Cusco City Tour, Sacred Valley, Machupicchu, Humantay Lagoon, Maras And Moray

Welcome to Cusco! Upon arrival at the airport, our staff will transfer you to your hotel.

• Check in, make yourself comfortable in your room!
• Free morning for rest and acclimatization.
• Pick up from the hotel at 13:00 hrs to start the excursion to the temple of Koricancha, then 8 km outside the city we visit 4 archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, PucaPucara and Tambomachay.
• Arrival in Cusco and overnight at the hotel.
• Optional (on your own): Qosqo Native Art Center, Typical Dances at 18:30 hrs. until 20:30 hrs. The entrance fee is included in your General Tourist Ticket.

CUSCO CITY TOUR

Cusco, one of the most visited cities in the world, is renowned for its archaeological sites, Inca walls, vibrant traditional attire, and colonial churches built atop ancient Inca palaces. Nestled high in the Andes, Cusco is a treasure trove of legendary paths, lost citadels, and the rich heritage of a glorious past that captivates every visitor. Known as the sacred city of the Incas and the Archaeological Capital of the Americas, it is a must-see destination.

This afternoon tour takes you to some of the most iconic landmarks of the ancient Inca capital:

• Koricancha: The “Temple of the Sun,” showcasing astonishing Inca engineering and religious significance.
• Sacsayhuamán: A monumental fortress with remarkable stone architecture, just 3 km from Cusco.
• Qenqo: A ceremonial center where ancient rituals and sacrifices were performed.
• PucaPucara: A former Inca outpost and checkpoint along the empire’s roads.
• Tambomachay: A ceremonial site dedicated to water worship, known as “The Baths of the Inca.”

Optional (on your own): Visit the Qosqo Native Art Center at 6:30 PM to experience traditional dances and cultural expressions of the region.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Departure at 08:00 hrs. in tourist transport to the Sacred Valley.
• Approximately one hour of route we will find the archaeological site of Pisac.
• Guided tour of the Inca site, descend on foot to the small town of Pisac and have the opportunity to visit its typical market.
• Buffet lunch in Urubamba.
• Arrival to the picturesque village of Ollantaytambo and guided visit to its Inca fortress.
• In the late afternoon we board the train from Ollantaytambo train station to the town of Aguas Calientes.
• Arrival, reception at the train station and overnight in Aguas Calientes.

SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS 

The Sacred Valley, also known as the “Vilcanota Valley”, is one of the most remarkable places in the Andes. It features an incredible diversity of plants and is home to the world-famous white corn. Visitors will be amazed by the stunning natural landscapes and the unique river systems throughout the valley. This tour explores key Inca archaeological sites, such as Pisac, built into the mountains, and the grand Ollantaytambo Fortress, a living Inca city with its bustling artisan market.

• Pisac: Located at the entrance to the Urubamba Valley, Pisac is a charming town where the ancient archaeological sites coexist with its colonial-style modern sector. Highlights include the vibrant Indian market with its colorful textiles and ceramics, the Quechua language masses in the colonial church, and the impressive Inca irrigation systems and astronomical observatory.
• Urubamba: Traveling through picturesque villages like Coya, Lamay, Calca, and Yucay, you’ll enjoy stunning flora and fauna before arriving in Urubamba, a fertile and peaceful town in the heart of the Sacred Valley. Here, you can savor a traditional Andean lunch in a cozy local restaurant.
• Ollantaytambo: In the afternoon, visit Ollantaytambo, also called the “Valley of Tambo” the only inhabited Inca town. Its iconic fortress dominates the valley, showcasing one of the most extraordinary architectural achievements of the Inca Empire.

• After an early breakfast at your hotel, departure to the Aguas Calientes bus station and board the tourist transport to find the majestic citadel of “Machu Picchu”.
• Guided tour of approx. 2.5 hours by the Inca citadel according to the circuit that corresponds to you at the time of booking.
• Return by bus to “Machu Picchu Town” (or “Aguas Calientes” village).
• Free lunch.
• Train to Ollantaytambo Station and transfer by tourist transport to the city of Cusco.

MACHU PICCHU

Machu Picchu, the most iconic symbol of Peru and one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World, is an archaeological jewel perched 2,430 meters above sea level (7,970 feet) in the Andean mountains. This stunning historical sanctuary was rediscovered in 1911 by American explorer Hiram Bingham, although its existence was already known to local inhabitants. Built during the height of the Inca Empire, it is believed to have been a retreat for Emperor Pachacutec and an important religious, political, and cultural center.

