If you decide to take a Peru vacation, then you simply have to visit Cusco, one of the world’s most popular tourism destinations, with its very own brand of magic and spirit. From there, you can also easily travel to Machu Picchu, the sacred city of the Incas, to discover all its hidden enchantments on one of the many different Machu Picchu tours.
Day 1: Cusco city tour, Sacsayhuaman, and nearby archeological sites
You arrive in the city of Cusco and are taken to your hotel, where the rest of the morning is free time to rest and to acclimate yourself to the elevation. The afternoon is set aside for a tour of the incredible colonial city, whose buildings the Spanish constructed on top of the foundations of Incan palaces. You begin at the Korikancha, the Temple of the Sun, to witness the exquisite stone work achieved by the Incas. Next stop is the Main Square for a tour of the Cathedral to see its fabulous wood carvings and impressive altars and the lovely Church of La Compañia de Jesus (Society of Christ). Following that, you head upwards to Sacsayhuaman, a fortress located in a strategic spot high above the city with a view that is absolutely stunning. You will also visit some other archaeological complexes such as Kenko and Tambomachay*, and you will have a panoramic view of Puca Pucara. Accomodations for the night in Cusco.
*The visit to Tambomachay is only available in a private tour.
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas – Inca´s Balcony and Ollantaytambo
Discover the best of the Sacred Valley of the Incas through this route starting on the Inca’s Balcony, a beautiful place with an impressive view of Chinchero ruins and city, where twelves families still preserve their traditional mores, showing you the ancestral way in which they process the wool, and obtain those vivid colors for their textiles.
Later, we will arrive to Moray, an impressing pre-Inca greenhouse, then, we will have lunch in a local restaurant. Afterwards, we will get to Ollantaytambo, one of the most monumental architectural complexes of the ancient Inca Empire, one of the few places where the Spanish conquistadors lost a major battle. Very well known for its “andenes” (terraces dug into the slopes of mountains for agricultural purposes), Ollantaytambo was a highly effective fortress, that also served as a temple. Then, we will follow to the town of Ollantaytambo, with narrow cobblestone streets that have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century.
Day 3: Sacred City of Machu Picchu
You are going to visit one of the most important energy centers of the world and the highpoint of your Peru vacation: Machu Picchu. You will travel to Machu Picchu by train to the town of Aguas Calientes, an experience in which you will see the striking scenery of the Sacred Valley. Upon your arrival, you will be driven to the archeological site, and your Machu Picchu tour will be an unforgettable experience, with a professional guide to impart to you all the history that surrounds this mysterious and enchanting place. Once the guided tour is over, you will have some free time to explore the site on your own, to relax, or to meditate. At the agreed upon hour, you will descend to Aguas Calientes for lunch and board the train later that afternoon for the return trip. Once you have arrived at either the Ollantaytambo or Poroy Station, you will be driven to your hotel.
Day 4: Cusco – Departure
At the scheduled time, you will be driven to the airport for your flight to your next destination.