Cusco and Machu Picchu 7 Days

Summary

1. Day 01

   Cusco – Combined City Tour

   • •Pick-up at the airport and transfer to the hotel
   • •Morning free to acclimatize to the altitude (3,350 m a.s.l.)
   • •City tour in the afternoon including Coricancha (Temple of the Sun)
   • •Visit to four archaeological sites: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay
2. Day 02

   South Valley – Hidden Archaeological Gems

   • •Visit to Tipón (Inca hydraulic engineering)
   • •Exploration of Pikillacta (pre-Inca Wari culture)
   • •Tour of Andahuaylillas Church (“Sistine Chapel of the Americas”)
   • •Traditional local gastronomy in villages such as Saylla and Huasao
3. Day 03

   Sacred Valley of the Incas

   • •Visit to Pisac and its impressive agricultural terraces
   • •Tour through the towns of Coya, Lamay, Calca, and Urubamba
   • •Buffet lunch
   • •Guided tour of the Ollantaytambo archaeological site
   • •Stop in Chinchero to visit Andean textile centers
4. Day 04

   Machu Picchu – The Wonder of the Inca World

   • •Train journey to Aguas Calientes
   • •Bus transfer to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu
   • •2-hour guided tour of the citadel
   • •Free time for optional activities (Huayna Picchu / Machu Picchu Mountain hike)
   • •Lunch in Aguas Calientes
   • •Return train to Ollantaytambo and bus back to Cusco
5. Day 05

   Maras and Moray – Inca Engineering and Science

   • •Visit to the town of Maras with views of the Urubamba mountain range
   • •Exploration of the salt mines (over 3,000 salt ponds used since pre-Inca times)
   • •Tour of the concentric terraces of Moray (ancient agricultural laboratory)
6. Day 06

   Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)

   • •Early morning departure (4:30–4:40 AM)
   • •Breakfast in Cusipata
   • •Moderate 4 km hike (approximately 1.5 hours of gradual ascent)
   • •Time to enjoy the spectacular multicolored mountain
   • •Buffet lunch at a countryside restaurant in Cusipata
   • •Return to Cusco around 4:30 PM
7. Day 07

   Cusco – Farewell

   • •Free time for last-minute shopping or exploration
   • •Transfer to the airport or bus terminal

Itinerary

• 1

  DAY 1Cusco – Combined City Tour

  Arrival in the city of Cusco, reception, and transfer by a representative of the agency to the selected hotel. The rest of the morning is free to acclimatize to the altitude (3,350 m a.s.l.).

  Between 12:40 and 12:50, we will begin the hotel pick-up to start the city tour and nearby ruins. The tour will showcase the impressive colonial city built on Inca foundations. We will visit the Cathedral, with its Renaissance-style architecture and beautiful paintings from the “Cusco School,” and Coricancha or the Temple of the Sun, considered the Royal House of the Sun in Urin Cusco.

  We continue with the visit to the four ruins near Cusco: Sacsayhuamán, a great fortress located 5 km from the city; Qenqo, a sacred amphitheater and center of worship of the Puma god and archaeoastronomy site where human sacrifices were performed; Pucapucara, the “red fortress” due to the tone its stones take on at sunset; and Tambomachay, a temple dedicated to the worship of water.

  The tour ends approximately at 18:00 hours.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Guide, transportation, entrance fees

• 2

  DAY 2South Valley – Tipón, Pikillacta & Andahuaylillas

  Breakfast at the hotel

  In the morning, departure to the South Valley. This tour is known for combining beautiful natural landscapes, Inca architecture at Tipón, and pre-Inca Wari architecture at Pikillacta. You will visit Andahuaylillas and its beautiful chapel, known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas,” not forgetting the delicious cuisine that can be enjoyed in Saylla and Huasao.

  In the afternoon, return to the city of Cusco.

  Free afternoon.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, guide, entrance fees

• 3

  DAY 3Sacred Valley of the Incas

  Breakfast at the hotel

  In the morning, hotel pick-up for our visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

  During the tour, we will visit the town of Pisac, a picturesque colonial town of mixed heritage. On Sundays, a Quechua-language mass is celebrated. Afterwards, we continue to the Pisac archaeological complex, where we can observe large agricultural terraces. We also pass through the towns of Coya, Lamay, Calca, and Urubamba.

