Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
See the Colonial and Inca heart of the city of Cusco, the colourful market town of Pisac and the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, before heading to Aguas Calientes, the departure point for a guided tour of Machu Picchu. You have a free day in Cusco at the end of the tour to explore the city and do some souvenir shopping.
|
Day |
City |
Activity |
Overnight |
Meals* |
|
Day 1 |
Cusco |
Arrive Cusco |
Cusco |
- |
|
Day 2 |
Cusco |
Free morning, afternoon Group Tour of Cusco & Ruins |
Cusco |
B |
|
Day 3 |
Cusco |
Sacred Valley Tour and train to Aguas Calientes |
Aguas Calientes |
B, L |
|
Day 4 |
Cusco |
Machu Picchu Tour and return to Cusco |
Cusco |
B |
|
Day 5 |
Cusco | Free day in Cusco | Cusco | B |
|
Day 6 |
Cusco |
Depart Cusco |
- |
B |
* B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
- Add extra nights in Cusco or upgrade to superior hotels, ask us for prices.
- Combine this tour with a trip to Lake Titicaca, easily accessible on a comfortable tourist coach from Cusco
- Fly back to Lima via Puerto Maldonado and add a stay in an Amazon Rainforest Lodge
Day 1: Arrive Cusco and transfer to your hotel
Upon arrival in Cusco you will have a private transfer to your chosen hotel. The rest of the day is free to start exploring the city or relax and acclimatise to the altitude. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.
Day 2: Free morning, afternoon Group Tour of Cusco & Ruins
You have a free morning to begin exploring the City of Cusco independently, or enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. In the afternoon, you will join a group with an English speaking local guide for a Cusco City Tour, including the Main Plaza, the Cathedral and the Koricancha temple in the centre of town. Your tour also takes in the archaeological sites of Kenko, Tambomachay, Puka Pukara and the fortress of Sacsayhuaman located on the hills overlooking Cusco. You will be back at your hotel by around 6pm. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.
Day 3: Sacred Valley Tour and train to Aguas Calientes
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full day Group Tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Your first stop is the picturesque town of Pisac and its colourful handicraft market. At midday you will stop for a buffet lunch at a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon you continue to the town and Inca Fortress of Ollantaytambo, a huge administrative, agricultural, civil, military and religious complex from the time of the Inca Empire. In the late afternoon or evening, you will take the train to Aguas Calientes where our local agent will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Aguas Calientes.
Day 4: Machu Picchu Tour and return to Cusco
You will have an early start today as you travel by train and bus to the citadel of Machu Picchu. You will have a private tour with a local guide who will show you all the major sectors of the site, including the Intiwatana or sun dial, the Sun temple and the Condor temple among others. After the tour you will have a chance to explore the city independently. When you are ready you can take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes where there are plenty of restaurants to choose from for lunch. You will take the train back to Cusco in the afternoon, arriving at around 8pm. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.
Day 5: Free Day in Cusco
After breakfast, you have a whole day to enjoy the City of Cusco. You might want to visit some of the city’s varied museums, the handicraft markets, or the central San Pedro market, as well as the San Blas neighbourhood and you will surely want to try a local restaurant or two. Spend the night at our standard hotel in Cusco.
Day 6: Depart Cusco
At the appropriate time you will have a private transfer from your hotel to Cusco airport or bus terminal.
- 5 nights in a double or twin room in standards (3*)
- All transport and transfers as mentioned in itinerary
- Group excursions with English and Spanish speaking Guide in Cusco and Sacred Valley
- Private tour of Machu Picchu with local English Speaking Guide
- Entrance fees to all sites visited
- Meals as indicated
- Unspecified meals and services
- Optional tips for guides and / or drivers
- International and domestic flights
- Airport taxes
Standard hotels and lodges are clean, comfortable and well located. They usually have en-suite bathrooms with hot water and towels, and some in-room facilities like a TV and phone. Depending on the location, many will have wi-fi at least in the lobby areas if not in the rooms. They are often small, family-run establishments, and are tastefully decorated and full of charm. In most cases rooms will not be very big and although staff are friendly and helpful, their English may not be perfect. Our standard accommodation would usually be classified locally as 3* hostels or 2.5* – 3* hotels.
- Original Passport and immigration card
- Lightweight long cotton trousers
- Cotton or linen shirts / t-shirts
- A body-warmer or down jacket
- Thermal & fleece layers
- Trainers or walking shoes
- Small backpack
- Sun block
- Sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Refillable water bottle
- Torch
- Camera, memory cards & battery charger