Upon your arrival in Cusco, a city located at 3,400 meters altitude, it is normal to feel the air is slightly thinner. Therefore, our team will be waiting for you to take you to the hotel, where you will experience the famous Coca tea that will help with your acclimatization (not recommended for people with high blood pressure). Next, our team will assist you with check-in and present you with a city map, explaining the main tourist attractions, as well as recommending restaurants, exchange houses, shops and much more. We advise you to rest for a few hours to take full advantage of your free afternoon and evening in Cusco.
Optional Visit:
If you feel your acclimatization went well, take advantage and attend the presentation of typical Andean music and dances at the Qosqo Art Native Center (from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM). We recommend arriving 45 minutes early. The entrance ticket is already included in the package (confirm this information with your travel consultant).
⚠️ Note: During tours and trekking in Cusco, we now have Starlink satellite internet on board our transport.
Overnight: Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel.
From 9 AM to 11 AM (approximately) — We will have a tour of the Historic Center with our local guide. Our starting point will be the Plaza de Regocijo, located near the Plaza de Armas of Cusco (exclusive courtesy service for our clients only).
From 1 PM to 6 PM (approximately) — We will conduct the Archaeological City Tour of Cusco. Our reference point for the beginning will be in front of the Church of Santo Domingo, located near the Qoricancha, which means Wall of Gold or Temple of the Sun, here will be our first stop. We will continue with a visit to four other archaeological sites: The Sacsayhuaman Fortress, famous for the celebration of Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun); continuing to Qenqo, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay, the famous Inca shower. Before we finish the tour, we will make a special stop to interact with Peruvian llamas and alpacas. Our return to Cusco is scheduled for around 6:00 PM, on the way back, our team can drop you off at the hotel or at the main square of the city.
Overnight: Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel.
From 8 AM to 5 PM (approximately) — The long-awaited day has arrived to take the tour that precedes Machu Picchu! In the morning, we will depart to the famous Sacred Valley of the Incas. Soon we will make our first stop at the Taray viewpoint to appreciate the grand view of the Sacred Valley. Following the itinerary, we will visit the Pisac Archaeological Center, accompanied by our guide. We will also visit a jewelry shop in Pisac to learn about the symbolism and mysticism present in each handcrafted piece. We will leave Pisac heading to Urubamba, where we will make a stop for lunch. Then we will continue to Ollantaytambo, one of the most beautiful examples of Inca urban planning.
At the end of the tour, we will board the train at Ollantaytambo station bound for Aguas Calientes on a journey of approximately two hours. Upon arrival, our team will be waiting in the main square of Aguas Calientes, with a sign identifying your name, to accompany you to the hotel. Aguas Calientes is a charming town, located approximately 2,040 meters altitude.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes
Finally, the most anticipated day has arrived!
On this day, we will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the impressive Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu. Our team will be at your service early on, accompanying you from the hotel to boarding the bus (the time will be adjusted according to your ticket). During the tour, our professional guide will share the secrets, histories and mysteries in a guided tour lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. After the guided visit, you will have free time to explore the site comfortably. At the end, the guide will inform you of the exact time to return to the town of Aguas Calientes, from where you will board the train again bound for Poroy or Wanchaq stations, close to the city of Cusco. Our team will be waiting upon arrival to provide your return transfer to the hotel.
Exclusive Optional Services:
- Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Hotel — Located near the gates of the Inca Citadel
- Return train in “Vistadome” car — An unforgettable panoramic experience, with large windows that allow you to admire all the beauty of the Sacred Valley
- Return train in the Premium “Vistadome Observatory” or Inca Rail 360° car — With onboard service, observation car and live cultural presentations
- Entrance to Huayna Picchu Mountain — A stunning trail with a privileged view of the entire Machu Picchu complex
Overnight: Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel.
From 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM (approximately) — On this day, our team will be ready to arrange your transfer to the indicated bus terminal. Then we will depart from Cusco in a comfortable tourist bus to travel the famous Route of the Sun. Our first stop will be in the town of Andahuaylillas, where we will discover its beautiful colonial church, considered the Sistine Chapel of the Andes. Then we will continue towards the Raqchi archaeological center, known as the Temple of Wiracocha, dedicated to the Sun God.