Known as the “Lost City of the Incas”, Machu Picchu is divided into two sectors: the agricultural sector, featuring terraces ingeniously designed for crop production, and the urban sector, where the main ceremonial and residential buildings are located. Iconic structures include the Temple of the Sun, the Intihuatana (a sacred solar clock), the Temple of the Three Windows, and the Sacred Plaza.

In addition to its impressive architecture, Machu Picchu stands out for its privileged location amidst lush mountainous jungles, surrounded by peaks such as Huayna Picchu and Machu Picchu Mountain, offering breathtaking landscapes. This natural setting, combined with its design in harmony with the geography, reflects the Incas’ deep connection with nature and the cosmos.

Machu Picchu is accessible from the city of Cusco via a scenic train ride to the town of Aguas Calientes, followed by a short bus ride or a hike. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a must-see destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the history, spirituality, and natural beauty of Peru. A visit to this wonder guarantees an unforgettable experience filled with culture, mystery, and grandeur.

• Around 4:30 AM, our transportation will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and take you to the starting point of the hike.
• Enjoy a buffet breakfast before beginning the trek.
• We’ll hike for approximately 2 hours until we reach the stunning Humantay Lagoon, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.
• After taking in the beauty of the lagoon, we’ll begin the hike back, which will take about 1.5 hours.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch after visiting this majestic natural wonder.
• Return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 6:00 PM.

HUMANTAY LAGOON 

Humantay Lagoon is one of Cusco’s most captivating destinations, renowned for its vibrant turquoise waters and stunning location at the base of the majestic Salkantay Mountain. Perched at 4,200 meters (13,779 feet) above sea level, this natural wonder is a must-visit for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and trekking enthusiasts.

The journey to Humantay Lake begins with a drive from Cusco to the village of Mollepata, followed by a scenic ride to Soraypampa, the starting point of the hike. The trail, which takes approximately two hours, offers a moderate challenge as it winds through mountain landscapes, lush valleys, and breathtaking views of the Andes. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by a surreal scene where the lake’s vibrant color contrasts dramatically with the snowy peaks surrounding it.

Formed by the melting glaciers of Salkantay Mountain, the lake holds spiritual significance for local communities, who believe it possesses healing and sacred properties. Many travelers take the opportunity to participate in traditional rituals of gratitude to Pachamama (Mother Earth) in this serene and mystical setting.

In addition to its natural beauty, Humantay Lagoon is a highlight of the Salkantay Trek, a popular alternative route to Machu Picchu. Its relatively accessible location and awe-inspiring scenery make it a must see for anyone exploring the region.

A visit to Humantay Lake promises an unforgettable experience, blending physical effort, spiritual connection, and the chance to marvel at one of the most spectacular landscapes in the Peruvian Andes.

• At 8:00 AM, our transportation will pick you up from your hotel.
• We’ll start by visiting Maras, an impressive salt extraction complex made up of large salt pools, utilizing a traditional technique that has been passed down for generations.
• Next, we’ll explore Moray, an archaeological site featuring circular agricultural terraces. These terraces functioned as experimental fields for the Incas, with an advanced irrigation system that connected the three sections of the complex.
• We’ll return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 2:00 PM. Transfer back to your hotel.

MARAS AND MORAY

Moray: at first glance it looks like a kind of amphitheater, made up of several circular terraces, but it is actually a center of agricultural experimentation of the Inca period. Next to Moray we have the impressive complex of salt exploitation. From Maras we will visit the salt mines by a bridle path where animals are found carrying the sacks of salt.

Ruins of Moray: Located at 3,450 meters above sea level, where we can find evidence of pre-Hispanic settlements, such as the Inca vestiges, consisting of circular terraces that correspond to agricultural terraces with a complex irrigation system that reached the three sectors, which were discovered in 1930. The Quechuas call the area “muyus”, in the largest pit, the depth is 150 meters, the average height of the terraces is 1.80 meters from each other. These correspond to the Inca period, and constituted a center of agricultural experimentation, in which several micro climates were obtained.

Town of Maras: This pleasant town still conserves a good part of its colonial architectural beauty. You can appreciate extraordinary doorways with fine stone carvings, as well as structures with sculptures in low relief.

The salt mines of Maras: It is a small brine spring worked with very elementary means by a fraction of the population of “Maras” and “Pichingoto”. These archaeological remains reveal that this resource was already known and used in pre-Hispanic times, and may have been one of the many sources of salt supply for the Inca population. The technique for salt extraction is very similar to the one used nine hundred years ago or more. During all these centuries, this technology has been preserved, which consists of a true work of hydraulic engineering but in miniature, since the ponds have relatively small dimensions, built as platforms on one of the slopes of the ravine.

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Spend the morning at your leisure, perfect for shopping or personal activities in Cusco.
• We’ll transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
• End of our services.