salkantay trek to machu picchu salkantay trek salkantay machu picchu
Trip Style:select what fits you better
Destination A-Z:from northern to southern Peru
Our Treks:the best treks in peru
facebook google twitter youtube painterest skype

Cusco: Archaeology And Culture 8 Days

This completely private package in Peru will take you on a journey through colonial and pre-colonial Peru. You will begin by discovering the cultural gems in the Capital, Lima and then flying to the Andes to explore the land of the Incas. You will travel through the Sacred Valley of the Incas to find yourself meeting Andean locals and learning about their lives, exploring the mystical Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo and Moray, visiting the colorful Andean markets of Pisaq, and uncovering the secrets of the Capital of the Incan Empire, Cusco City.

Day 1 Lima 
Day 2 Lima – Cusco 
Day 3 Sacred Valley:  Amaru Community & Pisaq
Day 4 Sacred Valley: Ollantaytambo, Maras & Moray
Day 5 Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
Day 6
Machu Picchu / Cusco
Day 7 Cusco: Tipon HD
Day 8 Cusco / Lima

Day 1 Lima 
Arrive in Lima at any time. Our representative will greet you at the airport and private transfer to your hotel. There are no planned activities today so check-in and enjoy the city, although there is an optional walking tour or city tour in a van. This afternoon you are free to explore colonial and modern Lima, with visits to the Government Palace, cathedral, Plaza de Armas and the Archaeological Museum. Or hang around the bustling commercial districts of and Miraflores and Barranco.

  • Overnight in Lima.

Day 2: Lima – Cusco 
A morning flight brings us to Cusco, high in the Andes Mountains, upon arrival to Cusco Airport, our staff will be waiting for you to drive you to the Hotel where you will receive an aromatic coca tea then you have the free morning to rest for a while.  Later in the afternoon we’ll take you on a guided visit to see Cusco’s highlights, including nearby ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko; followed by a visit to the Main Square and famous ‘Koricancha’ or Temple of the Sun and of course the local market (B)

  • Overnight in Cusco (3400 m, 11150 ft.)

Day 3 Sacred Valley:  Amaru Community & Pisaq
In the morning, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel take you to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which is located at a lower altitude than Cusco. Along the way, you will visit the Andean community of Amaru, where you will experience in Peru the daily life of a typical mountain community and observe how the people weave textiles, such as belts and blankets, and how they grow and harvest their produce. You will also have the opportunity to taste the delicious different types of Andean potatoes and corn. We will then continue through the Sacred valley to visit Pisaq, which has a large daily market full of goods for both tourists and locals. This market is where villagers come from the mountains to sell their home-grown produce and unique handmade arts and crafts. It is highly recommended for having a wide variety of interesting souvenirs at great prices. After you have shopped to your heart’s content, we will drive you to a private hacienda to enjoy a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, you will be taken to your hotel where you can spend time relaxing and enjoying the spectacular landscape of the Sacred Valley. (B)

  • Overnight in Sacred Valley (Altitude: 2900m, 9500ft)

Day 4 Sacred Valley: Ollantaytambo, Maras & Moray
In the morning, your private tour guide and driver will take you off the beaten path to Maras, a typical Andean village. Here you will walk through the streets and get a sense that you are walking during the time of the Incas as a lot of the culture has remained very similar. Next, we will drive you to the incredible circular terraces of Moray, which were used as an Incan laboratory to acclimatize crops. After exploring Moray, you will have an opportunity to visit the salt mines of Maras to see and learn about an ancient pre-Incan method of producing salt. After this visit, you will have the choice of either a short 1 hour trek to the Vilcanota River or drive you to the Res taurant for lunch. In the afternoon, you will have a private tour of Ollantaytambo, one of the last Incan refuges during Spanish colonization. You will step back in time as many of the houses and buildings continue to stand from the Incan empire and display original architecture. You will be invited to enter one of these houses to observe the building and the way in which the people used to live. We will then take you to visit the powerful and impressive Ollantaytambo ruins, temples and terraces. (B)

  • Overnight in Sacred Valley

Day 5: Sacred Valley / Machu Picchu
In the morning, your driver and tour guide will meet you at your hotel in the Sacred Valley and take you to Ollantaytambo Train Station. From here, you will board the Vistadome Train for a spectacular hour and a half scenic journey to Aguas Calientes. Upon your arrival in the afternoon, you will visit the breathtaking ruins of Machu Picchu, ‘The Lost City of the Incas’ and begin your expedition around this sacred Incan site. As there are not as many people in the afternoons, it is more peaceful and enjoyable. You will learn about the history and visit the remarkable temples of the Sun and the Condor. You will also see aqueducts and houses, while learning some interesting facts about the Sacred Incan Terraces. After a nice sunset, you will return back to Aguas Calientes. (B, L)

  • Overnight in Aguas Calientes (Altitude: 2000m, 6500ft)

Day 6 Machu Picchu / Cusco
Today, you have the morning to spend at your leisure. You may wish to revisit Machu Picchu and enjoy one of the many short trekking options, such as the one to the Sun Gate for an impressive view overlooking Machu Picchu or a visit to the Incan Bridge, a secret entrance for the Incan Army. The most adventurous travelers should not miss the mountain climb to the summit of Huayna Picchu. There are two scheduled entrance times at 7am and 10am and there’s a limit of 400 climbers per day so you need to book this with us in advance. Or the more challenging Putukusy Mountain climb for an impressive view of the Machu Picchu citadel. In the afternoon, you will board the Vistadome Train to Ollantaytambo before being taken to your hotel in Cusco. (B)

  • Overnight in Cusco. (Altitude: 3400m, 11150ft)

Day 7 Cusco: Tipon
In the morning, your tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel to begin your private half day tour to the non-touristy ruins of Tipon with its water - fountains on the terraced hillside, which characterize this important site. and pre-Inca Wari site of Pikillacta, Later we return to Cusco to have the rest of the afternoon at Leisure. (B)

  • Overnight in Cusco (Altitude: 3400m, 11150ft)

Day 8 Cusco /Lima
Today your private driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to the Cusco Airport for your domestic flight to Lima where you will arrive in time for your international flight. (B)

End our services
You can Add on this Trip: Amazon Rainforest, Colca Canyon, and other extension tours or treks. Let us know.

What’s Included

  • Airport arrival AND departure transfers
  • All accommodations and homestay as per itinerary
  • All land transport along the route
  • 2 domestic flights
  • Domestic airport taxes
  • Guide service throughout as per itinerary
  • Entrance fees for included excursions
  • Tours and Excursions as per itinerary
  • All breakfasts
  • Train Ticket to Machupicchu roundtrip.
  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast /BL: Boxed Lunch / L: Lunch / D: Dinner)

What’s Not Included

  • International Flights
  • Visa and passport fees
  • Insurance
  • meals (see above)
  • Alcohol, Drinks
  • Tips
  • Optional activities/day-tours/excursions
  • International departure taxes and excess baggage fees
ssssss