Country

Peru

Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu in the heart of the Andes

South America
1 tour
from €3,320

Useful information

Best time to visit: April–October: dry season in the Andes, with sunny days; November–March brings rain in the mountains, with damp and mist at Machu Picchu
Climate: Varied: in Cusco, sunny, cool days and very cold nights (around 0 °C in June–August); in Lima, mild and often overcast
Currency: Peruvian sol (PEN)
Language: Spanish (Quechua and Aymara are also spoken in the Andes)
Flight from Athens: From Athens: about 18-21 hours in total with one or two stops to Lima, plus a 1.5-hour flight to Cusco
Visas and documents: You need a valid passport, which we recommend should be valid for at least 6 months after your return. Entry requirements depend on nationality and may change: we will give you up-to-date guidance after booking and help with any e-visa or other formalities.
Health and vaccinations: No vaccinations are generally mandatory. Cusco lies at about 3,400 metres: start gently, drink plenty of water and ask your doctor about altitude and any vaccines before you travel.

Destination guide

What to expect

Cusco, the Inca capital, spreads its red-tiled roofs below the Plaza de Armas and the cathedral, with the Andes encircling the city in the golden light of late afternoon. From there the Sacred Valley leads to Machu Picchu, the Inca stone city among the clouds, with Huayna Picchu behind it.

At Moray, circular terraces are believed to have served as an Inca agricultural experiment, and in Pisac and Ollantaytambo the textile markets and stone terraces show how the Quechua people lived, and still live. At Vinicunca, the ‘Rainbow Mountain’, the slopes are striped in red, yellow and turquoise.

At the table: ceviche, lomo saltado and potatoes in hundreds of varieties; in the highlands, llamas and alpacas graze beside villages that weave brightly coloured textiles. Cusco lies at about 3,400 metres, so the programme leaves time to acclimatise.

Map

Where our tours take you

The stops on the itineraries that visit this destination: tap a pin to open the tour.

Tours

Our tours to this destination

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Peru: Lima, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

Bestseller

10 days · 8 nights

Peru

Peru: Lima, the Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu

From Lima's ceviche to the terraces of Moray and Machu Picchu at dawn, with a panoramic train and colonial Cusco. Flights and a Greek coordinator included.