Cusco: Explore one of the wonders in 5 days and 4 nights
Cusco: Explore one of the wonders in 5 days and 4 nights
Overview
This 5-day itinerary in Cusco combines history, culture, and nature in an unforgettable experience. Discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas, explore the majestic Machu Picchu, and venture into the impressive Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca). Enjoy a complete journey that brings together the best of Cusco, featuring unique landscapes and the magic of the Inca Empire.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco / Qoricancha and 4 archaeological parks
A representative of our company will be waiting for you with transport upon your arrival in the city of Cusco. We will board the vehicle heading to the selected hotel, where you will receive an informative briefing about the activities planned for the coming days.
At 12:50 p.m., our transfer will pick you up at your hotel, and at 1:00 p.m. we will begin our City Tour of the city. 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 head in our vehicle to the fascinating nearby archaeological sites.
Our first stop will be Sacsayhuamán, known for its huge polished stones and strategic location, offering spectacular panoramic views of Cusco. Next, we will continue to Qenqo, an ancient Inca temple where religious ceremonies were performed. Afterwards, we will explore Puka Pukara, a military control center of the Inca Empire. Finally, we will visit the enigmatic Temple of Tambomachay, renowned for its crystal-clear water fountains, a symbol of purification and water worship.
Day 2: Sacred Valley, Moray and Salineras de Maras
Our transport will pick you up at your hotel at 6:30 a.m., and we will head to our first destination: Chinchero. There, we will visit its traditional market and archaeological site, where we can admire the impressive Inca architecture and cultivated areas. We will explore the incredible agricultural terraces, spending around an hour discovering this Inca citadel.
Next, we will visit the archaeological site of Moray, also known as “The Inca Greenhouses.” This site consists of a system of terraced steps within a large basin excavated by the Incas for agricultural experiments. Each terrace has different microclimates depending on its depth, which the Incas used to determine ideal growing conditions for various crops. We will also visit the salt mines known as Salineras de Maras, a historically important site that remains active today, where locals continue extracting artisanal salt.
We will continue to the town of Urubamba, where we will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch. Finally, we will arrive at Ollantaytambo, where there will be time to explore the ancient Inca town and admire its massive stone constructions, accompanied by explanations from our professional guide.
Then, we will board the scenic train, taking an approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes journey to Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes), where we will spend the night.
Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to the selected hotel and provide an informative briefing about the site and activities for the next day, including the visit to the wonder of Machu Picchu.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
We will start the day with breakfast at the hotel. One hour before our entry to Machu Picchu, we will head to the bus station, where we will take a 25-minute ride to the impressive Inca City. There, our professional guide will be waiting to begin the guided tour.
Once inside, we will enjoy a complete two-hour excursion, exploring the most emblematic and intriguing corners of Machu Picchu. We will uncover the mystery behind its abandonment for centuries and marvel at the numerous agricultural terraces and irrigation channels surrounding the city, which allowed year-round harvests.
Machu Picchu has over 200 structures, including houses, plazas, granaries, temples, and astronomical observatories. Among the most important monuments are the Temple of the Sun, the Main Plaza, the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Temple of the Condor, considered a sacred solar clock. Other points of interest include the Funerary Rock, the Main Gate, the Acllahuasi, the Royal Mausoleum, and the Princess’s House, among many other architectural wonders.
At the end of the visit, we will take the bus back to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch on your own. At the agreed time, we will head to the train station to begin the return trip to Ollantaytambo, from where we will continue in our private vehicle to the city of Cusco.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
The tour starts early in the morning. We will pick you up at your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. to embark on a scenic bus journey of approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes south, arriving at the district of Cusipata (3,310 m / 10,860 ft), where we will enjoy a semi-buffet breakfast.
Next, we will continue for another 2 hours along a dirt road until reaching the control point, where the Kayrahuiry hike begins. This walk lasts approximately 50 minutes, during which we will observe the Andean flora and fauna, highlighting the presence of llamas and alpacas. The trail offers views of beautiful ravines and snow-capped peaks.
Upon reaching the Vinikunka viewpoint, also known as the Rainbow Mountain (5,080 m / 16,670 ft), our professional guide will provide a detailed explanation about the topography, the ecosystem, and the multicolored layers that characterize this natural wonder. You will have free time to take photographs, enjoy the scenery, and admire the majestic Vinikunka mountain range (5,020 m / 16,470 ft).
Afterward, we will return along the same path to the starting point at Kayrahuiry, where our private transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusipata, where we will enjoy a semi-buffet lunch.
Finally, we will begin the return journey to the city of Cusco, arriving between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Day 5: Transfer to the airport
At the scheduled time, our transportation will pick you up at your hotel to take you to Cusco Airport.
With this, our services come to an end. We wish you a pleasant journey back!
Included:
- Transfer airport – hotel – airport.
- 3 nights of accommodation in Cusco.
- 1 night accommodation in Aguas Calientes.
- 1 buffet lunch in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
- 1 breakfast, 1 lunch on the Vinicunca Mountain Tour.
- Tourist transport on the tours.
- Professional tour guide.
- BTG (General Tourist Ticket).
- Entrance ticket to Qorikancha.
- Entrance ticket to the MSRAS SLINERAS.
- Entrance ticket to the mountain of colors
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Aguas Calientes bus ticket – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes.
- Tourist train ticket Voyager or Expedition Route Ollantaytambo – Machu Picchu and vice versa.
- First aid kit and oxygen ball on the mountain tour.
- Orientation and permanent monitoring of the passenger.
Not included:
- Air tickets.
- Meals not mentioned.
- Entrance ticket to Huaynapicchu.
- Consumption or personal expenses of passengers.
Recommendations
- Small backpack with essentials such as water, snacks, a warm jacket, sunscreen and a hat.
- Comfortable and suitable clothes for walking on uneven terrain.
- Trekking or hiking shoes for hiking.
- Personal medications if necessary, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions.
- Camera or mobile phone to take photos of the impressive views and moments of the trip.
- Cash in the local currency for additional expenses, such as self-employment and souvenirs.
