Research takes so much time... here's exactly what we did and our Peru tips, hope it's helpful!

DAY ONE: Sacred Valley

  • Land in Cusco 
  • Hire a car for the day (pick-up airport, drop-off Ollantaytambo)
    • 1st Stop: Pisac Ruins, buy your Boleto Turistico 
    • 2nd Stop: Urubamba for Lunch
    • 3rd Stop: Salt Flats of Maras
    • 4th Stop: Moray 
  • Drop-off at hotel in Ollantaytambo (we loved Casa Blanca Lodge)

DAY TWO: Ollantaytambo

  • Visit the ruins at Ollantaytambo
  • Enjoy the market and the local Incan town
  • Watch the sunset over the valley
  • Dinner at Puka Rumi (live music)

DAY THREE: Machu Picchu

  • 6:30AM Check out of hotel and store bags
  • 7:05AM Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo (1.5 hours)
  • 8:30 Arrival in Aguas Calientes
  • 9:00 Hike (or bus) to Machu Picchu
  • 10:00 Hike Huayna Picchu
  • 12:00 - 1:00 quick lunch at snack shop outside entrance
  • 1:00 - 3:30 Hire a guide at the entrance and tour Machu Picchu
  • 4:00 Dinner in Aguas Calientes at Toto's House (overlooks the river)
  • 5:23 Train back to Ollaytambo (1.5 hours)
  • 7:00 Pick-up luggage and taxi back to Cusco (~2 hours)
  • 9:30 Check-in to hotel or AirB&B in Cusco

DAY FOUR: Cusco

DAY FIVE: Sacsayhuaman OR Rainbow Mountain

  • Visit Sacsayhuaman and museums included in your Boleto Touristico
  • OR.... take a day-trip to Rainbow Mountain