4 Day Tour in Cusco and Machu Picchu

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
CITY TOUR IN CUSCO CITY AND SURROUNDINGS
6 stops
1
Cusco Cathedral
1:00 PM – Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from your accommodation and taken to the Cathedral of Cusco. Built beginning in 1559 atop the former palace of Inca Wiracocha, this landmark stands as a masterpiece of colonial architecture, preserving Cusco School paintings that reflect the fusion of Andean and Spanish traditions.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
2
Qorikancha
2:30 PM – Continuing with the tour, we visit the Coricancha Temple. Known as the Temple of the Sun, it was the most revered sanctuary of the Inca Empire. Built with finely carved stone walls and aligned with key astronomical events, Coricancha reveals the Incas’ advanced understanding of architecture, cosmology, and their deep spiritual connection to the sun.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
3
Sacsayhuaman
3:30 PM – Guided tour of the megalithic site of Sacsayhuaman. Situated on the northern outskirts of Cusco, this monumental complex exemplifies the pinnacle of Inca engineering. Its colossal, precisely fitted stone walls and commanding views over the city reflect the strategic, ceremonial, and architectural sophistication of the Inca Empire.
50 minutes • Admission ticket included
4
Q'enqo
4:15 PM – Tour of the Inca site of Qenqo. Set amid the hills surrounding Cusco, Qenqo is a ceremonial complex distinguished by its carved rock formations, ritual altars, and labyrinthine passages. This enigmatic sanctuary offers insight into the Incas’ religious practices and their sophisticated use of sacred space.
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
5
Pucapucara
4:50 PM – Tour of the fortress of Pucapucara. Known as the ‘Red Fortress’ due to the hue of its stones at sunset, this strategic outpost exemplifies the Incas’ sophisticated military planning. Its terraces, walls, and vantage points offered control over access routes to Cusco and provide sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
6
Tambomachay
5:10 PM - Tour to the Tambomachay site. Tambomachay, often referred to as the "Bath of the Inca," is a remarkable archaeological site located just a short distance from Cusco. Known for its sophisticated waterworks and serene surroundings, Tambomachay offers a glimpse into the hydraulic engineering prowess of the Inca civilization and their reverence for water as a sacred element. 6:30 PM - Arrival to Cusco city
40 minutes • Admission ticket included
Day 2
TOUR TO SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS AND TRAIN TRANSFER TO AGUAS CALIENTES
6 stops
7
Complejo Arqueologico Chinchero
6:30 AM – Pick‑up from your accommodation and transfer to Chinchero. 7:15 AM – We begin our journey in the town of Chinchero, renowned for its master weavers and vibrant textiles. The visit also includes the archaeological complex built over the palace of Inca Túpac Yupanqui, where finely crafted terraces and colonial structures reveal the site’s historical and cultural significance.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
8
Salinas de Maras
8:40 AM – Continuing with our trip, we visit the Maras salt mines. This centuries‑old complex, composed of thousands of terraced evaporation ponds, has been used since pre‑Inca times for the extraction of high‑quality salt. Its striking geometric landscape and enduring traditional techniques highlight the region’s cultural and historical richness.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
9
10:10 AM – Visit to the Moray archaeological site. These remarkable concentric terraces, designed with exceptional precision, were used by the Incas for agricultural experimentation. Their varying depths created distinct microclimates, allowing the cultivation of diverse crops and illustrating the Incas’ advanced understanding of agronomy and environmental adaptation.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
10
Urubamba
Lunch included in Urubamba town
1 hour • Admission ticket free
11
Archaeological Park Ollantaytambo
1:00 PM – Visit to the archaeological park of Ollantaytambo. This imposing Inca complex, home to the Temple of the Sun and a series of ceremonial fountains, showcases masterfully carved terraces and monumental stonework. Its strategic design and refined architecture reflect the political, religious, and military importance of Ollantaytambo within the Inca Empire.
1 hour • Admission ticket included
12
Ollantaytambo
3:30 PM – Train transfer from Ollantaytambo to the town of Aguas Calientes. This scenic journey follows the course of the Urubamba River, offering views of lush valleys and steep Andean mountains as you approach the gateway to Machu Picchu.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 3
GUIDED TOUR TO MACHU PICCHU AND RETURN TO CUSCO CITY
2 stops
13
Machu Picchu
AM – Begin your day with a morning bus ride to the world‑renowned sanctuary of Machu Picchu. Upon arrival, enjoy a guided two‑hour exploration of the citadel, visiting the Temple of the Three Windows, the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, and other remarkable structures. This experience offers a profound understanding of Inca engineering, spirituality, and architectural mastery.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
14
Cusco
PM – After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes to board the train back to Ollantaytambo, followed by a private bus transfer to Cusco. 8:30 PM – Estimated arrival in Cusco city
Day 4
EXCURSION TO RAINBOW MOUNTAIN
2 stops
15
Rainbow Mountain Vinicunca
4:00 AM – Tour to Rainbow Mountain, including a visit to the viewpoint overlooking the Red Valley. The route involves a two‑hour hike each way, offering sweeping views of the Ausangate massif and the high‑Andean landscape. This experience highlights the region’s striking geological formations and its profound natural beauty.
13 hours • Admission ticket included
16
Cusco
After the tour, return to Aguas Calientes and take our train and bus back to Cusco city. 8:30 PM - Expected arrival time in Cusco city.

Additional info

• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Tags