The Best Cusco Tours 8 Days
The Amazig Cusco Tours fascinating Inca sites during the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu have breathtaking sceneries of Machu Picchu will make this trip an unforgettable experience.
TIME TOUR |
ACTIVITIES |
TOUR PRICE |
| 8 Days | Trekking, Visit archaeological sites, travel to bus, walks in the city | $ 1295 |
ITINERARY
If desired, we can adapt the itinerary according to your personal wishes and interests by adding extra days, activities or destinations to your travel route. Just consult your travel advisor about the different options – everything is possible!
Day 1Flight to Cusco and City Tour through the capital of the Incas
we will pick you up at the airport of Cusco City and take you to your hotel, you will have some free time to have a first look around Cusco: visit the charming quarter San Blas, famous for its crafts and arts stores and gallerys, the historical center with its ancient Inca stone walls, narrow streets and colonial buildings, churches and museums. In San Blas and the center you find a variety of local restaurants to enjoy a typical Peruvian lunch and lots of nice small cafes. At around 1:00pm we will pick you up at your hotel you will start your guided tour through Cusco, the capital of the Incas, with a local tour guide. You will first visit the impressive cathedral on the main square “Plaza de Armas” and then walk through some of Cusco’s oldest Inca streets to the “Qoricancha” temple, also called the temple of the sun. This extraordinary building is one of the most important examples for the clash between Inca and Colonial culture, as the Spanish built their Catholic monastery upon the remains of the ancient Inca temple. After visiting the temple, you will hop on a small bus that will take you the archaeological zone in the upper part of Cusco. Here, you can find one of the most important Inca ruins of Peru: Sacsayhuaman, an extended archaeological complex with huge stone walls and a lot of mysteries. You also visit the ceremonial center of Qenqo, the small ruins of Puka Pukara and the water temple Tambomachay. You’ll return to the city center in the late afternoon / early evening.
Day 2 Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas (B, L)
The Sacred Valley is a beautiful valley with picturesque landscapes and small charming villages located between Cusco and Machu Picchu. We will pick you up at around 8:00am in the morning and travel to the valley, our first stop being the village of Chinchero. Here, we will visit one of the most extended archaeological complex of Peru located on the top of the hill. Then we’ll stop in the city center for a visit of the colorful market where people from the valley sell their handmade textiles, pottery, paintings, jewelry and food. After a little shopping tour we continue our journey through the sacred valley for visit moray a agricultural laboratory then the huge salt manes of maras then we continúe to the town Urubamba where a delicious lunch buffet is waiting for you. On a full stomach we continue approx. 1 hour to Ollantaytambo, a beautiful traditional village that hosts other Inca ruins worth visiting. Finishing the tour, you have to walk approx. 10 minutes to the train station of Ollantaytambo to catch the train leaving to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Arriving in Aguas Calientes (the journey by train takes approx. 1,5 hours), we will pick you up at the train station and take you to your hostel where you’ll have another short briefing about your Machu Picchu tour the next day.
Day 3 The highlight of your Peru tour: ¡Machu Picchu! (B)
Excited?! Today you will visit Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Early in the morning you start your little hike up to the main entrance of Machu Picchu. We recommend taking the first tour at 6:00am, with your local guide you will explore the massive Inca city built on top of the mountain in the middle of the jungle. You will visit its terraces, temples, houses and palaces and learn about Machu Picchu’s history, the life of the Incas living here, the discovery of this magic place and much more. After the tour which takes about 2 – 2,5 hours you will have time for your own explorations and can basically stay the whole day at Machu Picchu (we recommend taking snacks with you and enjoy your lunch inside of the complex). In the afternoon, you walk down or take the bus (optional) back to Aguas Calientes where you have some more time to pick up your luggage at the hotel, grab some food and then take your train back to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. In Ollantaytambo you’ll be picked up and travel back to Cusco in a small tourist van arriving at night.
Day 4 RAINBOW MONTAIN TREK and RED VALLEY- FULL DAY (B,L)
Rainbow Mountain Trek You will need to wake up early to enjoy this natural marvel at its best. Between 3:30am and 4am we will collect you directly from your hotel to start our ride to Qollasuyu, located to the south of Cusco city. First we will drive for around 1 and a half hours where we will then stop for 20 in the district of Cusipata (3310m.a.s.l.) There we will find a restaurant named Tonceca where we get to enjoy an appetizing breakfast. After this, we will continue our journey for another hour to Fulawasipata (4660m.a.s.l.), where we will speak about the details of our route. From there, at the foot of the sacred mountain Ausangate, we will begin our hike. We start with an approximately 2 hour ascent with our destination being Rainbow Mountain, orVinicunca (5200m.a.s.l.). Along the way we get the opportunity to observe diverse South American camelid species like alpacas, llamas and vicunas. When we reach the red hill or colina roja you will have some time to rest, enjoy the impressive landscape and and take photos of Vinicunca mountain that shows us all it’s imposing colors: red, pink, turquoise and yellow. At this point it will be time to start the descent back along our return route. We descend for an hour towards level ground and then upwards again to where we started the days hike in Fulawasipata. There our transport will be waiting to take us to restaurant Tonceca where we enjoy an energizing lunch. Finally we return back to Cusco city arriving at approximately 4:30pm to 5pm.
