The city of Cusco, located in the Andes mountain range at 3 399 m.a.s.l was declared the Historical Capital of Peru, being an impressive sample of high Inca engineering whose main tool was stone. As well as places like Choquequirao, Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Tambomachay, Ollantaytambo and especially Machu Picchu, architectural jewel built with the wisdom of the ancient Incas that served as political, religious and administrative center of the time. The Inca citadel, located in the middle of the tropical rainforest, at about 2,430 meters above sea level, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1981 and a new wonder of the modern world in 2007, it is a fantastic architectural complex built in the time of the Inca Pachacutec in the middle of a great variety of flora and fauna. The department of Cusco also has several tourist attractions such as the Sacred Valley, considered the center of production of the best grain of corn; the District of San Blas, called the Artisans' Quarter because it houses renowned popular artists of the city.
Itinerary
Day 01: City Tour
Day 02: Sacred Valley of the Incas
Day 03: Humantay Lake Trek
Detailed Itinerary
DAY 1: CUSCO CITY TOUR
The first day of your arrival it is advisable to make a city tour, our agency organizes this tour every afternoon.We will pick you up from your hotel between 13:00 p.m. and 13: 20hrs. You will have a guided tour through the center of the city of Cusco, visit the Main Square, the Cathedral, the Temple of the Sun Qoricancha-Santo Domingo, then go out to visit the ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Kenko, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay , returning to the city between 18:00 hrs. and 18:30 hrs.
Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas
The Sacred Valley of the Incas Tour is a great option for people who want to enjoy the beauty of this wonderful Andean paradise. Explore the Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo, Pisac and much more. Daily departures for single people and groups of all ages and the trip is by tourist bus.This tour starts at approximately 08:00 hrs. and ends at 19:00 p.m., we pass by your hotel, to have a guided tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, over the Vilcanota River, for a panoramic view of the Inca citadel of Pisac and visit the typical Indian market of Pisac , where we will have the opportunity to learn about the customs of its inhabitants and haggle prices with sellers, then we go to the city of Urubamba, traveling along the Vilcanota river, returning to Cusco between 18:30 and 18:40 hrs
Day 3: Humantay Lake Trek
Humantay Lake, is a Peruvian gem of nature on the route of the Salkantay Trek This beautiful turquoise water mirror is located in Mollepata (2900 m.a.s.l) (Anta, Cusco), formed by the snowmelt of Humantay, which creates a fantastic backdrop! to which we can access walking (it is part of the route to Salkantay) just 2 kilometers from the town of Soraypampa, on the way we can appreciate the imposing snowcapped mountains of the Andes Mountains, among them the majestic snow peaks of Humantay and Salkantay, and enjoy the beauty of the landscape with this route between snowed mountains, lagoons, flora and fauna of the place, which will allow us to have a unique and unforgettable experience in 1 day only.
We will pick you up from your hotels at the agreed time one day before, between 4:00 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., to board the mini van and drive to the town of Mollepata in the exuberant valley of the Apurimac River, where we will taste our breakfast and we will buy what is needed to make the tour before starting the Humantay Lake Hike located at 4200 meters above sea level. After breakfast, we continue to Challacancha enjoying during the tour of all the majestic Humantay in the Vilcabamba mountain range and continue the route to Soraypampa 2900 masl, where we will have a short break, charging us with energy to continue our journey to the starting point of the Soraypampa hike, starting our walk to the Humantay Lagoon. In the tour we will have impressive views of the Humantay Lagoon and amazing viewpoints appreciating all the beauty of the landscape that will allow us to take impressive photographs for the memory. From Soraypampa to Humantay Lagoon are 2 km, which can be done between 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours of walking approximately. We can see on one side the Nevado de Humantay at 4200 meters above sea level and on the other side the imposing Nevado de Salkantay. At Laguna de Humantay we will have free time of approximately 1 hour to rest, take pictures and appreciate the landscape and then return to Soyaypampa, board the Mini Van and go to Mollepata where children wait for a delicious lunch and finally we will be returning from Soraypampa to the city of Cusco arriving at approximately 6:30 pm.
