Machu Picchu Explorer

Upon arrival in Cusco meet the guide who will remain with you throughout your time in the Peruvian Highlands. The elevation of Cusco is 11,000 feet, so take time to relax and acclimate. After a transfer from the airport to the hotel, enjoy an afternoon guided orientation of Cusco, the Imperial City and archaeological capital of South America. Admire the finest examples of Inca history and architecture with a visit to the city’s most important historical monuments that reveal the influence of different cultures. Visits include the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral dating from Spanish viceroyalty times, built with great slabs of red granite renaissance style in contrast with the baroque style silverwork of its interior and the Santo Domingo church built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Koricancha, dedicated to worship the Sun God.

Continue your tour with a visit to Cusco City’s main surrounding ruins. Sites include the Sacsayhuaman Fortress; a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power that boasts a panoramic view of the city; the Qenqo Amphitheater; a ritualistic site with subterranean galleries that form an underground maze; Puca Pucara, or red fortress; and the Inca Baths of Tambomachay.

Today head to the town of Pisac, a vibrant colonial village at the base of a spectacular Inca fortress. Sitting atop a mountain at the entrance to the valley and separated along the ridge are four groups: P’isaqa, Inti Watana, Q’allaqasa and Kinchiraqay. Visit the Inti Watana group, which includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform and an inti watana, a volcanic ritual stone used as an astronomic clock or Inca calendar to define the change of seasons. Continue to the Pisac market, which is a meeting place for all artisans of the region to get together to exchange, buy and sell products. Originally held only on Sundays, the market is now held daily due to the increase of tourism in the area.

Enjoy lunch at a countryside restaurant before departing for the Inca fortress and citadel of Ollantaytambo. This site was built just as the Spaniards arrived and was believed to be constructed to guard the entrance from possible invasions of tribes from the jungle lowlands. Later it served as a temporary capital for Manco Inca, leader of the Inca resistance in 1537 during the Spanish conquest of Peru, who fortified the town to stop the advance, as Cusco had fallen under Spanish domination. Transfer to your hotel after the tour.

Optional Additional Day in Sacred Valley – Inquire about another day exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas with visits to the salt fields of Maras and the Moray terraces.

Transfer to the train station in the morning for a journey along the Urubamba River as it climbs high into the Andes Mountains revealing glaciers and spectacular scenery. Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, proceed by bus to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, where you’ll first stop for an included buffet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant beside the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge before touring the site. The famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu is a great mountaintop city abandoned by the Inca Empire and reclaimed by the jungle until its rediscovery in 1911. Machu Picchu was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height, with its giant walls, terraces and ramps, which appear as though they have been cut naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The legendary “Lost City” is without a doubt one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites. It sits on a mountain site of extraordinary beauty, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest. Your guide will introduce you to the history, nature and culture of this magnificent site with a guided tour.

This evening, overnight at the famous Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel in Aguas Calientes. The grounds of this exclusive hotel covers acres of native rainforest including an orchid garden and nature trail offering a peaceful refuge within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the train and bus stations.

Arise early and be among the first to experience Machu Picchu before the train arrives. Take the bus up for a second visit to the Citadel of Machu Picchu. The more active and adventurous travelers can choose to hike up Machu Picchu Mountain or the steep Huayna Picchu to gain remarkable views and appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu. Permits for these mountain hikes are subject to availability and can be secured upon booking. Midday, take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes and then board your return train. Upon arrival at the Ollantaytambo train station you will be met by a private driver who will transfer you to your Cusco hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and the charms of Cusco before you continue your journey. A transfer to the Cusco airport is provided if needed.

Upon arrival in Cusco, meet your naturalist guide who will remain with you throughout the Sacred Valley and Peruvian Highlands. Head to the town of Pisac, famous for its ruins which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley and separated along the ridge into four groups: P’isaqa, Inti Watana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiraqay. Visit the Inti Watana group, which includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform and an inti watana, a volcanic ritual stone used as an astronomic clock or Inca calendar to define the change seasons.

The Incas constructed agricultural terraces on the steep hillside by hauling richer topsoil by hand from the lower lands, enabling the production of surplus food, more than would normally be possible at altitudes as high as 11,000 feet. The narrow rows of terraces beneath the citadel are thought to represent the wing of a partridge (pisaca), from which the village and ruins get their name.

Continue to the Pisac Markets, which is a place of reunion for all artisans of the region to get together and exchange or buy and sell their products. Leisurely roam through the textiles and souvenir sections of the market.

Make a morning transfer to the train station for an amazing train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the great mountain-top city abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost to humanity until its rediscovery in 1911.

Along the way, enjoy the changing landscape while traveling to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, proceed by bus to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, where you’ll first stop for an included buffet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant beside the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge before touring the site.

