6-Day Peru Tour: Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu | Sacred Valley and Cusco Free Days

With a relaxed and happy mood, you will be taking a flight to the southern city of Cusco, Peru! The tour guide will raise a sign to pick up at the airport, and guests who are close to the flight will be arranged to take the same bus to the hotel. Three meals at your own expense.

Tucked between Cusco and Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is a truly special place. A slightly warmer climate, the gentle presence of the Andes Mountains, a sprinkling of ancient fortresses, and villages steeped in age-old traditions is what you’ll experience on a tour to the Inca heartland. First of all, we will head to the Pisac Market, which is one of the most famous food centers in Cusco. It is centuries old, since the settlers used to meet there during the colonial era. It offers different edible and artisan products every day. Then go to the Parque Arqueológico de Pisac to experience the ancient Inca civilization. In the afternoon, we will visit Ollantaytambo Ruins. Ollantaytambo is considered a masterpiece of Inca architecture. The main section includes 17 imposing terraces leading up to a fortress. At the top there is an impressive 10-niche wall and Sun Gate, as well as a monolithic Sun Temple consisting of six enormous pink granite boulders.

【Itinerary】

Pisac Market → Parque Arqueológico de Pisac → Ollantaytambo Ruins → Hotel

Parque Arqueológico de Pisac

The National Archaeological Park of Pisac is made up of groups of archaeological remains, including terraces, aqueducts, roads associated with walls and gates, channeled waterways, cemeteries, bridges, etc. This group covers an area of 4 square kilometers. On this area the ruins are found occupying the hills, they are presented forming groups of complicated disposition, while in others there are constructions isolated from the other groups.

Ollantaytambo Ruins

Ollantaytambo was a very important agricultural, military, and religious center during the time of the Inca Empire. Today, the site continues to amaze with its wonderful examples of masonry and imposing buildings in the Peruvian Andes. It is believed that it was the last refuge for the Inca nobility during his escape from the Spaniards to the jungle. As well as other architectural wonders of the Incas, it was built with huge and colossal well-carved rocks.

Today you can freely travel in the Sacred Valley or choose to participate in activities at your own expense (choose 1). The optionals are considered from 2 travelers. Please take note all optionals are subject to availability.

Option 1: Maras+Moray+Chinchero One Day Tour

After breakfast, we will first discover Moray, the enigmatic Inca ruin in the beautiful Sacred Valley. Moray is one of the famous Inca ruins near Cusco. It is composed of three groups of circular terraces (muyus in Quechua) that descend 490 feet (150 meters) from the highest terrace to the lowest. Then we will head to the Salineras de Maras, which is made up of more than 3,000 natural salt wells near the town of Maras. Following, we will visit Chinchero. It is one of the most representative towns of Cusco in general. Known for its archeology and its crafts. After visit, we will return to the hotel.

Moray

Moray is one of the famous Inca ruins near Cusco. It is composed of three groups of circular terraces (muyus in Quechua) that descend 490 feet (150 meters) from the highest terrace to the lowest. Each muyu has 12 levels of terraces with the largest depression having a diameter of 600-feet. Surrounded by the towering Andes mountains, looking into the depths of these man-made craters will fill you with awe and wonder. 

Maras salt mines

The Maras Salt Mines are more than 6,000 salts ponds carved by the Incas. In the distance, these resemble a snow layer. It is an unparalleled view where the pools have various shades of white or earthy brown. The precious Peruvian pink salt is one of the treasures that ancient ancestral cultures have left us. Although the salt flats themselves were created by man, the water that is channeled into these pools comes from a natural underground spring. This underground spring is constantly and quietly carrying the water so that it fills the various ponds with the precious pink salt.

Option 2: Willoq community One Day Tour

In the morning, we will depart from the hotel and head to the Willoq community. It brings tourists closer to the daily life of a high Andean community of Ollantaytambo in the department of Cusco. After arriving in Willoq, you will have the opportunity to wear unique clothing. Then, you will appreciate the weaving process and the shearing of wool. At noon, you will enjoy a local specialty lunch. After lunch,we will back to Ollantaytambo Ruins for a visit. After visit, we will return to the hotel.

Depart from the hotel, we will take the bus to Ollantaytambo. Upon arrival,  we will take the observation train to Machu Picchu. This is a famous scenic train route that runs along the turbulent Urubamba River, with panoramic skylights providing a panoramic view of the Sacred Valley. After arriving at the station, we will walk to the bus stop and take a public bus under the guidance of the guide to Machu Picchu. We will visit this well preserved pre Columbian Inca ruins. After visiting Machu Picchu, we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo and then take the bus to Cusco.

【Itinerary】

Take the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Include train tickets) → Machu Picchu (180mins, include ticket) → Take the train back to Ollantaytambo → Cusco

Ollantaytambo-Machu Picchu Observation Train Time: 07:22-08:48

Machu Picchu-Ollantaytambo Observation Train Time: 16:12-17:50

The above train times are for reference only. Due to the high availability and limited resources, the time will be adjusted according to the actual situation.

