Compare Cusco Adventure by Conde Travel vs Lights of Peru, The Inca Empire by Say Hueque
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 710 | $ 1,925 |
| Price Per Day | $ 89 | $ 241 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
7x breakfast, 6x lunch, 4x dinner |
N/A |
| Description |
Combine adventure and culture in the Cusco region. We will start with exploring the city of Cusco and the impressive surrounding archaeological sites. The second day we will continue by travelling through the beautiful Sacred Valley of the Incas with its typical villages, market squares with handcrafted products and churches. On the third day, the real challenge starts when we start the Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu. Four days of trekking through the mountains at high altitudes with gorgeous views of the snow-capped Salkantay and Humantay, two nights of camping and one night of lodging with a breath taking view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu from your bedroom window. We end the tour by visiting Machu Picchu and optionally Huayna Picchu where your guide will tell you all about the history behind these famous sites. |
Spend 8 days discovering the most enchanting destinations Peru has to offer! The adventure will start with a guided tour through Lima, Peru’s capital city, which is brimming with historic architecture, fascinating museums, and stunning coastal views from Miraflores. Your adventure will continue in Cusco, where you will spend the day strolling through Pisac’s famed craft market and exploring the Inca archaeological site of Ollantaytambo. Afterwards, you will venture to the Sacred Valley and spend two days marveling at the masterpiece of Machu Picchu, the famed 15th century Inca citadel that also happens to be one of the most significant and spectacular sites in the world. Finally, your journey will end in Cusco, where you will have the opportunity to explore incredible landmarks of the lost Inca civilization including Qoricacha temple, the Plaza de Armas, and the Sacsayhuaman and Puka Pukara fortresses. We are committed to creating one-of-a-kind experiences for each type of traveler. That’s why our trips are 100% tailor-made! That means that A) You can choose the exact travel experience you’ve always dreamed of, and B) Our services (excursions and transfers) can be private or semi-private, or a mix of both! If you’d prefer to have a car and a tour guide at your disposal, we can make it happen, and if you don’t care about sharing your transportation and/or your tour, we can put together some experiences where you’ll be able to meet other travelers from around the world. Keep in mind that even our semi-private tours are an intimate group size, so you’ll never be lost in a sea of other tourists. |
DAY 1 CITY TOUR
We pick you up from Cusco Airport and bring you to your hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure and get some rest to get acclimatised to the altitude. At 13.10 in the afternoon we will pick you up from your hotel to take the guided city tour of approximately 4 hours. First, we will visit the Cathedral of Cusco, located on the Plaza de Armas. Then our tour will continue to Qorikancha (The Temple of the Sun) and the Convent of Santo Domingo as well as to several of the city’s impressive archaeological ruins such as Sacsaywaman, Qenqo, Pukapukara, and Tambomachay. Afterwards we will return to the city to spend the night in Cusco
DAY 2 SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS
After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel at 8:30 a.m. to take the guide tour to the Sacred Valley of The Incas where we will see the little town of P’isaq and its typical handicraft market and the plaza. We will continue the journey to Urubamba where we will have an exquisite lunch buffet, then we continue with the tour to get the tourist centre of Ollantaytambo where we are going to see important archaeological remains. Coming back to Cusco by Chincheros, another tourist centre and colonial town. There we will visit the church and plaza. Then we return to Cusco for the night.
DAY 3 SALKANTAY TREK – MOLLEPATA – CRUZPATA – SORAYPAMPA
We pick you up from your hotel at 4:30 am and then we go by bus to Mollepata. As soon as we are at Mollepata, we’ll have breakfast then we start hiking the first 3 hours, a little bit uphill to get Cruzpata where we will have lunch with panoramic views of beautiful snow-capped mountains (Humantay; 4120m/13500ft and Salkantay; 6271m/20575ft) – and this is just the start! We will begin our trek towards Soraypampa. Where the tents will be ready for you as well as your dinner
DAY 4: SORAYPAMPA – CHAULLAY OR COLLPAPAMPA
We start walking after breakfast at about 5:30 am, Today, nature will change drastically from dry sceneries to snowy peaks and tropical areas, this day will be the longest day the first 4 hours is uphill to get highest point of the trail (4650m/15200ft) located halfway between 2 huge mountains; Salkantay on the right and Tucarhuay on the left. From the pass, the views of the 2 snow-capped mountains are incredible. We’ll have lunch and we hike again in the direction of the start of the jungle until we reach our second campsite, Chaullay or Colcapampa (3000m/9800ft) where we’ll have dinner.
