Explore the magic of Cusco city and then travel by train to Machu Picchu. On this tour you’ll have the chance to combine two different destination in just 2 days. The Sacred Valley of the Inca is in between, so you will be able to have a complete idea of the Inca culture through the archaeological sites to visit.
Features: Best seller – Dialy departures – Private or shared tour
Inclusions:
- Tour guide
- Transport
- Tourist train
- Bus tickets
- Entrance tickets
- Hotel in Machu Picchu
- Private tour only
From $455
Itinerary
Highlights
- Explore the Inca Temple of the Ray in Sacsayhuaman and find stone walls constructed of huge stones, weighing up to 120 tons. Travel the same day to Machu Picchu and have a guided tour there the next morning.
- Places to visit: Saqsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenqo, The Cathedral, and the Temple of the Sun Qorikancha, Machu Picchu Inca citadel, which includes the lookout, temples, houses, farming terraces.
- Departures: Everyday at 08.00 am
- From: Your hotel in Cusco and back.
- Transport: Tourist van or minibus, and train.
- Overnights: 01 night in Aguas Calientes in a 3-star hotel.
Upgrade to the Panoramic Train
The panoramic trains are perfect to watch the Sacred Valley while traveling to Machu Picchu. There are two services available, the Vistadome from Perurail, and the 360° from Incarail. Both services share similar timetables:
- 01 participant: $935
- 02 participants: $650
- 03 participants: $573
- 04+ participants: $534
- Children discount: $20
- Single supplement: $53
Upgrade to the Luxury Train - only the way back
Those looking for an exclusive and luxurious experience in Peru need look no further. The Hiram Bingham has the best service onboard enjoying a scenic train ride. It has a lounge car, dinner car, observatory car to have fund and enjoy. Included Panoramic train for the way to Machu Picchu, and Hiram Bingham train for the way back.
- 01 participant: $1441
- 02 participants: $1208
- 03 participants: $1148
- 04+ participants: $1118
Temple of the Ray:
An important place of worship in Sacsayhuaman’s citadel was the temple of lightning. It is thought to have been a place of worship for Illapa, the Inca god of lightning. Illapa was a strong god in Inca mythology who commanded lightning and thunder and was revered as a protector of the Incas and their empire. It was constructed from huge stone blocks. No mortar was required to join the blocks together because they were carved and placed with such accuracy. The temple of lightning is thought to have been built in the 15th century, during the reign of the Inca Pachactec.
Cusco Cathedral:
It is one of the most important religious buildings in Peru. The construction of the cathedral began in 1559 and was completed in 1669. It was built on the site of the temple of the Inca Wiracocha, which was destroyed by the Spanish conquistadors. The cathedral is a mix of architectural styles, including Renaissance, Baroque, and Gothic. It also has an impressive collection of religious art, with many works from the Cusco School, one of the most important schools of religious art in Latin America. The cathedral is famous for its main altar, which is made of silver and features many religious artworks and sculptures. It also has an underground crypt that houses the remains of various bishops and archbishops.
Temple of the Sun:
It was one of the most important temples of the Inca empire. The temple was a sacred place where the Inca priests worshiped the sun, their main deity. Its construction began in the 13th century and continued for the following centuries. The temple was made of stone and had impressive walls and gold decorations. It housed many sacred rooms and enclosures, each dedicated to a deity or aspect of nature. In addition to the sun, the moon, stars, lightning, and other gods were worshipped. The structure of the temple was partially destroyed by the Spanish conquerors in the 16th century. Much of the gold and jewelry that adorned the temple were looted and shipped to Spain.
Machu Picchu Inca citadel:
It was designated by UNESCO as a Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity in 1983, and it is likely the most amazing architectural masterpiece from the Inca Empire. This citadel is made up of temples, palaces, terraces, monuments, complexes, and walls, as well as water channels built with large blocks of stone and no amalgam, demonstrating the Inca civilization’s great wisdom. Nowadays it is one of the famous 7 world wonders, and the main reason for tourism in Peru.
