Overview

In our 4-day itinerary in Cusco, you will have the opportunity to explore the most important sites in and around the city, including the City Tour, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and the option to hike to Humantay Lake (which can be substituted by Rainbow Mountain).

During the City Tour, you will visit and learn about the Cusco Cathedral and the Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun (which is now the Church of Santo Domingo), as well as the 4 archaeological sites in Cusco, including the impressive Sacsayhuaman.

During the tour of the Sacred Valley, you will have the opportunity to explore the market and archaeological sites of Pisac, as well as the fortress of Ollantaytambo, scene of some of the most epic battles between the Incas and the Spanish army.

During the tour to Machu Picchu, you will have time to enjoy the best of the lost citadel of the Incas in a 2-hour guided tour, as well as admire the scenery of the Urubamba Valley and the Sacred Valley from the window of the trains.

On the last day of activities, you can choose between two short hikes: the Humantay Lagoon, located on the route to Salkantay, one of the most famous hikes in Cusco; or the Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain, the second most visited site in Peru.

Itinerary

DAY 1:

CUSCO CITY – INCA RUINS

We will meet you in the lobby of your hotel at 1:00 pm to start this tour. From there, we will head to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where we will visit the famous Cathedral. After exploring this sacred church, we will walk along an ancient street built by the Incas that connects the Plaza de Armas with the Qoricancha, known as the Temple of the Sun.

At Qoricancha, you will have the opportunity to appreciate the contrast between Inca culture and Catholicism, as well as the different construction methods used. The impressive Inca structures here bear witness to the fact that this was the main temple of the Incas, from where all their roads departed. Among them, the main bronze altar of the Catholic church stands out.

After the visit to Qoricancha, we will walk to Avenida El Sol, where we will board our bus to leave the city. The ride to the majestic Inca site of Sacsayhuaman will take approximately 25 minutes, where our guide will take us to explore the surroundings. You will also have additional time to explore on your own.

Then, we will go by bus to Qenqo, where we will be able to see ancient altars from the Inca period. We will continue to Puca Pucara, a small circular Inca site, and finally we will visit Tambomachay, known as the temple of water, with its impressive water fountains.

Finally, we will return to Cusco, and the tour will conclude at the Plaza de Armas. Private tours will end at your hotel, where you can rest and reflect on the wonders you have witnessed during the day.

DAY 2:

CUSCO – PISAC – OLLANTAYTAMBO

Today is a very special day, as we will head out to visit Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world. To make the most of this unique experience, we recommend getting up early in the morning and enjoying breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, you will walk to the bus station to catch one of the first buses, which start operating at 5:30 am (seats are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis). The bus ride to Machu Picchu will take about 25 minutes.

Once you arrive, your guide will be waiting for you to take you to a spectacular view of the Lost City of the Incas. Afterwards, you will enjoy a 2-hour guided tour around Machu Picchu. If you have tickets to climb the impressive Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, your guide will tell you where to start this hike. We recommend that you arrange this with us at least one month in advance, as tickets sell out quickly and have an additional cost.

Once you have explored Machu Picchu, you will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch. Then, in the afternoon, you will take a train back to Ollantaytambo, from where our transportation will take you back to Cusco.

We will spend the night in Cusco, where you can rest and reflect on this unforgettable experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to book here today and be sure to experience this unique adventure.

DAY 3:

MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Today is a very special day, as we will visit Machu Picchu, one of the wonders of the world. To make the most of this unique experience, we recommend that you get up early in the morning to enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then, walk to the bus station to catch one of the first buses, which start running at 5:30 a.m. (assigned on a first-come, first-served basis). The bus ride to Machu Picchu will take about 25 minutes.

Once you arrive, your guide will be waiting for you to take you to a spectacular view of the Lost City of the Incas. Then you will have a 2 hour guided tour of Machu Picchu. If you have tickets to climb the impressive Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, your guide will take you to the place where this hike begins. Be sure to book this with us at least one month in advance, as tickets sell out quickly and have an additional cost.

Once you have explored Machu Picchu, you will take a bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have lunch. Then, in the afternoon, you will take a train back to Ollantaytambo, from where our transportation will take you back to Cusco.

