Peru Vacation 10-day
Explore Cusco, Inca trails, hot springs, organic coffee farms, Peruvian cloud forest and other adventures with our 10-day Peru vacation package!
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This incredible Peru vacation package takes you from the imperial city of Cusco all the way to Machu Picchu in 10 days! It is designed for families, couples or friends who are looking for the road less traveled! This lovely handcrafted adventure tour includes adventures in the Sacred Valley, trekking on pristine Inca Trail, and enjoying the lushness of the Peruvian cloud forest. You will harvest, roast and brew coffee on an organic coffee farm, bathe in the crystalline hot springs of Cocalmayo, view Machu Picchu alone from the ruins of Llactapata, and hike on ancient Inca Trail in the high jungle of Peru. It really doesn’t get better than this!!!
10-Day Peru Vacation Tour Description:
Begin your adventure exploring what was once the capital of the Incan empire, the city of Cusco! Hike on the ancient Qapaq Ñan, also known as Inca trail, to the ruins of Huchuy Qosqo above the Sacred Valley. Adventure around the living Incan village of Ollantaytambo before taking one of the most spectacular drives through a 15,000ft cloud-covered mountain pass, all the way down to the upper jungle of Peru. Here you will enjoy thermal hot springs, sleep on an organic coffee farm and experience the freshest cup of Peruvian coffee around! Hike on ancient Inca Trail though the cloud forest, visit the ruins of Llactapata, and eat lunch overlooking Machu Picchu only one valley away! The trip would not be complete without a hike to Machu Picchu. Therefore, we will adventure out before sunrise and hike to the ruins of Machu Picchu in the early morning light. We will then relax and sip tea on the panoramic glass ceiling Vistadome train to the Sacred Valley, where we will continue our unforgettable Peru adventure vacation! Visit the salt mines, the Moray ruins and the Chinchero weaving market before settling in at your hotel in Cusco. Our last adventure will take us to the rainbow colored mountains that Peru has become famous for. We can visit the less traveled Palcoyo mountains or venture to the more common Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain.
Why choose Haku’s Unforgettable Peru Vacation?
We believe that a unique and unforgettable vacation in Peru requires the perfect blend of off-the-beaten-path cultural experiences with more iconic, not to be missed sites. We understand that treasured vacation time must be well thought out and treated with the utmost care. Therefore, we make sure to manage all of the details for you so that you can relax and enjoy your vacation of a lifetime!
Day by Day
Welcome to Cusco, and the first day of your unforgettable 10-day Peru vacation. We’ll be at the airport to pick you up and help you with your luggage and then take you to your hotel in the historical city center. Take tonight to relax and acclimate — Cusco is 11,000 feet above sea level! Try some coca tea and enjoy some Peruvian cuisine on one of the many restaurant balconies overlooking the Plaza de Armas. Begin to acquaint yourself with the rich history of the Incan Empire!
Peru Vacation Stats:
Lodging: Hotel in Cusco
Today, you’ll start your Peru vacation by heading out and exploring the Imperial City of Cusco. Today you are free to explore at will. The elevation of Cusco requires acclimatization so we have left this day as a free day to walk around the cobblestone streets, visit local markets, or rest and relax in one of the many plazas where you can read up on Peru’s history. Your hotel is in the colonial city center and just a quick, ten-minute walk from the famous Plaza de Armas.
The plaza now exists over what was once Haukaypata, the Great Inca Square. Now, it is dominated by the towering Spanish architecture of the Cusco Cathedral as well as a charming collection of cafes and bars.
Some ideas for today: Take a free walking tour, visit one of the many museums, learn the process of making chocolate, enjoy a cooking class or just relax and enjoy a cold Pisco Sour or Pilsen Callao beer in a cafe or bar. If you’re feeling more adventurous, ask us about arranging a horseback ride to hidden ruins or a tour of the fortress of Sacsayhuaman! Remember to drink lots of water today!
