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TRIP OVERVIEW
Being the cradle of one of the most enigmatic civilizations in history and home to 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Peru is quite a special destination, as you’ll discover over six fascinating days exploring the country. Visit beautiful colonial cities, impressive archeological sites, and discover some of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet en route to the magnificent Machu Picchu citadel and mountain.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- 6 Days / 5 Nights
- Departure: Cusco
- An in-depth experience of the Sacred Valley and its history
- Perfect for families, couples and friends
- Includes shared tour of archeological sites nearby Cusco and of Machu Picchu
- Get unlimited access to all of our Virtual Experiences!
TOUR INCLUSIONS
- GUIDE:
English-speaking guide. - ACCOMMODATION:
Two nights of accommodation in Sacred Valley; one night in Aguas Calientes and one night in Cusco. - MEALS:
Daily Breakfast at the hotel starting on day 2.
Lunch on day 2 in Sacred Valley, and on day 3 in Aguas Calientes. - TRANSPORT:
Private transfers from and to the airport.
Shared transfers from and to the train stations.
Train to Machu Picchu round trip in Expedition service (PeruRail) or Voyager (IncaRail). - ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:
Admission to all major monuments and sightseeing attractions mentioned in the above itinerary: Inkary Museum, Living Museum of Yucay, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero archeological complexes in Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu on day 3; Coricancha, Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay in Cusco and Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC ticket).
ROUTE
Day 1 Arrival – Cusco – Sacred Valley (75km – 2 hours)
Day 2 Sacred Valley – Chinchero – Ollantaytambo
Day 3 Sacred Valley – Machu Picchu (115km – 4 hours)
Day 4 Machu Picchu – Cusco
Day 5 Cusco: City Tour and archeological sites
Day 6 Departure Cusco
FULL ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVAL CUSCO & SACRED VALLEY
Arrive at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco. Upon arrival, a representative will be waiting to greet you at the airport and the transportation service will transfer you to your Sacred Valley hotel. En route to the hotel, following the road to Pisac, you will make a stop at the Inkariy Museum where you will learn about the pre-Columbian history and traditions of Peru. This museum features a chronological circuit of exhibits that will not only give you an insight into the impressive Inca Empire, but will also introduce you to the lesser-known peoples of Peru, including the Caral, Chavín, Paracas, Moche, Nasca, Wari, Malbayeque and Chimú cultures. Upon arrival at your hotel, check in to your room and enjoy some free time to make use of the hotel facilities or to relax and re-charge your batteries ready for the trip ahead.
Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late.
Overnight at the selected hotel in Sacred Valley.
DAY 2: SACRED VALLEY – CHINCHERO – OLLANTAYTAMBO
Today breakfast at the hotel is followed by visit to the town of Chinchero, a small high-altitude town offering beautiful views of the valley and the chance to witness traditional clothing, customs and local handicrafts. Visit archeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. You will then be transferred to the Yucay Museum of Living Culture, where you can see textiles, adobe pottery and silverware being crafted using techniques dating back to the Incas. This center not only gives you an insight into local Andean traditions, but you also have the opportunity to feed the llamas, sheep and alpacas! Feel the true spirit of the Sacred Valley as you sample a lunch of local cuisine in a cozy restaurant in Ollantaytambo. After eating, explore the streets of Ollantaytambo, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress built into the mountainside. At the end of the day, return to your hotel to rest full of the spirit of the Incas.
*On Sundays, you may also visit the local market.
Overnight at the selected hotel in Sacred Valley. Lunch Included.
DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU
Wake up to breakfast at the hotel then transfer to the Ollanta station to begin your trip to Machu Picchu. Enjoy the approximately two-hour scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, also known as ‘Machu Picchu Pueblo’, the last stop before entering the most important archeological site in Peru. It is believed that Machu Picchu was built for the Inca emperor Pachacútec around 1450 as a holiday residence. The citadel was abandoned just over 100 years later, probably as a result of the Spanish Conquest, although historians have never uncovered why it was abandoned or how it escaped the destruction that other Inca settlements faced. Instead, the jungle slowly engulfed its stone construction, covering it in a thick vegetation that kept it hidden and protected until the ‘lost city of the Incas’ was brought to international attention in 1911. Your tour will introduce you to the origins of this impressive citadel and guide you around some of its most iconic monuments, such as the main square, the royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, the circular towers, the Sacred Clock and cemeteries. At the end of the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch and free time in the afternoon.
Overnight at the selected hotel in Aguas Calientes. Lunch included.
DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO
DAY 5: CUSCO CITY TOUR & ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
After breakfast at the hotel, take advantage of your free morning in Cusco to rest at the hotel or to explore its cobblestone streets and shop for local handicrafts. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the capital of the Inca
Empire. The tour begins at the Santo Domingo Convent, a building constructed on the site of Coricancha, one of the most important Incan complexes dedicated to sun worship. According to historical records, the original temple walls depicted scenes of nature and were covered in gold leaf. After Coricancha, visit the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, then head to the Cusco hills, where you’ll find the fortress of Sacsayhuamán and panoramic views of Cusco. Continue on to Qenqo, an archeological site where it is believed the Incas carried out religious rituals. Your tour ends in Puka Pukara, meaning ‘strong red’ in Quechua. Puka Pukara is an ancient military site comprising numerous rooms, courtyards, baths, aqueducts and towers. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight at the selected hotel in Cusco.
DAY 6: DEPARTURE CUSCO
After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, your representative will assist you with check out and accompany you on the transfer to the airport. Although this is the last day of your journey through the Sacred Valley, we hope that your memories of this remarkable region, bursting with both culture and history, will last a lifetime.
