Experience Machu Picchu
Most Popular Peru Trips & Tours
| Trip | Price | Days | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Inca Trail | $3,995 | 10 Days | Cusco, Ancient Inca Trail , Machu Picchu, Local Perspective , Off the beaten Trek |
| Amazon & Machu Picchu | $3,295 | 9 Days | Amazon Rainforest & Jungle, Amazon Wildlife, Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu |
| Classic Inca Trail | $3,995 | 10 Days | Lima, Cusco , Inca Trail Trek, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley |
| Experience Machu Picchu | $2,995 | 7 days | Lima, Sacred Valley, Cusco, Machu Picchu |
- Day 1 LIMA
Arrival and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, we can arrange optional tours to explore the city, including museum visits and other sites of interest.
- Day 2 LIMA - CUSCO – SACRED VALLEY
In the morning, you will fly to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. Southern Explorations guides will be waiting at the Cusco airport to take you on a day-long guided excursion through snowcapped mountains to the Incas’ legendary Sacred Valley. Along the way, you'll pass Inca terracing on steep valley walls and see the ruined temples of Pisac with panoramic views of jagged peaks before stopping in the town of Pisac to visit one of the Andes’ best textile markets. After lunch, you will travel to Ollantaytambo (9,185 ft.), a small town with a remarkable Inca fortress and spend the night at an Ollantaytambo hotel. (B,L)
- Day 3 MORAY AND MARAS
Today you pass small farms above beautiful Urubamba Valley to reach Moray. Here three circular terraces, thought to have been used by the Incas as an open-air crop experimentation station, are located. You continue past the living village and pre-Inca settlement of Maras. At this photogenic spot, a geo-thermally heated stream feeds hundreds of small salt terraces which create a bizarre white-on-brown landscape that has been used for salt mining since well before the Incas. Return to your Ollantaytambo hotel in the late afternoon. (B,L)
- Day 4 OLLANTAYTAMBO - MACHU PICCHU
After breakfast at the hotel, you will take a refreshing walking tour of the Ollantaytambo ruins and surrounding town before heading to the Ollantaytambo train station for today's unforgettable trip. The train follows the Urubamba River into a cloud forest before arriving at the Aguas Calientes station. You’ll enjoy a traditional lunch and then board a bus to travel to Machu Picchu (7,875 feet), where you’ll spend the afternoon exploring the famous ruins. After returning to Aguas Calientes, you'll have time to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
- Day 5 MACHU PICCHU – CHINCHERO ARTISAN MARKET - CUSCO
Today, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Machu Picchu during the early morning hours, spending time exploring the numerous ruins including an option climb to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu, a picturesque walk to the Sun Gate or visit the Inca bridge. By midday you return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and your early afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. Your private van will be waiting at the station to deliver you to the Chinchero textile market where members of the local weavers’ collective will explain the traditional weaving methods of the Sacred Valley that produce some of the finest textiles in Peru. Chinchero makes an ideal place for last minute shopping before traveling on to your Cusco hotel for the evening. (10,856 feet). (B)
- Day 6 CUSCO
This morning you take a guided walking tour through Cusco’s colorful markets before visiting the colonial cathedral and Koricancha, the impressive Temple of the Sun. After lunch of regional cuisine, you tour the remaining prominent Inca sights in and around Cusco. These include the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, with its megalithic stone terraces; Kenko, with carved stone surfaces and subterranean altars; Puka Pukara the small fortress that once protected the royal capital; and the water temple, Tambo Machay. In the late afternoon, you return to your hotel to relax or explore the fascinating mix of Cusco cultures on your own. (B)
- Day 7 CUSCO - LIMA
In the morning you'll be taken to the airport for the return flight to Lima and your connecting international flight, marking the end of Southern Explorations' services on your Peru tour. If your schedule permits, trip extensions to other regions or extra days in Lima or Cusco can also be arranged. (B)
Weather
When to Visit- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Peru is a diverse country. With beaches, mountains, rainforest and desert, there is no off-season. But it does pay to know a bit about where you're going, and what you'll need on your Peru tour:
The Andes - Though officially part of the dry season, April and May are considered the Andean spring, while June through October marks the Andean summer. Mid-day temperatures range from 70 to 80 F in the sun. Nighttime temperatures in Cusco range in the 40s F and can dip into the 30s F. Weather is usually clear in the morning with clouds accumulating in the afternoon. Rain can happen in any season, so quality rain gear is essential.
