Great Machu Picchu Experience – 5 Days

Upon your arrival in Cusco, you will be greeted, assisted, and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a free morning to acclimatize to the altitude. At 1:30 PM, you will be picked up from your hotel for a guided sightseeing tour of Cusco. Your tour begins with Koricancha, the Temple of the Sun, which was the most important shrine during the Inca era. Next, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing church situated in the main square. The tour continues to Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent megalithic construction by the Incas, perched on a hill overlooking the city to the north, showcasing extraordinary Inca perfection. The next stop is Qenqo, featuring a unique limestone outcrop used for religious cults. The tour concludes with visits to Puca Pucara and Tambomachay.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a full-day visit to the impressive Sacred Valley of the Incas, including tours of the Pisaq and Ollantaytambo archaeological sites. The first stop is the village of Qorao, where you can capture beautiful landscape photographs from a lookout point. Next, visit Pisaq, home to both an important archaeological site and a vibrant Indian market. After lunch in the Sacred Valley, explore the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the valley entrance and protect it from invasions by tribes from the lower jungle. The fortress consists of a series of stepped, carved stone terraces accessed by long staircases. In the afternoon, return to Cusco.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Poroy Train Station to catch your train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, check into your Aguas Calientes hotel. Today, you have two exciting options (you can choose only one):

First Option: Mandor Valley Bird Watching
Walk along the Vilcanota River, following the railroad tracks into the Mandor Valley to visit its stunning waterfall. The valley is home to diverse and fascinating birdlife, including Speckle-faced Parrots and Green Jays, with an opportunity to spot the unique Cock-of-the-Rock. Relax and perhaps bathe under the waterfall before walking back to your hotel, nestled in the shadow of Machu Picchu.

Second Option: Hike Putucusi
Embark on an exhilarating hike up Putucusi Mountain, culminating in a spectacular view of the Machu Picchu citadel from the far side of the Vilcanota Valley. During the ascent, appreciate the striking contrast between the mountain cloud forest and the elfin forest, as well as the interesting variation in trees, orchids, and birds.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before an early transfer to the bus stop for a short 25-minute ride up to the magnificent Machu Picchu citadel. Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (Intihuatana)—one of the most important preserved sites—the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, various houses, warehouses, and a large central square, all interconnected by narrow roads and steps surrounded by terraces carved into the mountainside. After the guided tour, you will have time to stroll around the archaeological site at your leisure. You will have the opportunity to walk (approximately 1 hour) up to the Sun Gate (Inti Punku) or climb to the top of Wayna Picchu for a magnificent panoramic view of the entire Sanctuary. In the afternoon, return by train to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight to Lima or your next city.