Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu via Ollantaytambo

May, June, July, August, September

The Andean dry season. Trails are passable, mornings clear, nights cold. June and July are the busiest months; book Machu Picchu tickets and the Inca Trail 4–6 months ahead. The rains kick in October and the Inca Trail closes entirely in February.

Tradeoffs: April and October are shoulder months, fewer people, occasional rain, lower prices. Decent compromise if the dry-season calendar doesn't work.

8 days ideal, 6 minimum

Six days does Sacred Valley acclimatisation + Machu Picchu + a Cusco day. Eight adds Pisac, Maras salt flats, and a buffer for a slow morning that doesn't involve a 05:00 alarm.

Flights

~£850

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Accommodation

~£580

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Activities

~£320

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Ground transport

~£180

Food

~£200

Buffer

~£120

Total~£2,250

Mid-tier Sacred Valley hotel (~£95/night), Cusco boutique (£70/night). Train Ollantaytambo–Aguas Calientes return (£100), Machu Picchu entry + bus (£60). LHR–CUZ via Lima in shoulder season.

Estimate only. We don't see live prices.

1. 1

   Lima arrival, fly to Cusco, drive to Valley

   • Lima morning

   • Afternoon flight to Cusco

   • Direct transfer to Urubamba or Ollantaytambo (90 min)

   • Early dinner, early bed

   Sleeping in Sacred Valley hotel

2. 2

   Acclimatisation in the Valley

   • Slow morning

   • Salinas de Maras + Moray ruins

   • Lunch in Urubamba

   Sleeping in Sacred Valley hotel

3. 3

   Ollantaytambo + Pisac

   • Ollantaytambo ruins (best preserved Inca town)

   • Pisac market afternoon

   Sleeping in Ollantaytambo hotel

4. 4

   Machu Picchu

   • 05:30 train from Ollantaytambo

   • 08:00–14:00 at Machu Picchu

   • Train back

   Sleeping in Ollantaytambo hotel

5. 5

   Climb to Cusco

   • Drive up to Cusco (1.5 hours)

   • Settle in San Blas neighbourhood

   • Cusco Cathedral late afternoon

   Sleeping in Cusco boutique hotel

6. 6

   Cusco day

   • Sacsayhuamán morning

   • Qorikancha temple

   • Mercado de San Pedro lunch

   • San Blas wander

   Sleeping in Cusco boutique hotel

7. 7

   Slow morning, fly out

   • Coca tea on the balcony

   • Flight to Lima or onward

   Sleeping in Plane

• Hike the Inca Trail

  Four days, 42km, three high passes (max 4,215m). Book through a licensed operator 5–6 months ahead, permits cap at 500/day including guides and porters. Adds 3 days; replaces the train ride entirely.

• Add the Amazon

  Three nights at a Tambopata jungle lodge from Puerto Maldonado, an hour's flight from Cusco. Different country, same trip. Adds 4 days.

This trip is paced around altitude. If you're someone who can power through a packed itinerary on day one, you'll hate the first two days. If you can slow down and let the valley do its work, the pay-off at Machu Picchu is real.

Visa

Visa-free for most Western passports for 90 days.

Vaccines

Standard. Yellow fever if extending to the jungle.

Safety

Cusco and the Valley are very safe by day. Taxi after dark in Cusco. The Machu Picchu site is heavily managed; no real risk.

Money

Card in hotels and bigger restaurants. Cash (soles) for markets, taxis, smaller places. USD also accepted in tourist areas. ATMs in Cusco are fine.

1. 1

   Sleep in the Sacred Valley first (400–800m lower than Cusco) to acclimatise.

2. 2

   Take the train to Machu Picchu from Ollantaytambo, not the through-train from Cusco.

3. 3

   Vinicunca tops out at 5,046m on a small, crowded summit; Palccoyo is a gentle 45-minute walk at 4,900m and far quieter for the same coloured-ridge payoff.

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