Day 5: CHAULLAY – LUCMABAMBA – LLAQTAPATA
After having breakfast around 8 a.m., we will go by bus to Lucmabamba. From there we will walk up to the Llaqtapata ruins in about 2 hours and after a short break we descend for another half hour to the Llaqtapata lodge. We will have lunch at this amazing location with a breath taking view of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu and free time for the rest of the afternoon to relax, explore the area or go horse riding. Then we will have a traditional Peruvian dinner and have a good night’s rest to prepare for the following day.More info Llaqtapata click here
DAY 6: LLAQTAPATA – HIDROELECTRICA – AGUAS CALIENTES
The next morning, after a good breakfast we start the descent for about 1.5 hours to the river Ahobamba where the bus awaits us. Those who reserved in advance will do zip lining or go to the hot springs near Santa Teresa. The rest of the group will go to meeting point of Hidroelectrica where the entire group joins for the lunch after the activities. After some relaxing at this spot, we will continue walking along the train track that is leading through this great jungle that the Inca knew by heart to our final destination: Aguas Calientes. We walk for about 3 hours and you will encounter beautiful waterfalls, different Eco farms and possibly wildlife curious of your arrival in the region (arrival set for around 4:00pm). Here the group will spend the night in a hostel. At night we all will get together in a local restaurant to enjoy a great dinner and have a briefing about our next excursion to Machu Picchu. Then you are free to visit the city, which is wonderful after sunset.
DAY 7: MACHUPICCHU FULL DAY
We will enjoy a very early breakfast and start your 1 hour ascent to Machu Picchu on foot or by bus (optional). There you’ll meet your guide at the entrance of Machu Picchu, early enough to appreciate the breath taking sunrise. We will continue with a two hour guided tour of this magical place. After the guided tour there will be free time to explore the site in more detail. To climb the mountain of Machu Picchu you can choose one of the two groups at 07:00 am or 10:00 am. Huayna Picchu is an optional climb that you have to book at least 3 months in advance (please verify with us for availability). This hike will take us about an hour and it’s really worth it; the view is breath taking and the experience will be unforgettable. Enjoy and recharge your energy for a moment before descending. Note: this is an optional hike that has to be reserved at least 3 months in advance. In the afternoon we return to Aguas Calientes where we’ll have lunch. Afterwards we will take the train back to Cusco where you will spend the night in your hotel.
DAY 8 END OF TOUR
Today is the end of your tour. After breakfast in the hotel you will be transferred back to the airport.
Day 1: Welcome to Your 8-Day Trip to Perú - Lima
Transfer from the airport to your hotel – Day at leisure
Upon your arrival in Lima, we’ll be waiting to drive you from the airport to your hotel. Enjoy your leisure time in Lima!
Lima is the capital of Peru; the jumping-off point for nearly all trips to the country. In the Colonial Era, it housed the viceroyalty, making it the most powerful city-hub of South America.
Today, its native and foreign heritage coexist; its well-preserved, amazing colonial churches and archeological sites (heading south to Caral Sacred City) exist in harmony with Peru’s beautiful beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean and its delicious seafood.
Day 2: City Tour in Lima
Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to explore Lima’s old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with fascinating historic buildings.
We’ll start with a scenic tour in the colonial downtown, which expands from the Main Square, where you can appreciate the grandiose architecture of the Spanish Empire, like that of the Cathedral, which was built up in the 16th century and finished after 80 years of hard work!
Our next stop will be to Casa Aliaga, a colonial mansion that was granted in 1535 by chief conquistador Francisco Pizarro to Jerónimo de Aliaga, one of his captains.
The last part of this historical day tour in Lima will be dedicated to the Larco Museum. Located in the traditional Pueblo Libre district, this meticulously maintained museum is housed in a beautifully restored viceroyal mansion. Its exhibits boast the most complete pre-Hispanic collection of gold and silver artifacts, as well as pieces of ancient erotic art.
Since we’re on the topic of love encounters, we’ll finish the day at the “Love Park” built in 1993 to celebrate love in all its forms. Nestled in the upscale coastal district of Miraflores, you can admire the cliffs from its colorful mosaic benches and take in the most beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean.
