Cusco clásico

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cusco, Peru. Your tour begins with a welcome meeting in your hotel

Cusco is the historical and archaeological capital of South America, a title awarded by UNESCO to preserve its archaeological monuments and to keep their customs that come from the time of the Incas. Their great archaeological monuments defy time with huge complex which now amaze all visitors.

When your domestic flight arrives in Cusco, look for your National Peru Travel host holding a sign with your name on it! We know you’ll most likely be a little tired after your long flight if this were a international flight, so we’ll save you the stress of trying to navigate and bring you straight to your hotel. Meet your guide and go on a private bus to our

half day tour

and wander around the archaeological remains of Sacsayhuaman (a place where the Incas staged a great battle against the conquistadors) where you will appreciate large terraces which overlap in zigzag formation surrounded by enormous stone walls well fitted with stone blocks exceeding 6 meters high and weighing over 120 tons. Simply a magnificent work of Incan architecture most worthy of being admired. You will also visit Q’enqo, which means “Labyrinth”. This place is a stone shrine that was used for ritual purposes. Also Pukapukara, which means “red fortress” because the calcareous stones with which is built have acquired the reddish color of the ground. And finally Tambomachay which was a sacred center of worship of water, that were also known as Incan Baths. Return to the city and roam the atmospheric streets of the bohemian neighborhood of San Blas, which is known for its free-spirited scene then explore Qoricancha and the Santo Domingo monastery (famous for being built on the Incan sun temple structures, the main religious building of the Incas dedicated to the worship of the Sun). When the first Spaniards arrived they were amazed to see that the walls of the great temple were covered with gold plates. Finally see where the locals make their grocery runs at the open-air San Pedro market and pass the famous 12-angled stone, whose image appears on the bottle of the famous local Cusqueña beer.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Cusco – Tour at the Catedral

Cusco – Chocolate Museum Visit & Hot Chocolate

Meals Included

There are no meals included on this day.

*At the end of the tour, your guide will suggest places to visit for lunch or dinner.

The Sacred Valley runs along the Vilcanota River basin. You will witness amazing archeological towns built by the Incas. This valley was appreciated by the Incas due to its special geographical and climatic qualities, becoming one of the main places for agricultural production, besides its spiritual significance for the inhabitants of the area.

We start the tour visiting the archaeological complex of Pisaq, characterized by the harmony of its time-resistant and rugged terrain- resistant buildings. It is represented mainly by its amazing system of agricultural terraces, and its traditional market in Pisaq village located on the main square and surrounding streets. A very colorful place demonstrated by the diversity of the handcraft products. After this we will head straight to Urubamba to enjoy a delicius lunch at the community that live in the valley and learn about the local lifestyle and language.

We will rejoin the bus ride to the archaeological complex of Ollantaytambo. An Incan site that was a strategically basedmilitary center constructed to protect the city of Cusco from possible invasion. It is also regarded as a religious and agricultural center for enclosures to worship the sun and water, as well as its impressive system of agricultural terraces. Finally, we will go to Ollantaytambo station to board the train to Machu Picchu town (known as Aguas Calientes) where we will stay overnight.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch a the community

Machu Picchu is known as “The Lost City of the Incas”, considered one of the new 7 wonders of the modern world. It is a masterpiece of Incan architecture and engineering, and has unique architectural and landscape features. Machu Picchu has become one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet, and has been recognized as cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Visiting this place you will certainly find the greatest historical legacy of the Incas. We start early boarding the bus up to the citadel. Upon your arrival, your guide will take you on a walking tour through impressive buildings that blend perfectly with the natural landscape of the area. The site has three main sectors of construction. The agricultural sector, characterized by the imposing terraces that rise from the base of the mountains. The religious sector, full of imposing temples and shrines that were finely crafted. Finally, the urban sector, where the ancient Peruvians lived. At the end of the guided tour, you will be able to explore the citadel on your own. Finally, you will take the bus down from Machu Picchu to board the train back to Cusco.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Breakfast

Your trip comes to an end, after breakfast this morning and we´ll transfer you to the airport for your flight back to Lima; there are no planned activities today.