Machu Picchu Experience – Independent

5 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
The true purpose behind Machu Picchu may always remain unsolved since the Inca had no written language and no historical records of the complex exist. Discover the theories and tales behind this incredible citadel on a five-day Peregrine Independent Experience in Peru. Not only will you enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu, you will also have time to explore ...

Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Explore the beautiful spanish colonial architecture of cusco and the hive of activity at the central san pedro markets. with plenty of time exploring at your leisure, you’ll really get to know this city.
    • Walk through the breathtaking hills of the sacred valley between pisac and ollantaytambo, visiting a local community for lunch.
    • No trip to this region is complete without a guided visit to the iconic machu picchu. explore this inca marvel with a local guide, learning of its engineering feats and intriguing history.

What's this trip about?

    The true purpose behind Machu Picchu may always remain unsolved since the Inca had no written language and no historical records of the complex exist. Discover the theories and tales behind this incredible citadel on a five-day Peregrine Independent Experience in Peru. Not only will you enjoy a guided visit to Machu Picchu, you will also have time to explore charming Cusco and the lush Sacred Valley that surrounds. With all of the hassle of transfers and accommodation taken care of, your worries will stay focused on solving the mysteries of the fallen Inca Empire.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 4 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Cultural

Destinations

  • South America
  • Peru

Attractions

  • Cusco
  • Machu Picchu
  • Ollantaytambo
  • Sacred Valley
  • Urubamba

Activities

  • Culture
  • Independent

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map
Day 1 Cusco
Welcome to Cusco – once the capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Your trip starts today with an airport arrival transfer to your accommodation. A local guide will welcome you this evening at approximately 7 pm to brief you on your adventure. Cusco’s main sites radiate out...
Day 2 Cusco
Head on a half-day walking tour with your local guide – you’ll work out a time to meet at your welcome meeting yesterday which suits you both. Today, you’ll pass multiple city sights, including Koricancha – once the richest temple in the Inca Empire, with the walls cover...
Day 3 Sacred Valley – Aguas Calientes
Today, you’re off to the Sacred Valley for a full day. Located between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, this valley is greatly treasured because of its climate, fertile land and the presence of the Urubamba (Sacred) River. During the tour, you will see evidence of t...
Day 4 Machu Picchu – Cusco
Today is the day! Rise early for a 5.30 am bus along the winding road to Machu Picchu, which will take approximately 30 minutes. You will be joined by a local guide who will take you through the Inca ruins, a breathtaking sight at any time of the day. Built around 1450, ...
Day 5 Cusco
Your Independent Experience will come to an end today after breakfast. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Please ensure you advise of your flight details when booking your Machu Picchu Experience.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,590
Price per day$318
Last Updated: 9/3/2021

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Peregrine Adventures Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
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T

Tania

Mar 2020

Written on
Peregrine Adventures Company Reviewsby Peregrine Adventures

Good impression overall

My first trip with this agency, and I will not hesitate to recommend it to friends and family. The right mix of planned activities and free time. Good central locati...

R

Ruth

Mar 2020

Written on
Peregrine Adventures Company Reviewsby Peregrine Adventures

very reasonable

Thank you to Tucan Travel for early cancellation notification of June tours to Africa and the response, which is very reasonable. Even if matters improve by then, ar...

J

Jane

Apr 2020

Peregrine Adventures Company Reviewsby Peregrine Adventures

Expect I'm not the only one

they are 'fair weather friends' I did not receive so much as an email advising of changes in the cancellation policy, discovered when I contacted them to cancel. I n...

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Tour Operator

Peregrine Adventures

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It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.

We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.

Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.

At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.

We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.

Why we love this operator
Since their founding in 1977 by trekkers exploring Nepal, they’ve maintained a strong connection to local culture and the “traveler spirit”.
What they’re known for
Immersive experiences that prioritize value, authenticity and adventure over luxury touches for older travelers.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights),