Peru Vacation Stats:
Lodging: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: B
The Qapaq Ñan, also known as the Inca Trails system or the Inca Road, spreads out over 23,000 km/14,000 miles all over the Andes Mountains. Today your Peru vacation takes an active turn with an Inca Trail hike to the secluded ruins of Huchuy Qosqo in the Sacred Valley. The trek takes you through canyons, along the side of cliffs, and down many sets of ancient Incan stairs before arriving at what was once the Royal Estate of Viracocha, the 8th Incan King.
These ruins are only accessible by hiking, so there is a good chance you’ll have them to yourself today. After you’ve taken them in, the trail continues on and ends in the small town of Lamay in the Sacred Valley. Transport will be waiting to pick you up and take you to your hotel in the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Peru Vacation Stats:
Distance: 19 km/12 mi
Max Elevation: 4313 m/14,150 ft
Elevation gain: 728 m/2388 ft
Elevation loss: 1926 m/ 6318 ft
Hiking time: 8-9 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Lodging: Amak Hotel in Huaran
Meals: B,L
The small mountain town of Ollantaytambo, located in the Sacred Valley, is an old Incan city now inhabited by locals. Due to the fact that many of the original Incan designs for stone buildings and walls have been maintained, many refer to Ollantaytambo as “the Living Incan Village”. Today, you’ll get to set your own schedule — there’s tons to do and see in this area. We will arrange transport for you to head to Ollantaytambo at the time you choose.
Some suggestions for today would be to take a kayak class on the river next to your hotel in Huaran, book a mountain bike tour of the Sacred Valley, visit the Seminario Ceramic center in Urubamba, explore the ruins of Ollantaytambo, hike to the Sun Gate in Ollantaytambo, or just relax in the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas!
Peru Vacation Stats:
Lodging: Tunupa or Mama Simona Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Meals: B
Today, we’ll start early and take you on what National Geographic rated as one of the top 25 drives in the world! We’ll wind our way high into the Andes mountains while passing waterfalls and thatched-roof homes made of stone. We will climb up to a 4500 m/15,000 ft mountain pass, under the glaciers of a mountain called Veronica, before dropping down into the lush Peruvian cloud forest. Here in the upper jungle of Peru you will see mangos, key limes, mandarins, bananas, coffee and much more growing all around you.
The drive ends in Santa Teresa, where your guide will show you the Colcalmayo hot springs, some of the cleanest and clearest natural hot springs Peru has to offer. Here you’ll be able to soak muscles sore from exploration and hiking, while looking out onto the raging Vilcanota River, on the banks of which Santa Teresa is built.
After a nice soak we will take you deep into the cloud forest to tonight’s lodgings, a local organic coffee farm. Here you will experience the Ruta del Cafe tour where you harvest ripe red coffee berries, see how the peeling, fermentation and drying processes take place, and roast your very own coffee beans on an open fire. Once roasted, you’ll grind the dark beans and enjoy what our guests usually say is the best cup of coffee they’ve ever had.
Tonight, the owners of the coffee farm will host you in their local style cabins. They’ll cook dinner for you and make sure to have another great cup of coffee waiting for you in the morning.
Peru Vacation Stats:
Lodging: Local homestay on an organic coffee farm
Meals: B, L, D
Wake up to the smell of another handpicked cup of coffee, and breakfast cooked with all local, organic ingredients. After eating with and saying goodbye to your host family, you’ll continue on the Inca Trail hike that cuts right through their backyard. You and your local guide will begin with a 3 hour uphill hike to the ancient ruins of Llactapata. From here, you’ll be able to see Machu Picchu, Huayna Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain from a truly unique vantage point that very few get to experience!
We will hike for 20 minutes after the ruins of Llactapata before arriving at the lodge of a local. Here you’ll be treated to a nice, homemade lunch while overlooking the ruins of Machu Picchu.
The hike continues downhill for about 2 hours from Llactapata to the hydroelectric station; from there, we’ve arranged a train ticket to Aguas Calientes so that you can relax after a long day of hiking Inca Trail! Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes you’ll have time to shower before a top-notch, 3-course dinner at the stellar Tree House Restaurant.
