Highlights of Cusco
8 Days / 7 Nights

Itinerary

1. Day 1 - Welcome To Cusco City

   Welcome to Cusco! Our Alpaca Expeditions representative will be waiting for you at the airport in Cusco ready to bring you to your hotel.

   No further activities will be arranged on this day. We recommend taking a stroll through the cobblestone streets of the Historic Centre to allow your body to adjust to the change in altitude.

   Your guide will come to your hotel at 6PM for your welcome dinner.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Dinner
   Tickets: None required
   Services: Private pick-up from airport & transfer to hotel | Hotel accommodation in Cusco

2. Day 2 - Cusco City Tour

   The Imperial City of the Incas is a true gem of the Peruvian Andes. Cusco is a true mixture of Inca archeological remains, colonial architecture, and cobblestone streets.

   In the morning, we will begin the day´s tour with a leisure walk around the city. Pick up from your hotel will be at approximately 8AM. We will begin with the San Blas area, the oldest neighborhood of Cusco known for its bohemian touch. We will also visit the famous Cusco Cathedral. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cathedral will awe you with its impressive architecture, an extensive collection of original artworks, and all gold-leafing decorating the altars. Continuing on, we will continue on foot through an ancient Inca-built street from the Plaza de Armas to the Q’oricanca or the Temple of the Sun. At the Q’oricancha, you will be able to compare and contrast the building methods of the Incan culture and the Spanish conquerors. This was the key spiritual center of the Incas, leading to all four quarters of the Inca Empire. There is also a bronze, high altar to be seen. To finish, we will walk by the 12-angle stone and step into the colourful market of San Pedro.
   Before continuing with the tour, we will take a break for lunch (not included).

   After lunch, we will continue with the afternoon portion of your tour. We will take your bus for your 25-minute car drive outside the city to visit the most important archaeological sites around Cusco Peru. You will be taken to the majestic Inca site of Sacsayhuaman, with its enigmatic 200-ton monoliths. Here, you will have a guided tour of the site and then free time to explore on your own. From Sacsayhuaman, you will take a five-minute bus ride to the Q’enqo Inca site to see its fascinating Incan altars. Following, you will take another five-minute drive to Puca Pucara, a small, circular Inca site. The final stop on our tour is Tambomachay, a water temple with impressive water fountains, thought to be used by the Inca for bathing. We’ll then drive back down to Cusco where the tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel in Cusco.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
   Tickets: Entrance ticket to Cusco’s Cathedral, Q’oricancha & Sacsayhuaman archeological site
   Services: Private pick-up from hotel | Guided tour in Cusco City | Hotel accommodation in Cusco

3. Day 3 - Sacred Valley Pisaq - Ollantaytambo

   The Sacred Valley of the Incas was one of the main areas the Incas settled. There is an unusual abundance of fertile plains in this high area of the Andes which are perfectly surrounded by some of the region´s most beautiful mountain ranges.
   Your tour will begin with an early morning pick-up at approximately 07:30 hrs, directly from your hotel in Cusco. From Cusco, we will drive to our first stop at the animal rescue Manos de la Comunidad. At the animal rescue centre you will have the opportunity to learn about the centre’s mission to save animals from cruelty and give them a better life. Here you will interact with a wide range of rescued animals including llamas, alpacas, vicuñas and condors, to name a few.
   From Manos de la Comunidad, we will continue to Pisac, where we will arrive at the town´s traditional market for a brief exposure to all local artisans and their colorful merchandise. This stop will be the perfect opportunity for some souvenir shopping. Still in Pisac, we will continue to the town´s main archaeological site, where you will be first introduced to the day´s learnings about the powerful Inca Empire.
   Before continuing with the tour, we will take time to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch in the Sacred Valley with the views of the plains and mountains.
   To finish off, we will head to the last stop of the tour – the town of Ollantaytambo. Once here, you will explore the town´s archaeological fortress along with one of the most important Sun Temples of the region. This town is known for being one of the last Inca towns to be still ¨alive.¨All the constructions and water canals are said to be from the Inca times.
   After your tour, we will drive you back to Cusco where you will be dropped off directly at your hotel accommodation for the night.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Breakfast | Picnic Lunch
   Tickets: Entrance tickets to Pisaq & Ollantaytambo
   Services: Private pick-up from hotel | Guided tour in the Sacred Valley | Hotel accommodation in Cusco

