9 Days
9 Destinations
12 GUESTS (MAX)
Want to travel this journey privately?
Learn moreThis trip is the perfect introduction to the city of Cusco, Sacred Valley, the salt mines, MORAY AND the famous 4-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (lost city of the Incas), one of the architectural and engineering wonders of the ancient world.
Places we will visit:
Additional information:
The prices are “from 2 people or more” rates, shown in US dollars, the accommodation of the rooms will be double or matrimonial for 2 people in case you want separate rooms, let us know at the time of making your reservation this will be subject to availability. To avoid any setbacks, we recommend booking this tour at least 6-8 months before your desired travel date to obtain an Inca Trail permit, as they are issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Comfortable camping with private chef and portable toilet. Modern vehicles with private driver.
Some steep inclines at high altitudes, that can be regarded as strenuous. With sufficient pre-trail training, its easily achievable.
Hiking, trekking, and camping.
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5..
Hiking, trekking, and camping.
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 5..
with a private transfer to your hotel, where you can check in in total comfort. You will receive personalized service, with all the information about the most exclusive attractions of the city, such as gourmet restaurants, luxury shops, traditional markets and money exchange offices. In addition, we will provide you with a detailed map so you can explore at your own pace.
Recommendation: Relax with an infusion of Coca or Muña tea, in your room or in the common areas of the hotel, perfect to help you adapt to the altitude of Cusco (3400 masl / 11155ft). Enjoy a few hours of rest to regain your strength and, in the afternoon, delight your eyes with a light walk through the city you can go to the Plaza de Armas of Cusco where you will appreciate the beautiful colonial buildings.
A living city that combines Inca temples and palaces, a perfect combination of Andean and Spanish culture. The first place we will visit will be the Temple of the Sun or Qoricancha on which the Convent of Santo Domingo (Order of the Dominicans) has been built. Then we will leave the city to appreciate the great Inca wonder of Sacsaywaman, considered the greatest architectural work whose Inca walls have no equivalent in the world. Then we move a little further away from the city to visit the sacred places of Qenqo, Pukapukara and Tambomachay. At the end of the tour we will take you back to your hotel.
Qoricancha and the Convent of Santo Domingo
It was one of the most venerated and respected temples in the city. The “golden enclosure”, as it was known, was a sacred place where homage was paid to the highest Inca god: INTI, so one could only enter on an empty stomach, barefoot and with a load on one’s back as a sign of humility, as indicated by the high priest Wilaq Umo. Inside the temple, not only the Sun was worshipped, but also other minor deities such as the Moon and Venus. According to the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, the intermediate enclosure in the northwest corner of the temple was dedicated to the worship of the Moon, and the next one was for Venus, the Pleiades and other constellations. On the other side of the courtyard, in two smaller rooms, worship was paid to Thunder (Illapa) and the Rainbow (Cuichu). On its façade there was an altar that housed the gold plate that reflected the sun at sunrise. Today it is partially destroyed by colonial works that were later rebuilt. The Qoricancha not only housed the main gods of the Inca pantheon, but also had a magical-religious projection, whose purpose was to sacralize the geography of Tahuantinsuyu. For this reason, from the center of the main courtyard, inticancha, the ceques departed, which are the virtual lines that communicated the temple with the spirits that lived in the mountains (apus), before whom even the powerful Incas bowed their heads. The basis of the Inca composition for the construction of the temple was the patio, a courtyard around which several rectangular enclosures were arranged. The first, which was next to the Intipampa, contained the main buildings for the worship of the Sun and other gods of the Inca pantheon; while in the second, located in front of that plaza, Punchao was venerated (a representation of the Sun that consisted of a statue of pure gold the height of a ten-year-old child) that remained there during the day, and at night was taken to the plaza for veneration. The idol “slept” accompanied by numerous ñustas in a neighbouring building, outside the courtyard, and was then returned to its original place in the morning.
Sacsayhuamán
Sacsaywaman is one of the Inca constructions that most surprises tourists who, according to new hypotheses, point out that it would have been a very important ceremonial centre and not a fortress.
