The Best of Cusco in Culture and Adventure

• Day 1: Arrival, Welcome to Cusco
• Upon arrival, you’ll be assisted at the Cusco airport and transferred to your hotel.

• You’ll have the afternoon free to rest and acclimate.
• * Accommodation in Cusco

• Day 2: Visit Cusco and Its Surroundings
• In the morning, we escape the crowds to visit the Sacsayhuamán archaeological park, an impressive citadel of colossal constructions. Then, we visit Qenqo, an Inca worship site, followed by Puca Pucará and the Tambomachay Water Worship Center.

• We return to the Inca Manor, where we’ll have lunch and enjoy a panoramic view of the Puma City, Cusco.
• Then, an exclusive tour through the main streets, Inca and colonial monuments within the historic center.
• First, we visit the San Pedro Typical Market to immerse ourselves in local flavors and learn about the products that supply the Puma City. Next, we visit the Qoricancha Temple, or Golden Enclosure, in all its magnificence, along with the Santo Domingo Church.
• We then walk through the San Blas artisans’ neighborhood. From San Blas, we descend on foot along Hatun Rumiyoc Street, passing the Inca Roca Palace, now the Archbishop’s Palace, with time to admire the world-famous Twelve-Angle Stone. We continue descending to the charming and modern Plaza de Armas of Cusco and its beautiful Cathedral, housing colonial artworks of incredible value.
• * Accommodation in Cusco / Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch / Duration: 08:30 - 18:00 Hours

• Day 3: Humantay Lagoon
• Our adventure begins in Cusco. We head to the town of Mollepata, where a typical breakfast awaits to recharge our energy, then continue to Soraypampa. From there, we start the hike with our guide, walking on flat terrain for 30 minutes, then uphill for about an hour to reach Humantay Lagoon.

• At the lagoon, the guide will explain its significance, followed by free time to enjoy the beauty of nature. After spending time there, we descend to where our transport awaits.
• Once we arrive, we return to Mollepata to enjoy a delicious lunch, then head back to Cusco.
• * Accommodation in Cusco / Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch / Duration: 05:30 - 18:00 hours

• Day 4: Moray Terraces and Maras Salt Mines
• To start our tour, our staff will pick you up from your hotel.

• Leaving Cusco, we head to Chinchero to visit one of its textile production centers, observing beautiful weavings and learning about ancestral dyeing and crafting techniques. Then, we go to a viewpoint for a panoramic view of the impressive Túpac Yupanqui Archaeological Center.
• Next, we visit the incredible Moray Terraces, the Tahuantinsuyo’s experimental agricultural center. After this visit, we pass through the picturesque colonial town of Maras and its beautiful plaza.
• Before lunch in Urubamba, we visit the Maras salt mines, originating from mysterious springs in the Sacred Valley, known for their health benefits.
• Then, experience the living city of Ollantaytambo, appreciating the Incas’ remarkable urban planning with cobblestone and winding streets, agricultural terraces, and military fortress. From this location, you’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Sacred Valley.
• * Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.
• Finally, we head to the train station to continue our journey by train to Aguas Calientes.
• * Accommodation in Aguas Calientes / Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch / Duration: 08:30 - 20:00 hours

• Day 5: Secrets of Machu Picchu
• After breakfast, we take a bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu, considered the new spiritual center of the world.

• Time to enjoy and explore the Sacred City of the Incas with our guide, who will share the history and secrets of one of the Seven Wonders of the World. After the tour, you’ll have free time to enjoy, relax, and take photos.
• The sacred city will remain etched in your mind, heart, and soul. Then, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and take the return train to Ollantaytambo. Finally, we pick you up to transfer you to your hotel.
• * Accommodation in Ollantaytambo / Meals included: Breakfast / Duration: 08:30 - 20:00 hours

• Day 6: Sacred Valley of the Incas
• The tour begins in the living city of Ollantaytambo, where we first pick you up from your hotel.

• We start after Machu Picchu. After visiting the only inhabited Inca llacta to this day, we head to Pisac, enjoying a unique landscape along the Willcamayu River, the “Sacred River of the Incas.”
• In Pisac, we visit its unmissable Artisan Market, where you can find various crafts, paintings, jewelry, and other items made by local artisans, followed by a visit to the Pisac or Intihuatana archaeological complex. Then, we head to sites near the city of Cusco.
• We visit the Tambomachay archaeological site, then Puca Pucará, which likely served as a “tambo” or rest and lodging place for the Inca. Next, Kenko, an archaeological site dedicated to the worship of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. Finally, before arriving in Cusco, we visit Sacsayhuamán, an Inca construction notable for its massive carved stone walls and expansive view of the city of Cusco.
• * Accommodation in Cusco / Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch / Duration: 08:30 - 20:00 hours

• Day 7: Trekking to Rainbow Mountain “Vinicunca”
• To begin another adventure, we head to the town of Cusipata, where we’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast to recharge and store the energy needed for the climb to the mountain.

• We continue our journey for about 40 minutes to the starting point of the hike or trek, where you have the option to rent horses if desired.
• The ascent begins after a briefing with the guide, with the hike lasting about 1 hour uphill with our guide. The first stage is uphill, followed by flat terrain, and a moderate climb near the end. As we ascend, the air becomes colder but cleaner and purer.
• Along the way, we’ll observe a large number of llamas and alpacas. Once we reach our goal, you can enjoy this natural wonder, the Rainbow Mountain or Seven Colors Mountain, and the Ausangate snow-capped peak.
• A perfect setting to give thanks to life and Mother Earth for such beauty and grandeur. Our guide will explain in detail the orography, ecosystem, and why the mountain has its colors.
• After enjoying and taking many photos, the cold Andean breeze will prompt us to descend, this time through the Red Valley, a path many travelers compare to walking on the red planet Mars. The descent takes about 1 hour to Phullawasipata, where our transport awaits to take us for a well-deserved delicious lunch, then we return to Cusco.
• * Accommodation in Cusco / Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch / Duration: 08:30 - 20:00 hours

• Day 8: Cusco - Departure to Lima
• Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Cusco, and at the scheduled time, we’ll transfer you from your hotel to the airport.

The Tour Includes:

• Pick-up and transfer airport/hotel/airport.
• Tourist transportation to the sites visited.
• Five nights’ accommodation in Cusco.
• One night’s accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
• One night’s accommodation in Ollantaytambo.
• Daily breakfast at the hotel.
• Four lunches.
• Five lunches.
• Entrance tickets to the attractions specified in the itinerary.
• Train tickets (Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calientes / Ollantaytambo).
• Private guided service.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Bus ticket up and down to Machu Picchu.
• Continuous assistance.

The Tour Does Not Include:

• Meals not mentioned.
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks during meals.
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, travel insurance, etc.).
• Entrance ticket to Huayna Picchu Mountain.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu Mountain.
• Entrance ticket to Manuel Chavez Ballon Museum.
• Airfare.

Recommendations:

• Drink coca leaf tea to prevent altitude sickness.
• Stay hydrated during your tours.

Everything you should wear and carry in your small backpack

• Wear sneakers, light shoes, or tennis shoes.
• Waterproof clothing (long poncho) during the rainy season.
• Long-sleeve shirts.
• Long pants.
• Insect repellent.
• Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat for sunny days.
• Binoculars, camera, or video camera and films.
• Sunglasses and plastic bags.
• Personal medications and/or personal items (e.g., contact lens solution).
• One lightweight backpack or bag per person.
• Bring original documents used for your reservation.
• Carry your migration card (if staying overnight in Machu Picchu town).
• Keep small denominations of dollars, euros, or soles on hand.