Places to visit:
On this day, you will arrive at Lima’s capital airport from your country and then continue your journey for 1 hour and 20 minutes until you reach the city of Cusco, which is located at an altitude of 3,399 meters above sea level.
Once you arrive at Cusco airport, we will be waiting outside with a sign indicating your name, and then we will take you to your respective hotel. As a welcome, we will have coca tea, which has many properties to alleviate altitude sickness, and then we will proceed to the rooms if they are ready (CHECK-IN at 11:00 AM).
In the afternoon, we will pick you up from the hotel at 1:45 PM to start the City Tour excursion, which offers visitors a rich historical and monumental legacy in a unique and spectacular way.
This circuit includes the following attractions:
Qoricancha: One of the most important religious centers of the Inca Empire. Its stone constructions exhibit even greater perfection than Machu Picchu.
Sacsayhuamán: A megalithic monument that showcases great artistic expression and serves as a clear example of the technological achievements of the Incas.
Qenqo: In Inca times, it was considered a huaca, a sacred place.
Puca Pucara: It was a control site for areas and also had different administrative spaces.
Tambomachay: A sacred space where water worship took place, as water was vital for human existence.
We will conclude the visit by returning to the city of Cusco, where the transportation will drop you off 2 or 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
Places to visit:
On this day, we will make our dream of visiting the wonder of the world, Machu Picchu, come true. We will be picked up from the hotel at the specified time and take a bus that will drive us to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu in a 30-minute journey. At the control gate, we will present the original documents (passport or ID) and entrance tickets to begin the tour. We will pass by the main Inca structures, such as the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, The Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, among others. We will also make a stop at the House of the Guardian to take the long-awaited photos with Machu Picchu in the background. In total, we will spend approximately two hours in Machu Picchu. At the end, all tourists must exit the archaeological site along with their tour guide.
For the return journey, we will take the bus to Machu Picchu Pueblo, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch including a starter and a main course. After the meal, we will have free time until the scheduled departure. Finally, we will take the train back at the specified time on our tickets (remember to be at the train station 30 minutes prior).
Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo station, we will board a bus that will take us back to the city of Cusco. The bus journey will take approximately 2 hours and will drop us off 2 or 3 blocks from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco, where our tour will conclude.
On this day, we will pick you up from the hotel at the scheduled time to begin the excursion. Note: Before departing for the tour, we must check out of the rooms since the CHECK-OUT IS AT 10:00 AM. All luggage will be left at the hotel reception, and upon returning from the tour, you can use the restroom facilities, Wi-Fi, and the lobby. In the afternoon, at the agreed time, we will pick you up from the hotel to transfer you to Cusco Airport. Remember to be at the airport 2 hours before your flight departure.
First option: Description of the Maras-Moray tour:
Places to visit:
Moray (Salt Mines). During this tour, you will observe the Vilcanota Mountain Range and its impressive snow-capped peaks that extend throughout the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will visit the following places:
Maras town, where the houses still maintain their colonial facades. Moray Archaeological Complex, composed of several circular terraces that served as an agricultural laboratory during the Inca era. Salineras de Maras, consisting of hundreds of small saltwater pools where local community members still produce salt.
On this day, we will pick you up from the hotel at 8:30 am. Our first stop will be the Moray complex, located 7 kilometers from Maras in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, 38 kilometers northwest of Cusco. During the journey, you will see traditional communities surrounded by beautiful landscapes. We will visit the Moray complex, which was a center of agricultural research where cultivation experiments at different altitudes were carried out. Then, we will visit the Salineras de Maras, which have more than 3,000 salt pools of various sizes and dimensions, owned by local families. During the dry season, they take advantage of the salt produced, treat it with iodine, and sell it in the market. After our visit, we will return to the city of Cusco, where the transportation will drop us off 2 or 3 blocks away from the Plaza de Armas in Cusco.
Second option: Description of the Rainbow Mountain tour:
Place to visit:
Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Our journey begins with the pick-up from the hotel between 4:25 am and 4:35 am. Then, we will depart for the town of CUSIPATA, approximately a two-hour drive, where we will enjoy a good breakfast. We will continue our journey through beautiful valleys, small canyons, and impressive pre-Inca terraces until we reach the community of CHILLIHUANI. The adventure begins with a breathtaking view of Apu Ausangate. After a brief introduction by our guide, we will start our gradual hike, which will last approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Along the way, you will see a variety of South American camelids such as alpacas and llamas, as well as birds, lagoons, valleys, streams, and snow-capped mountains.
Finally, you will arrive at Rainbow Mountain, also known as Vinicunca. This place is unique and magical, as nature has whimsically shaped it, creating an impressive landscape of colors. You will enjoy a peaceful moment in contact with nature for approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Afterward, we will return to the point where the van is located in CHILLIHUANI. We will continue the journey until we reach the town of CUSIPATA, where we will have lunch. Finally, we will return to the city of Cusco, and our tour will end 2 or 3 blocks away from the Plaza de Armas.
Trip Includes
Trip Doesn’t Include
We believe that the best time to visit Machu Picchu is during the dry season, which runs from May to October. During this time, you can expect clear skies and minimal rain, making it ideal for exploring the archaeological site and taking stunning photos. However, this is also the peak tourist season, so be prepared for larger crowds. The wet season, from November to April, sees more rain and cloud cover, but it also comes with the advantage of fewer tourists. Regardless of when you choose to visit, Machu Picchu is a breathtaking destination all year round.
Every Machu Picchu trip includes either the Expedition or The Voyager tourist trains. Additionally, travelers may request to upgrade their return trip train rides to either the Vistadome or the 360º train.
The trip to Machu Picchu focuses on exploring the ancient citadel and learning about its rich history, architecture, and cultural significance. In addition to the core Machu Picchu experience, we offer an optional Machu Picchu Mountain Hike experience. This separate hike takes you on a challenging trek to the adjacent Machu Picchu Mountain, providing a unique perspective of the citadel and surrounding landscapes from a higher vantage point. The Machu Picchu Mountain Hike is an excellent opportunity for adventure seekers and avid hikers to further enhance their visit to the region.
Please note that both the Machu Picchu Mountain Hike and the Huayna Picchu Mountain Hike are not included in the base price of the Machu Picchu trip, are age-restricted, and can be purchased at the start of the trip.
There are no strict age restrictions for the Machu Picchu trip. However, due to the physical demands of exploring the site, it may not be suitable for very young children or elderly individuals with limited mobility. It is essential to consider the fitness and comfort levels of all members of your party before booking the trip. For families with young children, it is advisable to use a child carrier rather than a stroller, as the terrain at Machu Picchu is not stroller-friendly.
The Machu Picchu trip is designed to accommodate a wide range of fitness levels. However, it is essential to note that the site is located at a high altitude (2,430 meters or 7,972 feet above sea level) and requires walking on uneven terrain, including steps and inclines. Visitors with mobility issues or significant health concerns should consult their doctor before booking the trip. It is also recommended that all travelers allow time to acclimate to the altitude before undertaking the tour.