Day 1: Cusco City Tour

At 1 pm, we will meet at your hotel lobby to begin the tour. From here, we will head to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where you will have the opportunity to visit the famous cathedral.

Next, we will walk along an ancient street built by the Incas, from the Plaza de Armas to the Q’oricancha, the Temple of the Sun. At the Q’oricancha you will be able to appreciate the construction methods of the Inca culture and Catholicism. This was the key spiritual center of the Incas that led to the four quarters of the Inca Empire. There is also a bronze high altar on the site.

From Q’oricancha, your group will walk to Avenida El Sol where you will take our bus 20 minutes into town. You will be taken to the majestic Inca site, Sacsayhuamán, with its enigmatic 200-ton monoliths. Your guide will provide you with further information and then you will be free to explore on your own.

From Sacsayhuamán, you will again take our five-minute bus to the Inca site of Q’enqo to see its fascinating Inca altars.

We will then continue another five minutes by car to Puca Pucara, a small circular Inca site. The last stop on our tour is

Tambomachay, a water temple with impressive water fountains, which the Incas used for bathing. We will then drive back to Cusco, where the tour ends in the main square, unless you take a private tour, in which case, we will return you to your hotel.

• Accommodation: Rumi Punku (or similar)
• Meals included: None
• Tickets: Included

Day 2: Pisaq – Ollantaytambo

On this day, your guide will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel in Cusco at 8am. We will take you on a road that winds around the mountains north of Cusco. Along the way we will stop at a famous point known as the Mirador. From there, we will be able to see the Sacred Valley and your guide will give you some Incan history. The Sacred Valley was one of the main areas where the Incas settled, with an unusual abundance of fertile plains in this high Andean area. You will also witness the large contour canals and irrigation channels left behind by the Incas.

Later we will head towards the ruins of Pisaq. Here you will witness and learn about the Inca culture, see incredible stone artworks and impressive agricultural terraces.

After exploring, we will return to the lower town of Pisaq for a stop and a tour of the artisan market. After spending some time walking around the market, we will meet for lunch at a local Andean restaurant. This meal is not included in the tour, so if you prefer a different restaurant, just let the guide know.

After lunch, we will continue along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Once we arrive in Ollantaytambo, we will visit the archaeological center, an important area of ​​Inca construction, built during the good times of the Incas. This is an extraordinary site because you can find rock formations that represent the Inca god, Wiracocha.

You will then board the train for the two-hour ride to Aguas Calientes and during this train ride, you will see glaciers, snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys, agricultural terraces and Inca ruins.

Before reaching Aguas Calientes (2000 m / 6000 ft above sea level), you will enter the subtropical areas with bromeliads and ferns. Our representative will meet you outside the train station and take you to the hotel.

• Accommodation: The Cabin (or similar)
• Meals included: None
• Tickets: Included

Day 3: Machu Picchu

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we will take the 25-minute bus to Machu Picchu. Buses start leaving from 5:30 am, or if you prefer, you can walk the Inca Trail instead of taking the bus. This trek will take approximately one hour and 30 minutes to Machu Picchu. For further instructions on the hike, be sure to check with the guide in time.

Once in Machu Picchu, the guide will take you directly to a highly sought-after spot where you can enjoy the best views of the sunrise and also take pictures.

The guide will then show you the main parts of the citadel, for a complete guided walking tour that will last 2.5 hours. During this guided tour, you will learn more about the history and culture of the Inca Empire.

At the end of the tour, you will have some free time to continue taking photos and exploring what remains to be seen. For your return from Machu Picchu, we recommend that you return to Aguas Calientes no later than 2 hours before the train departs, to enjoy your lunch at leisure (not included).

The return train from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo will take approximately 2 hours. In Ollantaytambo, our Sacred Expeditions Peru staff will be waiting on your right next to the station exit door, ready to take you back to Cusco in our private transportation. The trip to Cusco will be approximately 2 hours and we will drop you off at the reception of your hotel in Cusco.

