Andean Experience

Welcome to the historic city of Cusco, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Upon arrival at 3,400 meters above sea level, it is recommended to rest, stay hydrated, and allow your body to acclimate to the altitude. In the afternoon, your guided Cusco City Tour begins, exploring the city’s most important landmarks and nearby Inca archaeological sites. The tour includes visits to the impressive Cusco Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, the iconic Qoricancha (Temple of the Sun), and a journey outside the city to discover Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, a sacred water sanctuary. After guided visits and free exploration time, the tour concludes with a return to Cusco’s main square or your hotel.

The tour begins with an early morning hotel pickup in Cusco at approximately 8:30 AM. This full-day experience is designed to immerse you in stunning natural landscapes and authentic cultural encounters. From Cusco, you will travel to the archaeological site and traditional village of Chinchero, where you will spend about an hour exploring the area and learning about its rich history.

In Chinchero, you will have the unique opportunity to join a local women’s association for a scenic alpaca walk through the surrounding countryside, allowing you to connect with rural life and enjoy beautiful panoramic views. After the walk, you will visit the organization’s workshop to enjoy a traditional lunch prepared with local ingredients. During your visit, the women will demonstrate the entire ancestral textile process, using natural dyes and traditional techniques, from the shearing of the fiber to the creation of the final textile product. This is also an excellent opportunity to purchase meaningful handmade souvenirs.

After this cultural immersion, the journey continues for about one more hour to reach the domes, a special location offering breathtaking views of the Andes. Here, you will have time to relax and enjoy a spectacular sunset, bringing an unforgettable end to a day filled with culture, nature, and Andean traditions.

The day begins with a hearty breakfast, preparing you for another exciting journey through the Sacred Valley. The first stop is Moray, a remarkable archaeological site famous for its unique circular agricultural terraces built by the Inca Empire. As you explore the site, you will admire the impressive engineering skills of the Incas and the precision with which this complex was constructed, believed to have been used for agricultural experimentation.

After visiting Moray, the tour continues to the nearby town of Maras, home to the famous salt mines that are still in use today. Thousands of small salt evaporation ponds create a striking landscape and offer insight into an ancient salt-harvesting tradition that has been preserved for generations. During your visit, you will have time to browse local shops offering products made from Maras salt, including natural bath salts.

To end the day, you will visit the historic town of Ollantaytambo, an important archaeological site that has maintained its original Inca urban layout. Here, you can see well-preserved temples, irrigation channels, and agricultural terraces that are still used by local residents, making Ollantaytambo a true living Inca city. After the tour, you will head to your accommodation, where your guide will provide details and information about the activities planned for the following day.

The day begins very early with hotel pickup in Ollantaytambo at around 5:30 AM, followed by a transfer to the train station to board the 6:10 AM train to Aguas Calientes. The scenic train journey follows the Urubamba River and offers spectacular views of Inca terraces, snow-capped mountains, and the lush valley landscape. After approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, you arrive at KM 104 (Chachabamba), the starting point of the hike, located at 2,150 meters above sea level.

At the trailhead, you will pass the first checkpoint, where your original passport is required. Here, you will meet your mountain chef and porters, who will provide snacks before beginning the hike. The day starts with a guided visit to the Inca site of Chachabamba, once an important control point along the Inca Trail. After a brief explanation and a group photo, the hike continues with a gradual ascent that connects to the Classic Inca Trail, offering stunning views of the Machu Picchu mountain, the Urubamba River, nearby Inca ruins, and refreshing waterfalls along the way.

The trail features a combination of flat sections, gentle ascents and descents, and some narrow stone steps that are safe to navigate. After about three hours of hiking, you will reach Wiñay Wayna (Forever Young), the most impressive archaeological site along the Inca Trail, situated at 2,650 meters above sea level. This remarkable complex is known for its terraces, water fountains, temples, and breathtaking setting on a steep mountainside. After exploring the site, a short walk leads to the Wiñay Wayna campsite, where your chef will serve lunch and you can enjoy a short rest.

The final stretch of the hike is easier, passing through a lush cloud forest until reaching the Sun Gate (Inti Punku), where you will enjoy an unforgettable panoramic view of Machu Picchu. After spending time admiring the scenery, you will descend to Machu Picchu, arriving later in the day when most visitors have already left, allowing for a quieter and more peaceful experience. From there, you will take a bus to Aguas Calientes, check in at your hotel, and later enjoy a group dinner at one of the town’s best restaurants. An early night is recommended to be well-rested for the following day.

This is the most important day of your journey. To make the most of the experience, we recommend an early breakfast in order to catch one of the first buses to the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu, starting from 5:30 AM. While you are visiting the site, your hotel will safely store your luggage, so you will only need to carry a small backpack with essential items. The bus ride from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu takes approximately 30 minutes.

Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, your professional guide will introduce you to this magnificent Inca citadel and lead you directly to the classic panoramic viewpoint at the upper section, where you can enjoy the sunrise and the breathtaking scenery surrounding the site. You will then take part in a guided tour lasting about 2.5 hours, during which you will explore the main sectors of Machu Picchu and learn about the history, architecture, and culture of the Inca Empire.

After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the lower areas of Machu Picchu at your own pace. If you have arranged an optional hike, such as Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain, your guide will point out the entrance for these trails. These additional hikes must be booked in advance, are subject to availability, and have an extra cost of USD $75 per person.

For your return journey, it is recommended to start heading back to Aguas Calientes at least two hours before your scheduled train departure. Your guide will provide you with the exact train schedule in advance. The train ride from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo lasts approximately two hours. Upon arrival, our staff will be waiting at the station exit to transfer you by private vehicle back to Cusco. The drive to Cusco takes about two more hours, and the day concludes with drop-off at your hotel.