Tour Packages to Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley – 5 Days

Begin your experience in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, where you’ll be welcomed by our team upon your arrival, and afterwards transferred to your hotel. As the afternoon unfolds, immerse yourself in the city’s rich heritage with a complete exploration of its most important landmarks—from the architecture of the Cusco Cathedral to the impressive stonework of Qorikancha, and the colossal megalithic terraces and temples of the Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay archeological sites .

As the days go by, your journey continues into the Sacred Valley of the Incas - Cusco’s countryside and home to some of the most beautiful views. Discover the agricultural terraces of Pisac and the Inca town of Ollantaytambo, before boarding a scenic train through the Andes to the village of Aguas Calientes , entrance gate to visit to the legendary Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, where mist drifts over ancient stone structures and the scale of Inca ingenuity reveals itself in full. Guided through its terraces, temples, and sacred spaces, you’ll connect with one of the world’s most extraordinary cultural destinations.

The final part of this journey will conclude your experience with a tour through the Andean highlands, exploring the fascinating circular terraces of Moray and the salt pools of Maras Salt Mines—a timeless testament to the traditions of the region.

INCLUDES:

• 03 hotel nights in Cusco + breakfasts.
• 01 hotel night in Aguas Calientes + breakfast.
• Pre-tour information and briefing.
• Entrance tickets to the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
• Entrance tickets to Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
• Entrance tickets to the Maras Salt Mines and Moray.
• Transfers from the Ollantaytambo train station to Cusco (round trip).
• Round-trip train tickets Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
• Round-trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
• Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, Circuit 2 (subject to availability). Includes the classic Machu Picchu photo.
• Tourist bus transportation.
• Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish).

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare.
• Tips.
• Meals not mentioned.
• Huayna Picchu entrance ticket.
• Any other services not mentioned.

WHAT TO BRING :

• Casual and Outdoor Clothing
• Plenty of layers for cold and warm temperatures. (It will be chilly during the nights and warm during the days)
• Comfortable Non Slip Shoes for Walking /Hiking
• Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Mosquito Repellent
• Sunscreen
• Rain Jacket (we are close to the Andes so we can have occasional showers during any season)
• Personal hygiene garments
• Phone/laptop charger and adapters

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Bring your passport or the identification document used to book the tour.
• Arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure time and present your ticket and ID.
• Bring cash in Peruvian soles and US dollars, as most places in Aguas Calientes do not accept credit cards. However, there are many ATMs in Cusco, Ollantaytambo, and Aguas Calientes.
• Carry a small backpack with camera, sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a rain jacket and a water bottle to fully enjoy your Machu Picchu tour from Cusco.
• At Machu Picchu, you will climb steps; wear appropriate, non-slip walking shoes.
• Bring some personal snacks and bottled water, as prices inside the sanctuary are usually higher.
• Visit and enjoy the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Regarding luggage, only up to 5 kg is allowed on the train.
• During high season, visitor numbers increase at Machu Picchu, and you may need to wait in line to board the bus to the sanctuary.

DAY 1: Cusco City And Surroundings

Our team will be waiting for you upon arrival at the Cusco airport. We will transfer you to your hotel so you can settle in and rest. After you are comfortably settled, your experience on the Machu Picchu, Cusco, and Sacred Valley tour will begin, exploring the city of Cusco and the main Inca archaeological sites located around the city. We will pick you up again at 1:00 p.m., The introduction to Cusco begins with a visit to the main Cathedral; decorated with fine carved woodwork, impressive altars, and paintings from various eras created by local artists defining the unique style of art called “Escuela Cusqueña” which preserve hidden elements of indigenous artists who were taught traditional Catholic techniques of painting.

Next, we will take a short walk through the streets of the historic center toward the Qoricancha, also known as the Temple of the Sun.

According to chronicles, entry to this sacred site required fasting and going barefoot, as it was considered the main religious sanctuary dedicated to the deities of the Sun, the Moon, the Stars, the Rainbow, Thunder, Lightning and other great powers of nature. Here, you will be able to see Inca stonework, featuring the highest level of precision in hard stone cutting—so exact that not even a sheet of paper can fit between the stones—and which has remained stable despite earthquakes and adaptation of the colonial eras and fusioned architecture brought by the Spanish .

