Overview
This tour is all exclusive and lodge-based that does not involve hiking but offers all the comfort of a perfect trip whether you travel with family with kids or as couples. You will be exploring the main attractions in Cusco including the Colonial Cathedral, Temple of the Sun Qoricancha; Saqsayhuaman, Salt Mines of Maras, Sacred Valley, and of course the incredible Inca city of Machu Picchu. Peru by Locals puts everything together from airport to airport. We arrange entrance tickets to all attractions to be visited, transportation, hotels, train tickets, meals, guides, and full 24-hour support.
The Sacred Valley itself is unique with many Incan sites along the valley, offering travelers spectacular views of snow-capped mountains, the Urubamba River, and the great salt mines.
Machu Picchu has always been a mysterious place in Peruvian history. When visiting the place, it is amazing to see the high quality of the architecture, hydraulic engineering, and astronomical observatories. This trip ends with a hike to the newest natural wonders of Rainbow Mountain.
This tour is highly recommended for small groups of friends, families with kids, couples, and honeymooners.
- Day 1: Arrival and City Tour
- Day 2: Extended Sacred Valley Tour
- Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour
- Day 4: Rainbow Mountain Hike
- Day 5: Departure from Cusco
HIGHLIGHTS
- Tour with our professional and passionate guides
- Travel worry-free and enjoy our exclusive tours
- Savor the Peruvian cuisine at top-rated restaurants
- Tour the most classic attractions in Cusco
- Enjoy the train ride to Machu Picchu
Details
- Type of Tour: Lodge-based, historical, van transport, and train ride
- Trip Service: All exclusive
- Type of Transport: Private van for every tour from start to end and train rides
- Duration: 4 days / 3 nights
Group Size: Our tour group sizes are very important to guarantee the quality of our service by providing you a personalized trip. That’s the reason we run with an average of 2 to 7 guests. This is not only to guarantee the quality of your service but also to make you feel like part of our family. Can you imagine having 20 people in a group and trying to hear or see your guide? It’s not the same as having close interaction and learning about this amazing country.
Accommodation: The hotels we use are 3 and 5-star. At the time of your booking, you have the choice to pick the hotel type.
Our Guides: Peru by Locals has a group of top guides, both men and women, who have university degrees and receive refresher training every year with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) training in Wilderness First Responder, history, archaeology, and biology. This ensures you get a full experience while vacationing. We invest in our guides because we believe they are the main ingredient of any trip.
Peru by Locals is not only a travel company but a group of great staff and tour leaders who love sharing their passion with you and being with travelers.
When you book with us, you go with us. Peru By Locals does not rearrange tours with other companies since we are based in Cusco, Peru, and we operate all our tours.
Location: This trip starts in Cusco city or the Sacred Valley upon your request. You will need to fly to Lima, the capital of Peru, then to Velasco Astete Cusco Airport, which is a small domestic airport.
Departures: This hike is operated 100% by PERU BY LOCALS. When you book your hike or take any tour package, you go with us. We don’t rearrange tours, and we depart every day year-round. The size of the groups is from 2 to 5 people on average, which allows us to provide personalized service.
We take bookings year-round, and this hike does not need to be booked a long time in advance. So, anytime you are ready, join us and reach out for any questions you have through our 24/7 number +51 989585967 or email us at info@perubylocals.com.
Itinerary
DAY 1: ARRIVAL AND CITY TOUR IN CUSCO
When you arrive at Cusco airport, your designated guide will meet you and drive you to your hotel. On the way, he/she will show you some examples of Incan and colonial constructions and give you all instructions about the activities, especially on day one. We will arrange your hotel in the historical center near all restaurants and main attractions.
After lunch, you will meet your guide who will take you to the main attractions in the city. You will tour the Colonial Cathedral of Cusco, where you can view colonial paintings by the Cusco school of painting at the time, including a painting of the Last Supper with the local specialty, cuy (guinea pig), as the main dish. The local painters managed to capture the culture and history in a uniquely historical way in their artwork.
The next place will be Qoricancha, or the Temple of the Sun, which still maintains amazing architecture on its walls that have withstood earthquakes for centuries. It is one of the greatest examples of Inca civilization.