The Amazon - A rainforest environment, the Peruvian Amazon has varied weather conditions and frequent unpredictable rain showers. It is generally hot and humid during the day with more comfortable temperatures through the night. Daytime high temperatures average between 82° and 93° F, and the average nighttime low is between 62° and 73°. Nevertheless, in some areas cold fronts can sweep into the Amazon and push daytime high temperatures down to 50° F and nighttime lows to 43° F. Any time of year, one should always be prepared for cooler temperatures and rain showers. Around 80% of the annual average 79 inches of rainfall occurs during the rainy season (December through March) when heavy rain may continue for hours or days.
Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
LIMA | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 68-79 | 0.0 |
| FEB | 69-80 | 0.0 |
| MAR | 69-80 | 0.0 |
| APR | 67-76 | 0.0 |
| MAY | 63-72 | 0.0 |
| JUN | 61-69 | 0.1 |
| JUL | 60-67 | 0.2 |
| AUG | 60-66 | 0.1 |
| SEP | 60-67 | 0.1 |
| OCT | 60-69 | 0.1 |
| NOV | 62-72 | 0.0 |
| DEC | 64-76 | 0.0 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
CUSCO | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 44-65 | 6.3 |
| FEB | 44-65 | 5.2 |
| MAR | 43-66 | 4.3 |
| APR | 41-67 | 1.8 |
| MAY | 39-67 | 0.3 |
| JUN | 33-66 | 0.1 |
| JUL | 32-66 | 0.2 |
| AUG | 35-67 | 0.3 |
| SEP | 39-68 | 0.9 |
| OCT | 42-69 | 1.9 |
| NOV | 43-69 | 3.1 |
| DEC | 44-69 | 4.7 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
PUNO | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 38-62 | 5.2 |
| FEB | 38-62 | 4.3 |
| MAR | 38-62 | 3.8 |
| APR | 33-62 | 1.5 |
| MAY | 25-62 | 0.4 |
| JUN | 19-61 | 0.1 |
| JUL | 18-61 | 0.1 |
| AUG | 22-63 | 0.2 |
| SEP | 29-64 | 0.8 |
| OCT | 33-65 | 1.5 |
| NOV | 35-66 | 2.0 |
| DEC | 37-64 | 3.6 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
PUERTO MALDONADO | Min-Max Air Temp | Avg Rainfall |
| JAN | 71-88 | 13.6 |
| FEB | 70-87 | 12.8 |
| MAR | 70-88 | 11.9 |
| APR | 69-87 | 6.1 |
| MAY | 66-86 | 4.2 |
| JUN | 63-84 | 2.3 |
| JUL | 62-85 | 2.2 |
| AUG | 64-88 | 2.5 |
| SEP | 66-90 | 3.9 |
| OCT | 69-90 | 6.5 |
| NOV | 70-89 | 9.3 |
| DEC | 70-88 | 12.1 |
*Year Round Temperatures in °F, Rainfall in Inches
Maps
Experience Machu Picchu
- Pricing
- Per Person$2,995
Domestic Airfare:
$375 (Lima/Cusco/Lima) – Subject to change
Single Supplement: $650
A single supplement is the additional cost of a single traveler not sharing a room in double occupancy. - Included in tour cost
- Private transportation
- All airport/hotel transfers
- All hotel accommodations
- All listed activities
- English-speaking certified guides
- Entrance fees for all scheduled tours, national parks & archaeological sites
- Meals as indicated
- Southern Explorations pre-departure services
- Excluded from tour cost
- Domestic airfare within South America
- International airfare to and from Central & South America
- Tips and gratuities
- Medical & travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Hiking boots and other necessary sports gear
Experience Machu Picchu
- Trip Dates
- Southern Explorations can arrange a private departure on any date that works with your schedule. Custom tours are also available. Contact us for details.Available
- Aguas Calientes
- Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
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3 Star
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3 Star
Included Hotel (subject to availability) -
4 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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- Cusco
- Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
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4 Star
Included Hotel (subject to availability) -
4 Star
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4 Star
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4 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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- Lima
- Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
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4 Star
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4 Star
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4 Star
Included Hotel (subject to availability) -
5 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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- Sacred Valley
- Hotel upgrades are available, please contact us to discuss your options.
