The Complete Experience in Cusco + Machu Picchu

PACKAGE DETAILS | SACRED VALLEY

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

Your 9-day adventure will officially begin when you arrive in Cusco! We will be waiting to pick you up at the airport and transport you to your hotel in Cusco. There we will provide you with all the information about the city of Cusco and your upcoming itinerary.

Hotel in Cusco

DAY 02: CUSCO CITY – INCA RUINS

We will meet you at your hotel lobby at 1:00 pm to begin this tour.

Our first stop will be at Cusco’s Plaza de Armas where we will visit the famous Cathedral. After touring this sacred church, you will continue on foot with your group through the ancient Inca streets from the Plaza de Armas to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun.

In Qoricancha, you will see the contrast between the Inca culture and Catholicism, and you will have the opportunity to see firsthand the difference in building methods between the 2 eras.

Take time to appreciate the incredible Inca architecture of this temple! It was one of the main temples of the Incas and where all of their major highways departed. The high altar made in bronze in the Catholic church is one of the highlights.

From Qoricancha your group will walk down to El Sol Avenue and take a bus to drive up and outside of the city. It will take 25 minutes to arrive at the majestic Inca site Sacsayhuaman.

We will enter the ruins site and the guide will lead you around and explain this incredible fortress’ history. You will have extra time to explore it on your own.

From Sacsayhuaman  you will take a short bus ride to Qenqo where you will see some altars from Inca times. Next, we will drive to Puca Pucara, a small circular Inca site. Finally, you will visit Tambomachay, the temple of water, and you will be able to see the impressive water fountains. We will then drive back to Cusco and end our tour in the main square. If this is a private tour, we will drop you off at your hotel.

Hotel in Cusco 

Day 3: CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

Our driver will pick you up from your hotel lobby at 8:00 am and drive you to the Sacred Valley. Along the way, we will visit Awana Cancha, a weaving center. Here, you will learn the differences among llamas, alpacas, vicunas, and also different varieties of potatoes and corn that are special in the Sacred Valley. This is a great place to purchase gifts and real alpaca clothing.

We will drive from here to the Pisac Inca ruins. These are amazing ruins that are located on top of one of the mountains in the Sacred Valley. We will be able to see hundreds of terraces used for agriculture, 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. There are nearly endless views of the spectacular valley below.

We will get back in the car and drive to the Pisac market and town. This is the most traditional market and another great place to purchase gifts. Here, you can also try some of the local delicacies that many of the local farmers bring to sell. This is also where we will stop for our lunch break.

We will drive through the Sacred Valley after lunch to Ollantaytambo.

After lunch, we will drive through the Sacred Valley to Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo was an Inca checkpoint to protect Machu Picchu and the Valley against any enemies (Ollantay is the name of the leader, Tambo is a lodging place). After your tour, you will have extra time to wander around the site. In the evening, before heading to the train station you can have dinner in one of the local restaurants. Your train will depart at 7:00 pm to Aguas Calientes, which will be a 2-hour journey. A staff member will be waiting at the train station to pick you up and bring you to your hotel.

Hotel in Aguas Calientes 

Day 4: MACHU PICCHU

Today, we will be visiting Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world. 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 catching one of the first buses beginning at 5:30 am (they are all on a first come first serve basis). This bus will take about 25 minutes to get to Machu Picchu. Once you arrive the guide will be waiting to bring you 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 it on your own. If you have tickets to climb the amazing mountain of Huayna Picchu, your guide will direct you to where this hike begins. Please make sure this is arranged at least a month in advance, as tickets do sell out. The mountain costs extra USD 25 per person. Once you finish exploring Machu Picchu, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes where you will have the rest of the day free, you can have lunch and wonder around the city, perhaps even visit the hot springs.

Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 5: AGUAS CALIENTES – CUSCO

We will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then the bus to Cusco where we will drop you off at your hotel

Hotel in Cusco

Day 6: MARAS – MORAY – SALINERAS – CUSCO

Today, you will travel to the Peruvian historic Urubamba Valley. Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Urubamba Valley is known for its lush scenery, picturesque colonial towns, and magnificent Inca fortress.

We will pick you up from your hotel around 8:00 am and head to Moray. The 1:20 hours drive is breathtaking. We will drive through the snow-capped peaks of the Andes, lush yellow fields of wheat, and pass through some traditional villages. Finally, we will arrive at the fascinating display of terraces in Moray. Moray has three amphitheater-like terraces made by the Incas. These terraces are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape and were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for cropping.

