Cusco & Machu Picchu Highlights

Upon your arrival at Cusco airport, you will be met by our staff and transferred to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Along the route, stop at a Llamafarm and admire the South American camelids such as Llamas, Alpacas, Vicuñas and Huanacos, visit the picturesque town of Pisaq, including the Inca archaeological site, appreciate the fine masonry, residential quarters, Peru’s largest Inca cemetery and the magnificent Inca terraces, Visit The vibrant Artisan market, a great opportunity to interact with the locals, some dressed in their traditional colorful costumes. Try the best “EMPANADAS” in the area. Stop along the way to take pictures of the impressive Andes mountain range and its snow-capped mountains.

* Sitting a few thousand feet lower than Cusco at 2,850 m / 9,405 ft, this area is an ideal place to spend your first days as you adjust to the high altitude..

Start your day with a visit to Moray, known as the “Inca agricultural greenhouse.” These astonishing circular terraces served as an experimental center where the Incas studied how different crops adapted to varying temperatures and microclimates. Next, head to the Maras Salt Mines, an ancient pre-Inca system of thousands of evaporation ponds that still produce the region’s famous pink salt through traditional methods. Continue your journey to Ollantaytambo—an Inca living town built around a monumental fortress—where you’ll enjoy a traditional Pachamanca lunch prepared in the earth, a flavorful Andean cooking technique that has been passed down for generations.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch.

In the morning, you’ll be transferred to the town of Ollantaytambo to explore its impressive Inca fortress, once part of the Royal Estate of Emperor Pachacuti. Take in the Incas’ masterful architecture and urban design, featuring temples, astronomical centers, fountains, and terraced hillsides. After your visit, you’ll continue to the train station to board the tourist train to Machu Picchu. A light snack will be served during the 1.5-hour journey. Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, you’ll board a shuttle bus for the final ascent to the Machu Picchu archaeological site.

Meals: Breakfast.

This morning you have the option to visit Machu Picchu for a second time to enjoy a beautiful sunrise and explore another circuit of the Inca complex accompanied by your guide. For the most adventurous travelers, we suggest hiking Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain locally known as “Montaña” (advance reservation required). It’s an exciting adventure for the travelers who want to see Machu Picchu from a new and different perspective. Less demanding and beautiful hikes are also available such as the Sun Gate or the Inca Bridge (advance reservation required). After this, you’ll travel back to Cusco.

* Machu Picchu is best experienced over two days, giving you plenty of time to explore the site fully and to adapt to any changes in weather.

* There is a limited number of permits to climb up to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain “Montaña”, and must be purchased in advance along with your Machu Picchu entrance. ⇒ Check with our travel agents for suggestions and availability.

Meals: Breakfast.

Enjoy a morning tour of the ancient capital of the Inca Empire “Cusco city” – UNESCO World Heritage City, it takes you to Pre-Hispanic Inca temples, impressive Inca complexes on the outskirts of the city such as Saqsayhuaman, an Inca complex with megalithic constructions; Q’enqo, an ancient Inca ceremonial site; the Cathedral which is one of South America’s nicest Catholic churches, and finally proceed to San Pedro Market, a local farmers’ market where you can see fresh local produce and delicacies. You’ll discover historic plazas, quaint local coffee shops and the true magic of this historical city.

Afternoon at your own leisure.

* What to do and see in your spare time: Admire the marvelous city’s Inca-Colonial architecture, visit the Inca Museum which houses magnificent ancient artifacts and Colonial art, visit a silver workshop and learn all about the process and designs of the high-quality Peruvian jewelry or enjoy learning how to cook the most popular Peruvian dishes at a cooking class, if feeling adventurous! Try Cusco’s most traditional dish “CUY” (Baked Guinea pig) or Alpaca skewers quite popular at present.

Meals: Breakfast.

Early start! Begin with a 3-hour bus ride to Vinicunca village, the starting point of today’s hike. Along the way, enjoy stunning views of the Andes mountains as you pass picturesque villages and unique landscapes. The hike to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint takes about one hour along a gradual slope. Once at the top, be rewarded with incredible panoramas of snowcapped peaks, including Cusco’s highest mountain, Ausangate (6,384 m / 21,067 ft), and the striking geography surrounding this famous Rainbow Mountain. Along the trail, you may also encounter alpacas and llamas grazing, adding to the magical experience of this sacred mountain.

* The high altitude shouldn’d be a problem today after adjusting with it in the Sacred Valley and Cusco city.

Meals: Breakfast & lunch.

Transfer to Cusco airport for your outbound flight.

Meals: Breakfast.