We invite you to explore what makes Cusco to Machu Picchu tour is such a unique and fulfilling vacation destination. Steeped in Inca and Spanish colonial charm, Cusco is a virtual historic paradise for cultural vacations from museums to ancient ruins, handicrafts to shopping stores, Andean people to valleys and much more. The vibrant Cusco’s city center offers a destination filled with restaurants, pubs, bars, jewelry stores and hotels from basic to 5 stars.
Season: May to Nov.
Explore the ancient Inca capital, with visits to the majestic Qorikancha Temple and the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress, showcasing stunning Inca architecture and panoramic city views.
Discover the breathtaking Sacred Valley, where you’ll encounter vibrant local markets, picturesque Andean landscapes, and the cultural richness of the indigenous communities.
Visit the fascinating circular terraces of Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory that showcases the ingenuity of their farming techniques and adaptation to varied climates.
Marvel at the striking Salineras, a vast network of ancient salt mines that have been in use since Inca times, creating a unique and stunning white landscape.
Wander through the ancient fortress of Ollantaytambo, a remarkable archaeological site with impressive terraces and stunning stonework, offering insight into Inca military strategy and engineering.
Enjoy a picturesque train journey through the lush Urubamba Valley, offering breathtaking views of the Andes mountains and river en route to the iconic Machu Picchu.
Embark on a comprehensive guided tour of Machu Picchu, exploring its intricate stone structures, sacred temples, and terraces while learning about the history and mysteries of this ancient wonder.
Embark on an unforgettable journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu with River Explorers, exploring ancient Inca wonders, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant cultures, culminating in the mystical and iconic citadel of Machu Picchu.
As your airplane lands into Cusco, you’ll be transfer from the airport to your hotel. This drive will take you into the heart of Cusco, the mountainside of the Andes and the beauty architecture which sets it apart from any other place in the planet. You’ve already begun your introduction of this exciting five star city.
Start discovering Cusco with a guided tour of the city’s most memorable attractions, the Cathedral and Qoricancha. Welcoming millions of visitors, the Basilica of the virgin Assumption is one of the South America’s most most imposing structures. Ceremonies of deep spirituality, exalting Gothic-Renaissance architecture, artwork originated from the Cuzco school of art and exceptional colonial craftsmanship will continue to be appreciated for generations to come.
Few blocks south of Cusco’s cathedral, The temple of the sun (Koricancha) encompasses many years of history from the beginning of the Incas time to end of the Spanish Colony as well as the most finest architecture during the Incas time. The finest gold of the whole empire was used along the structures inside the temple. Bus north and up Cusco city to the Sacsayhuaman complex, a fortress building known for its giant walls that pass the 9 meters of height and 350 tons, its complex took more than seven decades and needed the work of 2o thousand men approximately. Few minutes away from Sacsayhuaman, we enter Qenqo Temple a unique in its construction, having been fully sculpted out of an enormous monolith mixes together with tunnels including natural man made chambers.
Puka pukara is another center just 5 minutes by bus from Qenqo, Puca-Pucara means Red Fortress and its composed by towers, stairways, passages, terraces with overlooks to the mountains side from Cusco. After enjoyed this place we will walk for 5 minutes directly to visit Tambomachay, this place it’s a threefold carved stonework made on top of a natural spring, and, one should note, Tambomachay is typically known as the Inca’s Bath. After this awesome tour ends we will drive back to your Hotel in Cusco.
The journey through the Sacred Valley stretches 85 km – 56 ml east to north eastern Cusco. Beginning and ending at your hotel in Cusco. This byway rambles through small charming villages, typical local markets and ancient ruins that brings the Sacred valley to life. The wild scenic Urubamba River one of the Amazon tributaries parallels much of the route offering recreational activities such as rafting and fishing. History buffs and everyone who is interested in history will take a great pleasure at the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo and Pisaq.
Continuing on our quest from Cusco to Machu Picchu our next stop will be the Sacred Valley. We begin the tour at your hotel when your guide and van will pick you up from at 8 am.