Day 5: Ausangate TREK 7 Laguns (B, L,)
Explore the 7 Lakes around the Ausangate Mountain range and As you hike through some isolated communities, you will interact with the local people who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive!, Visit seven beautiful and colorful lagoons: green, turquoise blue and other colors that will make your Experience unforgettable. These lagoons are surrounded by spectacular landscapes, hot sprint and glacier mountains. It is so different from everything else you will see in Peru!.
CUSCO – TINKI – PACCHANTA – AUSANGATE
Our Trek Adventure begins with pick up from your hotel at 5am!, 3 hours driving through the South Valley, Along the way, there are amazing views of farming Inca terraces, traditional villages, valleys and high Andean peaks , After a deliciouse breakfast with amazing vistas of the snow-capped mountain, This is a great place to interact with the local people, who are still keeping traditional Quechua culture alive. Learn about their traditional clothes and the significance of the different hats worn by the men. Ask your guide to teach you a few words of Quechua!, Then we will start our hike for about one and a half hours gently uphill to get to the first lake. Upon arrival, you can take all the time you want soaking in the amazing 360-degree vistas of the surrounding lands and explore the lakes itself. Take some time to yourself and really enjoy the beauty of nature around you. It truly is a magical place
From that point, we will be really close to the other six lakes, and the way will get easier as it will go mostly downhill or flat. We will have plenty of time to take photos of the lakes and glaciers. Then enjoy lunch before departing back to Cusco (3 hours). This memorable trip will end at the natural hot spring where you can relax after the whole experience. Arrival time back in Cusco will depend on how long you want to spend on Ausangate Mountain, but we typically get back around 5.30pm and drop you off at your hotel.
Day 6 South Valley Tour- Half Day (B)
This tour takes us to the unique and magnificent archeological site of Tipón where you marvel at the impressive engineering of an ancient Inca irrigation system, then to Piquillacta where you discover the huge urban planning of the Pre-Inca Wari culture. After the visit to Piquillacta, you move on to Andahuaylillas where “the Sistine Chapel of the Americas” is located with its impressive mural paintings from the XVII century.
CUSCO – TIPÓN – PIQUILLACTA – ANDAHUAYLILLAS
We pick you up at your hotel at 8:00am and we drive you towards Andahuaylillas where we visit the Saint Peter church of Andahuaylillas, considered as the “Sistine Chapel of America.” It was built by the Order of the Jesuits at the end of the 16th century and the princes of the 17th century. Its architectural structure is typical for village churches. Its walls are wide like all the colonial buildings, made of sun-dried bricks of mud (adobe), the facade is decorated with magnificent murals, and two large stone columns at the main entrance. After a time to visit the church, we continue with our journey towards the Pre-Inca archaeological site of Piquillacta, where we explore and enjoy the huge urban planning of the pre-Inca Wari culture surrounded by stunning mountains and lakes.
Afterwards we continue our journey to the spectacular archeological site of Tipón, where we will see the best of Inca hydraulic water work system. Finally, we head back to the village of Tipón, which is known, for its baked guinea pig dish, a traditional dish of the region of Cusco and one of the direct links between ancient Inca culture and modern Quechua culture. Then way we wil way back to Cusco.
Day 7 Waqrapukara Trek 1 Day (B,L)
Discover the majesc pre-Inca construction of Waqrapukara or Fortress of the Horns located in the mighty Apurímac River’s canyon. If you’re looking for something completely different and with few people, Waqrapukara is ideal for you. This beauful sacred place combines advanced architecture and impressive natural formaons in a dream landscape. In addion, it’s surrounded by small and crystalline lagoons. These giganc horns rise to 4,300 masl / 14,107 fasl.
Cusco – Chuquicahuana – Acomayo – Waqrapukara -Cusco
Today starts very early. We will pickyou up from your hotel between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. to start a 2.5-hour car trip to the town of Marcaconga. Then we’ll connue to the Pitumarca district where we’ll enjoy a delicious and nutrious breakfast. We will connue for 30 minutes towards Punta Carretera. There we’ll have a few minutes to organize all our things and get the last details to be ready to start our excursion. We’ll walk for 2 hours while observing glorious landscapes doed with small glacial lakes. Once we reach the Waqrapukara viewpoint, we’ll stop to take the first photos of this incredible fortress perched on the edge of a canyon. Then we’ll descend for about 40 minutes on a steep path, at the edge of the cliff, to the archaeological site itself while the Apurímac River roars below us, Waqrapukara Trek is a must for anyone wanng to visit this stunning archaeological site before the crowds discover it. Waqra is “horn” in Spanish. Pukara is equivalent to strength. These “horns” rise 4,300 meters above sea level, on top of a huge ravine covered with forests. The archaeological monument is surrounded by impressive plaorms, plazas, and a forest of stones that resemble mythological giants that contemplate the Andean landscape.
