| SEASON | All year |
| DURATION | 4 days / 3 nights (Cusco - Cusco) |
| FITNESS LEVEL | Easy |
| DEPARTURE DATES | Saturdays (dependent upon Machu Picchu permit and train ticket availability) |
| ACTIVITIES | History, Culture & Nature Exploration |
Welcome to the mysterious, magical and sacred world of the Incas! This program offers visitors an exploration of the political and religious capital of the Incas: Qosqo (the “navel of the Earth”), once the center of the greatest empire ever seen in the Americas. We will visit the historic city, where with the arrival of the Spanish Cusco’s temples and palaces became the foundations of magnificent neo-Baroque churches such as Santo Domingo and the cathedral. In the hills above the city, we will explore the fascinating Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, the main attraction of which is the monolithic temple complex. After exploring the verdant Sacred Valley of the Incas, with its colorful local markets, beautiful scenery, and fascinating archaeological sites, we will visit Machu Picchu, lost for centuries amid lush tropical vegetation and now one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will have the morning free to get used to the altitude (3300 meters / 10,900 feet) and to wander through the narrow streets of the historic center of the city. In the afternoon we will visit the impressive Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park. This great complex was once the Inca “House of the Sun”, composed of temples, palaces and astronomical observatories. Many of the stones which form the walls weigh up to 130 tons each and were positioned with incredible precision.
Overnight stay in Cusco
We will leave the city in the early morning and head by bus to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Along the way, we will visit a weaving center and museum, where local weavers will explain the textile making process from shearing, spinning and dyeing with plant extracts to the actual weaving of the wool. After this special experience, we will continue our tour by visiting the archaeological site at Pisaq. The charming colonial-era village of Pisaq, with its lively local market, is situated at the base of a mountain upon which the Incas built a fortified temple complex. We will have plenty of time to explore this beautiful place. After a picnic with fantastic views of the Sacred Valley far below, we will visit the colorful handcraft market in the village, and in the afternoon, we will drive to the village of Ollantaytambo. Located at the narrow end of the Sacred Valley, this village is often described as a living museum, where the descendants of the Incas continue to live in houses built by their ancestors, below the ruins of an imposing Inca temple complex.
Overnight stay in Ollantaytambo
After breakfast, we will head to the local station to board the train for the magnificent train ride through the Urubamba Gorge to the small town of Aguas Calientes, located below the ruins of Machu Picchu. During this two-hour journey following the course of the Urubamba River, we will pass from high Andean scenery to lush tropical vegetation. Arriving at Aguas Calientes, we will take a bus up to the most famous site in the southern hemisphere: the fascinating ruins of what the world knows as the Lost City of the Incas: legendary Machu Picchu. You will visit this magical site in the company of a highly experienced and knowledgeable guide. We will return by train to Cusco in the afternoon.
You will be transferred to Cusco airport for your domestic and/or international connections.
PLEASE NOTE:
In the Sacred Valley of the Incas the itinerary may be subject to changes.
| TRANSPORT | Private transport for tours |
| HOTEL | Hotel ***3/ Total Nights 3 |
| TOURS | According to program, including each day’s activities + guide |
| ENTRANCE FEE/ PERMITS | BTG and Machu Picchu national park |
| MEALS | Dx1 Lx1 Bx3 |
| TRANSPORT | International / domestic flights |
| EXTRAS | Travel insurance, tips, tours & meals not mentioned in the itinerary |
Cost per person in USD
| Service | 1 Pax | 2 Pax |
| PRIVATE SERVICE | 1,870 | 1,200 |
| GROUP SERVICE | 1,150 | 850 |