THIS TOUR INCLUDES:
- Transfer from the airport to your hotel
- Tourist transportation for all the tours
- Professional bilingual Tour Guide
- Buffet lunch in Urubamba Town the 2nd day
- Pre-trek briefing for Humantay Lake Trek (Our guide will visit your hotel a day before the trek for your briefing)
- Meals: 01 x Breakfast, 01 x Lunch for Humantay Lake trek
- Oxigen bottle
- First aid kit
NOT INCLUDED:
- Tourist ticket to the Cusco City Tour U$ 22
- Entrance fee to the Cathedral U$ 8
- Entrance fee to the Qoricancha Church U$ 5
- Traveler's insurance
- Tips for local staff
- Extras not mentioned
PLEASE BRING WITH YOU:
- Take a jacket with you.
- Bring hats for the sun.
- Bottles of mineral water.
- Sunscreen.
- Sunglasses.
- Camera.
- Snacks
- Rain poncho.
- Warm clothes (coat, scarf, gloves, caps).
- Hiking shoes.
- Pills for the Soroche.
Cusco City Tour: What I will See?
- The Cathedral of Cusco: We start the tour visiting the Cathedral of Cusco, the church of the Sagrada Familia, and the church of Triunfo Basilica Cathedral of Cusco
- The Qoricancha: Then we visit the Qoricancha temple, the highest expression of Inca architecture and engineering. The Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha, is also currently the Convent of Santo Domingo. Temple of the Qoricancha
- Sacsayhuaman: The impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman is strategically built on a hill from where you can see all of Cusco. It is famous for its huge carved stones, some of which are 9 meters or 30 feet high and weigh more than 350 tons.
- Qenqo: Located four kilometers northeast of the city of Cusco, it has the archaeological groups of Q'enqo Grande and Q'enqo Chico. Etymologically, it means labyrinth or zigzag, served a purely religious function, being on the outside a semicircular amphitheater with trapezoidal niches and a monolith that simulates a puma which is approximately six meters. Ceremonial Center Qenqo
- Puka pukara: Puka pukara means "red fortress", because the calcareous stones with which it is built have acquired the reddish coloration of the terrain, very abundant in iron. It is alleged that he had the function of guarding Tambomach'ay, an important palace in the Inkario. But that, in turn, for its architectural layout and the existence of fountains, aqueducts and multiple enclosures, was a "tambo" that is, a collective shelter that offered inn and food to travelers, as well as the entourage that was to accompany to the Inka in his retirement in Tambomach'ay.
- Tambomachay: Tambomachay, is located about 8 kms. north of Cusco and very close to the ruins of Puka Pukara, it is an archaeological site that was dedicated to the worship of water and so that the head of the Inca Empire could rest. This place is also called Inca baths. It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and several waterfalls that run along the rocks. The surprising thing about this is that from a main waterfall, the Incas created 2 secondary waterfalls, which are exactly the same. That is, if one places two empty bottles, one in each waterfall, the two are filled at the same time.
Sacred Valley of the Incas: What to see?
- Pisac Archaeological Complex: The archaeological complex of Pisac, is located on the top of a mountain from where a good part of the Sacred Valley is dominated. This wonderful place is formed by groups of platforms and architectural structures scattered on the slopes and at the top of the mountain, Pisac is one of the most beautiful monumental centers of the valley because it combines the landscape with the impeccable finish of its buildings.
- Pisac Handicraft Market: Located 30 km from the city of Cusco, the main square of Pisac houses this market, a colorful and lively place, where the most famous Cusco handicrafts made by Andean hands are exhibited, among the crafts, textiles, ponchos, bags, etc. stand out. , and the ceramic handicrafts, which are reproductions of Inca archaeological pieces, such as the queros (ceremonial vessels), necklaces, etc. This fair is attended by traders and indigenous craftsmen from many villages, dressed in their typical costumes.
- Ollantaytambo: In the afternoon we will visit the Ollantaytambo Fortress, built to guard the entrance to this part of the valley and protect it from possible invasions of the inhabitants of the jungle. We will have the opportunity to walk through the streets of the town and thus have a clear idea of how this military, religious and cultural center was during the Inca Empire.
