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 exciting 5-day itinerary in Cusco immerses you in the rich history and natural beauty of the region. Start with your arrival at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport and a transfer to the hotel. The second day takes you to the impressive Sacred Valley, where you will visit Chinchero, Moray and Las Salineras de Maras, followed by an exploration in Ollantaytambo and a train trip to Aguas Calientes. The third day is the jewel in the crown with a visit to Machu Picchu and free time to explore. On the fourth day, you will embark on an exciting walk to the mountain of colors (Vinicunca). Finally, the fifth day marks the return home with a transfer to Cusco airport. A complete tour that combines culture, nature and adventure in one of the most fascinating destinations in Peru.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cusco / Qoricancha and 4 archaeological parks
Welcome to the City of Cusco and Transfer to the Hotel
A representative from our company will be waiting for you with transportation upon your arrival in Cusco. We will head to the selected hotel, where you will receive a briefing about the activities we have prepared for the upcoming days.
At 12:50 p.m., our transfer will pick you up from your hotel. At 1:00 p.m., we will begin our city tour. Our first visit will be to the impressive Temple of Qoricancha, a remarkable site that showcases the fusion of Inca and colonial architecture.
We will then continue by vehicle to explore nearby fascinating archaeological centers. Our first stop will be Sacsayhuamán, famous for its massive polished stones and strategic location that offers spectacular panoramic views of Cusco.
Next, we will head to Qenqo, an ancient Inca temple where religious ceremonies were held. Afterwards, we will explore Puka Pukara, a military and control center during Inca times. Finally, we will visit the enigmatic Temple of Tambomachay, renowned for its water fountains.
Day 2: 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 this day.
Our transport will pick you up from your hotel at 6:30 a.m. and we will head to our first destination: Chinchero. Here, we will visit its traditional market and archaeological site, where you can admire impressive Inca architecture and agricultural areas. We will spend about one hour exploring this ancient citadel and its incredible agricultural terraces.
Next, we will continue to the archaeological site of Moray, also known as “The Greenhouses of the Incas.” This site features a system of concentric agricultural terraces built inside a huge natural depression. Each terrace creates a different microclimate, which the Incas are believed to have used to experiment and determine the ideal growing conditions for their crops.
We will then visit the salt mines of Maras, an important site since pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial times, and still relevant today, as local families continue to benefit from the salt production.
Afterwards, we will head to the town of Urubamba, where you will enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.
Our journey continues to Ollantaytambo, where we will explore this ancient and vibrant Inca town, learning from our guide while admiring its impressive stone constructions. From here, we will board the train for a 1 hour and 50 minute ride to the town of Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes), where we will spend the night.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, our staff will be waiting to escort you to the selected hotel and provide a briefing about the town and the activities planned for the next day, when we will visit the wonder of Machu Picchu.
Day 3: Machu Picchu
We will begin the day with breakfast at the hotel. One hour before our entry to Machu Picchu, we will head to the bus station and board a short 25-minute ride that will take us to the stunning Inca citadel. There, our guide will be waiting to begin our tour.
Once inside, we will enjoy a two-hour guided excursion, exploring the most remarkable and intriguing corners of Machu Picchu. We will learn about the mystery behind its centuries-long abandonment and marvel at the numerous farming terraces and irrigation channels that allowed year-round cultivation.
Machu Picchu has more than 200 structures, including houses, plazas, storehouses, temples, and observatories. Among its most iconic landmarks are: the Temple of the Sun, the Main Square, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Condor, and the Intihuatana. Other fascinating points include the Funerary Rock, the Main Gate, the Acllahuasi, the Royal Mausoleum, and the Princess’ House, among many others.
After completing our visit, we will take the bus back down to the town of Aguas Calientes, where you will have free time to enjoy lunch on your own. At the scheduled time, we will head to the train station to board our return trip to Ollantaytambo, from where we will continue by private transport back to the city of Cusco.
Day 4: Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca)
The tour begins early in the morning. We will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco between 4:00 and 4:30 a.m. and travel by bus for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes south to the district of Cusipata (3,310 m / 10,860 ft), where we will enjoy a semi-buffet breakfast.
We will then continue traveling for 2 more hours along a dirt road until we reach the checkpoint, where we will begin our hike in Kayrahuiry. The hike lasts about 50 minutes, during which we will observe the typical Andean flora and fauna, with llamas and alpacas being the highlights. Along the way, we will pass through beautiful valleys and admire the snow-capped peaks.
Upon arriving at the Vinicunca Viewpoint (Rainbow Mountain, 5,080 m / 16,666 ft), our guide will provide an explanation about the mountain’s geography, ecosystem, and unique colors. We will also take time to observe the Vinicunca mountain range (5,020 m / 16,469 ft), take photos, and appreciate the breathtaking landscape.
We will return along the same path to the starting point in Kayrahuiry, where our transport will be waiting to take us back to Cusipata, to enjoy a semi-buffet lunch. After lunch, we will start our journey back to the city of Cusco, arriving between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.
Day 5: Transfer to the airport
At the coordinated time a mobility will be in your hotel for the transfer to the airport. end of our services.
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.
