Day 1: Cusco City Tour – Discover the Imperial Capital
Your journey begins in Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire. During this guided city tour you will explore the most important archaeological and cultural sites surrounding the city.
The tour begins with a visit to Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), once the most important religious temple in the Inca Empire. Built to honor the Sun God Inti, the temple was covered in sheets of gold before the Spanish conquest. Today it forms part of the Santo Domingo Convent, where Inca stonework and colonial architecture coexist.
The tour then continues to the impressive Sacsayhuamán Fortress, one of the greatest examples of Inca stone engineering. Massive limestone blocks—some weighing more than 100 tons—fit together with astonishing precision.
Next we visit Q’enqo, a ceremonial site carved directly into limestone rock, believed to have been used for ritual ceremonies and astronomical observations.
The final stops include Puca Pucara, a military checkpoint overlooking the valley, and Tambomachay, a fascinating archaeological complex known as the Temple of Water, famous for its sophisticated Inca hydraulic system.
After completing the tour, we return to Cusco.
Overnight: Cusco Hotel
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas – Pisac and Urubamba
Today we travel through the breathtaking Sacred Valley of the Incas, one of the most fertile and historically important regions of the Inca civilization.
Our first stop is the famous Taray Viewpoint, offering spectacular panoramic views of the valley, the Urubamba River, and the agricultural terraces that still shape the landscape today.
We continue to the impressive Pisac Archaeological Site, where you will explore ancient Inca terraces, temples, and ceremonial structures located high on the mountainside. Pisac also contains one of the largest Inca cemeteries discovered in the Andes.
After visiting the ruins, we descend to the colorful Pisac artisan market, where local artisans sell traditional handicrafts such as alpaca textiles, silver jewelry, and handmade souvenirs.
The journey continues toward Urubamba, located in the heart of the Sacred Valley, where we enjoy a buffet lunch featuring traditional Peruvian cuisine.
After lunch we travel to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.
Overnight: Sacred Valley Hotel
Day 3: Moray, Maras Salt Mines & Ollantaytambo – Train to Machu Picchu
After breakfast we continue exploring the western side of the Sacred Valley.
Our first destination is Moray, an extraordinary archaeological site consisting of circular agricultural terraces. Researchers believe Moray functioned as an Inca agricultural laboratory, where the Incas experimented with crops using different microclimates created by the terraces.
Next we visit the spectacular Maras Salt Mines, where thousands of salt pools cascade down the mountainside. These salt pans have been harvested since pre-Inca times, and local families continue to produce salt using traditional techniques.
We then travel to Ollantaytambo, one of the best-preserved living Inca towns in Peru. Here we explore the impressive Ollantaytambo Fortress, including the Temple of the Sun, ceremonial terraces, and massive stone structures built by the Inca Empire.
Later we board the Expedition Train to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo). The train ride follows the Urubamba River through lush cloud forest landscapes, offering one of the most scenic journeys in the Andes.
Overnight: Aguas Calientes Hotel
Day 4: Machu Picchu Guided Tour – Return to Cusco
Early in the morning we take the shuttle bus from Aguas Calientes up to the entrance of Machu Picchu, the legendary Lost City of the Incas and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Your guide will lead a comprehensive guided tour of Machu Picchu, exploring the most important sectors of the citadel, including:
the Main Plaza
the Temple of the Sun
the Intihuatana Stone
the Royal Quarters
agricultural terraces and ceremonial areas
During the tour, you will learn about the history, architecture, and spiritual significance of Machu Picchu and how the Inca civilization built this extraordinary mountain sanctuary.
After the guided visit, we return to Aguas Calientes and later board the return train to Ollantaytambo.
Upon arrival, transportation will transfer you back to Cusco, completing your unforgettable 4-day Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu journey.