After visiting Qoricancha, we will board our transport to Sacsayhuaman, located 3 km above the city. From here, you will enjoy panoramic views of the entire city of Cusco.

Sacsayhuaman was built with massive limestone blocks, some weighing up to 130 tons, forming three levels of zigzagging massive walls. This vast esplanade served as a ceremonial plaza where the Incas celebrated their most important festivals, including Inti Raymi (Honoring Celebration of the Sun), which is still reenacted every June 24th with thousands of attendees recreating ancient Inca ceremonies and music.

We will also visit Qenqo, whose name means “labyrinth.” Located one kilometer from Sacsayhuaman, this limestone construction showcases impressive stone carvings across an area of 500 meters, accompanied by structures that historians believe were used for astronomical, religious, and embalming or mummification purposes.

Next, we will visit Puka Pukara, a name derived from two Quechua words: Puka (red) and Pukara (fortress), meaning “Red Fortress.” This site served as a strategic control and surveillance point for access to and exit from the Imperial City of Cusco and the next door temple of Tambomachay, dividing regions and regulating movement.

As the final ending of the tour, we will visit Tambomachay, a temple dedicated to water, known as the Baths of the Inca due to its abundant water fountains and impressive hydric engineering , these water systems have been a constant flow of its springs from the Inca times.

After all these visits we will conclude the tour heading back to Cusco and ending the visits near the Plaza de Armas of Cusco, allowing you time to enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel to rest.

INCLUDES:

• Hotel night in Cusco.
• Entrance tickets to the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
• Personalized transfers from the Cusco airport to your hotel.
• Tourist bus transportation.
• Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish).
• Pre-tour assistance.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Meals.
• Tips.
• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

After the tour, a walk around the Plaza de Armas and its surroundings is almost inevitable. Here, you can enjoy famous Peruvian cuisine at nearby restaurants or simply relax on one of the benches in the plaza and take time to enjoy this amazingly vibrant ancient city. If you enjoy nightlife, you will find many bars and nightclubs around the plaza, filled with tourists and locals looking to have fun.

DAY 2: Cusco — Sacred Valley (Pisac – Ollantaytambo) — Aguas Calientes

Time to visit the countryside of Cusco! Our team will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 7:00 a.m. We will travel for about 1 hour to reach Pisac. Along the way, you will appreciate the vastness of the Sacred Valley and understand its historical and present-day importance of this location.

Continuing the route, we will visit the Pisac Archaeological Site, located on the upper part of the town. Here, you will observe how local inhabitants still use Inca agricultural techniques to cultivate crops on steep mountain slopes, achieving optimal productivity.

We will then visit the Pisac artisan market, a colorful place filled with a wide variety of handcrafted products for sale. At midday, we will enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Urubamba, the capital of the Sacred Valley, with a display of local ingredients and local cuisine.

After lunch, we will head to Ollantaytambo, where you will see large lithic structures made of finely carved stone blocks weighing over 100 tons. These stones were transported to this mountain and used for astronomical purposes. Ollantaytambo is strategically located between three valleys that lead toward the jungle edge, following the course of the river toward Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a key highlight of our Cusco and Machu Picchu travel packages. Due to its strategic control points, Ollantaytambo functioned as an important Inca fortress and to this day it is considered one of the only Inca cities to be completely populated by modern day civilization. All the town preserves its original Inca urban layout intact with stone streets and water channels that still function exactly as they did over 500 years ago. Walking here is literally walking through a clash in time, where modern houses were built upon original Inca foundations.

From Ollantaytambo, we will transfer to the train station and travel to Aguas Calientes on a journey of approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. Along the way, you will enjoy views of lush jungle vegetation and the Vilcanota River throughout the route. Upon arrival, we will transfer you to your hotel. You will then have the rest of the evening free to explore the town, stroll through its streets, shop for handicrafts, or dine at one of the many nearby restaurants.

Hotel night in Aguas Calientes.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Entrance tickets to the archaeological sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.
• Transportation to all mentioned locations.
• Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish).
• Group guided service.
• Buffet lunch.
• Train tickets Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes.
• Hotel night in Aguas Calientes.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Dinner.
• Tips.
• Other services not mentioned in the program.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Wear suitable walking shoes, as you will climb many steps.
• Bring a small backpack with your camera, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a water bottle.
• In Pisac, don’t forget to try the local empanadas and buy a handicraft souvenir.
• In Urubamba, we recommend tasting the world famous "Sacred Valley corn".