In any case, let us look at the traditional conception of Sacsayhuamán. It would be a spectacular fortress built with enormous carved rocks, joined with absolute precision. Together with Machu Picchu and Choquequirao, it is, without a doubt, one of the greatest architectural works of the Tahuantinsuyu. But, in addition, it represents the undoubted constancy of the administrative capacity of the empire and its powerful logistical apparatus. Its Quechua name means “satisfied falcon”. Therefore, it was the falcon that guarded the capital of the empire, since from the hill on which it was erected it dominates the entire city. If, as is known, Cusco was designed in the shape of a recumbent puma, Sacsayhuamán would be its head, while Qoricancha would correspond to the feline’s genitals. Its shape and location would have rather obeyed other principles, such as harmony between architecture and landscape. Current research suggests that it would have been a temple dedicated to the worship of the Sun, for which not only the construction was important, but also the environment that surrounded it.
Q’enqo
This Quechua name means (labyrinth). During the Inca period this place was a temple for public ceremonies. It is an enormous semicircular enclosure 55 meters long with 19 incomplete niches distributed along the wall. Some publications claim that the niches were arranged around the amphitheater as seats for the entities that were worshipped, but according to recent research it is very likely that they were actually the bases of a large wall. In front of the free enclosure there is a large stone block 6 meters high that rests on a solid rectangular pedestal. It is possible that it was a gigantic sculpture that must have had zoomorphic models. The lack of precision is due to the traces of destruction caused by idolaters (people in charge of eliminating the icons of the local cult) during the Colonial period. It also has a rocky outcrop decorated with a passageway that leads to an underground room, a complex of platforms, rooms and a system of drainage channels intended to evacuate water from the site. The underground chamber, the rock carving here is quite a feat. Floors, ceilings, walls, tables and niches were carefully carved into the living rock. Without a doubt, it was a place of worship for secret and hidden rites. The builders of the place completed its composition with service rooms around the perimeter. It also has platforms and channels for the evacuation of rainwater.
Pukapukara
Puka pukara means “red fortress”, because the limestone with which it is built has acquired the reddish color of the terrain, very rich in iron.It is said that it had the function of protecting Tambomach’ay, an important palace in the Inca era. But at the same time, due to its architectural layout and the existence of fountains, aqueducts and multiple enclosures, and its proximity to the old road, which can be seen gaining the pass in the northern mountain and which led to Huch’uy Qosqo and Calca in the Sacred Valley, it was a «tambo», that is, a collective hostel that offered accommodation and food to travelers, as well as to the entourage that had to accompany the Inca in his retreat in Tambomach’ay. In Puka pukara there are enclosures, interior plazas, baths, aqueducts, watchtowers and an easily recognizable Inca road. The buildings are made of medium and small stones, the external surface of the polyhedrons is slightly rough unlike other archaeological complexes; in short, the urban layout is extremely suitable and functional.
Tambomachay
The archaeological site of Tambomachay is located 8 km (15 min.) northeast of Cusco, on a paved road, and 1 km from Puca-pucará. It is located on the slopes of a hill near the main road to Antisuyo, on the Tambomachay River. It is also known as the Tambo de la Caverna and occupies an area of 437 square meters, located at an altitude of 3,700 meters. Apparently it was the favorite spa of the Inca, but at the same time, it was one of the pillars of the Cusco Valley’s defensive system. The name comes from two Quechua words: Tampu, which means collective accommodation and Mach’ay, which means resting place. However, according to other references, the word «machay» means «caverns», which would describe the peculiar environment of the place where these natural rock formations can be seen, which, according to indigenous tradition, were objects of veneration or magical practices. Formed by a set of finely carved stone structures, aqueducts and waterfalls from nearby springs and hot springs (which is why it is thought to have been related to the cult of water), it is one of the pillars of the Andean worldview. It is considered one of the sanctuaries of the first ceque of Antisuyo.
