8-Day Best of Cusco: Inca Valley, Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Day 01: Welcome to Lima.
1 stop
1
Lima
Arrival to the city of Lima, assistance, and transfer to the hotel.
Admission ticket free
Day 2
Day 02: Cusco, Capital of the Empire
1 stop
2
Cusco
In the afternoon, exclusive stroll in the city that starts with a visit to the Plaza de San Cristóbal (San Cristobal Square) to enjoy a panoramic overview of the city. Afterwards, we will visit the San Pedro Market, where we will absorb the local flavors and learn more about the products of the area in this market that has it all and supplies the entire city. Later, the Qorikancha Temple will welcome us with all its splendor and magnificence, with walls that used to be covered in gold. From San Blas, the artisans’ neighborhood, we will walk down the street Hatun Rumiyoc finding in our way the palace Inca Roca, today´s Archbishops Palace, and we will have time to admire the world famous Twelve Angled Stone. We will continue to the Plaza de Armas to visit The Cathedral that houses colonial works of incredible value.
Admission ticket free
Day 3
Día 3: Archaeological Park of Sacsayhuaman
1 stop
3
Sacsayhuaman
In the morning, we will leave behind the crowds in order to visit Sacsayhuaman, an impressive citadel full of colossal constructions surrounded by beautiful landscape in total communion with the environment. Afterwards, we continue to the Inca adoratory of Q’enqo, with its surprising altar for sacrifices embedded in the internal part of its rocky formation. Finally, we arrive at the Puca Pucará lookout and Tambomachay, a monument of notable architectonic excellence which is considered one of the pillars of the Andean cosmovision. Free afternoon to enjoy the city.
Admission ticket free
Day 4
Day 4: Sacred Valley: Inca and Colonial Pisac, Inkariy Museum and Yucay Live Culture Center
1 stop
4
Sacred Valley
The Sacred Valley of the Incas receives us in this day. Our first stop will be at the Inca village of Pisac, one of the most beautiful archaeological sites of the Sacred Valley. From the top of the mountain there is a great view of the colonial village of Pisac. Walk through the colonial village. Time for shopping at the artisan workshops. Later, tour of the Inkariy Museum to visit the different halls with exhibits of representations of the pre-Hispanic cultures of ancient Peru. Lunch. Visit to the Yucay Live Culture Center, tourist complex were the local settlers will show us their techniques of weaving and dying of traditional textiles, making of the adobes, preparation of the traditional chicha, a drink made of corn, and a close encounter with the Andean camels: llamas and alpacas. Overnight stay in the area.
Admission ticket free
Day 5
Day 5: Sacred Valley: Moray Terraces, Maras Salt Mines and Ollantaytambo Living Inca Village
1 stop
5
This day will take us to find marvelous places in this region of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. The Inca Terraces of Moray, a lab that was looking to re-create 20 different microclimates and secure the agricultural production of the empire. Continue towards the Village of Maras, tour of the famous and ancient salt mines, which still are exploited since immemorial times. The contrast between the white wells and the clayey land makes this landscape into a place not to be missed for taking pictures. Lunch. In the afternoon, tour of the streets, plazas and terraces of the last Inca living village of Ollantaytambo. Enter the archaeological site that dominates the village, where we will see the technique that the Incas used to work on the stones in the Sun temple that was left half built. At the proper time, embark from the village train station to arrive at the town of Machu Picchu, located at the foot of the mountain. Overnight stay in the area.
Admission ticket free
Day 6
Day 6: Machu Picchu, the Lost City
1 stop
6
Machu Picchu
The much-awaited day to visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World. Boarding at the Ollantaytambo station. Departure in the selected train. Arrival at the Machu Picchu station. Assistance, from our staff to board the bus that will ascend up a winding road, with a spectacular view of the Urubamba River which forms a deep canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will greet us with its incredible terraces, staircases, ceremonial sites and urban areas. Energy exudes from the whole place. Lunch. At the coordinated time, return by train and transfer to the hotel in Cusco. Lodging.
Admission ticket free
Day 7
Day 7: Vinicunca, the Rainbow Mountain.
1 stop
7
Vinicunca Mountain
Embark on a great adventure when going to the Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca. Very early in the morning, departure by van along Valle Sur till we arrive at the village of Cusipata. Breakfast. Afterwards start of the ascent through a community dirt road till we arrive at 4,800 m.a.s.l. Start of our hike along a path of 4 km observing far away the snowcapped mountain range of Ausangate. Our guide will come with us and teach us how to walk properly in altitude. The chain of mountains striped with colors will appear little by little, until we reach the observation point at 5000 m.a.s.l. Its geological formations will reveal all of its great splendor. Vinicunca is one of the great attractions that you should not miss in your trip to Peru. Free time for taking pictures. Later we will descend by the same path in
Admission ticket free
Day 8
Day 08: Farewell Day
1 stop
8
Cusco
Transfer to the airport. Departure to Lima to connect with your return flight home.
2 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• Machu Picchu has implemented new visitor circuits, with three main routes with specific differences to distribute passengers in various areas. These changes are intended to improve the visitor experience and preserve the integrity of the archaeological site. The circuit with route 2 will be given as priority and if it is not available, the options of taking circuit 3B or circuit 1B will be informed so that you can confirm your decision before the tickets are issued.
• VIPAC is operating with shared guides on all shifts of Circuits 2A, 2B, and 3B, as well as other circuits that include only the visit to the Machu Picchu citadel.
• Guidance will be provided in Spanish or English

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