Culinary Hiking Tour in Peru: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Rainbow Mountain

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 6-day culinary tour in Peru
    • Accommodation for 4 nights (1 night in a 3-star hotel in Aguas Calientes, 3 nights in a 3-star hotel in Cusco) in twin-share rooms
    • Hotel pick-up and drop-off
    • Walking tour in Cusco
    • Entrance and guided tours of Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, Moray, and Machu Picchu
    • Inca rail Voyager train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes and back from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
    • Bus ticket from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu (round trip)
    • Peruvian cooking class
    • Meals indicated in the itinerary

  Add-ons

  • •  Entrance ticket and guide to Huayna Picchu mountain

  Not included:

  • • Flights
    • Airport transfers
    • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
    • Entry ticket and guide to Huayna Picchu mountain (available for an additional fee, if tickets are available)
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  This Machu Picchu culinary hiking tour is rated moderate to challenging. The challenging part, however, is only there on Day 5, while all other days are rated moderate. Good level of fitness is required, while experience with multi-day hikes is always welcome.

  Check out the itinerary to learn more about changes in elevations. Prior to your trip, you can prepare by exercising on steep inclines or even stairs.

  For more hiking adventures in Machu Picchu, click here!

• Adjusting to the altitude

  It is advisable and important that you arrive in Cusco at least 2 days prior to the trek, in order to acclimatize to the altitude. The city of Cusco is located at 3,400 meters (11,150 ft) above sea level so you may feel slightly ill or dizzy due to altitude sickness, known as “soroche”.

  A few tips on dos and don’ts for acclimatizing in Peru:

  • • Do not eat heavy food the day before traveling to Cusco.
    • Make sure you drink between 6-8 glasses of water the days before your trip and during your stay in Cusco.
    • Once you arrive at your hotel, lie down a few minutes before going out to explore the city.
    • Once you are ready to go out and explore the city, try not to become agitated climbing stairs or walking fast. The best thing is to enjoy every corner of
    • Cusco with calm and respect.
• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
    • Comfortable hiking clothes
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
    • Sunhat
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight
    • Sunglasses
    • Passport
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

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• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Machu Picchu culinary hiking tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 16:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 16 participants.
    • Price is based on twin-share rooms. In case you’re joining alone, you’ll be paired with another solo traveller.

  Hiking in Peru can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  
  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Machu Picchu culinary hiking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Machu Picchu culinary hiking tour is Cusco. To get there, most people fly into Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, also known as Cusco Airport.

  Once you’re there, your guides will pick you up from the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.