Classic Machu Picchu 5 days

Description of 5 day Machu Picchu tour

This package to Machu Picchu of 5 day will leave you amazed by the enchanting imperial city and its impressive Inca architecture. Absolutely all the places you will visit will pass the cultural richness. Start with a city tour in Cusco and discover important attractions such as Qoricancha, a sacred place for the Incas where the worship of the sun god took place, which will surprise us with its walls joined with such precision and the extraordinary fortress of Sacsayhuamán. Explore also the Sacred Valley, the Inca jewel of Pisaq and Ollantaytambo, with its cobblestone streets that preserve the Inca architecture. Finally, take a tour to Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world. Without a doubt a short trip that will leave us with great memories.

Itinerary

Day 1: Airport – Cusco

Our staff will be waiting for you at the Cusco Airport, to take you to your hotel, just let us know your exact arrival time and flight number. Here, you will be welcomed with a hot cup of the famous coca tea. You will have a free afternoon to acclimatize, as the city of Cusco is at an altitude of 3,399 m (11,151 feet)

IMPORTANT ADVICE ON ARRIVAL TO CUSCO

Please be prepared for the fact that the high elevation, will make you feel more tired than normal on your arrival, so we recommend that you take the afternoon easy. If you are feeling fine, then have a cup of coca tea, which will help you acclimatize quicker. It is recommended to take a light walk, maybe to see The Plaza De Armas, to see the incredible colonial buildings, built on top of Inca foundations. It is important to drink a lot of water at high elevation, which will help you with the process of acclimatization. For the first few days at high elevation, it is also important toe at light meals as your digestion will be slower and later on you will have the opportunity to try the famous Guinea pig, a dish which was revered by the Incas and is still a national dish of The Andes and is eaten on special occasions and celebrations. One thing you must not miss on one of your free days is a visit to the “Centro QOSQO” of native art a show which demonstrates traditional dances, costume and music of the region.

The show begins at 6pm, but we recommend that you arrive 40 minutes earlier and wait in line, as many people want to go to the see this unique spectacular. If you have the “boleta turistica” included in your package, you will have free access to this incredible show. 

IMPORTANT ADVICE

Drink the coca tea on offer and each morning to help you acclimatize. Remember that it has a similar effect to caffeine so don´t drink it too late in the evening or you sleep will be affected.  Bring a decent and comfortable pair of walking shoes. We suggest a visit to the Plaza de Armas with its colonial and Inca temples, The Regional History Museum, The Contemporary Art Museum, the Museum of The Qoricancha, and the Museum of popular art. These places will make your trip an even more unforgettable experience and give you the perfect insight into local culture.

Overnight: Hotel in Cusco

Day 2: Cusco City Tour (The Cathedral, The Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay) – 5 hr tour

Today, we will visit some of the most interesting sites in Cusco and the surrounding area. We will begin with a visit to the Cusco cathedral found on the Plaza De Armas and is the principal church in this imperial city. It was built on the foundations of the temple of The Inca Wiracocha. The cathedral displays over 300 paintings belong to the Cusco school of art. We will then head on to the Qoricancha which is the Quechua Word for “Temple of Gold”. This was the first temple to be constructed by The Incas, and was originally covered with large amounts of silver and gold. We will next head out of Cusco City to the close by ruins of Saqsayhuaman, famous for its enormous megaliths and giant stones, that weigh over 150 tonnes. During Inca times, it was considered the “Temple of lightening”, in honour to the deity Illapa. We will then head to the nearby ruins of Q’enqo, a religious site dedicated to the Mother Earth where you can still see carved stones and constructions. There is also a sacrificial altar where the Incas were thought to make offerings and sacrifices to The Mother Earth. After this, we will visit the to the impressive Inca fortress of Puka Pukara, which means “Red Castle” in the ancient Inca language of Quechua. Our final visit will be to Tambomachay, where we can appreciate a sacred temple dedicated to an ancient water cult which probably also functioned as a purification bath for the Inca governors. We will then return to Cusco City, where we Will drop you off at your hotel or in the central “Plaza de Armas.  

