The idea of traveling to the Peruvian Highlands is one that is not lost on the eager traveler. I myself traveled to this region at a younger age, and like many I was in search of the famed Machu Picchu Citadel on a backpacking tour. I remember being exposed to this world wonder for the first time during a class presentation in college, and it stuck with me ever since. In a large way, this droplet of a travel idea may have been the catalyst for wanderlust that has rippled through my life ever since, and even into my professional life now. During my travel to Peru over a decade ago, I got as close as Cusco, only to learn that the trains to Machu Picchu were shut down due to landslides. I had to revise my travel plans and was never able to check these famed archaeological ruins off my bucket list. As fortune should have it, I was provided with a second attempt via the Machu Picchu Sunrise Tour Explorer tour, and it delivered with great success. I’ve taken what I learned on my journey and made this Machu Picchu 101 guide to assist you in planning your own trip.

A female traveler stands in front of Machu Picchu, towering green cliff sides with ancient walled town below her as she holds a white AdventureSmith Explorations flag.
There are many ways to visit, including treks on the Inca Trail, along the Salkantay Trail or through the Lares region. But the beauty of the hotel-based Machu Picchu Explorer itinerary is its ability to be customized for different interests, budgets, timelines and activity levels; it truly is a trip for every traveler.

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Before you plan any Machu Picchu trip, my advice is to approach it holistically, making time to immerse yourself in the hubs and towns along the way to understand on a greater scale what the Peruvian Highlands truly represent. Imagine a world built by the richly intricate pre-Inca and Inca—who had a complex awareness of astronomy, agriculture and engineering—that now meets modern-day society. This is what you will find has percolated into every corner of Peruvian life as you travel through any of its regions, and there’s no better way to experience this history than with a visit to Machu Picchu.

MACHU PICCHU 101 – THE REGIONS, TOWNS & SITES OF THE PERUVIAN HIGHLANDS
To get to Machu Picchu, you must fly into the high-elevation city of Cusco, pass through the Sacred Valley, reach the town of Ollantaytambo, take a train to Aguas Calientes and then hike or bus up 1,200 feet in elevation to the Machu Picchu Citadel. How you approach this long yet beautiful journey will be integral to your overall Machu Picchu experience. Here’s a breakdown of the legs of the trip, as experienced on my recent Machu Picchu Explorer trip:

Arrive to Cusco
Every aspect of Cusco is entrenched in history, and yet modern-day life continues in its footprint. Many of the modern hotels, restaurants, and miscellaneous shops you will find are built on authentic ruins dating back through the life span of different cultures that inhabited this area over time. With your keen eye, and by paying attention, you will begin to see evidence of it everywhere. The half-day city tour will bring you to several iconic ruins, cathedrals and sites like Tambomachay, Puka Pukara, Saqsaywaman, Cathedral Basilica and Qorikancha.

The main tourism areas of Cusco are policed, safe and clean (always use your best judgement when traveling abroad), and it is worth having a little extra time to walk around and explore. Between Cusco proper and some of its surrounding neighborhoods there are interesting walkways, staircases, stone paths and courtyards to keep even the most discerning traveler interested. Be sure to research restaurants and consider making reservations before you arrive; Peru is a world-renowned culinary destination and Cusco is no exception!

An alleyway in Cusco, Peru. Bright white exteriors with adob orange shingles on the roof.
Inside of a room at the El Retablo in Cusco, Peru. Bright white decor with pops of bright colored wall art and ceiling.
A row of locks hang from a wire bridge in front of of a landscape view of Cusco, seen before departing on a Machu Picchu land tour.

Pass Through the Sacred Valley & Reach Ollantaytambo
The Sacred Valley is a fertile stretch of land within the Peruvian Highlands, which traces the banks of the Urubamba River. On average, the valley is about three-quarters of a mile wide. And with the impressively scenic foothills of the valley towering alongside, you truly feel immersed in the trough. Throughout the 36-mile span of road between Pisac and Ollantaytambo, you will pass through a number of small colonial towns, as you travel from one famed archaeological site to the next. Your tour of the area will include stops at the Pisac ruins and Pisac market as well as the Ollantaytambo ruins. Your day will also include a flavorsome buffet lunch at a well-appointed hacienda along the way.