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Inca Jungle Treks
Journey through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu
Imagine stepping into a world where ancient civilizations blend seamlessly with breathtaking landscapes. This three-day adventure invites you to explore the heart of the Incan empire, immerse yourself in vibrant local culture, and witness one of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological wonders. From the bustling streets of Cusco to the serene heights of Machu Picchu, every moment is crafted to ignite your sense of wonder and discovery.
Your journey begins the moment you arrive in Cusco, where a warm welcome awaits you at the airport and a seamless transfer to your hotel. Early the next morning, around 7:00 AM, you will be picked up from your hotel and set off on a picturesque drive through the Sacred Valley. The road winds its way to the charming town of Pisac, revealing breathtaking views of the Vilcanota River, vast highland cornfields, and the majestic Andes mountains.
As you approach Pisac, the landscape seems to narrate tales of ancient civilizations. Your first stop is the Pisac Archaeological Center, perched above the town, where the famous terraces tell stories of ingenious Incan agricultural practices designed to maximize productivity on steep slopes. After exploring the ruins, you wander through the vibrant artisan market. Here, local craftsmen display handwoven alpaca textiles and delicate silver jewelry, offering a glimpse into centuries-old traditions.
By noon, the tantalizing aroma of local cuisine beckons you to a buffet lunch in Urubamba, a perfect moment to relax and savor the flavors of the region. Recharged, you continue your journey to Ollantaytambo. This ancient fortress town, located 76 kilometers from Cusco, sits strategically between three valleys. As you explore its imposing stone structures, you marvel at the architectural prowess that once governed travelers across the empire. The massive stones, carved with precision for astronomical observations, harken back to an era when every monument served a greater cosmic purpose.
When the exploration of Ollantaytambo comes to an end, your transportation whisks you away to the train station. There, you board a scenic train bound for Aguas Calientes. The journey, lasting approximately two hours, meanders through lush landscapes until you arrive at your destination. A friendly hotel representative awaits you at the station, guiding you to your accommodations for the night in Aguas Calientes—your cozy base for the adventures ahead.
After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, the excitement builds as you prepare for the day’s highlight—Machu Picchu. Early in the morning, with the sun barely breaking over the horizon, your guide leads you to the bus station in Aguas Calientes. A scenic 30-minute zigzag bus ride transports you up the steep road to the entrance of the Machu Picchu Archaeological Park.
As you step through the gates, the ancient citadel unfolds before you. Your knowledgeable guide weaves captivating stories about the history, architecture, and mysteries of this Incan marvel during a two-hour tour. You wander among the terraces, plazas, and temples that blend seamlessly with the dramatic natural backdrop. The city’s ingenious design—with its intricate network of roads, aqueducts, and staircases—demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of both urban planning and agricultural engineering, all in harmony with nature.
The magnitude of Machu Picchu, spanning agricultural terraces and sacred urban areas, leaves you in awe. After the guided portion, you are free to wander at your leisure, capturing memories and reflecting on the profound history that echoes through the stone pathways. As the day progresses, you board a train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, a local team is ready to transfer you smoothly to your hotel in Cusco, where you can unwind and reflect on the wonders you’ve witnessed.
Your final morning in this enchanting land begins with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. With memories of incredible sights and experiences still fresh, you prepare for departure. At the appointed time, a welcoming transfer takes you from your hotel to the airport, marking the end of your journey through Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu.
The group service for the Machu Picchu, City Tour and Sacred Valley 3-Day Tour offers an economical shared exploration blending urban history, rural landscapes, and ancient wonders. Tailored for 8 to 16 participants, it features coordinated pickups from Cusco hotels or the airport, shared tourist buses for the Sacred Valley drive to Pisac ruins and market, Ollantaytambo fortress, and train to Aguas Calientes, plus a two-hour guided Machu Picchu tour and return transfers. This format includes buffet lunches, an English-speaking guide sharing Inca lore, and standard hotel stays, promoting sustainable group dynamics with reduced per-person costs and opportunities for traveler interactions.
| Service Type | Price per Person (USD) |
|---|---|
| Group Service (8-16 people) | 450 |
The private service for the Machu Picchu, City Tour and Sacred Valley 3-Day Tour crafts a bespoke, all-inclusive itinerary focused on your group’s rhythm and curiosities. It delivers exclusive van transport from Cusco airport to hotel, personalized Sacred Valley stops at Pisac terraces and artisan markets, Ollantaytambo explorations, priority train access to Aguas Calientes with premium lodging, and an extended guided Machu Picchu visit. Advantages feature adaptive pacing to linger at cosmic stone alignments or cultural demonstrations, intimate storytelling from a dedicated archaeologist-guide, heightened privacy at crowded sites, and refined dining with Andean fusion cuisine, ideal for families desiring deeper connections without group constraints.
| Number of People | Price per Person (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 950 |
| 2 | 650 |
| 3 | 580 |
| 4 | 550 |
| 5 | 520 |
| 6+ | 500 |
Groups of 6 or more on private services gain a 10% discount, consistent with agency offers to reward collective bookings. Students aged 18-25 with valid ID secure a 20% reduction on group tours, a widespread incentive broadening access to Inca heritage for younger explorers.