Next, you will visit Saqsayhuaman, where you will have a guided tour of this incredible site, built with stones that weigh up to 120 tons and amazingly fit together without the help of mortar! There is probably no place in the world that can beat the architecture of this site. Afterwards, you will tour the Inca archaeological site of Qenqo, considered to be the Temple of the Mother Earth and also once probably the tomb of the most important king of the Incan Empire, Pachacutec.
Includes: Pick up from the airport, lunch, entrance tickets to attractions to be visited, tour guide, and transport during the tour. Overnight in Cusco.
Note on Your Arrival Time: Make sure you arrive in Cusco before noon to enjoy a great lunch and tour the mentioned attractions.
DAY 2: EXTENDED SACRED VALLEY
Early at 7 am, pick up from the hotel to tour the incomparably beautiful stretch of small villages and ancient sites spread across a broad plain and rugged mountain slopes northwest of Cusco. It is the main valley of Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire. It was the best place for maize production in Peru as well as a great source of natural wealth.
The first place to be visited is Pisaq, which includes terraces, an ancient cemetery, and water fountains.
Then we move to the Salt Mines, which are spectacular places where you will encounter over 3,000 salt ponds where the locals process the salt by hand the way their ancestors did. The tour will be followed by visiting Moray, the agricultural experimentation site of the Incas where later archaeologists found evidence of coca leaves and cotton, which impressed them because that place is very high in elevation to grow those products, but the Incas managed to grow almost everything.
Our lunch today will be at Huacatay Restaurant, one of the top restaurants in the Sacred Valley. It’s a treat for sure.
Ollantaytambo Inca Site is the last place to be visited with its majestic Inca architecture, terraces, Sun Temple, and Princess Bath. This tour may take about 1 hour and 40 minutes and will be the last place before you catch a scenic train to Machu Picchu town for about a 1 hour and 40-minute ride.
Includes: Breakfast at the hotel, entrance tickets to attractions to be visited, tour guide, private transport during the tour, lunch, Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu town, one-night hotel. Overnight in Machu Picchu town.
DAY 3: MACHU PICCHU TOUR
Machu Picchu is considered a masterpiece of architecture and engineering. Its unique architectural features and landscape contribute to a veil of mystery woven around much of the literature published about the site. The magic and mystery of Machu Picchu are internationally recognized, and it has been on the List of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO since 1983 as part of a cultural and ecological site known as the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
In the morning, you will take an early bus to Machu Picchu in time for sunrise. Your guide will give you a detailed tour of the culture and history of the Seven Wonders. You will visit the main temple, the Temple of the Condor, Inca palaces, the stone quarry, and the sun observatory. This tour usually lasts for about 3 hours for a complete understanding.
You will then be back in Machu Picchu town around 10 am for a great lunch before the train ride back to Cusco.
Includes: Breakfast at the hotel, bus ride from Machu Picchu town to Machu Picchu round trip, entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, tour guide, lunch, transfer from train station to hotel, and train back to Cusco.
DAY 4: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN HIKE
We will depart from your Cusco hotel at 3:30 am for a 2-hour drive to Cusipata town, where we will stop for a delicious breakfast at a restaurant. After that, we will continue for another 50-minute drive to the trailhead at Phulawasipata (4,700 m / 15,419 ft). Especially, this section drive is through beautiful landscapes, alpaca, and agricultural farms.
Our hike begins along the meandering path with spectacular vistas of snow-capped mountains and is surrounded by herds of alpacas and llamas.
After hiking for around 1.5 hours, we finally reach our destination, the magnificent Rainbow Mountains (5,020 m / 16,466 ft). No Photoshop or Instagram filters here; this awesome display of color is 100% natural and completely breathtaking.
We will take our time at the summit so that you can take spectacular pictures, breathe the clean air, and explore the area or just enjoy the spectacular views. After all this time, we take a short 20-minute walk into the Red Valley. This valley does not have many hikers because it is a little bit longer hike back down to car parking but downhill, offering a tranquil and beautiful hike among the crimson rocks that leads us to a spectacular view across the valley.
In a sense, though this is almost a different hike, as we take in the views that were behind us on our ascent. The hike down will take around 1.5 hours to reach our van, then drive for about 50 minutes back to Cusipata where a delicious lunch awaits us.
Includes: Breakfast, private transport, entrance tickets to the area, tour guide, lunch.
DAY 5: DEPARTURE FROM CUSCO
Today, you will be free to walk around the city, go shopping, and leave Cusco at the time you booked your flight for. One of the representatives will meet you at the hotel to take you to Cusco airport at the arranged time for your journey home or to your next destination.
