Cusco at a Glance - 5 Days in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu

Overview: This trip has been carefully designed for travelers wishing to explore Cusco and Machu Picchu in a short but flexible, authentic and inspiring manner. First, reach the Sacred Valley of the Incas to delve into the stunning mountain landscapes, fantastic Inca sites and charming Andean villages. Then, discover Machu Picchu, the famed 15th-century citadel of the Incas.  Finally, stroll around the cobbled stone streets of historic Cusco and soak in its local culture. Prepare for a journey of a lifetime as we show you the best of our country.

• Destinations: Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu

• Trip Focus: Local Culture, Soft Adventure and Unique Scenery

• Duration: 5 days

• Accommodation (suggested): Combination of boutique and comfort properties:

  • Casona de Yucay in the Sacred Valley

  • El Mapi by Inkaterra in Machu Picchu

  • Antigua Casona San Blas in Cusco

Trip Outline:

Day 1: Welcome! Upon arriving reception journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 2: Viacha Community and Pisaq
Day 3: Morning at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu
Day 4: Hiking to Machu Picchu's viewpoints
Day 5: Exploring Cusco and departure

Day 1 - Welcome! Arrive to Cusco airport and journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Welcome to Peru! Upon arriving, we'll be expecting you at Cusco airport. After a brief introduction and getting acquainted, we’ll begin our scenic journey to the Sacred Valley Incas. Because of its lower elevation (2, 870 m or 9, 415 ft) and its peaceful atmosphere, this valley is the perfect place to enjoy your first days in Cusco while you acclimatize.

The drive takes approximately one hour and thirty minutes, with several chances to stop along the way to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Andes in the area of Peru. One of which will be at Piuray, a beautiful lake, where we’ll enjoy a tasty lunch based on local produce from the surrounding communities.

After lunch, we continue our journey towards our countryside hotel in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Included meals: lunch
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casona de Yucay

Day 2 - Viacha Community and Pisaq

Away from more hectic routes, today, we'll see the Sacred Valley from a different perspective. We'll head to the Viacha community in the Pisaq archaeological park's higher slopes this morning.

Here, Julian and his family will welcome you and invite you to spend the morning with them. They will show you around their beautiful place and share more about their culture and daily activities. Exciting aspects of the rural Andes that we can learn about here include the farming of tubers and camelid fibers' weaving.

We'll then enjoy a delicious gourmet picnic lunch with mountain-views before we begin our afternoon downhill walk from Viacha to Pisaq Archaeological site. This hike takes approximately 1 hour and offers commanding scenes of the entire valley. Depending on the time and your energy, after visiting the Pisaq Inca site, you can continue walking to Pisac village, a charming place with a colorful market. Alternatively, we can simply take our private transport. When ready, we return to our hotel.

Included meals: breakfast and lunch
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Casona de Yucay

Day 3 - Morning at Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu

We'll begin today by visiting Ollantaytambo, a village that has not changed much since Inca times. Besides it, we have the Ollantaytambo archaeological site, a place with impressive Inca stonework only seconded by that of Machu Picchu. Visiting in the morning is a huge advantage, as large groups arrive only in the afternoons.

Next, we head to Ollantaytambo train station to board the train to Aguas Calientes. Upon arriving, we'll take a 25-minute bus up to the impressive mountain setting where Machu Picchu is located. Once here, we'll find a secluded spot, overlooking the main site, for an initial explanation of Machu Picchu. A little later in the afternoon, it's the ideal time to take our guided tour around the main areas of the citadel, as most travelers should already have left. We can tour the site until it closes at around 5. 30 pm.

Included meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: El Mapi by Inkaterra

Day 4 - Hiking to Machu Picchu's viewpoints

Today, you'll have bus and entrance tickets at your disposal for a second visit to Machu Picchu at your own pace. Your guide will be happy to join you, of course. For this second visit, we can include any of the three main viewpoints of the site; Huayna Picchu (the most famous), Montaña (the highest), and the Sun Gate (the main entrance to Machu Picchu when coming from the Inca trail). The three of them offer superb panoramic views of Machu Picchu. They all take between 2 and 4 hours if you include the time you spend thoroughly enjoying the sights before you return. These sites require an additional entrance that must be booked in advance, so please let us know which you prefer upon booking the trip.

Later, take the bus down to Aguas Calientes, in time for lunch (not included) and after, we'll board the train back to Ollantaytambo and then a private transport back to your hotel in Cusco. Depending on the time and your energy level, we can make some short stops at Maras, Moray, or Chincheros on the way back to Cusco.

Included meals: breakfast
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: Antigua Casona San Blas

Day 5 - Exploring Cusco and departure from Peru

Strap on our walking shoes and prepare for an easy guided stroll around Cusco's historical center. We will begin with a 10-minute drive to our first visit of the day: Sacsayhuaman, a massive Inca fortress overlooking the city. From here, our walking tour takes you not only through the top landmarks in Cusco, such as the Main Square, and the Koricancha or Temple of the Sun, but you will also walk into its lively neighborhoods and local markets where you'll discover the true magic of this city. This is the perfect way to get a more authentic feel of this fantastic place and its people. A spot we like to visit, where few others go, is San Francisco Church. It has impressive colonial architecture, catacombs, and excellent rooftop views of the city.

In the afternoon, at the coordinated time, we'll head to Cusco's airport to board your flight to Lima and connecting flight home. Hopefully, you will be heading back full of happy memories, new friends, and great pictures of your time with us!    

Included meals: breafast
Type of service: private guide
Accommodation: none (departure day)