CUSCO IMPERIAL TOUR 5 Days

At a glance

• • TIMING: 5 days and 4 nights.
  • STARTING POINT /ENDING POINT : Cusco Airport.
  • DEPARTURE DATES: Daily Departure  for group and private groups.
  • TYPE OF TOUR: Cultural and History.
  • TRANSPORT: Bus and train.
  • DIFFICULTY: Does involve some narrow trails amongst archaeological site like: Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras-Moray and Machu Picchu, so sturdy footwear is required to help you enjoy it fully.
  • Optional climb Huayna Picchu Mountain.

Highlights:

• Explore the city of Cusco
• Full-day tour to Sacred Valley of the Incas
• Train through Urubamba Valley to the town of «Aguas Calientes»
• Enjoy Machu Picchu Tour
• Optional climb Huayna Picchu Mountain (Due to its popularity see availability)
• Visit Maras-Moray a wonderful Inca ruins.

Included activities:

• City Tour in Cusco.
• Sacred Valley of the Incas.
• Machu Picchu Tour.
• Free time within Machu Picchu
• Maras-Moray Tour.

Short Ititnerary for Cusco Imperial Tour:

Day 1: Cusco & City Tour

Arrival to Cusco before noon – we will meet you in the airport and transfer you to the designated hotel; In the afternoon you’ll have guided city tour from 1:30PM to 6:00PM.

Day 2: Sacred Valley tour

A full-day tour – we’ll visit the Pisac Inca ruins, perched on a hilltop with incredible views of the snow-capped mountains. Then, we’ll go to visit the traditional Pisaq’s market. We also will visit Ollantaytambo with its enormous Inca terracing constructed on the side of the mountain.

Day 3: Machu Picchu

Explore Machu Picchu known as the lost city of the Incas. and retun to Cusco.

Day 4: Maras-Moray

Enjoy a panoramic drive across the changing landscape of the region and explore the inca ruins of Moray and the salt mines of Maras.

Day 5: Departure time

Departure from Cusco at any time; we will transfer you to the airport.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Cusco & City Tour:

WELCOME TO CUSCO: We’ll be waiting for you in the airport of Cusco on your arrival date and transfer you to the hotel, where you will receive the briefing of the Tour  and you will have a cup of coca tea, which is very good for your acclimatization to the altitude. The city of Cusco is Located at 3,400 masl/11,154 fts.

In the afternoon, you will have guided city tour that starts at 01:30 p.m. Where you’ll have the opportunity to visit 6 tourist places (entrance to the archaeological centers and museums are included). The city tour will last for 4:30 hours.

The Guided City Tour in Cusco:

We pick you up from the Hotel and take you to visit the following tourist Places, with our professional guide:

• The Koricancha and Convent of Santo Domingo.- Religious center known as «The Temple of the Sun» where you will admire the impressive engineering used in its construction.
• The Cathedral in the main square.- Colonial religious monument of extraordinary artistic value.
• Sacsayhuaman.- Located 3 km from the city of Cusco, impressive stone fortress monumental and magnificent architecture, famous for its enormous carved stones, some of which are at 9 m/ 30 feet tall and weigh of 361 tons. Here is where the Inty Raymi or «Fiesta del Sol» takes place every year on June 21th.

• Qenqo: Ceremonial and ritual center, amphitheater where sacrifices were made in time of the Incas.
• Puca-Pucara: An old Inca “Tambo” (resting place), monitoring place throughout the Inca Empire Routes.
• Tambomachay: At 7 Km. From the city of Cusco, ceremonial center of worship of water , traditionally known as the place of water.

Day 2: Sacred Valley of the Incas:

Today we’ll starts at 08:00 a.m. We’ll pick you up from the hotel and head to the fertile valley for a full-day tour. The Sacred valley is renowned for its excellent climate and fertile lands; it is embraced between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo.

The valley has wonderful landscapes where its inhabitants, native of the Quechua ethnic group, still preserve their customs, traditions and ancestral rites. The sacred Valley, is a valley where you can enjoy the high technological development that the Inca reached in terms of agriculture through the «andenería» systems (platform terraces).

The «Andeneria» systems are still in use today and show sophisticated designs of hydraulic engineering for irrigation. They were also outstanding adoration centers to the Pachamama (or Mother Earth). The tour passes the town of Urubamba and ends in the town of Ollantaytambo.

In the afternoon, we will take the tourist train for two hours to the town of «Aguas Calientes»; here you’ll have hotel accommodation.

Important recommendations:

• We suggest suitable footwear; you will climb stairs with many steps.
• Bring a small backpack, camera; wear a sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a water bottle.
• In Pisac, do not forget to try the delicious empanadas, and purchase an artisan souvenir/memorabilia.
• In Urubamba enjoy a delicious buffet lunch where we invite you to try the corn of Sacred Valley.

Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour

After breakfast in the hotel, we’ll leave at 05:30 a.m and walk 5 minutes to the bus station, from where we’ll take the bus for 25 minutes up to Machu Picchu and start exploring it with experienced Machu Picchu Tour Guide.

Once we arrive to Machu-Picchu; we’ll pass throught the control, where you’ll show your entrance and your passport; then our Machu Picchu Guided Tour will start, visiting the main square, the Circular tower, the sacred solar watch, the royal rooms, the temple of the three windows and the cementeries, The Tour will lasts for around 2 -3 hours.

After the tour you’ll be given enough time to walk around the citadel and have your lunch at any restaurant in Aguas Calientes or if you wish at Santuary Lodge (this is not included).

In the afternoon, between 15:30 hrs and 17:00 hrs we’ll return by train to the train station of Ollantaytambo; from here we’ll transfer you by car to the hotel in Cusco.

Important recommendations:

• In Machu Picchu we will climb many stairs, use appropriate shoes.
• We suggest a small backpack, camera; wear a sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a water bottle.
• Visit the thermal baths of Aguas Calientes.
• Arrive to the train station half an hour before the departure time.

Day 4: Maras-Moray Tour:

Today we’ll pick you up from the hotel at 08:30 a.m in our private mobility and drive to the village of Maras (one hour); the travel will be with some stops along the way in order to take pictures and see the mountain lands cape. During the tour of today we’ll visit the following places:

MARAS:

Located in the province of Urubamba to 3,300 masl.  During the tour you will see the snow-caped mountains of the Vilcanota range like:  «Chicón» (5,500 masl) and «Veronica» (5,750 masl), etc.

The village of Maras is attractive colourful town, guard of the pre-Hispanic, colonial and republican period, emphasizing in the town colonial streets and covers with shields of the noble and caciques of centuries  XVI and XVII.

MORAY:

Located to about 7 km to the southwest of the vilage of Maras; it is unique archaeological group in its sort in the region. Moray is about enormous terraces that are superposed concentrically in a gigantic hole.

These beautiful terraces that served in the time of the Incas, as an agricultural laboratory (Prototype as Conservatory) in which Incas experienced and obtained improvements. The site of Moray was the place where incredible advances in agriculture were obtained.

SALINERAS or «SALT MINES»:

Located to the northwest of the village of Maras; the salt mines are constituted for about 3,000 small wells with an area average of about 4 m², operated from the Inca times, Colonial time and that even continues being exploded by the villagers.

They indicate that the mountain has in its interior salt mines; a spring of salt water that arise from this mountain. Serves during the time of drought to fill to the wells in form of «irrigation» every 3 days with salt water during a month; so that it is solidified gradually, then has the process for the consumption of the region.

Important recommendations:

• We suggest suitable footwear; you will climb stairs with many steps. Bring a small backpack, camera; wear a sun hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a water bottle.
• In Maras, do not forget to try the delicious toasted corn, and purchase an artisan souvenir/memorabilia.

Day 5: Farewell and air travel from Cusco to Lima:

Departure from Cusco at any time; we will transfer you to the airport.

Cusco Imperial Tour includes:

• TRANSPORTATION: Transfer in/out (Airport/Hotel/Airport), Private bus for the City Tour, Sacred Valley Tour and Maras-Moray Tour; bus up and down from the town of «Aguas Calientes» to Machu Picchu, round-trip train ticket expedition class from Ollantaytambo to «Aguas Calientes» and from «Aguas Calientes» to Ollantaytambo, transfer to your hotel.
• ENTRANCE FEES: For the city tour, Sacred Valley tour, Maras, Moray and Machu Picchu.
• GUIDE: Licensed bilingual tour guide.
• ACCOMMODATIONS: Room based on double occupancy. 3 nights in Cusco ***Hotel and 1 night in ythe town of Aguas Calientes
•  OTHER: Local guide for permanent assistance, first-aid kit and emergency oxygen bottle.

The cost excludes:

• MEALS: Lunch and dinner, you must consider a budget of $10 to $25 USD for each meal.
• Airport taxes and tips.

PRICE OF THE TOUR:

Daily departure

• In the following price is included 3-stars category hotel which we consider appropriated and very confortable hotel for Cusco Imperial Tour.
• We have other options based on the hotel, type of train; the options are adapted to all budgets and THE PRICE IS PER PERSON. We gladly will assist you, write or please call Us.

Daily departure

WHAT TO BRING?