Cult of Water: Water itself was venerated as a source of life. Tambomachay has an extraordinary hydraulic system. Two aqueducts artistically carved into the rock transport and maintain a constant flow of clean, clear water throughout the year, which comes from a pool located on an upper level. This network of underground channels pours its water into a small stone pool located on the lowest level. This pool must have been a liturgical fountain, where the Inca worshipped water alongside the greats of the Empire. The “Bath of the Ñusta” is very similar to that of Ollantaytambo, made of perfectly assembled stones, with a carved edge and drainage channels. Although today it is an open-air structure, the foundations seem to indicate that it was originally an enclosed space. It is entered through four trapezoidal portico platforms with double jambs.
Important:
Remember to buy tourist tickets to enter the archaeological sites (not included).
We start the day with an exclusive private tour to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a tour of impressive archaeological ruins. First, we will pick you up from your hotel at 9 am and head to the Taray viewpoint, where we will enjoy the first views of the sacred valley. Then we will visit the archaeological site of Pisac, with its famous Inca terraces. At the end of the visit, you can explore the vibrant Pisac Handicraft Market, where the most refined souvenirs are within your reach.
Archaeological Ruins of Pisac
The archaeological zone of Pisac has admirable palaces, ceremonial temples, water channels and wells. Large production warehouses, as well as the amazing cemetery made up of thousands of tombs dug into the mountain. We can also admire the incredible agricultural terraces that allowed for increased food production, which would be its most important activity, agriculture. At the foot of the mountain is a beautiful urban area located on a high semicircular promontory. The ruin is surrounded by large agricultural terraces that harmonize with the natural curvature of the landscape
Later we will board our private transport that will take us to the town of Urubamba where you will enjoy a rich and delicious lunch (buffet) and then visit the majestic Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress of monumental architecture.
Ollantaytambo Fortress
After 40 minutes in our transport we will arrive at the archaeological site of Ollantaytambo, where we will appreciate one of the largest fortresses made by the Incas, here our guide will explain to us about the history of Ollantaytambo.
The Ollantaytambo fortress, one of the most important archaeological centers, was built to celebrate the victory of the Inca Pachacuteq over the Tambos. It is admired for its monumental construction and strategic location within the Sacred Valley, highlighting its main military functions. It contains structures such as the Temple of the Sun, the Royal Hall, the Incahuatana and the Baths of the Princess. This site is one of the few places where the Spanish lost a battle during the conquest.
After our visit we will head towards the town of Chichero (1 hour away) where we will appreciate the explanation of the local ladies who will show us the Inca techniques for washing, dyeing and making textiles with alpaca and vicuña wool, we will see the work they do.
At the end of our tour we will go to our private transport to return to the city of Cusco (approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes of travel) and drop you off at your hotel.
Important:
Remember to buy tourist tickets to enter the archaeological sites (not included).
Start your day with breakfast at your hotel and get ready to live a unique experience. We will pick you up at 8:00 am heading towards Maras where you can see the famous salt mines in our private transport, you will have a spectacular view of the Andes. After visiting the salt mines we will continue with our trip to the archaeological site of MORAY known for its circular terraces. Our guide will answer all your questions and together we will tour each part of the archaeological site and then return to the city of Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Remember that you have to pay an entrance fee of 20 soles to visit the Maras salt mines.
We start this great day of adventure on our way to the Classic Inca Trail. We will pick you up from your hotel in our private transportation at 4:30 am. From there, we travel to Piskacucho, also known as kilometer 82, where the Classic Inca Trail begins. Here we will stop for breakfast in Ollantaytambo from 6:30 am – 7:00 am approximately to recharge our batteries for our start of the Inca Trail (breakfast is not included).
Arriving at kilometer 82 (8:30 am) we will make a stop to get ready and prepare to start our adventure, we can also use the bathrooms, we will apply sunscreen, insect repellent, etc.. Once at the Inca Trail checkpoint, we will be asked to present our entrance tickets and passports.
At the beginning of the trail (2,720m / 8,923 ft) we will cross the Urubamba River and follow its course to the right. The first day is relatively easy, where we will observe excellent views of the Inca Fortress (Huillca Raccay), the vast and incredible Inca site of Llactapata (officially called Patallacta), the Urubamba mountain range that divides the jungle, the Andes Cordillera and the beautiful snowy peak of W’akay Willca (5,860m / 19, 225 ft) also known as Veronica where you can also see the lush green valley and a lot of flora and fauna, we will walk for about 3 hours between ascents and descents until we reach our meeting place in the village of Hatunchaca where our chef will be waiting for us ready with our delicious lunch.
