Discover why the Incas turned the Sacred Valley into the center of their empire. Learn about the main attractions of the city of Cusco and the valley, from impressive archaeological sites to Andean landscapes that leave you breathless at the foot of peaks covered in white snow. And let yourself be captivated by the imposing Machu Picchu and its incomparable mystique.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a mixture of pre-Columbian ruins and Spanish colonial architecture.
Coricancha: Impressive sample of the convergence of the Inca universe with the colonial one. 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 convent of Santo Domingo.
Cathedral: Unmistakable Gothic-Renaissance construction in the Plaza de Armas. Inside you can appreciate a valuable collection of canvases of the prestigious Cusqueña School
Sacsayhuamán: 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.
Machu Picchu: The "lost city of the Incas" is the reason why thousands of people arrive in Peru. Hidden among the vegetation, get closer to our past through its rooms built in communion with the landscape that surrounds them.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
THE HEART OF THE INCA EMPIRE
Itinerary subject to change until departure date
DAY 1 – CUSCO / SACRED VALLEY
Arrive at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Sacred Valley. En route, following the road to Pisac, stop at the Inkariy Museum where you will learn about the pre-Columbian history and traditions of Peru. This museum features a chronological circuit of exhibits that will not only give you an insight into the impressive Inca Empire, but will also introduce you to the lesser-known peoples of Peru, including the Caral, Chavín, Paracas, Moche, Nasca, Wari, Malbayeque and Chimú cultures. Rest of the day at leisure. Accommodation.
DAY 2 – SACRED VALLEY / CHINCHERO / OLLANTAYTAMBO / SACRED VALLEY
Breakfast. Visit the town of Chinchero, a small high-altitude town offering beautiful views of the valley and the chance to witness traditional clothing, customs and local handicrafts. Visit archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. Continuation to the Yucay Museum of Living Culture, where you can see textiles, adobe pottery and silverware being crafted using techniques dating back to the Incas. This centre not only gives you an insight into local Andean traditions, but you also have the opportunity to feed the llamas, sheep and alpacas! Feel the true spirit of the Sacred Valley as you sample a lunch of local cuisine in a cosy restaurant in Ollantaytambo. Afterwards, explore the streets of Ollantaytambo, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress built into the mountainside. At the end of the day, return to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 3 – SACRED VALLEY / MACHU PICCHU / AGUAS CALIENTES
Breakfast. Transfer to the Ollanta station to begin your trip to Machu Picchu. Enjoy the scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, the last stop before entering the most important archaeological site in Peru. 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. Afternoon at leisure. Accommodation.
DAY 4 – MACHU PICCHU / CUSCO
Breakfast. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, board the train back to Ollanta station. Transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Accommodation.
DAY 5 – CUSCO
Breakfast. Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, tour of the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent was built over the Inca Coricancha temple, one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun. According to historical records, the original temple walls depicted scenes of nature and were covered in gold leaf. 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. Continue on to Qenqo, an archaeological site where it is believed the Incas carried out religious rituals. The tour ends in Puka Pukara, an ancient military site comprising numerous rooms, courtyards, baths, aqueducts and towers. Afterwards, return to the hotel. Accommodation.
DAY 6 – CUSCO
Breakfast. At a time to be arranges locally, transfer to the airport to embark on your next flight.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.