The Charm of Cusco

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4 Days From

~~$670~~

$638

The Charm of Cusco

4 Days Starting and ending in Cusco, Peru

Visiting: Cusco, Machu Picchu

Tour operator:

Lima Tours

Tour code:

308712

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

EASY

Age range:

10-99

Tour operated in:

English , Spanish

From: $670 $638 (USD) Travel Club discount: -$32

NB: Prices correct on 18-Jan-2025 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Discover the enchanting blend of ancient Inca heritage and Spanish colonial charm with "The Charm of Cusco" tour. This immersive journey takes you through the heart of Peru, starting with the historic city of Cusco, where you'll explore the impressive Coricancha temple and the majestic Sacsayhuamán fortress. Wander through the city's vibrant streets and visit the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, the legendary Lost City of the Incas, perched high in the Andes. Enjoy guided tours of significant archaeological sites like Qenqo, Puka Pukara, and Tambomachay, and marvel at the convergence of Inca and Spanish architecture. With comfortable accommodations and expert bilingual guides, this tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and historical discovery.

Highlights

Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian past with Spanish architecture
Its temples, squares and streets are surrounded by hills that hide amazing places like Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, PukaPukara and Tambomachay
Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas, hidden on top of an Andean peak
Coricancha: Impressive sample of convergence between the Inca and the Spanish worlds
Sacsayhuaman: An immense Inca fortress erected in the fifteenth century on top of a hill above Cusco
Visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square
Explore the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo
Admire Puka Pukara, an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival In Cusco

Location: Cusco

Accommodation Name: Tierra Viva Cusco or similar

Arrive at Cusco Airport and enjoy a comfortable transfer to your selected hotel. A guide will accompany you, offering useful information about the city attractions and assisting you along the way. Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30 am. Noon arrivals are too late. Take the opportunity to rest and recover after the flight or head out into the city for your first glimpse of life in Peru. Alternatively, you can book our optional Half-Day South Valley Tour: Tipón, Pikillaqta, and Andahuaylillas:

Half-Day South Valley Tour: Tipón, Pikillaqta and Andahuaylillas (private basis):

Unique tour that includes visits to the most important attractions between Cusco and Puno. Being the first to explore breath-taking archeological sites Tipón and its impressive rural colonial mansion where the Incas constructed an impressive irrigation system in harmony with nature that is still perceived by the surrounding population. In Pikillacta, the best-preserved pre-Inca cities we´ll follow the remains of the Wari culture, ancestor of the Incas, and in the beautiful Church of Andahuaylillas, also called "The Sistine Chapel of America” we´ll see the Wari´s marvelous original pipe organ. Take the most advantage of our tour and enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Notes: Private service. Start time: 13:00 hours. Duration 4.5 hours. Includes Pick-up and Drop-off, Bilingual guide (Spanish and English), Admission to Andahuaylillas and BTC (Cusco tourist ticket).

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 2 : Cusco City Tour & Nearby Archaeological Sites

Location: Cusco

Accommodation Name: Tierra Viva Cusco or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel. At around 1 pm, your guide will be waiting in the hotel lobby to start a 4-hour guided tour of this charming city, which was the capital of the Inca Empire. The tour starts with a visit to Santo Domingo Convent, a large Renaissance-baroque complex, which was built over the Inca Coricancha temple. It was one of the most important temples dedicated to worshipping of the sun, and its foundations are still prominent at the base of the convent. Ancient chronicles say the temple was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Then, visit the Cathedral, the most imposing monument of the Main Square. You will be transferred to the hills above Cusco to visit the remains of the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, whose imposing ramparts offer a stunning panoramic view of Cusco, the ruins of the temple and amphitheatre of Qenqo, where it is believed the Incas practiced agricultural rituals. Admire Qenqo and then finally visit Puka Pukara (‘Red fortress’ in Quechua) an Inca military complex located on a prominent hill. Its dwellings squares, bathrooms, aqueducts, walls, and towers can still be appreciated. Afterwards, return to your hotel at about 5.30 pm.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 3 : Cusco – Machu Picchu – Cusco (75 Km – 2 Hrs Drive / 1.5 Hrs By Train)

