Cusco & Machu Picchu Express

Begin your journey through the heart of the Sacred Valley with a morning pickup from your hotel. Your first stop is the impressive Pisac archaeological site, perched high on a mountain ridge with sweeping views of the valley below. Explore ancient Inca terraces, ceremonial structures, and watchtowers with your guide before descending to the colorful Pisac market, where you’ll have time to browse handcrafted textiles, local produce, and artisan goods.

Then continue through the valley to Ollantaytambo, one of the last living Inca towns. Enjoy a relaxing lunch made with fresh local ingredients before exploring the Ollantaytambo archaeological site—a remarkable complex of temples, terraces, and fortifications that once served as a strategic Inca stronghold. After your visit, board the train to Aguas Calientes, where you’ll spend the night in preparation for your visit to Machu Picchu the following day.

After a restful night in Aguas Calientes, your guide will meet you at your hotel early in the morning to begin your visit to Machu Picchu. From there, you’ll take the short bus ride up the mountain to the entrance of the awe-inspiring citadel. Perched high in the Andes, Machu Picchu showcases the incredible architectural and engineering mastery of the Inca civilization. As you explore its temples, plazas, and agricultural terraces, you’ll gain insight into its historical significance and marvel at the ingenuity that has allowed it to endure for centuries amid earthquakes and harsh mountain weather.

Following your guided tour, you’ll have time to relax and enjoy Aguas Calientes at your own pace—whether that means lunch, souvenir shopping, or a visit to the town’s namesake hot springs (optional, not included). Later in the afternoon, you’ll board your return train, and upon arrival at the station, you’ll be met by your driver for your transfer back to your hotel in Cusco.

Our team will pick you up from your hotel in the morning or afternoon to begin your half-day tour of the city of Cusco. Known as the archaeological capital of the Americas, Cusco is the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere and was once the heart of the Incan Empire during the 14th and 15th centuries. Today, the city showcases a unique blend of ancient pre-Inca and Inca architecture with Spanish colonial influences, offering a fascinating journey through history. On this tour, we will visit some of the city’s most remarkable sites, where you’ll have the chance to appreciate its extraordinary cultural heritage.

Our first stop will be the Cusco Cathedral, the city’s main temple, located on the Plaza de Armas. Here, you’ll admire its impressive architecture and view several masterpieces from the Cusco School of art. Next, we’ll head to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, once the most important Inca temple, dedicated to the sun god Inti. On top of this sacred site, the Santo Domingo Convent was built, yet much of the original Inca stonework remains intact. We’ll then visit Sacsayhuaman, the ceremonial fortress with megalithic stone walls, offering a panoramic view of the city of Cusco. Our next stops will be Q’enqo, a mysterious site with underground passageways, Puca Pucara, a fortress showcasing Inca military architecture, and finally, Tambomachay, a stunning site featuring aqueducts, canals, and waterfalls, highlighting the Inca’s mastery of water manipulation. After exploring these incredible sites, we’ll return to your hotel, where you’ll have the rest of the day free to relax or explore.