High in the Andes, ancient Inca trails wind from the Sacred Valley to the citadel of Machu Picchu, and this seven-day journey follows them at an unhurried pace, with a collection of secluded, extraordinarily comfortable lodges as your base. Each day is yours to shape, from guided hikes to cultural encounters in weaving villages, framed by glacial peaks and terraced valleys. It is a chance to reach one of the world's great wonders slowly, and in style. 

ITINERARY

• DAY 1 | Cusco & the Sacred Valley
• DAY 2 | Exploring Pisac
• DAY 3 | Into the Heart of Lares
• DAY 4 | Huacahuasi & Quiswarani
• DAY 5 | The Road to Ollantaytambo
• DAY 6 | Discovering Ollantaytambo
• DAY 7 | The Citadel of Machu Picchu 

DAY ONE: CUSCO & THE SACRED VALLEY

Your journey begins in Cusco, where you meet your private guide before a scenic drive into the Sacred Valley. First stop is Chinchero, a charming Andean village and Inca site once believed to be the country estate of Emperor Tupac Yupanqui. From here the day is yours to shape, whether an easy downhill hike along ancient trails toward Urquillos, or a guided exploration of the Moray terraces and the extraordinary salt pans of Maras. As evening falls, you settle into your first mountain lodge.

DAY TWO: EXPLORING PISAC

Today you discover Pisac at your own pace, following mountain trails from Amaru to Viacha with sweeping valley views, or taking an unhurried drive to the town square to wander its streets and celebrated artisan market. Back at the lodge, unwind in the hot tub or by the fire before a traditional Pachamanca dinner, the Andean feast cooked slowly beneath the earth.

DAY THREE: INTO THE HEART OF LARES

The day opens in the small town of Lamay before a scenic drive deep into the Lares Valley. Your first stop is Ancasmarca, a seldom-visited archaeological site whose ancient storehouses and terraces reveal the ingenuity of the Incas. From there, choose between sharing a meal with a remote weaving community and learning its traditions, or setting out on a scenic hike toward Huacahuasi. The day ends at a lodge high in the mountains, the most remote of your retreats, with dinner beneath the peaks.

DAY FOUR: HUACAHUASI & QUISWARANI

A day to experience the high Andes on your own terms. The morning offers a walk to nearby waterfalls and a visit to the village of Huacahuasi to learn of its heritage and daily life, followed by a hands-on cooking class where you prepare your own lunch alongside the culinary team. For the more intrepid, a challenging full-day trek from Quiswarani to Cuncani rewards with glacial lakes, hidden valleys and snow-capped summits. Either way, the evening returns you to the comfort of the lodge.

DAY FIVE: THE ROAD TO OLLANTAYTAMBO

This morning you visit the Qori Maki Interpretation Center to learn of the sustainability and community initiatives that shape the region. From there, choose between an Andean ceremony honoring Pachamama, or Mother Earth, in the sheepherding village of Huilloc, or a moderate hike from Marcacocha to Pumamarka. Everyone reunites for lunch before a scenic drive to Ollantaytambo, where the afternoon is spent exploring the living Inca town, and the day ends with dinner.

DAY SIX: DISCOVERING OLLANTAYTAMBO

Begin with an optional early climb to the Inca storehouses perched above the town, with sweeping views of the fortress below, before a guided exploration of Ollantaytambo's remarkable stonework and old quarter. Around midday, board a scenic train along the Urubamba River to Aguas Calientes, nestled at the foot of Machu Picchu, for a leisurely afternoon. The more adventurous may instead walk the classic Inca Trail from KM 104 to the Sun Gate. The day closes with dinner and a briefing on the wonder to come.

DAY SEVEN: THE CITADEL OF MACHU PICCHU

Your journey culminates with an early ride through the cloud forest to Machu Picchu, where a private guided tour unveils the history and majesty of Peru's most iconic Inca sanctuary. Afterward, you may climb Huayna Picchu for views stretching from the Urubamba Valley to the edge of the Amazon, or linger longer within the citadel. A final lunch in Aguas Calientes precedes the train and drive back to Cusco, where you arrive carrying a sense of peace that lasts long after the journey ends.