We’ll have a guided tour to discover all the mysteries of this archaeological site for approximately 1.5 hours. You can walk through the remains of a temple, take photos of the incredible scenery that forms the canyon, and rest on the cliffs, under the shadow of the stone walls. Once the group is ready, we’ll begin our journey back. We’ll walk for 3 hours before being picked up by our mobility. We’ll arrive in the city of Cusco at approximately 6:00 p.m.
Day 8 FREE- Transfer Out-, (B)
Enjoy your last day in Cusco, today we will transfer you to the airport, hour to confirm with your travel advisor.
IT INCLUDES
- Accommodation in basic but charming hotels (let us know if you want superior category)
- Meals as indicated (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
- All excursions listed including local tour guides (English and Spanish speaking), transportation and entrance fees
- All transportation:
- Briefing in your hotel.
- Travel in comfortable and safe tourist buses
Cusco:
- Transfer apto cusco – Hotel
- City Tour and Sacred Valley Tour (enttances tickets)
- Machu Picchu Tour
- Transfer Cusco – Ollantaytambo – Cusco
- Acomodation
- Train Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes – Ollantaytambo
- Bus Aguas Calientes – Machu Picchu
- Guided tour in Machu Picchu
- Rainbow mountain, ticket, tourist bus, tour guide, (B, L)
- Ausangate trek full day- Ticket, tourist bus, tour guide, (B, L)
- Transfer Hotel – Airport
- Flight Cusco – Lima
NOT INCLUDED
- Meals not indicated (B,L,D)
- Extra activities such as optional tours, entrance to the hot springs in Aguas Calientes, water and snacks for the excursions…
- Tips for tour guides and drivers (optional, if you really enjoyed the service)
- Flight lima to cusco.
NOTES
SOME FREQUENT QUESTIONS
Yes, we are a local sustainable & responsible tourism operator, that incorporates the universal principles of tourism: protect the environment and benefit the local communities respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our staff to know, understand and respect native communitys and its people.
Of course! During your trek or tour your primary luggage can be stored at our office or at your hotel. Both are free! But is better stored in your hotel because sometimes you will be late and office is already closed to pick up your suit case.
Our Tents:
Enjoy a good night sleep in our 4 season igloo waterproof, spacious and professional EUREKA tent. All our tents are 4 person tents. ONLY 2 people will sleep in each, leaving lots of room to spread out comfortably and store your duffel bag. They also include a little vestibule in front, giving you some extra outdoor space to leave your boots and walking poles so you don’t have to bring the dirt inside.
Absolutely! Included in our packages is picking you up and dropping you off at your hotel on the return from your trek or tour. If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley like Ollantaytambo or Urubamba, we will drop you there too! Also, if you spend the night at Ollantaytambo before your trek (if your are doing the Machupicchu), we will pick you up there.
Tipping
If you’re happy with the services provided, a tip – though not compulsory – is appreciated. While it may not be customary to you, it’s of great significance for the people who will take care of you during the Tour. It inspires excellent service and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many aAmazon Trip Peru Destinations. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you feel, depending on your perception of the quality and the length of your trip. Remember, a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
The maximum group size is 10 persons. Usually our groups are between 4-10 persons. Amazon Trip Peru specializes in SMALL and PRIVATE groups and provides personalized services.
In general, if you exercise regularly and spend 1 to 2 days in Cusco or in the Sacred Valley. You will acclimate normally!
The recommended remedies for altitude sickness is WATER, COCA TEA and OXYGEN IF NEEDED; our guides are trained to treat you for Altitude Sickness.
The weather is very unpredictable and it’s difficult to foresee. You will have many different varieties of weather as you pass through the numerous microclimates and it will depend on the location. We highly recommend you dress in layers to adapt to the climate changes.
Huayna Picchu – The hike to the summit is approximately 45 minutes, along narrow and steep Inca stairs. Once at the top, you get to see the Citadel of Machu Picchu and its surrounding hills and valleys. This is the famous peak in the background of every iconic Machu Picchu photo. Summiting Huayna Picchu is always a top item on most Machu Picchu visitor’s lists which means that you usually need reserve this hike months in advance. Only a certain amount of people are allowed to hike this mountain each day (currently 400). Along this trek you’ll see breathtaking views of the Machu Picchu ruins. The limited number of tickets is a restriction set forth by the ministry of culture in Cusco. This is completely out of our hands unfortunately. Tickets for this mountain are non-transferable.
Yes! You have to bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport number you sent to us to book your Inca Trail Machu Picchu permit, entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket or other entrances and reservations depending on your choice of trek.
In case you are renewing your passport or changing your name, go ahead and send us your old passport information to secure your permit, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or updated your name for a fee of $25 per person. We must have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before you change your passport keep a copy of your old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport but you will need to show both passports, old and new to be to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or the train. If you do not have both you will not be allowed to enter the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu or get on the train.
YOUR PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS FROM THE DAY YOU ENTER PERU! Most airlines will not let you bord your flight if your passport has less than 6 months left from the date you enter Peru.