Integrate these enhancements into your 3-Day Tour for profound Inca citadel access, featuring timed entries, guided paths, and peak ascents. Options cover round-trip buses from Aguas Calientes ($24 additional per person) and entry fees, as extras.
Trains traverse the Urubamba River’s dramatic gorges to Aguas Calientes, fusing comfort with verdant Andean panoramas. PeruRail and IncaRail run from Ollantaytambo (1.5-2 hours) or Cusco via bus-train. Early schedules optimize dawn light at Machu Picchu. Prices are round-trip per person; add $50 for Cusco bimodal starts.
Gercetur circuits streamline visitor paths to protect Machu Picchu’s sanctity, channeling flows through zones of Inca urbanism and ecology. Slots from 6 AM to 3 PM allow 2.5-4 hour immersions; all grant lower citadel entry. Prices reflect adult foreign rates; add $24 for buses. Student/child discounts halve costs.
These add-ons fuse citadel entry (Circuit 3) with sentinel climbs, yielding vertigo vistas and mythic Inca symbolism. Paths suit agile climbers over 12, with precipitous steps; capped at 800 daily for Machu Picchu Mountain, 400 for Huayna Picchu. Fees supplement base entry; reserve months ahead.
Cresting 3,082 meters, this elder sentinel unfolds a meandering forest scramble to observatory perches, framing the citadel’s agrarian sprawl and stellar alignments in quietude. It prioritizes contemplative breadth over intensity. Round-trip: 3-4 hours; gain: 650 meters.
Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain (Route 4): $45 additional. Peak permit with foundational ruins; pivotal for horizon-spanning serenity and celestial Inca echoes.
Soaring to 2,693 meters, the youthful spire demands a razor-edge scramble past lunar temple niches, evoking Inca divine ascents with the citadel cradled below. It fuses daring with reverence. Round-trip: 2-3 hours; gain: 260 meters.
Machu Picchu + Huayna Picchu (Route 3A): $25 additional. Fabled ridge access with core visit; cornerstone for conquest panoramas and profound astral legacies.
As you embark on this journey, let the ancient paths guide you and the majestic landscapes inspire you, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
To qualify for the student discount on Inca Trail Permits, travelers must meet the following requirements:
Student IDs will not be accepted for the discount under the following conditions:
This information is crucial for travelers seeking to benefit from discounted permits for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.
“Imperial Travel Peru” is a 100% Peruvian-owned tour operator based in Cusco, with extensive experience in hiking, adventure tours, and customized travel packages. As a completely local company, we’re dedicated to providing travelers with authentic, high-quality experiences.
Our vision as a local company is to deliver personalized travel and hiking journeys, managed exclusively by experienced local professionals, with a strong focus on HIGH-QUALITY and PERSONALIZED SERVICE.
We are proud of our reputation as a travel agency that upholds RESPONSIBLE and SUSTAINABLE practices benefiting both the environment and local communities.
We treat our team like family and ensure they receive fair wages. We are incredibly proud of each member of our team! Their dedication makes it possible for us to provide the top-notch service that our many travelers appreciate.
At “Imperial Travel Peru,” we understand that our reputation and the feedback from our travelers are essential for gaining the trust of future adventurers. You can check out honest reviews from our guests on TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Google to see why we’re a reliable choice for creating your Peruvian adventure.
To ensure a more personalized experience at “Imperial Travel Peru,” we keep our group sizes to a maximum of 8 travelers. This approach allows us to offer a tailored experience, unlike companies that operate with larger groups.
Our guides are our pride. They’re highly knowledgeable and professional, fluent in English, and deeply passionate about Inca culture and history. Each guide is committed to ongoing personal and professional development, allowing them to share accurate insights and fascinating theories about Andean heritage. They are friendly, athletic, and well-educated, with backgrounds in Archaeology, Tourism, Botany, History, or Anthropology.
Hiking with “Imperial Travel Peru” ensures a fulfilling experience. Our porters are here to make your journey comfortable and memorable. They carry your equipment, prepare meals, set up camps, and attend to your needs so you can relax and enjoy the adventure. Along the way, you’ll connect with local people, explore stunning sites, and discover historic Inca villages.
We provide our porters with essential equipment at no cost: jackets, sun hats, warm hats, shirts, pants, hiking boots, comfortable bags, canteens, back support belts, sleeping bags, mattresses, and travel insurance. Our porters come from remote communities, and by hiring them, we help improve their economic conditions and support their children’s education. We treat our porters like family!
Our team—guides, cooks, porters, muleteers—and our equipment make “Imperial Travel Peru” stand out from the competition. During our hikes, we provide:
“Imperial Travel Peru” is committed to giving back to isolated communities. We support social projects and prioritize hiring local staff.
We are proud to support local communities not only by providing employment but also by offering assistance to their families. This holistic approach benefits our employees from the Peruvian Andes and their loved ones, strengthening our connection to the local heritage.
At Imperial Travel Peru, we believe every journey should be as unique as the traveler. Nestled in the heart of Peru, we specialize in curating unforgettable experiences that blend ancient history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.
