Special 1: Heart of the Inca

You will be picked up at the airport in Cuzco and taken to your comfortable hotel where you are advised to rest for a while to acclimatize to the altitude. Once in the city center you will no doubt notice the many fine examples of Spanish colonial architecture in the city as well as the remains of the age old Inca settlement on which it was constructed. After resting for a short while, grab lunch in either your hotel or one of the many fine restaurants in the area.

In the early afternoon you will be taken on a city tour and will visit some of the many amazing archaeological sites and wonders in and around the city. You will see the Cathedral (which is located on the Plaza de Armas), Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Puka Pukara and Tambomachay. Remember to bring your camera on this trip as you will certainly want a reminder of the amazing awe these Inca sites can evoke.

You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax before dinner. Before setting out to eat in one of the many restaurants in Cuzco remember to put on something warm as it can get cold pretty quickly. Spend the evening enjoying the local cuisine and hospitality of Cuzco’s very friendly people.

See our Cuzco Guide for suggestions of great Cuzco restaurants.

After an early breakfast and early start you will be taken through the Sacred Valley of the Inca where life has remained almost unchanged for 500 years. The drive from Cuzco is not very long and on the way you will see some typical Andean villages and scenery. Upon descent into the Sacred Valley you will know that you have arrived in the area the Inca revered for its lush fertile soils.

You will visit the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo. These ancient ruins look out as outposts over the valley and are a wonder to view. This was the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti during the Inca Empire and served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui.

Later on, you will have the opportunity of visiting the lively local market in Pisac to enjoy the beautiful handicrafts on sale. It is here that many fine Andean garments are for sale. For lunch you will have the chance to try out traditional Andean foods.

In the evening you will return to your comfortable hotel in Cuzco where you will once again be given the opportunity to spend the evening at your leisure in one of the many fine restaurants or bars available in the area.

After breakfast at the hotel you will take a train to the hidden temple of the Incas: Machu Picchu. The train ride is a destination in itself as you pass through an abundant cloud forest with amazing views out over the Andes.

Upon arriving in Aguas Calientes, you will either be taken directly by bus to the ruins of Machu Picchu or to your very comfortable hotel - if you decide to spend the evening in the area - before you head to the ruins. The town is located a little ways down the pass and the bus up to the ruins takes about 20 minutes.

Once you arrive in Machu Picchu, you will begin a guided tour of this world wonder. If you decide to spend the night in this area (highly recommended) you will have another chance to visit the ruins early the next day. You can also relax at the nearby hot springs. Otherwise you will return to the station in the mid-afternoon for the train back to Cuzco and transfer back to your hotel.

See our Machu Picchu Guide for more information on what to see and do, as well as which Machu Picchu Restaurants we recommend for tasty dining.

After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Lima and onwards home. Or if you wish to continue even further into the “Heart of the Inca”, take the train or plane to Puno to visit the majestic Lake Titicaca.

• 3 nights at a Cuzco hotel or 2 nights at a Cuzco hotel and 1 night at an Aguas Calientes hotel, all comfortable and based on US standards.
• All guided visits are with English speaking tour guides.
• All transfers and entrance fees.
• All breakfasts included. 4-star and up hotels offer breakfast buffets.

We recommend that you book more time in Cuzco. There is so much to see in and around the city that an extra day would amplify your Cuzco experience. We would be pleased to book an additional day(s) for you. Otherwise enjoy your 4 days / 3 nights Cuzco vacation and take in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city.

Have an extra day to visit the ruins on your own, relax at the local hot springs, and walk around the orchid gardens. The breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu certainly deserves an extra day!

The sheer natural beauty of this area will revitalize any jaded soul. Learn why it is called the Sacred Valley.

Heading east from Cusco you will discover the remarkable and extensive Inca ruins of Tipon, famous for its beautiful gardens set high within the Andes Mountains, where fresh, cool water runs through an intricate system of fountains. Your professional tour guide will lead you up and along the expansive terraces, supported by traditional Inca stonework, with a visible and fully-functional irrigation system of channels flowing underneath.

Following a path leading just above the final terrace on the hill you will come across a remarkable temple hidden by the mountain. Your entire visit to the ruins will be framed by the beautiful vistas overlooking the town of Tipon, and the stunning backdrop of the Andes dominating the entire valley.

Continuing your tour you’ll arrive in Piquillajta, ‘the City of Fleas,’ an impressive and ancient Wari ruin dating back to the first century. You’ll explore this administrative capital of the southern portion of the Wari Empire which dates back to pre-Inca times, made up of compounds of ancient two-storey storehouses, dormitories, and ceremonial sites. To this day the walls have retained their ancient plastering and lime coatings.

Your tour proceeds to the small village of Andahuaylillas, home to a dazzling 17th-century church, known as ‘the Andean Sistine Chapel’ because of its stunning frescoes and rich, distinct interior design. Built upon the site of an old Inca temple, the church’s altar is gilded in 24-carat gold leaf and adorned with both Christian and Quechua symbols. The detailed baroque style and elegant, valuable adornments are thought to have been an early attempt by the Spaniards to dazzle the Inca into converting to Christianity.

Leaving the village of Andahuaylillas you will make the return journey through this stunning landscape and back to your comfortable Cusco hotel. Please note that lunch is not included in this tour and ordering a box lunch from your hotel is advised.

Enjoy a horseback riding adventure across the Sacred Valley to Maras Moray Salt Mines. This is our most recommended additional service. Prices are per person for this private service (includes transfer to the Sacred Valley).

Located between Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu, the campsite is situated at 2800 meters a.s.l. and is close to the Vilcanota River. From here you can see the archeological site of Ollantaytambo, just a 30 minute walk from your campsite. The following day, you can walk to the train station, only 15 minutes away, and take the train to Machu Picchu.

Campsite is accessible by road, by rafting on the river Vilcanota or by trekking.

• Stationary tents
• Dining area
• Bathrooms
• Hot showers
• Potable water
• Campfire
• Pachamanca lunch
• Hammocks
• Soccer field, badminton court, volleyball court, petanque (a game similar to bowls)

Get on a boat and have a wet and wild rafting experience through the Sacred Valley. Our tour guides are fully trained and bilingual. Transfers and lunch included.

Take a horse-back ride through the valley from the Inca Bridge to the Quarries of Cachicata and return to camp. This trip lasts about 4 hours.

Includes: First aid kit, walkie-talkie, guide service and horses completely equipped.
Not included: Bottled water, food, tips.

Take a bike-ride through the valley where you will visit the Quarries of Cachicata as well as the villages on the banks of the river, such as Sillque, Chillca and others. We will return to our campsite during a pleasant 2 hour journey on the other side of the river, passing through the villages of Phiri Podra and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Includes: bicycles, helmets, gloves, first-aid kit and guide service

Not included: bottled water, food, tips.

Raft on the River Urubamba with category 2 and 3 currents, suitable for everyone. No experience necessary. Trip lasts approximately 2 hours.

Included: First-aid kit, bilingual guide service, canoeing kit, life- jackets, oars, waterproof pants, and transportation from and to campsite.

Not included: Bottled water, food, tips.

This site, constructed by the Incas, is the oldest known horticultural experimental center in the world. Each terraced level gives a different micro-climate in which different crops can be grown. The terraces built into the natural surrounding landscape are fascinating. Prices are per person for this private service:

This horseback riding tour will take you to the beautiful country side around the city of Cuzco. (minimum 2 people)

Watch professional Peruvian dancers and musicians perform to traditional Andean music during a delicious dinner.