For a multi-day trip to Machu Picchu by train you’ll need to carry the following items:

Most travelers prefer to pack a small or medium-size wheeled suitcase, which is an ideal size for the storage capacity of our private vehicles. Regardless of what you bring, keep in mind that you will need to be able to carry your own luggage, handle it at airports, get in and out of your Hotel, and even walk short distances. Generally speaking, we recommend that you travel as little as possible. You will also need a backpack for activities and day trips. In terms of weight, airlines generally allow a maximum of 20kg for checked baggage.

In addition to the items and clothing you always need on a trip, here are some travel-specific packing tips:

ESSENTIAL:

• Closed shoes will help protect your feet from cuts and scrapes when walking in cities as well as in bushes/grasslands, and will also act as a protective barrier in rare cases of bites or stings.
• Sun protection – hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Original Passport, keep it in a dry and safe place while visiting Machu Picchu.
• Extra Cash in Soles, try to have in small coins to buy souvenirs.
• Camera for the good pictures.
• Sunscreen, insect repellent.
• Sunglasses.

RECOMMENDED:

• Electronic and/or hard copies of all important documents, plane tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep printed copies separate from originals. Although not valid, a copy makes it much easier to get replacements if needed.
• Water bottle. We recommend a capacity of at least 1.5 liters. The sale of bottled water contributes to a major environmental problem worldwide. In addition to bottled water, making a 1-liter plastic bottle requires 2 liters of water and 200 ml of oil. Much of it ends up in limited landfills or is released into waterways and natural settings.
• Electrical adapter plug.
• It is important to have a Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, electrolytes and bandaids.
• Fly spray
• You can use clock/alarm clock or phone for both

OPTIONAL:

•  Earplugs to protect against possible snoring from a roommate
• Phrasebook

VALUABLE ITEMS:

Try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables and use your hotel safe. It’s also a good idea to buy a money belt or pouch that is easy to hide.

LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

Laundry is available in many hotels and cities on this trip, but you may have to wait for a two-night layover to ensure you pick it up on time. While hotel laundry is usually charged per item, laundromats usually charge per kilo, which is usually inexpensive (around $2 per kilo).

ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

IMPORTANT NOTES OF THE TRIP.

1. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including other names listed on your passport) for Machu Picchu Permits and train tickets. Charges may apply for changes to details within 45 days of departure and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
2. A single supplement is available if you prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Talk to your reservation agent for more information.
3. This trip includes a visit to Machu Picchu. According to the visiting regulations of Machu Picchu, all visitors must follow a predetermined route within the site. This route must be followed in one direction and, once the guided tour has started, it is forbidden to leave and re-enter the site. After the guided tour is over, visitors must leave the site and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not allowed. See the Itinerary for more details.
4. Machu Picchu permits are sold on request only. Once the deposit has been paid and passport details provided, SPT Travel & Tours will attempt to obtain a permit for you.
5. Parts of your trip exceed 2,800 meters / 9,200 feet, where it is common for travelers to experience adverse health effects due to altitude, regardless of age, gender and physical condition. Consult your doctor for professional advice on high altitude travel if you have any medical conditions.
6. Most highland hotels are required to have oxygen cylinders, but you may be asked to pay extra for using oxygen for more than 5-10 minutes at a time.

ARRIVAL IN THE CITY OF CUSCO.

The tour begins in Cusco; You will be met at the airport and transferred in a private vehicle to your reserved hotel, make sure you tell us all your flight details at least 10 days before your trip. Once you arrive to the airport of Cusco, please look for our representative with a Blue SPT Travel & Tours sign.

TOUR’S BRIEFING.

It will take place at your arrival to the hotel. It will be for about half hour where with your guide you’ll review the details of the tour.

CAN I STORE MY LUGGAGE IN YOUR OFFICE?

Yes, During the excursion your main luggage can be stored in our office or in your hotel, both are free of charge. It is very important ta have with you a small backpack for the day excursion where you’ll carry essential things for the day like water, jacket, etc.

WHAT ABOUT THE BALANCE?

The remaining balance of the tour you’ll pay at the briefing time. We accept only in Cash and you will avoid high credit card fees in Peru, you can pay in cash at our office (US dollars or Peruvian soles). There are many ATMs in the historic center to withdraw money. You can also pay with VISA or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay a 7% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance through PAYPAL, you must log in to your PAYPAL account and use our email address: sunrisetrek@gmail.com

HOW CAN I QUALIFY FOR THE STUDENT DISCOUNT?

Under Peruvian law, you must be under the age of 18 at the time of your trek or visit to Machu Picchu (students over the age of 18 require a student ID). For example: If you book a hike at age 17 but turn 18 before taking it, you must have a valid college ID to qualify for the student discount.
College students must provide a copy of their ID card showing a photo, college name, and card expiration date. Cards must be valid for the current academic year only.