Peru Vacation Stats:
Distance: 11 km/7 mi
Max Elevation: 2816 m/9239 ft
Elevation gain: 614 m/2017 ft
Elevation loss: 1058 m/3473 ft
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Lodging: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Meals: B,L, D
Today, you’ll get to experience Peru’s historical holy grail — Machu Picchu, the “Lost City of the Incas.” We’ll have to wake up really early today to begin our ascent of an old Incan staircase to get to the citadel, which means you’ll get to see the sun rise on Machu Picchu, a sight you won’t soon forget. Haku will provide a fully-guided, 2 hour tour of the city and, if you would like, we can add on Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain as well.
After the tour, most people spend upwards of five hours here. Explore the ruins, have a snack, take lots of photos, or just enjoy the views. At some point, however, you’ll have to make it back down in time for your panoramic glass ceiling return train to Ollantaytambo.
Peru Vacation Stats:
Hiking Stats: TBD, this depends on how much you hike at Machu Picchu and if you choose the additional hikes at Machu Picchu as well.
Lodging: Tunupa or Mama Simona Hotel in Ollantaytambo
Meals: B, Boxed Lunch
Today a private car will pick you up to explore some of the Sacred Valley’s most iconic sites. First, visit the ancient, hand-mined salt pools of Maras — the mine has been handed down from family to family for many generations. It’s a great place to buy some Peruvian pink salt for your kitchen back home! Next, head over to the circular ruins of Moray, an Incan experimental agricultural site that’s been dug deep into the earth. Although the purpose of the site isn’t fully known, archeologists believe that it was a way for the Incans to experiment with agriculture in the different microclimates that arise from the terraces’ different altitudes and orientations to the sun and wind. Lastly, we’ll head on to the Chinchero weaving market. Here you will meet women who have learned the art of weaving textiles from their ancestors, spinning and dyeing their own wool completely naturally before beginning the weaving process.
A guide isn’t necessary for today, and you will purchase the entry fees at the gates. However, if you’d like a guide, let us know and we can arrange one for you. At the end of the day, the private car will take you back to Cusco, where you can relax and enjoy dinner at any number of great restaurants.
Peru Vacation Stats:
Distance: TBD, you can hike as much as you would like around the multiple sites today.
Lodging: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: B
Today we offer you the choice between the classic Rainbow Mountain or the alternative, less-traveled Palcoyo trek. Both of these hikes will show you the beautiful rainbow mountains of Peru.
Vinicunca, also known as Rainbow Mountain, has become one of the most famous sites in Peru. Its one-of-a-kind mineralogy has caused the mountain to become multicolored and it looks, quite literally, like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. The Palcoyo hike is an alternative and less crowded.
Peru Vacation Stats:
Hiking Time: TBD. The day may consist of 2 to 6 hours of hiking, depending on which route you would like to choose
Lodging: Hotel in Cusco
Meals: B, L
Today is the day our journey will draw to a close! If you have a later flight, take some time to explore Cusco’s cobblestone streets, rich history, and vibrant culture one last time.
Peru Vacation Stats:
Meals: B
General Information
What’s the price of this 10-day Unforgettable Peru Vacation Package? And, what’s included?
2 person group: $1995 per person
4+ person group: $1695 per person
Price includes:
Not included:
NOTE: As this is South America, things like route closures, weather, labor strikes, and landslides can cause unexpected changes in plans, so your cooperation when our itinerary needs to be flexible is appreciated.
Peru’s currency is called the Nuevo Sol. You’ll be able to exchange US currency for the Sol easily in Cusco. The exchange rate often fluctuates between 3.7 – 4 sol per US dollar.
We recommend you bring cash. Peru is still a cash society. Most people don’t have bank accounts as Peruvian banks charge up to $15 per month just to have the account open. So, services like Venmo, Pay-Pal, and Apple Pay aren’t used here. Most local stores, taxis, and local restaurants are cash only.
ATMS charge around $8 to take out $60-200. Banks only allow a small withdrawal daily. Thus, it’s probably a good idea to withdraw a good sum of cash before you come to Peru unless you have a bank that returns the ATM fees. You can also try the app called ATM hero and do a little research before you come to decide if an ATM card or cash is best for you.
