Inca Living Legacy, Private Tour
6 Days Starting and ending in Cusco, Peru
Visiting: Cusco, Urubamba, Huilloc, Machu Picchu
Tour operator:
Tour code:
165746
Group Type:
Private
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
10-99
Tour operated in:
English , French , SpanishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Inca Living Legacy, Private Tour" and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Peru. Begin your journey in Cusco, the ancient Inca capital, where you'll explore its historic temples, squares, and the impressive Sacsayhuamán fortress. Venture into the Sacred Valley to the Quechua-speaking community of Huilloc, where you'll participate in traditional Inca practices and rituals. Experience the breathtaking beauty of Machu Picchu, the iconic "lost city of the Incas," with a guided tour of its remarkable ruins. This tour offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, historical exploration, and stunning landscapes, providing an unforgettable glimpse into Peru's fascinating past.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Cusco
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*, Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*, Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
Upon arrival at Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco, a representative will be waiting to greet you at the airport and to transfer you to your hotel. Please note that if you are arriving on a domestic flight from Lima, ensure that your arrival time is no later than 10:30, as later arrival times will be too late. In the afternoon, once you are checked into your hotel, enjoy a guided tour of the former capital of the Inca Empire. The tour begins at the Santo Domingo Convent, a building constructed on the site of Coricancha, one of the most important Incan complexes dedicated to sun worship. According to historic records, the original temple walls depicted scenes of nature and were covered in gold leaf. After Coricancha, visit the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, then head to the Cusco hills, where you’ll find the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and panoramic views of Cusco. Continue on to Qenqo, an archaeological site where it is believed the Incas carried out religious rituals to improve harvests. Your tour ends in Puka Pukara, meaning ‘red fortress’ in Quechua. Puka Pukara is believed to be an ancient military site comprising numerous rooms, courtyards, baths, aqueducts and towers. At the end of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight in Cusco
Day 2 : Cusco - Huilloc (95 Km - 2.5 Hrs)
Location: Urubamba
Accommodation Name: Huilloc Community Housing
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, a vehicle will pick you up to take you to Huilloc, a community in the province of Urubamba. Participate in a traditional Inca practice called Kusi Runa, where you will be part of the group of people in charge of working the land or ‘chakra’. But before getting your hands dirty, first visit the house of the owner of the chakra along with an interpreter. The owner will invite you to taste an infusion of muña, a well-known Andean medicinal plant, and to dress in the traditional clothing of the members of the community (ponchos for the men and blankets for the women). The men will then head out to tend the fields and start planting while the women will stay at home to cook, learning to prepare special dishes using local organic ingredients. After lunch, and once the day’s work is over, men and women alike gather for a ritual full of music and dance, an excellent opportunity to see up close the lifestyle of the Andean man.
Overnight in Huilloc.
Day 3 : Huilloc
Location: Huilloc
Accommodation Name: Huilloc Community Housing
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up to breakfast in the morning and then participate in a fascinating local tradition. The tarpuntay (ancestral Inca authority) is in charge of preparing the khipu (sacred message) in an environment shrouded in spirituality and mysticism. The chasqui is chosen from among the visitors to be in charge of carrying the divine message in their chuspa or purse. Alongside the tarpuntay, the chasqui will deliver the sacred word, traversing the Sutuq Mach'ay cave and the fields of culture, surrounded by native plants with healing properties. The sound of the pututu announces their arrival at the archaeological centre of Aya Urqu, where the khipu is delivered to the interpreter. The other attendees wait at the top where the high priest performs the condor dance. After the ceremony, take some time to photograph this beautiful place before returning to town. Then in the afternoon, meet the community authorities to participate in the Yanapanakuy. Before starting, thank Pachamama (Mother Earth) with a payment to the land. After completing the tasks – which may be repainting the facades of the school or the medical centre, arranging furniture or planting trees – you’ll have a moment to rest and freshen up before enjoying watching some tradition songs and dances. End your experience by obtaining a souvenir to remind you of all you lived here when you go home.
Overnight in Huilloc.