4. Day 4 - Sacred Valley Chinchero - Maras - Moray

   Today´s tour will begin with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Cusco, at approximately 07:00 hrs. From Cusco, we will head on a 1-hour car drive to the first stop in Chinchero. Once here, you will be shown alpaca and llama wool, handmade textiles, and a demonstration of how all-natural wool is weaved. Chinchero also offers some Inca ruins that were used to farm potatoes and a visit to a Catholic church, which was built on top of the Palace of the Incas.

   From Chinchero, we will continue to the town of Maras. It is here where you will be mesmerized by the naturally occurring salt mines still cultivated to date. This site will be sure to impress you by the thousands of small salt-evaporating ponds. Be sure to check the small shop offering some of the most soothing baths slats made from the extracted salt in Maras.

   Continuing on, we will make our way to the next stop in Moray. Moray is an archaeological site located in the Sacred Valley and known for its unusual ruins. The site is composed of deep, circular terraces thought to have been agricultural terraces during the Inca Empire. At this site, you will have the opportunity to contemplate the grandeur of such a site and will be amazed by the perfection of such construction.

   Lunch will be in the town of Ollantaytambo prior to your evening train to Aguas Calientes town. The train trip to Aguas Calientes is just under two hours, descending into the Cloud Forest, where you will see orchids, bromeliads, and ferns. Our representatives will meet you just outside the train station, upon arrival and lead you to your hotel.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Breakfast | Lunch
   Tickets: Entrance tickets to Chinchero, Moray, Maras
   Services: Private pick-up from hotel | Guided tour in the Sacred Valley | Expedition train Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes | Hotel accommodation in Aguas Calientes

5. Day 5 - Machu Picchu

   Your visit to Machu Picchu will be, by far, the most memorable of your trip to Peru! You will begin your day early in the morning in order to be some of the first to catch the bus to Machu Picchu.

   Once inside the citadel, you will begin with your 2-hour guided tour of the site. During this tour, your guide will take you along the designated paths to some of the citadel´s most iconic landmarks and structures. You will also be given a short history lesson pertaining to the importance, architectural features, and possible meaning of the existence of Machu Picchu.

   If your Machu Picchu visit includes the extra hike up to Huayna Picchu Mountain (please remember this hike is subject to availability and must be reserved well in advance), you will continue on to the entry point of Huayna Picchu before your guided tour is over. It is important to know that you will miss the last section of the Machu Picchu guided tour. Your guide will provide you with your bus tickets at this point so that you can take the extra hike and exit Machu Picchu to take your bus to Aguas Calientes. Please remember that this extra hike is self-guided and upon completion, you may not re-enter Machu Picchu for additional time. You will be required to follow the marked circuit towards the exit right after your hike.

   After finishing your tour, you will make your way to the exit so that we can catch our bus to the town of Aguas Calientes for lunch. Your lunch will be at one of the town´s most exquisite restaurants, El Indio Feliz.

   Unless you arranged for an upgraded train, we will book the Expedition class train departing Aguas Calientes at 2:55 p.m. Please make sure to be at the train station at least 30 minutes prior to your train departure. This will be a 2-hour train to Ollantaytambo, where an Alpaca driver will meet you and drive you back to Cusco in our Alpaca Expeditions van. You wil be dropped off at your hotel in Cusco directly.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Breakfast at the hotel | Lunch
   Tickets: Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu Citadel | Bus tickets Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu – Aguas Calientes
   Services: Guided tour in Machu Picchu Citadel | Expedition train Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo | Hotel accommodation in Cusco

6. Day 6 - Rainbow Mountain

   There is no better way to finish your Highlights of Cusco tour than with a hike to Rainbow Mountain. As one of Cusco´s newest attractions, this mountain is sure to impress with its colours.
   The tour will begin with an early morning pick-up between 4 -4:30AM, directly from your hotel in Cusco. It will be a 2½ hour drive to the trailhead – we will arrive at around 7 am. Here at the trailhead, our chef will make a delicious breakfast, including coffee, hot chocolate, teas, bread, fruit salad, eggs, and hot drinks. Cusco’s elevation is 3300m / 11,300ft, and the trailhead called Phulawasipata is at 4200m/ 14,300ft.

