Machu Picchu's All-Inclusive Luxury Adventure

Itinerary Highlights

With reason, the Sacred Valley is a sought out destination for any Peruvian journey as it is the heart of the Inca Empire.  Located at the foot of the mountains between Cusco and the sacred city of Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley stretches along the calm waters of Urubamba River and is characterized by beautiful colonial towns still marked by the Inca legacy. There is no better way to explore this region than by staying at the only all-inclusive luxury property, explora Lodge, in the Sacred Valley, making it an exceptional base to explore the verdant countryside, villages and ruins.

Offering carefully designed a la carte adventure and cultural activities, there is no need to change hotels as explora Lodge offers over fourty explorations in this vast area. Traveling through archaeological Inca sites, such as Ollaytantambo, Moray, Chinchero and Pisac, following the course of the Urubamba River by bike, visiting Machu Picchu or arriving at a glacier nearby Cusco are some of the explorations carefully designed by explora for its travelers.

This itinerary is great for travelers looking for various sublime guided outdoor adventures, yet without ever sacrificing comfort. With a focus on hiking and biking, different difficulty levels are offered, whether it be gentle routes or more serious challenges.

Hotels and lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. Please keep in mind, however, that Explora Lodge in the Sacred Valley is the only all-inclusive luxury lodge in the region.

Detailed Itinerary

One of our representatives will meet you at the airport to privately transfer you to your hotel for an evening of leisure. If your flight arrives earlier, please consult with your Travel Designer about optional tours for the day. Enjoy exploring the bohemian and vibrant cultural neighborhood of Barranco, where your hotel is located. Filled with cevicheria’s (ceviche restaurants) and home-style restaurants, one of our Travel Designers would be happy to recommend a great eatery!

Overnight at Hotel B Boutique Hotel (no meals)

In Lima, not only do the origins of the city pre-date the Spanish foundation of the city by several millennia, but its museums are full of the artistic treasures of magnificent pre-Columbian civilizations. Begin to unravel this multifaceted history accompanied by our specialist guide with a professional background in history, architecture or art. Visit an ancient adobe pyramid right in the middle of the city which dates back to around 200 BC, take in the colonial area of Lima including the Cathedral, Convent of Santo Domingo, the Main Square and Casa Aliaga, reportedly the oldest home on the Continent - and still family-owned after 17 generations.

In the afternoon explore Lima's local food scene with a 'friend in the city', as opposed to tour guide, on our authentic Urban Eats sampling food tour. They will bring you to popular local eating spots to sample Peruvian classics and criollo dishes.

In the evening dine at Central Restaurant. frequently recognized in the top five on the World's Top 50 Restaurants List, Central delivers ambitious and worldly fusion from chef Virgilio Martínez Véliz, who has crafted a series of modern, molecular dishes using ingredients native to Peru.

Overnight at Hotel B Boutique Hotel (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

You will be privately transferred to the airport for your departing flight to Cusco, followed by your transfer by the Explora Team to the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival, you will enjoy a three-course gastronomic lunch by the Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez, owner of the sixth best restaurant in the world, according to The World’s Best Restaurants 2019 ranking. Using Andean ingredients, you will enjoy the most simplest to elaborate results with an identity that honors Peruvian cooking.

After lunch, you will meet with an expert Explora guide to discuss your interests as well as learn about the highlights in the area, in order to plan the excursions for the next few days. Afterwards, this afternoon is yours to rest, enjoy the property, or jump right into an exhilarating half-day adventure!

Check out the list of over 40 explorations.

Overnight at explora Sacred Valley (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

With over 40 explorations to choose from, so many options can become overwhelming, but do not hesitate, as your guide will carefully have these days planned for you to best meet your expectations.

All explorations are led by an expert bilingual guide for groups of up to eight travelers and at three different geographical levels: valley, plateau and mountain, which can be explored by foot, biking, walking and hiking. In order to really soak up this destination, it is recommended to travel around these three areas, appreciate its contrasts and explore the differences within the same geographic level. In the Urubamba River valley we can explore Pisac, Ollantaytambo, and Moras & Moray, among other archaeological sites; in the plateau, we can go to the Huaypo lake, and travel around local trails between lagoons, farm communities, and cornfields; we can also visit mountain peaks, an area not well known by tourists.  We suggest beginning with explorations at less altitude in order to scale up slowly towards the mountain peaks; once again, your guide will plan accordingly.

All explorations range from a physical level of easy to advanced, and every day there is a choice of half day to full day explorations.

Machu Picchu is a full day exploration and may include a trek to Inti Punku. Visiting Machu Picchu must be reserved with your Travel Designer in advance, as there is limited availability. It is recommended to choose a date approximately 3-4 prior to your arrival.

Overnight at explora Sacred Valley (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to Cusco Airport by one of the Explora Team members for your departing flight home.

(Breakfast)

• 6 nights accommodation (based on double/twin occupancy)

• Daily breakfast

• All meals, snacks and soft drinks at all explora Lodge

• All lodge-based activities in small groups at all explora Lodge

• Private guided excursions in Lima

• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu; must be reserved in advance to guarantee availability

• All ground transfers between airports and accommodations

• *Not included: gratuities, visas (if applicable), international and internal flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

• At explora Lodge, there is no TV or WIFI in the rooms. WIFI can be found in the main lobby / lounge area.

• In the Andes, the rainy season runs from November to March, and the dry season from April to October. The wettest months tend to be January/February. The heaviest rain tends to be in February, which is when the Inca Trail is closed annually for maintenance. If you’re travelling in the rainy season, you still have a chance of seeing blue skies at Machu Picchu – and we recommend visiting the site twice on two consecutive days to increase your chance of good weather. This time of year also brings its benefits – it’s orchid season, with the hundreds of beautiful varieties endemic to the area flowering from October/November, right through till March. The site also takes on a mystical appearance when the clouds roll in! The busiest period at Machu Picchu, based on visitor arrival numbers, is between June and August. This coincides with the most favorable, dry weather conditions. If you’re happy to risk the possibility of a bit of rain, you can be rewarded by fewer visitors at other times of the year, and visit during the shoulder months, such as in May and October.

• For travelers concerned about altitude, explora Lodge is the perfect base for exploring the region as the lower elevation of the Sacred Valley makes it the ideal place for acclimatizing.

• Machu Picchu is a full day exploration and may include a trek to Inti Punku. Visiting Machu Picchu must be reserved in advance with your Travel Designer, as there is limited availability. It is recommended to choose a date approximately 3-4 prior to your arrival.

• For those that would like to spend a night in Machu Picchu in order to do a morning visit to the ruins, or a hike to Huayna Picchu, an additional night at the tail end of the trip can be added in Machu Picchu, followed by your transfer to Cusco’s airport for your departing flight home.