Heart of the Inca

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Heart of the Inca

Peru tour package to Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu
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Cusco, considered the most impressive pre-conquest city in the Americas, will dazzle you with its mix of Spanish colonial and Inca architecture. Before being conquered by the Spaniards, this city was the heart of the Inca Empire, which stretched across present-day Peru and into Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, and southern Colombia. Today, the city is like an outdoor museum with hundreds of years of history on display.

During your exploration of the “Heart of the Inca,” you will take a Cusco tour and then travel through the Sacred Valley, where you will have the opportunity to climb the ruins of the military outpost of Ollantaytambo and wander the famous Pisac market.

You will also journey by train through the cloud forests toward the famous Machu Picchu citadel. Hidden in the mountains, this mysterious site was never found by the Spaniards. Thanks to its remote location, Machu Picchu escaped destruction and today is a well-preserved reflection of Inca architecture. Machu Picchu, Cusco, and the Sacred Valley are magical destinations, and their hidden secrets and ancient mysteries await you.

Day 1 : Arrival to Cusco & Cusco Tour
Day 2 : Sacred Valley Tour
Day 3 : Machu Picchu Tour
Day 4 : Departure from Cusco

Day 1 : Arrival to Cusco & Cusco Tour

You will be greeted at the airport in Cusco by one of our representatives. During the drive from the airport to your Cusco hotel, you will pass many examples of Spanish colonial architecture built upon the remains of ancient Inca palaces and temples. After arriving at your hotel, we advise you rest for a while to help yourself acclimatize to the altitude.
Your exploration of this remarkable city starts in the early afternoon with an expert-guided Cusco tour. You will visit many of the amazing archeological sites and wonders in and around the city, including the Cusco Cathedral, Qoricancha, the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Q'enko, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay.
In the late afternoon, you'll return to your Cusco hotel. Spend the evening at your leisure enjoying the local cuisine and hospitality of the Cusco locals. Check out our Cusco Travel Guide for suggestions of great Cusco restaurants.

Day 2 : Sacred Valley Tour

Explore the beautiful Peruvian countryside with a full-day tour of the magical Sacred Valley. First, you will visit the town of Pisac, famous for its bustling market. Here you will have the opportunity to browse the beautiful handicrafts and Andean garments displayed for sale.
Next, you will visit the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo. These magnificent ancient ruins serve as great vantage points to look out over the valley. Originally the royal estate of Emperor Pachacuti during the Inca Empire, this site later served as a stronghold for Manco Inca Yupanqui in the Inca´s final rebellion against the Spanish.
On the way back to Cusco, you will stop in the town of Chinchero. In Inca times, Chinchero was the royal estate of Tupac Inca Yupanqui, the Spanish later built a church here, and today the town is recognized for its Sunday market as well as the production of fine textiles.
In the evening, you will return to your comfortable Cusco hotel. You will once again be given the opportunity to spend the evening at your leisure and enjoy some of Cusco’s many fine restaurants and bars.

Day 3 : Machu Picchu Tour

After breakfast at your Cusco hotel, you will take a train to the hidden temple of the Incas: Machu Picchu. The train ride is an attraction in itself, as much of the path winds along the river and mountain face, offering passengers dramatic views of the Andes. The foliage dramatically changes as the train approaches the meeting point of the Andes and the Amazon rainforest, providing visitors with a real sense of Peru’s diverse geography.
Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu, you will head to the bus station for a 20-minute ride up to the secluded citadel.
Meet your expert English-speaking guide for a 2-hour tour of the most important sites in Machu Picchu, including the Intihuatana (Sun Stone), the Sun Temple, and the Room of 3 Windows. You will be able to appreciate the intricate stonework of this amazing site. The giant stones were hauled by hand to the top of the mountain centuries ago, and yet their foundations still remain.
After your tour, you have the option to explore more of the site on your own and capture some final photos.
In the afternoon, you will take a comfortable train back to Cusco where you'll be taken to your hotel to spend the night. If desired, you can customize this package to spend an extra night in Aguas Calientes, the town at the foot of Machu Picchu.
Check out our Machu Picchu Travel Guide for more information on what to see and do during your Peru vacation.

Day 4 : Departure from Cusco

After breakfast at your hotel, one of our representatives will meet you at your hotel and take you to the airport for your journey home or on to your next destination.
Alternatively, choose one of our other exciting Cusco tours or Sacred Valley activities, or browse our full range of Peru travel destinations to extend your Peru vacation.

Included

3 nights in Cusco in Peru Hotels based on US standards
All tours stated in the itinerary with English-speaking guides
All transfers and entrance fees
All breakfasts
Train Cusco - Machu Picchu - Cusco (Vistadome Train for 5-star and 4-star packages / Expedition Train for 3-star packages)

What to Bring
Tips
Asked questions
Terms and Conditions
Reservations

What to Bring

Personal documents (passport).
Walking stick.
Walking shoes.
Sleeping bag.
Flashlight.
Insect repellent.
Sunscreen.
Toilet paper.
Bottle and tablets to purify water.
Waterproof clothing.
long pants.
Short pants.
Rain clothing.
Slippers or sandals to relax the feet in the camp.
A cap or hat.
Personal medications

Tips

The most probable thing is that you suffer the altitude sickness when you arrive to the city of the Cusco, we suggest to be in the city of the Cusco at least two days before the tour, not to drink alcohol, to smoke nor to take sedatives.
Drink a lot of water and coca tea before and during the tour, drink at least two liters of water a day.
In the height it is breathed rapidly and slightly deeply.
If you have some medical condition as allergies or special needs for food, please describe it clearly in advance before starting the tour.

