Great Wonders of Cusco – Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Vinicunca

Day 01: Welcome to Lima.

Arrival to the city of Lima, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: Cusco, Capital of the Empire

Arrival to the city of Cusco, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon, exclusive stroll in the city that starts with a visit to the Plaza de San Cristóbal (San Cristobal Square) to enjoy a panoramic overview of the city. Afterwards, we will visit the San Pedro Market, where we will absorb the local flavors and learn more about the products of the area in this market that has it all and supplies the entire city. Later, the Qorikancha Temple will welcome us with all its splendor and magnificence, with walls that used to be covered in gold. From San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood, we will walk down the street Hatun Rumiyoc finding in our way the palace Inca Roca, today´s Archbishops Palace, and we will have time to admire the world famous Twelve Angled Stone. We will continue to the Plaza de Armas to visit The Cathedral that houses colonial works of incredible value.

Day 03: Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman

In the morning, we will leave behind the crowds to visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive citadel full of colossal constructions surrounded by beautiful landscape in total communion with the environment. Afterwards, we continue to the Inca adoratory of Q’enqo, with its surprising altar for sacrifices embedded in the internal part of its rocky formation. Finally, we arrive at the Puca Pucará lookout and Tambomachay, a monument of notable architectonic excellence which is considered one of the pillars of the Andean cosmovision. Free afternoon to enjoy the city.

Free afternoon for additional activities, or to cruise around the streets of Cusco. The passport of admissions that is included in this trip gives you access to other points of interest that are not visited.

Day 04: Sacred Valley: Inca and Colonial Pisac, Inkariy Museum and Yucay Live Culture Center

The Sacred Valley of the Incas receives us in this day. Our first stop will be at the Inca village of Pisac, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. From the top of the mountain there is a great view of the colonial village of Pisac. Walk through the colonial village. Time for shopping at the artisan workshops. Later, tour of the Inkariy Museum to visit the different halls with exhibits of representations of the pre-Hispanic cultures of ancient Peru. Lunch. Visit to the Yucay Live Culture Center, tourist complex where the local settlers will show us their techniques of weaving and dying of traditional textiles, making of the adobes, preparation of the traditional chicha, a drink made of corn, and a close encounter with the Andean camels: llamas and alpacas. Overnight stay in the area.

Day 05: Sacred Valley: Moray Terraces, Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo Living Inca Village

This day will take us to find marvelous places in this region of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Inca Terraces of Moray, a lab that was looking to re-create 20 different microclimates and secure the agricultural production of the empire. Continue towards the Village of Maras, tour of the famous and ancient salt mines, which still are exploited since immemorial times. The contrast between the white wells and the clayey land makes this landscape into a place not to be missed for taking pictures. Lunch. In the afternoon, tour of the streets, plazas and terraces of the last Inca living village of Ollantaytambo. Enter the archaeological site that dominates the village, where we will see the technique that the Incas used to work on the stones in the Sun temple that was left half built. At the proper time, embark from the village train station to arrive at the town of Machu Picchu, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight stay in the area.

Day 06: Machu Picchu, the Lost City

The much-awaited day to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure in the selected train. Arrival at the Machu Picchu station. Assistance, from our staff to board the bus that will ascend a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba River which forms a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will greet us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites, and urban areas. Energy exudes from the whole place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Lodging.

Day 07: Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain.

Embark on a great adventure when going to the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca. Very early in the morning, departure by van along Valle Sur till we arrive at the village of Cusipata. Breakfast. Afterwards start of the ascent through a community dirt road till we arrive at 4,800 m.a.s.l. Start of our hike along a path of 4 km observing far away the snowcapped mountain range of Ausangate. Our guide will come with us and teach us how to walk properly in altitude. The chain of mountains striped with colors will appear little by little, until we reach the observation point at 5000 m.a.s.l. Its geological formations will reveal all its great splendor. Vinicunca is one of the great attractions that you should not miss in your trip to Peru. Free time for taking pictures. Later we will descend by the same path in

Day 08:  Farewell Day

Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima to connect with your return flight home.

Languages:

• Shared Tours: English, Spanish.
• Private Tours: Portuguese, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, English, Spanish.

Included:

• Private transfers from airport to hotels.
• Shared transfer to the train station.
• All admission tickets on tours.
• Shared Tours with English / Spanish speaking guide.
• Round trip railway ticket to Machu Picchu according with selected hotel category.
• 4 lunches.
• 1 night of accommodation in Lima in selected hotels.
• 4 nights of accommodation in Cusco in selected hotels.
• 1 night of accommodation in Sacred Valley in selected hotels.
• 1 night of accommodation in Machu Picchu town in selected hotels.
• Daily breakfast.

Not Included:

• Air Tickets (On Request)
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

What should travelers know:

• Machu Picchu has limited capacity. It is required to give the full name, identification document, nationality, date of birth at the time of the reservation. The access to Machu Picchu is taking turns. We are allowed to only remain 4 hours in the citadel. The paths are delimited. We will follow the high-long path. Not permitted: to climb the walls, rest on the steps or terraces, or use walking sticks and drones.

Altitudes:

Lima                                                40 m.a.s.l.

Cusco                                         3,400 m.a.s.l.

Sacsayhuaman                       3,700 m.a.s.l.

Sacred Valley                          2,871 m.a.s.l.

Machu Picchu                         2.440 m.a.s.l.

Vinicunca                                  5,000 m.a.s.l.

What to bring:

• Long sleeve shirt. The solar radiation is high at high altitudes. Protect your skin.
• Cap or hat. You can also get them in the artisan markets and contribute to the local economy.
• Warm clothing for the night. Scarf.
• Comfortable shoes for walking. Trekking sneakers.
• Raincoat, in the November to March season. Avoid purchasing single use raincoats.
• Reusable water bottle. Several hotels have water filters available to refill your reusable water bottles. We support the reduction of the single use plastic water Bottle.