Tour overview
At KYD Tours we run the Sanctuary program, four days and three nights. We meet you at Cusco airport and take you to your hotel, with the rest of the day free; on the second day we do the city tour of the Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, in the morning or afternoon as you prefer; on the third day we go to Machu Picchu for a full day, by train from Ollantaytambo, with a two-hour guided visit, a buffet lunch, and time at the craft market; and on the fourth day you have breakfast, free time, and a transfer to the airport. Every excursion includes tourist transport, a professional guide, admissions, the Cusco Tourist Ticket, and train tickets to Machu Picchu.
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Best time to travel Approx. April to October (dry season)
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Approximate altitude Cusco ~3,400 m · Sacsayhuamán ~3,700 m · Machu Picchu ~2,430 m
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Physical difficulty Moderate on the city tour and the Machu Picchu day; free otherwise
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Minimum number of passengers 2 adults (double-room base rate)
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Maximum number of passengers Depends on the hotel
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Booking lead time Book in advance; confirm flights and hotel category
Overview
- Day 1 – Arrival in Cusco: airport welcome, transfer to the hotel, the rest of the day free for time on your own, and overnight at your hotel in Cusco.
- Day 2 – City tour in Cusco: in the morning or afternoon: Cathedral, Qoricancha, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay, then back to the hotel.
- Day 3 – Machu Picchu full day: breakfast, hotel pickup, train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes, bus to the sanctuary, 2-hour guided visit, buffet lunch, craft market, return train to Ollantaytambo, and transport to Cusco.
- Day 4 – End of the trip: breakfast at the hotel, free time on your own, transfer to the airport, and farewell.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Cusco
When you arrive at Cusco airport, our agency staff will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Cusco.
The rest of the day is free for time on your own. It is the ideal moment to acclimatize to the altitude at an easy pace. You spend the night at your hotel in Cusco.
Day 2 — City tour in Cusco
We start the tour in the morning or in the afternoon, whichever you prefer. We board our vehicle and take you to the city center. Our first stop is Cusco Cathedral, on the city’s main square. After the guided visit to the Cathedral we walk to Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where Inca and Spanish cultures meet.
When we finish at Qoricancha we head outside Cusco. Our first stop is the archaeological site of Sacsayhuamán, where your guide explains the importance of its massive walls. We then continue a few more minutes outside Cusco to Qenqo, where we get to know this mysterious place.
To finish the tour we go to Puca Pucara and Tambomachay to learn a little more about the Incas. When the circuit ends we drive back to Cusco and drop you off at your hotel.
Day 3 — Machu Picchu full day
You have breakfast at your hotel in Cusco. We then pick you up and drive you to Ollantaytambo train station. From there you travel by train to Aguas Calientes, where we meet you at the station.
We go to the Aguas Calientes bus station and board the bus to the Machu Picchu Sanctuary. We enter the sanctuary for a 2-hour guided visit. When the guided tour ends, we board the bus back to Aguas Calientes.
On arrival in Aguas Calientes we have a buffet lunch. After lunch you have time to visit the craft market in Aguas Calientes, or Machu Picchu Pueblo.
At the agreed time we go to the train station and board the train back to Ollantaytambo. When you arrive in Ollantaytambo we will be waiting with our vehicle; we board it to return to Cusco and, once in the city, drop you off at your hotel.
Day 4 — End of our trip
You have breakfast at your hotel. The day is free for time on your own.
At the agreed time, our travel agency picks you up and takes you to the airport, where we say goodbye.
Recommendations
General
- Leave your luggage at the hotel and bring a small backpack for each excursion.
- Bring snacks or small drinks.
- Follow your guide’s advice on what to wear.
- Bring a camera and extra batteries.
- Bring some cash for souvenirs.
Acclimatization
- When you arrive in Cusco, give yourself at least half a day to acclimatize, because the altitude can affect you.
- At your hotel, drink some coca tea to help you acclimatize.
- If you have any health issues, tell your travel agent so we can take them into account in your program.
What's included
Included
- Tourist transport for all our excursions.
- A professional guide on all our excursions.
- Admission to every place we visit.
- Cusco Tourist Ticket.
- Tourist train tickets to Machu Picchu.
- Ongoing support from our travel agency team.
Meals included
- Breakfast at the hotel: day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 4.
- All lunches: day 1, day 2, and day 3.
Not included
- International flights.
- Domestic flights.
- Dinners.
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips or extra expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose the city tour time?
Yes. The day 2 city tour can be in the morning or in the afternoon, whichever you prefer.
Which places do we visit on the city tour?
Cusco Cathedral, Qoricancha or the Temple of the Sun, Sacsayhuamán, Qenqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
How long is the visit at Machu Picchu?
The guided visit inside the sanctuary lasts 2 hours.
How do we get to Machu Picchu?
By vehicle from your hotel to Ollantaytambo station, by train to Aguas Calientes, and by bus to the sanctuary. The return is by bus to Aguas Calientes, train to Ollantaytambo, and our vehicle to Cusco.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast at the hotel on days 1, 2, 3, and 4, and all lunches on days 1, 2, and 3. Dinners are not included.
How is the price calculated?
The price is for 2 people in a double or matrimonial room and varies with the hotel category you choose: category 1, category 2, or category 3. We confirm it when we quote.
