees for Days
Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.
Trees planted for this trip: 4
If you’re eager to check Machu Picchu off your bucket list but not quite up for a trek, this four-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.
Hiking, trekking, biking, rafting, and kayaking adventures all over the world, made for outdoor types.
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Some high-altitude hikes or more strenuous activities, but accessible to most healthy travellers.
Small group experience; Max 16, avg 12
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
View our Entry Requirements toolIn a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
Help us spread love around the world — with trees! Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.
Trees planted for this trip: 4
Want to create ripples that change lives? The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 99
Please note it is mandatory to attend a pre-trek briefing the afternoon before the first day of the tour at 16:00. See the joining instructions section of the tour details for additional information.
We highly recommended arriving at least one day prior to the tour in order to acclimatize to the altitude prior to the trek. A full day spent in Cusco (3249m/10659 ft), taking it easy and drinking plenty of water, is usually enough time for most people to acclimatize.
Arrive early and transfer to the Ollantaytambo Hotel where you will enjoy breakfast in the morning. From there, the group will 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.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Cusco before walking to the Cusco Cathedral to meet your guide for the walking tour. Visit the Colonial side of the city and see the Sapantiana Waterfall before ending the tour with lunch at Nuna Raymi. Spend the rest of the day on your own exploring the city.
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.
Rise early to catch the first bus up to Machu Picchu with the guide. Enjoy a guided visit of the ruins. When ready, head back down by bus to Aguas Calientes to meet up with the rest of the group and take a train back to Cusco, where the tour ends on arrival.
Hotel (3 nts).
4 breakfasts, 2 lunches
Allow USD95-125 for meals not included.
Train, private van.
G Adventures Representative in Cusco, specialist CEO (Chief Experience Officer) for tour of Machu Picchu.
Lookout over these colourful Andean mountains striped with maroon, turquoise, lavender, and gold. The sediment, elevation, and proximity to the ocean create a landscape that has to be seen to be believed. Get started early to drive around 2 hours to the starting point of this challenging, yet rewarding full-day hike. Reaching 5,029m (16,500 ft) this 14km hike is no walk in the park, but these unique mountains do not disappoint.
Want a hotel night included before the first day of the trek? Check out the 5D/4N version of this trip.
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.