The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
Day 1
Airport Pickup Information:
All-day hotel pick-up in Cusco, Peru: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado; Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay; Free airport pick-up for same-level group members on the same day Airport: Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ)
Free airport pick-up time on the day of joining the tour: 12:00, 16:00, 18:00. This is the time when guests will meet our staff after picking up their luggage at the baggage claim area of their airline. No guests will be picked up after this time.
Relaxed and happy, with bags packed with endless anticipation, guests departed for their respective airports and boarded a flight to Cusco, a city in southern Peru. Your guide will greet you at the airport with a sign. Guests with nearby flights will be transferred to their hotel in the Sacred Valley on the same bus; however, you may need to wait. Meals are at your own expense on arrival.
Day 2
A full-day tour of the Sacred Valley. The Sacred Valley, nestled between Cusco and Machu Picchu, was undoubtedly a vital region for the Incas. Its pleasant climate and fertile plains created perfect conditions for growing crops. We'll first visit Pisac, where the charming Pisac market is irresistible, showcasing exquisite handicrafts, gold, silver, and gemstone jewelry. The exquisite, colorful offerings are truly stunning! We'll then proceed to the Pisac archaeological site to immerse ourselves in ancient Inca civilization. In the afternoon, we'll visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo, a must-see ancient Inca town in the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo, nestled in the Andes, sits at a strategic point in the Sacred Valley, 73 kilometers from Cusco, at an altitude of approximately 2,800 meters. Surrounded by mountains, it serves as a natural fortification. After the Spanish invaded Inca territory, the then-Inca King Manco retreated to Ollantaytambo and established a temporary capital. In 1537, the Incas defeated the Spanish there, and this imposing fortress stands as a testament to their only victory against the Spanish invasion.
Itinerary:
Depart from the hotel → Pisac Market → Pisac Archaeological Site → Ollantaytambo Archaeological Site → Return to the hotel in the afternoon. Pisac Archaeological Site Parque Arqueológico de Pisac
The Pisac archaeological site is one of the most important citadels and religious centers in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It is divided into two areas: the older area, located in the upper part, is an Inca archaeological site, while the current area, located in the valley, dates back to the colonial era.
Ollantaytambo Ruins
Located deep in the Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo was an important military, religious, and agricultural center, marking the border of Cusco. Of all the towns in the Sacred Valley, it is the only one to retain its original layout. Its ceremonial area consisted of several altars, terraces, a ten-windowed temple, and an aqueduct carved into the hillside. Also located was a fortress, also known as the Palace of the Sun, comprised of 27 terraces of red granite, each four meters high. Its main wall consisted of six monoliths connected by rubble.
Hotels: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado; Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay; similar
Day 3
Free travel in the Sacred Valley (optional activities available) You can travel freely in the Sacred Valley or choose to participate in optional activities (choose one of the two). All optional activities require two people to form a group. It is recommended to purchase and pay for them together when booking the group (purchase after joining the group is subject to resource availability).
Optional Activity 1: Maras, Moray, and Chinchero Day Trip. After breakfast at the hotel, we'll first visit the fascinating ancient ruins of Moray's circular terraces. These incredible circular terraces, built by a pre-Inca civilization, are steeped in mystery and ancient wisdom, attracting countless visitors each year to explore their mysteries. We'll then visit the Maras Salt Pans, where nearly all the ponds are less than four square meters in size and no more than thirty centimeters deep, making them a perfect place for photo ops. We'll then visit Chinchero, a well-preserved indigenous village located approximately 30 kilometers from Cusco, at an altitude of over 3,700 meters. The village's landmarks are the central plaza and the whitewashed church. Tupac, the tenth Inca emperor, once built his imperial palace and the Temple of the Sun in Chinchero. In the afternoon, we'll return to the hotel.
Moray Terraces
The Morai Terraces in Cusco exemplify the ingenuity of the Inca people. The temperature difference between the highest and lowest points of the terraces can reach as much as 15 degrees Celsius, creating 20 natural microclimates. This has become an "agricultural experimental zone," where soil from different regions was transplanted to test the viability of growing different crops. To complement the terraces, the Inca constructed numerous irrigation canals to channel mountain water, as well as numerous retaining walls to transfer heat during the day and trap it in the soil at night. This comprehensive agricultural system enabled them to fully utilize nature's resources and achieve bountiful harvests.
Maras salt mines
The salt pans wind their way down the hillside of Maras, nestled within the Sacred Valley of the Incas. They are said to have existed long before the Inca Empire. Locally, a highly saline, inexhaustible natural spring flows, controlled and diverted into the five-square-meter salt pans. Over 3,000 white terraces, stacked tier upon tier, form a spectacular display.
Optional Activity 2: Day Trip to the Willoq Community. In the morning, we'll depart from your hotel and head to the Willoq community. During the journey, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley. After approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, you'll reach the Willoq community, known for preserving ancestral customs and traditions, offering an unforgettable experience. Upon arrival in Willoq, you'll be welcomed with traditional music and have the opportunity to wear traditional clothing. You'll then witness the villagers' skills in textile art. Through a demonstration, you'll appreciate the weaving process, the materials used to achieve the colors, and the shearing of wool. Around noon, you'll enjoy a local lunch. After lunch, you'll return to Ollantaytambo, where you'll spend two hours exploring its impressive archaeological site, known for its terraces, ceremonial center, royal palace, and other important temples. Return to your hotel around 5 PM.
