4 Days: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machupicchu

DAY 1: LIMA TO CUSCO

Morning/Afternoon departure for flight to Cusco, center of the Inca Empire. Magical Tours Peru guides pick you up at the airport for a quick tour of the beautiful Plaza De Armas. From there, you will be taken to the Hotel, where you will be free for the remainder of the night and relax and acclimatize to the altitude (10,856 ft). Diner on you own. www.aranwahotels.com/hotel-cusco

DAY 2: CUSCO – CITY AND SURROUNDS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cusco Today you will spend learning about the region’s rich cultural history. The day starts with a guided walking tour through Cusco’s craft markets. You will visit the colonial cathedral and Koricancha http://www.sacred-destinations.com/peru/cusco-koricancha, the Inca’s Temple of the Sun, before enjoying a delectable lunch of regional cuisine. You will visit the “Restaurant of the Universal Heart” supported by Path of the Heart www.pathoftheheart.org . If you would like, you can help serve lunch to the school children who eat here free of charge (optional). The afternoon will be spent visiting by private transportation the other significant Inca ruins in the vicinity of Cusco including: the mammoth fortress of Saqsayhuaman above the city, noted for its megalithic stone terraces http://www.world-mysteries.com/mpl_9.htm; Kenko with its distinctive zig zag – patterned carved stone and subterranean altars https://www.google.com/search?q=kenko+peru&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=t_MSUruuMcLOyAGEvYEg&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1038&bih=636 ; the hillside outpost of Puka Pukara, a small fortress that formerly protected the royal capital; and the Tambo Machay water temple that served as royal baths. You will be returned to you hotel for another evening in colonial Cusco, dinner on your own. www.aranwahotels.com/hotel-cusco (B, L)

DAY 3: TRAIN TO MACHUPICCHU

Morning Pickup at your hotel and drive to Ollantaytambo archeological site. http://www.ollantaytambo.org/en/ , This place is magic with several temples of pink granite and the famous Princess’ Bath before taking the train to MachuPicchu, Take the train from Ollantaytambo along the trek to Machu Picchu. On the journey, you enjoy some of the highlights of our Peru Ecotour along the Urubamba River and through a magnificent cloud forest to reach Aguas Calientes where a bus will take you the rest of the way to Machu Picchu (7,875 feet). Take the afternoon to explore the famous ruins of this magnificent mountain citadel with you specialize guide, then return in the late afternoon to your beautiful hotel nearby the Ruins and enjoy a delicious dinner with hotel of regional cuisine. www.casa-andina.com/destinos/machu-picchu (B, L)

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – CHINCHEROS MARKET – CUSCO AIRPORT.

Start the day with the unforgettable experience a Machu Picchu sunrise, the best time for photographing the ruins. Continue your explorations, climbing to the sacred peak of Huayna Picchu. Return to the train station for a ride back to Ollantaytambo where you will meet your driver who will take you to the Chincheros artisan market. Here, local artisans explain their craft of textile work, describing their traditional ways of shearing, processing, dyeing, and weaving from alpaca wool. After some last minute shopping, return to Cusco where you are transferred to the Airport for your flight to Lima and connect home (B, L)

End of the service by Magical Tours Peru.
Key: (B)reakfast (L)unch (D)inner

Notes: All hikes will be at a leisurely pace and would qualify as moderate although altitude makes a difference. None are long. You have the option to stay in town instead of participating on any hike.

HOTELES: Are listed in each day, you can get more information by entering to their Web page; all of them have Wi-Fi in room.

Tour Price Includes:

  1. Internal flights and airport taxes
  2. Private ground transportation the entire trip
  3. Beautiful hotels
  4. Entrance fees to Machu Picchu (2), Sacred Valley and Cusco.
  5. Bus to Machu Picchu round trip (1).
  6. All breakfasts and lunches. (Vegetarian option available)
  7. Train Vista Dome
  8. Guide the entire trip and his expenses.
  9. Bottled water.
  10. Service for children at Poth Restaurant with Hot Chocolate and Bread.

Not Included:

  • International airfares.
  • Dinners.
  • Extra beverages.
  • Tips. (bellmen, waiters, guides, cooks, drivers)

What to bring:

  • Comfortable walking shoes and shoes you can hike in.
  • Waterproof Jacket and pants
  •  Wind proof jacket, mostly clothes for mild weather 60-70 degrees F. Warm jacket, hat and gloves for high altitude evenings.
  • Good camera and extra battery and memory card
  • Good flash light
  • 220/ 110V ( plug) adaptor
  • Insect repellent (you can buy it there if needed)
  • Sun block, sunglasses, hat
  • Some school supplies to share with the children while visiting communities. (Pencils, Pens, notebooks etc.)