Cusco is much more than just a very popular destination! Discover its beauty and charm during 4 fascinating days visiting its main attractions that this guaranteed departure tour has to offer. Visit the imperial city, the impressive archaeological remains such as Sacsayhuamán or Coricancha and explore some of the most spectacular views of this planet on its way to the magnificent citadel and the mountain of Machu Picchu.
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian past with Spanish architecture. Its temples, squares and streets are surrounded by hills that hide amazing places like Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, PukaPukara and Tambomachay.
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas, hidden on top of an Andean peak. It offers not only views of the mountain range, but also of the Inca past.
Coricancha: Impressive sample of convergence between the Inca and the Spanish worlds. It was the temple dedicated to the veneration of the sun. Later, with the arrival of the Spaniards, its foundations were used as a base for the construction of the Santo Domingo convent.
Sacsayhuaman: An immense Inca fortress erected in the fifteenth century on top of a hill above Cusco. Its gigantic stones are a sign of its grandeur that continues to amaze visitors 500 years later.
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CHARMING CUSCO
Itinerary subject to change until departure date
DAY 1 – CUSCO
Arrive at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Take the opportunity to rest and recover or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru. Accommodation.
DAY 2 – CUSCO
Breakfast. Departure for a tour of Cusco, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. Transfer to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 3 – CUSCO / MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Breakfast. At a time to be arranged locally, transfer to Ollanta train station. Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with approximately one hour and a half train ride to Aguas Calientes. This town is also known as "Machu Picchu Pueblo". Upon arrival, take the bus up to Machu Picchu, the "lost city of the Incas". It is believed that Machu Picchu was built for the Inca emperor Pachacútec around 1450 as a holiday residence. The citadel was abandoned just over 100 years later, probably as a result of the Spanish Conquest, although historians have never uncovered why it was abandoned or how it escaped the destruction that other Inca settlements faced. Instead, the jungle slowly engulfed its stone construction, covering it in thick vegetation that kept it hidden and protected until it was brought to international attention in 1911. The tour will introduce you to the origins of this impressive citadel and guide you around some of its most iconic monuments, such as the main square, the royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, the circular towers, the Sacred Clock and cemeteries. At the end of the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Finally, return by train to Ollanta Station and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 4 – CUSCO
Breakfast. At a time to be arranges locally, transfer to the airport to embark on your next flight.
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REMARKS
- Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
- Entrance to the hotels starts at 15:00.
- Copies of passports must be sent when requesting a reservation in order to confirm train seats and entry to Machu Picchu; failure to provide this information makes both services subject to confirmation and availability.
- Luggage allowed on the train to Machu Picchu up to 5 kg per person; passengers should provide the luggage they need for 2 nights as they will be deprived of the rest of their luggage during this period.