Transportation & Flights

Bus,Private Vehicle,Train,

Transportation & flights

Bus,Private Vehicle,Train
Guides
INDEPENDENT EXPERIENCE This is an ‘independent’ trip. You will have a local Peregrine guide for each activity (but not while on transport between each Experience if you booked several). As the name suggests, this is not a group trip, so it is just you (and your travelling companions if you booked with a friend). You will have 24/7 support from your guide and our local office.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Travellers who reside within the European Union or Switzerland receive basic international health insurance, so travel insurance is not mandatory under European Union Law. However, as this does not cover situations such as emergency rescues, private health care, or repatriation to their home country, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. European Union or Swiss travellers who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below:
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You will need a valid passport to travel internationally. As a general rule, most countries require that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets exactly and contact us immediately if there are any errors. We recommend taking copies of the main passport pages and other important documents with you as well as leave copies at home with family or friends. VISAS Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time. It is important that you check your government's foreign travel advisories along with the consular website of the country or countries you are travelling to for the most up to date information specific to your nationality and circumstances. Please be aware that not all visa information found online from other sources may be valid while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. Visas can take several weeks to process, so make sure you research the requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for obtaining any necessary documents as well as the application and processing time. Your booking consultant can advise on a visa processing service or you can apply yourself directly through a consulate. COVID-19 Entry and Exit Requirements Below you will find general visa advice about the destinations on your trip. Due to constantly evolving COVID-19 requirements and restrictions, please refer to your government's foreign travel advice for the most up to date information.You may also refer to our travel alert page for more info https://www.intrepidtravel.com/en/travel-alerts Make sure you are familiar with the current border measures and entry requirements as these are quite complex and changing frequently without notice. Please also ensure you have a travel insurance policy that covers your travels as well as medical or COVID-19 related expenses within the country. RETURN TRAVEL Please ensure you stay up to date with any current testing or quarantine requirements for returning to your home country or transiting through other destinations after the completion of your tour. We are able to help facilitate taking a COVID-19 test while on trip. Please ensure you have funds available to cover the cost of this test which will be payable directly to the testing site. Your Intrepid Tour Leader will provide more details at the group meeting as well as assist with booking appointments for all travellers who need to be tested. As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends. If you receive an immigration card upon entry, please ensure you keep this safe as it may be requested at point of exit. For further information regarding country entry and exit fees, please refer to the 'Money Matters' section of this document.  PERU VISA Citizens of Australia, USA, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa do not currently require a visa for Peru. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa or entry requirements with the Peruvian consulate in your home country. PERU COVID-19 ENTRY & EXIT REQUIREMENTS For the latest update of what is required in order to enter Peru, please check your government's foreign travel advice and visit the following website: https://www.peru.travel/en Requirements include an online health declaration, a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of arrival, and an additional antigen test taken on arrival. Please also ensure you have a travel insurance policy that covers you for travel to and from Peru as well as medical or COVID-19 related expenses within the country. Most air passengers are now required to get a COVID-19 test within 3 days of boarding their return flight. This includes citizens returning to their home country after their travels. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers before they board otherwise boarding will be denied. We are able to facilitate taking a COVID-19 test while on trip. Please ensure you have funds available to cover the cost of this test which will be payable directly to the testing site. Your Intrepid Tour Leader will provide more details at the group meeting as well as book appointments for all travelers who need to be tested. It is a requirement of the Peruvian Tax Authority for our trip leaders to show proof that all travellers on our groups are foreign tourists and are thus exempt from the 17% Value Added Tax (VAT) charged to locals. This may require your trip leader to take a photograph of your main passport page and the page showing the immigration stamp you receive upon entry to Peru.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Peregrine itinerary, and Peregrine Adventures makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Peregrine Adventures' operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: http://www.peregrineadventures.com/safety-updates PERU Demonstrations and protests occur regularly and can turn violent. National or regional strikes can be called at short notice and can disrupt domestic air travel, public transport and road networks. In the past, protestors have also caused disruption to Juliaca airport, Cusco airport and rail services to Machu Picchu. Avoid protests, demonstrations or large gatherings. Street crime, including muggings and thefts, is a significant problem in Lima, Cusco, Arequipa and other major cities. Be vigilant in public places and when withdrawing cash from ATMs. Avoid walking alone in quiet areas or at night. As with travel across the country, you should remain aware of your surroundings and avoid wearing or displaying expensive items. In the event of a robbery, do not attempt to resist attackers or take any action that puts you at greater risk. Tourists have been the targets of robbery by bogus taxi drivers. Do not hail taxis on the street and instead only use licensed telephone or internet-based taxi services whenever possible, or ask your hotel to book one for you. Be particularly careful when arriving at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima and only use one of the official taxi companies located at desks directly outside the arrival hall. Tourists are sometimes offered ‘spiritual cleansing’ programs in the Amazon area, Northern Peru and Cusco. These are sometimes called Ayahuasca or San Pedro and typically involve the consumption of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an hallucinogenic drug. These practices are not regulated and people have suffered serious illnesses and in some cases death after participating in these ceremonies. LIMA AIRPORT TRANSFERS For safety reasons, we strongly recommend that during airport transfers in Lima all of your luggage, including hand luggage and valuables, is stored out of sight in the rear boot of the vehicle. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms.
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Finish point San Agustin Plaza Hotel Avenida El Sol 594 Cusco PERU Phone: +51 4249438
Trip ID
peregrine-PSMPX

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