Asked questions

How do i know more details about the tour?
A night before the tour, our guide will go to the hotel to give you all the necessary details of our trek, he will confirm when pick up from hotel and some other recommendations.
Where will I be able to leave my baggage while my walk lasts?
You only must carry what you are going to use during your walk, you can leave the rest of luggage in the warehouse of the hotel where is staying.
Can I rent trek equipment in Cusco?
Of course, you can rent trek the equipment (sleeping bags, sticks of hiking, and other implements) that we have, during your session information.
How many people are going in each group of walk?
For a group of walk aperture, we need at least six people. In our web page we have a table where we have listed the dates of future exits to this walk, there you can register and be part of the any group.
Will I have to share the tent sleeping with someone more in the camps?
If the tents that we carry for the camps are for two people, you will have to share this tent with someone of the same sex. If you prefer you can pay an extra for a single tent just for you.
Is it possible to have an extra (additional) porter for the walk?
If you want to enjoy this trip and does not have a lot of experience, you can pay for one extra(additional) porter, who take your walk equipment and other personal implements.
Is it necessary to bring extra money for the walk?
Yes, if you want to buy more water bottles, buy some souvenirs, or leave tip for porters, cooks, etc.
We recommend to carry an average of 200 soles for any extra expense that may arise.
Are the walking sticks very important?
yes, the sticks are very useful at the time of ascending and down the mountain, walking sticks help, especially passengers who have problems with the knees.
How much water I have to wear during the walk?
We suggest you to bring 2 liters of water during each day of the walk. Every night in every camp we will provide you the amount of water you need to perform the walk the next day. During the journey we will pass through some streams and waterfalls that are descended from the snowy peaks, and you can take water of it but before you have to purify them.
Is it safe to travel in the rainy season?
During the rainy season the path becomes somewhat difficult, requires a good team of rains as boots to test water and others, but no doubt the landscape that shows this route is very colorful. The rainy season is during the months of December and part of April.
Is it possible to change the date of reservation chosen at the beginning?
of course, you can make the change of date on your tour with a minimum time in advance of 30 days.
Can I pay the whole trip in advance?
Usually we receive a deposit of 50% of the tour cost, and the other 50% is performed in the city of Cusco before your departure to the tour, but you can pay the whole trip if you want to.

Terms and Conditions

The trek to Choquequirao for 4 days and 3 nights will be carried out with a minimum of 6 people.
If you suffer any medical problems or allergies you have to communicate to Lonely Travel
You have to be with a good physical condition to perform the walk, and if you have any doubts in this regard will have to consult with a doctor. If you have more than 60 years of age, you will have to submit a medical certificate that guarantees its physical state.
If you want to leave the group, the camp and make tourism on its own account, it is important to report this to the guide. If you have problems please advise the guide to resolve it immediately.
You have to pay the total of the remaining tour two days before it starts.
you are responsible for carry your backpack staff and sleeping bag during the walk, unless you had paid for an extra porters.
The walk to Choquequirao is long, but satisfactory.
If there are not a minimum of 6 people, the tour could be canceled.
About the cancellation of the tour:
- Cancel the tour two months before, lose $100
- Cancel the tour one month before, lose 40% of the total cost of the tour
- Cancel the tour one week before, lose 60% of the total cost of the tour
- Cancel the tour 48 h. before, lose 75% of the total cost of the tour
- Cancel the tour one day before, lose 85% of the total cost of the tour.
Lonely Travel will take all reasonable precautions in the provision of service to our customers to avoid an accident, illness, loss of personal property, etc. We accept responsibility for the actions of our own employees. Lonely Travel, however, is not responsible for the additional costs that may result due to events unexpected and unavoidable as unfavorable weather conditions, natural disasters, strikes, accidents, illness, injury, loss of personal belongings, etc. It is the responsibility of customer to have an insurance to cover such events. We reserve the right to modify or cancel the program due to any of the before mentioned conditions.
In the booking of any of our adventure tours (Camino Inca, Salkantay, Ausangate, Choquequirao, Inca Jungle, Lares, etc.) You know the risks that this implies by which you fully assume the risks that are required to carry out such travel, Lonely Travel does not accept any responsibility with regard to events that can be passed during the journey by the negligence of the tourist or events that are outside our control
I have read and accept the trip conditions.

Reservations

Review and choose one of the confirmed dates of exits on this trek.
(If you do not agree with dates we have, contact us for starting another date for you.)
Make your tour reservation providing asking information.
Fill correctly all the boxes of our pattern of reservations.
Your reservation will be confirmed after you make the deposit of 50% of the total cost of the tour.

Heart of the Inca

Day 1 : Arrival to Cusco & Cusco Tour

Day 2 : Sacred Valley Tour

Day 3 : Machu Picchu Tour

Day 4 : Departure from Cusco

Included

Peru Specials

Peru Tours

Trekkings Machu Picchu

Adventure Treks

Amazon Puerto Maldonado

Amazon Manu

Amazon Iquitos

Amazon Cruises

Video Travel

Public Media