Location: Machu Picchu

Accommodation Name: Tierra Viva Cusco or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Early Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up at the hotel at around 4.30 am. The exact pick up time will be confirmed one day before. Transfer to Ollanta train station. Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with approximately one hour and a half train ride to Aguas Calientes. This town is also known as "Machu Picchu Pueblo". Upon arrival, you will be guided to the bus that takes you to Machu Picchu. After a 25-minute bus ride, you will finally arrive at the 'lost city of the Incas'. It is believed that Machu Picchu was built for the Inca emperor Pachacútec around 1450 as a holiday residence. The citadel was abandoned just over 100 years later, probably as a result of the Spanish Conquest, although historians have never uncovered why it was abandoned or how it escaped the destruction that other Inca settlements faced. Instead, the jungle slowly engulfed its stone construction, covering it in thick vegetation that kept it hidden and protected until the ‘lost city of the Incas’ was brought to international attention in 1911. Your 2.5 hour tour will introduce you to the origins of this impressive citadel and guide you around some of its most iconic monuments, such as the main square, the royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, the circular towers, the Sacred Clock and cemeteries. At the end of the tour, return by bus to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Finally, you will return by train to Ollanta Station and will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 4 : Cusco Departure

Location: Cusco

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco to board your flight to Lima. Although this is the last day of your incredible journey with us in Peru, we hope that your memories of this remarkable region, bursting with culture and history, will last a lifetime.

What's Included

Tour Guide

Operated with bilingual: English - Spanish speaking local guide on shared basis on days 2 and 3.
Accommodation

3 nights' accommodation in Cusco with options ranging from 3* to 5* hotels.
Meals

3 breakfasts and lunch on day 3.
Transport

Private transfer from airport to hotel in Cusco, shared transfer from hotel in Cusco to train station in Ollantaytambo, roundtrip train to Machu Picchu, shared bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back, shared transfer from train station in Ollantaytambo to hotel in Cusco, and private transfer from hotel to airport in Cusco.
Entrance Fees and Activities

All visits mentioned in the itinerary: Coricancha, Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucara in Cusco on day 2; Machu Picchu on day 3.

What's Not Included

Personal Expenses

Personal expenses, drinks and meals not explicitly mentioned in the programme.
Tips

Tips for driver and guide.
International Flights

International flights to Peru.
Domestic Flights

Domestic flights (it is advised to book the first flights in the morning).
Airport Taxes

Domestic and foreign airport taxes.

Requirements

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.

Carry the same document that you presented to the agency, given that the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information.

In all train services to Machu Picchu, the passenger can carry only hand luggage (backpack, bag or briefcase) weighing no more than 5kg / 11lb on the train to / from Machu Picchu. You will find your luggage at the chosen hotel. Allowed size: 62 linear inches 157cm (height + length + width).

Please Note

Rates do not apply to Peruvians or residents with more than 60 days of stay. If passengers are Peruvians or exceed 60 days of stay, sale taxes (18%) will be collected by our local operator.

Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late.

Please note that Check In in most hotels begins at 13:00 hrs. Clients will be subject to the availability of the room if they arrive before, waiting in the hotel lobby.

If your trip includes the visit to high altitude cities such as Cusco and Puno located at more than 3400 meters (11 200 feet above sea level), do not forget to take precautions in order to avoid altitude sickness. Passengers who have heart problems or high blood pressure should check with their doctor before travelling.

Upon arrival is recommended to rest for few hours, drink coca tea and eat lightly. As a reference Machu Picchu is located at 2400 meters (8 000 feet above sea level).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW ENTRANCE REGULATIONS TO MACHU PICCHU

The current restrictions on visits to Machu Picchu allow a maximum stay of 4 hours in the citadel accompanied by a guide during the first entry. If the visitor tours an alternate route (Mountain Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu) the passenger will have 3 hours to for this purpose, additional to the 4 hours in the citadel. If the passenger wishes to enter the citadel again during the afternoon shift or the next day, he must acquire previously an additional ticket to enter in the new shift. There is no ticket sale in the archaeological zone.

