Sunrise of the Inca Civilization – 6 Days

Welcome to Cusco, Peru!

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this colonial city is currently one of Peru’s most popular destinations. It is a must stop to visit Machu Picchu, one of the New World Seven Wonders and host of the ruins of the Inca civilization and the most spectacular landscapes on the planet..

Today you will need to arrive in Cusco before midday to be able to enjoy your city tour.

Upon arrival at the Cusco airport, you will be received by your guide and transportation and head towards your selected hotel. Along the journey, your guide will be telling you about the attractions and services that the city has to offer you.

At appropriate time, you will enjoy a guided tour of this charming city and learn about the fascinating Inca Empire. Discover the insights of this lost civilization visiting the famous Qoricacha temple, the Plaza de Armas and its Cathedral and other important monument along the city. Head to the top of the city to visit the remains of the fortresses of Sacsayhuaman and Puka Pukara with stunning panoramic view of Cusco.

You will return to your hotel, after the excursion.

During the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel in Cusco to visit the town of Chinchero, a traditional Cusco urban centre located at an elevated point with a beautiful view of the valley. The inhabitants of this area preserve the artisan traditions and the inherited knowledge of the Incas and display them in their clothes and customs.

In Chinchero there are also archaeological remains and a beautiful seventeenth-century church, one of the first Catholic buildings in Peru. After this, you are transferred to Ollantaytambo, making a stop at the Raqchi viewpoint from where you can see the local archaeological site. Upon arriving in Ollantaytambo visit its town, inhabited uninterruptedly since Inca times, and climb the iconic fortress, built next to a mountain.

Later, have lunch in Ollantaytambo and live a superior Andean gastronomy experience in Chuncho restaurant, where the true spirit of the Sacred Valley is transmitted in a cosy atmosphere. It should be noted that the restaurant offers exclusive service for LimaTours passengers at regular lunchtime, providing first class personal attention.

Then, you are transferred from Ollantaytambo to the Living Museum of Yucay, a centre Andean traditions interpretations, where demonstrations of the elaboration of textile work, adobe, pottery and silverware are carried out in the same way in which they used to in antiquity; an original recreation of Inca traditions. Also, residents of the museum include llamas, sheep and alpacas, and they can be fed! At the end of this activity, you are transferred back to your hotel.

Duration: Full day

After having breakfast at the hotel, you have the option to return to Machu Picchu and visit any of the attractions of the citadel (2nd day visit not included in actual pricing).

Visit the Intipunku, which in Castilian means “Sun Gate” and is the last stop before entering Machu Picchu if you follow the Inca trail from Ollantaytambo. The sun rises every day through this door if viewed from the most important buildings of the citadel.

You may climb the Wayna Picchu (subject to space availability), which means “Young Mountain” as opposed to Machu Picchu. This ascent takes about an hour and its main attraction is the “Temple of the Moon”, a complex of underground constructions likely to have been used by the elite.

 Finally, you will be able to know the Inca Bridge, an incredible stone building that served as entrance or exit of the citadel.

 In the afternoon, you will head to the train station of Aguas Calientes and take the train back to Cusco from there. Once you arrive at the Cusco train station, you will be transferred to your hotel.