Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco Tour – 4 Days

Join our 4-day Cusco and Machu Picchu tour and discover the incredible Inca culture. You will explore the city of Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the citadel of Machu Picchu up close. This journey will allow you to experience the history and natural beauty of the region in a complete 4 day tour around Cusco’s most emblematic destinations.

INCLUDES:

• Pre-tour information and permanent assistance in Cusco.
• 2 hotel nights in Cusco.
• 1 hotel night in Aguas Calientes.
• Round-trip airport transfers.
• Entrance ticket to the Cusco Cathedral.
• Entrance ticket to Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun).
• Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC), which allows visits to archaeological sites and historical places in Cusco and the Sacred Valley.
• Transfers from Cusco to Ollantaytambo train station, round trip.
• Bus tickets Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
• Professional guide in English and Spanish.
• Buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare.
• Meals not mentioned.
• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Book in advance
• Bring your passport or ID document
• Carry cash in Peruvian soles and US dollars (ATMs are available in Cusco)
• Bring snacks and bottled water
• During the tours, you will visit sites with stairs; wear comfortable shoes with non-slip soles
• Arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes early and present your ticket and ID
• Carry a small backpack with a camera, hat, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent
• On the train, luggage is limited to 5 kg
• During high season, Machu Picchu receives a large number of visitors, so you may need to wait in line to board the bus

WHAT TO BRING:

• Comfortable casual and outdoor clothing
• Plenty of layers for both cold and warm temperatures (chilly mornings and nights, warmer during the day)
• Comfortable, non-slip shoes suitable for walking and hiking
• Sun hat for protection at high altitude
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Sunscreen (essential due to strong Andean sun)
• Rain jacket (weather in the Andes can change quickly in any season)
• Personal hygiene items
• Phone/laptop chargers and travel adapters
• Small daypack (for daily excursions and hikes)
• Reusable water bottle or hydration pack
• Snacks / energy bars (especially for early departures and hikes)
• Lip balm & moisturizer (the dry, high-altitude air can be harsh)
• Portable power bank (very useful during long days)
• Swimsuit (some hotels have spas or hot springs in Aguas Calientes)
• Warm accessories (gloves, scarf, beanie – especially for early mornings)

DAY 1: Cusco City And Surroundings

Upon your arrival, our team will be waiting for you at the airport to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. Once settled in and after a brief rest , we will begin our City Tour at approximately 1:00 p.m.. Our first stop will be the Cusco Cathedral, an impressive colonial monument where we can find abundant carved wooden details, ornate altars, and remarkable paintings created by local artists of the renowned “Escuela Cusqueña” art genre, that remotes back to when local indigenous artist were taught European painting techniques.

Next, we will explore Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun, originally built by the Incas to honor the Sun God and then modified by the colonial period by the Spanish transforming the site into a fusion of cultures, yet it still preserves the extraordinary precision of Inca stonework alongside Catholic religious art and architecture.

After visiting Qoricancha, we will head to Sacsayhuamán, located about 3 kilometers above Cusco. From its vast esplanade, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city. This monumental complex was constructed with colossal and enormous limestone blocks, some weighing between 25 and 130 tons. Its three overlapping zigzag terraces once served as the stage for major Inca ceremonies, including Inti Raymi (the Honoring Celebration Festival of the Sun, celebrated each June) and Warachikuy, a ritual in which young men were initiated as warriors.

Our journey will continue to Qenqo, a Quechua word meaning “labyrinth,” named for its underground galleries and small zigzagging channels carved into the rock. We will then visit Puka Pukara, or the “Red Fortress,” strategically positioned to oversee and control access to the imperial city.

Our final stop will be Tambomachay, located about 9 kilometers from Cusco. This site is believed to have been a place of rest and is also known as the “Baths of the Inca or Temple in Honor to Water” due to its natural springs and finely engineered water channels. The City Tour concludes near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Cusco.

INCLUDES:

• Private airport–hotel transfer
• Pre-tour assistance
• 1 hotel night in Cusco
• Entrance tickets to the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay
• Tourist transportation
• Professional English–Spanish guide (shared service)

NOT INCLUDED:

• Meals
• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

After the tour, we invite you to walk around the Plaza de Armas (Main Square) and nearby streets, where you can admire Cusco handicrafts in artisan shops. Enjoy Peruvian cuisine in local restaurants or relax on one of the benches in the Plaza. If you enjoy nightlife, you will find bars and nightclubs around the square.

DAY 2: Sacred Valley – Pisac – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.

We will embark on a full-day tour through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After breakfast at your hotel, our team will pick you up at approximately 7:30 a.m. to begin the journey.

