Machu Picchu Tours For Seniors
James Bustamante is Native to New York but born to Peruvian parents. He has been traveling throughout Latin America since early 2003 and finally made his home in Peru. James has made his way by eating and traveling through almost every country in Central and South America.
Last Updated on November 30, 2023 by James Bustamante
Machu Picchu tours for seniors will typically be very similar to any tour with a few minor changes to itineraries. Peru is a very popular destination for many different types of travelers including adventure seekers, backpackers, luxury travelers, family groups, work retreats, and senior travelers just to name a few. Each type might have specific requirements in order to make the trip as genuine and fun as possible.
Peru, while a popular destination is not always the first choice for senior travelers when choosing their next vacation destination. This is because Peru is often looked at as an adventure travel destination, while this is true, it does not negate the amazing time senior travelers will have hiking Machu Picchu, trekking the Inca trail, sailing through Lake Titicaca, or having a Pisco sour while overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the comfort of a 5-star restaurant.
Although we consider people to be as old as they feel, the age bracket of senior travelers possibly begins at 60 years old. Seniors can be considered well-traveled, healthy, and with more time on their hands than the average traveler. For the most part, a senior traveler will be looking for new places to visit or an exotic location to explore. Let’s go over the specifications and an itinerary commonly used for Machu Picchu tours for seniors.
What Can Seniors Expect In Peru and Machu Picchu?
Seniors can expect to either be placed in a group of travelers who are also seniors, be placed in a regular group of mixed ages, or have their very own private Machu Picchu trip for seniors group.
The most important part of the trip is to properly acclimate to the elevation in Cusco before going on any day tour in the highlands. Cusco is situated at over 11,000 feet above sea level so making sure your body is well accustomed to the altitude will be key in enjoying this part of the trip.
We recommend for everyone to take 24 – 48 hours to take it easy while their body gets used to the new elevation. Once those first 24-48 hours are done we can move on to activities like the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, or The Rainbow mountain full-day hike.
Private Inca Trail Tours For Seniors
Senior travelers can rest assured that a private Inca Trail might be the best option when hiking to Machu Picchu. A private Machu Picchu tour for seniors via the Inca trail will have the following itinerary:
- Early Pick Up At Cusco Hotel
- Transportation to Ollantaytambo train station
- Transportation to Inca Trail starting point
- Hike DAY 1: CUSCO – PISKACUCHO – WAYLLABAMBA
- Hike DAY 2: HUAYLLABAMBA – WARMIWAÑUSCA – PAQAYMAYU
- Hike DAY 3: PAQAYMAYU – CHAQ´ICOCHA – WIÑAYWAYNA
- Hike DAY 4: WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Pace During The Inca Trail for Seniors
If there is one thing our senior groups usually ask for is to have a guide that can go at an adjustable pace over the course of the trail. An experienced tour guide will be appointed to help all travelers keep up with the daily pace.
The most difficult day of the hike is by far day 2 when we reach the highest point in elevation. The guide and porters will work to organize this day with a slower pace, early rest stops, and more water breaks. The senior group will most likely make up for the extra stops on day 3 when we are hiking downwards into the lush valleys.
For the most part though, all senior groups tend to go at the same pace as the younger traveler groups. In some instances, older travelers have an advantage because they are more experienced in hiking. It is more comfortable to have a group that targets your needs specifically though.
Machu Picchu Tours For Seniors Group Size
A Machu Picchu tour for seniors will keep the small group sizes we typically have for all of our organized tour groups. The average number of participants in a Machu Picchu senior tour is between 4-7 travelers. A private senior group tour will only have yourself and whoever else is in your personal group of travelers.
Machu Picchu Tour Packages For Seniors
There are also fully customizable Machu Picchu tour packages for senior travelers who want to visit Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, Puno, and the Amazon rainforest. One good example of a tour package that fits well with senior travelers is the 7 day trip from Lima to Machu Picchu
Day 1 Arrival to Lima – Transportation to Lima Accommodations
Upon arrival, our driver and bilingual guide will be at the entrance to take you to your hotel in the district of Miraflores.