Once we finish exploring Moray, we will head to the Salt Mines of Maras, which are about 2 miles apart. The small village was a  former salt-producing center dating back to colonial times. There are over 3000 salt pools carved into the mountainside, which are filled daily by a little stream of water. Be sure to try the salty water and take in the beauty of the area. Once you are done with the visit, you will head back to Cusco.

Hotel in Cusco

Day 7: FREE DAY

Free day to explore the city or do other excursions. Enjoy and be sure to ask us for recommendations!

Day 8: SOUTH VALLEY: TIPON – PIKILLACTA – ANDAHUAYLILLAS

In this tour, you will explore the beautiful South Valley of Cusco and get off the traditional tourist trail. The South Valley is known for its spectacular natural landscapes and incredible architecture. We will explore Inca architecture in Tipon, pre–Inca Wari architecture in Pikillacta, and a beautiful chapel, known as the “Sistine Chapel of America”.

We will pick you up from your Hotel between 9:00-9:30 am to start our adventure.

First Stop: Tipon

The Tipon Archeological Complex is located 24 km southeast of Cusco. Tipon is one of the lesser visited sites in the Cusco area, but it is equally as impressive as those in the Sacred Valley. It is an ancient Incan site and thought to be a royal garden commissioned by Wiracocha. It is one of the most elaborate examples of agricultural terracing created by the Incas. These tall terraces, which run up the narrow valley are irrigated by an aqueduct from Pachatusan and the mountain located above the site. In addition to the terracing, there are also some other structures at Tipon including baths, a temple complex, canals, and aqueducts.

Stop 2: Pikillacta

Pikillacta is the only pre-Inca site in the Cusco area. This adobe complex was built around 700 to 900 AD by the Huari people. In the area there is a small Inca site just a short walk from Pikillacta, known as Rumicolca, a travel checkpoint for the Incas.

Stop 3: Andahuaylillas

Here we will discover the “Sistine Chapel of America,” a church that is home to golden altars, paintings, and many colored ceilings. The chapel is simple and unassuming on the outside, but on the inside you’ll find masterpiece after masterpiece.

On our return to Cusco we will visit Saylla, where people can enjoy the delicious and infamous pork chicharrones (optional).

We return to Cusco around 3:30 p.m.

Day 9: CUSCO – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

Our journey will come to an end and it will be time to finally say goodbye! We will transport you to the airport to catch your flight out of Cusco. Hasta Luego!

Book here today!

INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR:

• Pick up and Drop off at Cusco Airport
• Professional English speaking guides for all tours
•  Transportation for the City and Sacred Valley tours
• Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley
• Round-trip tourist class train tickets Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Round-trip bus tickets Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Professional English speaking guide for 2 hrs tour in Machu Picchu
• Transportation to Cusco
• Entrance fees not included in the tourist ticket
• 8 Nights in a 3-star hotels
• Breakfast at the hotels
• Al taxes

NOT INCLUDED

• Meals
• Tourist tickets
• Huayna Picchu (USD25 per person)/Machu Picchu Mountain (USD25 per person)

WHAT TO BRING

• A small bag for belongings (only 8 kg or less on the train to and from Aguas Calientes)
• Daypack for things needed during the tour
• Comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear (hiking boots recommended)
• Extra money for water, food, souvenirs and extra snacks
• Camera with spare batteries
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Water and snacks
• Sunglasses
• A scarf or a hat to protect your head from the strong sunlight
• A warm jacket for the evening/wind
• Any necessary medication

RECOMMENDATIONS

IN CUSCO:

We recommend buying the 10 day tourist ticket for 130 Soles, which will give you access to all of the ruins sites in the Sacred Valley and in Cusco and give you access to other attractions and museums in Cusco as well.

IN MACHU PICCHU

If you are looking for an extra challenge once you arrive at Machu Picchu there are some excellent hiking options.

SUN GATE: It is a short hike up from the ruins and is always available and free to the public. This is a wonderful place to visit with amazing views of Machu Picchu.

HUAYNA PICCHU MOUNTAIN: The most famous additional climb to do while in there that provides spectacular views of the ruins and surrounding area. This must be booked in advance and costs an additional USD25/person. The climb takes 45 minutes and is moderately difficult. This is not recommended if you have vertigo or do not like heights.

MACHU PICCHU MOUNTAIN: Another great option to climb up and see the ruins from another angle. A 1.5 hours steep climb and can be very physically demanding, but the spectacular views from the top definitely make it worthwhile. Additional USD 25 per person and usually does not sell out.

PRICE REDUCTION:

Groups of more than 5 people
Students with a valid international ISIC presented at time of booking
Children and adolescents under the age of 17.