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Classic Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley

Experience the magic of Machu Picchu and explore the hidden treasures of the Sacred Valley and Cusco.

Overview

Embark on a mesmerizing 6-day Classic Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Tour, immersing yourself in the captivating wonders of Peru. This carefully crafted itinerary takes you on a journey through the heart of the Inca Empire, allowing you to discover the ancient ruins, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant culture of this extraordinary region.

The adventure begins with a flight from Lima to Cusco, followed by a transfer to the Sacred Valley. Here, you’ll delve into the intriguing history of the Incas as you explore iconic ruins such as Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and flavors of the local market in Pisac, and savor a traditional lunch amidst the breathtaking surroundings of Urubamba.

The highlight of the tour is undoubtedly the visit to the awe-inspiring Citadel of Machu Picchu. Travel by train through the scenic landscapes to reach Aguas Calientes, the gateway to this ancient marvel. With an expert guide by your side, unravel the mysteries of Machu Picchu as you wander through its remarkable architecture, including the Temple of the Sun and the Room of Three Windows. The experience is sure to leave you in awe of the ingenuity and cultural significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Continuing the journey, explore the enchanting city of Cusco, known as the Imperial City. From the bustling San Pedro market to the fascinating Koricancha Temple, where Inca and colonial influences blend seamlessly, each corner of Cusco holds a story waiting to be discovered. Marvel at the mighty Fortress of Sacsayhuaman and delve into the ancient rituals of Q’enqo archaeological site. Finally, soak in the grandeur of the Plaza de Armas, the heart of the city and a testament to its rich history.

Throughout the tour, you’ll be accompanied by knowledgeable private guides who will share their expertise and passion for the region, ensuring an immersive and enlightening experience. With seamless transfers, comfortable accommodations, and a carefully curated itinerary, this Classic Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley Tour promises to be an unforgettable journey through the wonders of Peru’s ancient past.

Itinerary & Prices

All itineraries are subject to change due to seasonal weather conditions (and resultant variations in river and tributary water levels) affecting accessibility to locations. Thus navigation routes, times and excursions may need to be modified at the cruise captain’s or your guide's discretion.

6 Day - Classic Machu Picchu & Sacred Valley
itinerary map

Welcome to Lima!

Lima is a bustling, busy city and one of the most important in South America. Any trip to Peru will likely begin and end in the capital and visitors take advantage of the fact that Lima is widely regarded to be the culinary capital of the continent and home to many of the best restaurants in South America. Home of the ceviche and the Pisco Sour it is a city where the past and present mix beautifully, from the colonial center to modern Miraflores, through to the ancient Incan and pre-Incan culture which can be seen in Lima’s various museums.

A city of almost 11 million people, it is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes mountains. This unique location means it enjoys a microclimate of zero rainfall and is spread along the coast atop cliffs that offer beautiful sunset views and peaceful “malecóns”, even a short trip is guaranteed to be richly rewarding and a perfect introduction to Peru and its culture.

Meals: (x)

Location
Lima
Day
1 / 6

From the City of Kings to the Sacred Valley of the Incas

After a good night’s rest, enjoy a delicious breakfast before our air-conditioned private vehicle takes you to the airport for the next exciting installment in your Peruvian adventure. Assistance is provided so don’t worry about your bags! You will fly from Lima to Cusco, where you are met at the airport and transferred into the Sacred Valley. Our tours in the Cusco area always begin in the valley, which is approximately 1,000 meters (3,000 feet) lower in elevation than Cusco, so that guests may better acclimatize to the altitude.

Get ready to explore the most important ruins, which start with a trip to historic Pisac. Our expert local guide will show you around the Temple of the Sun, ancient baths, altars, fountains, and ceremonial platform, and a type of sundial carved into the volcanic rock which was used for determining the time of year. At the side of the citadel, you will see the terraces that are still used to this day to grow crops.

After a quick visit to the colorful market of Pisac to buy souvenirs, we enjoy a traditional lunch in a restaurant in Urubamba. Afterwards, we take you to visit the impressive fortress town of Ollantaytambo as we continue our trip around the ancient ruins of the Sacred Valley. Perched atop a mountain it acted as the religious, military, financial, and agricultural center of the Inca culture and we also visit the town of the same name which maintains its Incan charm as a window into the past.

