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. 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 1 PM (approximately) — Our transport will pick you up at your hotel to begin the tour. Accompanied by our guide, we will travel for about 40 minutes to the southwest until we reach Tipón, famous for its impressive agricultural terraces, advanced irrigation systems and Inca architecture, essential elements of the Qhapaq Ñan route. Next, we will continue to Pikillacta, considered one of the best-preserved pre-Incan cities in all of Peru.
We will conclude the tour in the town of Andahuaylillas, where we will visit its church, known worldwide as the “Sistine Chapel of the Americas”. It receives this name due to the wealth of its murals, decorated ceilings and sacred artworks that cover virtually all interior walls, similar to the Sistine Chapel in Rome. At the end, we will return to your hotel, and in the afternoon and evening, you will have free time to continue enjoying the city of Cusco.
Overnight: Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel.
From 8 AM to 2 PM (approximately) — We will start the tour towards the northeast of the city of Cusco, during the journey you will be able to appreciate impressive landscapes. At this point, a box lunch will be provided containing a light snack. The first stop will be at a textile center, where the production process of different types of wool will be presented, such as that from llamas, alpacas and other animals. After this wonderful experience, we will continue to the Moray archaeological site. Here the Incas tested various cultivation techniques and adapted plants to different microclimates. Therefore, its circular terraces, which reach up to 150 meters in depth between the highest and lowest levels, demonstrate the extraordinary agricultural knowledge.
We will continue to the town of Maras to learn about its colonial architecture and then the tour will end at the Maras Salt Mines, a place where the population still extracts salt the same way the Incas did. The area has approximately 3,000 salt pools and has become a unique tourist attraction. The return will be made to the city of Cusco, concluding today’s tour.
Overnight: Cusco
The wait is over!
From 4 AM to 6 PM (approximately) — Our journey begins very early, with transport that will take us to the town of Soraypampa. The journey lasts about 3 hours, during which we will pass through the cities of Izcuchaca, Ancahuasi, Limatambo and Mollepata. We will make a brief stop in Mollepata to enjoy breakfast and purchase supplies for the hike, such as water and energetic foods (cereal bars, peanuts or chocolate are recommended), then we will continue our transport to Soraypampa. Upon arriving at Soraypampa, the guide will provide instructions on the trail and explain the possibility of renting horses (not included in the package) for those who prefer not to complete the hike to the mountain top. The highlight of the tour is Humantay Lake, located at 4,200 meters altitude. There, you will have time to catch your breath, rest and capture unforgettable photos from a privileged vantage point. After this incredible experience, the descent begins back to the transport, with a new stop in Mollepata, this time for lunch. After the meal, we return to Cusco for a well-deserved rest.
Note:
At the beginning of the tour, we provide a bottle of water and make available a trekking pole and a small blanket to protect you from the cold during the bus journey.
Optional:
Southern Valley Tour (private service). For people who are not able to do the trail, contact your travel agent.
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
The day of adventure has arrived!!
From 4 AM to 6 PM (approximately) — The day will begin very early, before breakfast, which will be served upon arrival in the town of Cusipata. Then we will continue through small Andean villages until we reach the beginning of the route in Chillihuani, located at 4,200 meters altitude. From there, we will begin our hike towards the famous Rainbow Mountain, appreciating landscapes of mountains, valleys, alpacas, llamas and communities. If you do not wish to complete the entire trail, the guide will ask if you are interested in renting a horse (option not included in the package). At the end of the trail, we will reach the highest point, the Colored Mountain, located at 5,200 meters altitude, where we will have free time to appreciate the panoramic view and take photos of this unique landscape. Next, we will begin the descent, which is faster, to the town of Cusipata, where we will enjoy a buffet lunch. After this invigorating break, we will return to the city of Cusco for a well-deserved rest after this great adventure. If you prefer, the tour can be done on quad bike in private service (consult this option with your travel consultant).
Note:
At the beginning of the tour, we provide a bottle of water and make available a trekking pole and a small blanket to protect you from the cold during the bus journey.
Physical Conditioning: It is extremely important to have good physical conditioning to do this tour. It is a route of approximately 2 hours, at an altitude ranging from 4,200 to more than 5,200 meters above sea level. It is recommended not to do this tour in the first few days in Cusco, allowing your body to adapt to the altitude and thin air. Consuming coca tea during your stay in Cusco is highly recommended and helps greatly with acclimatization.
Overnight: Cusco
Breakfast at the hotel.
At the agreed time, we will transfer you from the hotel to the airport for check-in on your return flight to Brazil. We ask that you be ready at least two hours before your boarding time, ensuring that the transfer occurs punctually. Thank you for traveling with us! We hope to see you again soon to experience new unforgettable experiences with our Machu Picchu travel packages.
Important Tip:
If your flight from Cusco to Lima is leaving in the afternoon, take advantage of the morning to visit the city’s museums such as: Contemporary Art Museum and others. Don’t worry about admission fees, they are all covered in your Integral Tourist Ticket! Additionally, if you wish to make better use of your time, it is possible to take half-day tours with private service, ideal for learning more about Cusco in a personalized and comfortable way.
Important Note on Check-in and Check-out:
For hotels in Cusco and Aguas Calientes, 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 travel consultant.