Inca Encounters 8D/7N

Upon arrival at Cusco Airport, our team will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel. Please provide your flight number and exact arrival time so we can coordinate your transfer. You will be welcomed with a cup of traditional coca tea before enjoying a free afternoon to rest and acclimatize. Cusco sits at approximately 3,399 metres (11,151 feet) above sea level, so taking time to adjust to the altitude is an important part of your arrival experience.

The Cusco altitude may make you feel more tired than usual, particularly on your first day. We recommend taking the afternoon slowly, drinking water regularly and avoiding strenuous activity while your body adjusts. If you feel comfortable, enjoy a gentle walk around Plaza de Armas, where colonial buildings stand on foundations associated with the Inca period. You may also enjoy exploring the surrounding streets and discovering the city's unique combination of Andean traditions and colonial architecture.

During your first few days at high altitude, consider eating light meals if that feels more comfortable. Later in your trip, you may have the opportunity to try cuy, or guinea pig, a traditional Andean dish served on special occasions. We also recommend visiting Centro Qosqo de Arte Nativo, where you can experience traditional regional dances, costumes and music. The show begins at approximately 6:00 PM; arriving around 40 minutes early may help you find a place in line. Confirm whether admission is included in your tourist ticket or package.

If you have additional free time, consider visiting the Regional Historical Museum, the Contemporary Art Museum, the Qoricancha Museum and the Museum of Popular Art. These cultural attractions provide further insight into the region's history and artistic traditions.

Discover the historic heart of Cusco on a guided city tour lasting approximately five hours. Explore colonial landmarks, sacred Inca sites and remarkable stonework that reveal the history of the former Inca capital. Begin at Cusco Cathedral in Plaza de Armas, the city's principal church. Built on the foundations of an earlier Inca religious site, the cathedral houses an extensive collection of paintings associated with the Cusco School of Art.

Continue to Qoricancha, whose Quechua name is commonly translated as the Temple of Gold. This important Inca religious complex was once richly decorated with gold and silver. Leave the city center to visit Sacsayhuamán, an impressive archaeological site famous for its enormous stone blocks and sophisticated construction techniques. During the Inca period, the site was associated with important religious and ceremonial traditions, including those connected with Illapa, the deity of thunder and lightning. Continue to Q'enqo, a ceremonial site featuring carved rock formations and stone structures associated with Inca religious practices.

Next, visit Puka Pukara, whose name means Red Fortress in Quechua, before continuing to Tambomachay. Known for its carefully constructed water channels and fountains, Tambomachay is associated with Inca water rituals. After the tour, return to Cusco and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

The city tour begins in the afternoon, allowing you to enjoy a relaxed morning and continue acclimatizing. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. You can use your free time to explore the museums, traditional streets and historic landmarks of Cusco at your own pace.

Explore the cultural and agricultural heritage of the Andes on a seven-hour group excursion through Maras, Moray and the Maras salt pans. This journey introduces you to traditional Andean settlements, remarkable agricultural engineering and landscapes that have sustained local communities for generations. Begin at Moray, an extraordinary complex of circular agricultural terraces that descend into large depressions, some reaching approximately 150 metres in depth.

Historians have associated these terraces with agricultural experimentation because of their different levels, irrigation channels and microclimates. The variation in temperature between the upper and lower terraces illustrates how the Incas adapted agricultural practices to the challenging Andean environment. Continue to Maras, a traditional town that preserves Andean customs and distinctive colonial-era architecture.

Walk through its streets and admire the stone doorways and colonial houses that reflect the region's layered history. This is an opportunity to appreciate a quieter side of Peru, beyond its most famous archaeological destinations. Finish at the Maras salt pans, where numerous evaporation ponds create a striking landscape across the mountainside. Local families continue to work these salt ponds, maintaining a tradition associated with the region for generations. After the excursion, return to Cusco and transfer to your hotel.

Today, discover the Sacred Valley, also known as the Vilcanota Valley after the river that flows through the region. This remarkable area combines dramatic mountain scenery, fertile agricultural land, traditional communities and some of the most impressive Inca archaeological sites in Peru. The Sacred Valley of the Incas is an essential stop for travellers interested in Inca history, Andean culture and the landscapes surrounding Cusco.

After breakfast, visit Awanacancha, an artisan center where you can see llamas up close and meet local craftspeople. Learn about traditional textile techniques and admire the intricate patterns and craftsmanship of Peruvian fabrics. You will also have the opportunity to purchase souvenirs and support local artisans whose work reflects the cultural traditions of the Andes.

Continue to Pisac, where an extraordinary complex of agricultural terraces and stone structures stretches across a mountainside. Explore the site's impressive construction and learn how the Incas adapted their settlements and agricultural systems to the steep Andean landscape. Then descend to Pisac town to visit its traditional handicraft market, where local vendors offer handmade products inspired by ancestral techniques.

Travel through the Sacred Valley of Peru to Urubamba, a town surrounded by fertile farmland and spectacular mountain scenery. Stop for lunch and enjoy an opportunity to sample Peruvian cuisine. Options may include salads, soups, ceviche, traditional main courses and desserts.

