Unforgettable Machu Picchu 8 days

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 Sacsayhuaman, 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”.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals: Breakfast

On this day, you will visit the marvelous Sacred Valley of the Incas, also known as the ‘Vilcanota Valley.’ We will start the day by visiting the archaeological complex of Pisaq, situated atop a mountain. This wonderful place is formed by groups of terraces and architectural structures scattered along the slopes and on top of the mountain. A marvelous blend of landscapes and constructions. Next, we will go to the artisan market where you can appreciate a wide variety of crafts from ancestral times. We will pass through Urubamba where we will take a break for lunch. We will savor typical Peruvian cuisine with a good variety of dishes that include salads, soups, hot dishes, the famous ceviche, and delicious desserts. After lunch, we will visit the architectural complex of Ollantaytambo, a living town built to guard the entrance of this part of the valley and protect it from invaders. We will have the opportunity to walk through its streets and get a clearer idea of what this military, religious, and cultural center was like during the Inca Empire. Finally, we will go to the picturesque town of Chinchero, where the remains of the royal estate of Tupac Inca Yupanqui are found. You will be able to see well-preserved Inca walls in the main square. In the late afternoon, we will return to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

This day we will visit beautiful Inca towns with their colonial houses, on this unique and pleasant tour we will be able to appreciate the treasures that this sacred land hides. We will start the day visiting the experimental agricultural terraces of Moray. Groups of circular terraces that measure up to 150 meters deep. According to historians, these constructions constituted an important Inca agricultural laboratory. Since their platforms are built with their respective irrigation channels and each of them constitutes a microclimate. What draws most attention is the large difference in average annual temperature between the top and bottom of the depressions, a difference of up to 15°C. Next we will go to the colonial town of Maras, a town that still preserves its Andean traditions and customs. We will be able to appreciate its beautiful architecture and its houses with colonial-style stone doorways. Finally we will visit the Salineras De Maras. These mines continue to be exploited today, where farmers have worked every day since Inca times. At the end of the tour we will return to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals: Breakfast  

This day we will have an exclusive adventure, we will visit the picturesque and little explored South Valley of Cusco. Beginning the tour we will go to Quispicanchis, where we will visit the impressive archaeological complex of Tipón, an important center of worship, where the Incas worshiped water, one of the elements of nature considered sacred in the Andean vision, which circulates through canals and passes through terraces and waterfalls. Then we will visit the archaeological complex of Pikillacta, Huari urban center, belonging to the Pre Inca stage, you will be able to see that the constructions are very different from the Inca constructions. Finally we will visit the village of Andahuaylillas, where we will visit its outstanding and fantastic 16th century church known as the Sistine Chapel of America due to the large number of paintings on its walls and ceilings. It has an organ decorated with angels and cherubs and prodigious murals by the famous artist Tadeo Escalante. Before returning, we will have time for a brief visit to the Sacred Stones Museum. At the end of the tour we will return to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals: Breakfast

On this day, at the agreed time, we will pick you up at your hotel and head to the Ollantaytambo train station where we will board the train to Aguas Calientes. After a nearly 2-hour train ride, we will arrive at the Aguas Calientes station where hotel representative will be waiting for you with a sign with your name to take you to your hotel. You will have the afternoon free to explore the town of Aguas Calientes and enjoy the famous hot springs.

IMPORTANT TIPS

This will be the most relaxing day. After a 4-hour trip from Cusco, you can relax your body. In the late afternoon, have a meal and rest to enjoy the big day in Machu Picchu.

• Overnight: Hotel in Aguas Calientes
• Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, according to the scheduled time, our guide will pick you up at your hotel to go to the bus station where you will climb 400m along a winding path for 20min to reach the incredible wonder of the world “The Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu”, also known as “The Lost City of the Incas”. Upon arriving at the Machu Picchu citadel with our guide, we will pass through the entrance and begin the tour of the entire citadel. For around 2h30m we will visit the main places in Machu Picchu.

We return to the town of Aguas Calientes in the afternoon, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants (lunch not included). After lunch, we will take the train to Ollantaytambo (depending on train departure time availability). The return will follow the same route as the departure. Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, the train representative will be waiting to take you to the bus heading to your hotel in Cusco.

• Overnight: Hotel in Cusco
• Meals: breakfast

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. 

• Check in: 12:00 / check out : 9:00 am
• Meals: Breakfast 

NOTE: If your return time is later than your check-out time, you can use the hotel’s common areas while you wait.

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.