DAY 1: Cusco City And Surroundings
From the moment you set foot at Cusco airport, your journey with us will be an unforgettable experience. Our team will warmly welcome you, taking you directly to your accommodation so you can settle in and enjoy a well-deserved rest. Once you are settled, we will embark on our adventure, exploring the city of Cusco and the fascinating Inca sites that surround it. We will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 12:30 PM, ready to embark on this unforgettable journey together.
We begin our tour at the majestic Cusco Cathedral, adorned with intricate woodwork, impressive altars, and beautiful paintings by local artists of the Cusco School, containing hidden elements of indigenous thought.
Next, we take a short walk through the picturesque streets of the historic center toward Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun. According to chronicles, to enter this sacred precinct, one needed to be fasting and barefoot, as it was considered a sanctuary dedicated to deities such as the Sun, Moon, Stars, Rainbow, Thunder, and Lightning. Here, we admire the extraordinary stone craftsmanship by the Incas, whose precision remains evident, as not even a sheet of paper can fit between the stones. Despite earthquakes, these structures remain stable to this day.
After concluding our visit to Qoricancha, we will head to our transportation, which will take us to Sacsayhuaman, located 3 km from Cusco. The Sacsayhuaman esplanade offers a panoramic view of the city. This impressive structure was constructed with massive limestone blocks, some weighing between 25 and 130 tons. The site consists of three terraces arranged in a zigzag pattern and served as a spacious gathering place for important festivities such as Warachicuy and Inti Raymi.
We continue our journey to b, meaning "labyrinth" in Quechua. Located about one kilometer from Sacsayhuaman, this site features intricate stone carvings and structures used for astronomical studies, religious ceremonies, and embalming.
Next, we explore Puca Pucara, whose name derives from two Quechua words: "Puka" (red) and "Pukara" (fortress). This strategic site was used for controlling access and exit to the Imperial city of Cusco and as a territorial boundary that regulated movement within the ancient Inca civilization.
As our final stop, we visit Tambomachay, a resting place known for its water sources, often called the "baths of the Inca" or the "waters of eternal youth" due to the constant flow of water. This site showcases the advanced knowledge of Inca hydraulic engineering.
Finally, our day in Cusco concludes at the Plaza de Armas, a central hub known for its rich historical, cultural, and social significance.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
INCLUDES:
- Transfer Airport — Hotel in private transportation.
- Transfers in tourist transportation.
- Assistance during the whole tour.
- Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
- All entrance tickets to archaeological sites and tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
- Hotel in Cusco.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights, Lima — Cusco.
- Tips.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Other services not mentioned.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
After the tour, a stroll through the Plaza de Armas and its surroundings is inevitable. In the vicinity, you can taste the delicious Peruvian cuisine in nearby restaurants, or simply take a break on one of the benches in the Plaza de Armas. If you enjoy the night, around the square, you will find many nightclubs and bars, ideal places to have fun.
DAY 2: Sacred Valley Cusco – Pisac – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
On our second day of adventure, we will explore the fabulous Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our transfer will pick you up at approximately 7:00 a.m. from your hotel. We will embark on a 1-hour journey to reach the town of Pisac. During the trip, you will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of the Sacred Valley and understand its historical and cultural significance. We will visit the Archaeological Center of Pisac, located atop the town, where we can observe how the ancient inhabitants used Inca agricultural techniques to cultivate on the steep hillsides, achieving optimal productivity.
Later, we will visit the vibrant Pisac craft market, full of color and diversity, where you will find a wide variety of handmade crafts for sale. At lunchtime, we will enjoy a delicious buffet at a tourist restaurant in the Urubamba Valley.
In the afternoon, we will head to Ollantaytambo, located 76 km from the city of Cusco. Here, we will be amazed by the enormous finely carved stone blocks, some weighing over 100 tons. These stones were transported to this mountain, likely for astronomical and ceremonial purposes, which continues to amaze people worldwide. Strategically located between three valleys, Ollantaytambo was a key control point and is considered an archaeological fortress.
In addition to its historical significance, Ollantaytambo has been internationally recognized as one of the "Best Tourist Towns in the World." This city combines Inca and colonial architecture and is renowned for its hydraulic engineering, with canals flowing through its streets, maintaining its original landscape.
