Machu Picchu Explorer

There is no group size limit for this trip, however, most departures typically have 4–8 travelers. 

This trip includes the private services of the region's most knowledgeable and experienced guides, each one specially selected by Natural Habitat Adventures to ensure that your Machu Picchu journey provides a superior and highly memorable travel adventure.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s), round-trip train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, all meals from breakfast on Day 2 through lunch on final day (except dinner on Day 2), most gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.
• Internal air fees includes: The internal air fee includes round-trip flights from Lima to Cusco, and if you are connecting with the Galapagos it also includes a flight to or from Lima. 

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, dinner on Day 2, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees (if any), optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, airport and departure taxes (if any), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Moderate
The bulk of the trip takes place at elevations between 8,000 and 11,000 feet, and guests should be prepared for possible challenges in adjusting to high altitudes. The journey begins with a flight from sea level to Cusco, where the elevation is 11,200 feet. We will have several hours of sightseeing here over two days, allowing time to adjust to the elevation. The relative lack of oxygen may manifest in altitude sickness symptoms that can include headaches, dizziness, tiredness, nausea and vomiting during the first few hours or days of the trip. Hydration and rest usually help symptoms resolve, though participants may wish to talk with their doctor about taking along a prescription for a medication to better manage potential physical reactions to high altitude. On Day 3 we travel over rough, sometimes bumpy mountain roads to crest a 12,700-foot mountain pass, then descend to 9,700 feet and ascend again to 11,400 feet at Pisac, in the span of approximately three hours.

Our visit to Machu Picchu, at an elevation of 8,000 feet, involves walking over uneven natural terrain and up and down irregular stone stairs within the ruins complex. While walking options of varying lengths are provided, guests should be able to comfortably walk one mile and/or for one hour in such conditions. They must also be able to get in and out of vehicles with ease. We do not recommend this trip for travelers with heart or respiratory ailments or those with bad ankles, knees or hips. All activities on this trip are optional, though minimum mobility levels must be met in order to participate.

Our Machu Picchu adventure differs from most others you'll find in that we have an expert Peruvian Expedition Leader with the group from the time you arrive in Cusco to the time you depart. Traveling with a local specialist is the only way to experience the rich nature, culture and history in the integrated way it deserves. 

At certain times of the year, two of our scheduled Galapagos trips may end on the same day and will have concurrent dates for their respective Machu Picchu extensions. Should this occur, we will combine all Natural Habitat travelers booked on the two extensions together onto one trip. This enables us to use one vehicle and Expedition Leader, thus reducing our environmental footprint.

2023 Departures
If booked as a post-trip extension following any scheduled Galapagos adventure:
When you are flying back to the mainland from the Galapagos, you will deplane in Guayaquil (the first stop) and will not return to Quito. You will depart the same evening on a connecting flight to Lima and spend the night at an airport hotel in Lima. The next morning (Day 2), you will fly to Cusco. Our representative will be on hand to assist you with your flight transfer and arrivals at the Guayaquil and Lima airports. At the end of your Machu Picchu tour, you will return to Lima at approximately 7:30 pm on Day 6. You are free to depart after 11 pm on the final day, and most flights to the U.S. leave around midnight.

If booked as a post-trip extension following our Great Amazon River Expedition:
Your Amazon adventure will conclude on arrival at the Lima airport after flying back from Iquitos at the end of your cruise. You will spend the night at a hotel located near the Lima airport and fly to Cusco the next morning (Day 2 of your Machu Picchu trip). At the end of your Machu Picchu tour, you will return to Lima around 7:30 pm on Day 6. You are free to depart after 11 pm on the final day, and most flights to the U.S. leave around midnight.

2024 Departures
If booked as a post-trip extension following our Galapagos adventures aboard the Petrel:
When you are flying back to the mainland from the Galapagos, you will return to Quito and overnight at an airport hotel. The next day, you will fly to Lima (Day 1) and stay at an airport hotel in Lima. On the morning of Day 2, you will fly to Cusco. Our representative will be on hand to assist you with your flight transfer and arrivals at the Quito and Lima airports. At the end of your Machu Picchu tour, you will return to Lima at approximately 7:30 pm on Day 6. You are free to depart after 11 pm on the final day, and most flights to the U.S. leave around midnight.

If booked as a pre-trip extension before our Galapagos adventures aboard the Nemo III:
At the end of your Machu Picchu tour, you will return to Lima at approximately 7:30 pm on Day 6 and will be transferred to an airport hotel for an included overnight. The next morning you will fly to Quito where you will be transferred to your hotel for Day 1 and the start of your Galapagos adventure. 

If booked as a pre-trip extension before our Great Amazon River Expedition:
At the end of your Machu Picchu tour, you will return to Lima at approximately 7:30 pm on Day 6 and will be transferred to an airport hotel for an included overnight. You will then require one additional overnight in Lima before Day 1 of your Great Amazon River Expedition. We offer hotels both near the airport and in the city as options—please consult your Adventure Specialist for more details.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.