Cusco and Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5D/4N

DAY 1 – CUSCO AIRPORT TRANSFER – CUSCO CITY TOUR

The 5 day tour to Machu Picchu will start with a personal reception at Cusco airport by your guide and driver, who will accompany you in your private transport to your hotel in Cusco.

Once at the hotel you can relax and enjoy an aromatic cup of coca-leaf tea and take lunch (not included) in one of the local restaurants, before beginning the afternoons’ tour of Cusco.

At 1:30 pm you will regroup with your tour guide and private transportation to commence the tour of the Inca capital. The 4-hour tour will take you on a journey through Cusco’s most prominent historical sites such as the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, which was the religious, geographical, and political center of Cusco during the period of the Incas. The astounding Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán, whose stonework is so impeccable that it is said ‘will endure as long as the world itself’. And finally Q’enqo, a sacred Incan pilgrimage site, that once served as an astronomical observatory and mummification house.

On the City Tour Cusco, your personal tour guide will also accompany you around the famous San Pedro market and Plaza de Armas before returning you back to your hotel for 6pm.

DAY 2 – CUSCO – TARAY VIEWPOINT – PISAQ – OLLANTAYTAMBO

The Sacred Valley and Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5-day tour starts at 7:30am with pick up from your hotel in Cusco.

After a 1-hour drive through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you’ll briefly stop at the viewpoint of Taray to capture breathtaking photos of the valley from one of its famous viewpoints.

A further 30 minute drive will bring us to the archaeological park of Pisaq, the home of the famous Intihuatana ‘sundail’, and the first Inca fortress of the tour. Fulfilling many functions including ceremonial, religious & astronomical, the 15th century Inca refuge of Pisac is rich in history and offers one of the most spectacular views of the Sacred Valley from above.

After guiding you through the incredibly well-preserved stonework of the archaeological site, your guide and your transport will accompany you back down the valley for a peruse through the towns iconic market, cobbled streets and authentic plazas.

The afternoons’ tour will begin surrounded by the natural beauty of Urubamba. The largest town in the sacred valley and our lunch destination for the day. With a multitude of restaurants to choose from, you can treat yourself to anything from local cuisine, to a buffet lunch (optional extra cost).

After lunch, your transport will take you alongside the Urubamba River, to the picturesque town of Ollantaytambo. Here your guide will accompany you through the bustling local markets and the famous Inca fortress that towers above the town. The strategic position and architectural sophistication of the site, offers visitors some of the most spectacular views of the sacred valley from above. The exquisite stonework and rich history of Ollantaytambo will take you and your guide on an impressive journey through Inca antiquity, before you complete the Sacred Valley tour at your hotel in Ollantaytambo.

After checking you into your hotel, your guide will leave you to explore the town of Ollantaytambo alone.

DAY 3 – OLLANTAYTAMBO – KM 104 – INCA TRAIL – WIÑAYWAYNA – MACHU PICCHU – AGUAS CALIENTES TOWN

Day 3 of the short Inca trail to Machu Picchu tour, will begin with pick up from your hotel in Ollantaytambo and transfer to the train station in the town. At 7:20am you will embark on a 1-hour train journey to the start of the hike at Kilometer 104 at 2,200m / 7217 ft.

After crossing the bridge over the Willkamayu River (Sacred River in Quechua), you will arrive at the first checkpoint of the Inca trail. Here you will show your Passport, Registration Card or National Identity Document, to pass into to the national park. The first archaeological site of the day, Chachabamba (valley of the trees in Quechua), is a 15 minute walk away, inside a pristine semi-tropical Andean forest, surrounded by fertile land and lush vegetation.

Once you have had chance to explore the ruins of Chachabamba, you will begin the 3-hour climb up the mountain trail to Wiñaywayna. The hike is tough but steady, and will treat you to spectacular views of agricultural stepped terraces, cloud forests and glistening waterfalls. Along the trail you will also get to know the local collection of flora and fauna that is unique to the region. Such as the Wiñay Wayna orchid, the Molle shrub and the Qeuña (Polylepis racemosa).