• All students from 11 to 17 years old, the discount is US$30.
• For children from 2 to 11 years old, the reduction is 40 USD.
• All students must provide a copy of their passport at the time of booking to qualify for the student discount. Send us a copy to saleso@sunriseperutrek.com

CAN I CHANGE THE DEPARTURE DATE AFTER PURCHASING THE TICKETS?

Unfortunately, the answer is NO. Once the tickets have been purchased, the government does not allow any changes, so we cannot change any departure dates after the tickets have been purchased. Tickets are also non-transferable and non-refundable. If you cancel your tour from Cusco to Machu Picchu, the deposit is absolutely non-refundable!

DO I NEED MY ORIGINAL PASSPORT?

Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it is the same passport that you sent us to reserve your entrance to Machu Picchu, train ticket, other tickets and reservations.
If you are renewing your passport or changing your name, feel free to send us your old passport information to secure your clearance, and we can change it when you get your new passport number or update your name for a fee of $25 per person. We need to have a copy of your old and new passport to make the change. Before changing your passport, keep a copy of the old one.
If you do not wish to pay this fee, you will need to bring both passports to Peru with you. You can enter Peru with your new passport, but you will need to show both your old and new passports to enter Machu Picchu or on the train. If you do not have both, you will not be able to enter Machu Picchu or board the train.

VISA FOR PERU.

Citizens of Australia, United States, Great Britain, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa do not currently require a visa for Peru. For all other nationalities, please reconfirm your visa or entry requirements with the Peruvian consulate in your home country.

ALTITUDE SICKNESS.

If you travel above 2,500m, you can contract altitude sickness, which can be life-threatening and affect anyone, even if they are physically fit. You are at higher risk if you have ever had altitude sickness, if you exercise or drink alcohol before acclimatizing to the altitude, or if you have health problems that affect breathing. Consult your doctor before traveling and get advice specific to you and your situation.
check that your insurance covers emergency evacuation at height and associated medical expenses.

MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Medical treatment can be expensive and not always of high quality in some parts of the country. Make sure you have adequate travel medical insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Parts of your journey exceed 2,800 meters / 9,200 feet, where it is common for travelers to experience adverse health effects due to altitude, regardless of age, gender, and physical condition.

Before your trip:

Some pre-existing medical conditions are known to be severely worsened at high altitude and difficult to treat adequately on land, leading to more serious consequences. It is imperative that you discuss your pre-existing medical condition(s) with your physician. We understand that certain medications are reported to aid in altitude acclimatization. Please discuss these options with your doctor.

During your trip:

Although our Guides have basic first aid training and know the nearest medical facilities, it is very important that you know the cause and effects of travel at altitude, monitor your health and seek assistance accordingly

MEALS NOT INCLUDED:

For this trip, we recommend between 25 and 50 USD per day. How to solve this problem?

Breakfast: If breakfast isn’t included, you can expect to pay $5-$10 at a local coffee shop.

Lunch: If you’re satisfied with a quick grab-and-go snack, you can get away with as little as $5 to $10 for a set menu at a local restaurant or a sandwich and drink at a coffee shop. In contrast, a lunch in a more touristy restaurant can cost between 10 and 15 USD.

Dinner: At dinner time, your chef will usually recommend restaurants where you can safely sample the local delicacies of the area. Expect meals to cost between $12 and $25 for an entree.
These are indicative prices only. If you are on a tight budget, only eat local food and don’t mind having a stomach ache from time to time, you can eat cheaper than this. If you want to taste the best cuisine in the best restaurants, you can expect meals to cost as much as in Western countries.

TIPS.

If you are satisfied with the services provided, a tip is appreciated, but not required. Although this is not common in your country, it is very important for the people who will take care of you during your Tour. It inspires excellent service and is an ingrained feature of the tourism industry in many SPT Travel & Tours destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as you see fit, based on your perception of the quality and length of your visit. Remember that tipping is not mandatory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.

COVID-19 ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS IN PERU.

• For the latest update on what is required to enter Peru, check your government’s foreign travel advice and visit the following website: https://www.peru.travel/en
  Requirements include an online health declaration, a negative PCR or antigen test performed within 72 hours of arrival, and an additional antigen test performed upon arrival.
• Also make sure you have your travel insurance policy that covers you for travel to and from Peru, as well as medical or COVID-19 related expenses in the country.
  Most air passengers are now required to take a COVID-19 test within 3 days of boarding their return flight. This includes citizens returning to their home country after their trip. Airlines must confirm a negative test result for all passengers before boarding; otherwise boarding will be denied.
• We can make it easy to take a COVID-19 test while you travel. Make sure you have funds available to cover the cost of this test, which will be paid directly at the test site. Your SPT Travel & Tours Guide will provide more details at the group meeting and schedule appointments for any travelers who need to be tested.