IMPORTANT ADVICE

 The City Tour will begin in the afternoon. You will have a free morning to acclimatize and drink a coca tea with your breakfast. Wear comfortable walking shoes/boots. We suggest that you visit the Plaza de Armas with its colonial and Inca temples, The Regional History Museum, The Contemporary Art Museum, the Museum of The Qoricancha, and the Museum of popular art. These places will make your trip an even more unforgettable experience and give you the perfect insight into local culture.

Overnight: Hotel in Cusco

Day 3: The Sacred Valley of the Incas – Aguas Calientes (Awanacancha, Pisaq, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo) – 8 hr tour

Today you will discover the incredible Sacred Valley of the Inca, also called the Vilcanota Valley after the river that flows through it. After breakfast, we will first head to the artisan centre of Awanacancha, where we can see up close the famous llamas. You will also have the opportunity to chat with the local craftsmen and learn about the techniques and appreciate the intricacy of their Peruvian textiles and artwork. This is the perfect place to buy souvenirs for your loved ones back home and contribute to local craftspeople and artisans of The Andes, as well as purchase an intricate and authentic piece of fine textile, with an original beauty that can only be found in this region. We will then head to the archaeological site of Pisac, situated on the mountain top. This magnificent site is composed of many sections of terraces and archaeological structures, built on the hillside of the high mountain. The perfect example of stunning countryside and impressive stonework, which combine to make this spectacular site. We will then head down to the town of Pisaq and its famous handicraft market, where local people sell their variety of handmade products, using techniques dating back to ancestral times. We will then head along the Sacred Valley to the town of Urubamba, where we will stop for lunch and where we will have the opportunity to sample some of the local delicacies, of the Peruvian kitchen including salads, soups, ceviche a variety of main courses and delectable desserts. After lunch, we will visit the impressive archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, quite probably constructed to monitor the entrance into this part of the valley and protect the Incas from possible invasion. We will have the opportunity to walk through its narrow, cobbled streets and gain a better idea about how this site functioned during Inca times, as a strategic military outpost as well as a religious and cultural centre. After the visit, we will then board the train that will take us to Aguas Calientes, at the base of Machu Picchu. On arrival, the hotel representative will be waiting for us to take us to the hotel.

IMPORTANT ADVICE

After a hearty breakfast and the recommended coca teawe suggest that you just take an overnight bag /daypack to spend the night in Aguas Calientes. (Include money, light clothing, travel documents, camera, repellent, sunhat, sunscreen and personal hygiene products). Your trip will be more comfortable for doing so. The rest of your baggage can remain at your Cusco hotel as you will be returning there tomorrow.

Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes

Day 4: Machu Picchu – Cusco – 2:30hr tour

Early in the morning at the agreed time, your guide will collect you from your hotel to head to the bus station for the 30 minute journey up to Machu Picchu. We will zigzag up 400m of road to arrive at the “Historical Sanctuary of Machu Picchu” also known as “The lost city of The Incas”. On arrival at the citadel with your guide, we will queue at the entrance to Machu Picchu and we will begin our tour of this mind-blowing, archaeological site. For two and a half hours, we will visit the principal sites inside the site such as the Plaza Mayor, The temple of the Sun, The Sacred Sun dial (Intiwatana) the royal quarters, The Temple of the Three Windows, The Temple of the Condor, as well as other important sites inside the citadel of Machu Picchu. After the guided tour, you will be allowed time to take photos, before we return to the town of Aguas Calientes. You will be able to have lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch is not included), after which we will board the train on our return journey to Ollantaytambo (Depending on the departure time of the train) and we will return along the same road as we arrived, to get to the city of Cusco. In Ollantaytambo, our staff will be waiting with a sign, with your name on it, to take you on the final leg of the journey back to Cusco.