At around midday, you’ll arrive at the impressive archaeological site of Wiñayhuayna. The name means Forever Young in Quechua and is inspired by the beautiful orchids that surround the site. Located at 2,650 m / 8,694 ft , the complex is situated upon the steep slopes of the hillside, amongst 40 levels of agricultural stepped terraces, overlooking the Urubamba river. Built by the Emperor Pachacutec in the 15th century, the citadel is one of the most famous sites within the sanctuary of Machu Picchu, and was once an important venue for agriculture, religion and administration. Here your guide will take you on a journey through its history and provide you with an opportunity to rest and eat the lunch box we have prepared for you.

After lunch in Wiñayhuayna , you’ll begin the afternoons’ hike to the Inti Punku Sun Gate. The Andean path and stone steps will be a challenge to the best of us, but after enduring the climb for an hour or so, you will be greeted by the most breathtaking, panoramic view of Machu Picchu. At 2,720 m / 8,923 ft, the sun gate is strategically located to welcome noble visitors of the Inca citadel, acting as a control gate for its elite visitors. As well as offering one of the most stunning views of the sanctuary and its surrounding mountains, the sacred site is also famed for framing the sunrise during the winter solstice in June.

With a camera full of photos of that unforgettable view, you will follow the trail onward to Machu Picchu. Descending for 45 minutes, to the gates of the Lost city of the Incas at 2,490 m / 8,169 ft. Your first encounter with the citadel will be a relatively short one, but since our arrival will be late in the afternoon, there will be few tourists around to share it with.

As there will be plenty more time to befriend the Inca city on day 3, you and your guide will take the 30 minute tourist bus from Machu Picchu entrance to the town below, Aguas Calientes.

Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes) is situated at 2,160 m / 7,086 ft, 300m lower than Machu Picchu, and will be your resting place for the night in one of our recommended hotels. It is also home to a public ATM, a collection of thermal baths (hot springs) and a multitude of bars and restaurants. Once your guide has accompanied you to your hotel for check in, they will also direct you to the restaurant where you will be treated to an a la carte menu that evening, and possibly a celebratory drink.

*If you wish to relax in the thermal baths (hot springs), they are only a 10 minute walk from the town center and are open for visitors until 8:00 Pm*

DAY 4 – AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU TOUR – CUSCO

After taking breakfast in your hotel, your guide will meet you at reception and escort you the bus station where you will board the tourist bus to Machu Picchu. The scenic route from Aguas calientes takes you on a 30 minute bus ride up the mountainside to the entrance of the Inca citadel. Once inside, you will be taken on a 3-hour journey through the rich history of Machu Picchu as you make your way through the Inca city with your personal tour guide. Aswell as visiting the famous sites of the temple of the sun, the central plaza and the stepped terraces, you will have plenty opportunity to take the bucket list photos you came for atop the panoramic viewpoint of Machu Picchu. Before boarding the bus back down the mountain, your guide will also allow you time to explore the mysteries of the sanctuary alone.

Once you have regrouped with your guide and taken the bus back to Aguas Calientes, there will be time to take lunch in one of Machu Picchu towns’ many restaurants (optional extra), before boarding the train back to Ollantaytambo. There you will be greeted by your guide and private transportation who will take you on the 2-hour drive back to your hotel in Cusco. Arrival time in Cusco is approximately 6.30pm.

*There will also be time to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain or Machu Picchu Mountain in this tour after your guided tour of the Inca citadel. However please be aware, this will be an extra cost of $75 USD per person and will involve an extra 2-hours hiking. Return to Cusco will therefore be aboard a later train and arrival time in Cusco will be approx 8.30pm.*

DAY 5 – CUSCO – AIRPORT TRANSFER – RETURN FLIGHT TO LIMA

AM breakfast in your hotel in Cusco.

At the appropriate time you’ll be picked up by your guide and driver, and transferred to Cusco airport in plenty time to board your return flight to Lima.