Services
SERVICES INCLUDED
- All entrance tickets to attractions to be visited
- 4 lunches, 4 breakfasts
- 4 nights at Tierra Viva Hotels or similar
- Tour guide
- Private transport on tours
- Train ride to Machu Picchu
- Shared bus ride from Machu Picchu town to the ruins of Machu Picchu
SERVICES EXCLUDED
- Airfares
- Gratuities
Packing List
- Original Passport – Please remember to bring your original passport, which should be the current one. If you have acquired a new one after you made your booking, bring both (the one you used for booking your trip and the new one). The information you provided at the time of your booking must match your tickets to Machu Picchu.
- Good Walking Shoes – They should be broken in already. If you have acquired new ones, make sure to break them in before you come. They should be comfortable for your feet.
- Warm Down Fleece – The jacket should be warm enough for the nights.
- Few T-Shirts – Made for hiking; as you will sweat a lot, you may consider bringing at least 3 or 4 of them.
- Socks – Bring at least 3 pairs.
- Sun Hat – As some days can be sunny, we recommend you bring a sun hat that can keep the sun off your face because most tours are outside.
- Light Long Pants – They are recommended since the temperatures can be warm sometimes.
- Sunscreen – SPF 35+ recommended.
- Sunglasses
- Camera – With spare batteries or phones to take great pictures nowadays.
- Bug Repellent – There are mosquitoes all year round, so make sure you pack your bug repellent for Machu Picchu.
- Water Bottle – Machu Picchu National Park does not allow bringing plastic bottles. Please make sure you have a Nalgene bottle or CamelBak before we leave the hotel in Cusco. Make sure you have filled up your water bottle for the first day, then you will be able to get more from us whenever you need it.
- Toiletries
- Prescription Medicines – Please inform your trip leader of any medications you are taking.
- Book to Read – You will have some spare time during drives to read your favorite book or those that are about Machu Picchu that may make your journey more interesting. The following books are recommended by us: Last Days of the Incas by Kim MacQuarrie, Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time by Mark Adams
Important Information
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE DO I MEET THE TEAM?
The day you arrive at Cusco airport, your guide will be there with a sign of PERU BY LOCALS and your name (Cusco airport is domestic and very small).
HOW LONG BEFORE SHOULD I BOOK THIS TRIP?
The Machu Picchu permits should be booked in advance. We recommend you book this trip at least a month in advance, though it is much better to book once you have your travel dates.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN MACHU PICCHU DURING THE YEAR?
Weather in the region is extremely variable, and you should pack for a variety of conditions. In addition, our trek passes through ten bio-zones ranging from high-altitude alpine conditions to high jungle. During a sunny day, you can expect temperatures of about 18–25°C (65–77°F). However, on the second day, the weather is very unpredictable, and temperatures can drop to 6°C (42°F) during the day at the pass (but you won’t spend a lot of time up there).
The Machu Picchu area has a humid climate and tends to be warmer since it is located at a lower altitude and near the Amazon Jungle. The average temperatures at Machu Picchu are between 23°C to 25°C (73°F and 77°F), with the minimum temperature around 18°C (64°F). The Cusco area has only two well-defined seasons: the wet season and the dry season. The wet season starts in November and ends in March. During this period, it rains almost every day for three or four hours, but there are also several sunny days. The dry season begins around April and lasts until October. June and July are the coldest months. Paradoxically, at noon, the temperatures can reach 23°C (73°F), the annual highest temperature.
WHAT AM I GOING TO EAT ON THE TRIP?
All restaurants we use are à la carte, so you have many options from meat to vegetarian choices. If you are vegan or have a strict diet, let us know so we can arrange specialized restaurants for your diet.
SHOULD I TIP THE GUIDES? IF I DO, HOW MUCH SHOULD I TIP?
We recommend tipping your guide 10% and 5% for the driver at the end of your trip.
HOW BIG WILL MY GROUP BE?
We specialize in small groups because that way our clients receive personalized service, especially when you encounter many things on tours, such as Incan sites, flowers, flora, and fauna. Your guide spends lots of time with you so you can learn more about our culture and history.
We limit the size of our groups on treks to up to 8 people, but we almost always end up with 2 to 5 guests.
HOW DO I GET WATER ON THE TOURS?
