Ultimate Peru: Self-Launched

Fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ). From the airport, take an official airport taxi to the city centre — agree the fare upfront, typically around £4-6. Check into your hostel in the San Blas or Plaza de Armas neighbourhood. Take it easy and acclimatise to the altitude (3,400m). Head out to the Plaza de Armas for ceviche and a pisco sour at one of the lively local restaurants — Inkazuela or Cicciolina are popular budget-friendly options.

🚌Official airport taxi to city centre (~£5)

🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar — dorm from ~£10/night, private twin from ~£22/night

• →Arrive at CUZ and take an official taxi to centre (~£5)
• →Check in and rest to acclimatise to altitude
• →Evening stroll around Plaza de Armas
• →Dinner: ceviche and pisco sours at a local restaurant (~£8-12)

Spend the day exploring Cusco independently. The historic centre is very walkable — wander the cobbled streets, browse the San Pedro Market for street food (try tamales and empanadas for under £2), and pick up souvenirs. Visit Sacsayhuamán, the spectacular Inca fortress overlooking the city — entry is covered by the Cusco Boleto Turístico (~£35, valid for multiple sites over 10 days, worth buying now). In the evening, find a salsa bar in the Plazoleta San Blas area.

🚌Walking

🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar

• →Self-guided orientation walk around Plaza de Armas and San Blas (~free)
• →Browse San Pedro Market for street food (~£2-4)
• →Visit Sacsayhuamán ruins — covered by Boleto Turístico (~£35 for multi-site pass)
• →Evening salsa bar in San Blas neighbourhood

Book a half-day weaving and textile workshop with the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco or a community weaving tour via GetYourGuide (~£20-30). These community-run experiences directly support local artisans and teach you to extract wool, spin thread and work with natural dyes. In the afternoon, join a pottery class at a local school — bookable via GetYourGuide for around £15-20. A great low-key day that supports local communities.

🚌Shared minibus/colectivo to community (~£2-3 each way)

🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar

• →Traditional weaving workshop at a rural artisan community via GetYourGuide (~£20-30)
• →Afternoon pottery class (~£15-20, bookable via GetYourGuide)
• →Free time in Cusco's markets in the evening

Take a shared colectivo from Cusco to Urubamba (~£2.50), then a mototaxi or taxi to the Maras Salt Mines (~£3). Explore the stunning Incan salt evaporation pans — entry is ~£3. Afterwards, book a downhill mountain bike experience on Sacred Mountain via GetYourGuide or a local operator in Cusco (e.g. Peru Bike) for ~£30-45, including bike, helmet and guide. After the ride, take a shared taxi or colectivo to Ollantaytambo (~£2-3) and check into a guesthouse.

🚌Colectivo Cusco→Urubamba (~£2.50), mototaxi to Maras (~£3), shared taxi to Ollantaytambo (~£3)

🛏Hostal KB Tambo or similar guesthouse in Ollantaytambo (~£15-20/night twin)

• →Shared colectivo Cusco → Urubamba (~£2.50)
• →Maras Salt Mines visit — entry ~£3
• →Downhill mountain bike on Sacred Mountain — book via GetYourGuide or Peru Bike (~£30-45 including guide and equipment)
• →Shared taxi to Ollantaytambo (~£2-3)
• →Evening free in Ollantaytambo

A relaxed day in one of Peru's most charming Inca towns. Hike up to the free viewpoint above the town in the morning for panoramic views. Visit the Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (entry ~£7 with Boleto Turístico or ~£12 separately). Explore the mazy cobblestone streets and try local delicacies — alpaca steak or cuy (guinea pig) at a local restaurant. Rest up ahead of the big Inca Trail day tomorrow.