It is forbidden the follow objects: professional cameras that require lights and tripods, or with telephoto lenses with a weigh higher than 2 kilos (in order to use them, special authorization is needed, as well as the payment of an additional fee), drones, selfie sticks, sprays, high heels, walking sticks without rubber tip, banners and posters, sharp objects and backpacks bigger than 40cm x 35 cm x 20 cm.

NEW PLASTIC REGULATION:

After the prohibition of the access of single use plastic items to 76 natural areas including Machu Picchu, it is important to use reusable bottles.

Accommodation options

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Days 1-3 Cusco:

Standard Hotel Category = Tierra Viva Cusco or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Pre-/Post night in Cusco:

Standard Hotel Category = Tierra Viva Cusco or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*

Mode of Transport

Private transfers from the airport to your hotel in Cusco, shared transfers to Ollantaytambo train station, roundtrip train to Machu Picchu, and shared bus transfers to and from Machu Picchu are included.

Accommodation

Enjoy 3 nights' accommodation in Cusco with options ranging from the 3-star Tierra Viva Cusco, the 4-star Hilton Garden Inn, to the 5-star Aranwa Cusco Boutique. Pre-/Post night stays are also available.

Accommodation options

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Days 1-3 Cusco:

Standard Hotel Category = Tierra Viva Cusco or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Pre-/Post night in Cusco:

Standard Hotel Category = Tierra Viva Cusco or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*

Check out our Q&As

What type of guide will accompany us during the tour?

The tour is operated with a bilingual local guide who speaks both English and Spanish. The guide will be on a shared basis on days 2 and 3.
What are the accommodation options available during the tour?

You have three accommodation options in Cusco: Standard Hotel Category (Tierra Viva Cusco or similar 3*), Superior Hotel Category (Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*), and Deluxe Hotel Category (Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*).
What meals are included in the tour package?

The tour package includes 3 breakfasts and lunch on day 3.
What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?

The tour includes private transfers from the airport to the hotel in Cusco and from the hotel to the airport in Cusco. Shared transfers are provided from the hotel in Cusco to the train station in Ollantaytambo, and from the train station in Ollantaytambo to the hotel in Cusco. Roundtrip train tickets to Machu Picchu are included, with different services based on the accommodation category. Shared bus transfers are provided from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and back.
What entrance fees and activities are included in the tour?

All visits mentioned in the itinerary are included, such as Coricancha, Cathedral, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, and Puca Pucara in Cusco on day 2, and Machu Picchu on day 3.

Are there any optional tours available on the first day?

Yes, there is an optional Half-Day South Valley Tour: Tipón, Pikillaqta, and Andahuaylillas available on a private basis. This tour includes visits to important attractions between Cusco and Puno.
What should I bring for the tour?

Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for coastal areas, while warm clothing is recommended for high Andean areas. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent can be very useful. It is also important to carry the same document you presented to the agency, as train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information.
Are there any restrictions on luggage for the train to Machu Picchu?

Yes, passengers can only carry hand luggage (backpack, bag, or briefcase) weighing no more than 5kg / 11lb on the train to/from Machu Picchu. The allowed size is 62 linear inches (157cm) in height, length, and width.
What are the new entrance regulations to Machu Picchu?

The current restrictions allow a maximum stay of 4 hours in the citadel accompanied by a guide during the first entry. If you tour an alternate route (Mountain Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu), you will have 3 additional hours. If you wish to enter the citadel again during the afternoon shift or the next day, you must acquire an additional ticket in advance. There is no ticket sale in the archaeological zone.
What does the price include?

What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
Are Visa fees included in the price?

No, visa fees are not included
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
What documents will I receive before I travel?

Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
When are there specific hotel names confirmed?

Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival
Do you offer any travel insurance?

We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
Is there any option for solo traveller?

Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
Are flights included in the tour?

No, they are not included

Reviews of this operator

Jose G.

Muy preparados y respetuosos, gracias LIma Tours

15-Feb-2023

El personal muy atento, preparados, respetuosos

Cesar

Excelente empresa

22-Feb-2023

Me gusto la atención y la formalidad de la agencia.

Marcela

Todo excelente la atención de team de Lima Tours muy buena

16-Feb-2023

Todo excelente la atención de team de Lima Tours muy buena

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~~$670~~ $638 (USD)