Day 1: Cusco – Cathedral – Coricancha – Sacsayhuaman – Qenqo – Puca Pucara – Tambomachay – Cusco

For the City Tour AM or the City Tour PM, you will be picked up in your hotel at a specific time to begin your private tour through the city.

The first place to visit will be the Cathedral of Cusco located in the Plaza de Armas (3,400 m / 11,154 ft). It is the main religious temple in the city and also one of the most popular architectural monuments. It was originally an ancient Inca temple designed to worship Wiracocha. However, during the conquest, it was looted and demolished to build the monument that is appreciated today, and in 1983, it was declared Humanity Heritage by UNESCO.

Then you’ll head to Coricancha, the Temple of the Sun located only a few blocks away from the main square. Coricancha was once the richest temple in the Inca Empire, but all that remains are some stone walls, upon which the colonial Church and Convent of Santo Domingo are built. It is stated that formerly the walls of the interior of the Coricancha were covered with gold plates. It even had a giant gold statue of the sun god. All the gold and treasures disappeared with the arrival of the Spanish conquerors who caused the decline of the Incas. Coricancha was the most important spiritual center of the Incas.

After that, you’ll leave the city going towards Sacsayhuaman (3,580 m / 11,745 ft), one of the most imposing and enigmatic places on the planet. It was built between the 15th and 16th centuries and its size impresses many people from all corners of the world. There the tourist will be able to appreciate stones up to more than 120 tons, they all fit together with incredible precisión and the Spanish believed that it was a work of the devil. It was built on a mountain where you can see an excellent view of the city of Cusco. Today it is one of the most symbolic attractions of the Cusco city tour.

A few kilometers away from Sacsayhuaman is the Inca site of Qenqo (3,700 m / 12,139 ft), a large limestone ruin surrounded by a complex pattern of steps, niches, seats, geometric reliefs, and symbolic carvings. One of its main attractions is an underground cave that has altars finely carved into the rock. It is believed that it was an ancient Inca ceremonial center whose buildings were dedicated to the Pachamama. It is also associated with fertility rites, solstice, and equinox ceremonies.

Another place to be visited is Puca Pucara (3,760 m / 12,335 ft), known as “Red Fort” because of the color of its stones when it gets dark. Puca Pucara was used as a military and rest center for the numerous Inca troops. It is located in front of the Valley of Cusco, where beautiful panoramic views are offered. Furthermore, it was an entrance and exit controlled by those traveling to or from the Imperial City. It is believed that one of its main functions was to watch over Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman. Furthermore, it was an entrance and exit controlled by those traveling to or from the Imperial City. It is believed that one of its main functions was to watch over Tambomachay and Sacsayhuaman.

Finally you’ll visit Tambomachay (3,800 m / 12,467 ft), a small Inca site made up of aqueducts and water channels. It is believed that its purpose was to worship water. It is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites that you will visit in the Cusco city tour. Even today after so many centuries, its channels continue to flow water. In addition to canals and aqueducts, the enclosure is made up of a set of finely carved rocks.

Once the tour has finished, you’ll go back to your hotel or otherwise to the main square; so you have the rest of your time to explore the city on your own.

• Meals included: None
• Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
• Sacsayhuaman altitude: 3,580 m / 11,745 ft
• Tambomachay altitude: 3,800 m / 12,467 ft

Day 2: Cusco – Pisac – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes 

The second day starts with a 8:00 am pick up from your hotel in Cusco (3,400 m / 11,154 ft). Relax on your drive as you pass through the ancient Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman and Tambomachay on your way into the valley.

Your first stop is in Pisac (3,400 m / 11,154 ft), which is divided into two parts. It contains an archeological site located on top of the mountain. It’s in a spot that is extremely safe and secure, therefore it has a low threat level from enemies or floods. This site is home to the largest Incan cemetery in Cusco, which is located on a steep slope. The second part of Pisac is the town located on the bank of the Urubamba river, famous because it’s home to the largest handicraft market in the region of Cusco. While there, you will be able to purchase hand-made souvenirs.

