Cusco Travel Package 8 Days: Cusco and machu Picchu tour 8 days

Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel, where you will have time to acclimatize to the altitude before starting your 8-day Cusco tour.

At 1:30 p.m., we will begin the Cusco City Tour, starting from Cusco’s Main Square. During the tour, we will visit the most important historical and archaeological sites in and around the city.

Our first stop will be the Qoricancha Temple, built on the original Inca foundations where the Sun God (Inti) was worshipped. Here, you will see the impressive Inca stonework that still remains inside the colonial convent of Santo Domingo.

We will then visit the impressive Sacsayhuamán Fortress, a ceremonial site dedicated to the Sun God, famous for its enormous polished stone blocks, some of which reach up to 9 meters (30 feet) in height and weigh more than 300 tons.

Next, we will visit Qenqo, an ancient ceremonial center where the Incas performed religious rituals and sacrifices.

Our tour continues to Puca Pucara, an archaeological site believed to have been a military control center or resting place for Inca travelers.

Finally, we will visit Tambomachay, known as the “Bath of the Inca” or “Bath of the Ñusta,” famous for its aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls that still flow with crystal-clear water year-round.

After the tour, we will return to Cusco. Evening at leisure to rest or explore the city on your own.

At 8:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco and begin our adventure toward Chinchero, a traditional Andean village located at 3,780 meters (12,402 feet) above sea level. In Chinchero, we will visit its traditional market and a local textile center, where you will learn about ancient weaving techniques, natural dyes, and Andean culture.

We will then continue to the impressive circular agricultural terraces of Moray, an ancient Inca agricultural laboratory believed to have been used to experiment with different crops and microclimates. On the way, we will pass through picturesque villages and beautiful Andean landscapes.

Finally, we will visit the famous Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras), located northwest of the town of Maras. These salt mines consist of more than 2,000 small salt pools, each averaging about 5 square meters, which have been used since Inca times and continue to be operated by local families today.

After our visit, we will return to the city of Cusco, where the tour concludes.

Between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., we will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco to begin our journey to the famous Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca), one of the most impressive natural attractions in Peru.

We will travel for approximately two hours by road to the town of Cusipata, where you will enjoy a delicious breakfast to start the day with energy and prepare for the adventure ahead.

After breakfast, we will continue our journey for about another hour and a half until we reach the starting point of the hike to Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain. From here, we will begin a scenic hike through the Andes Mountains, surrounded by traditional villages, herds of alpacas, and breathtaking landscapes.

The hike to Rainbow Mountain takes approximately 1.5 hours at a moderate pace, reaching the highest point at 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) above sea level. From the summit, you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the famous Mountain of Seven Colors, known for its vibrant mineral layers and unique natural formations.

After enjoying the views, taking photos, and learning about the geology of the area from your guide, we will hike back to the starting point and return to Cusipata, where a delicious buffet lunch will be waiting for us.

Finally, we will return to Cusco, arriving at approximately 5:00 p.m., where you will have the evening free to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

At 8:30 a.m., our transfer will pick you up from your hotel to begin our exciting adventure exploring the South Valley of Cusco.

Our first stop will be the impressive archaeological site of Tipón. This site features an extensive network of 12 meticulously built agricultural terraces constructed with finely carved stones. The highlight of Tipón is its sophisticated irrigation system, which has been in use since ancient times and continues to function today, especially during the rainy season when water flow is at its peak.

Next, we will travel to Pikillaqta, an extensive pre-Inca urban center from the Wari Empire. This site contains more than a thousand structures, including courtyards, houses, temples, and long narrow streets lined with buildings that once reached up to four stories high. Pikillaqta offers a fascinating glimpse into the complexity and scale of Wari urban planning and architecture.

Our final visit will be to Andahuaylillas, a charming Andean village with a rich colonial heritage. The main attraction here is the Andahuaylillas Church, often referred to as the “Sistine Chapel of America” due to its stunning colonial decorations and mural paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The church’s intricate artwork and historical significance make it a must-see destination.

We will return to Cusco around 3:30 p.m., giving you time in the evening to relax and enjoy the city at your leisure.

Between 4:00 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., our transfer will pick you up from your hotel to begin our journey toward the stunning landscapes south of Cusco.

