5-Nights Heart of the Incas: Cusco, Sacred Valley & More - Private Guided Experiences, Arts & Culture from $2,633

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Welcome to the Andes: From Cusco to the Sacred Valley with Pisac Market Visit

Upon arrival to Cusco Airport, please collect your baggage and head to the arrivals area. Here you will be greeted by a local assistant holding a sign with your name on it. Your journey toward the Sacred Valley soon begins, passing through the charming Imperial City of Cusco. Along the way, stop to visit the vibrant Pisac Market. Here you'll find an incredible range of colorful handmade textiles, silver jewelry, ceramics and fresh local produce. It is the perfect place to introduce yourself to the Andes. Later, you will settle in for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing onward toward your hotel in the Sacred Valley, typically arriving in the mid-afternoon.

The Boleto Tourism Card (BTC) allows you to access archeological and cultural sites in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. The BTC is a mandatory requirement for travellers visiting the area, and is included in your itinerary.

Hotel: Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness (5 Star Rating)

Built on the riverside lands of an ancient 18th Century colonial hacienda, Aranwa Sacred Valley comprises a restored hacienda with sumptuous rooms decorated in colonial style. Indulge in recent developments following modern, minimalist decor at this luxurious Urubamba hotel in Sacred Valley. Adjacent to a majestic river, in the heart of a mystical landscape, Aranwa offers a life-changing experience in a peaceful and inviting haven, setting the rich standard among Urubamba Peru hotels.

Immerse yourself in the ancient traditions and bold flavors of the Sacred Valley on this curated and private-guided culinary experience. Begin with an exploration of the region's exceptional coffee, following the journey from raw bean to roasted perfection while discovering the unique aromas and profiles that make Andean coffee so distinctive. Next, step into an artisanal distillery to craft your very own Andean spirit, a personalized blend of sugarcane aguardiente, fresh garden herbs, and traditional aromatic ingredients, sealed in a keepsake bottle that will continue developing for months ahead. The experience culminates with a Pachamanca feast, one of the Andes' most celebrated culinary traditions; chicken, pork, lamb, Andean potatoes, and organic vegetables slow cooked in an earthen stone oven, enjoyed surrounded by mountains and ancient archaeological remains. After a delicious day of discovery and connection, you'll be returned to your hotel in the Sacred Valley.

Your adventure today brings you to one of the most important places in the Sacred Valley of the Incas: the town of Ollantaytambo. A window to the country's Incan past, it is an emblematic place where Manco Inca defeated the Spanish in the year 1537. Begin by walking through its characteristic cobblestone streets, surrounded by adobe houses, before heading towards the fascinating archaeological complex, which was a military, religious and agricultural center. There, you will climb the steep stone steps to admire the monoliths that make up the Temple of the Sun, learning a little about Inca astronomy and the impressive architecture seen throughout the archaeological site. Ollantaytambo, its platforms and its fortress are a perfect testimony of the extraordinary skill of the Incas in construction and planning. Please note, the fortress of Ollantaytambo can be considered moderately challenging to explore and requires decent mobility and fitness levels. At the end of your tour, you will be delivered to Ollantaytambo train station or returned to your hotel in the Sacred Valley, pending on your onward travel plans.

As there are strict luggage restrictions in place on board the train to Aguas Calientes, a luggage transfer service has been arranged to bring your additional belongings to Cusco. Once you have completed your experience in and around Machu Picchu, your baggage will be ready and waiting for you in Cusco.

At the scheduled time, board the 360 Train with service to Aguas Calientes, the penultimate stop on your way to Machu Picchu. The train cars of the 360 are defined by comfortable seats, panoramic windows, ambient music and an open-air observation wagon that complements the spectacular scenery that accents the trip to Aguas Calientes; be sure to have your camera ready as there are seemingly endless opportunities for gorgeous pictures. As you travel to Aguas Calientes, you are welcome to purchase a range of food and beverages from the on-board service (additional cost), and will also be offered a complimentary snack.

