Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco Tour – 4 Days

We will be waiting for you at the airport to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Cusco. At approximately 1:00 p.m., we will pick you up from your hotel to begin the city tour. We will visit the city, starting with the Cusco Cathedral, decorated with wood carvings, altars, and paintings by artists of the Cusco School.

Next, we will explore Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, built by the Incas in veneration of the sun. Later modified by the Spanish during the Viceroyalty, it still preserves walls of great Inca precision alongside Catholic religious pieces.

Then we will travel to Sacsayhuamán, 3 km from Cusco. The esplanade offers a panoramic view of the city. The structure was built with large limestone blocks; some weigh between 25 and 130 tons. It consists of three superimposed zigzag terraces and was the setting for Inca ceremonies such as Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun, every June) and Warachikuy (a rite of passage for young people).

We will continue to Qenqo, a Quechua word associated with zigzag shapes because of its underground galleries and carved channels. The next stop is Puka Pukara, the “red fortress,” located to control access to the city. The tour ends at Tambomachay, 9 km from Cusco, also known as the “Baths of the Inca” because of its springs. We conclude the city tour near the Plaza de Armas at approximately 6:00 p.m.

Overnight at a hotel in Cusco.

On this day, you will take a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. After breakfast at your hotel, we will pick you up at approximately 7:30 a.m.

The first stop is the Pisac archaeological site, one hour from Cusco. The site features agricultural terraces, residential and ceremonial structures, and aqueducts that carried water to the crops. Afterward, you will visit the Pisac handicraft market. At midday, you will have lunch in Urubamba at a buffet featuring local and national cuisine.

Next is the Ollantaytambo fortress, a military, agricultural, and religious center that controlled the valley. The site features superimposed terraces and carved stone blocks.

After the visit, you will head to the station for the train to Aguas Calientes. The journey takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes and follows the course of the Vilcanota River. In Aguas Calientes, we will assist you with the transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the town, visit the handicraft shops, or have dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Early in the morning, our guide will be waiting for you at the hotel to accompany you to the bus station, where we will board the vehicle that will take us to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The bus ride takes approximately 25 minutes.

Once at the sanctuary, we will begin our tour. We will explore Inca architecture and engineering. The tour of the Machu Picchu citadel lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours, allowing you to learn more about the history of this place. It is important to keep in mind that visiting time is limited, so we will make the most of every moment.

After the tour, we will return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you will have time for lunch and to explore the town, with its restaurants and handicraft shops. Later, we will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will take you back to your hotel in Cusco, marking the end of our Machu Picchu tour.

Overnight at a hotel in Cusco.

After breakfast at your hotel, we will take you to the airport with enough time for your flight. Depending on your departure time, you may have time for a final walk around Cusco or to buy some souvenirs, thus concluding the services of CuscoPeru.com on the 4-Day Machu Picchu Cusco Tour.