Peru
Machu Picchu & Cusco Highlights Tour
Cusco is the heart of Peru in many people’s eyes as it’s the most visited city by far. The city is filled with culture and history as it was the capital of the Inca Empire. It has a lot to offer visitors who are interested in touring local areas, experiencing a hike on the Inca trail, and embracing the local culture with rich experiences. Don’t get us started on the food! That’s why Alpaca Expeditions created this package to allow you to embrace the best that Cusco has to offer and take in all the big sights in a single week.
Itinerary
Our friendly representatives will welcome you at the Cusco Peru airport and transfer you to your accommodation in Cusco.
Keep in mind that landing at 3,300m above sea level can have its toll on the body. Do not feel concerned if, upon arrival, you experience some shortness of breath or a small headache. This will disappear in time.
For this reason, we highly recommended that you take it easy upon arrival. Let your body ease into the altitude by staying hydrated and walking around the impressive Cusco Peru Plaza de Armas.
At 8:00 AM, we pick you up to begin your full-day tour of the Sacred Valley.
Our first stop is the Awanacancha Alpaca farm. Here, you will see the traditional animals of the Incas: llamas, alpacas, viñuna, and guanaco. Your guide will give you background information, show you a potato display and a textile centre, showing how the wools are woven and coloured.
Next we drive to the Pisaq ruins and begin your history of the Incan empire.
After that, we make the one-hour trip to Urubamba, where you can get lunch at a local restaurant.
Once lunch is finished, we drive an hour to Ollantaytambo fortress, where you will explore the famous Ollantaytambo Inca site.
Tonight you stay at a hotel in that nice village.
We pick you up from your hotel and walk towards the Ollantaytambo train station. Here we take a beautiful 1 hour and 45 minutes train ride towards the trailhead at Km 104.
Once done with the checkpoint, we continue towards the first archaeological site, Chachabamba.
From this site, you will hike for about 6 hours towards Wiñay Wayna or Forever Young. This is the main attraction on the route today.
Enjoy lunch at the campsite before moving on to the Sungate. You will visit Machu Picchu on your way out and then take a bus down to Aguas Calientes town to enjoy dinner and a night at a 3-star hotel.
Today is the big day.
We pick you up from your hotel and go to the bus station. A 25-minute bus ride gets us to the gates of Machu Picchu.
You’ll see the stunning sunrise over the ruins.
Then, your guide will take you for an informative two-hour tour. Enjoy lectures and explanations about the temples and every space along the World Wonder.
Afterwards, you have time to explore on your own and hike Huayna Picchu if you choose to (this is a separate entrance ticket and costs $75 per person).
In the afternoon, the group catches a two-hour train back to Ollantaytambo. Then, travel by bus back to Cusco, where we transfer you to your hotel.
Your guide picks you up from the hotel at 4:30 AM. A three and a half hour drive gets you to the start of the trail.
Here, enjoy a freshly cooked breakfast before heading off on the hike.
Hiking slowly through the Rainbow Mountain Range, you will start to reach higher altitudes, passing llamas, alpacas and local villages along the way.
Upon arrival at Rainbow Mountain, you'll spend some time exploring the spectacular views and gain some understanding as to why the mountain is so colourful.
You then head back down a different route through the Red Valley.
Your chefs will be waiting for you at the bottom with a nice lunch before you make the journey back to Cusco.
You will have one last chance for souvenir shopping in Cusco. There will be optional time to visit the Weaving Center Museum on El Sol Avenue.
Finally, we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Lima.
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FAQs
Included:
- Guides, Chef and porters
- Food & purified water on the tour
- Permits
- Accommodation in a hotel
- all transportation
- Hotels in Cusco according the itinerary
Excluded:
- International flights
- some meals not included
- Personal travel/rescue insurance
- Tips
The average group size is 8 people, with a maximum of 12.
While the itineraries are designed to allow for adequate acclimatisation you are likely to feel the effects of altitude sickness and oxygen deprivation whilst on this trek. Please be aware that your guide may deem it unsafe for you to continue trekking at any time and arrange for you to descend to a lower altitude.
When you go above altitudes of 2,500m, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. We advise that you move slowly, don’t rush and ensure you protect yourself from the weather. Ensure you stay hydrated and eat plenty to keep your energy levels up.
this package is not much trekking, only short Inca trail which is arounbd 12km/7Mil and Rainbow Mountain which is about 6km/3,8Mil. then is mostly transportation and easier.
the package includes a nice hotels of 3 start, it based in double or twin room.
The winter season and driest time of year in Peru are May - Sept. The summer season is Nov - Mar, which is the warmest, but wettest time. During the summer season, it does not rain every day, but can often have a downpour in the afternoons. Apr and Oct can sometimes see some small rain showers. we suggest bring good rain gear for any time of the year just in case.
You will arrive at the gates just before sunrise, then enjoy a guided tour which lasts around 2 hours. After this, you will have some free time inside the grounds before heading back to your accommodation in Cusco.
It is customary in Peru to tip guides and porters. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. A good rule of thumb is between $50 - $80 at the end of your trip. You can give this to the lead guide.
The currency used in Peru is Nuevo Sol (PEN) You will need to ensure that you withdraw enough PEN for your trip to the airport or in Cusco.
some food will be at restauratn and some will be prepare by our trekking chefs. Most dietary requirements are catered for e.g. vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, food allergies etc.
Documents
• Passport
• Travel insurance details
• Boarding passes for flights
• Driver’s license (if needed)
• Cash
• Credit/Debit Card
Footwear
• Trekking boots: 3 or 4 season lightweight
• City footwear: Sandals
• Shoes for the plane (Optional)
Clothing
Please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking.
• 2 base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts)
• Fleece/soft-shell jacket
• Waterproof jacket
• Down jacket for warmth (Optional)
• Travel clothes and City Wear
• Underwear
• Base-layer trousers (optional)
• Waterproof trousers
• Trekking trousers
• Trekking shorts (Optional)
• 2 thick wool hiking socks
• Lightweight and breathable hiking socks
• Gloves and wool hat
• Swimwear
Other
• A daysack: 35 litres
• Dry Liner or Dry Bag
• Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best.
• Sunglasses
• Suncream
• Personal medication – Inhaler, Blister pads etc
• General Toiletries, Contact lenses, Glasses (if needed)
• Electronics - travel adaptor, phone & charger
• Headtorch (Essential)
• Lipsil
• Book
• MP3/Music and headphones
• Travel wash
• Hand sanitizer, wet wipes
It is worth checking on your government's website. British citizens can check here.
Your head guide is Bonnie
All trips on Skyhook are run by small, hand-picked local guiding companies. For this trip your guides run Alpaca Expeditions, based in Cusco.
By booking through Skyhook you'll be joining a small-group trip. This can make it nice and sociable (you'll be added to a group chat after booking), and guarantees great value for money!
