DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1: ARRIVING TO CUSCO:

Arriving to Cusco, we will be waiting you with your name at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. There we are going to give you all the information about Cusco City and your Itinerary program in Cusco.

DAY 02: CUSCO CITY – INCA RUINS

We will meet you at your hotel lobby at 1PM 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 Qoricanchayou 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 high light.

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 minutes 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 bus for very short time to Quenqo Inca site, where you will see some altars from Inca times, then drive to Puca Pucara, a small circular Inca site. Finally you will visit Tambomachay, the temple of water with its impressive water fountains. Then we will drive back to Cusco, where the tour ends in the main square, unless you are taking a private tour which ends in your hotel.

Day 3: CUSCO – PISAQ – OLLANTAYTAMBO

At 8:00 AM be ready at your hotel lobby, because our driver will come to pick you up and bring you to the the Sacred Valley. Along the way we will visit Awana Cancha, a weaving center, where you will see the difference between llamas, alpacas, vicunas and different varieties of potatoes and corn, that are special in the Sacred Valley. If you like, this is a great place to purchase real alpaca clothing and gifts.

We will drive from here to Pisaq Inca ruins. These are amazing ruins that are located on top of one of the mountains in the Sacred Valley. We will enjoy hundreds of terraces 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 as you will be on top of the Sacred Valley, with near 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, if you like. 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. Overnight in Ollantaytambo.

Day 4: MACHU PICCHU

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 all first come first serve). This bus will take about 25 minutes to get to Machu Picchu. As soon as you arrive to the complex, it is our job to take you to the best spot to overlook all the ruins and get a panoramic view of the landscape and the sunrise over the mountains. 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 are done with exploring all, what Machu Picchu has to offer, you will take a bus down to Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 5: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

That day we are going to take an afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo and then the bus to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel.

Day 6: MARAS – MORAY – SALINERAS – CUSCO

On this private day trip from Cusco, you will travel to Peru’s historic Urubamba Valley. Located between Cusco and Machu Picchu, Urubamba Valley is known for its lush scenery, picturesque colonial towns and a magnificent Inca fortress.

We will pick you up from your hotel around 8 AM and head to Moray. The drive is about 1 hour and 20 minutes and is honestly beautiful. You will drive through snow capped peaks of the Andes, through lush yellow fields of wheat and pass some villages. Finally you will arrive to the fascinating display of terraces in Moray. Moray has three amphitheater-like terraces, made by the Incas. These terraces, which are carved deep into the earth in a bowl shape, were thought to be used to determine the optimal conditions for growing crops.

When you are done exploring Moray you will head to the salt mines of Maras, which are about 2 miles away. The village is known as a former salt-producing center that dates back to colonial times. There are over 3000 salt pools, all carved into the mountain side, being filled daily by a little stream of water. The area is amazing and spectacularly beautiful. Once you are done with the visit, you will head back to the city in time to enjoy some lunch on your own. Overnight in Cusco.

Day 7: FREE DAY.

Day 8: SOUTH VALLEY: TIPON, PIKILLACTA AND ANDAHUAYLILLAS

This tour is known for combining beautiful natural landscapes, Inca architecture in Tipon, pre – Inca Wari architecture in Pikillacta and a beautiful chapel, known as the “Sistine Chapel of America”

Description of Tour:

We pick you up from your Hotel between 09:00 hrs and 09:30 hrs to start visiting theses incredible places:

Tipon: Tipon is said 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, the mountain above the site.

In addition to the terracing there are also some other structures at Tipon, including baths, a temple complex, canals and aqueducts.

Tipon is definitely one of the lesser visited sites in the Cusco area, but it is equally as impressive as those in the Sacred Valley. The Tipon Archeological Complex is located 24km southeast of Cusco.

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

Andahuaylillas: Here you find the “Sistine Chapel of Peru”, 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 the return we will pass Saylla, where people can enjoy the delicious pork chicharrones (optional).

We returned to Cusco at about 3:30 PM.

Duration: 6-7 hours.

Day 9: CUSCO OUT – TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT

INCLUDED / NOT INCLUDED:

INCLUDED IN YOUR TOUR

• Transfer in/ out Cusco
• All  tours with professional english speaking guides
• All ground transportation for City and Sacred Valley tours
• All entrance fees for day tours
• Tourist class expedition train to and from Aguas Calientes
• 8 Nights of hotel 3 star class
• Breakfast at the hotels
• Bus transport to and from Machu Picchu
• Entrance fee to Machu Picchu
• Guided tour for 2 hours in Machu Picchu
• Transportation to Cusco and to your hotel
• Taxes included

NOT INCLUDED

• Meals
• Tourist tickets.
• Huaynapicchu ($20 per person)/Machu Picchu Mountain ($15 per person)

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

• Small bag for belongings (you can only bring a bag 8 kg or less on the train to and from Aguas Calientes)
• Daypack for things needed during the tour
• Comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear (hiking boots or sandals recommended)
• Extra money to purchase souvenirs, such as handicrafts from the local market
• Camera with spare batteries
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Water to drink
• Sunglasses
• Scarf or a hat to protect your head from the strong sun, which can cause sunstroke
• A warm jacket for the evening
• Any necessary medication

RECOMMENDATIONS:

If you wish to visit the whole sacred Valley and Around cusco, it is better to buy the 10 day tourist tickets for 130 Soles. You have in Cusco also access to other attractions and museums.

The climb to the Sun Gate is always available and free. This is a nice place with a view of Machu Picchu.

If you prefer Huaynapicchu with its dramatic views, this must be booked in advance and costs 25 dollars per person. The climb takes 45 minutes and is moderately difficult. The other option is the Machu Picchu Mountain, 1.5 hours steep climb, very demanding and $ 20 per person. This is probably the most spectacular of all views, but all three options are very nice and will allow you to make very good photos.

PRICE REDUCTION:

Groups of more than 5 people
Students with a valid international student card on presentation of the card at time of booking
Children under 17 on presentation of their identity card or passport at time of booking