The USD, EURO, CAD cash you bring should be non-ripped bills. Small rips or bills that are written on are not accepted for exchange.
Seeing as Peru is a cash society and it is difficult to withdraw large amounts of cash, we require your balance be brought in cash.
TIPPING: Local restaurants generally do not require a tip, however, leaving a few soles is a nice gesture. Tourist restaurants are generally a 10% tip.
Tipping your guide in Peru is generally 10-15% of the price you paid for the tour. Drivers are generally the same amount in soles. (If you tip a guide 200 USD the driver would get often 200 soles) Tips should always be based on performance and are never obligatory.
Each person is required to have a specific travel/trip insurance outside of your credit card or regular medical insurance.
You should get comprehensive coverage with trip interruption/cancellation and with personal liability. Mention all activities that you will be involved in such as mountain biking, hiking at high altitude and whatever other activities you may have planned.
We do not provide refunds. If you should get hurt or sick not only will travel insurance cover your medical expenses it will also cover the lost portion of the trip. Make sure you have trip interruption or trip cancellation included! South America is famous for people striking and shutting down all activities. If you miss your Machu Picchu trip, Galapagos or any other side trip, or even your flight due to strikes the insurance will cover the loss or additional costs that are incurred.
Check out our blog on travel insurance and why it is a must for any South America Vacation!
Airport pickup and drop off is included with this 10-day Peru Vacation Package.
Meals:
Meals on this trip will be at local restaurants and with local families. They are home cooked and nutritious. They often include a large bowl of soup, and a hearty meal of meat, rice and veggies. Breakfast at hotels are generally simple Peruvian breakfast that consists of coffee, tea, juice, bread, butter and jam.
Diet Restrictions:
We can accommodate:
If you have diet restrictions please let us know so we can accommodate you.
All international flights require a layover. Most layovers will be through Lima, Peru or Bogota, Colombia. In the case of flying through Lima most flights will arrive late at night in Lima and flights to Cusco will fly out in the morning. Many people get arrivals at 3-4 am and flights out around 5-6 am.
Your options for layovers in Lima, Peru.
Things to note when arriving in Lima:
As you can see there is a lot that you must do on arrival to Lima. You will need a bare minimum of two hours (if you have only carry-on luggage) in between flights.
Passports: You must have a minimum of 6 months validity on your passport in order to enter Peru. You must also show that you have an exit ticket out of Peru either by bus or plane.
Reviews
"If your looking to Travel away from the beaten path of life, Haku Expeditions is able to arrange your wildest fantasy. We signed up for a 3 day/2 night expedition in search of the Andean Condor. The trek was masterly arranged by Haku Expeditions !!! Prior to departing Cusco, we were educated by this wonderful outfit on what to expect along the way. We ventured off into the Andes Mountains with a pair of binoculars and not a worry in the world. I can not describe the scenery nor the emotions which flooded our senses throughout every minute of this expedition. It was truly Amazing and my soul yearns to get back asap and do it all over again. I can not praise Nicole and William Koch (Owners of Haku Expeditions) enough, they are true experts in their field and super knowledgeable about this entire area. This boutique outfit has something very special to offer for any inquiry or requests you might have. They have changed the way we look at life going forward:) "
"Nicole helped me make fairly last minute adjustments to a trip that was already partly planned, and the parts of my trip that she organized were the very best parts of my whole time in Peru. I didn’t really know specifically what I wanted to set up, and she really understood the kind of experience I wanted and helped me make it happen, including a great hike to Huchuy Quosco. She was also unbelievably helpful and available when it came to logistics like changing train tickets, organizing a guide and a hike at Machu Picchu, and contacting the guide for our Huchuy Quosco Hike when we needed to scale it back a bit due to my boyfriend’s gimpy knees. The guides she set up were fantastic. I could not have done it without her, no exaggeration, and in addition to being extremely competent and responsive, she was lovely and funny and great. I just got back from my trip, and now all I want is to go back to get her help planning some more serious hiking and trekking, and also maybe just to hang out with her :)"
This 10-day adventure holiday in Peru is perfect for those looking for a pre-planned trip that takes care of the details yet gives you enough liberty to choose your own dinners and explore at will. Each night is spent in a warm bed rather than camping like our Ausangate or Choquequirao Treks. It is ideal for mixed groups of friends or couples who have a wide range of hiking experience and physical abilities. It is also an ideal family adventure vacation as it is flexible and can accommodate all age groups.
