Cusco & Its Treasures: Machu Picchu & Rainbow Mountain

Upon your arrival in Cusco, an Aura Andina representative will be waiting for you at the airport holding a sign with your name to take you to your hotel located within the historic center. No activities are scheduled for this day, allowing you time to acclimatize and explore the city at your own pace.

INCLUDES:

• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

Our experience begins with a visit to the Cusco Cathedral, majestic for its Baroque style and indigenous worldview, expressed in its gold-plated altars and masterpieces of the Cusco School (including the 'Lord of Tremors'). Next, we head to the Qoricancha (Sun Temple), where you will be amazed by the perfectly carved Inca stone walls fused with the Dominican convent—a reflection of two different worlds meeting in Cusco's history. Finally, we drive to the outskirts to explore nearby archaeological sites: Sacsayhuaman (famous for its massive stone walls), Qenqo (a sacred ritual site), and finally Pukapukara and Tambomachay (ancient checkpoints and water fountains).

INCLUDES:

• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel

Today we visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas. We start with the Pisac ruins, enjoying the best views from this magnificent site, followed by a visit to the traditional Pisac Market, famous for its crafts and local people who still use ancestral techniques to produce their goods. Afterward, we head to a restaurant in Urubamba to recharge with a delicious lunch. We continue to the archaeological center of Ollantaytambo, known for its legends and its living town that still preserves ancient streets and buildings. Depending on our train schedule, we will head to the station to board the train to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes). We will be waiting there to take you to your hotel so you can rest and be full of energy for the long-awaited day.

INCLUDES:

• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch in the Sacred Valley

Depending on your Machu Picchu ticket time, your guide will pick you up to take the Consettur bus to the entrance gate. The 25-minute ride offers a preview of the wonder you are about to discover. Once at the entrance of Machu Picchu, we begin our guided tour of approximately 2.5 hours. You will learn about the history, Andean worldview, construction techniques, and spiritual importance of this place. After the tour, you will have some free time to explore at your own pace (approx. 30 mins). Then, you will take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes for lunch. Finally, you will board the return train to Ollantaytambo, where we will be waiting to drive you back to your hotel in Cusco, concluding this unforgettable day.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Lunch in Aguas Calientes
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

Today you will have the opportunity to enjoy Cusco at your own pace. After breakfast at the hotel, we recommend wandering through its charming cobblestone streets, discovering corners full of history, visiting museums included in your Tourist Ticket, or simply relaxing in a café at the Plaza de Armas. If you wish, you can also venture to local markets like San Pedro, where you will find crafts and authentic atmosphere. Another option is to explore traditional neighborhoods and viewpoints such as San Blas, the San Cristobal Viewpoint, 7 Borreguitos Street, and the Sapantiana Aqueduct. Cusco invites both cultural exploration and relaxation, so you can choose between touring historical treasures, tasting its varied gastronomy, or simply letting yourself be carried away by its unique atmosphere.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

The day begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We embark on a journey of approximately 2.5 hours in comfortable tourist transport to the community of Soraypampa, enjoying a box breakfast en route. Upon arrival at the trailhead, we begin a hike of about 2 hours surrounded by spectacular Andean landscapes until reaching the impressive Humantay Lake, known for its intense turquoise waters and the majestic backdrop of the Humantay and Salkantay snow-capped peaks. At the top, you will have time to rest, admire nature, and capture unforgettable photos. After the visit, we descend back to Soraypampa. From there, we board our transport to enjoy a box lunch before returning comfortably to your hotel in Cusco.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast and Lunch en route
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

Discover three gems of the Sacred Valley in a single day full of spectacular landscapes. We start by leaving Cusco heading to Moray, an enigmatic Inca archaeological center used for agricultural experiments with circular terraces simulating different microclimates. There, you will learn about ancestral wisdom and adaptation to the environment. Next, we continue to the famous Maras Salt Mines, consisting of thousands of salt pools on the mountain slopes. This place not only offers impressive views but also keeps a living tradition: the artisanal extraction of salt, just as it was done in pre-Inca times. Finally, we visit the charming village of Chinchero, known as the "Birthplace of the Rainbow." We will explore its archaeological site, its colonial church built on Inca foundations, and participate in a live textile demonstration, where local women show us the traditional weaving process with natural dyes. It is a unique opportunity to connect with the cultural essence of the Andes. We return to your hotel in Cusco with a heart full of history, unforgettable landscapes, and authentic experiences.

INCLUDES:

• Overnight in a 3-star hotel
• Breakfast at the hotel

Today our experience begins with a pick-up from your hotel in Cusco. We travel for approximately 2 hours in our tourist transport to a charming countryside restaurant, where an Andean breakfast with authentic flavors and impressive natural views awaits. Then, we continue to the trailhead, where majestic Andean landscapes mark the start of an unforgettable adventure. The hike will last between 2 to 2.5 hours, during which you will be surrounded by imposing natural scenery. Upon reaching the summit, you will have free time to contemplate the surroundings, breathe fresh air, and capture spectacular photos. The descent will allow you to continue appreciating the beauty of the place until returning to the starting point. Later, enjoy a delicious Andean lunch and finally, we undertake the return to Cusco, where you can relax while reliving the moments of a unique experience in the Andes.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast and Lunch en route
• Overnight in a 3-star hotel

We hope your experience with Aura Andina has been excellent and that you take the best memories home with you. Today, we will pick you up from your hotel to take you to the Cusco airport.

INCLUDES:

• Breakfast at the hotel