IMPERIAL CUSCO
5 DAY / 4 NIGHTS
ITINERAY: Cusco and Machu Picchu full program.
This program has been designed to show you the Ancient Inca Capital in every detail. We will explore some 500-year-old architectural wonders like Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman, Pisaq or Ollantaytambo. On the other hand we will also visit Cusco´s exquisite architectural colonial buildings, vivid culture in the markets and street and of course its wonderful Andean landscapes and glaciers.
DAY 1: Pick up at the airport and City Tour program.
Morning: Our car will be waiting for you at Cusco airport to take you to your hotel where you will have time to relax. Then you will enjoy a tasty lunch in one of Cusco´s selected restaurants. During the afternoon we will start our half day City Tour Program. It will allow us to visit the Cathedral of Cusco and the Koricancha Temple. The first one is a fine architectural colonial building full of artistic treasures inside and the latter is the former and greatest temple during the Inca times. Our next stop will be the massive stone fortress known as Sacsayhuaman. It represents one of the greatest architectural Inca achievements. Our last stop will be Qenqo where an impressive ritual rock is located. Our tour finishes with taking you back to your hotel.
DAY 2: The Sacred Valley of the Incas
After enjoying a delicious breakfast we are heading to see the beautiful landscapes in the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be Chinchero town located at 4000 masl. We will visit the historical square and a beautiful colonial church. Also it will be possible to appreciate the beautiful Urubamba snow cape mountain surrounded by huge glaciers. Our next stop will be the Salt Mines in Maras and The Circular Terraces in Moray which experts believe functioned as an ancient agricultural laboratory for the Incas to domesticate new types of plants. Now it is time to enjoy a buffet lunch in a restaurant in The Sacred Valley by the majestic Urubamba river. During the afternoon we will visit the town of Ollantaytambo where there are a lot of Inca buildings still in use. The cobbled streets and the archeological remains in the nearby area are good examples of the high quality Inca architecture in urban areas. We will spend this night in Ollantaytambo and next day we will take the train to the town of Aguas Calientes known as the gate to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. In this town we will rest and plan our trip to Machu Picchu next day.
DAY 3: The Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu.
This is going to be one of those unforgettable days in your life. Along the years many defining terms have been assigned to this wonderful place such as World heritage site, Historic Sanctuary and Wonder of the modern world. At the beginning of this journey our guide will pick you up at your hotel and help you board the bus to reach Machu Picchu´s gate. We will explore this archaeological site in details so that you will see its beauty and understand its meaning. During the afternoon of this memorable day we will head to Aguas Calientes to take the train back to Cusco city.
DAY 4: The Pisac handicraft market and Pisac archeological site.
Waking up in Cusco again and getting ready for a new colorful adventure on our new trip. We head to Pisac town and its handicraft market but first we will stop at Puka Pukara fortress and Tambomachay ceremonial center. No doubt that Pisaq market is very well known along the Sacred Valley area and symbolizes a triumph of colors and contrasts. After lunch we will visit the Pisac archeological site which is a large area made up of different sections such as urban, military and ceremonial parts. We come back to Cusco and everyone will have extra free time to go shopping and get souvenirs for their dear ones.
DAY 5: South Valley
This whole morning is dedicated to explore the South Valley of Cusco. Our fist stop will be the Tipon archeological site whose origins can be traced back to the Imperial Inca architectural period (1450-1533). After this visit we continue a little further to the south to admire The Cusco Inca Gate, a magnificent work that controlled the access to the valley and to the ancient Inca capital. Our last stop will be the exquisite Andahuaylillas church considered as a colonial arquitectural jewel. Inside this building you will appreciate the original paintings of Luis de Riaño, one of the most gifted painters of the so-called Escuela Cusqueña. After this we come back to Cusco and we will transfer you to the airport.
SUMMARY
1)Arrival in Cusco + Cusco city tour
What is included: Pick up at the airport and City Tour program - Cusco city tour with a private guide – 3 star hotel
What is not included: Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
2) The Sacred Valley of the Incas tour (Chinchero, Maras & Moray + Ollantaytambo)
What is included:Guided tour in private transportation – Lunch in a restaurant located in the Sacred Valley – Entrance tickets to all archeological sites visited on this day - Train ticket to Aguas Calientes – Hotel in Aguas Calientes.
What is not included:Each customer needs to arrange dinner on his/her own expenses.
3) Machu Picchu
What is included: Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu bus tickets – Tickets to visit Machu Picchu – Guided tour in Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes / Cusco train ticket - Transfer service from the train station to your hotel - Hotel in Cusco.
What is not included:Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
4) Pisaq (Market and Archeological site) + Free afternoon
What is included: Entrance tickets and guided tour in a private car - Hotel in Cusco.
What is not included: Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
5) South valley + Airport transfer
What is included: Entrance tickets to all touristic sites visited on this day – Tour in a private car – Transfer to the airport.
What is not included:Each customer needs to arrange lunch and dinner on his/her own expenses.
