Self-Launched Inca Adventure: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley
7 days · Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru
G Adventures charges £620
No-markup version: ~£380 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Same stunning Inca heartland adventure — Cusco's markets and hidden gems, the Sacred Valley's lesser-visited ruins, and the legendary citadel of Machu Picchu — but planned entirely on your own terms. Swap the group tour markup for budget hostels, public trains, and self-bookable guided tours. You'll hit every highlight from the G Adventures Roamies itinerary at a fraction of the price, with the freedom to add Rainbow Mountain or the 1-day Inca Trail whenever you like. All costs are approximate estimates based on current budget traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Cusco — Settle In & Acclimatise
Cusco
Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). Cusco sits at 3,400m, so take it easy on arrival — altitude sickness is real. Check into your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas neighbourhood, both perfectly placed for exploring on foot. Grab a coca tea (it helps with altitude), wander the cobblestone streets around the main plaza, and scope out dinner options nearby. A bowl of sopa a la criolla or lomo saltado at a local menu restaurant will cost you under £4.
🚌Taxi or colectivo from Cusco Airport to city centre (~£3–5)
🛏Hostel in San Blas or Plaza de Armas — options include Pariwana Hostel Cusco or Loki Cusco (~£10–15/night in dorm)
- →Arrive at Cusco Airport and take a taxi or shared colectivo to the city centre (~£3–5)
- →Check into a hostel in San Blas or Plaza de Armas area
- →Acclimatise with a gentle walk around Plaza de Armas
- →Sip coca tea to help with altitude
- →Find fellow solo travellers at the hostel common area for evening drinks
Cusco on Foot — Markets, Aqueducts & San Blas
Cusco
Lace up your walking shoes for a self-guided exploration of Cusco's highlights. Head to the atmospheric San Pedro Market in the morning — a riot of colour, fresh produce, and local street food. From there, navigate the narrow backstreets uphill to the Sapantiana aqueduct and stairway waterfall, a genuine hidden gem most tourists miss. Continue upward into the bohemian San Blas neighbourhood for sweeping views over the city's terracotta rooftops. Grab a set lunch (menú del día) at a local restaurant near San Blas plaza for around £3–5. The afternoon is yours — wander, café-hop, or visit the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) for £8.
🚌All on foot
🛏Hostel in San Blas or Plaza de Armas area (~£10–15/night in dorm)
- →Morning visit to Mercado San Pedro — browse stalls, try fresh juices and snacks
- →Walk the cobblestone backstreets to the Sapantiana aqueduct and stairway waterfall
- →Explore the San Blas artisan neighbourhood and enjoy panoramic city views
- →Menú del día lunch at a local restaurant near San Blas plaza (~£3–5)
- →Optional: visit Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) — self-entry ~£8
- →Evening drinks on or around Plaza de Armas
Sacred Valley — Killarumiyoq, Ñaupa Iglesia & Perolniyoc Waterfall
Cusco to Ollantaytambo
Skip the tourist-trap Sacred Valley day tours and do it independently. Hire a shared taxi or private driver from Cusco to the lesser-visited Inca site of Killarumiyoq (a moon sanctuary) and nearby Ñaupa Iglesia — both far less crowded than Pisac or Chinchero and genuinely impressive. From Ñaupa Iglesia, follow the trail on foot through mountain scenery to the beautiful Perolniyoc waterfall — a rewarding 2–3 hour round hike. Pack a boxed lunch from Cusco or grab snacks at the trailhead. Continue by taxi to Ollantaytambo in the late afternoon. Check into your hostel and head up to the famous Ollantaytambo ruins at sunset — entry is covered by the Boleto Turístico (~£40, valid for multiple sites).
🚌Shared taxi or private driver Cusco → Sacred Valley → Ollantaytambo (~£10–15pp)
🛏Hostel in Ollantaytambo — options include KB Tambo Hotel or Hostal Ollanta (~£10–14/night in dorm or private)
- →Shared taxi or private driver from Cusco toward Sacred Valley (~£10–15pp for a shared hire)
- →Visit Killarumiyoq Inca ruins — a lesser-known moon sanctuary
- →Explore Ñaupa Iglesia ruins
- →Hike the trail to Perolniyoc waterfall (~2–3 hours return)
- →Continue to Ollantaytambo by taxi
- →Visit Ollantaytambo ruins at sunset (covered by Boleto Turístico ~£40 if not already purchased)
- →Dinner and drinks in Ollantaytambo village
Train to Aguas Calientes — Gateway to Machu Picchu
Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Board the morning Peru Rail or Inca Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (also called Machu Picchu Pueblo). The 1.5-hour journey winds through the dramatic Urubamba River gorge and is spectacular in itself — book in advance online at perurail.com or incarail.com (~£25–35 each way). Arrive before lunch and spend the afternoon exploring the small but lively town. Visit the free Aguas Calientes market, hike up to the nearby Mandor waterfall (free, ~1.5 hours return), or soak in the famous thermal hot springs (~£5). Get an early night — you'll want to be up at dawn for Machu Picchu.