We will start our adventure traveling along the scenic route toward Mollepata. After approximately an hour and a half, we will arrive in Mollepata, where we will enjoy a delicious breakfast to give us the energy needed for the day ahead.

After breakfast, we will continue by vehicle for about another hour until we reach Soraypampa, the starting point of our hike to the beautiful Humantay Lake. The hike to the lagoon takes approximately one hour uphill, passing through breathtaking Andean scenery until we reach Humantay Lake, located at high altitude.

Once at the lake, we will have time to explore the area, enjoy the spectacular views of Humantay Mountain and the Vilcabamba mountain range, and learn from our guide about the natural beauty and cultural significance of this incredible place.

After visiting Humantay Lake, we will return to Soraypampa, where a delicious lunch will be waiting for us, the perfect way to relax after the hike.

We will then return to Cusco, with an estimated arrival time between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., allowing you to relax and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

At 7:20 a.m., our transfer will pick you up from your hotel to begin our exciting journey to the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

By 8:00 a.m., we will depart toward the Sacred Valley. Our first stop will be the Corao craft center, where you will have approximately 10 minutes to explore and appreciate local textiles and traditional handicrafts.

We will then continue through the town of Pisac to the Pisac Archaeological Park. This impressive site features Inca agricultural terraces carved into the mountainside, forming a unique landscape. After exploring the archaeological site, we will return to the town of Pisac for a brief visit to a local silver workshop, where you can observe the traditional techniques used to create Andean silver jewelry.

Next, we will follow the scenic route along the Vilcanota River to Urubamba, where a delicious buffet lunch prepared with local ingredients awaits us. You will have time to relax and enjoy the meal.

Our adventure continues as we head to the town of Ollantaytambo. Here, we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, an important Inca archaeological site that served as a military, agricultural, and religious center during the Inca Empire.

Train Ride to Machu Picchu

At approximately 4:00 p.m., after our visit to Ollantaytambo, we will head to the train station for our journey to Machu Picchu. During the train ride, you will enjoy breathtaking landscapes of the Vilcanota Valley and views of archaeological remains along the route.

Upon arrival at the Machu Picchu train station in Aguas Calientes, our staff will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, our guide will meet you at the hotel to provide important information and instructions for your visit to the Machu Picchu citadel the following day.

You will then have a free evening to explore and relax in the charming town of Machu Picchu at your own pace.

At the time indicated by our guide, we will head to the Consettur bus station to board the shuttle bus for the short but scenic ride up to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.

Upon arrival at the entrance gate of Machu Picchu, we will present our passports and entrance tickets before entering the citadel with our professional tour guide.

The Machu Picchu guided tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours. During the tour, we will explore the most important sectors of the citadel, starting at the famous Guardian’s House viewpoint, where you will enjoy the classic panoramic view of Machu Picchu with Huayna Picchu Mountain in the background.

We will then visit the Stone Quarry, where the massive stones used to build the citadel were carved and shaped. Next, we will explore the Temple of the Sun, one of the most important religious structures of the Inca Empire, followed by the Temple of the Three Windows, famous for its trapezoidal windows and ceremonial significance.

We will also visit the Agricultural Sector, with its impressive terraces that demonstrate the advanced engineering and farming techniques of the Incas, and the Urban Sector, which includes residential areas, temples, plazas, and ceremonial spaces.

After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore Machu Picchu on your own, take photos, or simply enjoy the mystical atmosphere of this Wonder of the World.

We will then take the bus back down to Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes). Depending on your train departure time, we will arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure to board the train back to Ollantaytambo.

Upon arrival in Ollantaytambo, our transfer will be waiting to take you back to Cusco. The tour ends upon arrival in Cusco, completing this unforgettable experience visiting Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Breakfast at the hotel. If your departure from Cusco is later in the evening, you may take the day to explore the Imperial City at your own pace or visit the traditional San Pedro Market, where you can discover local products, handicrafts, and traditional Andean foods. Optional tours can be arranged upon request for an additional cost.

At the appropriate time, we will transfer you to Cusco Airport or the bus terminal, marking the end of our services and your unforgettable journey through Peru.