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Essential Cusco: Small Group Tour

4 daysDuration
Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers
10 peopleMaximum group size
5 - 79 yearsAge range for participants
English, SpanishGuide language

Highlights

Explore the ruins of Machu Picchu

Enjoy panoramic views of the Sacred Valley from the Vistadome train

Take a walking tour of Cusco

Travel to the Sacred Valley

Itinerary

Unlock the secrets of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu on the Essential Cusco: Small Group Tour, a four-day guided journey that brings Peru’s ancient wonders within easy reach. Begin by visiting the fertile farmlands and timeless villages of the Sacred Valley, a cornerstone of Inca civilization.

Aboard the Vistadome train, soak in stunning Andean vistas as you travel to Machu Picchu. Explore the legendary citadel first with your expert guide, then enjoy time to wander at your own pace. Back in Cusco, tour the city’s highlights, including the impressive Sacsayhuaman fortress, mysterious Qenqo, Tambomachay’s water temple, and the iconic Cathedral.

The tour’s USP is its expertly curated itinerary, blending guided discovery with personal exploration, perfect for those who want a comprehensive yet efficient Machu Picchu experience.

day 1 - Cusco arrival

Your Peru tour begins after an Apu Andino guide picks you up at the airport and drives you to your hotel. Stop for a quick tour of the colonial Plaza de Armas before heading for your accommodation. You are free for the rest of the day.

Duration:1 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

day 2 - Sacred Valley tour

We will pick you up from the hotel at 7:30 a.m and drive you to the town of Pisac (approximately an hour away) stopping at various viewpoints along the road from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the Sacred Valley.

On reaching Pisac, drive to its ruins where you will get the chance to learn more about different aspects of Incan culture. See impressive agricultural terraces all over the place. Get back into the bus and drive down to Pisac's town centre, where there is a market known for its handicraft products.

Enjoy your lunch in a nice local restaurant. Drive along the Urubamba River towards the town of Ollantaytambo. Visit the ruins of Ollantaytambo and see an amazing rock formation representing the Inca god Wiracocha. Stay overnight in the Sacred Valley.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

day 3 - Machupicchu: full-day tour

Drive to the Ollantaytambo Station and take the Vistadome train. Enjoy stunning views of the mountains en route to Aguas Calientes.

Reach the 'Lost City of the Incas' at around 9:30 am after taking a bus from Aguas Calientes. Take a guided tour of the monument and learn more about the historic and cultural significance to the Incas. Get some free time to explore the site on your own.

Return to Aguas Calientes at approximately 1:00 pm. Enjoy your lunch and take the return train to Ollantaytambo. Reach Cusco at around 9 pm. Stay there overnight.

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

day 4 - Cusco city tour & departure

Visit Cusco´s major highlights today. Start off by visiting the huge Inca ceremonial center of Sacsayhuaman, which overlooks the city of Cusco. Next, travel to another important Inca site known as Qenqo, which houses subterranean passages and a mummification site.

Drive to Tambomachay, a temple dedicated to the God of Water. Return to the city centre and visit one of the most sacred Inca buildings, the Temple of Qoricancha. Within its walls, religious ceremonies were carried out and mummification was done.

Take a trip to the beautiful Cathedral of Cusco, which holds many archaeological artefacts and relics. Among them is a famous painting of the Last Supper by Marcos Zapata, showing Christ and the Apostles eating a guinea pig. Travel to the airport to catch your return flight after that.

Accommodation: Hotel
Meals:Breakfast
Essential Cusco: Small Group Tour

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What's Included

Airport pick up and drop offExperienced tour guidesAll entrance fees, including of Machu PicchuLunch (Day 2 & 3)Two-way Vistadome train ticketsAll transfers to destinations mentioned on the itineraryHotelBreakfasts

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

This tour has not received any customer reviews yet. However, you can expect a good tour as it is run by a trusted travel specialist who has received 3 reviews for other tours with an average 5.0rating.

Request a Private, Customizable Departure

By design, this is a group tour. You can however request a private, customized version of this tour for yourself or your private group of people. Private departures are usually more expensive, but come with these benefits:

Itinerary can be tweaked and customized.

Access our Travel Specialists' insider knowledge.

Enjoy a tour focused solely on you or your travel group.

Travel within your own bubble.

Request a private and/or personalized departure

To design a private tour, we'll ask you some more information in the following steps.

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Good to Know

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Other Practical Information

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.
Jane Andersen
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Rasmus Juul Olsen

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