Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
is revelry in ruins
Welcome to Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
For Incas, Cuzco was the belly button of the world. A visit to this city and its nearby ruins tumbles you back into the cosmic realm of ancient Andean culture – knocked down and fused with the colonial imprint of Spanish conquest, only to be repackaged as a thriving tourist center. The capital of Cuzco is only the gateway. Beyond lies the Sacred Valley, Andean countryside dotted with villages, high-altitude hamlets and ruins linked by trail and railway tracks to the continent's biggest draw – Machu Picchu.
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Cuzco & the Sacred Valley activities
Machu Picchu Day Trip from Cusco
Completed in approximately 1450 at the height of the Incan empire, Machu Picchu was abandoned less than 100 years later following the Spanish conquest of Peru. Today it is considered by many to be the new spiritual center of the world. From Cusco, you'll be transferred to the railway station to enjoy your 1.5-hour scenic rail tour to Aguas Calientes. In order to meet various customer needs, you can choose from three different types of options. The Expedition option was created for adventurous passengers seeking comfort and security without the extra frills. Departing from Ollantaytambo train station, located approximately 1.5-hours from 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. The Vistadome option is a comfortable way to journey to Machu Picchu. Departing from Ollantaytambo train station, located approximately 1.5-hours from 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). 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). Upon arrival at Aguas Calientes station, you'll board a small bus and head up to the ruins of the “sacred city”, Machu Picchu. Your expert guide will walk with you through the main streets of these amazing ruins. Stroll through town squares and climb delicately carved stone stairways. Esoteric wisdom holds Machu Picchu as the new spiritual center of the world. There will be time to be alone and fully embrace this magnificent wonder of the world, letting this once in a lifetime experience set in. In the afternoon you'll return to the train station in Aguas Calientes for the trip back to Cusco. IMPORTANT: Your passport detail is needed for the Machu Picchu Day Trip (Full name and Passport ID). Please provide your passport detail in the additional request box, otherwise the tour is not confirmed.
Sacred Valley of Incas, Pisac, Ollantaytambo Tour from Cusco
Travel back in time to the Sacred Valley of the Incas with a day that begins in Pisac. This native town was once where “exchange transactions” took place. In this type of transaction, customers would exchange one good for another instead of using currency. Visit the market of Pisac where you can purchase beautifully crafted products hand-made by the locals. On Sunday, the main attraction is a mass celebrated in Quechua and conducted in Spanish. It is attended by the mayors and their attendants who play traditional musical instruments called "pututos."Afterwards, you'll enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch (included in price) before visiting the fortress of Ollantaytambo and its main attraction, the Temple of the Sun. Built using massive stones, each one approximately 12 feet (3.5m) tall, this temple was used as a fortress during the time of the Incan civil war.
Cusco Airport Arrival Transfer
A representative will be waiting for you with a customized sign with your name on it as you clear customs and will take you straight to your hotel. When making a booking, you must provide your arrival flight information and the name of your accommodation.
Cusco Airport Departure Transfer
A representative will pick you up from your Cusco hotel and take you to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport with enough time to make your departure flight back home.When making a booking, you will need to advise your flight details and your Lima hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver.
Cusco City Sightseeing Tour
Your sightseeing tour begins at the San Cristobal main square we'll you'll enjoy a panoramic view of the city. Then, you'll visit the San Pedro market and browse through the local products. Your guided visit continues to the Temple of the Sun, “El Korikancha”. There are some stories which claim that when conquerors arrived in Cusco, this temple was completely laminated in gold. Inside, you can admire the perfectly shaped stones and the way conquerors built what is currently the Convent of Santo Domingo, on the base of this Inca temple. Then you'll head to the Artisans’ Quarters of San Blas to visit its church and its particularly impressive carved woodwork. On your way to the Cathedral,you'll stop by the Hatun Rumiyoc street where the famous twelve angular stone is. In the Cathedral, you'll have the opportunity to see its beautiful woodwork and colonial paintings before heading back to your Cusco hotel.
Machu Picchu Private Guided Tour from Aguas Calientes
This private tour starts at the Aguas Calientes station where our staff will assist us on boarding the bus to go up the winding road to Machu Picchu, amid a spectacular view of the Urubamba River and its canyon. The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu, will astonish us with its terraces, ceremonial shrines, steps and urban areas. We will enjoy a 2.30-hr private guidance at the Sanctuary; that is why it is suggested to take comfortable shoes to walk and a great cam for taking breath-taking pictures. Afterwards, we will take our bus back to the Aguas Calientes station where the tour ends.