After lunch, visit Ollantaytambo, an important Inca archaeological complex that occupied a strategic position in the valley. Explore the monumental terraces and stone structures while learning about the site's historical religious, cultural and defensive roles. Continue through Ollantaytambo town, where narrow cobblestone streets and traditional buildings preserve elements of the original Inca urban layout. This remarkable destination offers a glimpse into how ancient Andean architecture remains part of everyday life.

After your visit, board the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. The journey provides a scenic transition from the Sacred Valley to the landscapes surrounding the famous Inca citadel. Upon arrival, a hotel representative will assist you with your transfer to the hotel.

Today, discover Machu Picchu, Peru, one of the world's most celebrated archaeological destinations and the highlight of many journeys through the Andes. At the scheduled time, your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to the bus station. The bus follows a winding mountain road to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, climbing approximately 400 metres along the route.

Upon arrival, enter the citadel with your guide and begin your approximately 2.5-hour guided tour. Walk through the ancient citadel and discover its remarkable stone structures, terraces and ceremonial spaces. Your guide will introduce you to the site's historical and cultural significance while helping you appreciate the architectural achievements of the Inca civilization. Surrounded by dramatic green peaks and steep Andean slopes, Machu Picchu offers an extraordinary setting for exploring Peru's ancient heritage.

If you are planning a visit from the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom, we recommend confirming your Machu Picchu entry tickets well in advance. Admission is subject to availability, official entry times and designated visiting circuits. Confirm which entrance tickets, transport services and guided activities are included in your selected tour package before travelling. The term Machu Picchu pass can refer to different admission arrangements used by travellers and booking providers. Check the specific ticket type and circuit rather than assuming that one pass grants access to every part of the archaeological site.

Travellers seeking an additional challenge may be interested in Huayna Picchu, the steep mountain that rises behind the citadel in many iconic photographs. A Machu Picchu climb to Huayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain requires the appropriate admission arrangements and may involve a separate entry time. These options should not be assumed to be included in the standard guided visit. If you wish to climb Huayna Picchu Mountain, confirm availability, access conditions and the applicable ticket requirements before your trip. The additional hike may affect the time available for the main citadel tour.

After your visit, return by bus to Aguas Calientes, where you can enjoy lunch at one of the local restaurants. Lunch is not included. Later, board the train to Ollantaytambo according to your confirmed departure schedule. Upon arrival, a representative will direct you to your connecting bus for the journey back to your hotel in Cusco.

Travel from Cusco to Puno along the famous Route of the Sun, a journey of approximately ten hours that combines Andean landscapes, historic churches and archaeological sites. Early in the morning, our team will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the bus terminal. Your first stop is Andahuaylillas, home to a celebrated 16th-century church often called the Sistine Chapel of the Americas because of its richly decorated interior and extensive religious artwork.

Admire the paintings, murals and ornate details that make this church an important cultural landmark along the route. Continue to Raqchi, an archaeological complex associated with the worship of Wiracocha, a major pre-Inca and Inca deity. Explore the surviving structures and learn about the region's ancient civilizations, including the Inca and Wari cultures.

Stop in Sicuani for a traditional regional lunch. After lunch, continue towards La Raya, the highest section of the journey and the boundary between the Cusco and Puno regions. Pause to appreciate the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and snow-capped peaks. Your final stop is Pucará, where you can learn about the ancient culture of the same name. Visit the local church and its museum before continuing to Puno.

Upon arrival in Puno in the early evening, your transfer will take you to your hotel.

Discover the cultural heritage and extraordinary landscapes of Lake Titicaca on an approximately eight-hour excursion by boat. At around 6:45 AM, you will be transferred from your hotel to the port. The Titicaca Express boat is scheduled to depart at approximately 7:15 AM towards the southern part of Taquile Island, where you will arrive at a scenic white-sand beach. Walk through spectacular landscapes and meet local families who maintain traditional crafts, textile practices and cultural customs.

Learn about the community's way of life and discover the importance of textile-making in the region's cultural identity. At approximately 11:00 AM, arrive at the community of Santa María on the Capacheca-Llachón peninsula. Experience local dances and traditions and learn about ancestral ceremonies. You will also participate in the preparation of pachamanca, a traditional Andean cooking method in which meat, fish and potatoes are prepared using an underground oven.

For travellers seeking additional adventure, kayaking along the coast of Llachón may be available as an optional activity. Depart Santa María and continue towards Uros Titino, with arrival scheduled for approximately 2:30 PM. Located in the Lake Titicaca region, these floating islands are associated with the Uros people, whose cultural traditions and use of totora reeds remain an important part of their heritage.

You may have the opportunity to take an optional ride on a traditional totora reed raft, subject to local availability. At approximately 4:30 PM, return to Puno and transfer to your hotel.

Depending on your flight schedule, our team will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to Juliaca Airport. Your 8-day journey through Peru comes to an end, leaving you with memories of Cusco's historic streets, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, the extraordinary citadel of Machu Picchu and the living cultural traditions surrounding Lake Titicaca.