Cuzco & Machu Picchu - The Basics

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3 days/2 nights Program – Private Services

At 11,200 feet above sea level, Cuzco is the heart of Tahuantinsuyo, Peru's pre- Colombian Empire. Cuzco today is the oldest continuously inhabited city in South America, a fascinating and colorful paradox of the past and the present. Explore Cuzco visiting the Temple of the Sun, the Cathedral and the immense walled complex of Sacsayhuaman. Travel by train following the course of the mighty Urubamba River and spend a magical days exploring Machu Picchu and its surrounding areas. The complex was so well hidden by the towering jungle covered ramparts of the Cordillera Vilcabamba that it was never discovered by the Spaniards. Machu Picchu preserves the most perfect picture of what the Inca world must have been like. However, much of its origins and purpose are lost in time.
US$ Price per Person with a minimum of 2 clients based on double occupancy with private guide and transportation.  Single supplement charges applied if clients requests single accommodations. 

Price per Person (US$)

2 -3

4 or more

3 stars

738

624

4 stars

828

714

5 stars

930

816

ITINERARY

Day 1
Cuzco
 Arrive in Cuzco. Meet MVE representative and transfer to hotel to relax and acclimatize to altitude. In the afternoon you will have a guided city tour. You will visit the Inca temple of Koricancha or the Temple of the Sun with walls demonstrating some of the finest examples of Inca stonework in existence. The Santo Domingo church was built over this magnificent temple. During the Inca times its courtyards were filled with life-sized gold and silver representations of all the flora and fauna of the Empire. Pizarro's men looted the temple as part of Inca Atahualpa royal ransom that was held prisoner in Cajamarca by the Spaniards and later killed. An earthquake destroyed the Santo Domingo church in 1950 revealing the Inca walls that were hidden or plastered over.

Visit the Cathedral located at the northeast side of the Plaza de Armas, which was built in 1550 and contains over four hundred XII century paintings done by the members of the renowned Cuzco School. In the cathedral you will see the Lord of the Earthquakes altar weighing over 52 pounds made of solid gold and studded with precious stones.

You will also explore Sacsayhuaman, located two kilometers from the city of Cuzco, an immense walled complex made up of huge stones distributed in a zigzag pattern in three platforms with an average of 1,181ft in length. These platforms are connected by flights of stairs and doorways also in stone; one of these is 29ft tall and 15ft wide and weighs more than 100 tons. The largest stone block found in Sacsayhuaman stands 27.88ft high and weighs 361 these is 29ft tall and 15ft wide and weighs more than 100 tons. The largest stone block found in Sacsayhuaman stands 27.88ft high and weighs 361 tons. Inca Pachacuti employed 20,000 men for the construction of the complex and it took approximately 50 years to complete. You will also visit the sites of Qenco and Tambomachay. Overnight at hotel in Cuzco.

Day 2
Cuzco – Machu Picchu – Cuzco
Early morning transfer from hotel to train station to board the train to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is located in the highland jungle of the Urubamba River. The complex is so well hidden by the towering jungle covered ramparts of the Cordillera Vilcabamba that it was never discovered by the Spaniards. Machu Picchu preserves the most perfect picture of what the Inca world must have been like. Its origins and purpose are lost in time.   In the afternoon, you will retrace your route back to the city of Cuzco.  Overnight at hotel in Cuzco.
B,L

Day 3

Cuzco – Out
Morning transfer to airport for flight out.
B

Trip Difficulty: Journey requires moderate walking at high altitude (11,000 feet). Travelers with health conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure should consult their physician before traveling.

Includes: Hotel accommodations based on double occupancy. Meals as specified in the itinerary, B=Breakfast; L= Lunch; D=Dinner. Private guide for the duration of the program. Private transportation and transfers in Cuzco. Entrance fee to historical sites in Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Train and bus ticket to Machu Picchu All private transfers from/to airport.

Not Included: International or domestic airfares, airport departure taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature. Tips

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