Day 4 : Huilloc - Ollantaytambo - Machu Picchu - Aguas Calientes (15 Km - 30 Minutes / 1.5 Hrs By Train)
Location: Machu Picchu
Accommodation Name: Hatun Inti Classic or similar 3*, El Mapi Inkaterra or similar 4*, Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo or similar 5*
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, leave the community of Huilloc and depart for Ollantaytambo. Your visit to Machu Picchu begins with an hour-and-a-half-long train journey through some truly spectacular Andean landscapes, from the Ollanta station all the way to Aguas Calientes. Upon arrival, you will be guided to the bus that takes you to Machu Picchu. After a 25-minute bus ride, you will finally arrive at the 'lost city of the Incas'. It is believed that Machu Picchu was built for the Inca emperor Pachacútec around 1450 as a holiday residence. The citadel was abandoned just over 100 years later, probably as a result of the Spanish Conquest, although historians have never uncovered why it was abandoned or how it escaped the destruction that other Inca settlements faced. Instead, the jungle slowly engulfed its stone construction, covering it in a thick vegetation that kept it hidden and protected until the ‘lost city of the Incas’ was brought to international attention in 1911. Your tour will introduce you to the origins of this impressive citadel and guide you around some of its most iconic monuments, such as the main square, the royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, the circular towers, the Sacred Clock and cemeteries. At the end of the tour, return to Aguas Calientes for lunch then spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Day 5 : Aguas Calientes - Cusco (1.5 Hr By Train / 75 Km - 2 Hrs By Land)
Location: Cusco
Accommodation Name: San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*, Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*, Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today breakfast is followed by a relaxing free morning in Aguas Calientes. Spend your time however suits you best, be that making the most of the available facilities at the hotel, or leisurely exploring this wonderful location. Alternately, you can also return to Machu Picchu and visit the attractions that the citadel houses. You will find the best views at the Huayna Picchu and at the Inti Punku, both more than 300 metres above the citadel itself. Another option is to visit the Inca bridge, a secret military road that used to control access to Machu Picchu. In the afternoon, board the train back to the Ollanta station and, from there, a vehicle will take you to your hotel in Cusco.
Overnight in Cusco.
Day 6 : Depart Cusco
Location: Cusco
Meals Included: Breakfast
After finishing your breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Alejandro Velasco Astete Airport in Cusco to board your flight to Lima. Although this is the last day of your incredible journey with us in Peru, we hope that your memories of this remarkable region, bursting with both culture and history, will last a lifetime.
Breakfast included
What's Included
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Tour Guide
Operated with English, Spanish or French speaking local guide on a private basis.
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Accommodation
5 nights accommodation in various hotel categories.
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Meals
5 breakfasts, 3 lunches on days 2, 3, 4, and 2 dinners on days 2, 3.
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Transport
Private transfers from and to the airport, shared transfers from and to the train stations, roundtrip train to Machu Picchu in Expedition Service (PeruRail) or Voyager (IncaRail), and bus Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu/Aguas Calientes.
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Entrance Fees and Activities
All the activities mentioned in the programme: visit native community Huilloc, Machu Picchu on day 4; Coricancha, Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay and Puca Pucará in Cusco; Partial Tourist Ticket of Cusco (BTC ticket) included.
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Other
Meet & greet on day 1.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses, drinks and meals not explicitly mentioned in the programme.
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Tips
Tips for guide and driver.
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International Flights
International flights to Peru.
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Domestic Flights
Domestic flights (it is advised to book the first flights in the morning).
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Airport Taxes
Domestic and foreign airport taxes.
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for visiting the coastal areas of Peru, while for the high Andean area the use of warm clothing is recommended. It is not recommended that visitors wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or short clothes when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
Accommodation in Huilloc Community housing. Rooms with two beds. Triple rooms can be arranged upon request (subject to availability). The bathrooms, located a few steps from the house, include a laundry room, a shower with hot water (electric water heater) and a WC.
Rates do not apply to Peruvians or residents with more than 60 days of stay. If passengers are Peruvians or exceed 60 days of stay, sale taxes (18%) will be collected by our local operator
Domestic flight from Lima to Cusco must arrive not later than 10:30hrs. Noon arrivals are too late.
Please note that Check In in most hotels begins at 13:00 hrs. Clients will be subject to the availability of the room if they arrive before, waiting in the hotel lobby
If your trip includes the visit to high altitude cities such as Cusco and Puno located at more than 3400 meters (11 200 feet above sea level), do not forget to take precautions in order to avoid altitude sickness. Passengers who have heart problems or high blood pressure should check with their doctor before travelling
Upon arrival is recommended to rest for few hours, drink coca tea and eat lightly. As a reference Machu Picchu is located at 2400 meters (8 000 feet above sea level)
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW ENTRANCE REGULATIONS TO MACHU PICCHU
The current restrictions on visits to Machu Picchu allow a maximum stay of 4 hours in the citadel accompanied by a guide during the first entry. If the visitor tours an alternate route (Mountain Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu) the passenger will have 3 hours to for this purpose, additional to the 4 hours in the citadel. If the passenger wishes to enter the citadel again during the afternoon shift or the next day, he must acquire previously an additional ticket to enter in the new shift. There is no ticket sale in the archaeological zone.
It is forbidden the follow objects: professional cameras that require lights and tripods, or with telephoto lenses with a weigh higher than 2 kilos (in order to use them, special authorization is needed, as well as the payment of an additional fee), drones, selfie sticks, sprays, high heels, walking sticks without rubber tip, banners and posters, sharp objects and backpacks bigger than 40cm x 35 cm x 20 cm.
