Cusco is a place full of history and traditions. According to the local legends, the city of Cusco was founded by Manco Capac, the only survivor of the mytical Ayar brothers.
Before the 13th century, Cusco was inhabited by numerous native civilizations, like the Huari and Killke people. According to some historians, most of these peoples migrated from the area around Lake Titicaca.
The Inca civilization occupied the region of Cusco between the 13th and 16th centuries. They built temples, houses and fortresses mainly made of huge stone blocks. Under the lead of Pachacutec, the Incas conquered most of the Peruvian Andes, thus creating the largest native empire of South America.
After the Spanish conquest, the Inca monuments were abandoned. However, new colonial cities appeared near the ancient Inca sites. Some of these cities are Pisac and Ollantaytambo, both located in the Sacred Valley.
We’ll pick you up from the airport and then we’ll transfer you to your hotel room. You’ll have time to relax and recover from your trip before starting your adventure in Cusco.
At 1:00 pm, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and we’ll go to the Cusco Cathedral. The Cathedral is a colonial church built of stone. It houses several pieces of religious art. The art collection includes colonial paintings, sculptures, and delicate works of wood carving.
Then, we’ll walk to the Qorikancha temple, located next to the Santo Domingo church. The Qorikancha used to be covered in gold during the times of the Inca Empire. That’s the reason why it’s called “Qorikancha”, which translated to English means “Golden Palace”.
After touring the Qorikancha, we’ll take a minibus to Sacsayhuaman. Sacsayhuaman is often identify as a fortress due to its giant stone walls. However, some historians propose that this place was actually a temple dedicated to the Inca god of thunder Illapa.
Then, we’ll walk to Q’enqo, a nearby Inca temple. Q’enqo features complex stone carvings and an underground stone tunnel. To this day, the real purpose of Q’enqo is still unclear.
Next, we’ll explore the Puca Pucara fortress and the beautiful temple of Tambomachay. The latter displays some Inca water fountains that still work after centuries of their construction.
Finally, we’ll transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco.
We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 7:30 am. Then, we’ll drive to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
Our first stop will be the town and archaeological complex of Pisac. The town has a traditional market where you can buy souvenirs and taste some of the local food.
On the other hand, the archaeological complex of Pisac is located near the town. It features numerous Inca buildings which were used as temples and residences for the Inca nobility.
Our next stop will be Urubamba town. We’ll have lunch here before continuing with our journey.
Afterwards, we’ll explore Ollantaytambo. Like Pisac, Ollantaytambo is a Inca site located next to a small town of the same name. Ollantaytambo was another residence for the Inca nobility. However, it was used as a fortress by the rebel Manco Inca in the early days of the Spanish conquest.
After exploring Ollantaytambo, we’ll go to the nearby train station, where we’ll take a train to Aguas Calientes.
The train trip takes around 2 hours. The railroad tracks go along the course of the Urubamba river. So, you’ll enjoy the beautiful Andean landscapes during this short trip.
Once in Aguas Calientes, our staff will transfer you to your hotel and brief you about the next day.
Early in the morning, we’ll take a bus to Machu Picchu citadel. The bus trip takes between 30 and 40 minutes.
Once in Machu Picchu, our staff will help you to pass the security checkpoints, and then the guided tour of the citadel will start. You’ll visit the most important places of Machu Picchu, including the Main Temple, the Temple of the Condor, the Intihuatana, and much more.
We’ll return to Aguas Calientes around 1:00 pm. You’ll have time to explore the town and have lunch in a traditional restaurant.
Around 6:00 pm, we’ll board a train to Ollantaytambo. Once there, our staff will transfer you back to Cusco city.
We’ll pick up from your hotel at 3:30 am. Then, we’ll drive to the Cusipata district, located in the southern part of Cusco region.
We’ll have breakfast once we arrive in Cusipata. Afterwards, we’ll continue our journey to the Hanchipata-Llama Chimpana community, where we’ll start our hike.
The hike to Vinicunca takes around 2 hours to complete. During this short trek you’ll get amazing views of the Andes mountains, specially the Ausangate snow-capped peak.
Once we arrive in Vinicunca, our guide will explain to you the cultural importance and history of the mountain. You’ll have time to take photos and appreciate the scenery.
Next, we’ll return to Hanchipata-Llama Chimpana, and then to Cusipata, where we’ll be having a traditional lunch. Finally, we’ll return to Cusco, where we’ll be arriving around 4 pm.
After having explored the incredible region of Cusco and its beautiful Inca monuments, our staff will transfer you to the airport of Cusco.
The Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu & Vinicunca tour was an incredible adventure that exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I arrived in Cusco, the tour was meticulously organized, providing a seamless experience filled with rich history and breathtaking landscapes. The city tour on the first day was a perfect introduction to Cusco’s fascinating past, with highlights including the majestic Cusco Cathedral, the gold-covered Qorikancha, and the impressive Sacsayhuaman fortress.
The journey through the Sacred Valley on the second day was equally captivating, with visits to the vibrant Pisac market, the historical ruins of Ollantaytambo, and a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes. Machu Picchu was, of course, the highlight of the trip, offering awe-inspiring views and a deep dive into Incan history. The final excursion to Vinicunca, or Rainbow Mountain, was the perfect finale, showcasing the stunning natural beauty of the Andes. Overall, this tour provided an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to explore the wonders of Peru.
