5 days / 4 nights
Cusco
All year
Moderate
3,399 m
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco + City Tour
Upon arrival in the city of Cusco, our driver will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign showing your name to take you to your chosen hotel. It is recommended to book a flight arriving in Cusco between 9:00 and 10:00 in the morning at the latest, so you can rest and have a peaceful lunch.
We will pick you up from your hotel between 12:30 and 12:50 to begin the tour. Accompanied by your guide, you will visit the Cusco Cathedral, also known as the Church of Triumph, built in 1539 on the site of the Inca palace of Viracocha. Today, this church serves as an auxiliary chapel to the Cathedral.
Next, you will visit Qorikancha, the Temple of the Sun, where the visit lasts about an hour. There, you will learn about Andean symbolism, the connection with the stars, and the importance of these in the Inca calendar.
Then, the whole group will board our tourist transport to head to the famous ruins on the outskirts of the city. The first stop will be the Sacsayhuamán Archaeological Park, where you can admire the impressive stone walls inspired by the god of Thunder.
Later, you will visit Q’enqo, where you will observe the most important ceremonial huaca (sacred site) in the city. Afterward, at Tambomachay, you will admire the beautiful ceremonial fountains that have worked perfectly since the Inca period.
To end the tour, we will make a stop at Puka Pukara, a military fortress used as a control point during the Inca period, where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding landscapes.
The tour will end around 6:30 PM.
Day 2: Sacred Valley Tour with Connection to Aguas Calientes
Our transfer or guide will pick you up from your hotels between 06:30 and 06:50 in the morning to board the tourist transport and begin the tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After about a 40-minute drive, you will arrive at the archaeological center of Chinchero, a village that still maintains the original Inca culture, where artisans offer their locally made textiles using ancient techniques.
After the visit, you will head to Moray, a site with experimental terraces designed for the domestication, acclimatization, hybridization, and experimentation of plants. Later, you will visit the Salineras de Maras, salt mines exploited since pre-Inca times, with more than 3,000 saltwater wells that come from natural springs filtering from the Qoripukiu hill (Source of Gold).
You will continue to Urubamba for a delicious lunch. Afterward, you will visit the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo, a strategic military, religious, and agricultural center that impresses with its stone terraces and imposing structures over four meters tall. It is believed to have been a refuge for Inca royalty and nobility.
After exploring this historical wonder, you will head to the train station to board the train to the village of Aguas Calientes. Once there, the hotel staff will warmly welcome you and escort you to your accommodation. In the evening, our guide will provide details and preparations for the exciting excursion to Machu Picchu the next day.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
Day 3: Excursion to Machu Picchu and Return to Cusco
After breakfast at your hotel, our staff will be waiting for you at the main square in Aguas Calientes to take you to the bus departure point that will take you to the entrance of the majestic Machu Picchu citadel. The bus ride will allow you to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding this magnificent place.
Once at the citadel, you will enjoy approximately 2 hours of exploration, guided by our expert. Through their knowledge, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the meaning and grandeur of the structures in this ancient site. The ancient civilizations succeeded in building a city that impressively combines security, sustainability, and meticulous planning on the high mountains, all rooted in their deep connection with nature.
After this enriching exploration, you will return by bus to the village, where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a revitalizing lunch at one of the local restaurants. You can also stroll through the village and shop before picking up your luggage from the hotel.
At the designated time, you will need to be at the Aguas Calientes train station (30 minutes before your train departure). After about a 2-hour train ride, you will arrive back in Ollantaytambo, where you will board transport that will take you back to the city of Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 4: Excursion to the Rainbow Mountain
You will need to wake up early, between 04:30 and 05:00 AM, to fully appreciate this natural wonder. We will pick you up from your hotel and head south of Cusco.
The first leg will take about 1.5 hours to our first stop near the district of Cusipata (3,310 meters above sea level), where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast at a restaurant. Then, we will continue for about 1 hour to Cusipata (4,660 meters above sea level), where the details of the trek will be provided.
At the foot of the sacred Ausangate Mountain, our hike will begin. After about 2 hours of ascent, you will reach the Seven Colored Mountain or Vinicunca (5,200 meters above sea level); along the way, you will see various species of South American camelids such as llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas. On the “red hill,” you will have time to rest, enjoy the breathtaking landscape, and capture the magnificent colors of Vinicunca: red, pink, turquoise, and yellow.
At the designated time, you will begin the return journey to Cusipata, where our vehicle will be waiting to take you to the restaurant for a revitalizing lunch. Return to Cusco, with an estimated arrival time of 16:30.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 5: Departure Transfer
After breakfast at the hotel and depending on your flight time, we will transfer you to the airport 3 hours in advance for your flight back to Lima.
Included
- Airport to hotel and hotel to airport transfer
- Tour guide
- Tourist transportation
- 4 days of tours (City tour, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain)
- Entrance tickets to the mentioned sites
- Round-trip train tickets Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo
- Transfer from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
- Bus tickets to Machu Picchu
- 2 lunches (Sacred Valley tour and Rainbow Mountain tour)
- 4 nights of accommodation
- 4 days of breakfasts
Not included
- Flights from Lima to Cusco
- Meals not mentioned and drinks
- Tips
- Additional services not mentioned in “Includes”
Recommended equipment
- Entrance fees
- Food and beverages
- Additional services not mentioned in the includes.
Recomendations
- Entrance fees
- Food and beverages
- Additional services not mentioned in the includes.