  Buffet lunch. In the afternoon, guided visit to the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, home to a vast archaeological park that served as an important agricultural, social, administrative, religious, and military complex during the time of the Tahuantinsuyo.

  On the return to Cusco, we pass through Chinchero, another traditional village where we will visit Andean textile centers.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, lunch, guide, entrance fees

• 4

  DAY 4Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco

  Breakfast at the hotel

  We will head to the train station at the scheduled time to begin our journey to the Machu Picchu citadel.

  After a two-hour transfer, we will arrive at Ollantaytambo station, where we will board the train bound for Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, a representative from our agency will be waiting to accompany us to the bus station. From there, we will take a bus up to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

  At the site, you will enjoy a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, where you will receive information about the main structures of the Inca citadel and learn about its unique stone architecture, full of mystery and energy.

  Afterwards, you will have free time to explore on your own, with optional activities such as the ascent to Huayna Picchu Mountain or a walk to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).

  At the coordinated time, we will take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, where you will have lunch at a local restaurant.

  Finally, we will return by train to Ollantaytambo and then by bus to your hotel in Cusco.

  Optional: If you wish to visit Huayna Picchu Mountain, it must be booked at least two months in advance with an additional cost of $25.00.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, guide, entrance fees, train, lunch

• 5

  DAY 5Cusco – Maras & Moray

  Breakfast at the hotel

  The excursion will begin with hotel pick-up between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., visiting two destinations: Maras and Moray.

  Maras is located west of Cusco at an altitude of 3,300 meters above sea level and offers panoramic views of the Urubamba mountain range, La Verónica (5,682 m a.s.l.), and Chikón (5,530 m a.s.l.). Historically, Maras became important as a settlement for Inca nobles when they lost their palaces in Qosqo. The town features a colonial adobe church and houses paintings from the Cusqueña School.

  Moray, located 7 km southwest of Maras, is a unique archaeological site in the region. It consists of giant natural depressions or holes in the ground that were used to build agricultural terraces with irrigation channels along their edges. It is considered an advanced agricultural laboratory or experimental station for its time, which contributed to the cultivation knowledge of ancient Andean civilizations, preserving a wide variety of crops such as potatoes, corn, and others.

  In the afternoon, return to the city of Cusco. Free afternoon.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, guide, entrance fees

• 6

  DAY 6Cusco – Rainbow Mountain

  Breakfast at the hotel

  We will begin with hotel pick-up from your respective hotel between 4:30 and 4:40 a.m., then travel for approximately 2 hours south until we reach the district of Cusipata, where we will enjoy breakfast and a short rest.

  We will continue for about 1 more hour to the starting point of the hike to Rainbow Mountain (4 km).

  The hike takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Along the route, we will observe local flora and fauna, including llamas and alpacas, as well as mountains such as Apu Sarinini and Ausangate, the highest mountain in Cusco at 6,372 m a.s.l.

  According to Inca mythology, this mountain and nearby lakes, including Sivinacocha, are associated with the masculine energy that fertilizes Mother Earth (Pachamama).

  After the hike, we will reach the summit of Rainbow Mountain, where we will have time to enjoy the scenery and take photos.

  After a brief explanation from our professional guide, we will descend the same route to the starting point, take transportation, and head to a restaurant in Cusipata to enjoy a buffet lunch in a countryside setting.

  After lunch, we will begin the return trip to Cusco, ending this beautiful experience around 4:30 p.m.

  In the afternoon, return to the city of Cusco.

  Accommodation: Selected hotel in Cusco

  Includes: Transportation, guide, lunch, entrance fees

• 7

  DAY 7Cusco

  Breakfast at the hotel

  On this final day of our wonderful adventure through the heart of the ancient Inca Empire, we will enjoy a last breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your flight or transport schedule, you will have free time for last-minute shopping, visiting must-see places, or simply strolling through the charming cobblestone streets of historic Cusco, once again absorbing the magical energy of this ancient city.

  At the appropriate time, a representative from our agency will pick you up from your hotel and comfortably transfer you to the airport or bus terminal, bringing this transformative journey through the wonders of ancient Peru to an end.

  Accommodation: none

  Includes: Transportation

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