You will move east from Cusco down to Corao stopping along the way to visit local markets, weaving centers based on the tradition of back-strap loom weaving and small charming villages.
With the Vilcabamba mountain range looming in the northeast we will stop to enjoy the outstanding scenery of the Sacred Valley and then reach Pisaq, a complex that served as a royal states for the Inca King Pachacutec, tells said that the Inca king enjoyed coming here for the relaxation and for good reason, everywhere you look is amazing the views includes terraces, fascinating Inca buildings with fountains, lookout towers and the famous Inti-watana or Intihuatana (Quechua words for Inti that means sun and wata or Huata that means year, or watay that means “to tie” and it’s identified as the Sun’s Temple are amazing.
Once Pisaq guided tour ends we will drive back to Pisaq town to visit the local market to explore handicrafts, jewelry, local food, spices etc. you can buy Alpaca products especially the baby Alpaca. You can see locals dressed in the traditional port, the local church or just simply to relax sitting with a nice cup of coffee.
North from Pisaq we will arrive to Urubamba where we will stop to have an exquisite buffet lunch at a typical restaurant. Thirty minutes away from Urubamba, we will come to Ollantaytambo town.
The 4 groups of Ollantaytambo comprise a well preserved constructions of buildings, chambers and watch towers, the most beautiful of all is called the Bath of the Ñusta (princess), from top of this carved rock constantly flows a high stream of water into a basin built. The big mystery of how the Incas, who didn’t know the iron or have the knowledge of the wheel, carried and mined huge stones and fitted them in remarkable perfect structures to built Ollantaytambo.
Just a few hundred meters from Ollantaytambo, stop at train station. The stretch of railroad from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, showcase the beauty of the Vilcanota gorge. Massive beautiful mountains flanks the railroad, and the river winds below dropping down into wild rapids. One exceptional formation, The Veronica Snow mountain overlook, can be viewed from the railroad.Passing through small rain forest villages and bridges, we will soon reach Aguas Calientes (town below Machu Picchu) where we will book into a hotel to relax. Night free.
Our journey from Cusco to Machu Picchu provides a spectacular ending to our days together. After breakfast, we’ll be in a 25 minutes shuttle traveling along a winding road where we can see far a top of a mountain, Machu Picchu posted over the edge of the walls of the Urubamba River gorge in a spectacular and defying show of engineering design.
Beginning at Machu Picchu entrance, we hike through the whole complex in a 2 hours guided tour around of one of the most significant and most visited Pre-Columbian complex in the Americas, an important symbol of Peruvian national pride and Inca civilization.
The monument is a uniquely sited religious sanctuary, royal retreat and resting place of the Inca rulers from Cuzco, magnificently built and perfectly fitted with the surrounding with an extraordinarily fascinating landscape.
We continue our day with a shuttle back to Aguas Calientes. we then take the train back to Ollantaytambo. Following a transfer to Cusco and then to your hotel arriving between 6 and 8 pm.
Extend your vacation and choose a river rafting, mountain biking or any other activities around Cusco or Machu Picchu.
Hotel pick up and transfer to Cusco airport.
Overnight: 3 nights in a 3-star hotel (Cusco and Aguas Calientes).
Transfers: All transfer are included after your arrival to Cusco
Transport: We use private transport for the Sacred Valley tour, tourist train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo and tourist bus Aguas Calientes-Machu Picchu-Aguas Calientes.
Meals: All breakfast, 1 lunch at Sacred Valley tour and 1 dinner.
Machu Picchu: Entrance fees, guided tours around Machu Picchu.
Sacred Valley tour: Entrance fees, private transport, guided tour and lunch.
Cusco city tour: Private transportation, guided tour and entrance fees.
Also See: Active Cusco Trip!
Travel Insurance: Consider purchasing travel and cancellation insurance for peace of mind during your journey.
Gratuities: Show appreciation by leaving a 10% tip of the total package price per person for your guides.
Huayna Picchu: The highest peak behind Machu Picchu requires advance booking for permits, as only 400 people can hike daily in two shifts at 7 am and 10 am.
Hotel: Hotels are not included if you fall ill or decide not to continue the tour.
