5 Days: Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machupicchu

DAY 1: LIMA – CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO

You will be met at the airport by a Magical Tour Peru SAC representative and transferred to the Airline for check inn. Then to your gate for your flight to Cusco. Pick up from the Cusco airport and transfer to hotel in Ollantaytambo. Exchange currency and learn about the day’s activities. Lunch provided in Cusco Dinner on your own Ollantaytambo www.pakaritampu.com (L)

Note: Ollantaytambo is lower than Cusco which will make it easier to acclimatize to the altitude. For your convenience, we provide water daily.

DAY 2: OLLANTAYTAMBO

Breakfast starting at 6:00 am. Pickup at your hotel at 9:00.a.m. and walk to Ollantaytambo archeological site. http://www.ollantaytambo.org/en/ You will spend about 3 hrs at this site. There are several temples of pink granite and the famous Princess’ Bath. Lunch in Ollantaytambo. Spend the afternoon visiting the local market and take a walk through the town, which has been continuously inhabited and is mostly unchanged since Inca times. See how guinea pigs (cuy) are raised for food, special celebrations, and medicinal uses. If you have extra time you will hike the Pinkulluna Mountain which overlooks the town of Ollantaytambo. About a 2 mile hike and 500 ft. elevation gain. Dinner on your own. www.pakaritampu.com (B, L)

DAY 3: OLLANTAYTAMBO TO MACHU PICCHU

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and take a refreshing walk to Ollantaytambo train station for today’s unforgettable trip. Making its way toward the Amazon and Machu Picchu, the train follows the Urubamba River into a magnificent cloud forest, arriving at the station. Drop luggage at the hotel. Here take a traditional lunch then walk to the waterfalls and Botanical Gardens of Mandor, where there are spectacular birds and flowers. This walk along the Sacred River takes about 3.5 hours round trip. Easy 7 mile walk mostly flat. Returning in the late afternoon to nearby Aguas Calientes where you’ll be spending the night. You’ll have time for a soothing soak in the hot springs and a tasty dinner before turning in early. www.casa-andina.com/destinos/machu-picchu (B, L)

DAY 4: MACHU PICCHU – CHINCHEROS ARTISAN MARKET – CUSCO

Breakfast starting at 4:30 am. Early bus to Machu Picchu (7,875 ft.) leaving around 6:00 a.m. to avoid the crowds and see the sun illuminating the walls of this sacred and magical place. Spend the morning exploring the famous ruins. Buffet lunch with a view of the Sacred Mountains. After lunch we hike to the Gate of the Sun. The sun enters here on the 22nd of December, an Inca Festival. This activity takes approximately 2 hrs. Round trip. Return to the town of Aguas Calientes for your late afternoon train back to Ollantaytambo. Meet your private van at the train station to travel to the collective Chincheros textile market, featuring an explanation of the traditional weaving methods of the Sacred Valley and some of the best textiles available in Peru. This is the ideal place for last minute shopping before returning to your Cusco hotel for the evening. Farewell dinner www.aranwahotels.com/en/hotel-cusco (B, L, D)

DAY 5: 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. 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 altarshttps://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 the hotel to be transfer to the Airport for your late flight to Lima and then 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:

  • Internal flights (Lima –Cusco/ Cusco – Lima) and airport taxes.
  • Private ground transportation.
  • Hotels, all of them (Matrimonial or double and triple occupancy)
  • All breakfasts, lunches and 1 farewell Diner in Cusco.
  • Trained Guides – Shamans.
  • Entrance fees to Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Ollantaytambo and Cusco sites.
  • Bus to Machu Picchu round trip
  • Train fares. Vista dome, Expedition
  • Battle of Water every day.
  • Bread and Hot Chocolate to share with the children in the communities that you will be visiting.

Not Included:

  • International airfares.
  • Most 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.)