Cusco Luxury Tour

You will be picked up at the airport by one of our representatives in a private car and taken to your hotel. Following some time to freshen up, your guide will meet you in the lobby for a briefing. From here you will enjoy a half day tour of Cusco City, which incorporates a trip to Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Temple & Koricancha. This is a Dominican Church and convent built on the foundations of the Koricancha; the Incas chief religious structure devoted to the worship of the sun. Your tour also comprises of a visit to the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman (Kenko) on the outscurts of the City. You will be taken to one of Cusco’s many notable restaurants for some local food for lunch. Following lunch you will walk around the cities quaint and charming neighborhoods, such as San Blas and San Cristobal, with explanations on local artists and architecture. Free time to relax with dinner on your own. Please note we have different hotel options for your stay in Cusco, which can be discussed with your advisor. Some include pool and spa facilities. Breakfast included.

Around 8:30am you will be picked up from your hotel and driven through one of the most picturesque landscapes in the world to the spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our first stop is the famous town of Pisac, known for its grand and vibrant markets where the locals have traded their merchandise for centuries. The markets are famous for their ceramics and textiles. From here you will take a short drive to the Pisac Archeological Site, situated high in the mountains. A guided tour will be given around this magnificent ancient citadel, which has a truly wonderful history. A fabulous lunch will be enjoyed at the base of the Andean mountains in the delightful and colonial Hacienda Huayoccari, surrounded by magnificent scenery. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to take part in a ceremony, where offerings will be made to the Mother Earth and surrounding mountains. Making offering is still a widely practiced custom. This service will be led by a shaman and comprises laying out of grains, fruits, coca leaves, dried potatoes and flowers as offerings. These items will be burned and as the smoke rises to the sky- they will return from where they cam. The ashes are finally buried to complete the ritual. Our final stop is the town of Ollantaytambo, the site of one of the great Inca citadels. Ollantaytambo is one of the oldest, but unremittingly occupied settlements South America. This great fortress has sixteen terraces speaking loudly towards the magnificent Inca masonries of the past. You will hike the stone steps to the peak of the fortification (around 260 steps). From here you will have a stunning view right down the valley. You will then be dropped off at your hotel for spa/relaxation and dinner. Overnight at Sol & Luna Hotel in 1 Premium Room (1 Double) including breakfast.

You will be transported from your hotel around 10am for a half day tour. Travelling through the snowy mountains of Maras and Moray towards the Salt Mines (Salirenas) you will witness some of the most beautiful landscape of the ancient Inca Empire. The Salt Mines consist of around 3000 small salt ponds, owned by local families. These ponds have been in production since the Inca rule and continue to harvest salt to this day. The guided tour will explain everything about this fascinating process. Next stop is the site of Moray, this extremely unusual spot is known as the ancient farming greenhouse of Peru. The circular terraces are thought to have been used as part of climate experiments. In the early afternoon we will arrive to the town of Chincheros. This small town is famous for its textiles and weaving. Here you can watch a detailed and interesting demonstration as the local woman weave beautiful blankets, scarfs and other knits from alpaca wool and natural dyes. You have the opportunity to purchase many unique items. Your money goes towards local charities and sustaining the weaving in the area. We will return to your hotel for relaxation/spa and snacks. If you desire to explore the local area of Urubamba, information can be provided on this. Dinner will be on your own. Overnight at Sol & Luna Hotel in 1 Premium Room (1 Double) including breakfast.

Around 9am you will take a transfer to Ollantaytambo train station for your journey to Aguas Calientes. There are two options for train to travel on. The first is the luxurious Hiram Bingham Train. Influenced by the famous Orient Express, the elegant carriages are decorated in a 1920’s style with a plush and warm interior. Brunch will be served in one of the two dining cars with time to relax with live music in the observation and bar carriages. This train leaves at 9:40am with arrival at 12:45pm. The second option is the Vista Dome train, with a glass rood and comfortable and casual interior. You will be provided with hot drinks and snacks aboard this train. It is the perfect setting to watch the spectacular scenery fly by. This train leaves at 10am with arrival at 1pm. Upon arrival to Aguas Calientes, you will take the bus to the top of the National Park. There you will be greeted by one of the world’s most famous wonders of the world- Machu Picchu. You will have a 2/3 hour guided tour with the chance to marvel at the remarkable surroundings. Machu Picchu stands around 2,430m above sea level, in the middle of a tropical forest. It is the most remarkable urban creation of the Inca Empire; with its giant walls and terraces that seem to have been cut naturally in the continuous rock cliffs. You will wonder through the remains of the main plaza, the Intihuatana sundial, the Temple of the Sun, The Temple of the Three Windows and many more wondrous sites. It will be difficult not to awe at the incredible ingenuity of the engineering under the Inca Rule. You will leave the site late afternoon. Free time and dinner with overnight in Aguas Calientes. Please note depending on your accommodation choice we have different hotels and lodges in Aguas Calientes, which can be discussed with your advisor. Some with spa facilities. Breakfast included.

At 10:55am you will board the Vista Dome train back to Poroy/ Ollantaytambo with transfer to Cusco. Again, hot drinks and snacks are provided during this journey. The day is yours in Cusco. Additional tours/ tips on additional places to visit in Cusco can be provided depending on travel plans. Please note we have different hotel options for your stay in Cusco, which can be discussed with your advisor. Some include pool and spa facilities. Breakfast Included.