Cusco Cultural 4D/3N of fascinating history
Cusco Cultural 4D/3N of fascinating history
Overview
Explore Cultural Cusco on this exciting 4-day itinerary that will take you through the rich history and impressive archaeological parks of Cusco, along with the iconic Machu Picchu. From the majestic Temple of Qoricancha to the Sacred Valley, this adventure will immerse you in the wonderful Inca culture. Book your Cusco experience now! An ideal trip to discover Cusco and live a truly unforgettable experience.
Itinerary
Day 1: Airport-hotel transfer, Cusco Cultural Qoricancha tour and 4 archaeological parks.
A representative from our company will be waiting for you with transportation upon your arrival in the city of Cusco. We will board the vehicle to the selected hotel, where you will receive an informative briefing about the scheduled activities for the following days.
At 12:50 p.m., our transfer will pick you up from your hotel, and at 1:00 p.m. we will begin our City Tour. We will start by visiting the impressive Temple of Qoricancha, an emblematic site that showcases the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture. Then, we will continue by vehicle to explore the fascinating archaeological sites located in the surroundings.
Our first stop will be Sacsayhuamán, known for its massive polished stones and its strategic location, offering spectacular panoramic views of Cusco. We will then visit Qenqo, an ancient Inca temple where religious ceremonies were once held. Afterward, we’ll explore Puka Pukara, a control and military center of the Inca Empire. Finally, we’ll visit the enigmatic Temple of Tambomachay, famous for its crystal-clear water fountains, symbolizing purification and the worship of water.
We will return to Cusco around 6:30 p.m., where you can admire the beautiful Main Square illuminated at night, a view filled with magic and colonial charm.
Day 2: Discovery of the Sacred Valley, Moray and Salineras de Maras
Recommendation: Bring a small backpack with your personal belongings and a change of clothes, as we will not return to Cusco on this day.
Our transportation will pick you up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m. to head toward our first destination: Chinchero. There, we’ll visit its traditional market and archaeological center, where you’ll admire the impressive Inca architecture and its agricultural areas. We’ll spend about one hour exploring this ancient Inca town and enjoying its scenic views.
Next, we’ll visit the archaeological site of Moray, also known as the “Inca Greenhouses.” This fascinating site consists of a system of circular terraces built within a natural depression, used by the Incas for agricultural and experimental purposes. Each level has different microclimates depending on its depth, allowing them to determine the ideal growing conditions for various crops.
We’ll then continue to the Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras) — an astonishing complex of over 5,000 salt ponds that have been in use since pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial times, and are still active today. The local residents continue to harvest salt by hand, preserving this ancient tradition.
Afterwards, we’ll head to the town of Urubamba, where we’ll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Then we’ll continue to Ollantaytambo, where you’ll have time to explore the ancient Inca town and admire its massive stone constructions, guided by our professional guide.
At the end of the visit, we’ll board the panoramic train bound for Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes), a journey lasting approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our staff will be waiting to take you to your selected hotel and provide a briefing about the town and the activities for the following day, when we’ll visit the wonder of the world: Machu Picchu.
Day 3: Machu Picchu, the World Wonder
We’ll begin the day with a breakfast at the hotel. About one hour before our entry time to Machu Picchu, we’ll head to the bus station, where we’ll board a 25-minute ride that will take us to the majestic Inca Citadel. Upon arrival, our professional guide will be waiting to start our guided tour.
Once inside, we’ll enjoy a comprehensive two-hour visit, exploring the most iconic and mysterious areas of Machu Picchu. We’ll learn about the mystery behind its centuries-long abandonment and marvel at the terraces and irrigation canals that surround the city, which made it possible to grow crops all year round.
Machu Picchu has over 200 structures, including houses, squares, temples, granaries, and observatories. Among its most remarkable monuments are the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Condor, and the Inti Watana — the solar clock of the Incas. Other highlights include the Funerary Rock, the Main Gate, the Acllahuasi, the Royal Mausoleum, and the House of the Princess.
After our visit, we’ll take the bus back to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll have free time to enjoy lunch on your own. At the agreed time, we’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where our transportation will be waiting to take us back to the city of Cusco.
Day 4: Transfer from the hotel to the airport
At the scheduled time, our transportation will pick you up from your hotel to transfer you to the Cusco Airport.
This marks the end of our services, and we sincerely hope you have enjoyed this unforgettable journey.
We wish you a safe and pleasant trip back home!
Included:
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport.
- 2 hotel nights *** in Cusco.
- 1 hotel night *** in Aguas Calientes.
- 1 buffet lunch on the Sacred Valley Tour.
- Tourist transport on the tours.
- Professional tour guide.
- BTG (General Tourist Ticket).
- Entrance ticket to Qorikancha.
- Entrance ticket to the salt mines.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Aguas Calientes bus ticket – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Voyager Tourist Train Ticket or Expedition Route Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu and vice versa.
- Orientation and permanent monitoring of the passenger.
Not included:
- Air tickets.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Entrance ticket to the Huaynaícchu mountain.
- Consumption or personal expenses of passengers
Recommendations
- Small backpack (bottle of water, snacks and more).
- Extra cash (soles) for souvenirs (optional).
- Trekking shoes or shoes.
- Comfortable and warm clothes.
- Waterproof jacket or rain poncho (if you visit between October and March).
- Passport and student card (if applicable).
- Sunscreen and hat.
- Personal medications.
- Camera and additional batteries.
