Experience Peru's ancient wonders and natural beauty on this exciting 12-day Black Diamond Trek to Machu Picchu. This trip seamlessly blends luxury camping and cozy mountain lodges, accompanied by seasoned guides and a dedicated support team. Explore Cusco's markets and ruins before starting a trek to Piuray Lake, with options for kayaking or biking. Journey through the Sacred Valley, visiting Pisaq and Cancha Cancha villages, enjoying scenic hikes and traditional dinners. Discover Andean villages known for textiles, and hike to Jaukani and Sonqococha Lagoon. Follow the Inca Trail to Pumamarka and Ollantaytambo, concluding with a guided tour of Machu Picchu and a hike up Huayna Picchu Mountain.
Highlights
Explore Cusco's streets, markets, and historic colonial churches and ruins
Enjoy a morning kayak trip or biking adventure at Piuray Lake
Journey through the Sacred Valley enjoying scenic hikes and tasty cuisine
Trek up Huayna Picchu Mountain at Machu Picchu for stunning birds-eye views
Requires high-intensity physical efforts that push the limits of one's fitness. May include tours with multiple days in a row of strenuous physical activity or single requiring more than 7 hours of activity. Recommended for travelers maintaining a demanding fitness level.
Arrive in Lima on the flight of your choice today. After picking up your luggage and clearing customs, walk across the street to the comfortable and conveniently located Wyndham Costa del Sol Hotel. Settle into your room and rest up for your Peru tour ahead.
Day 2: Fly to Cusco | Walking City Tour | Trek Briefing
An early morning flight brings you to the Inca capital of Cusco where Quechua speaking descendents of the Incas bustle back and forth in the busy plazas and markets. Colonial churches sit atop bases of smooth stonework laid centuries before the arrival of the Conquistadors. The church walls have fallen many times throughout the years, but the Inca walls remain. The morning is yours to explore Cusco's narrow streets and bustling markets.
In the afternoon, you can tour Cusco's traditional markets, talking to the women selling natural medicines and charms for curing heartache and other afflictions. You will visit the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco, a local organization committed to preserving the region's weaving traditions. (If visiting the Sacred Valley on Sunday, you will visit their center in Chinchero instead). Watch weavers demonstrate their craft and learn about the history and processes of Peru's most well-known art form.
This evening, Meet your MLP guide and fellow travelers for a general trip briefing and Q&A before heading out on your trekking adventure in the morning.
Location: Cusco Duration: Approximately 45 minutes
Begin a hike from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco to Piuray Lake. Along the journey, explore the Sacsayhuaman archaeological site and indulge in a picnic lunch at Senqa Mountain before arriving at the Piuray campsite.
Distance: 8 miles / 13 km Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging Approximate Hike Time: 8 hours
Start your day with a morning kayak excursion* on Piuray Lake, followed by a hike to Huchuyqosqo. Enjoy a picnic lunch and explore the Huchuyqosqo archaeological site. Finish the day with a downhill hike to Lamay Lodge in the Sacred Valley.
*If preferred, opt for a morning bike ride to Huchuyqosqo instead of the kayak trip.
Distance: 9 miles / 14.5 km Difficulty level: Challenging Approximate Hike Time: 8 hours
Begin your day with a refreshing hike from Amaru village to Viacha community. Next, explore the Pisaq archaeological site with a guide. After that, hike to Pisaq town center and catch a ride back to Lamay Lodge in an MLP vehicle. When you reach the lodge, enjoy a traditional Pachamanca dinner prepared by the staff.
Distance: 5.1 miles / 8.2 km Difficulty level: Moderate Approximately 3 hours
Start your day with breakfast at Lamay Lodge, then head out for a short drive to Huaran in the Sacred Valley. Begin a full-day hike to Cancha Cancha village along an Inca trail. Conclude the day with a trip briefing and dinner around the campfire.
Distance: 5.4 miles / 9 km Difficulty level: Challenging Approximate Hike Time: 6.5 hours
Start your day with a filling breakfast at Cancha Cancha campsite before hiking up to Pachacuteq Pass. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the pass before descending to the remote village of Quiswarani.