DAY 3: Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu

Early in the morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the bus station to ascend to the Machu Picchu Archaeological Sanctuary. The bus ride, lasting approximately 25 minutes, is the most common way to reach the Inca citadel.

Upon arrival, we will go through the main circuit (Circuit 2 – subject to ticket availability) and enjoy the classic breathtaking top view of the Inca Citadel. Our guide will then begin the guided tour to the heart of Machu Picchu, allowing you to fully understand its history in perfect harmony with nature. We will walk through the agricultural and urban sectors, including plazas, temples, pathways, staircases, terraces, aqueducts, and the remarkable architecture of the Inca Citadel, during a tour lasting approximately 2 hours.

As we ascend, you will admire the mountains surrounding Machu Picchu and the Urubamba River flowing toward the cloud forest.

After the tour, we will return to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch, and later board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our transport will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Cusco.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Pre-tour information.
• Round-trip bus ticket Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu.
• Machu Picchu entrance ticket, Circuit 2 (subject to availability). Includes the classic Machu Picchu photo.
• Guided service in Machu Picchu.
• Professional bilingual guide (English – Spanish).
• Train tickets Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo.
• Personalized transfers Ollantaytambo – Cusco hotel.
• Hotel night in Cusco.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Lunch and dinner.
• Tips.
• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Book in advance.
• Bring your passport or identification document.
• Arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes early.
• At Machu Picchu, you will climb many steps; wear appropriate non-slip walking shoes.
• Carry a small backpack with a camera, sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a water bottle.
• Pack a rain jacket just in case, we can experience showers at any season, specially in the mountain forests.
• Visit and enjoy the hot springs in Aguas Calientes.
• Only up to 5 kg of luggage is allowed on the train.
• During high season, visitor numbers increase, and you may need to wait in line to board the bus to Machu Picchu.

DAY 4: Maras — Moray And Maras Salt Mines

Our journey continues as we are set to visit Moray and Maras Salt Mines Tour, we will pick you up from your hotel at approximately 7:30 a.m. and travel to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines. Along the way, you will enjoy Andean landscapes surrounded by native trees and wildflowers.

First, we will visit the Moray Archaeological Site, located 38 km from Cusco. Moray is considered an Inca agricultural laboratory amphitheatre, built in the form of circular terraces arranged in concentric rings. The deepest depression reaches 80 meters, with the lowest terrace measuring 36 meters in diameter.

Within these terraces, temperature variations range from 0.5 to 1.5°C per level, creating up to 20 different microclimates. It is believed that this site was used to cultivate and study various techniques of crops and agricultural experimentation.

Next, we will visit the Maras Salt Mines, composed of approximately 3,500 small salt ponds petrified through ancient times on the side of the mountains, each producing between 50 and 80 kilograms of salt per season. During Inca and pre-Inca times, these salt mines supplied Cusco and surrounding areas. The ponds are fed by a natural underground saltwater spring, and the evaporation process takes nearly two months per season. Maras salt is highly valued, especially the pink mineral salt, which is considered the highest quality and is also known for its medicinal properties, it is technically one of the only places on earth where you can obtain pink salt out of evaporation and not salt crystal mining. Don’t forget to purchase some along the way, as many products are made from this unique salt.

After visiting these locations, we will return to the city of Cusco, where the tour concludes at approximately 2:00 p.m.

OPTIONAL: On this day, for an additional $10, you may switch to the Rainbow Mountain Tour.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Entrance tickets to Moray and the Maras Salt Mines.
• Round-trip transportation.
• Hotel night in Cusco.
• Professional group guiding service (English – Spanish).

NOT INCLUDED:

• Meals.
• Other services not mentioned.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Light backpack.
• Comfortable clothing.
• Windbreaker jacket.
• Comfortable walking shoes.
• Sunscreen is necessary as the sun is very strong in these areas.
• Water bottle.
• Sunglasses.
• Camera.

DAY 5: Hotel Transfer — Airport

Breakfast at the hotel. At the appropriate time and once coordinated with our team, we will transfer you to the airport to catch your departure flight, thus concluding your Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, and Maras Moray tour.

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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