   After breakfast, we’ll hike about 2 hours uphill to the Rainbow Mountain range. At a slower pace, it could be 2¾ hours, or if you are really fit quick and acclimatized well, some people can do in 1½ hours. The hike up includes some short breaks where the guide will explain some important information about the mountains and the geography of the area. Perhaps you’ll have a chance to catch sight of some of the locals, including llamas and alpacas that frequent this area.

   Upon your arrival at the top of Rainbow Mountain, around 9-10:00 am, you will have about 1 hour to explore the spectacular views of the surrounding areas – valleys, mountains and to view the highest glacial mountain in Cusco – Ausangate, whose summit is at an elevation of 6,384m / 20,944ft, making it one of the tallest mountains in Peru.

   After giving you a bit of time to take some treasured photos, your guide will tell you some intriguing facts about this fascinating place – like why the colors?! – and he will also share some detail about the Inkan history. A few last photos of this spectacular mountain and we will begin our descent towards the lookout point to see the Red Valley. This valley is the icing on the cake, and many of our hikers say that it is even nicer than Rainbow Mountain! It is about 2½ hours mostly downhill from Rainbow Mountain, to the end of the trail, which is near where we started the hike. Here you will enjoy a fresh meal prepared by your chef, which includes cold drinks, appetizers, soup, and the main course.

   After lunch, it will be another 2½ hour drive to Cusco, where we will drop you off at your hotel at around 5:30 – 6:00 pm.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Breakfast | Lunch
   Tickets: Entrance to Rainbow Mountain & Red Valley
   Services: Pick-up & drop off from hotel in Cusco | Guided tour to Rainbow Mountain | Hotel accommodation in Cusco

7. Day 7 - Humantay Lake

   We will head out to one of Cusco most beautiful locations – Humantay Lake. Located at the base of Salkantay Mountain, Humantay Lake is sure to impress you with its crystalline waters.

   Pick-up from your hotel will be at approximately 4AM. The drive itself is most impressive with amazing views of the mountains as we drive along, passing through a few indigenous villages and cornfields en route to the trailhead. The drive to Soraypampa is about 3 hours, and we will be starting our hike at an elevation of 3800 meters/12,460 feet. Here, surrounded by majestic mountains and valleys, your hiking team will prepare a delicious breakfast to give you lots of energy before we start our ascent. The uphill hike along the Salkantay Trail is 1½ to 2 hours, with your guide pointing out the various flora and fauna along the way, stopping for a postcard-perfect shot of the snow-capped peaks here and there.

   At the top is the treasure! The magnificent Humantay Lake (Blue Lagoon), otherwise known as Laguna Humantay, is an incredible and unforgettable shade of deep turquoise with the snow-capped Humantay glacial mountains in the background! Of course, the descent is usually a bit quicker than your initial climb, and when we get to the bottom, we’ll have a nice lunch prepared to reward you! With our hearts and bellies full, we will start our 3-hour return to Cusco in our private van.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Breakfast | Lunch
   Tickets: Entrance ticket to Humantay Lake
   Services: Private pick-up from hotel | Guided tour to Humantay Lake | Hotel accommodation in Cusco

8. Day 8 - Departure From Cusco

   We hope your time in Cusco has surpassed your expectations! Our Alpaca Expeditions representative will come to your hotel in Cusco 2.5 hour prior to your departure flight. You will be shuttled to the airport in our private Alpaca Expeditions van.

   Today´s inclusions:

   Meal: Breakfast at the hotel
   Tickets: None required
   Services: Pick-up from hotel in Cusco | Private shuttle service to airport