According to the chronologist Gracilazo de la Vega "Cusco" comes from the Quechua QOSCO which means center or naval, and refers to Cusco being the capital of the Inca Empire and the center of the universe.
The department of Cusco lies south east of the Andes in the most southerly part of Peru. It lies at southern latitude of 13° 30 and 72° 00 west and covers an area of 76,225 Km².
The city of Cusco is the capital of the province of Cusco and the department of the same name. It was the magnificent capital of the Inca Empire and the center and naval of the Tawantinsuyo world. The city lies at an altitude of 3,350 meters in a valley that was a lake bed in past geological periods.
The climate is cold and dry with two main seasons: the rainy season between November and March, with a temperature between 11 ºC and 13 ºC and the dry season between April and October, with many sunny days and temperatures that reach 18 ºC in the day, dropping to 9 ºC at night.
FIRST DAY
Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Visitors should take a short rest in order to adjust to altitude.
City Tour excursion
Afternoon we take a tour of the city visiting the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral. Continue to the surrounding ruins: the fortress Sacsayhuaman overlooking the city, Kenko, Puca-Pucara or the 'red fort' and Tambomachay ruins which was a water temple.
SECOND DAY Machupicchu excursion
We collect you at 5.30 a.m. to catch the morning train for a full day tour of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas" one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture. Machu Picchu is 112 Km's from Cusco and has an altitude of 2,300 meters. Surrounded by lush cloud forest, the citadel perches on a mist-shrouded mountain top, we will visit all the attractions at the site.
Afternoon return to Cusco and transfer to hotel.
THIRD DAY
7:30 am desayuno en el hotel y traslado a la hora oportuna al aeropuerto de Cusco.
FIRST DAY
Upon arrival reception, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Visitors should take a short rest in order to adjust to altitude. Afternoon tour of the city visiting the Koricancha Temple and the Cathedral. Continue to the surrounding ruins: the fortress Sacsayhuaman overlooking the city, Kenko, Puca-Pucara and Tambomachay ruins.
SECOND DAY Sacred Valley (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays)
We visit Pisac, Ollantataytambo and Chinchero
Visit the colourful Indian market in Pisac to see a blend of colour, tradition and people. At a distance of 30 km. (19 miles) from Cusco, and an altitude of 2,970 meters (9,700 ft.), Pisac is located right at the entrance to the Sacred Valley.
After lunch visit Ollantaytambo, the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the Americas. Ollantaytambo's narrow streets, complete with canals unchanged since Inca times, recall its ancient heritage.
CHINCHERO Located 35 km. (22 miles) northwest of Cusco, the town of Chinchero lies on the foundations of an important Inca site built in late 1400s. Brightly dressed, the people of Chinchero gather in the main plaza to barter foodstuffs and offer visitors an array of crafts from the Cusco region against a scenery of breathtaking beauty.
THIRD DAY Machupicchu excursion
Catch the morning train for a full day tour of Machu Picchu, the "Lost City of the Incas" one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture. Surrounded by lush cloud forest, the citadel perches on a mist-shrouded mountain top.
Afternoon return to Cusco and hotel.
FOURTH DAY
Breakfast followed by transfer to the airport for departure flight.
Alternative tours may be booked according to the time you have available. We recommend the southern circuit which includes Tipon, Andahuaylillas and Piquillacta.
Trip to Tipon, Andahuaylillas and Pikillacta
At 8.30 a.m. we head south of Cusco to Tipon, the largest hydraulic engineering center, which lies in a hidden valley with beautiful scenery. There are pre-Inca, Inca as well as colonial features to admire. We will visit: ANDAHUAYLILLAS with its beautiful plaza surrounded by trees and the famous Sistine chapel of the Americas which contains some beautiful XVII century art work. Then finally PIKILLAQTA and WARICHANKA (pre-Inca).
Excursion to Machu Picchu one day / two nights
This program is an extension to the visit to the Ollanta archaeological complex, after which we catch the 7.45 p.m. train to Machu Picchu where we spend the night in Aguas Calientes and visit Machu Picchu the next day.
Early, after breakfast we visit the citadel of Machu Picchu from 9 a.m. to 1p.m. We then eat lunch, relax for a while and visit the thermal baths in Aguas Calientes. Overnight in Aguas Calientes.
The following day we catch the 5.45 a.m. train to Ollanta then transfer you by bus to Cusco.
INCLUDES:
Train Ollanta - Machupicchu - Ollanta; Two nights accommodation in Aguas Calintes; return bus to Machu Picchu; Entrance tickets; bilingual guide service.
Not included:
Meals in Aguas Calientes.
Excursion: Moray, Maras, Ollanta - Machupicchu 01 day/01 night
Departure from Cusco at 9 a.m., walk through the Incas white land. We visit: MORAY (an Inca agricultural experiment center), a short walk to see the ancient salt mines (still in use today), MARAS and its colonial church. Lunch in Urubamba at 2 p.m. In the afternoon we visit Ollanta to enjoy the archaeological complex and traditional Inca streets.
19.30 we take the backpacker train from Ollanta to Aguas Calientes where we spend the night.
The following day we visit Machu Picchu at 9.00 a.m. Lunch is at 2.00 p.m. and at 16.20 we take the train back to Cusco arriving at 20.45. We then transfer you to your hotel.
Rafting (Urubamba River)
01 Day - Cusipata section
ITINERARY:
8 a.m. we travel in our private bus to our base camp where we can leave our belongings. At the site there are several facilities such as hot showers and saunas.
Our professional guide will explain all the necessary safety procedures and provide you with your equipment: helmet, wetsuits and windproof jackets etc. We then begin our adventure on the Urubamba River which lasts for around two hours after which we eat lunch (lunch box).
We arrive back in Cusco at around 6 p.m.
INCLUDES:
Return transport in tourist bus, all rafting equipment, professional bilingual guide, lunch box (vegetarian option available)
WHAT TO TAKE:
A complete change of clothes, a pair of sandals or trainers, sunscreen, towel, swimsuit, a positive mental attitude.
Horse Back Riding
We take a tour of the Sacsayhuaman archaeological park on horseback. We will also visit Mollococha, Qenqo, the moon temple, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay. We begin at 9 a.m.
INCLUDES:
Transport to the ranch, horses and guides.
FIRST DAY
FIRST DAY
Alternative tours may be booked according to the time you have available. We recommend the southern circuit which includes Tipon, Andahuaylillas and Piquillacta.