Description
Overview:
- Duration: 3 days
- Starting point: Cusco
- Ending point: Cusco
- Group Size: Max. 30 people in one Tourist bus.
- Travel Style: Archaeological and Cultural tour.
- Tour Rating: The Tour to Cusco and Machu Picchu is a very recommendable way to discover the charm and magic of the Inca Civilization.
- Difficult Level: Easy.
- Altitude: 3,400 masl (Cusco City) to 3,800 masl (highest point).
- Departure Dates: Daily departures.
Highlights:
- Discover the charm and magic of Cusco and Machu Picchu.
- Explore interesting Archeological Sites along the Tour and learn about the mysteries of the ancient Inca Culture.
- Informative Trip led by a friendly and expert local guide.
- Travel alongside to beautiful landscapes and see natural bridges, Andean valleys, canyons, and cloud forest.
- All entrance tickets and permits are includes
- Complimentary pickup and drop off from all Cusco hotels
- Ideal for couples, group of friends, nature lovers, and for all the family.
What you can expect:
The Cusco City is the Capital Archaeological of South America. The City is located around 3400 m. (11154ft). It was the Capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th into the 16th century, during this time the Inca masons build many Inca constructions until the Spanish conquest. Spaniards were living there almost 300 years and built many chapels, temples and colonial Palaces. In 1983 was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 1993 was designates as the Historical Capital of Peru. Actually is the major tourist destination of Peru, receiving nearly 2 million visitors a year.
Machu Picchu is located around 2400 m. (7874ft.). It was a very important Inca City, the political, religious, administrative and cultural center in its region during the Inca Period. Actually is considered the most famous archaeological site of South America, it has magnificent work of the Inca masons such as an outstanding mix of Inca paving stones placed over trails, Temples, Inca houses, agriculture terraces, warehouses, water channels, fountains and much more, and whole these places can be visited currently.
Along these 3 days tour you will discover the magic and charm of these great sites, learning about the Inca Civilization and the interesting local life.
On the first day, in the morning we will pick you up from the Airport and you will be transported to your hotel chosen. In the afternoon You will first head to the ancient “Qoricancha” known as the Inca Temple of the Sun, where you can admire its exquisite architectural feats. And then 25 minute drive takes you to the majestic Inca site called Sacsayhuaman with its enigmatic monoliths weighing as much as 200 tons. From here we continue by car about 5 minute bus ride to Qenqo Inca site with its fascinating Inca altars, then another 10 minute drive to Puca Pucara what is an inca small militar control. The last stop on our tour is Tambomachay the water temple with its impressive water fountains thought to be used by the Inca for religious ceremonies.
On the second day, very early we will take you to discover the mysteries of majestic Machu Picchu. Enjoy a trip over a nice and scenic train to Aguas Calientes Town. Then, you’ll transfer to a bus for a brief journey to the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, where you will enjoy a beautiful day and you will be amazed for this magical place. After the tour you will have free time to explore the complex at your own pace or you can walk to the Sun Gate for great views of the area below or take a short path to Inca Bridge. Take unforgettable pictures before heading back.
On the third day, as the agreed time from the hotel you will pick you up and take our transport to the airport of Cusco City. Have for sure you will come back home with the satisfaction of having fulfilled a dream.
Activities:
Day 1:
- Transfer in from Airport to your Hotel.
- Cusco City Tour – Half day
Visiting: Qoricancha, Sacsayhuman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara y Tambomachay.
Day 2:
Trip by train round trip – choose the type of train that best suits your needs.
Visiting: Machu Picchu
Optional short walks in Machu Picchu: Sun gate, Inca Bridge or Huayna Picchu Mountain.
*If you wish to walk to Huayna Picchu Mountain, please ask for available spaces when you book your tour because is subject to availability, just 400 spaces a day.
Day 3:
- Transfer out from your Hotel to Airport.
