Agricultural terraces at the ruins of Pisac in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

We will depart at 7:00 a.m. to begin your full-day tour of the Sacred Valley.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas was the center of the vast Incan Empire. This fertile land features an excellent climate and has been a major agricultural region for thousands of years. The extensive ruins stretch from the villages of Pisac to Ollantaytambo before you eventually arrive at the citadel of Machu Picchu.

Today we will have the opportunity to visit the following incredible sites:

Pisac

This site functioned as the Southern Gateway to the Sacred Valley, and is known for its military, ceremonial and agricultural purposes. Here you can admire numerous agricultural terraces lining the mountainside, the most of any site in the Sacred Valley. After visiting the ruins we will walk through the local town of the same name and explore its colorful artisan market before heading to the town of Urubamba for lunch (cost of meal not included in tour).

Ollantaytambo

Our second stop will take us to the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo, built to guard the Northern entrance of the Valley. It was designed to protect it from possible invasion from the various lower jungle tribes. As you walk through the quaint streets of the town and make your way up the steps of the fortress, you will start to realize what an important strategic Military, Religious, and Agricultural Center it was during the reign of the Inca Empire. This is also the place where the Inca had their last stand against the Spanish before retreating to seek refuge at Vilcabamba.

Chinchero

Next we will stop off at the picturesque Andean Village of Chinchero to visit the Royal Hacienda Ruins of Tupac Inca Yupanqui. We will admire a well-preserved Inca Wall in the Main Square and visit the beautiful Colonial temple built on Inca foundations, featuring a series of mysterious fresco paintings.

After the tour you will head to your hotel in the Sacred Valley to rest for the evening.

The Inca ruins of Machu Picchu, considered one of the new 7 wonders of the world.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu deserves all the attention that it gets for being an engineering and architectural masterpiece. Visitors will be impressed by the many plazas, temples, houses, storage facilities, sun dials, and stairs that still maintain their structure more than 500 years later despite constant exposure to intense weather and earthquakes. The natural surroundings only add to an already stunning view and no trip to Peru is complete without a visit to this sanctuary.

We will pick you up early in the morning in order to start the tour. You will be transferred to the train station in Ollantaytambo in order to catch the train to Aguas Calientes. From here you will take a short 30 minute bus ride to the gates of Machu Picchu. A professional guide will lead you through the magnificent citadel and share the secrets of Inca architecture and their way of life.

During a tour through this magnificent site, your bilingual guide will explain all about the historical sanctuary of Machu Picchu and visit all the major sites within the lost city. The guided tour will take around 2 hours.

After the tour we will descend to Aguas Calientes, the town named for its hot springs. Here you will have time to eat lunch and shop for some souvenirs before catching the train back to Cusco. You will arrive back at your hotel sometime in the evening depending on your chosen time of departure.

The Inti Raymi ceremony at Sacsayhuamán.

After breakfast on the morning of June 24th, your guide and transportation will arrive at your hotel at approximately 7:30 a.m. to begin your Inti Raymi adventure.

The first stop on your tour is the Qoricancha Temple, which was the principal Incan temple devoted to the Sun. Qoricancha was one of the most important religious sites in the Inca Empire and played a vital role in Incan culture. During the Inti Raymi Festival, Qoricancha hosts its own ceremony, which is a smaller, more intimate version of the main event at Sacsayhuaman. You’ll witness the Incan priests conducting their rituals, offerings to the Sun God, and traditional dances in this historic site.

After visiting Qoricancha, you’ll head to the Plaza de Armas, which is the main square of Cusco. This grand square is also known as the old Wayqapata or warrior’s square and was a central location for the Incas during their rule. During the Inti Raymi Festival, the square becomes a hub of activity and excitement. You’ll witness colorful processions, traditional dances, and music, and you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.

Next, you’ll head to Sacsayhuaman, which is a massive Incan fortress and ceremonial complex. The site is located on a hill overlooking Cusco, and it’s considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Peru. During the Inti Raymi Festival, Sacsayhuaman is the main stage for the ceremony, and it’s where the most significant events of the festival take place. You’ll witness the Incan priest’s offering to the Sun God, the lighting of the sacred fire, and the sacrifice of a llama as part of the ceremony. At Sacsayhuaman you can choose from three seating zones: green, red, and orange.

Once the Inti Raymi ceremony ends, which is expected to be around 5:00 PM, you’ll be escorted back to your hotel in Cusco.

One of our representatives will escort you from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.