Machu Picchu Tours and Trips

Is there any city on earth more mysterious than Machu Picchu? Despite being one of the ‘New’ Seven Wonders of the World, the Peruvian citadel ruins date back to 1450 and were hidden away for nearly four centuries. You don’t need to be an archaeologist to appreciate a visit to this “lost” city of the Inca civilisation. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site each year to explore the beautifully restored temples of Machu Picchu’s upper urban sector and the agricultural warehouses of its lower sector—not to mention the incredible Andes views. Reachable by train or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a trek via the Inca Trail, the spectacular views are a must-see during your visit to Peru.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is best known to the world as the home of Peru’s pre-eminent tourist attraction, Machu Picchu. Many visitors head straight there without stopping to investigate the surrounding region. However, travellers with time to devote to a more thorough investigation of the ancient heart of the Incan Empire have the chance to discover many wonders seen by far fewer outsiders.

The Sacred Valley was incorporated early into the expanding Incan Empire and with its relatively low altitude and benign climate, it soon became an important agricultural area for the Inca. The Valley also controlled access to the lowland jungles from where fresh fruit and other products flowed into Cusco. The Valley’s fertility, as well as its strategic importance and proximity to the capital, meant that the surrounding area was soon endowed with many important monuments, towns and fortifications, the ruins of which still exist today.

The attractions of the Sacred Valley are not restricted to ruins, though, and many other places of interest, varied adventure activities and a thriving local culture await those willing to linger and explore.

Unless you arrive on foot via the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, you will certainly have to spend a night in the town of Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo or Machu Picchu Town) while visiting Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes is a short bus ride from Machu Picchu itself, where there are many accommodation options to suit all budget and group size.

If you are wondering where to stay in Machu Picchu, look no further. We have assembled 10 of the best hotels near Machu Picchu from luxury to affordable options for a comfortable stay.

For anyone short on time or concerned about their fitness levels but still hoping for a taste of trekking in Peru and a visit to the famed Machu Picchu, the short Huchuy Qosqo trek is the ideal solution. Most versions include two days of relatively easy trekking combined with a visit to Machu Picchu on the third day. While being short on days, the trek still allows for a glimpse of the Andes in a rarely visited part of the Sacred Valley that receives fewer visitors than many of the more popular trails.

Of all the alternative treks to the Inca Trail, the Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu is perhaps the least known. A far cry from the classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, on this trek you are unlikely to see any other tourists for the duration of your trip. This is an option that will appeal to those who enjoy being different and who want to attempt a trek that few others will even have heard of.

Practically every visitor to Peru wants to visit Machu Picchu. For some, the experience would not be complete without completing the four-day Inca Trail that winds through the mountains leading to the mystical ruins. The Inca Trail is the original Machu Picchu trek that has become extremely popular and is always fully booked well in advance. Now, many trekkers opt for alternative treks to Machu Picchu. This is a guide to the classic Inca Trail as well as some of the best alternatives in the Sacred Valley.