Cusco with Mini Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Arrival in Cusco. Reception and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, tour of the city including the Plaza de Armas, the Cathedral and Santo Domingo Church (Koricancha), followed by a visit of the surrounding ruins of Puka Pukara, Kenko, Tampu Machay, and the renowned fortress and religious site of Sacsayhuaman, famous for its cosmic energy.

Buffet breakfast. After driving through beautiful scenery, visit the village of Chinchero located 28 km (17 mi) from Cusco. The main plaza and the nearby Inca ruins are some of its many attractions. Afterwards, visit Maras (salt mines of the Inca period still in use) and Moray (an experimental agricultural center from the same period). Box lunch included. Accommodation at the hotel located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Buffet breakfast. Transfer to Ollantaytambo’s station. Train will drop you off at KM 104 where this trek to Machu Picchu begins. The hike is slow and easy. See the impressive Urubamba Canyon surrounded by snow-capped mountains and reach Wiñay Wayna Ruins. Box lunch included. Hike leads to Intipunku (Gate of the Sun) overlooking the majestic Machu Picchu. Dinner and overnight at the town of Machu Picchu (at the base of the mountain).

Buffet breakfast. Early morning, visit Machu Picchu and go through temples, observatories, water systems, dwellings, watchtowers, gardens, and have some free time to explore on your own and ponder about the meaning and beauty of this magical place. Lunch at Belmond Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge. In the afternoon, departure to Ollantaytambo by train and transfer to the hotel located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Buffet breakfast. Visit the town and fortress of Ollantaytambo, the last living Inca town. Lunch at Tunupa del Valle Restaurant in Urubamba. Afterwards, drive up and hike to the splendid Inca ruins of Pisac at 3,250 m (10,654 ft), a large complex of religious temples, housing areas, agricultural terraces, cliff-hanging paths and astronomic observatories, followed by a visit to the village of Pisac to shop at the colourful Indian market. On the way back to Cusco, stop at Awanakancha, a weaving project of Andean communities where you will see the four American camelidae (alpaca, llama, vicuña, guanaco). Learn about their wools and the ancestral techniques of weaving them. Accommodation at the hotel in Cusco.

Buffet breakfast. Transfer to the airport.