Our first stop will be the Archaeological Site of Pisac, located about one hour from Cusco. Here, the Incas demonstrated remarkable expertise in architecture and engineering. The ruins of Pisac feature impressive agricultural terraces, residential and ceremonial structures, as well as irrigation channels that once supplied water for farming and all carved and structured on sides of the massive andean mountains. After exploring the site, we will visit the Pisac artisan market, where you can browse a wide variety of unique handcrafted goods: from textiles of andean camelids, to paintings, frames and other creative andean handcrafts that make perfect souvenirs. Around midday, we will head to the town of Urubamba to enjoy lunch featuring local national Peruvian cuisine with introductions to local ingredients.

In the afternoon, we will visit the fortress of Ollantaytambo, an important military, agricultural, and religious center that once governed and protected the Sacred Valley. This archaeological complex is known for its massive, finely carved stone blocks and its impressive system of overlapping terraces.

After our guided visit to Ollantaytambo, we will transfer to the train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. The journey, lasting approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, follows the Vilcanota River with amazing views of the Veronica and Waqay Willka Glaciers and fascinating contrasts between the high andean puna and the start of the Peruvian Mountain Forests. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we will assist you with your transfer to the hotel. You will then have the rest of the day free to explore the town at your leisure, browse local artisan shops, or enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area.

Overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.

INCLUDES:

• Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
• Tourist transportation
• Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish)
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba
• Train tickets from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• One night at a hotel in Aguas Calientes

NOT INCLUDED:

• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Wear comfortable sneakers or appropriate walking shoes, as there will be steep stairways.
• Bring a small backpack with your camera, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a bottle of water.
• Don’t forget to pick up a handmade souvenir at the Pisac market.

DAY 3: Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu — Cusco.

Early in the morning, our staff will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to the bus station. From there, we will board the shuttle bus that takes us up to the Archaeological Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The bus ride lasts approximately 25 minutes.

Once inside the sanctuary, we will meet our guide and enter the city. The guided tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours, during which your guide will explain the history and architecture of Machu Picchu. You will visit both the agricultural and urban sectors of the citadel, including plazas, temples, pathways, stairways, terraces, aqueducts and breathtaking views! The agricultural terraces (also known as andenes) are supported by stone retaining walls, and the hydraulic system includes water channels that once supplied different areas of the city. Machu Picchu stands out for its extraordinary engineering and architecture harmoniously integrated into the natural landscape.

After the tour, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch and explore the town’s restaurants and artisan shops. Later, we will board the train back to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival, our private transportation will transfer you to your hotel in Cusco, marking the conclusion of your Machu Picchu experience.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Cusco.

INCLUDES:

• Round-trip bus ticket: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu
• Train ticket: Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
• Transfer from Ollantaytambo station to Cusco
• One night at a hotel in Cusco
• Professional bilingual guide (English and Spanish)

NOT INCLUDED:

• Other services not mentioned

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure.
• Machu Picchu involves climbing many stairs, so wear proper walking shoes.
• Bring a small backpack with your camera, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a bottle of water.

DAY 4: Hotel - Airport Transfer.

After breakfast at your hotel, we will transfer you to the airport in plenty of time before your flight. Depending on your departure time, you may have the opportunity for a final stroll through Cusco or to purchase some last-minute souvenirs. This concludes the services of CuscoPeru.com and your 4-day Machu Picchu & Cusco tour.

INCLUDES:

• Transfer from your hotel to the airport

NOT INCLUDED:

• Other services not mentioned.
• Meals not mentioned in the program.
• Flight from Cusco to Lima.

IMPORTANT:

• TRAINS: Our service includes the EXPEDITION or VOYAGER Train for the round trip; you can upgrade to the VISTADOME Train category for an additional USD 40 per person, only for the return trip.
• HOTELS: You can choose packages based on the type of Hotel, you can also opt for Hotels that are not listed in our offer, before confirming you must inform us of the hotel you prefer and we will add it to the package.
• If you wish to upgrade to the VISTADOME OBSERVATORY Train, there is a fee of USD 60 per leg/segment.
• PRIVATE: Consult with one of our advisors if you want any of the services in private.

To start your reservation process please send us the following information:

• Name and surname:
• Passport No.:
• Nationality:
• Date of birth:
• Sex:
• Phone:
• It is very important your information about your hotel in the city of Cusco, so we can pick you up there at the beginning of the tour..

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2. Sending the advance via Western Union coordinating with our sales representative and sending the request to info@cuscoperu.com, then you must send us the MTCN code of your deposit.
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4. Payment by credit card VISA - MASTERCARD with the PAYPAL system generating the payment order that we would send you from CuscoPeru.com e-commerce If you accept this option you will have a 7% surcharge.