After our lunch we will have a few minutes to rest and contemplate the beauty of the area and then continue our hike to our first camp called Ayapata, an hour and a half away from our lunch which is located at (3,300m / 10827 ft) located in the green temperate valley of the same name. The night temperatures are around 5ºC depending on the month so we must be prepared in advance, when we arrive at our camp we will have a delicious dinner prepared by our team there our guide will give you the guidelines for the next day and at night you can see the beautiful starry sky that offers the Inca Trail.
This second day will be challenging, as we will have a steep climb up to the highest peak, Abra de Warmi wañuska or Paso de la Mujer Muerta (4,200 m / 13,779 ft). So we will get up very early 5:00 am – 5:30 am. For this it will be important to be prepared and full of energy. This day, you will feel a real sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit! After a well-deserved rest, we will begin the descent to our lunch spot, which is located at Pacaymayu (3,550 m / 11,646 ft).
On our way to the pass, we will be able to see a great variety of hummingbirds and a combination of other bird species. There will be plenty of time to appreciate the incredible variety of native plants and Polylepis or Q’ueuña trees, which grow in the amazing cloud forest (3,650 m / 11,972 ft).
After finishing our lunch we will have free time to appreciate the beauty of the area. After lunch, you will have another four hours of hiking, interspersed with breaks until you reach the Chaquicocha camp, where you can visit two beautiful archaeological sites; Runku Raccay and Sayacmarka. Finally, you will enjoy dinner and a good rest.
We will start early again! Our team will wake you up with a cup of hot tea, followed by breakfast and then start your two-hour hike to the last pass of Phuyupatamarca (which means City in the Clouds). Here, we reach the third highest point along the Inca trail (3,680 m / 12,073 ft.) The views of the mountains, canyons and surrounding areas are spectacular!
The Inca site of Phuyupatamarca is just a few minutes walk from the third pass. After visiting this site, we continue walking up 3,000 stairs through the cloud forest to the impressive agricultural Inca site of Intipata. After taking some time to visit this site, we continue until we reach our third camp Wiñay Wayna (2,680 m / 8,792 ft). Today we will only walk for 4 to 5 hours, arriving at the camp at lunch time, where you will enjoy different types of plants, flowers and birds of the forest. After lunch, you can take the five minute hike to the most beautiful Inca site on the Inca Trail, Wiñay Wayna (forever young).
This place is full of impressive buildings and viewpoints along the way. Later around 5:30 p.m., you will return to camp for your last happy hour and dinner. Afterwards, a small celebration, to say “thank you”, and “goodbye” to your amazing porters. If you wish, you can leave a voluntary tip to thank them for their hard work.
We arrive at the last day of adventure and the most important, for this we will get up earlier than usual around 4:00 am, then we will start our way to Machu Picchu and be able to arrive on time the target at 6:00 am and be able to appreciate the Sun Gate (also known as Inti Punku). At that point, the majestic Citadel of Machu Picchu will be in front of us with its intense beauty, an incredible sight for all to see. Afterwards, we walk downhill to the Machu Picchu Citadel (2,400 m / 7,872 ft). After walking 40 minutes, we enter the citadel from the top through the House of the Guardians. From there, we head towards the checkpoint, where we check in and leave our belongings. The professional guide will lead us through the amazing ruins and its main streets. You can stroll through the city squares and climb the carved stone staircases. Machu Picchu is considered the spiritual center of the world for esoteric wisdom. Once the guided tour is over, you will have time to take pictures of the incredible and majestic Inca citadel.
After the visit to Machupichu we will take the bus to the town of Aguas Calientes to have our last lunch (not included). At the end of our lunch we will go to the train station to board our expedition train that will take us to Ollantaytambo station. Here is where you will meet our private transportation and will be transferred to your hotel in Cusco, we will be arriving to the city of Cusco around 8:30 pm and thus we will end our wonderful adventure.