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3 Star
Included Hotel (subject to availability) -
4 Star
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4 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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5 Star
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One Day
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1 Day $170Off the beaten track hiking
Ancient Cachicata Quarry
One Day -
1 Day $100Off The Beaten Path Locations
One Day -
1 Day $160Visit local expert weavers
Locals guides
Private transportation
One Day -
4 hours $90Lima City Highlights
One Day -
6-8 Hours $235Culinary Delights of Lima
One Day -
5-6 Hours $90Lima Highlights
Tour Before Your Return Flight Home
One Day -
1 Day $160Sacred Valley
Moray
Maras
One Day -
1 Day $175Top of the line equipment
Trails for any skill level
Friendly expert guides
One Day -
1 Day $165Best Rafting Outside of Cusco
One Day -
One Day $195Off the beaten path hiking
Colorful Mountains
One Day
Multi-Day
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Multi-Day
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4 Days $1395Highlights of Arequipa City
Colca Canyon
Condors
Multi-Day -
4, 5 & 8 Days $3,615Amazon River and Rainforest
Pacaya Samiria Reserve
Exotic Amazon Jungle Wildlife and Fauna
Multi-Day -
Multi-Day
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Multi-Day
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4 & 5 Days $3,000Amazon River Headwaters
Wildlife Spotting
Local Communities
Jungle Hiking and Canoeing
Fishing for Piranha
Multi-Day -
3 Days $420Hike through Tambopata National Reserve
Inkaterra Canopy Walkway Interpretation Center
Multi-Day -
2 Days $795Ica
Flight over Nazca Lines
Multi-Day -
3 Days $1,245Flight over Nazca Lines
Marine wildlife
Ica
Multi-Day -
3 Days $655Lake Titicaca
Urus Islands
Visit with locals
Multi-Day -
4 Days $1,250Highlights of the North
Multi-Day -
3 Days $1110Apurimac River
Top of the line equipment
Experienced guides
Safety kayaker & raft
Pristine beaches for camping
Multi-Day -
3 Days $540Tambopata National Reserve
Select from a wide array of activities
Multi-Day
We just returned from our Galapagos/Machu Picchu trip and I wanted to send you a note to thank you for planning such a phenomenal trip for us! Juan, our guide, and Boris, our driver, were FANTASTIC! The bus we traveled on was much larger than we anticipated and a great way to travel around! We cannot say enough nice things about Juan and Boris! They were flexible with our schedule, providing extra time to us when we wanted it at the market in Pisac, able to provide other options for us when a planned activity had to be cancelled due to a mudslide, and even stopped on the side of the road for us to grab some cuy (guinea pig being roasted on a stick in this tiny town we were passing through). There is so much more I could say. Trip of a lifetime! I will definitely recommend you to everyone! - Debbie Cohen (Ocean Spray & Machu Picchu)
It was GREAT traveling to Peru with Southern Explorations. All the arrangements were done very well, and tour guides have a tremendous knowledge of their culture. They had a willingness to share and really good attitudes. My special THANKS to Patricia, who was our tour guide for Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu. She is one of the amazing people I met there. Her enthusiasm and knowledge is great. THANK YOU for such wonderful service, Southern Explorations. - Vandana Bajikar (Machu Picchu)
Southern Explorations was very organized and planned an excellent and memorable trip for my family. Thanks for everything. We have already recommended you to our friends! - Jodi Sandler (Machu Picchu)
Our Cusco/Machu Picchu experience was nothing short of FABULOUS. We loved the streets and markets in Cusco, visiting the cathedrals and archeological sites, and our visits in the Sacred Valley before arriving at Machu Picchu. Waiting for the sunrise on our second day at Machu Picchu was one of those priceless moments I shared with my two daughters. Our guide Patricia was knowledgeable and wonderful and a real pleasure to have with us. We were well taken care of from arrival to departure by Southern Explorations, and I have only good things to say about how great this trip was. - Jean Smith, Virginia (Machu Picchu & Galapagos Island Cruise)I just wanted to say thank you for all the coordination and help you and all at Southern Explorations staff did for our trip to Peru. Everything went as planned, all of the accommodations were excellent, clean comfortable and safe. The two young ladies that picked us up at the airport and took us back to the air port in Lima were so very helpful and nice. Our driver in Cusco, Boris did a great job helping and keeping us safe, great driver. I want to say a very special thank you to our guide Milagros. She is very special, extremely knowledgeable, attentive to the smallest detail, and just the best guide that we have ever had. Thank You for a great trip and memories that will last a lifetime! - David L. Byer (Experience Machu Picchu)
The Experience Machu Picchu journey was a once in a lifetime FAMILY trip! It well exceeded our expectations. It had just the right balance of organized excursions versus free time to explore on our own. The guides were not only informative, but made the journey more enjoyable by their attitude and approach. I can't say enough good things about Southern Explorations and this experience. - Pete & Jen Castello (Experience Machu Picchu)
