Essential Machu Picchu and Cusco Tour

3D / 2N

One of our most basic Machu Picchu and Cusco tours for those with limited time. In the space of three days and two nights you will enjoy the best of the ancient city of Cusco, its cathedrals and Koricancha, the spiritual center of the Inca Empire. You will also visit the ruins surrounding Cusco, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay. On your second day, you will travel by train to Machu Picchu and spend the day discovering its ancient secrets and legends. You will experience the impact of seeing the ruins for the first time with the towering Huayna Picchu mountain in the background. Machu Picchu is a once-in-life-time experience that will leave you breathless.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cusco Arrival

You will receive a warm Andean welcome upon your arrival at the Cusco airport. You will transfer to your hotel and be greeted with a hot cup of tea to help you acclimate to the altitude. After resting for the remainder of the morning and having time to enjoy a light lunch, you will begin your Cusco experience with a tour of the highlights of the city and its surrounding ruins.

Your afternoon tour will begin in the ancient Plaza de Armas. This historical Plaza was the ceremonial center for the Inca Empire. During Inca times, it was double its current size and was surrounded by the palaces of the past and living Sapa Inca kings. From the Plaza, you will then proceed to the temple of Koricancha, the spiritual center of the Empire. Koricancha once housed over 4,000 priests and was adorned with gold statues and walls with gold plating. The Spanish Conquest destroyed much of the temple and carried away all of its gold. The Spanish built the current Church of Saint Dominic on top of the temples foundations. The outer wall remains mostly intact and is a wonderful example of the intricate Inca masonry skills.

Next you will take a bus up to the hillside overlooking Cusco to the massive ruins of Sacsayhuaman. Saqsayhuaman is believed to be a fortress and ceremonial center. It was the site of the last stand of Manco Inca, the last serious challenge to the Spanish conquest. From there you will go on to visit the ruins of Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.

Overnight: Cusco

Day 2: Machu Picchu

After an early breakfast you will transfer to the station where you will board the train for the scenic journey through the sacred valley of Urubamba. You will arrive at the village of Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo) that sits at the base of Machu Picchu. Once in Aguas you will board a bus that will take you to the gate of the citadel.

Entering Machu Picchu is an experience that will take your breath away. You will witness the classic view of the citadel with the agricultural terraces in the foreground and the living and working areas above. Overlooking the massive stone city looms the mountain of Huayna Picchu. You will begin a walking tour of the complex, and your local guide will explain how the royalty and the workers lived and thrived in this high mountain retreat. There are many legends and theories about the real purpose and history of Machu Picchu. But because the Inca left no written records, we will probably never know the full story of its meaning and why it was suddenly abandoned shortly before the arrival of the Spanish.

After the tour you will have the option of enjoying a buffet lunch the Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu or Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, you will board the train back to Cusco to rest and reflect on one of the most amazing days of your life.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Cusco
Optional: Buffet lunch Sanctuary Lodge