ACTIVITY ITINERARY AND DESCRIPTION:
Day 1: CUSCO CITY – INCA RUINS
We will meet you at your hotel lobby at 1:00 pm to begin this tour. From here you will head to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas where you will visit the famous cathedral. After touring this sacred church you will continue on foot with your group through an ancient Inca built street from the Plaza de Armas to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun. In Qoricancha you will see the clash between Inca culture and Catholicism, and you will have the opportunity to see firsthand the difference in building methods. The Inca constructions here are amazing as this was the main temple of the Incas, where all their highways used to depart from. The high altar made in bronze in the Catholic church is one of the the highlights.
From Qoricancha your group will walk down Avenida El Sol, where you will take your bus to drive up and outside of the city. It will takes 25 min until you arrive to the majestic Inca site Sacsayhuaman, where your guide will lead you around. You will have extra time to explore on your own.
From Sacsayhuaman, you will take a short bus-ride to Quenqo. Here, you will see ancient altars from Inca times! Next, we will continue to Puca Pucara, a small circular Inca site. Finally, you will visit Tambomachay, the temple of water with its impressive water fountains.
We will drive back to Cusco, and the tour will end in the main square. (Private tours will end back at your hotel)
Hotel in Cusco
Day 2: CUSCO – PISAQ – OLLANTAYTAMBO
We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco around 8:00 am and begin our journey. We will meet up with the rest of the group and drive to Pisaq Inca Ruins. These are amazing ruins that are located on top of one of the mountains in the Sacred Valley. There are hundreds of terraces still used today for agriculture and where the incas farmed corn, potatoes and quinoa. We will also see the religious and astronomical side of the Incas at these ruins. It is an amazing place to take photos as you will be on top of the Sacred Valley, with nearly endless views.
We will get back in the car to drive to Pisaq market and town. This is the most traditional market and another great place to purchase gifts. You can also experience some local delicacies – many of the local farmers bring their vegetables here to sell. This is also where we will stop for our lunch break.
We will drive through the Sacred Valley after lunch to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo was an Inca checkpoint where they protected Machu Picchu and the valley against any enemies (Ollantay is the name of the leader, Tambo is a lodging place). After your tour you have extra time to wander around the site before dinner, which you have in any one of the local restaurants. In the evening you will head to the train station, which is around 15 minute walk from the center. Your train will depart at 7:00 pm to Aguas Calientes, which will be a 2 hour journey.
Hotel in Aguas Calientes
Day 3: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
Today is the most important day as we will be visiting Machu Picchu. Because it’s so special, we encourage you to wake up early in the morning to enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then get to the bus station to try to catch one of the first buses, which begin at 5:30 am (they are a first come first serve basis). This bus will take around 25 min to get to Machu Picchu. As soon as you arrive, there will be a rendezvous to observe the sunrise (if weather allows) in order to get a spectacular view of the Lost City of the Incas. You will then have a 2 hour guided tour around Machu Picchu, with plenty of free time afterwards to explore on your own. If you have tickets to climb the amazing mountain of Huaynapicchu, your guide will direct you to where this hike begins. Please make sure this is arranged at least a month in advance of your visit, as tickets do sell out. It is $25 USD per person. Once you finish exploring Machu Picchu, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. You will take an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo and then a private bus will be waiting for you to return to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Hotel in Cusco
Book here today!
INCLUDED
- Professional English speaking guides
- All ground transportation for City and Sacred Valley tours
- Tourist class expedition train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Bus transport from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu
- 01 night Hotel in Aguas calientes 3*** Hotel Inti Punku el Tambo or Flower House Machupicchu
- 02 Nights Hotel in cusco 3*** Options Hotel Maytaq Wasin Boutique, Hotel Ruinas or Hotel San Agustin Plaza
- Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
- 2 hour guided tour in Machu Picchu
- All Taxes
NOT INCLUDED
- Meals
- Tourist ticket to visit all the ruins sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley 130 s/
- Optional Huaynapicchu ($25 per person)/Machu Picchu Mountain ($25 per person)
- Optional Cathedral entrance 25 s/ and Qoricancha 15 s/
From US$ 460