Our Unforgettable 10-day Vacation to Peru is ideal for you if:
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What’s the price of this 10-day Unforgettable Peru Vacation Package? And, what’s included?
2 person group: $1995 per person
4+ person group: $1695 per person
Price includes:
Not included:
NOTE: As this is South America, things like route closures, weather, labor strikes, and landslides can cause unexpected changes in plans, so your cooperation when our itinerary needs to be flexible is appreciated.
Our Cross Country MTB tours take you from one spectacular destination to the next. On these, you’ll cycle literally across whichever country you’re visiting. For instance, check out our Andes to the Amazon tour, where you travel from Cusco to the Peruvian Amazon.
Our current XC vacations are made up of long-distance rides on backcountry roads. If you are looking for XC singletrack, get in touch with us, and we’ll set up a one-of-a-kind MTB tour suited to your needs.
How we define XC: Anywhere from old logging or fire roads to rolling singletrack, Cross Country trails are generally long distances with both ascents and descents. While trails may be somewhat technical with rock gardens and tight switchbacks, they generally do not have intense steep rock gardens like those you might find in DH or Enduro racing.
An XC bike is often lighter with a slacker head tube angle for better climbing ability and tends to not have a dropper post although the trend is changing. Usually it will be a hardtail or a full suspension bike with a smaller amount of suspension — 100-130mm.
Most XC riders do not wear pads such as elbow or knee pads and wear a half-shell helmet.
Our MTB expeditions are multi-day trips that involve camping, hiking and/or local home stays in the mountains with cooks and porters. At the moment Haku Expeditions offers one complete mountain expedition and also two packages that combine an MTB vacation with a smaller expedition nestled in it.
The front travel for DH bikes is usually somewhere around 200mm with the rear measuring slightly less. Because they generally aren’t pedalled uphill, these bikes are rugged and heavy and usually have less gears. DH riders wear full-face helmets, goggles, and body armor.
At the moment we do not offer a 100% DH trip. Contact us and we can make a custom trip for you! Below, you’ll find our Enduro MTB tours listed that are mostly all downhill and can be done either with a DH bike or an Enduro bike.
How we define DH: DH riding – or Downhill riding — is regarded as an intense, extreme kind of cycling, made for advanced riders who love to navigate roots and rocks and huge drops with furious downhill speed. It requires a stellar sense of balance and technique and a bike with slacker geometry.
The front travel for DH bikes is usually somewhere around 200mm with the rear measuring slightly less. Because they generally aren’t pedalled uphill, these bikes are rugged and heavy and usually have less gears. DH riders wear full-face helmets, goggles, and body armor.
Our Enduro/All-Mountain MTB tours are by far our most popular trips to date. While some of them focus more on descent like Ecuador and Peru, others include plenty of pedaling such as those in Colombia and Nepal.
How we define Enduro/All Mountain: Enduro mountain biking, also known as All-Mountain biking, emphasizes technical ability. If you’re looking for a more adventurous ride, this is the kind of ride for you; usually, an Enduro/All-Mountain trail will involve adrenaline-pumping downhill mountain biking along with sustained climbs.
Enduro riders need bikes that can take burly drops and rugged technical obstacles efficiently while still being light enough to climb with; they almost always use full-suspension bikes with wide tires and longer rear and front suspension travel. Dropper post is a necessity and standard. The front suspension can be anywhere from 140mm to 170mm. Full-face enduro helmets and body amour are a must for Enduro racing.
1 – The Haku Christmas Drive, which includes yearly clothing giveaways, shoe drives, and a public hot chocolate panettone lunch.