Continuing our journey, we will make a stop in Sicuani, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch with typical regional dishes. Next, we will climb to La Raya, the highest point on our journey (4,335 meters altitude). Our last stop will be in Pucará, an ancient pre-Incan center (dating from approximately 200 BC), famous for its traditional ceramics and the well-known Toritos de Pucará. Concluding the tour, we will arrive at the city of Puno, located at 3,827 meters altitude, where our team will arrange your transfer to your hotel so you can rest after a day full of history.
Overnight: Puno
Breakfast at the hotel.
From 7:30 AM to 4 PM (approximately) — After breakfast, we will arrange your transfer to the Puno port, from where we will depart towards Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake. Our first stop will be the Floating Islands of Uros, formed by several layers of totora, a type of reed used by the local community in building the islands and boats. We will continue towards Taquile Island, where we will be welcomed by residents with hospitality and friendliness.
During the visit, we will have the opportunity to learn about their traditions and way of life, as well as enjoy a typical regional lunch, prepared with local products — a true cultural experience. Afterwards, there will be free time to photograph and record unforgettable moments on this singular island. At the end of the afternoon, we will return to the dock to begin our return journey to the city of Puno. Upon arrival, we will arrange your transfer to the hotel, where you can rest and enjoy the rest of your afternoon and evening free.
Overnight: Puno
Breakfast at the hotel.
From 7 AM to 7:30 PM (approximately) — After breakfast, we will begin our adventure towards Aramu Muru, a sacred place on the shores of Lake Titicaca, known for its rock formations in the middle of a “stone forest”. In this place is carved a mysterious stone door, surrounded by legends that claim that the pre-Incan priest Aramu Muru disappeared through this passage carrying a solar disk to protect it from invaders. Local residents say the region has strong spiritual energy and that spirits roam the area, making the experience even more mystical.
Next, we continue to Desaguadero to complete immigration procedures and currency exchange before crossing the border into Bolivia. Already in Bolivian territory, we will travel approximately 45 minutes to Tiahuanaco, where around 12:30 PM (Bolivian time) we will visit Puma Punku and have lunch. Then we will explore the main monuments of the archaeological complex, such as the Gate of the Sun, the Akapana Pyramid, the Beneth Monolith and the Kalassasaya Temple. At the end of the visit, we will return to Puno, with an expected arrival around 7:30 PM at your hotel.
Overnight: Puno
Breakfast at the hotel.
From 7 AM to 7:30 PM (approximately) — We will begin with a transfer from your Puno Hotel towards Kasani (border, approximately 3 hours journey). Upon arrival, we will visit the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Copacabana. Next, we will board bound for the Island of the Sun, the birthplace of the Inca Empire. On this legendary island, you will be able to see the Inca’s Garden, the staircases and the Fountain of Youth, as well as the agricultural terraces of Pachamama, where you can observe part of the ancient Inca cultivation technique.
We will also visit a craft center, the Intica Refuge and the Manco Cápac Viewpoint, which houses the largest variety of Andean camelids in the region. After the visit, we will return by boat to Copacabana, enjoying the majestic panoramic view of Lake Titicaca. Subsequently, we will return from Copacabana bound for the city of Puno, where we will arrange your transfer to your hotel, so you can rest and enjoy the evening freely at your own pace.
Overnight: Puno
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will arrange your transfer to Juliaca Airport, located near the city of Puno, for your flight to Lima – Brazil. Our team will be at the hotel three and a half hours before your flight time, ensuring your arrival with tranquility and safety at the airport.
We end our services here.
Thank you for traveling with us and we hope to see you again soon to experience new unforgettable experiences with our Machu Picchu travel packages.
Important Note on Check-in and Check-out:
For hotels in Cusco, Aguas Calientes and Puno, check-in time is at 1 PM and check-out is at 10 AM.
If you are interested in:
- Early check-in (early hotel entry)
- Late check-out (departure outside standard hours)
These options are subject to hotel availability and may incur additional costs. To confirm these and other information, we recommend consulting with your Machu Picchu Travels consultant.