🚌Walking

🛏Hostal KB Tambo or similar guesthouse in Ollantaytambo

• →Morning hike to the town viewpoint (free)
• →Visit Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site (~£7-12)
• →Try local food: alpaca or cuy at a local restaurant (~£5-8)
• →Relax and prep kit for the Inca Trail

Board the Inca Rail or Peru Rail train from Ollantaytambo to Km104 (the Chachabamba trailhead) — book in advance at perurail.com or incarail.com, from ~£25-35 one way. You'll need a 1-day Inca Trail permit (Km104 route), which must be pre-booked through an authorised operator — budget ~£60-80 including the permit and a mandatory licensed guide for the final section. This shorter route takes you through cloud forest, past Wiñay Wayna ruins and up to the iconic Sun Gate (Inti Punku) with the first views of Machu Picchu. Book via Alpaca Expeditions or similar licensed operator.

🚌Peru Rail / Inca Rail train Ollantaytambo → Km104 (~£25-35)

🛏Hostal Machu Picchu or similar in Aguas Calientes (~£18-25/night twin)

• →Train Ollantaytambo → Km104: Peru Rail or Inca Rail (~£25-35, book at perurail.com)
• →1-day Inca Trail permit + licensed guide (mandatory) — book via Alpaca Expeditions or similar (~£60-80 total)
• →Hike Km104 → Wiñay Wayna ruins → Sun Gate
• →Descend to Aguas Calientes and check in

Rise early for the bus up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes — buses run from 5:30am, return ticket ~£20. Machu Picchu entry must be pre-booked online at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35-45 depending on circuit). Spend the morning exploring the citadel at your own pace — the Classic Circuit is highly recommended. In the afternoon, take the train back to Ollantaytambo (Peru Rail ~£25-40) and a shared taxi or shuttle back to Cusco (~£5-8). Check back into your Cusco hostel.

🚌Bus to Machu Picchu (~£20 return), Peru Rail train back (~£25-40), shuttle to Cusco (~£6)

🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar

• →Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu entrance (~£20 return, buses from 5:30am)
• →Machu Picchu entry — pre-book at machupicchu.gob.pe (~£35-45)
• →Self-guided exploration of Machu Picchu citadel
• →Train Aguas Calientes → Ollantaytambo (~£25-40 via perurail.com)
• →Shared taxi/shuttle Ollantaytambo → Cusco (~£5-8)

A relaxed morning — sleep in, wander the markets, or visit a museum. In the afternoon, join a traditional Peruvian cooking class in Cusco. Options like Marcelo Batata Cusco or classes bookable via GetYourGuide run for 2-3 hours and cost ~£25-40 per person. You'll cook lomo saltado, learn to make pisco sours and sample your creations. Book directly with the cooking school for the best price.

🚌Walking

🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar

• →Relaxed morning — optional visit to Museo del Qoricancha (~£3)
• →Afternoon Peruvian cooking class — book via GetYourGuide or direct with Marcelo Batata (~£25-40)
• →Cook and eat lomo saltado + pisco sour
• →Free evening in Cusco

Book a shared day-trip bus to Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) from Cusco — easily arranged through your hostel or any tour agency on the street for ~£20-30 including transport and guide. Depart very early (around 4am) to beat the crowds. Entry to the site costs ~£3. The hike to the summit is ~6km each way at high altitude (5,200m at the peak), so acclimatisation from earlier in the trip is essential. Return to Cusco in the evening for a farewell dinner with any travel friends you've made.

🚌Shared tour bus Cusco ↔ Rainbow Mountain (included in day-trip price ~£20-30)

🛏Pariwana Hostel Cusco or similar

• →Shared day-trip to Rainbow Mountain — book via hostel or local agency (~£20-30 including transport and guide)
• →Entry to Vinicunca (~£3)
• →Full day trekking to the summit and back (allow 6-7 hours total)
• →Farewell dinner in Cusco

Pack up and check out. Head to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport (CUZ) via an official taxi (~£5). If your flight is late, drop your bags at the hostel and squeeze in a final wander through the San Blas neighbourhood or a last cup of coca tea at a café on the Plaza de Armas. Safe travels!

🚌Official taxi to CUZ airport (~£5)

• →Check out of hostel
• →Optional final wander in San Blas
• →Official taxi to CUZ airport (~£5)