2 – School supply giveaway for children of the High Andes.
3 – Bringing bread and fruit to kids living at elevations where none is available.
4 – Facilitating connections between local organic farmers and local restaurants.
5 – Affordable MTB classes for locals taught by professional coaches.
6 – Sustained commitment to hiring out locals to work as drivers, office workers, etc., allowing a great amount of flexibility for family commitments, and paying them fair, livable wages.
7 – Donating 1% of all profits to help educate children in a technical field such as carpentry.
8 – Helping young adults begin a small business working in their technical field or purchasing products from them to help them get started after high school.
1 – Getting your heart rate up isn’t really your thing, and you rarely (if ever) exercise. Your idea of a perfect vacation is total relaxation: sitting on a beach, sipping a mojito, and just generally vegging out.
2 – You don’t necessarily work out regularly but you aren’t averse to the idea of doing something active. Although you don’t exercise that often, you don’t necessarily consider yourself out of shape.
3 – You exercise one to two times a week but do not have a normal schedule that keeps you biking or doing other activities weekly. You don’t go to the gym or train for any specific sports but you lead a relatively active lifestyle by biking, hiking, skiing, or whatever it may be. For biking: climbs and long descents give you some trouble and you tend to get tired after about 2-3 hours on the bike.
4 – You exercise 3-4 times a week and enjoy physical activities such as biking, hiking, skiing. You are active. For biking: you enjoy climbs that are are moderately long and being on a bike for 3-5 hours in one day doesn’t get you too tired or fatigued.
5 – You exercise at least 4 times a week and are an avid athlete that is consistently in good shape. You’re more or less game for any kind of adventure. For biking: you’re comfortable with being on your bike for 5-7 hours a day.
6 – You live and die for exercise, sweat, and suffering. You only want to climb higher, go farther, and prove how much of an animal you are. Steep climbs, long descents and big days are something you are looking to do more of and you can’t wait for your next adventure.
Beginner:
You’ve been riding a mountain bike for a couple of years or less and you’re most comfortable on smooth single-track and wider, forgiving doubletrack. You like rides with scenic views; you like both ascending and descending on well-maintained, safe trails. You’re looking for an active but relaxing mountain bike vacation; you’re not into jumps, drops, super steep trails, rock gardens, roots or taking big risks on your bike.
Intermediate:
You’ve got two plus years of experience mountain biking on single-track trails under your belt; you’ve gotten pretty confident behind the handlebars and are beginning to expand your mountain bike abilities. You like riding most types of terrain, and you’re comfortable both climbing and descending on single-track trails with smaller technical features such as rocky sections, small drops, and small steep sections. You aren’t trying to walk on most of the trail and are looking to take small risks with things like speed, jumps, rock gardens, and stair sets to improve your skills as a mountain biker.
Intermediate Tech:
You’ve got three plus years of riding on singletrack trails of all sorts with features such as rock gardens, steep sections, rolls and drops, roots, and small jumps. You are confident on the bike in most situations. You’re constantly looking to improve your riding skills and enjoy riding for extended periods of time climbing and descending in terrain of all sorts.
Advanced:
Ten plus years of experience riding single-track, freerides and biking of all sorts. You live for steeps, jumps, rock gardens, techy trails, long descents, big ascents and discovering new terrain. Mountain biking is one of your passions and you are ready and confident to do what you love in a new and challenging place. You can handle anything we throw at you — jumps, rock gardens, steps, technical descents, tough ascents, etc. Biking is a central part of your life. For you, the bigger the challenge, the more excited you get.
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"In mid september a group of 4 good female friends (ages 58 to 62) worked with Nicole to have a hiking and touring trip from Cusco to Macchu Picchu. Nicole set up a terrific trip of being tourist in Cusco, hiking Huchuy Qosgo trail -so beautiful, staying in Ollantayambo, enjoyiing the hot springs , hiking the Llactapata Inca Trail and of course Machu Picchu. The food provided by Haku on the hikes was very delicous and the guide did a great job! He really made our trip. The hotels were clean and the staff very warm. We all want to go back to Peru to see and do more!"