🚌Peru Rail or Inca Rail train Ollantaytambo → Aguas Calientes (~£25–35pp, book in advance)
🛏Hostel in Aguas Calientes — options include Supertramp Hostel or Gringo Bill's (~£12–18/night in dorm)
- →Morning Peru Rail or Inca Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (~£25–35, book ahead at perurail.com)
- →Arrive and check in to hostel in Aguas Calientes
- →Explore the local market and riverside town
- →Optional: hike to Mandor waterfall (free, ~1.5 hours return)
- →Optional: soak in the thermal hot springs (~£5)
- →Early dinner and an early bedtime — big day tomorrow!
Machu Picchu — The Legendary Citadel
Aguas Calientes & Machu Picchu
Rise early and catch the first bus up the switchback road to Machu Picchu (buses run from 05:30, ~£12 return). Entry tickets must be booked well in advance via the official Peruvian government portal (culturacusco.gob.pe) — circuits fill up fast, especially for sunrise slots. Prices are around £35–45pp depending on the circuit. Book a guided tour through GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15–20) to get the most out of the site — guides are knowledgeable and the history is complex. Spend the morning exploring your assigned circuit. All circuits offer stunning views of the citadel, terraces, and surrounding peaks. Return to Aguas Calientes by early afternoon, grab lunch, and take the evening train back to Ollantaytambo, then a taxi or collectivo back to Cusco.
🚌Bus Aguas Calientes → Machu Picchu (~£12 return); train back to Ollantaytambo (~£25–35); colectivo to Cusco (~£5)
🛏Hostel back in Cusco — Pariwana or Loki Cusco (~£10–15/night in dorm)
- →Early bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu entrance (~£12 return, buses from 05:30)
- →Guided tour of Machu Picchu via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15–20pp)
- →Explore your assigned circuit at your own pace after the guided tour
- →Return bus to Aguas Calientes
- →Lunch in Aguas Calientes
- →Evening train back to Ollantaytambo (~£25–35pp)
- →Shared taxi or collectivo from Ollantaytambo to Cusco (~£5)
Optional: Rainbow Mountain or Free Day in Cusco
Cusco
Today is your bucket-list bonus day. The most popular option is a day trip to Vinicunca — Rainbow Mountain — a surreal, multicoloured Andean peak at over 5,000m. Book a guided day trip through GetYourGuide or a local agency in Cusco (~£25–35 including transport and guide). The hike itself is 7–8km return and takes 3–4 hours — challenging at altitude but hugely rewarding. Alternatively, stay in Cusco and use the day to visit sites covered by the Boleto Turístico (Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, Tambomachay), or take a free afternoon to browse Cusco's excellent artisan markets and sample more local food. Evening is free — the nightlife around Paddy's Pub and the Plaza de Armas is lively and fun.
🚌Included in Rainbow Mountain day trip if booked, or local walking/taxis (~£3–5)
🛏Hostel in Cusco (~£10–15/night in dorm)
- →Option A: Rainbow Mountain guided day trip from Cusco via GetYourGuide or local agency (~£25–35pp, includes transport and guide)
- →Option B: Visit Boleto Turístico sites — Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara (~£40 for full boleto if not already purchased)
- →Option C: Free day — artisan markets, food tour, or café-hopping in Cusco
- →Evening: explore Cusco's nightlife around Plaza de Armas and San Blas
Final Morning in Cusco — Depart
Cusco
Your last morning in the land of the Incas. Grab a final breakfast at a café on Plaza de Armas — try a tamale or pan de yema with coffee. If you have time before your flight, revisit a favourite spot, pick up last-minute souvenirs from the San Pedro Market, or just sit in the sun and soak it all in. Taxis to the airport take around 20 minutes from the city centre (~£4–6). Cusco's airport has limited international connections — most travellers fly via Lima. Departures at any time.
🚌Taxi to Cusco Airport (~£4–6)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Final breakfast at a café on or near Plaza de Armas
- →Last-minute souvenir shopping at San Pedro Market or artisan stalls
- →Taxi to Cusco Airport (~£4–6, ~20 minutes from centre)
- →Fly home via Lima or continue onward to your next adventure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£380 | £620 |
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £240 per person (39%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£380
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Inca Adventure: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £380 per person for 7 days in Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £620 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £380 — a saving of roughly £240 (39%) per person.
How long is the Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru trip?+
This itinerary runs 7 days, covering 7 day-by-day stops through Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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