Hotels: Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado; Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay; similar
Day 4
Sacred Valley (car) → Machu Picchu (car) → Cusco: Full-day tour. Depart from your hotel and travel by car to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo, board the scenic train to Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. This renowned scenic train journey follows the mighty Urubamba River, offering panoramic views of the Sacred Valley from the sunroof. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, walk to the bus station and board a public bus for a guided tour of Machu Picchu, known as the "Lost City of the Incas." This tour will take you to this beautifully preserved pre-Columbian Inca ruin. Machu Picchu is South America's most important archaeological center and Peru's most popular tourist attraction. Located in the Andes Mountains of southern Peru, at an altitude of 2,430 meters, it overlooks the Urubamba River Valley. Known as the "Lost City of the Incas," it is the remains of a 15th-century Inca city and is also known as the "City in the Sky" due to its mountaintop location and elevation. In 1983, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2007, it was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. After visiting Machu Picchu, we will return to Ollantaytambo by train and then continue to Cusco.
Itinerary:
Depart from the hotel → Take the scenic train from Ollantaytambo to Hot Springs (train ticket included) → Machu Picchu (3 hours, ticket included) → Take the train from Hot Springs back to Ollantaytambo → Cusco Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu Scenic Train Time: 07:22-08:48
Machu Picchu-Ollantaytambo Scenic Train Time: 16:12-17:50
The above train times are for reference only. Due to the popularity and limited resources, the times will be adjusted according to actual conditions.
Luggage allowed on trains: 8 kg per person.
*Special Notes:
Machu Picchu tickets are in short supply. To ensure a smooth visit, please provide accurate passport information when placing your order. Failure to provide passport information in a timely manner may result in your ticket being unavailable. Please understand.
Once you have successfully booked your Machu Picchu ticket, you cannot cancel or reschedule your trip. If you need to change your itinerary, an additional fee of USD$100 per person will be incurred.
Based on the actual ticket booking situation of Machu Picchu, the itinerary and hotel arrangements may be adjusted in terms of the order of the tour, but the tour content will remain unchanged.
Afternoon Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, the remains of a 15th-century Inca city, is known as the "Lost City of the Incas" and, due to its hilltop location and high altitude, is also called the "City in the Sky." Machu Picchu boasts 140 structures, including temples, sanctuaries, parks, and residences, as well as over 100 stairways, numerous fountains, and a comprehensive water system. One of Machu Picchu's most striking features is its location. From the summit, one can admire breathtaking views of rolling hills, shrouded in mist, creating a fairyland-like experience. Beyond its magnificent natural beauty, Machu Picchu is also rich in historical and cultural significance. Archaeologists suggest that the site may have served as a royal palace, fortress, or religious sanctuary. Its elaborate design and precise architectural craftsmanship reflect the Inca people's worship of the universe and nature, as well as their highly developed social organization and engineering skills. Machu Picchu's architecture and construction demonstrate the ingenuity of ancient humans. For example, many buildings, including foundations, walls, roofs, and streets, are constructed from massive stones cut and joined together in a unique pattern. This construction effectively prevents landslides and mountain collapses. Machu Picchu boasts a series of water conservancy facilities, including canals, cisterns, and ponds. These meticulously designed structures channel water throughout the city, establishing a water supply and sewage treatment system. The design and construction of these water conservancy projects also demonstrate the ingenuity and skill of ancient humans. Terracing is one of the greatest achievements of the Inca civilization, and what makes Machu Picchu's terraces even more incredible is that beneath the surface, stones of varying sizes are stacked to guide and divert rainwater, preventing local collapse. It is precisely this unprecedented engineering that has prevented Machu Picchu from collapsing due to soil erosion and allowed it to stand for centuries.
Hotel: Xima Exclusive Cusco; similar
Day 5
Cusco Self-Guided Tour (Optional Activities Available) You can enjoy the full day in Cusco on your own or choose to participate in optional activities. All optional activities require a group of two people. It is recommended to purchase and pay for them when booking the group (purchase after joining the group is subject to resource availability). You can choose 1-2 optional activities to participate in according to the actual situation:
Optional Activity 1: Cusco 3-Hour City & Shopping Tour. Embark on a 3-hour walking tour of Cusco and discover the city's mysteries! Our guide will take you to the main square, centered around a fountain surrounded by beautiful gardens and lawns. To the north of the square stands the Cusco Cathedral, a 16th-century Baroque church showcasing a blend of Spanish and Inca influences. To the west of the square stands the Monastery of Concagalde, an Inca-era temple and one of the Inca Empire's most important religious centers. You'll then walk to the famous "Twelve-sided Stone." With 12 sides and 12 corners, it's the only surviving Inca stone with multiple corners. Our next stop is the Maximo Lara Art Museum, founded in 2013 by artist Maximo Lara. This is Peru's first museum dedicated to contemporary textile art. The exhibits are inspired by pre-Columbian cosmology and epistemology, woven and dyed by modern weavers using traditional techniques and natural materials. Each piece is a truly valuable art treasure. We'll continue to the San Blas neighborhood, a popular artisan district. Finally, we'll visit a textile shop to admire the locals' exceptional craftsmanship. Your guide will then take you back to your hotel. If you'd like, they can recommend a nice traditional restaurant for lunch (lunch is at your own expense). They'll then provide instructions for returning to your hotel.