Distance: 8 miles / 13.5 km Difficulty level: Challenging Approximate Hike Time: 6 hours
Energize yourself with breakfast, then hit the trail for a morning hike to Sonqococha Lagoon. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the serene waters before setting off towards Quelquena. After some well-deserved rest, tackle the final hike of the day to Huacahuasi Lodge.
Distance: 7.9 miles / 12.7 km Difficulty level: Challenging Approximate Hike Time: 8.5 hours
Begin your day with a visit to a remote village famous for its stunning traditional Andean textiles. Enjoy a refreshing hike to Jaukani with stunning scenery, followed by a delightful picnic lunch with a view of the majestic Andes. Return to Huacahuasi on a scenic drive in the afternoon.
Distance: 5.6 miles / 9 km Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging Approximate Hike Time: 5 hours
Start the day with breakfast at the break of dawn, followed by an early start for a morning trek from Huacahuasi to Patacancha. Once you arrive, your MLP driver will be ready to pick you up for a short, picturesque drive to Pumamarka. There, you'll have lunch and explore the ruins with a guide. Wrap up the day with a hike on amazing Inca terraces leading to Ollantaytambo, South America's oldest inhabited town. In the evening, enjoy a trip briefing and dinner at your hotel.
Distance: 8 miles / 20 km Difficulty level: Challenging Approximate Hike Time: 8 hours
Take an early-morning train from Ollantaytambo to the KM 104 marker along the rail route after breakfast. As you cross the Chachabamba Bridge, begin a day-long hike along the traditional Inca Trail, passing through Winay Wayna and reaching the renowned Sun Gate entrance of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, descend along the citadel's perimeter to catch the shuttle bus down to Aguas Calientes, situated at the base of Machu Picchu.
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 km Difficulty level: Challenging Approximate Hike Time: 6hours
Day 12: Machu Picchu | Return to Cusco
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Begin your day with breakfast at dawn before setting out on a guided tour of the Machu Picchu citadel in the early morning. Following the tour, trek up Huayna Picchu Mountain* and afterward, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Conclude your day by catching an afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, where you'll meet your MLP vehicle for a sunset drive back to Cusco.
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km Difficulty level: Moderate to challenging Approximate Hike Time: 3.5 hours
*Note: Permits for Huayna Picchu are subject to availability; please consult with your travel specialist when you confirm your reservation.
**In the event that Huayna Picchu permits are not available for your desired date, Machu Picchu Mountain (the second peak within the sanctuary) permits will be secured instead.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for Apr 11, 2025 not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for Apr 11, 2025 are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$6,113
Notes
$3,047 Single Supplement Additional Cost for Private Room when traveling with others. Traveling Solo? Contact us for a custom quote.
Initial deposit is $900, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 9 Dinners
11 Nights Accommodations
1 Day Locally Hosted Guide Service
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Guided visit of Machu Picchu Sanctuary (entrance, transportation to and from the site)
Bilingual guide (English-Spanish) for the duration of the standard itinerary
Transportation of personal belongings during the trip by pack horses/mules and/or porters
Wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) at all lodges and hotels
All meals and beverages including soft drinks and a house selection of beer, wine, and spirits including pisco
Entrance fees to archaeological sites and other points of interest
All gratuities for the staff at all MLP lodges and in the field —does NOT include gratuities for the staff at affiliate hotels.
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Laundry services
Massage services
Permits for Huayna Picchu Mountain and/or Machu Picchu Mountain
Bottled water and sports drinks. Guests are encouraged to use the refillable water bottle that is provided to each guest at the pre-trip briefing. The highest-quality filtered water is available at all MLP lodges
Gratuities for the guides are not included and are at your discretion. In general, it is suggested to give $10-20 USD per day per person for lead guides and $5-15 USD per day per person for assistant guides
Local taxes (18% IGV) on meals and lodging applicable to Peruvians, foreign residents, and tourist traveling in Peru for 60+ days
Optional Activities: Chakana Inca Excursion, Horseback Riding (subject to change)
Map
When to Go
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
Chance for unpredictable weather but with fewer visitors.
Kate was great to work with in the planning stage. She was prompt, helpful, and efficient. Our tour guide, Edwin, was knowledgeable and passionate. We were very happy to have traveled with Adventure Life, it made the trip easy and a true pleasure. We could concentrate on enjoying the experience rather than the details of travel.
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