Note: If you prefer to climb Huayna Picchu for an additional $75, you must book this in advance. It is a 45-minute challenge to the top. The other option is to climb Machu Picchu Mountain (this is different than Machu Picchu Citadel). This is an extremely challenging, steep, but beautiful hike. It costs $75 per person for the 90-minute hike.

Includes

• Professional Guides: All of our guides are graduates of Universities or Institutes in Cusco. They are natives of the region and are committed to sharing their cultural heritage with you. Our guides are friendly, professional and will ensure your well-being during the tour, leaving you amazed with their knowledge.
• Hotels: This tour includes one night’s accommodation in Cusco and one night in Aguas Calientes. We can add additional nights before or after the tour if you need. Please let our team know if you are interested in extending your stay to make necessary adjustments. Rooms are based on double occupancy, with a single room surcharge. We can also arrange the tour without hotels if you prefer to book them on your own.
• Transportation: All transportation is included on this tour. We will pick you up at your hotel around 1pm on the first day and accompany you until we drop you back at your hotel around 8pm on the last night of the tour.
• Train tickets: Train tickets are in tourist class on the Expedition train. The journey from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes is at 7:00 pm and from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo at 4:20 pm. From Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, the times are 3:37 pm and 4:43 pm respectively. Not Included
• Huayna Picchu: Huayna Picchu is the mountain next to Machu Picchu. It is a 45-minute hike to the top, with a steep descent. This tour is done without a tour guide, after your visit to Machu Picchu. The cost is $75 per person and must be booked two to three months in advance due to its popularity. Please understand that weather is beyond our control.
• Flights: Flying to Cusco can be tricky, with frequent delays and cancellations. It is recommended to arrive in Cusco at least two days before the start of the tour. LAN Peru is the most reliable airline, although Avianca and Peruvian Airlines are also acceptable. You will not return from the tour until around 8 pm on the third day, so make sure your return flight is the next day.
• Tipping: Tipping is always appreciated and depends entirely on your satisfaction with the service. While it may not be customary for you, it is of great importance to those who will be serving you during your trip.
• Travel insurance: Not mandatory, but always recommended. If you live at sea level, adjusting to the altitude in Cusco may take a day or two. It is suggested to have insurance in case you have acclimatization problems and need to cancel an activity.

What to bring for this activity

• original passport
• Comfortable shoes to walk in Machu Picchu
• 1 liter of water in reusable containers
• Comfortable clothing for hot and cold climates.
• Rain clothes
• Solar protection
• Insect repellent
• extra money for souvenirs

• It is important to note that due to local regulations on the train, your backpack must not exceed 25L. All larger packages cannot be brought into Machu Picchu and will need to be stored outside the gates.

Covid-19 measures to keep you safe while traveling

• Covid-19 measures to keep you safe while traveling shall be updated as and if needed.

Why Choose Sacred Expeditions Peru?

Here’s how booking with us, you make a positive impact:

• Intimate Experiences: We focus on creating intimate travel experiences by capping our group sizes at 8 participants during the pandemic and 16 during standard operations. This allows us to provide personalized service tailored to each traveler’s needs.
• Fair Treatment of Staff:  Our dedication to equity is reflected in the fair wages and respect we extend to all our porters, cultivating a nurturing and inclusive work environment for both men and women.
• Social Impact:  Your reservation plays a vital role in supporting social initiatives in Cusco, enabling us to provide local children with essential resources such as computers and internet connectivity.
• Comfort in Nature:  We prioritize your comfort on all camping tours by providing portable toilets and hot showers, ensuring a more enjoyable outdoor experience.
• Transparent Practices:  We uphold a commitment to transparency, which is why we do not charge any booking or credit card fees, allowing you to plan your trip without unexpected costs.
• Join Us:  Experience the beauty of travel with Sacred Expeditions Peru, where your journey not only enriches your life but also positively impacts the communities we serve.