Discovering Cusco

A transportation service will wait for your arrival at the Cusco Airport and transfer you to your hotel. You will be accompanied by a guide who will inform you about the attractions the city has to offer and assist you along the way.Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

Breakfast at the hotel. Have the morning free to walk around and explore the city on your own. In the afternoon, the tour begins in Coricancha, also known as the ‘Temple of the Sun’, which was built by order of Inca ruler Pachacuti and at the arrival of the Spaniards became the basis for the construction of the Santo Domingo Convent. Then visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square, whose construction was completed in 1654. After, head to Sacsayhuaman, one of the emblematic buildings of the Incas, erected by Inca Pachacuti in the 15th century. It is an immense fortress built with large stones, whose transfer and assembling is still a mystery. Every June 24, during the winter solstice, the Féstival of Inti Raymi, in which the sun is worshipped, is recreated. Continue to Qenqo, an archaeological complex of religious use, where agricultural rituals were held. To conclude, you will visit Puka Pukara, seven kilometres from the city. Puka Pukara, which means ‘red fort’, was an architectural complex of supposed military use with multiple environments, plazas, baths, aqueducts, and towers. It is believed that it was used by the Inca entourage while the leader rested in Tambomachay. Once the tour ends, return to the hotel. Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

Breakfast at the hotel. During the morning, you are picked up from your hotel in Cusco to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs. In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Then, you are transferred from Ollantaytambo to the Living Museum of Yucay, a centre Andean traditions interpretations, where demonstrations of the elaboration of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they used to in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed! . Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain. Later, have lunch in Ollantaytambo and live a superior Andean gastronomy experience in a restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is transmitted in a cosy atmosphere. At the end of this activity, you are transferred back to your hotel. *On Sundays, also visit the local market.After your visit, return to your hotel in Sacred Valley. Accommodation: Overnight in Sacred Valley at selected hotel

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel and a transfer to the Ollanta train station. Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with a train ride to Aguas Calientes, taking approximately two hours. The town is also nicknamed ‘Machu Picchu pueblo’ and is the last stop before entering the remains of the most important archaeological site in Peru. In Aguas Calientes, one can find a craft market, restaurants and hotels of different categories for those who prefer to spend the night at the foot of the mountain and climb it early. Finally, after a short transfer by bus, reach Machu Picchu, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture that served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca ruler Pachacuti. Machu Picchu, which means ‘Old Mountain’, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New7Wonders of the World. Once in the citadel, you may optionally also visit the Intipunku (Sun Gate), the Wayna Picchu (subject to space availability) and the Inca Bridge. Return to Aguas Calientes for lunch at Café Inkaterra, followed by your return trip to Cusco. Overnight at selected hotel in Cusco on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Lunch included.

A transportation service and guide will pick you up from your hotel at the established time and transfer you to the Cusco airport to catch your onward flight. Breakfast included.