This route begins at the lower terrace, where you will have the chance to capture some fantastic panoramic pictures of the citadel. Continuing onward, you'll soon explore the urban and religious sector of Machu Picchu, including the Temple of the Sun, the Main Temple, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Sacred Rock, the Temple of the Condor, the Water Fountains, and more. Widely considered to be among the most comprehensive circuits to tour Machu Picchu, you'll explore the complex for 2 hours and 30 minutes alongside your local private guide before completing the route.

Hotel: Casa del Sol Boutique Hotel (4 Star Rating)

Casa del Sol Boutique Hotel is located in the village of Aguas Calientes, very close to the imposing buildings of Machu Picchu, where the fascinating Inca citadel was erected. The hotel is just a 5 minute walk from the train station and across the street from the bus station that takes passengers to the ruins of Machu Picchu. The 30 unique guestrooms each combine materials and art crafted by artisans from different Peruvian communities.

On this circuit, you'll have the opportunity to catch classic postcard perfect photos of Machu Picchu from the viewpoint of the Guardian's House. You will also be provided access to Machu Picchu Mountain, and invited to hike up and down the trail, a journey that typically takes between one and two hours. Along the way, you will ascend some 650 meters (roughly 2,130 feet), with a particularly challenging stretch featuring large steps encountered toward the end of the route. Guests with a fear of heights, vertigo, or mobility issues may wish to forego this activity. Also worth noting is that while the trail is wide for most of the way, there are narrow, steep sections as you progress and climb higher. However, the rewards for your efforts are apparent from the moment you reach the top. The panoramic views of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu (further distant) are among the most impressive possible.

At the scheduled time, board the Vistadome Train with service to Cusco. The Vistadome is the ideal train for those who want to see as much of the natural surroundings as possible. Each of the cars feature impressive panoramic windows, offering incomparable scenic views and innumerous opportunities to capture amazing pictures. The Vistadome has air conditioning and heating, adjustable leather seats, and you will also receive a light snack during the journey. In addition to the exceptional views, ambient music plays, and informative audio-narratives occasionally air, and a fashion show featuring baby alpaca wool will take place (with apparel available for purchase at additional cost), en route to Cusco.

Transfer: Cusco Train Station to Cusco

Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn Cusco (4 Star Rating)

Explore the ancient neighborhood of Santa Ana from the Hilton Garden Inn Cusco hotel. Admire the natural beauty, local architecture, and vibrant culture outside this modern hotel. Walk into the welcoming lobby with plenty of natural light, a colonial courtyard, and two fireplaces. Take in hillside views near iconic Cusco attractions - the Centro Historico de Cusco, Cusco Cathedral, and Plaza de Armas are all within two kilometers. The hotel is four kilometers from the city center and Sacsayhuaman, with Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport a 15-minute drive away. Enjoy courtyard yoga sessions and the all-day restaurant.

This charming half-day tour of Cusco offers history, living culture and art. You will be able to appreciate how the Andean and Spanish cultures, as well as the past and the present, coexist in harmony in the Imperial City. Begin the day exploring the halls of the San Pedro Market, the oldest in the city. Designed in 1925 by Gustave Eiffel, today it brings together hundreds of merchants selling local products. You will also visit Koricancha Temple, which during the Inca empire was a center of worship of the Sun, and upon which the Santo Domingo Convent was later built as part of the evangelization process. Its baroque style facade built on solid Inca walls perfectly summarizes the syncretism of cultures in the city of Cusco. To appreciate the greatness of the Incas, ascend to the monumental fortress of Sacsayhuaman, which - with its enormous carved stone walls - constitutes one of the best examples of Inca military architecture. Later, you will tour the archaeological center of Kenko, a ceremonial place where the sun, the moon and the stars were worshiped. The final stop of the day is one of the most impressive; the Cathedral, widely considered the most important temple in the city. It was built by the Spanish on top of the palace of the Inca Huiracoha. Its interior houses a wonderful collection of colonial art composed of goldsmith pieces and representative canvases of the Cusco School of Art. Following your private tour of the city, you will be returned to your hotel.

Transfer: Cusco to Cusco Airport