I traveled to Peru in 2017 with a friend to tackle the Inca Trail. We also were among some of the first to ride on the Belmond Andean Explorer luxury train ride. Below is an in-depth breakdown of the adventure as well as some things I learned along the way.

Trip Details

Trip Dates: May 8 – May 22, 2017

Places Visited:

• Cusco
• Salkantay
• Inca Trail
• Machu Picchu
• Puno
• Lake Titicaca
• Arequipa

Total Cost: approx. $4,000

Cost Breakdown:

• Flight:
  • U.S. to Cusco, Peru roundtrip: approx. $1,200
  • Arequipa to Cusco one way: $50
• 7-day trek with Salkantay Trekking: $900 (as of 2025 $1150)
• Andean Explore 3-day, 2-night trip: approx. $1,200/person (as of 2025 $2,000/person)
• One day Sacred Valley tour: $30/person
• Food traveling to/from Peru, and any not on the trek: approx. $150
• Hotels: $126
• Miscellaneous/souvenirs/tips: $400

Itinerary

May 8

• Depart U.S. for Cusco

May 9

• 5 a.m. arrive in Cusco and transport to hostel (we stayed here two nights).
  • Tip: When haggling for a taxi, always settle on the price first and know the going exchange rate from your currency to theirs.
• Explore Cusco and try not to fall asleep.

May 10

• 8 a.m. full day tour of Sacred Valley with KB Tours
  • Book it? Yes. One, it helps with the altitude to descend elevation (as Cusco is high up there). Two, there is SO much to see.

May 11 – 17

• 7 day, 6 night trek to Machu Picchu. This trek did both Salkantay and the Inca Trail.
  • Book it? Yes. I loved everything about this company. My guide Simba was so knowledgeable and we ate WELL on the trek.
  • Tip: Bring extra snacks for yourself.
  • Tip: This trek isn’t for the faint of heart with the high altitude of Salkantay (you ascend to 16,700 feet) and the approximately 10,000 stairs (up and down) on the Inca Trail
  • Tip: I had booked to do Machu Picchu Mountain (an extra hike) when we reached the citadel. However, I was exhausted and forfeited my $10. You’ll be pretty tuckered out after this hike.

May 17

• Departed Machu Picchu mid-afternoon and arrived back to Cusco around 6 p.m.
  • Tip: Stay somewhere extra nice like we did. You’ll need it after six days on the trail.

May 18 – May 20 

• Andean Explorer luxury sleeper train 3 day, 2 night trip, following this itinerary.
  • Book it? If you have the money. I only had to pay half the cost due to my friend’s mother fronting one of our tickets (nice, right?). It was awesome though to see Lake Titicaca and the artificial reed islands. But, you don’t HAVE to do it in luxury.

May 20

• Night in Arequipa

May 21

• 7 a.m. fly to Cusco in morning
• Explore and shop
• Depart for the U.S. in the evening