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The Magic of the Sacred Valley – 7 Days: Lima, Cusco, Maras, Machu Picchu, French-speaking guide

from $1,227

Duration

7 days

Type

Guided, Small Group Tours

Difficulty

Easy

Legacy of the Inca Empire – 7 Days: Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Puno, French-speaking guide

Experience the best of Peru on this seven-day trip. Start in Lima, a World Heritage Site, and enjoy its coastline and colonial legacy. Cusco awaits you to open the doors to the Inca universe, with its imposing archaeological sites and an enchanting city in every way. Finish your trip to Peru with a visit to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and a jewel of Inca heritage.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Lima: Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Peruvian capital is a showcase of history and modernity. Its historic centre preserves the colonial architectural ensembles that coexist closely with the Pacific Ocean and a characteristic bohemian essence.

Cusco: The ancient Inca capital is a unique blend of pre-Columbian past and Spanish architecture. Its temples, squares and streets are surrounded by hills in which amazing sites such as Sacsayhuamán and Qenqo, Puca Pucará and Tambomachay are hidden.

Chinchero and Ollantaytambo: Get closer to the millennia-old heritage and Andean culture that live in these villages in the Sacred Valley, the heart of the Inca Empire.

Machu Picchu: The "Lost City of the Incas" is the reason why thousands of people come to Peru. It is hidden in the vegetation. Discover our past through its rooms, temples, bridges and religious sites, built in communion with the surrounding landscape.

Maras: These salt pools form a dazzling landscape. In Inca times, salt deposits were a major economic center and were of great importance to the Empire.

Inclusions

Operated with a French-speaking guide during the excursions
6 nights' accommodation
6 breakfasts
2 lunches (days 5 and 6)
Transfers to/from the airport by private vehicle
Shared transfers to and from train stations
Return train to Machu Picchu in Expedition (PeruRail) or Voyager (Inca Rail) service for Standard and Superior categories, and in Vistadome (PeruRail) or 360° (Inca Rail) service for Deluxe category
Bus Aguas Calientes / Machu Picchu / Aguas Calientes
All the visits mentioned in the program: Casa Aliaga, Cathedral and Larco Museum in Lima; Coricancha, Cathedral, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay in Cusco; Chinchero, Living Museum of Yucay, Ollantaytambo Fortress, Maras, Moray in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu
Cusco Tourist Ticket (BTC)

Exclusions

Personal expenses, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during meals, meals or services not explicitly mentioned in the program
Luggage and gratuities
Additional Optional Tours
International flights to Peru
Domestic flights: Lima – Cusco (Day 3) (we recommend booking the first flights in the morning)
Departure taxes from international and domestic airports
Travel insurance or any additional loss or cost resulting from unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 ARRIVAL LIMA

Upon arrival at Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, a vehicle with a driver and a representative will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 2 LIMA

Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you to explore the historic heart of the city. You will be amazed by Casa Aliaga, a colonial residence over five centuries old and considered the oldest continuously inhabited house in South America. Next, you will explore Plaza Mayor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you will have the opportunity to admire the majestic Lima Cathedral. Your day will conclude with a visit to the Larco Museum, housed in a magnificent 18th-century colonial mansion. Here, you will journey through more than 5,000 years of Peruvian history via an exceptional collection of ceramics, gold, and silver artifacts. This excursion is shared with other participants.

Overnight in Lima.

Day 3 LIMA – CUSCO (90 min by plane; not included)

A shuttle will pick you up from your hotel at the agreed time and transfer you to Jorge Chávez International Airport in Lima. Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco (not included). Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, one of our representatives will welcome you and escort you to your hotel. Discover the magic of Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire. Your visit will begin at the Convent of Santo Domingo, built on the ruins of the Temple of the Sun, Coricancha. You will then admire the Cathedral Basilica of the Virgin of the Assumption, a masterpiece of religious art. Afterward, you will explore the surrounding hills of Cusco and their archaeological sites, including the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuamán, the mysterious complex of Qenqo, and the site of Puca Pucará. The tour concludes at the ruins of Tambomachay, also known as the Baths of the Inca. After this unforgettable day, you will return to your hotel enriched by new discoveries. Please note that this excursion is shared with other travelers, allowing you to enjoy the experience alongside fellow enthusiasts.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 4 CUSCO – MORAY & MARAS – SACRED VALLEY