From Ollantaytambo, we will transfer to the train station and take a 1-hour and 50-minute journey to Aguas Calientes. Along the way, you can enjoy the lush vegetation of the jungle and panoramic views of the Vilcanota River. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will accompany you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the afternoon will be free for you to explore the town, stroll through its streets, shop at craft stores, or dine in one of the local restaurants. You will spend the night in Aguas Calientes, preparing for the exciting adventure to Machu Picchu the following day.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
INCLUDES:
- Transfers in tourist transportation.
- Assistance during the whole tour.
- Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
- All entrance tickets to archaeological sites and tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
- Train ticket, Ollantaytambo — Aguas Calientes.
- Buffet lunch.
- Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Tips.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Other services not mentioned.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- It is recommended to wear sneakers or suitable shoes, as there will be many stairs to climb.
- Bring a small backpack and, along with your camera, bring a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle.
- In Pisac, do not forget to try the empanaditas and take home a souvenir of its craftsmanship.
- In Urubamba, we invite you to try the corn from the Sacred Valley.
DAY 3: Aguas Calientes - Machu Picchu + Machu Picchu Mountain - Cusco.
The much-anticipated day has arrived when we will immerse ourselves in one of the 7 wonders of the modern world: the fantastic citadel of Machu Picchu. The day will start early with a delicious breakfast at your hotel. Then, we will head to the bus station to begin the ascent to the Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, a journey that will last approximately 25 minutes.
Upon arrival, our guide will lead us through a brief explanation of the visit regulations, preparing us for a 2 to 3-hour walk through the Inca citadel. During this magical stroll, our guide will showcase the beauty of the archaeological complex, revealing the various areas comprising agricultural, urban, and religious sections, highlighting unique temples and constructions. You can take the classic photo of Machu Picchu from the viewpoint of the guardian's house. Throughout, our team will be attentive to you, ensuring your experience is memorable and enthusiastically answering all your questions.
After learning all about the history of Machu Picchu, we will head to the second entrance control of Machu Picchu Mountain where we will begin our 1 hour and 50 min walk to the summit, which rises even higher than its famous counterpart, Huayna Picchu. From this unique elevation, we will witness spectacular views unfolding before us, providing an unparalleled perspective of the archaeological center of Machu Picchu. We will spend approximately 30 minutes at the top.
The complete experience of visiting this mountain, including the ascent, the visit, and the descent to the citadel of Machu Picchu, will take about 4 hours. Once our visit to Machu Picchu is concluded, we will take the buses that will bring us to the town of Aguas Calientes. There, we will have time to rest and have lunch. Afterward, we will head to the train station, where we will board the return train that will take us to the Ollantaytambo station. Our transfer service will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco, marking the end of this fantastic day.
Overnight stay in Cusco.
INCLUDES:
- Transfers in tourist transportation.
- Assistance during the whole tour.
- Professional guided tour, English — Spanish.
- All entrance tickets to tourist attractions mentioned in the tour.
- Entrance to Machu Picchu circuit 2 or 3 (according to availability).
- Entrance to circuit 1 + Machu Picchu Mountain.
- Train ticket, Aguas Calientes — Ollantaytambo.
- Bus ticket Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu, round trip.
- Hotel in Cusco.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Tips.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Other services not mentioned.
DAY 4: Hotel Transfer - Airport.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, we will transfer you to the airport for your departing flight, thus concluding your memorable Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Machu Picchu Mountain 4D/3N adventure.
End of service with CuscoPeru.com.
INCLUDES:
- Transfer Hotel — Airport in private transportation.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights, Cusco — Lima.
- Tips.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Other services not mentioned.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Bring your passport or identity document.
- Be at the train station half an hour before the departure time and present your ticket and identification document.
- It is advisable to carry cash in both Peruvian soles and dollars, as most places in Aguas Calientes do not accept credit or debit cards.
- Bring a small backpack, a camera, a sun-protective hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a water bottle.
- Wear suitable, non-slippery shoes for climbing the stairs in Machu Picchu.
- Suggest carrying some snacks and a water bottle since they will cost twice as much inside the sanctuary.
- After the guided tour in Machu Picchu, enjoy the magical moment, open your arms, and recharge your energy.
- Visit the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes.
- Regarding your luggage, you can take up to 5 kilos on the train.
- In high season, the number of visitors to Machu Picchu increases, so there may be queues to board the bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary.