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An Inca ruler is carried above the Inti Raymi procession through central Cusco
Photo information

Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu at Inti Raymi

Photo
jack_g / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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All 32 Journeys
Culture Journey

Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu at Inti Raymi

Begin in Lima, celebrate Inti Raymi in Cusco, then walk the classic four-day Inca Trail into Machu Picchu.

Fly into
Lima · LIM
Shortest trip
12 nights
Ideal stay
13-14 nights
Best time
Every year, June 20–July 1
Destination in brief

Why go

Lima opens the trip with its UNESCO-listed historic centre, Pacific neighborhoods and a food culture all its own, and three nights there let you recover from the long flight. Cusco, Inti Raymi, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu each get real time. Machu Picchu is a UNESCO mixed World Heritage property and a 2007 New7Wonders selection, reached by train and a timed entry or on the permitted 4-day Classic Inca Trail.

Where
Lima and Cusco regions, Peru
Language
Spanish · Quechua
Currency
PEN
Time zone
Peru Standard Time
Best time
Every year, June 20–July 1
Typical conditions
In June, Lima is cool by the coast. Cusco is drier and much higher, with strong sun, cold nights and a real risk of altitude sickness.

Plan for 13-14 nights. That covers Lima, time to adjust to Cusco's altitude, Inti Raymi on June 24, the Sacred Valley, 4 days on the trail and a day to recover. Rainbow Mountain needs extra days.

Read the Cusco guide
Plaza Mayor and the Government Palace frame Lima's historic center beneath palms
Photo information

Plaza Mayor anchors Lima's Historic Centre, with the Government Palace and palms around the square.

Photo
YusmarBlanco / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Original
View source
Captured
2022-03-19 16:27:23
Location
Plaza Mayor, palms and the Government Palace frontage in Lima's Historic Centre
Attribution
"Plaza mayor de Lima, centro histórico" by YusmarBlanco, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; cropped and resized by Trailwind; derivative remains CC BY-SA 4.0.
Changes
Cropped and resized by Trailwind; derivative remains CC BY-SA 4.0.
Context
Historical fixed-place city context only; the image proves no current access, crowds, safety, weather, lodging, transport, route geometry or target-edition operation.
The place

Plaza Mayor anchors Lima's Historic Centre, with the Government Palace and palms around the square.

The map shows the region and the rail option. On the trek, your authorized guide sets the exact route.

Route overview

The route

Follow the stops in order.

Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu at Inti Raymi route. 1, Lima airport. 2, Miraflores. 3, Historic Centre of Lima. 4, Barranco. 5, Cusco airport. 6, Cusco. 7, Qorikancha. 8, Plaza de Armas. 9, Saqsaywaman. 10, Ollantaytambo. 11, Machu Picchu.

For orientation only. Use a map app for directions.

  1. 01
    Lima airport
  2. 02
    Miraflores
  3. 03
    Historic Centre of Lima
  4. 04
    Barranco
  5. 05
    Cusco airport
  6. 06
    Cusco
  7. 07
    Qorikancha
  8. 08
    Plaza de Armas
  9. 09
    Saqsaywaman
  10. 10
    Ollantaytambo
  11. 11
    Machu Picchu
Two ways in

How to reach Machu Picchu

Pick one. The trek replaces the train, so it's one or the other.

Our pick13–14 nights totalNot bookable yet

Classic Inca Trail · 4 days

A regulated four-day, three-night trek to Machu Picchu, walked in place of the train.

What changes
Replaces the train-and-timed-circuit segment, so it's one or the other.
Effort
Several days of high-altitude hiking. Make sure you're fit for it and covered for evacuation.
Season
The trail closes every February. June permits aren't confirmed yet.
Before you book
Book once dated permits, an authorized operator and guide, all transport and lodging are confirmed, and you know you're fit for the trek.
By train12 nights totalCheck availability

Train & timed circuit

The simpler way in: the train, the bus up and an official timed circuit.

What changes
Includes 2 nights in the Sacred Valley, 2 nights for the train and visit, a recovery night in Cusco and a buffer before your Lima flight.
Effort
Circuits involve uneven stone, stairs and a lot of walking. Pick the one that suits you.
Season
For June, check entry tickets, trains and bus seats.
Before you book
Book the timed circuit, train and bus together.
What you'll do

Highlights

  1. 01

    Historic Centre of Lima

    Historic Lima · Full day · From Miraflores · Mixed paths · Check hours

    Why it fits
    Lima's UNESCO-listed historic centre gives the international gateway architectural, civic and national depth.
    Useful time
    Keep one full city day for Plaza Mayor, the historic centre and Lima's national story.
    From base
    Use a selected traveler-fit transfer from the Miraflores base and return before the domestic-flight day.
    Effort and access
    Urban walking includes traffic, cobbles and variable step-free access; pace the route and verify selected sites.
    Seasonal note
    Check current opening hours, demonstrations and access; the permanent city chapter is not tied to June 24.
  2. 02

