Machu Picchu & Cusco Traditional 5-Day Tour including Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo
by Viagens Machu Picchu
Overview
This 5-day traditional tour starts with a pickup at Cusco airport and transfer to the hotel. Upon arrival, guests receive a city map and have the opportunity to try Coca tea to help with altitude adjustment. The first day includes visits to the historic center of Cusco, starting with the Temple of the Sun, an important Inca worship site with visible Inca foundations beneath the current structure. Next is the Cathedral of Cusco, a colonial baroque building constructed over an ancient Inca palace. On the second day, the tour visits several Inca archaeological sites around Cusco. It begins at Sacsayhuaman fortress, known for its large stones weighing up to 120 tons. Then it continues to Qenqo, a site believed to have been used for rituals and sacrifices. The next stop is Puca Pucara, a fortress-like site thought to have served military and administrative purposes. The day ends at Tambomachay, which features Inca hydraulic engineering with irrigation channels and working fountains. After that, guests visit Awana Kancha, an animal sanctuary with alpacas, llamas, vicuñas, and an exhibition of Peruvian textiles. The third day moves to the Sacred Valley, starting with the Pisac archaeological site located at 3,300 meters altitude, offering views of the valley. After exploring Pisac, the tour visits the Pisac Artisan Market, known for local crafts. Lunch is served at Tunupa Restaurant by the Urubamba River. In the afternoon, the town and archaeological site of Ollantaytambo are explored, noted for its Inca urban planning, cobbled streets, drainage system, and its successful resistance to Spanish conquest. After visiting Ollantaytambo, guests board the train to Aguas Calientes, a town in the Peruvian jungle with hotels, restaurants, shops, and bars. On the fourth day, a bus takes guests from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu. A guided visit provides detailed information about the site and Inca culture. After the visit, the group returns by bus to Aguas Calientes and then by train to Poroy Station near Cusco, followed by a transfer back to the hotel. On the final day, guests are transferred to the airport two hours before departure. The tour includes round-trip train tickets to Aguas Calientes, round-trip bus tickets between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu, entrance fees to all archaeological sites visited, three hotel nights in Cusco, one hotel night in Aguas Calientes, breakfast and lunch on tour days, private airport transfers, and 24-hour assistance in Spanish and English.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Arrival and hotel check-in in Cusco
Upon arrival at Cusco airport, guests are met by the team and transferred to the hotel. They receive Coca tea to help with altitude sickness. The team provides a city map outlining sights, restaurants, exchange offices, and shops.
Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha)
Located in Cusco’s historic center, the Temple of the Sun was the main worship site of the Inca culture. Visitors explore the Inca foundation and the Catholic church built atop it during the colonial period.
30 min
Cathedral of Cusco
This cathedral exemplifies colonial baroque architecture and stands on the remains of an important Inca palace. It features elements typical of Spanish colonial construction.
30 min
Sacsayhuaman Fortress
The fortress is a large megalithic structure near Cusco, built with stones up to 5 meters long and weighing over 120 tons. It has survived many earthquakes over centuries.
45 min
Qenqo Archaeological Site
Located close to Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo served as a ceremonial site where rituals and sacrifices were likely performed according to historians.
20 min
Puca Pucara
This fortress-like archaeological site on the mountainside is thought to have been a military and administrative center.
20 min
Tambomachay
An example of Inca hydraulic engineering, Tambomachay has irrigation channels and three water fountains that still run today.
30 min
Awana Kancha
This animal shelter exhibits Peruvian camelids including alpacas, llamas, and vicuñas, along with displays of traditional textiles.
20 min
Pisac Archaeological Site
Situated at 3,300 meters above sea level, Pisac offers views of the surrounding Sacred Valley and contains important Inca ruins.
60 min
Pisac Artisan Market
One of the largest markets in the region, featuring local artisans selling handmade crafts and cultural items.
40 min
Lunch at Tunupa Restaurant
Guests enjoy a buffet lunch at Tunupa Restaurant, located beside the Urubamba River, providing a relaxing setting after morning tours.
60 min
Ollantaytambo Town and Archaeological Site
Ollantaytambo showcases Inca urban planning with cobbled streets and an open drainage system. The archaeological site is notable for resisting Spanish conquest for nearly 50 years.
60 min
Train to Aguas Calientes
After exploring Ollantaytambo, guests take the train to Aguas Calientes, a mountain town in the Peruvian jungle with hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops.
Bus and guided tour to Machu Picchu
The group boards a morning bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu, a 30-minute ride. A professional guide provides detailed information about the site’s history and Inca culture. After the visit, the group returns to Aguas Calientes and then travels back to Cusco.
120 min
Train from Aguas Calientes to Poroy
The return train takes guests to Poroy Station, located about 30 minutes from Cusco, where the team meets them for transfer to the hotel.
15 min
Transfer to Cusco airport
On the final day, guests are picked up from the hotel and transferred to Cusco airport two hours before their flight departure.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Additional info
More things to do in Cusco
- Sacred Valley Textile Workshop with Dyeing and Weaving in Cusco
- 2-Day Hiking Trek to Rainbow Mountain from Cusco with Exclusive Mountain Camps
- Cusco Cooking Workshop with Andean Ingredients and Pisco Sampling
- Salkantay Trek Challenge Hiking Tour to Machu Picchu - 3 Days / 2 Nights
- Rainbow Mountain Full-Day Small-Group Tour from Cusco
- Machu Picchu Full-Day Train Tour from Cusco with Small Group