Your guide will pick you up to start your tour of the Sacred Valley. The first stop will be the archaeological site of Moray, famous for its mysterious concentric circular terraces that recreate various microclimates. You will then continue to Maras, where you will find the famous pre-Inca salt pans, still in use today, which make up a spectacular landscape with their thousands of sparkling pools. At the end of the tour, you will be escorted back to your hotel.

Overnight in Urubamba.

Day 5 SACRED VALLEY – AGUAS CALIENTES

A vehicle will pick you up in the morning to take you to the picturesque village of Chinchero. We'll discover its agricultural terraces and its 17th-century colonial church built on an ancient Inca palace also recognized as one of the first Catholic constructions in Peru. Along the way, we'll stop at a lookout point to admire the spectacular landscapes of the Sacred Valley. Next, we'll visit the Living Museum of Yucay, where we'll be able to witness the creation of textiles, adobe objects, ceramics, and silver objects using ancient Inca techniques. We'll enjoy a delicious lunch typical of the Sacred Valley. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a delicious typical lunch. After lunch, we'll head to the imposing fortress of Ollantaytambo, an important ceremonial center known for its impressive agricultural terraces that stretch across the sides of the surrounding mountains. Board the Tourist train from Ollantaytambo Station to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu village), where English-speaking assistance will be provided upon arrival.

Overnight in Aguas Calientes.

Day 6 MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO

Aguas Calientes, located on the slopes of Machu Picchu, offers a bustling handicraft market, a variety of restaurants, and accommodation options. Just a 25-minute bus ride away, you'll find Machu Picchu, a marvel of engineering and architecture, which is said to have served as a sanctuary and retreat for the Inca Pachacútec. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Machu Picchu, which means "Old Mountain," captivates with its historical brilliance and natural majesty.

You will enjoy a delicious lunch at Café Inkaterra, with a unique view of the Vilcanota River. This restaurant combines Andean cuisine and architecture with contemporary trends, creating dishes with an original taste and fusion style. Upon arrival at Ollantaytambo train station after your train journey from Aguas Calientes, a vehicle will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco. This transfer will be shared with other travelers.

Overnight in Cusco.

Day 7 CUSCO DEPARTURE

Your Peruvian adventure is coming to an end. A driver will pick you up from your hotel to take you to Cusco Airport.

Meeting / Pickup

Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

Please Note

The domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. Arrivals at noon are too late.
Please note that check-in at most hotels begins at 13:00. Guests will be subject to room availability if they arrive earlier, and will have to wait in the hotel lobby.
If your trip includes visiting high-altitude cities such as Cusco and Puno, more than 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) above sea level, remember to take precautions to avoid altitude sickness. Passengers with heart problems or high blood pressure should consult their doctor before travelling.
We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical issues or for safety reasons.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW MACHU PICCHU ENTRY REGULATIONSIn order to preserve the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu and maintain its World Heritage status, the Ministry of Culture has established various tour routes. The specific tour and time will be assigned based on availability at the time of confirmation of your booking.
The following items are prohibited: professional cameras that require lights and tripods, or with telephoto lenses weighing more than 2 kilograms (special permission and an additional fee are required to use them), drones, selfie sticks, sprays, high heels, walking sticks without rubber tips, banners and posters, sharp objects and backpacks larger than 40 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm.
After the ban on single-use plastic in 76 natural areas, including Machu Picchu, it is important to use reusable bottles.
INSTRUCTIONSCarry the same document as the one presented to the agency, as the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information.
On all train services to Machu Picchu, each passenger can only take one piece of hand luggage (backpack, bag or briefcase) weighing a maximum of 5 kg / 11 lbs on the return train to and from Machu Picchu. You will meet your luggage at the chosen hotel. Allowable size: 62 linear inches / 157 cm (height + length + width)