IMPORTANT

From the 1st of January 2019, the rules changed with regards to the Machu Picchu. The visit to the archaeological site will all be in one direction, which means that once you have passed by a certain site, you are not allowed to return. There is no re-entrance to the site, if we leave the site for any reason, we are not allowed to re-enter. The only exception to this new rule is, if you have an entrance ticket to either Machu Picchu Mountain or Huayna Picchu mountain. Also, if you wish to climb one of these mountains, the guided tour of the main citadel will be reduced to coincide with the mountain entrance time. In the case of Machu Picchu Mountain, your guided tour will be for one hour to allow time for you to climb the mountain; In the case of Huayna Pichu, the tour of the main citadel will be for 2 hours.

IMPORTANT ADVICE

Before you go up to Machu Picchu, we recommend that you leave your overnight bag /daypack at the hotel in Aguas Calientes and only take water, (please remember that Machu Picchu is a plastic free zone so plastic water bottles will be confiscated on entry). passport, cash, entrance ticket, sunhat sunscreen and insect repellent. When you head back down to Aguas calientes, you can collect your overnight bag from the hotel. If time allows, we recommend a visit to the Chávez Ballón Museum, the museum of Machu Picchu. There is a free entrance after midday and you simply need to show your passport. We should also take into account that there is usually a queue for the shuttle bus, to and from Machu Picchu. There is also usually a queue for the train back to Ollantaytambo also, so we will need to allow plenty of time in each case. Your guide will be there to orientate you in the best possible manner.

Overnight: Hotel in Cusco

Day 5: Hotel – Cusco Airport

Depending on the time of your flight, we will collect you from your hotel and take you to the Cusco airport. This marks the end of our services.  

FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

At the moment you depart for any of the tours, it is important to remember to safe all of the entrance tickets that have been given to you by our staff on the briefing. (BTG, BTP, Ticket Qoricancha, Consetur shuttle bus, etc.). This will help avoid the repeat purchase of any of the tickets. If you lose any of these tickets, you must buy a new one by yourself. Also please be careful with your belongings and check hotel rooms and transport for any personal items you may have left behind.  

Includes

What's Included

  • Airport transfer – Hotel – Cusco Airport
  • Cusco City Tour: Transport, Guide and entrance tickets
  • Sacred Valley Tour: Transport, Guide, entrance tickets and lunch.
  • Machu Picchu Tour: Tourist train from Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes, Bus – Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu Archaeological Site – Aguas Calientes, Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, professional, bilingual guide, guided tour of Machu Picchu, Train – Aguas Calientes– Ollantaytambo, Transfer to the train station – Cusco Hotel.
  • 3 nights hotel in Cusco with breakfast
  • 1 night hotel in Aguas Calientes with breakfast
  • Agency Services

What's Not Included

  • Drinks except those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Meals except those mentioned in the itinerary
  • Snacks
  • Phone calls
  • Extra spending money
  • Tips/gratuities
  • Travel insurance
  • Any taxes.

Optional services

  • Entrance to Huayna Picchu mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain: $40.00 USD per person. IMPORTANT! Both of these additional activities are dependent on permits which are limited by the Peruvian government, so we recommend that you reserve these options at least 6 months in advance).

What to take

  • Passport with at least 6 months validity
  • Light daypack
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Toilet paper
  • Sunscreen
  • Repellent
  • Sunglasses
  • Clothing for hot and cold weather conditions
  • Sunhat
  • Rain gear or poncho
  • Long-sleeved shirts, (due to there being mosquitos in Machu Picchu)
  • Walking shoes/boots
  • Camera
  • Extra memory stick and additional batteries
  • Personal medications (for headaches, anti-inflammatory´s etc).
  • Extra Cash in soles and small denominations if possible