We will spend the night in Cusco, where you can rest and reflect on this unforgettable experience. Don’t miss the opportunity to live this unique adventure!

DAY 4:

HUMANTAY LAKE

We will pick you up at your hotel between 3:30 and 4:00 am to begin our journey in our private transportation to Mollepata, a charming village located in the lush valley of the Apurimac River, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Cusco. In Mollepata, we will make a quick stop to enjoy a light breakfast and recharge our batteries before starting our hike. We will then continue our journey by vehicle to Soraypampa, which will take approximately one hour (3900 masl).

From here, we will begin our hike to Humantay Lake, located at 4200 masl (13779 ft). The steep climb will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. If the ascent is too challenging, there is the option of horseback riding to the lake. Once we reach the top and marvel at the magnificent view of Apu Humantay Lake, all difficulties will be forgotten.

At the top of the mountain, we will learn about the sacred importance this place had for the Incas and take time to appreciate the breathtaking views. After descending, we will return to Mollepata to enjoy a delicious lunch. Finally, we will board our transportation back to Cusco, where we can enjoy a well-deserved siesta.

Inclusions

Included

Professional guides

All ground transportation for City and Sacred Valley tours

Tourist class round-trip train tickets Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes

Round-trip bus tickets Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu

01-night in Aguas Calientes 3*** Hotel: Inti Punku el Tambo or Flower’s House Machu Picchu

02 Nights Hotel in Cusco 3*** Hotel: Maytaq Wasin Boutique, Hotel Ruinas or Hotel San Agustin Plaza

Entrance fee to Machu Picchu

2 hour guided tour in Machu Picchu in English

All Taxes

No Included

Meals

Tourist ticket to visit all the ruins sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley 130 soles per person

Optional Huayna Picchu (USD75 per person) or the Machu Picchu Mountain (USD75 per person)

Optional Cathedral entrance 25 sole and Qoricancha 15 soles

What to Bring

Original passport

A small bag for accessories (allowed are maximum 6 kg in the train to and from Aguas Calientes)

Small backpack for personal items

Comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear (hiking boots or sandals recommended)

Extra money for food, water, souvenirs and extra snacks

Camera and charger

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Water

Sunglasses

Scarf or hat in order to protect against the intense sunlight

Warm jacket for the evening/wind

Personal medications

Extra money in Soles

Faqs

Why is the tourist ticket not included?

Check our guide with all the information about the tourist ticket.

To include the accommodation, please contact our team and inform them of your preferred hotel category and number of people.

The maximum baggage weight allowed on the trains to Machu Picchu is 5kg per person. We recommend that you travel with as little as possible and leave the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Cusco.. If you check out when you travel to Machu Picchu, most hotels will allow you to leave your luggage in the hotel’s storage room.

The maximum baggage weight allowed on the trains to Machu Picchu is 5kg per person. We recommend that you travel with as little as possible and leave the rest of your luggage at your hotel in Cusco.. If you check out when you travel to Machu Picchu, most hotels will allow you to leave your luggage in the hotel’s storage room.

The entrance times for this tour are as early as 7am, but may vary according to ticket availability at the time of booking. Remember: the earlier you make your reservation, the more likely you are to get the best times.

The entrance times for this tour are as early as 7am, but may vary according to ticket availability at the time of booking. Remember: the earlier you make your reservation, the more likely you are to get the best times.

Yes, just get in touch with our team and we can provide you with a quote for a 100% private tour and a customized experience.

No. During the pandemic, restrictive measures were adopted that prevent you from wandering freely in the park after the guided tour. All visitors are only allowed to travel in one direction and can not walk backwards to where they have already been. However, we’ll give you ample time to take pictures and explore during our guided tour.

No. During the pandemic, restrictive measures were adopted that prevent you from wandering freely in the park after the guided tour. All visitors are only allowed to travel in one direction and can not walk backwards to where they have already been. However, we’ll give you ample time to take pictures and explore during our guided tour.

Yes, for the last day you can choose whether you want to do the Rainbow Mountain or Humantay Lake tour. Please inform us at the time of booking.

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