Optional Activity 2: 4-Hour Cooking Tour We'll take you to a cooking studio in the heart of Cusco, where you'll have a hands-on lesson where you'll learn to prepare healthy and nutritious dishes using representative Peruvian ingredients under the guidance of a professional Peruvian chef. The meal will be followed by a refreshing drink, a 4-course menu, and, of course, the famous Pisco Sour.
Optional Activity 3: Half-Day Cusco City and Surroundings Tour. It's time to explore the magical city of Cusco! This beautiful city has an intriguing history, dating back to both the Inca and colonial eras. Your half-day tour begins in Cusco's main square, known to the Incas as Huacaipata (Warrior Square). Enjoy a guided tour of the city's cathedral, built between 1560 and 1664 from red granite from the Inca fortress of Sacayahuaman. Undoubtedly one of Cusco's most impressive buildings, this historic structure houses one of the most important collections of gold and silver work from the colonial period. Next, you'll continue to the Temple of the Sun and the Convent of Santo Domingo. Built on the site of the Inca's most important temple dedicated to the sun, the convent's walls are covered in gold leaf. Strolling through the streets of this former capital of the Inca Empire will make you feel like you've traveled back in time. After exploring Cusco, you can explore four ruins near the city, including Sacsayhuamán, with its jagged temple walls made of massive stones; Puka Pucara, which means "Red Fortress"; the open-air theater of Qenko; and Tambomachai, known as the Inca Spring. Return to your hotel.
Optional Item 4: Rainbow Mountain Hiking Day Tour. The hike takes about 4-4.5 hours and is at a high altitude. Please decide whether to participate based on your actual physical condition.
Depart from your hotel around 5:00 AM. After enjoying breakfast en route, you'll continue to the hiking trail's starting point. The hike begins at the foot of Mount Ausangate and, after approximately 2.5 hours, reaches the highest point where you'll admire Rainbow Mountain. With luck, you might spot various species of llamas and local flora. Upon reaching Rainbow Mountain, you'll have approximately 40 minutes to take photos. You'll then continue your descent, which will take approximately 2 hours, returning to the starting point. You'll then be transferred to a vehicle for lunch.
Price includes: boxed breakfast, Rainbow Mountain entrance fee and lunch.
Hotel: Xima Exclusive Cusco; similar
Day 6
Cusco Airport Transfer Full Day Today we will end our pleasant journey and you can book a suitable flight to depart from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) according to your needs.
The staff only provides one airport drop-off service from the hotel at 8:00 am. If the guest has an early flight and needs to leave the hotel for the airport before 8:00, they can take a taxi on their own.
Value-added experience: 3-day, 2-night Amazon rainforest tour (specially arranged lodge stay)
After the trip, you can go to Puerto Maldonado at your own expense and enter the Amazon rainforest to explore the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, visit the Tambopata National Reserve, have a romantic encounter with the treetop kingdom at the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, and go hiking in the Anaconda Swamp to observe the various wildlife in the swamp.
*Booking Notes: This value-added service is only available for post-group booking and cannot be booked separately. Local resources are limited, so please confirm with customer service before placing an order.
Self-funded project costs:
Maras+Moray+Chinchero One Day Tour
Tour guide fee per person: USD$200.00 according to the itinerary;
No Chinese tour guide services are provided for English-speaking group guests; if you sign up for a group with a Chinese tour guide, the Chinese tour guide service (including service fee) will be provided only for that project.
Two people form a group.
Willoq community One Day Tour
Tour guide fee per person: USD$239.00;
Two people form a group.
3. Cusco Walking & Shopping
Tour guide fee per person: USD$50.00 according to the itinerary;
Itinerary:
Main Square → Twelve-Angle Stone → Maximo Lara Art Museum → San Blas District → Textile Shop → Hotel (Groups travel in pairs).
Four-hour cooking class
Tour guide fee per person: USD$260.00 according to the itinerary;
Two people form a group.
Cusco half-day city and surrounding area tour
Tour guide fee per person: USD$195.00;
No Chinese tour guide services are provided for English-speaking group guests; if you sign up for a group with a Chinese tour guide, the Chinese tour guide service (including service fee) will be provided only for that project.
Two people form a group.
Trekking to Rainbow Mountain (Full day)
Tour guide fee per person: USD$299.00 according to itinerary;
Groups are two people. The hike takes approximately 4-4.5 hours and is at a high altitude. Please consider your physical condition before participating.