ITINERARY

Day 1: CUSCO CITY – SACSAYHUAMAN – QENQO – PUCAPUCARA – TAMBOMACHAY – PISAC

We’ll pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin your exploration of the Inca capital. Start the day at Coricancha, the main sanctuary of the Incas, where you’ll learn about the fascinating blend of Inca and colonial influences.

Next, visit the San Pedro Market, where you’ll experience the authentic daily life of the Cusqueñans and have the chance to sample local snacks.

Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local café before continuing to the four archaeological sites just outside the city: Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Pucapucara, and Tambomachay. Your guide will explain the history and purpose of each site as you explore their impressive ruins.

In the late afternoon, we’ll drive to the Sacred Valley, stopping at Pisac to visit the Inca ruins perched on the mountainside. You’ll also have time to explore the Pisac market, where traditional crafts and textiles are abundant.

Finally, we’ll settle in Urubamba for the night. Enjoy a restful evening at your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Urubamba Hotel
Difficulty: Easy

Day 2: SACRED VALLEY – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES

After breakfast at your hotel, we’ll drive through the Sacred Valley to visit Moray, the Inca agricultural laboratory with its fascinating circular terraces used for crop experimentation. Next, we’ll continue to the salt mines of Maras, where you can walk among the thousands of terraced salt pools and even touch the mineral-rich salt.

Our journey continues to Chinchero, home to a colonial church built atop Inca foundations and local textile workshops. Here, you’ll learn about traditional weaving techniques, symbolic patterns, and the cultural significance of Andean textiles.

Back in Urubamba, enjoy a hearty lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we’ll visit a small Inca bar to taste the traditional chicha (Inca corn beer) and explore a guinea pig farm (Cuy) to learn about local farming and culinary traditions.

In the late afternoon, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo, the only living Inca city, where we’ll board the train to Aguas Calientes. Here, you’ll spend the night in a comfortable hotel, ready for tomorrow’s highlight: Machu Picchu.

Highlights:

• Moray circular terraces (Inca agricultural lab)
• Maras salt mines
• Chinchero colonial church and textile workshops
• Inca bar tasting and Cuy farm
• Ollantaytambo, the living Inca city

Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Aguas Calientes Hotel
Difficulty: Easy

Day 3: MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

After an early breakfast at your hotel, we’ll take one of the first buses up to Machu Picchu, arriving early to experience the citadel with minimal crowds. Perched at 2,430 m (7,972 ft), the site will greet you with its stunning beauty and awe-inspiring architecture.

Your 2-hour guided tour with Circuit 2 will cover the main highlights of Machu Picchu, including:

• The Room of the Three Windows
• The Temple of the Sun
• The Intihuatana
• The Main Plaza

Optional add-on: For those seeking extra adventure, a hike up Huayna Picchu is available (additional cost, must be booked in advance).

Return to Cusco
After your visit, we’ll board the train back to Ollantaytambo, where you can relax and enjoy scenic views of the Sacred Valley. Upon arrival, an Apple Travel Peru van will take you on the final leg back to Cusco.

Train options: Expedition train (upgrade available to Vistadome)
Departure: Between 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm

Meals included: Breakfast
Difficulty: Easy