This five days Cusco Machu Picchu Luxury Tour will offer a deeper insight to the Inca civilization. Accompanied by a local English speaking tour guide you will get a deeper insight to the former capital of Inca Empire and the remains of their emblematic citadel, Machu Picchu.
Indulge in the ultimate luxury on your trip to Machu Picchu and Inca Ruins around Cusco. This is one of the signature tours of South American Exclusive Tours Peru (SAMEX Peru). We have dedicated local guides to cater to your needs whilst immersing in the Peruvian culture and history.
Be dazzled by the blend of Spanish and Inca architecture in Cusco City and its surrounding archeological sites with its layout resembling the Puma.
Drive through the serene Sacred Valley with its entrancing mountains and stunning landscape, breathing in crisp fresh air. Finally, be in awe of the mystifying lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. To most, this is the long awaiting trophy of the trip.
Feast your eyes on the supreme stone work, temples and the serene panoramic views where spirits lay and tell a story forgotten in time.
The five days Cusco Machu Picchu Luxury Tour travel experience begins with a transfer from Cusco Airport to your hotel. You will be welcomed to a hot cup of freshly brewed coca tea ( a traditional Andean tea). This helps in acclimating to higher altitude and minimize the effects of altitude sickness.
We advise you to get an early flight so you can do the half day City Tour in the afternoon.
HALF DAY CUSCO CITY TOUR
The half day City Tours Cusco begins with a visit to the Cathedral of Cusco. This was once a royal palace of Incas. On conquering Cusco, the Spanish rulers demolished the palace and modified it into a cathedral. The artwork inside the cathedral is a perfect blend to Inca and Spanish culture.
Qorikancha:
We will then visit Qorikancha or the Sun Temple. This was an emblematic building which was the supreme religious site to Incas. It was from here they worshipped Inti (Sun). Legends believe the courtyard of the temple was once filled with gold statues.
When the Spanish demolished this sacred site to build the Santo Domingo church, they maintained the basement of the building which can be seen today.
Sacsayhuaman:
We will then drive you to the outskirts of Cusco City. Here we will be visiting Sacsayhuaman. It is a fortress built using massive stone blocks each weighing over 100 tons. It is still a mystery how the Incas transported such massive stone blocks to the site.
Q’enqo:
Our next stop will be at Q’enqo. Incas used this site for sacrifices and to mummify corpses.
Tambomachay:
Driving further, we will be stopping at Tambomachay. It served as a spa to the political elite of Incas. The narrow water channels are linked to the nearby Timpuc river. Even today it works just as it used to during the time of Incas.
Puca Pucara:
We will be culminating the trip by visiting Puca Pucara. It is a massive rock. The Incan militants used this as a watch tower to keep away intruders from entering their capital city.
After the half day City Tours Cusco, we will be driving you back to Cusco city and will be dropping you off at Plaza Regocijo, a block away from Plaza de Armas.
We will be picking you up from your hotel at 0820 AM. We will then drive you to Pisac. This village is home to an archaeological site that sits on a hilltop, overlooking the valley.
Pisac:
Pisac is the second largest Inca site after Machu Picchu. Our local expert will be giving you a guided tour of the complex.
We will then drive you to the centre of the village. Pisac is also popular for its weekend market. Farmers and craftsmen from neighbouring villages set up their tents around the main square and sell their handmade goods.
Although the market around the main square is set every weekend, on weekdays you will be able to visit the traditional market that rims the cobblestone street of the village. This is a popular place to buy souvenirs.
Once you have had your fill of Pisac, we will drive you to the heart of the Sacred Valley of Inca empire, Urubamba.
Urubamba:
Here we will be stopping for a buffet lunch at a local restaurant. You will have the opportunity to savour some traditional Peruvian and Andean meals.
Ollantaytambo:
We will then continue to Ollantaytambo. This beautiful village snuggles between two hills. Each of them houses Inca ruins. The Incas used them to safeguard their administrative capital.
Although not as extensive as the ruins of Pisac, there is a lot to discover at Ollantaytambo’s archaeological complex. This sacred site turned into a battle ground when the Spaniards tried to invade the village when the Battle of Ollantaytambo was fought.
After a detailed tour of the complex, we will be driving you to the train station. Here you will be boarding the train to Aguas Calientes. The 3 hours train ride offers a beautiful view of the Peruvian highland farms and villages.
Once at Aguas Calientes, our crew will meet you and transfer you to the hotel.
Quite early in the morning, you will be boarding the bus from Aguas Calientes to the Inca citadel. It is a 25 minutes journey up the hill. On reaching the entrance of Machu Picchu, our guide will be meeting you and will assist you in clearing the control and entering the citadel.
The Rainbow Mountain of Peru, also known as Vinicunca, is stunning and can be seen on the spectacular Ausangate Trek. Ausangate mountain itself is considered a holy mountain (or mountain spirit) by local Peruvians and is the deity of Cusco. Since pre-Inca times the mountain has been a place of worship and offerings and this tradition continues today.
Most trips that allow you to see the Rainbow Mountains require a trek of at least 6 days. That has changed with this brand new itinerary. We have designed this hike so that it can be done as a day trip!
On this trek you will see quaint villages, beautiful adobe style houses, herds of llamas and alpacas and you will have magnificent views of the Ausangate Glacier (6,385 m / 20,945 ft), the highest mountain in the Cusco region.
PROGRAM ITINERARY
Pick up from your Hotel in Cusco between 04:00 am to 4:15 am
3 Hrs drive on a private transport to Quesiuno located at 4,320 masl (start of the trek).
Breakfast will be provided once we arrive at Quesiuno.
We will start our hike from 4200 m to 5100 masl to RAINBOW MOUNTAIN (Cerro Colorado, Montaña de Colores or “Vinicunca”) led by our expert guide. Here we can see the stunning colors that are natural formations of minerals from ages that give colors to the mountain.
Beautiful views of red and colored mountains, streams and herds of alpacas and llamas and the south side of Ausangate ranges of mountains. We will hike through small traditional Andean villages and see the local people with their colorful dresses.
After a total hike of approximately 2 hours, we finally will reach this mirador spot to have an impressive view of Rainbow Mountains located at 5,100 masl. Time to explore the area. Time to rest and enjoy our packed lunch.
You will have time to take pictures and soak in the environment. (We will spend approximately 30-45 minutes at the top). We will then hike back to the trailhead.
Our private van will be waiting for us when we return. 3 hour drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your Cusco hotel. Approximate arrival time is between 3 and 4 pm.
WHAT TO BRING:
I recently had the pleasure of experiencing the Luxury Highlights of Cusco and Machu Picchu tour, and it was truly unforgettable. From the moment I landed in Cusco, I was greeted with warmth and hospitality, setting the tone for an incredible journey through Peru’s rich history and breathtaking landscapes.
The tour began with a captivating half-day exploration of Cusco city, where we delved into the fascinating blend of Inca and Spanish cultures. Our guide’s expertise brought the ancient sites to life, providing insights that enriched the experience.
Venturing into the Sacred Valley was a highlight of the tour, with visits to Pisac and Ollantaytambo offering glimpses into the Inca civilization’s ingenuity and craftsmanship. The scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes was a treat in itself, offering stunning views of the Peruvian highlands.