INSTRUCTIONS
Carry the same document that you presented to the agency, given that the train tickets and entrance to Machu Picchu will be issued with the same information
In all train services to Machu Picchu, the passenger can carry only hand luggage (backpack, bag or briefcase) weighing no more than 5kg / 11lb on the train to / from Machu Picchu. You will find your luggage at the chosen hotel. Allowed size: 62 linear inches 157cm (height + length + width)
NEW PLASTIC REGULATION:
After the prohibition of the access of single use plastic items to 76 natural areas including Machu Picchu, it is important to use reusable bottles.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1; Cusco:
- Standard Hotel Category = San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
Day 2-3; Huilloc
- Standard Hotel Category = Huilloc Community Housing
- Superior Hotel Category = HUilloc Community Housing
- Deluxe Hotel Category = HUilloc Community Housing
Day 4; Aguas Calientes:
- Standard Hotel Category = Hatun Inti Classic or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = El Mapi Inkaterra or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo or similar 5*
Day 5; Cusco
- Standard Hotel Category = San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
OPTIONAL EXTRA:
Pre-/Post night in Cusco:
- Standard Hotel Category = San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
Mode of Transport
Private transfers from and to the airport, shared transfers to train stations, roundtrip train to Machu Picchu, and bus transfers between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are included.
Accommodation
Enjoy 5 nights of accommodation with options ranging from 3-star hotels like San Agustin Internacional to 5-star hotels like Aranwa Cusco Boutique. Experience community housing in Huilloc and stay at Hatun Inti Classic or Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo in Aguas Calientes.
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1; Cusco:
- Standard Hotel Category = San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
Day 2-3; Huilloc
- Standard Hotel Category = Huilloc Community Housing
- Superior Hotel Category = HUilloc Community Housing
- Deluxe Hotel Category = HUilloc Community Housing
Day 4; Aguas Calientes:
- Standard Hotel Category = Hatun Inti Classic or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = El Mapi Inkaterra or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo or similar 5*
Day 5; Cusco
- Standard Hotel Category = San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
OPTIONAL EXTRA:
Pre-/Post night in Cusco:
- Standard Hotel Category = San Agustin Internacional or similar 3*
- Superior Hotel Category = Hilton Garden Inn or similar 4*
- Deluxe Hotel Category = Aranwa Cusco Boutique or similar 5*
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities can I expect to participate in during the visit to Huilloc?
In Huilloc, you will participate in traditional Inca practices such as Kusi Runa, where you will work the land or 'chakra'. You will also engage in cooking local dishes, partake in a ritual full of music and dance, and participate in the Yanapanakuy, which involves community tasks like repainting facades or planting trees. Additionally, you will experience the preparation and delivery of the khipu, a sacred message, and witness the condor dance.
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What will I see during the guided tour of Cusco?
During the guided tour of Cusco, you will visit the Santo Domingo Convent, built on the site of Coricancha, an important Incan complex dedicated to sun worship. You will also see the imposing cathedral in the Plaza de Armas, the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, and the archaeological sites of Qenqo and Puka Pukara.
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What is included in the visit to Machu Picchu?
The visit to Machu Picchu includes a train journey through Andean landscapes to Aguas Calientes, followed by a bus ride to the citadel. You will have a guided tour of Machu Picchu, where you will learn about its origins and see iconic monuments such as the main square, the royal rooms, the Temple of the Three Windows, the circular towers, the Sacred Clock, and cemeteries.
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What are the accommodation options available during the tour?
Accommodation options vary by location and category. In Cusco, you can stay at San Agustin Internacional (3*), Hilton Garden Inn (4*), or Aranwa Cusco Boutique (5*). In Huilloc, accommodation is in community housing regardless of the category. In Aguas Calientes, options include Hatun Inti Classic (3*), El Mapi Inkaterra (4*), or Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo (5*).
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches on days 2, 3, and 4, and 2 dinners on days 2 and 3.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
Transportation includes private transfers from and to the airport, shared transfers from and to the train stations, roundtrip train to Machu Picchu in Expedition Service (PeruRail) or Voyager (IncaRail), and bus transfers between Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu.
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Are there any specific requirements or recommendations for the tour?
Comfortable and light clothing is recommended for coastal areas, while warm clothing is advised for high Andean areas. Visitors should avoid sleeveless shirts, shorts, and short skirts when visiting religious temples or official buildings. Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and mosquito repellent are useful. For high altitude cities like Cusco and Puno, precautions to avoid altitude sickness are recommended, such as resting upon arrival, drinking coca tea, and eating lightly.
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What are the new entrance regulations for Machu Picchu?
The new regulations allow a maximum stay of 4 hours in the citadel with a guide. If touring an alternate route like Mountain Machu Picchu or Huayna Picchu, an additional 3 hours is allowed. Visitors must acquire an additional ticket for re-entry during the afternoon shift or the next day. Prohibited items include professional cameras with lights and tripods, drones, selfie sticks, sprays, high heels, walking sticks without rubber tips, banners, posters, sharp objects, and large backpacks.
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client's arrival
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Lima Tours requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 89 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of lima tours charges.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 8 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.