Meals: (B, L)

girl looking at the sacred valley peru
Location
Lima to Sacred Valley
Day
2 / 6

Maras, Moray and Chinchero Ruins

The Maras salt mines were an important part of the economy of the Inca culture and to this day the salt produced in these mines, recognizable by its pinkish hue, is amongst the most sought-after and expensive in the world. From there, we take you to the picturesque archaeological site of Moray which is a huge expanse of concentric terraces which the Incas used a botanical laboratory. Once finished with this leg of the tour, we enjoy a typical Andean lunch at the Casa de Barro restaurant.

Our next stop is at the PARWA Center in Chinchero, where you can learn about the centuries-old traditional textile making so important to the Andean people. You will have the chance here to buy traditional textiles and other souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Remaining in Chinchero we take in the 17th Century church built by the Spanish invaders and then the surrounding ruins, aqueducts, and agricultural terraces that sustained the local people hundreds of years ago.

Meals: (B, L)

salt mines at sacred valley peru
Location
Sacred Valley
Day
3 / 6

The Citadel of Machu Picchu

Today is the big day! Get ready to tick one of the New Seven Wonders of the World off your list as we head to Machu Picchu Citadel. Leaving the Sacred Valley by train, we enjoy a peaceful snake through the mountains, uphill to Aguas Calientes, situated at the foot of Machu Picchu. The views on the way to Machu Picchu itself are an intrinsic part of the trip itself and worth savoring. Built in the mid 1400’s it acted as a royal estate to two different Inca rulers, Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui and Tupac Inca Yupanqui. After 80 years of occupancy, it was abandoned, possibly due to Spanish infiltration in other parts of Peru, and remained abandoned until the early last century when efforts Hiram Bingham brought its existence to world attention.

Machu Picchu is divided into two sectors, the urban and the agricultural. Our expert guide will take you through both and show you the key spots in the ancient citadel such as the Temple of the Sun and the Room, the Intihuatana Stone, and the Room of Three Windows. The residential buildings feature exquisite stonework with no cement or mortar and are characterized by small trapezoid windows that face the morning sun. After our extensive tour, we put you back on the train to your hotel in either Cusco or the Sacred Valley.

Meals: (B, L)

Machu Picchu Peru
Location
Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu
Day
4 / 6

Ancient Cusco City

Today, we pick you up at your hotel for your tour of Cusco and its most important archeological sites. Cusco, known as the Imperial City, and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is home to Inca structures with a smattering of colonial influence. You start your tour at the iconic San Pedro market, a local market where you can explore the myriad colors, flavors, textures and traditions of modern Cusco.

The visit continues with the Koricancha Temple, an ancient Inca palace and cult center of the Sun God, above which the order of the Dominicans built a church. It remains standing to this day. Still standing to this day, this temple/church really is a remarkable building and an amalgamation of the two cultures. From there, we ascend to the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, an impressive example of Inca military architecture. Later on, you will explore Q’enqo archeological site, where important Inca ceremonies took place before moving on to the Plaza de Armas, home to the Cathedral, and the centerpiece of the city.

Meals: (B)

Coricancha temple, Cusco city
Location
Cusco
Day
5 / 6

Departing Cusco

After breakfast, at the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel and privately transferred to Cusco Airport, ready to board your departure flight.

Cusco Main Square, Peru
Location
Cusco - Lima
Day
6 / 6
1 / 6

Accommodations

Hotel Options

4 Star

Innside

Lima
5 Star

AC Hotel

Lima
Boutique

Atemporal

Lima
4 Star

Casa Andina Premium Valle Sagrado

Sacred Valley
5 Star

Tambo del Inka

Sacred Valley
Boutique

Hacienda Urubamba

Sacred Valley
4 Star

Antigua Casona San Blas

Cusco
5 Star

JW Marriott el Convento Cusco

Cusco
Boutique

Palacio Manco Capac

Cusco
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