The allowed luggage for the train is 8 kilograms per person.

Today you can freely travel in Cusco or choose to participate in activities at your own expense.  The optional tours are considered from 2 travelers, please take note all optionals are subject to availability.

Option 1: Cusco walking & Shopping (3 hours)

Start a 3-hour hike in Cusco and explore the mysteries of this city! Our tour guide will take you to the main square, where the center is a fountain surrounded by beautiful gardens and lawns. To the north of the square is the Cusco Cathedral, a 16th century Baroque style church that showcases a blend of Spanish and Inca cultures. To the west of the square is the Monastery of Kangkagall, one of the important religious centers of the Inca Empire. Then, you will walk to the famous "Twelve Angled Stone". It is an archeological artifact in Cusco, Peru. It was part of a stone wall of an Inca palace, and is considered to be a national heritage object. Our next stop is the Maximo Lola Art Museum. This is Peru's first museum with a theme of modern textile art. Continue to the San Brass district, which is a very popular community. Finally, we will go to a textile shop to admire the excellent works of the locals. After visit, the tour guide will take you back to the hotel. Or you can go to a traditional restaurant for lunch (at your own expense) and the tour guide will tell you how to return to the hotel alone.

Option 2: Cooking Class (4 hours)

We will take you to the culinary studio located in the city center of Cusco, where you will have a "hands-on" class, you will learn to use representative ingredients to cook nutritious and healthy dishes under the guidance of professional Peruvian chefs. 

Option 3: Cusco tour and nearby ruins (Half day)

Today you can start a half day tour at the main square in Cusco. You can admire the city's cathedral under the guidance of the tour guide. It was built between 1560 and 1664 and was made of red granite from the Inca fortress of Sakayewaman. Then you will continue to the Coricancha and the Convento de Santo Domingo. The monastery is built in the most important Inca temple dedicated to the sun, with walls covered in gold foil. After exploring Cusco, you can also explore four ruins in the outskirts of Cusco, such as Sacsayhuamán, whose temple walls are made of huge stones in a serrated shape;  we will also visit the Qenko and Tambo Machay. Following, we will visit the colorful Rainbow Mountain. After the visit, we will return to the hotel.

Option 4: Trekking to Rainbow Mountain (Full day), The hiking during the trip takes about 4-4.5 hours and the altitude is high. Please decide whether you can participate based on your actual physical condition.

The rainbow mountain, known as the 7-color mountain, mountain colors , Vinicunca mountain, is a magical place where its roads were part of the ancient Quechua culture, and used to exchange products (barter) along with the other Quechuas regions, has now become a natural wonder resembling the rainbow mountain in China.

You will leave Cusco early in the morning to the south of the city, we will pass Urcos, Checacupe until arriving at the community of Pitumarca (2:00 hrs of trip aprox.) Where we will have breakfast which will take About 40 minutes approx.

After a short briefing with the guide ,You will continue our journey taking our mobility towards the starting point of the trek (1:00 hrs approx). You will begin our walk at the foot of the Ausangate snowfall, an ascent of 2:30 hrs.Approximately until arriving at the highest point where you can appreciate the rainbow mountain, during this trip you will have the opportunity to see the different varieties of South American camelids as well as own flora of the place, arriving at the mountain of colors you will have time to take photographs of this Puzzling place about 40 minutes.

Later you continue with our descent hike of approximately 2 hours arriving at the point where you start our walk where you are waiting for our mobility to go in the direction of the restaurant in Pitumarca where you will await your delicious lunch.

At a suitable time, return to Cusco.

Included: boxed breakfast, private transportation, English speaking guide, entrance fee to Rainbow Mountain, lunch.

Today will be the end of our unforgettable and pleasant journey!

Value-added Item: Amazon Rainforest 3-day and 2-night Tour (stay overnight in the rainforest lodge)

After the trip, you can go to Puerto Maldonado to enter the Amazon rainforest at your own expens. You will be able to take a visit to the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica and Tambopata National Reserve. Have a romantic encounter with the treetop kingdom on the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway and go to Anaconda for hiking and observing the various wildlife.

Special Note: This value-added service is only available for post-tour, and it cannot be booked separately. Local resources are limited, please confirm with the customer service if you want to add this additional tour.

Day1: Puerto Maldonado - Hacienda Concepcion

Reference Hotel: Hacienda Concepcion lodge (Cabana Room)

Day2: Hacienda Concepcion

Reference Hotel: Hacienda Concepcion lodge (Cabana Room).

Day3: Hacienda Concepcion - Puerto Maldonado

Included: 1. two ningts hotel 2. English speaking guide 3. Departure transfer 4. Meals: 3 breakfast+2 lunch+2 dinner

Departure date: 01/02/2024-12/08/2024: Wednesday, Saturday

Additional Dates: 12/09/2023, 12/13/2023, 12/16/2023

No tours on the following dates: 03/23/2024, 03/27/2024, 03/30/2024, 06/19/2024, 06/22/2024, 07/27/2024