DAY 1: Transfer from Airport to Hotel + City Tour
TRANSFER FROM THE AIRPORT TO HOTEL
We will be waiting for you in the Cusco Airport, at the parking zone with our transportation to take you until your hotel chosen. The shuttle normally lasts 20 minutes until the Cusco Downtown Hotels, but it may take longer depending on traffic.
Arriving at the hotel you are advised to rest for acclimatization to prevent the altitude sickness. Remember that the Cusco City is located at 3400 masl.
CITY TOUR
In the afternoon, we will pick you at your Cusco hotel at 1:30 pm. to begin this tour. From here you and your tour guide will head to the Qoricancha “The Inca Temple of the Sun”. Here you will see the clash between the Inca culture and Catholicism because over the Inca walls the Spaniards built the Saint Domingo Church and Convent, and you will see firsthand the difference in building methods. The Inca building is amazing as this was the main spiritual center of the Inca Culture.
From Qoricancha you will walk down to Avenida El Sol, where you will catch our transportation to climb up and just outside of the City. The 25 minute drive takes you to the majestic Inca site Sacsayhuaman. From here you will have the best panoramic view of the Cusco City. Visiting Sacsayhuaman you´ll see the largest and enigmatic monoliths weighing as much as 200 tons. Your guide will offer an explanation of this incredible site and you will have extra time to do a bit of exploring by yourself.
From Sacsayhuaman we continue just 5 minutes drive to Qenqo, which has a large amphitheater, many Inka altars and an underground chamber which was a religious center dedicated to the adoration of the Mother Earth.
After Q’enqo, we will aboard our transportation for another 5 minutes until Puca Pucara, this is another Inca Site with some buildings that were used as a military control center. The name means reddish place.
Continuing with the tour, you aboard the transportation for about 5 minutes more until our last stop called Tambomachay, the water temple with its impressive water fountains thought to be used by the Inca for ceremonial purposes.
Finally, we’ll drive back down to Cusco to drop off at your Hotel.
DAY 2: Machu Picchu – Full day
Early in the morning, We pick you up from Cusco hotel and you headed for 1 hour and a half until the train station located in the town of Ollantaytambo, here you will catch the train to take you to Aguas Calientes Town. In order to meet various customer needs, you can choose from three different types of trains:Train Expetion, Train Vistadome and Train Executive Class – choose the one that best suits your needs.
The trip by train is for about 1 hour and 40 minutes in a nice and scenic train to Aguas Calientes Village ( 2000 m).
From the Train station in Aguas Calientes we walk 5 minutes to Bus station, from here you’ll ascend in tourist bus for 30 minutes by a zig zag road through High jungle until Machu Picchu Sanctuary (2400 meters).
On arrival by bus to Machu Picchu our professional tour guide will be waiting, with who you will begin the guided tour, the tour will last approximately 2 hours,
where our tour guide will explain about the History of this Magnificent Inca City visiting magical and Interesting sites such as the main plaza, the famous terraces, the inca houses, the granaries, the water fountains, the ceremonial sector and its altars that have made of Machu Picchu one of the New Wonders of the World. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
After the guided tour you will have enough free time to take nice pictures exploring the place by yourself, or to take an optional short walk to Sun gate (2 hours walk round trip), or to Inca Bridge (40 min. walk round trip) or to Huayna Picchu Mountain (1:30 hours walk round trip).
Then, in the afternoon, after enjoying Machu Picchu, you will catch the bus to take you down for about 25 minutes to Aguas Calientes Village.
Upon returning to Aguas Calientes you will have time to have lunch in a local restaurant or just for explore the town, if you want you can visit the handycraft market.
In the late afternoon, you will board the train back to take you to Ollantaytambo, here our driver will be waiting for you, who will bring in tourist transportation back to Cusco arriving at night.
DAY 3: Transfer from your Hotel to Airport.
As the agreed time the hotel will pick you up and take our transport to the airport in the city of Cusco with the satisfaction of having fulfilled a big dream. The shuttle normally lasts 20 minutes but may take longer depending on traffic.