    Barranco

    Pacific districts · Half day · From Miraflores · Mixed paths · Check hours

    Why it fits
    Barranco and the Pacific districts make Lima a distinct city chapter rather than a flight connection.
    Useful time
    Keep a half or full day for Barranco, the Pacific coast and Lima's distinctive food culture.
    From base
    Begin from the same Miraflores base using a current city transfer or a deliberately paced district route.
    Effort and access
    Effort can be adjusted, but traffic, uneven paths and coastal exposure need a traveler-fit plan.
    Seasonal note
    June coastal weather and venue hours set the plan for the day, which stays separate from the highland route.
  3. 03

    Qorikancha

    Qorikancha · June 24 · From Cusco · Moderate/altitude · Check the program

    Why it fits
    Qorikancha introduces the Inca history and spiritual meaning behind the Inti Raymi celebration.
    Useful time
    Allow a separate earlier visit, then protect the opening part of June 24 for ceremonial context.
    From base
    Reach Qorikancha from the Cusco base on foot or by a confirmed local transfer.
    Effort and access
    Urban walking is moderate, but altitude and event crowds can make short distances demanding.
    Seasonal note
    Use only the current EMUFEC program for access and timing; prior-edition hours do not carry forward.
  4. 04

    Ollantaytambo

    Inca town · Full day + night · Before the trail

    Why it fits
    Ollantaytambo brings living Inca urbanism, monumental terraces and Sacred Valley culture into the Journey.
    Useful time
    Keep a full day and overnight for the living town and terraces before the four-day trek.
    From base
    Settle into the Ollantaytambo base after the confirmed road transfer from Cusco.
    Effort and access
    Stone streets, stairs and altitude require a measured pace and protected arrival margin.
    Seasonal note
    Confirm the road transfer, trail departure and operator plan.
  5. 05

    Machu Picchu

    Classic Inca Trail · Four days · Sun Gate arrival

    Why it fits
    Machu Picchu completes the regional story as UNESCO mixed World Heritage property 274 and a 2007 New7Wonders selection.
    Useful time
    Reserve four days and three nights for the classic trail approach, ending at Machu Picchu.
    From base
    Travel from Ollantaytambo to the confirmed trail departure; reach the citadel after the trek.
    Effort and access
    Several days of high-altitude hiking. Make sure you're fit for it and covered for evacuation.
    Seasonal note
    Book once dated permits, an authorized operator and guide, all transport and lodging are confirmed, and you know you're fit for the trek.
Along the way

The rail alternative

A blue-and-yellow train rounds the forested railway toward Machu Picchu
Photo information

The railway into the Machu Picchu region threads through a steep, forested valley.

Photo
Nicolas Rénac / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Original
View source
Captured
2016-04-27 23:56:41
Location
Blue-and-yellow train, rails and steep forested valley on the railway toward Machu Picchu
Attribution
"PeruRail train on Machu Picchu railway" by Nicolas Rénac, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; cropped and resized by Trailwind; derivative remains CC BY-SA 2.0.
Changes
Cropped and resized by Trailwind; derivative remains CC BY-SA 2.0.
Context
Historical route-class context only; the image proves no current timetable, availability, operating condition, safety, access, route geometry, target-edition service or trip custody.
Along the way

The railway into the Machu Picchu region threads through a steep, forested valley.

Timing

When to go

Best time
Every year, June 20–July 1
Why then
Inti Raymi
See the moment
Time zone
Peru Standard Time
Your itinerary

Stop by stop

The stops in order. Set your own pace day to day.

  1. 01

    Lima airport

  2. 02

    Miraflores

  3. 03

    Historic Centre of Lima

  4. 04

    Barranco

  5. 05

    Cusco airport

  6. 06

    Machu Picchu

Side trip · Cusco

Rainbow Mountain

Stripes of mineral color run across the ridge at Vinicunca, southeast of Cusco. It’s a separate high-altitude day trip, not a stop on the Inca Trail.

Over 16,400 ft / 5,000 m. Add a day from Cusco only if you’re acclimatized, rested and fit, and the route is open. Keep it clear of June 24 and the 4 trail days.

Read Peru Travel’s Vinicunca guide
Practical planning

Before you book

Book first
  • Book once dated permits, an authorized operator and guide, all transport and lodging are confirmed, and you know you're fit for the trek.
  • Build in days for the altitude, June 24 and recovery after the trek
  • Confirm Lima flights and all onward transport
Getting around
  • Confirm your transfer from Ollantaytambo to Km 82 with your operator.
  • After 4 days on the trail, take your booked transport back from Machu Picchu.
Know before you go
  • Take altitude sickness seriously
  • Watch for protests, weather and rail disruptions
  • Past years' times and tickets won't carry over. Use this year's.
Keep in mind
  • The Inca Trail needs dated permits, an authorized operator, a fitness check and onward transport. Keep June 24 free, and leave time to acclimatize and recover. If the trek doesn't come together, the train and a timed entry still get you to Machu Picchu.
Sources and methodology
  1. EMUFEC
  2. Peru Ministry of Culture
  3. Peru Ministry of Culture
  4. PeruRail
  5. Consorcio Machupicchu
  6. Peru Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism
  7. Peru Ministry of Culture
  8. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  9. UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  10. Peru Travel
  11. UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  12. New7Wonders