We will have water available in the car we use for the tours. We recommend you bring Nalgene water bottles or CamelBaks so that we can reduce garbage. You will encounter locals selling bottled water along the way, but not everyone is responsible. Many people litter, and that is sad. We need to take care of our home and nature – that is why we recommend you refill your bottles when you can. Hotels in Peru don’t have spots to fill your water bottles.
CAN I PAY THE REST OF THE BALANCE WITH A CREDIT CARD, OR DOES IT HAVE TO BE IN CASH?
We accept the balance of the payment in cash, so you won’t need to pay extra fees. Of course, you can use PayPal or a credit card, but you will need to pay the fees that are usually over 6%.
On the day of your briefing when your guide meets you, one of the representatives will also meet you to collect the rest of the balance for your trek.
PERUVIAN CURRENCY
The Peruvian Sol is the currency of Peru and usually fluctuates between 3.3 to 3.8 Nuevo Sol to 1 US Dollar.
LANGUAGE
Spanish is the national language of Peru. Additionally, 20% of Peruvians speak Quechua (Inca language). Our guides are fluent in Spanish and English.
Why Peru by Locals
- Peru by Locals offers tailor-made treks and tours, catering to your interests when we plan your tour.
- We are committed to providing world-class tours based on exceptional customer service.
- We are a locally owned and highly experienced travel company based in Cusco, Peru.
- Our staff consists of members who have decades of first-hand experience in the Peruvian tourism sector.
- All the management and staff in Peru by Locals speak English, Spanish, and Quechua (the language of the Incas).
- Our guides and staff members are professionally trained and educated in the history of the Incas, Peruvian history, culture and traditions, first aid in the wilderness, guiding treks and tours, the fauna and flora of the region, and tourism management.
- We are committed to protecting our environment.
- We are committed to creating jobs and empowering local people. We believe in fair labor practices and honor and treat all our employees with dignity.
- We have programs to help with the development of the porters’ families and communities, such as planting trees and buying school books and school equipment for poor local communities.
- We honor native communities that have stewarded the land you visit.
- We have also started an Education Fund to support the education of the children of porters. A percentage of income from every tour and trek goes to the education of those in need.
- Our trips are carefully designed to meet your needs, and we create diverse, unique itineraries from 1 to 15 days in length. We offer a wide range of tours and treks, guaranteeing you the experience of a lifetime!
- Peru By Locals organizes worry-free trips for you to enjoy fully.
Peru Small Group Specialists
Our tours are designed for those who love adventure, want to explore new places, experience the local culture, love food, and enjoy history or photography for all ages, whether you are traveling alone, with friends, as couples, or with family. At Peru by Locals, there are not large groups.
Small groups are the best, and the average tour or trek group is around 4 to 8 people. Why is this great? Well, have you ever waited in line while 40 other people get a coffee in the morning? Believe it or not, it is not fun. Taking small groups allows us the flexibility to take you on an adventure to places that nobody else goes.
Price
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GROUP SERVICE
Our tour groups are very important. We run tours with 2 to 8 people usually per group and open any tour dates with 2 guests. This service is considered semi-private for personalized experiences, so you can take full advantage of your time.
Accommodations
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or call our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To assure your booking with us, we require a 20% deposit (pre-payment of the total cost) and the outstanding remaining balance will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing This Option
- Once a tour date is opened with 2 guests, the travel date will likely not be changed later.
- This is a great option to meet other travelers and socialize during the trip.
- The quality of service is the same as the private option.
- If for any reason one of you or others can’t continue the tour for any reason, the tour will go as planned from beginning to end.
PRIVATE SERVICE
Our private service can start with 1 person and accommodate any number you desire. You can also choose your travel dates.
Accommodations
We run all our tours with 3-star hotels, but we can customize with 5-star hotels.
Costs are based on double bedroom occupancy and US dollars. For single room occupancy, contact us at info@perubylocals.com or call our 24/7 number +51 989585967 (WhatsApp).
To assure your booking with us, we require a 20% deposit (pre-payment of the total cost) and the outstanding remaining balance will be paid 30 days prior to your trip.
Choosing This Option
- We cater to your needs with flexibility.
- Once a tour date is opened, it can still be changed if time allows and at your requested time.
- This is a great option to spend time with your parents, family, and friends or to travel for special occasions such as honeymoons.
- The quality of service is the same as other tours.
