Day-by-day plans for 3, 5, and 7 days — organised to make the most of your time.
The essential Peru experience: acclimatise in Cusco, visit the Sacred Valley, and arrive at Machu Picchu.
Fly to Cusco (3,400m). Rest is essential on arrival — altitude sickness affects most visitors. Light lunch of quinoa soup, gentle exploration of the Plaza de Armas and San Blas neighbourhood, early dinner and bed.
A full-day Sacred Valley tour: Pisac market and Inca ruins, Moray agricultural terraces, Salineras salt pans, and the magnificent Ollantaytambo fortress from where your train to Aguas Calientes departs late afternoon.
Take the first bus from Aguas Calientes (5:30am) for dawn at the ruins — the most magical time before clouds build. Spend 4–5 hours exploring. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch, afternoon train back to Cusco.
The full Inca Trail experience — 4 days of trekking to Machu Picchu via ancient Inca pathways.
Arrive and rest. Explore San Blas neighbourhood and the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) in the afternoon. Light dinner and early sleep.
Sacred Valley to continue acclimatisation at lower altitude (2,600–3,000m) while seeing the best valley sites.
Trail begins at Km 82 (2,750m). A moderate 11km walk passing the first Inca ruins at Llactapata and Huayllabamba village. Camp at 3,000m.
The most challenging day — a 1,200m climb to Dead Woman's Pass (4,215m, the highest point of the trail), descent to the Pacaymayu valley, then a second climb to Runkurakay Pass. Camp at 3,600m.
A day of descending through cloud forest past extraordinary ruins (Sayacmarca, Phuyupatamarca) with views down into the jungle. Camp at the Wiñay Wayna ruins, the finest on the trail.
4am start, arrive at the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) at dawn for the famous first view of Machu Picchu in morning mist. Descend to the site and spend 4 hours exploring with your guide. Afternoon bus to Aguas Calientes and train back to Cusco.
Final day in Cusco: the magnificent Qorikancha temple ruins, the Museo Larco ceramics collection, and the San Pedro market for last-minute shopping.