After enjoying this romantic place and meeting the famous sculpture which immortalized the tender kiss of two passionate lovers, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.
Day 3: Continue Your Perú Travel Itinerary - Cuzco
Transfer from your hotel to Lima airport
Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel and take you to Lima airport to continue your 8-day trip in Perú. Take an hour’s flight to Cuzco, maybe the most international destination of Peru, since (but not only because…) Machu Picchu, the world-renowned Inca fortress, is located only 4 hours away!
Transfer from the airport to your hotel in Cuzco
Upon your arrival in Cuzco, we’ll drive you to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening exploring the city at your own pace.
Day 4: Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress - Cuzco
Full-day tour to Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress
Continue exploring the Sacred Valley, and visit Pisac, famous for its craft market where you’ll find the most exquisite pieces of jewelry, ceramic, and textile craftwork. We’ll continue our trip by visiting the archeological site of Pisac to admire the stone terraces built by the Incas, and last, we’ll head to Ollantaytambo to visit its stunning fortress. Admire the remaining towers and walls that used to keep the citadel safe and the royal guests it used to host. You will sleep in Cuzco tonight, at the end of the day, a transfer will drop you at your hotel.
Day 5: Travel to Machu Picchu - Return to Cuzco
Tour to Machu Picchu, discover the legendary city!
Your tour to Machu Picchu begins with a 4-hour train ride to Aguas Calientes (literally, hot water). This town is also known as “Machu Picchu Pueblo” and is the last stop before entering the remains of the most important archaeological site in Peru. Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” and is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
You’ll finally reach Machu Picchu (the ancient sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacutec) after a short transfer by bus through the mountains.
Here, when we arrive at the exact destination that is the highlight of your trip, we will have special moments which will most certainly be cherished forever. Enjoy your first impressions of this jaw-dropping place, and breathe the magic in the air.
At the end of the tour, you will take a bus back to Aguas Calientes and the train back to Cuzco where a transfer will drive you to your hotel.
Day 6: City Tour in Cuzco
City tour in Cuzco and archeological sites
Today we’ll pick you up at your hotel to start your Cuzco tour with a visit to the Coricancha, also known as the “Temple of the Sun” the construction of which was ordered by Inca Pachacútec (1438-1471).
This is where the Sun (Inti, in Quechua) was worshipped during the reign of the Inca Empire, and during that time its walls were fully covered with gold sheets and its courtyards were adorned with golden corn and life-sized sculptures of llamas.
We’ll continue on to visit the Cathedral, the most important building in the Main Square (whose construction lasted almost a century) and one of the most splendid Spanish colonial churches in America.
Our next stop will be the Sacsayhuamán fortress, an emblematic Incan piece of work, which protected the Holy City. The Sacsayhuamán complex was constructed with giant megalithic blocks, the transportation and construction of which continue to be a mystery.
This day will end with a visit to some archeological main attractions. You’ll visit Qenqo, located just over 2 miles away from Cuzco City, an archaeological complex mainly used for religious purposes, and where it is believed that agricultural rituals took place.
You will finally visit the vestiges of Puka Pukara, located 4.5 miles away from Cuzco. Puka Pukara, which means “red fortress”, was an architectural complex presumably used for military purposes.
At the end of this full historical and natural immersion in Cuzco’s heritage, we’ll drive you back to your hotel.
Day 7 Hike to Humantay Lagoon - Cuzco
Hike to Humantay Lagoon
You will leave Cuzco early in the morning heading to Soraypampa. On the way, pass by the city of Limatambo, an important entrance to Cuzco during the Inca Empire, and see the archaeological site of Tarawasi. Make a quick breakfast stop in a local restaurant before reaching Soraypampa and begin a mountain hike to Humantay Lagoon. Enjoy the stunning scenery of this wonderful place and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Heading back to Cuzco, take lunch at a restaurant along the route.
Day 8 The End of Your 8-Day Travel Itinerary to Peru
This is the end of your 8-day travel itinerary to Peru…at least for now! At the appropriate time, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and head to the Cuzco airport to take your flight.
Keep on exploring other amazing destinations in Perú. Fire up your wanderlust with our featured trips to Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Peru.
