The city of Cusco or Cuzco (Qosq’o in Quechua) is the “Historical capital of Perú”, and the undisputed “Archeological capital of the Americas”. It is located in the south highlands of the country. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire and it was declared as a Humanity heritage site in 1983 by UNESCO.
Cusco is Peru’s principal commercial and tourist destination, and where the mixture of Indian and Spanish culture can be seen in every corner of the city. Because most existing buildings are erected on Inca ruins, the Capital of the Incas is an open air museum. Plus important colonial riches can be found in Churches and mansions of the conquistadors. The culture and tradition wrap the traveler in an unforgettable experience.
Machu Picchu, the most distinguished of Cusco’s tourist attraction is the most extraordinary examples of urban architecture around the planet.
For nature and adventure sports lovers the Sacred Valley of the Incas is a essential destination which is famous for its high-adrenalin activities (trekking, rafting and others). Situated 600m lower than Cusco, the valley has a pleasant and sheltered climate and magnificent views. Its very important attraction are the Inca citadels of Pisac and Ollantaytambo
PROGRAMS
CUSCO PROGRAM 01: LIMA - CUSCO - LIMA
4 Days/3 Nights
DAY 01: Lima/Cusco (CUSCO CITY TOUR) Reception and transfer to your hotel. Free morning to acclimatize. After lunch, we will start a city tour of the best places in Cusco.
DAY 02: Cusco (THE INCAS SACRED VALLEY - Tues - Thurs - Sun) Tour to the Incas Sacred Valley. You visit the Pisac archeological complex and its typical handmade market, Ollantaytambo fortress and Chinchero archeological complex. Then you go back to Cusco.
DAY 03: Cusco/Machu Picchu Transfer to train station. Trip to Machu picchu. Guided tour to Machupicchu sanctuary, visit the main square, the three windows temple, the Solar tower and Intihuatana. In the afternoon go back by train to Cusco.
DAY 04: Cusco/Lima Breakfast in the hotel, transfer to the airport or bus station.
* Each tour can be taken individually. For further information please contact us to info@perunlimited.com
APTIONAL: CUSCO PROGRAM 02: MARAS - MORAY (Full Day)
The Archaeological Complex of Moray is slightly off the beaten track, but is both impressive and distinctive in its design and style. It was the Inca’s agricultural laboratory; the most important parts of the site are the deep pits of concentric circular terraces, known as muyus. Each terrace is said to have its own individual microclimate, depending upon its height and distance from the centre, which apparently reproduced all of the agricultural conditions used by Tahuantinsuyo society, enabling the farmers to cultivate a variety of different crops.
Maras. The “Salineras of Maras” are known by some people as salt mines, where there are 3000 little shafts with an area about 5 square meters, these were built near to Qaqawiñay mountain, and during the dry season, these shafts are full with of salt water which comes from natural spring located above the shafts and when the water evaporates, it is possible to get salt like ice. This process continues approximately for a month until it gets to a level of salt about 10 centimeters in height, and then it is processed and taken to the different markets in the region. Thousand of salt pans have been used for salt extraction since Inca times.
ADVENTURE:
CUSCO PROGRAM 03: THE INKA TRAIL
4 Days/3 Nights
DAY 01: Cusco/Chilca/Wayllabamba (L/D)
Our guide will pick you up from your hotel in Cusco very early in the morning, to take the bus to the city of Chilca to begin your trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. After approximately three hours of walking you will stop for lunch. Then you will continue walking towards your first camp at Wayllabamba, on the way you will have a guided tour of the archaeological complex of Llactapata. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.
DAY 02: Wayllabamba/Warmiwañusca/Pacaymayo (B/L/D)
After breakfast, the hardest part of the trail begins, walking towards the highest point in the Inca Trail, on the route you will have an unbelievable panoramic view of the whole area and will observe different types of microclimates. After a 3 hours walk you will reach the first pass, named Warmiwañusca (Dead Woman's), at approximately 4200 m.a.s.l.. Here you will have tremendous feeling of achievement, mixed with relief once you reach the top. After lunch you will continue walking down to Pacaymayo where you will camp and have dinner.
DAY 03: Pacaymayo/Puya Patamarka/Wiñay Huayna (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we start the descent towards the second most important pass of the trail at 3850 m.a.s.l. You enjoy a guided visit to the archaeological complex of Runkurakay and the Inca citadel of Sayacmarca. Afterwards you will continue your trekking towards Puya Patamarka (cloud-level town), another important archaeological monument, where we will stop for lunch. After a short break you will continue walking to Wiñay Huayna (Forever Young) for a guided visit of this impressive archaeological complex with spectacular scenery. Dinner and overnight stay at the camp.
DAY 04: Wiñay Huayna/Machu Picchu/Cusco (B)
After breakfast, we continue our trekking and after a one hour walk through the forest towards the Inti Punku or the Gate of the Sun, also known as the Entrance Gate to Machu Picchu, where you will have the most impressive panoramic view of the citadel. Upon arrival at Machu Picchu, there is a three-hour guided tour around the citadel, visiting the main sites and monuments. After the tour you will have free time to wander around, and then you will meet with the rest of the group to go by bus down to Aguas Calientes. In the afternoon, transfer by train to Cusco. Upon arrival in Cusco transfer to your hotel. End of services.
The program includes:
- Transportation to head of trail (82 Km.)
- Entrance ticket to Inka Trail and Machu Picchu
- Bus ticket down to Aguas Calientes
- Train ticket back to Cusco
- Transfer train station / Hotel
- Cook and cooking equipment
- Porters service (to carry the tents and cooking equipment only)
- Guided visit to Machu Picchu and the ruins along the trail.
- English/Spanish speaking professional guide during all the Inca Trail
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner.)
- Personal camping equipment such as tents, sleeping bag and pad.
- Vegetarian food available on request with no extra charge.