I just wanted to say thank you for all the coordination and help you and all at Southern Explorations staff did for our trip to Peru. Everything went as planned, all of the accommodations were excellent, clean comfortable and safe. The two young ladies that picked us up at the airport and took us back to the air port in Lima were so very helpful and nice. Our driver in Cusco, Boris did a great job helping and keeping us safe, great driver. I want to say a very special thank you to our guide Milagros. She is very special, extremely knowledgeable, attentive to the smallest detail, and just the best guide that we have ever had. Thank You for a great trip and memories that will last a lifetime! - David L. Byer (Experience Machu Picchu)
- Peru - Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How do I choose an itinerary?A: We offer a wide variety of itineraries suitable for all ages, fitness levels and personal interests. Figuring out the total number of days you are available to travel is a good starting point and your Adventure Travel Coordinator can guide you through the options.Q: Can I make changes or additions to these tours?A: Yes! We are happy to modify any tour to meet your needs and also add pre and post-excursion extensions. If you sign up for a group departure we cannot change the group portion, but we can add extensions before and after.Q: When is the best time to go to Peru?A: Many travelers like to visit Peru between the months of April and October, when the chances of rain are much lower. Avoid the height of summer (June through August) and the Christmas holiday season for smaller crowds and the best selection of accommodations.Q: What is the weather like in Peru?A: The most traveled section of Peru, where Cusco and Machu Picchu are located, has a dry season (April – October) and a rainy season (November – March) with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s and lows in the 40s. Rainfall and temperatures vary in other regions depending on season and elevation. Please see the weather tab on your specific trip for more details.Q: What is a typical day like in Peru?A: A typical day in Peru will vary from tour to tour, but generally you can expect to start your excursions right after breakfast with a full day of scheduled activities or sightseeing. Contact your Adventure Travel Coordinator to discuss the specifics of your tour.Q: How physically fit do I need to be to enjoy a trip to Peru?A: Our trips vary in level of activity, so the requirements differ based on itinerary. It’s important to keep in mind that much of Peru is at or above 8000’ above sea level which can add some difficulty to the activities. Please check our physical ratings for each itinerary to see what may be required of you when assessing your ability to enjoy a trip. If you have any specific questions, please contact your Adventure Travel Coordinator. We have personal experience with these activities and can help you decide whether a trip is right for you.Q: How much time do we need to visit Peru?A: We offer trips as short as 5 days, but recommend 7 days to adequately explore the Andean highlands (Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu). If you wish to visit more than one region, we recommend travelling for at least 12 days.Q: How far in advance should I book?A: Peru is a popular destination and space at the most desirable hotels fills up quickly. As a rule, the further in advance you can plan, the more options you will have. We recommend planning at least six to nine months in advance throughout the year, and a year ahead of time for anything over the Christmas holiday season.Q: What are your booking and cancellation policies?A: Click here to see our booking and cancellation policies.Q: Do you use certified guides?A: Our guides have been carefully selected for their knowledge, professionalism, experience and ability to effectively manage groups with finesse. We hire only guides who are native to the destination and are licensed and/or certified in accordance with the government regulations of their country. All are fluent in Spanish and English, and some also speak indigenous languages. Most have advanced degrees in tourism, biology, native culture or other related field. All guides are experienced in the outdoors and trained in basic first aid.Q: What kind of accommodations can I expect?A: We primarily work with 3 and 4-star hotels that meets our standards. We also work with several amazing 5-star properties. All of our hotels are clean, comfortable, well-located, offer en suite bathrooms and have been personally vetted by a Southern Explorations’ staff member.Q: Do tours include airfare?A: We will confirm all airfare within South America and this price will be listed separately from our base tour costs. You are responsible for booking international flights to/from Peru.Q: How many people are on your tours?A: We operate our scheduled group trips with a minimum of two and a maximum of eight guests, except on the Inca Trail trips, which have a maximum of 12 guests. This policy minimizes our environmental impact, allows us to travel to areas less visited, and makes the sightseeing experience more personal. It allows our guides sufficient time to attend to the individual needs of each visitor. Traveling in small groups also increases the likelihood of encountering wildlife in some areas, such as the Amazon. Some all-inclusive lodges and cruises offer excursions with their in-house guides and groups for those days may exceed eight travelers.Q: Will I get more information on packing, vaccines, currency, electricity, etc.?A: After booking you will receive a link to our online trip portal which includes all of the need-to-know information that is specific to your itinerary. This includes packing lists, restaurant recommendations, tipping guides, FAQs, vaccine recommendations and currency information. Your Adventure Travel Coordinator will also be a great resource for any other information you may need.