A guided tour of the Citadel includes the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds.

Spend the morning at leisure, or it’s an excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy a beautiful sunrise or stroll around the Town of Aguas Calientes. Visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu for a second time and climb up the Huayna Picchu to appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being so high and distant (no guide services included this day).  In the afternoon, take the shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes and then board the return train. Upon arrival at the train station, be met by a representative and private driver for the transfer to the hotel.

Enjoy a guided half-day sightseeing tour of the city of Cusco, the Imperial City and archaeological capital of South America, to admire the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. Visit the city’s most important historical monuments that reveal the influence of different cultures: The Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral dating from Spanish viceroyalty times, built with great slabs of red granite renaissance style in contrast with the baroque-style silverwork of its interior; and the Santo Domingo church built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Koricancha, dedicated to worship the Sun God.

Continue to Cusco City’s main surrounding ruins: the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power that boasts a panoramic view of the city; the Qenqo Amphitheater, a ritualistic site with subterranean galleries that form an underground maze; Puca Pucara or red fortress; and the Inca Baths of Tambomachay. After the tour, be transferred to your hotel to spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.

At the appropriate time, be met by a representative at the hotel lobby and transfer to the Cusco Airport. The representative will assist with check-in procedures and all departure formalities.

Upon arrival into Lima International Airport, be met by a representative and be escorted to the airport hotel. The representative will assist with check-in procedures and provide a detailed itinerary and vouchers covering all the services included in the upcoming tour, as well as additional information on the organization of your Peru trip.

At the proper time, the same representative will meet you at the airport hotel and escort you to the Lima Airport to board your next flight. The representative will assist you with check-in procedures and all departure formalities.

Upon arrival in Cusco, meet the naturalist guide who will remain with you throughout your time in the Sacred Valley. Head to the town of Pisac, famous for its ruins which lie atop a hill at the entrance to the valley and separated along the ridge into four groups: P’isaqa, Inti Watana, Q’allaqasa, and Kinchiraqay. Visit the Inti Watana group, which includes the Temple of the Sun, baths, altars, water fountains, a ceremonial platform, and an inti watana, a volcanic ritual stone used as an astronomic clock or Inca calendar to define the change seasons.

The Incas constructed agricultural terraces on the steep hillside by hauling richer topsoil by hand from the lower lands, enabling the production of surplus food, more than would normally be possible at altitudes as high as 11,000 feet. The narrow rows of terraces beneath the citadel are thought to represent the wing of a partridge (pisaca), from which the village and ruins get their name.

Continue to the Pisac Markets, which is a place of reunion for all artisans of the region to get together and exchange or buy and sell their products. Leisurely roam through the textiles and souvenir sections of the market.

Make a morning transfer to the train station for an amazing train journey to the famous Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, the great mountain-top city abandoned by the Inca Empire, reclaimed by the jungle and lost to humanity until its rediscovery in 1911.

Along the way, enjoy the changing landscape while traveling to the town of Aguas Calientes.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, proceed by bus to the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, where you’ll first stop for an included buffet lunch at Tinkuy Restaurant beside the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge before touring the site.

A guided tour of the Citadel includes the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial, the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows and various burial grounds.

Spend the morning at leisure, or it’s an excellent opportunity to wake up early and enjoy a beautiful sunrise or stroll around the Town of Aguas Calientes. Visit the Citadel of Machu Picchu for a second time and climb up the Huayna Picchu to appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being so high and distant (no guide services included this day).  In the afternoon, take the shuttle bus to Aguas Calientes and then board the return train. Upon arrival at the train station, be met by a representative and private driver for the transfer to the hotel.

Enjoy a guided half-day sightseeing tour of the city of Cusco, the Imperial City and archaeological capital of South America, to admire the finest examples of Inca history and architecture. Visit the city’s most important historical monuments that reveal the influence of different cultures: The Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral dating from Spanish viceroyalty times, built with great slabs of red granite renaissance style in contrast with the baroque-style silverwork of its interior; and the Santo Domingo church built upon the foundations of the Inca temple Koricancha, dedicated to worship the Sun God.

Continue to Cusco City’s main surrounding ruins: the Sacsayhuaman Fortress, a ceremonial compound and magnificent example of Inca military power that boasts a panoramic view of the city; the Qenqo Amphitheater, a ritualistic site with subterranean galleries that form an underground maze; Puca Pucara or red fortress; and the Inca Baths of Tambomachay. After the tour, be transferred to your hotel to spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.

At the appropriate time, be met by a representative at the hotel lobby and transfer to the Cusco Airport. The representative will assist with check-in procedures and all departure formalities. Arrive in Lima and connect with your international flight.