What´s includes
- Pick up from the Cusco Airport upon your arrival and transfer to your chosen hotel.
- Tourist Transport for all the tours.
- Professional English speaking Tour Guide for all tours.
- All Entrance tickets to visit the City Tour and the Museums.
- Tourist Train ticket from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes Town.
- Bus up and down between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
- Entrance ticket to Machu Picchu.
- Tourist Train ticket from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo Train Station.
- Bus Ticket to return from Ollantaytambo Train Station to Cusco.
- Pick up and departure Transfer from your Hotel to Cusco Airport.
- Travel Assistance throughout your entire journey.
Not Included:
- Personal gear (please, check – the What to take list).
- Accommodation.
- Meals and Beverages.
- Optional Gratuities for the travel team (only if you want, at the end of the tour you can give some tips for your tour guide and driver).
What to take
Many people assume that the weather is hot in South America, but in the zone of the higher altitude of the Andes, the temperature can feel quite cold, especially at night. Please, check the next Cusco and Machu Picchu Tour – What to take List and remember that everything is very important for the success of your day tours, so we provide you the full list to organize much better your daypack from now.
- Original Passport
- Original student card issued by the university for up to 25 years, if you are student
- Entrance ticket to visit the attractions during the tours (we are going to give you).
- Day pack.
- Water bottle and if you want some snacks such as cookies, chocolates & energy bars.
- Sun Hat, Sunglasses, Sun block
- Lipstick
- A Thermal jacket
- Rain jacket or poncho (From November to March)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Photo Camera with extra memory cards and batteries.
- Some cash, if you want to buy some souvenirs of your visit.
- Insect Repellent for Machu Picchu.
- Swimwear, just if you want to visit the hot springs in Machu Picchu Town.
PRICE:
The price for the tour to Cusco and Machu Picchu 3 days is calculated according of type the train chosen and shareable in group service. In order to meet various customer needs, you can choose from three different types of trains – choose the one that best suits your needs:
1.-The Expedition option was created for adventurous passengers seeking comfort and security without the extra frills. Departing from Poroy train station, located approximately 15 minutes outside of Cusco, your journey to Machu Picchu begins! The seats have been reupholstered with indigenous fabrics, giving them a touch of local flavor. Snacks are available for purchase, as well as additional storage space for backpacks.
USD $ 410.00 per Adult (Age 14 +)
USD $ 370.00 per Student (For this price, you must email us a copy of your original student card issued by the university for up to 25 years.)
USD $ 370.00 per Child (Age 3-11)
USD $ 0.00 per Infant (Age 0-3) – For free, travelling with your parents.
2.-The Vistadome option is a comfortable way to journey to Machu Picchu. Departing from Poroy train station, located approximately 15 minutes outside of Cusco, you’ll enjoy beautiful panoramic windows to make the most of the spectacular scenery and allow for fantastic photo opportunities. Delicious snacks as well as hot and cold refreshments are served on the way (own expense).
USD $ 470.00 per Adult (Age 14 +)
USD $ 430.00 per Student (For this price, you must email us a copy of your original student card issued by the university for up to 25 years.)
USD $ 430.00 per Child (Age 2-11)
USD $ 0.00 per Infant (Age 0-2) – For free, travelling with your parents.
3.-The Executive Class option departs from the Ollantaytambo train station, located approximately 1.5-hours from Cusco and make your way to Machu Picchu in comfort. Enjoy scenic panoramic views from the train, where you’ll be seated in comfortable, padded chairs with a fold-out table for your convenience. Snacks and beverages are served on board the train for your enjoyment (own expense).
USD $ 470.00 per Adult (Age 14 +)
USD $ 430.00 per Student (For this price, you must email us a copy of your original student card issued by the university for up to 25 years.)
USD $ 430.00 per Child (Age 2-11)
USD $ 0.00 per Infant (Age 0-2) – For free, travelling with your parents.