Day 2 Lima City Tour
We start the day with a full-day tour of the city of Lima. The city tour takes you through the various districts like cosmopolitan Miraflores, Bohemian Barranco, and historic Lima center just to name a few. At lunchtime, we enjoy a delicious Pisco sour while overlooking the ocean in Miraflores.
Day 3 Arrival at Cusco
You will take an early flight to Cusco and arrive at around 10:00 am. Our driver and guide will pick you up and take you to your accommodations in Cusco. For the rest of the day, we recommend having plenty of fluids, taking short walks, and having light meals while your body adjusts to the elevation.
Day 4 Tour The Sacred Valley of The Inca
We begin the day at 9:00 am and head on a 1.5-hour drive to the Sacred Valley where we’ll visit Incan monuments, forts, and various constructions. At 1:00 pm we’ll have lunch overlooking the Urubamba river before we continue on our exploration of Ollantaytambo. We will return to Cusco by 6:00 pm in time for dinner.
Day 5 Train to Aguas Calientes
We start the morning with a drive to Ollantaytambo train station where we will take the PeruRail train to the small cloud forest town of Aguas Calientes. We arrive by noon and check into the hotel. Take the rest of the day to explore this quaint village that rests next to the river.
Day 6 Machu Picchu Tour For Seniors
We take the Consettur bus service up to Machu Picchu at 6:00 am in order to arrive by 6:30 am. We will try to catch the sun rising over the Andes mountains to get the perfect photograph. We will then have a 2.5 hour guided tour of the complex where our expert guide goes over the history of each temple. When the tour is done you are free to explore Machu Picchu on your own until noon.
We will return to Aguas Calientes in time for lunch. We board the PeruRail train to Cusco by 3:30 pm and arrive by 6:00 pm.
Day 7 Transfer to Cusco Airport
On the final day of our 7-day long trip, our guide and driver will take you to the Velasco Astete airport for your flight out of Cusco.
Senior Traveler Booking Form
One Day Inca Trail For Seniors
On several occasions, we get asked by very senior travelers if there is a shorter version of a hiking route to Machu Picchu. The one-day Inca trail is both an accessible and beautiful trail that leads to the Inca citadel.
We begin with an early morning pick-up at your hotel in Cusco or the Sacred Valley. We then drive to Ollantaytambo to take the train to the starting point of the express Inca trail so we can begin the hike.
The trek takes us through what we would see on day three of the traditional Inca trail that lasts 4 days.
We have a total hiking period of around 7 hours before arriving at the small town of Aguas Calientes in time to check into the hotel and have dinner. The following morning we will go to Machu Picchu and explore the city until noon.
We will then return to Cusco that very afternoon and check back into the hotel for an overnight stay. The trail is short but offers some of the best scenery out of any other trek, in particular when we reach the cloud forest region.
The trail is challenging due to the elevation and landscape but easy enough for almost anyone to finish.
Peru Tours For Seniors
Several activities like Peru tours for seniors can be done in a small group or privately. Most of the Peru tours we have available for the general public apply to senior groups. The most significant difference will be that we might add an extra assistant to our day tours. Below are the Peru tours for seniors in the form of full-day hikes.
- The Sacred Valley Tour
- The Cusco City Tour
- Humantay Lake Tour
- The Maras Salt Ponds Tour
- The Rainbow Mountain Tour
- The Lima City Tour
- The Nazca Lines Flyover Tour
- The Colca Canyon Tour
- The Paracas Nature Reserve And Ballestas Islands Tour
- The Lake Titicaca Boat Tour
All Peru Tours for seniors will include the required permits, tickets, and documentation. All land transportation and the necessary domestic flights, bilingual specialty guides, and assistants.
Conclusion
All of our Peru tour packages can be applied to any group, this includes senior travelers looking for a fun and exotic vacation. From Lima to Cusco and Machu Picchu tours for seniors, all activities can be done as a group or in a more private scenario.
Cover Photo by Giorgia Doglioni
