You cannot say that you have explored Peru if you have not been to Cusco, capital of the Inca Empire. Every visitor who arrives in Cusco needs to visit all the city has to offer, such as (but not limited to): Sacsayhuaman, the fortified temple that overlooks the city; Kenko with its sacred monoliths; the red fortress Pucapucara; and Tambomachay’s fountains. Cusco is also the gateway to one of the most spectacular archaeological sites on the continent, the Citadel of Machupicchu.
- All transfers
- Entrance fees to all sites visited
- English / Spanish speaking guide. All our guides are officially licensed tourist guides trained in first aid
- All guided excursions described in the itinerary
- Accommodation on double occupancy with private bath in the selected hotel category
- All specified meals. Vegetarian option is available with no extra charge
- Pre-trek briefing before the Short Inca Trail trek
- Roundtrip train tickets on InkaRail/Expedition Train
- 3x Bus Tickets to / from Machupicchu
- Entrance permits into the Inca Trail and Machupicchu
- First-aid kit including emergency oxygen tank for all tours
- International Flights
- Airport taxes
- Meals other than those specified in the itinerary
- Tip for your staff
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Extra expenses originated in itinerary changes or others due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond Peru Wind Travels control
- Clothing: long trousers, convertible pants or shorts, long and short-sleeved T-shirts or shirts, cotton socks. Warm clothes for high altitude areas, especially at night, including sweaters / fleeces and a jacket.
- Rain gear or poncho (you can buy a basic one in Cusco), especially if visiting in the months November to April
- Comfortable footwear, trekking boots recommended
- Camera, films
- Hat or cap to protect you from the sun, cold and rain
- Sun block (high factor)
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent – minimum recommended 20% DEET – no malaria risk has been reported
- Personal toiletries and medications
- Original passport and passport photocopies
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrive Lima
You are met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel.
Day 02: Lima – Cusco
You are picked up from your hotel in Lima to make your early morning flight to Cusco. Upon arrival to Cusco our team will meet you and transfer you by private vehicle to your hotel in the center. In the afternoon you have a private City Tour visiting Tambomachay, Pukapukara, Qenko, Sacsayhuaman, Qoricancha (the Temple of the Sun), and the cathedral. Breakfast and lunch are included. We spend the night in Cusco.
Day 03: Sacred Valley Tour - Pisac - Ollantaytambo - Chinchero
This morning you will depart on a full-day private Sacred Valley tour. First we will visit the village of Awanacancha, then off to Pisac to see the handmade treasures in the market and drive up to its archaeological center that overlooks the town to see the ruins. After Pisac, we will eat lunch in Urubamba, and then visit the Archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. Finally we will visit Chinchero, to see the colonial church built directly upon the walls of the Incas. Chinchero is also well known for its gorgeous woven products and colorful market. Breakfast and lunch are included. We spend the night in Cusco.
Day 04: Ollantaytambo – Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu – Agus Calientes
Today we start by taking you to the train station to board the train that will take us to Km 104 on the Cusco – Machu Picchu railroad (starting point of the hike). The first stop on the hike is the Chachabamba Archaeological Complex (2,150m / 7,052ft), located very close to the trail control point. Then we embark upon an 8km (5 miles) ascending trail, which after 4 hours takes us to the impressive archaeological complex of Winaywayna (2,650m / 8,692ft). We eat a box lunch here.
We then continue to climb to Intipunku. This will take an hour of hiking along a trail of flat stones on the edges of cliffs in highland jungle. From this fabulous spot, we may gaze at the sacred citadel of Machupicchu. From Intipunku we descend to Machu Picchu and then by bus to Aguas Calientes where you will check into your hotel. Dinner will be at a great local restaurant. Breakfast and lunch are included. We spend the night in Aguas Calientes.
❇︎ Meals: Breakfast/Box Lunch/Dinner
❇︎ Maximum altitude: 2,745 m/9,005 ft.
❇︎ Minimum Altitude: 2,040 m/6,691 ft.
❇︎ Distance to walk: 13 km/8 miles
❇︎ Approximate walking time: 5-6 hours
❇︎ Level of Difficulty: moderate
Day 05: Machu Picchu – Cusco
It is an early start to Machupicchu to see the sunrise over this magnificent ancient city! We take the first bus up to Machupicchu and have a fully guided tour around 2 hours long. After the tour you have plenty of free-time to explore the citadel on your own and maybe even climb Huaynapicchu or Inca Bridge. Afterwards, you can come back down to the town on a bus for lunch. Your extra time in the citadel is dependent on your return train time. In the afternoon we take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our driver will be waiting to transfer you back to your hotel in Cusco. Breakfast and lunch are included. We spend the night in Cusco.
Day 06: Cusco - Lima
We depart from Cusco in a morning flight to Lima for your journey home or on to your next destination. Breakfast is included.
