Lights of Peru, The Inca Empire

• Full-day tour to Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress

Continue exploring the Sacred Valley, and visit Pisac, famous for its craft market where you’ll find the most exquisite piece of  jewelry, ceramic and textile craftwork. We’ll continue our trip visiting the archeological site of Pisac to admire the stone terraces built by the Incas, and last, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo to visit its stunning fortress. Admire the remaining towers and walls that used to keep safe the citadele and the royal guests that it used to host.   

• Tour to Machu Picchu, discover the legendary city!

Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with a 4-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes (literally, hot water). This town is also known as “Machu Picchu Pueblo” and is the last stop before entering the remains of the most important archaeological site in Peru. Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” and is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

You’ll finally reach Machu Picchu (the ancient sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec) after a short transfer by bus through the mountains.

Here, when we arrive at the exact destination that is the highlight of your trip, we will have special moments which will most certainly be cherished forever. Enjoy your first impressions of this jaw-dropping place, and breathe the magic in the air.

At the end of the tour you will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes and have lunch at Café Inkaterra in Machu Picchu. Enjoy a leisurely time during the rest of the afternoon and a restful sleep in the town of Aguas Calientes.

Say Hueque Tips

• What places can you visit during your tour in Machu Picchu?

Some of the places you can visit include the Intipunku, or “Sun Gate”, where the sun rises every day through a stone passageway, or the Inca Bridge, an incredible stone building that served as the entrance and exit of the citadel.

• Optional tours in Machu Picchu

In the morning we suggest that you return to Machu Picchu and continue exploring some of the many attractions of the citadel.

In this second visit you can climb the Wayna Picchu (subject to space availability), which means “Young Mountain” as opposed to Machu Picchu, the “Old Mountain”. This ascent takes about an hour and its main attraction is the “Temple of the Moon”, a complex of underground structures likely to have been used by the elite.

• Free activities in Aguas Calientes

If you would prefer a different option, take the day to visit the interesting town of Aguas Calientes, its historic Plaza de Armas, and the many local markets nearby.

In these markets you can find various types of local handcrafts, typical food, and even different potions for finding love or keeping good luck on your side.

• Train from Machu Picchu to Cuzco

In the afternoon you will head to the train station of Aguas Calientes and take the train to Cuzco where you’ll spend the night.

• City tour in Cuzco and archeological sites 

Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to start your Cuzco tour with a visit to the Coricancha, also known as the “Temple of the Sun” the construction of which was ordered by Inca Pachacútec (1438-1471).

This is where the Sun (Inti, in Quechua) was worshipped during the reign of the Inca Empire, and during that time its walls were fully covered with gold sheets and its courtyards were adorned with golden corn and life-sized sculptures of llamas.

We’ll continue on to visit the Cathedral, the most important building in the Main Square (whose construction lasted almost a century) and one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America.

Our next stop will be the Sacsayhuamán fortress, an emblematic Incan piece of work, which protected the Holy City. The Sacsayhuamán complex was constructed with giant megalithic blocks, the transportation and construction of which continue to be a mystery.

This day will end with a visit to some archeological main attractions. You’ll visit Qenqo, located just over 2 miles away from Cuzco City, an archaeological complex mainly used for religious purposes, and where it is believed that agricultural rituals took place.

You will finally visit the vestiges of Puka Pukara, located 4.5 miles away from Cuzco. Puka Pukara, which means “red fortress”, was an architectural complex presumably used for military purposes.

At the end of this full historical and natural immersion in Cuzco’s heritage, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.

This is the end of  your 8-day travel itinerary to Peru…at least for now! At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and head to the Cuzco airport to take your flight.

Keep on exploring Peruvian Amazon or the White Stone City of Arequipa with, read about it in Our Trips.