Prices

Categories Hotels Prices
Touristic Standard
★★★

Cusco – hotel sacha/ inka wasi plaza /sueños del inka


Aguas Calientes – hotel seven /hotel flowers / terrazas del inka

Price per person

Single
US$
725.00
Duplo
US$
620.00
Triplo
US$
580.00
Touristic Superior
★★★

Cusco – ruinas / maytaq / san agustin internacional


Aguas Calientes – intipunku / sacred stone

Price per person

Single
US$
780.00
Duplo
US$
660.00
Triplo
US$
610.00
First Standard
★★★★

Cusco – casa andina catedral/ san agustin plaza / plaza de armas


Aguas Calientes – tierra viva/ taypikala

Price per person

Single
US$
1130.00
Duplo
US$
835.00
Triplo
US$
760.00
First Superior
★★★★

Cusco – novotel / costa del sol / casa andina premium


Aguas Calientes – inkaterra mapi / jaya suite machupicchu

Price per person

Single
US$
1350.00
Duplo
US$
980.00
Triplo
US$
885.00
Luxury
★★★★★

Cusco – palacio del inka / hotel aranwa cusco boutique/ casa cartagena boutique hotel and spa (lp suite)


Aguas Calientes – inkaterra pueblo / sumaq machupicchu hotel

Price per person

Single
US$
2060.00
Duplo
US$
1330.00
Triplo
US$
1260.00

General Information

If the tour is cancelled due to weather conditions, do I get my money back?

No. Tour cancellations due to bad weather conditions are non-refundable, as these are factors beyond our control.

If my tour is cancelled, is the entrance fee to Machu Picchu refundable?

According to the latest updates from the Direccion desconcentrada de Cultura de Cusco, all entrance tickets to Machu Picchu are for personal use. Therefore, tickets purchased for Machu Picchu are not reprogrammable, nor transferable to another date and/or person, nor are refundable.

For the train trip to Machu Picchu, what do I do with my luggage? do I leave it at the hotel or take it with me?

The company that takes you by train to Machu Picchu does not allow you to take a suitcase of more than 5 kg. This means that most people pack a smaller backpack to spend the day in Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, but people have doubts about where the larger luggage will stay during this time, you can leave it in the storage of the hotel in Cusco, at no extra cost.

can I choose the number of seats on the train?

PeruRail and IncaRail, the companies that provide train services in Peru, do not allow you to choose the seats on the trains. The distribution is done automatically by the company’s system.

To travel by train to Machu Micchu, which one do you suggest: EXPEDITION or VISTADOME?

We usually recommend to book the Expedition/Voyager train for the outbound trip and the Vistadome/360° panoramic train for the return trip, mainly because the outbound trip only has earlier departures, so this would mean missing the guided visit to the Ollantaytambo archaeological complex.

Is it obligatory to be vaccinated against Fiebre Amarilla?

Fiebre Amarilla vaccination is not mandatory for visitors to Peru. However, it is an additional precaution, especially since it is a tropical country.

Is travel insurance obligatory?

Travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is extremely important, especially for tourists who decide to travel to Peru.

Electrical plugs and voltage in Peru

The standard voltage in Peru is 230 volts, however, in some hotels there are plugs with 110, in this case, there are transformers that reduce the voltage.

What is the best currency to use in Peru, dollars or nuevo sol, and where to change?

Almost all establishments accept payments in dollars, so this will be the most used currency in the country. The ideal is to have an amount of dollars and a smaller amount of nuevo sol to make purchases at craft fairs, for example.

It is recommended to take dollars with you and exchange them in Peru at reliable exchange houses recommended by the travel agency.

What is the weather like in Peru?

The country’s weather is divided into two main seasons: rainy and dry.

The rainy season runs from December to the end of March and the dry season from April to October. In the region of Cusco and Machu Picchu, there is a lot of variation in temperature, but normally the maximum reaches 20°C and the minimum is close to 0°C.

In the Lima region, on the coast of Peru, temperatures are higher and range from 12°C to 35°C.

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