In the morning after your breakfast we will transfer you in our private transport to the airport to board your flight to your next destination.
Please read the information provided carefully as it will help answer all your questions about our services.
If you wish, we can pick you up from the airport to give you a warm welcome to the city of Cusco and transfer you to your hotel, so you must inform us of your flight details at least 14 days before your trip. On the day of your arrival, please look for our representative who will be holding a sign with the META Peru logo at the airport (coordinate when making your reservation).
The information talk will take place the night before the trek at 6:00 pm at our office or at your hotel.
FIRST, to book your INCA TRAIL tour to Machu Picchu, we need you to fill out our reservation form by clicking BOOK NOW on our home page as well as to the right side of the tour of your choice or click here on the INQUIRE NOW link to contact us so we can give you the best options during your stay in PERU.
Please note that we cannot purchase your Machu Picchu tickets without the following information:
Remember: that during the period of 2025 the tickets to the Inca citadel (MACHUPICCHU) are in high demand so we recommend you make the reservation in advance to guarantee an unforgettable quality experience.
***Copies of the passport of each participant are required in order to reserve the tickets for the visit to the Inca citadel (MACHUPÍCCHU)!
SECOND, we require a deposit of $250.00 USD per person, in order to purchase the entrance tickets to the archaeological park of MACHUPICCHU. You can make your deposit by clicking on the symbols VISA, PAYPAL or the payment method that is enabled when you click on BOOK NOW that is located on the right side of the chosen tour or you can also send us a message to our email to contact you, this link will be found in INQUIRE NOW.
We would appreciate it if you pay in cash at our office (we accept US dollars or Peruvian soles) during your briefing 2 or 4 days before your trip. We have many ATMs in downtown Cusco. You can also pay with VISA or PAYPAL online, but you will have to pay a 5.5% service charge, charged by VISA and PAYPAL. To pay your balance via PAYPAL, you must log in to your PAYPAL account using our email address of metaperutravel@gmail.com.
We recommend you pay in cash at our offices to avoid this charge.
At META PERU your care and experience is the most important thing.
¡Yes! You must bring your original passport and it is very important that it has the same passport number that you sent us to book your permit for the Machu Picchu Tour or package. Your passport will be checked when you enter Machu Picchu and when you board the train. In case you are renewing your passport, please send us a copy of your old passport to secure your permission and be able to change it when you get your new passport. If so, please send us a copy of your new passport as soon as possible.
DISCOUNTS
In the event that you are unable to finish the trek due to health reasons, our team will take you to the nearest town for assistance with transportation. We always carry oxygen on our treks for any respiratory issues. In extreme cases, we can arrange for a helicopter at your expense. (Travel insurance required, recommended). There are no refunds in the unlikely situation that you are unable to finish the trek.
Generally, those who need help getting off the trail are taken to Ollantaytambo and if they recover quickly they continue the journey to Aguas Calientes (cost incurred by the trekker) and visit Machu Picchu according to the original plan.
Unfortunately, the answer is No. Once the permits have been purchased, the Peruvian government does not allow any changes, so we cannot change any dates after the permit has been purchased. The permits are also non-transferable and non-refundable. If you cancel your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 4 days, the deposit is not refundable at all.
Of course! Round-trip transfer to your hotel is included in all our packages! If you have booked your hotel in the Sacred Valley, we will drop you off there and vice versa.
If you are satisfied with the services provided, a tip is appreciated by our staff, although it is not mandatory. While it may not be a custom, it is of great importance to the people who will take care of you during the trek. It inspires excellent service and is an ingrained feature of the tourism industry in many META Peru destinations. Of course, you are free to tip as much as you like, depending on your perception of the quality and length of your trip. Remember, tipping is not mandatory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Yes, we are a local, sustainable and responsible tour operator that incorporates universal principles of tourism: protecting the environment and benefiting local communities by respecting their culture and religion. With this in mind, we have trained all our local staff to know, respect and understand local places and people in relation to the environment.
You can rent from us, please request it in the briefing or at the time of making your reservation.
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