After spending time browsing the handicraft market, you will continue along the Sacred Valley towards Urubamba (2,870 m / 9,416 ft) to enjoy a delicious buffet lunch with different Peruvian dishes. Once you’re done, you’ll continue driving along the Urubamba river until reaching the Archaeological Park of Ollantaytambo (2,800 m / 9,186 ft), “The Last Living Inca City”. The famous Inca emperor Pachacutec conquered Ollantaytambo around the mid-15th century. The town Ollantaytambo as well as the nearby region were his personal estate. After his conquest, the emperor rebuilt the town and undertook extensive works of terracing and irrigation in the Urubamba Valley. Therefore, the terraces were farmed. Ollantaytambo is one of the best preserved Inca towns in Peru. Many of the sites you will see there were built in the Inca time and are a combination out of stone and mud bricks.

Here, you’ll board the train at the station. This train ride, which lasts an average of one and a half hours, transports you along the impressive Urubamba River.

Machu Picchu is located in a transition point between the “Sierra” (highlands) region and the upper jungles of Peru; meaning that once you’ve reached the train station in the town of Aguas Calientes (2,000 m / 6,561 ft) aka Machu Picchu pueblo, you’ll find the climate to be pleasant, somewhat humid, and overall pretty temperate.

A well-deserved meal and night’s sleep in a hotel awaits you in the town, along with the anticipation of soon witnessing one of the world’s greatest wonders.

• Meals included: lunch & dinner
• Pisac altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft
• Ollantaytambo altitude: 2,800 m / 9,186 ft
• Aguas Calientes altitude: 2,000 m / 6,561 ft

Day 3: Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Ollantaytambo – Cusco 

After a very early breakfast at the hotel, you’ll start the bus ride to your final destination, Machu Picchu (2,400 m / 7,874 ft). The bus ride takes 30 minutes. On a two-hour tour, your guide will offer insight into structures like the Guard House and the Temple of the Sun, as well as the terraces hillsides and royal residences. Some edifices are more mysterious, and point to the Inca’s profound astronomical insight.

If you’re ready for more hiking, consider an additional side trip to the top of Huayna Picchu (2,720 m / 8,923 ft), the mountain next to Machu Picchu that offers an incredible view of the site, many people come here just for the photographs looking for a different perspective of this world wonder.

Once you’ve toured Machu Picchu, you’ll return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. After having lunch, you’ll hop on the train to begin your return to Cusco. A private bus will be waiting for you at the train station to bring you back to your Cusco hotel.

Note: Huayna Picchu Mountain tickets are subject to availability

• Meals included: breakfast & lunch
• Machu Picchu altitude: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft
• Huayna Picchu altitude: 2,720 m / 8,923 ft
• Inti Punku altitude: 2,700 m / 8,858 ft
• Cusco altitude: 3,400 m / 11,154 ft

Transportation and tickets

• Hotel pick up in Cusco
• Private transport thoughout the City Tour and the Sacred Valley
• Entrance fee tickets to all Archaeological Sites
• Tourist train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
• Entrance fee ticket to Machu Picchu
• Round trip bus tickets Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
• Tourist train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo
• Private transport from Ollantaytambo to Cusco
• Hotel drop off in Cusco

Accommodation

• One night hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes 3***

Team

• Pre-departure briefing
• Top-level local Tour Guide
• Personalized service
• Small group tour max 8 people
• Private walking tour in Machu Picchu
• Guaranteed departure

Food

• Lunch & dinner on second day
• Breakfast & lunch on third day

• Meals on first day
• Second day breakfast
• Huayna Picchu mountain entrance fee ticket
• Machu Picchu mountain entrance fee ticket
• Rain poncho
• Gratuities
• Thermal baths in Aguas Calientes
• Travel insurance
• International or local airfare
• Dinner in Cusco
• Hotel in Cusco