Machu Picchu Tour Package - Cusco Tours Packages 5

Day 1 Cusco City Tour

Your epic five day Machu Picchu Tour package starts with a transfer from Cusco Airport, to your hotel. We recommend that you arrive in Cusco before noon so you will have some time to rest before we start the city tour at 0100 PM.

Qorikancha :

Our Cusco city tour starts with the most remarkable site in Cusco, Qorikancha or the Sun Temple. This was one of the most sacred sites to the Incas. Legends say that the courtyard of the temple was full of statues made entirely of Gold.

However, when the Spanish conquistadors gained control over the Inca’s imperial city, they demolished the temple and built the cathedral of Santo Domingo which stands here today.

They also kidnapped the Last Inca Emperor Atahualpa and demanded gold as a ransom for his release. Most of the gold from Qorikancha was paid as a ransom. Much to the colonial form, the Spanish conquistadors killed him on receiving the ransom.

Sacsahyhuaman:

After touring this iconic Inca site, we will be driving you up the hill, a little off the city to yet another remarkable Inca site, Sacsahyhuaman. It is a fortress that sits overlooking the city. In 1983, UNESCO designated Sacsayhuaan as a world heritage site.

It is popular for stone work here. Under the leadership of Pachacuti (who also built Machu Picchu), the Incasbuilt this entire complex using dry stone. They carefully cut the boulders to fit them tightly, without using mortar. 

Q’enqo:

After touring the complex, we will be driving you a little farther to another notable site, Q’enqo. This was a ceremonial site. The Incas primarily used Q’enqo for scarification and mummification of corpses. 

Tambomachay:

Driving a little farther, we will reach Tambomachay. The spa of the Inca political elite. The small aqueducts here were built by the Incas continue to work even today. 

Puca Pucara:

Our last stop will be in Puca Pucara. It is a massive rock right across the street from Tambomachay. The name Puca Pucara is a Quechua term for “Red Rock”. It gets its name after the Red Colour it bears at dusk. 

Puca Pucara was used as a military watchtower by the Incas to keep away any intruders.

After getting a detailed introduction to the Inca civilization and Andean traditions, we will be driving you back to Cusco city.

Day 2 Rainbow Mountain Tour

Early in the morning at 0430, we will be picking you up from your hotel in Cusco. We will embark on a two and a half hour drive through the south valley of Cusco to a remote Andean village, Cusipta. It nestles at 3310 meters above sea level (10860 ft). Here we will be stopping for breakfast.

After breakfast, we will be driving you to the starting point of the Rainbow Mountain Trek. Our local expert will be sharing tips on hiking in the Andes and will also give you some useful information. 

All set, we will begin with a gradual uphill hike. If you are not feeling well to hike, you can jump on a horse back. You can rent one from the local community in the base camp. 

Rainbow Mountain Trek:

We will be hiking along many highland communities and farmlands. People living here have preserved their age-old traditions and customs. Some still use the “Ayni” Barter System. Our guide will be giving you detailed information as we will be passing through the community. 

You will also have the opportunity of getting a closer peek at Alpacas and Llamas grazing in their natural habitat.

The route offers staggering views of snow capped Andean peaks at every turn. We will be hiking with a closer sight of Ausangate Peak. Ausangate is a sacred entity in the Andean mythology. It is also the highest peak in the region.

Once at the summit, you will have plenty of time to soak in the views as our guide will be talking to you about the formation of Rainbow Mountain and how the locals worship Ausangate Peak.

Once you have had your fill of the view, we will be hiking down the hill back to the point where we started the trek. On our way back to Cusco, we will be stopping at a local restaurant for lunch.

We will be reaching Cusco city by 0530 PM.

Day 3 Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour

On the third day of the Machu Picchu tour package, we will be visiting the sites in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We will start with a morning transfer (0700 AM) from your hotel in Cusco. 

Chinchero:

We will be driving for 45 minutes to Chinchero. Often referred to as the birthplace of the Rainbow, Chinchero is home to renowned Andean Textile weavers. There is a white washed church perched on top which was once a summer palace of Inca emperor Pachacutec. On Spanish conquest, they demolished the palace and built the church on its remains.

After a brief introduction to the Andean traditions and Inca’s history, we will be driving you to Maras.

Maras Salt Mines:

Home to Salt mines, Maras salt is pinkish in color. Locals still practice their ancient traditions and their ancestors. They let in natural spring waters into the geometric shaped salt puddles and wait for the water to evaporate. When it does they manually scrape out salt from here.

Our tour guide will be explaining the salt farming methods in detail as you will soak into the immersive view here.

Moray Farming Terrace:

We will then drive you to Moray. The circular farming terrace was used as an agricultural laboratory by the Incas. Thanks to this, Peru now produces over 800 varieties of potatoes.

Urubamba:

Our next stop will be in Urubamba. This is often referred to as the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Primarily because of its centric location. There are many farmlands here.

We will be stopping for lunch in Urubamba. You will relish a farm fresh meal here.

Ollantaytambo:

After lunch, we will be driving you to Ollantaytambo. This was the former administrative capital of the Incas. This serene village is tucked amidst two peaks, each home to Inca ruins.

The remains of the Inca temple here is a prominent site. To Incas, it was the most sacred site. In 1537, it turned to be a deadly battle ground when the Spanish troops led by Hernando Pizzaro tried to conquer Ollantaytambo.

Although the Incas under Manco Inca’s rule won the battle, they were certain about a following major attack using more strong forces by the Spanish troops. Fearing their lives, the Incas left the place and took asylum in the jungle, Vilcabamba.  

After an immersive tour of the complex, we will be driving you to the train station. Here you will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. The two hours train journey offers stunning views of the snow capped peaks as you will be leaving Ollantaytambo.

The views and the weather changes drastically as you approach Aguas Calientes. It gets much warmer.

We will be accommodating you in an ensuite hotel room in Aguas Calientes. As the name suggests, Aguas Calientes is famous for its hot springs. You can spend the evening soaking in the thermal waters here. 

Day 4 Machu Picchu Tour

On the fourth day of the tour, after breakfast, we will be transferring you by bus to the entrance of Machu Picchu citadel, it takes 25 minutes. Once at the entrance of the citadel, once again your Machu Picchu tickets will be verified against your original passport.

As you enter the citadel, you will witness the shimmering rays of the sun beaming on the walls of the citadel. A blanket of cloud would clear and unveil the emblematic Inca citadel, Machu Picchu to you.

Our two hours guided tour of the complex would begin with a brief introduction to the Inca empire. We will be visiting some of the prime areas of the complex like the main square, farming terraces, remiss of the royal quarters and ceremonial sites and more. 

Once you have had your fill of the complex, you will have some free time to soak in the views and immerse in the energy of Machu Picchu.

Hiking Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain

If you have booked to climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu mountain, our tour guide will be directing you to the respective entrance.

Alternatively, you can also hike to the Sungate. This is the point of entrance to Machu Picchu for those hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You won’t need a permit to hike to the sungate. You will get a panoramic view of Machu Picchu from there. 

After the immersive tour of Machu Picchu, we will be taking the bus back down to Aguas Calientes town. You will have the afternoon to yourself. You can stop by one of the local restaurants for lunch or simply visit the narrow cobbled stoned streets and shop for souvenirs. 

In the evening, we will be taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. It will be a two hour ride. Once in Ollantaytambo, our representative will meet you on arrival and will transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. We will be reaching Cusco by 0900 PM.

Day 5 Cusco Airport Transfer

Depending on your flight timing, your Machu Picchu vacation package culminates with a transfer to Cusco airport.