Active Long Weekender

Cuzco, Urubamba Valley and Machu Picchu in 5 days! Ideal for those who have little time but loads of energy.

Good time to travel: This itinerary is possible year round.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Day 1

Arrival from your international flight into the Lima airport. You will be met by our representative and assisted to board your local flight to Cuzco (3,400m/11,220 ft).  (Please note that if your international flight cannot connect to a local flight, an overnight in Lima will be required). Arrival at Cuzco airport, where you will be met by the Maria del Carmen Vargas, Aracari representative, as well as by your guide. You will be transferred to the Urubamba Valley (1 hour drive), which lies at lower altitude and makes acclimatization easier. The Urubamba river valley is dotted with villages, markets and archaeological sites. On the way to your hotel you will visit the wonderful ruins of Pisac and its famous market. Lunch at a local restaurant. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to acclimatize.
Overnight Hotel Sol y Luna in Urubamba.

(Alternatively Albergue de Ollantaytambo)

Day 2

You will be collected by your private guide and driven to visit the village and Inca site of Ollantaytambo, which boasts some of the finest Inca architecture known. Gourmet lunch at the lovely Hacienda Huayo Ccari, the private estate of one of Cuzco's oldest land owning families. Textile demonstration and cocktails in the garden. In the afternoon you will have the choice of either enjoying a 2 hour ride on delightful Peruvian Paso horses at the hacienda, visiting the colonial village of Chinchero, visiting the Inca site of Moray and the salt pans of Maras or relaxing at your Hotel. If you’re staying at Ticclabamba we recommend a wonderful walk along the historic Inca agricultural terraces. Walking along these terraces is not only a marvelous spectacle, but they are charged with mysticism and Inca legends.
Hotel Sol y Luna in Urubamba.

(Alternatively Albergue de Ollantaytambo)

Day 3

You will be collected by your guide and driven to Ollantaytambo to take the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, the station that serves Machu Picchu. The total train ride is approximately 2 hours, mainly through wonderful cloud forest scenery. You will get off approximately 1 ½ hours before arrival at Aguas Calientes, and together with your guide, start your 1 day Inca trail. You will carry your daypack and box lunch only. You will cross a hanging bridge to then approach the small but interesting Inca archaeological complex of Cachabamba. After a brief visit of this site you will begin a three to four hours ascent to the ruins of Wiñay Wayna: an important Inca spiritual site, and one of the loveliest of all Inca ruins. At this point the trail joins with the main Inca Trail. From here you will be walking on Inca pavement. Here the Inca Trail cuts across the ridge above Machu Picchu to finally reach Intipunku or Gate of the Sun, from where the trail winds downhill into the lost citadel located right above the Urubamba River. You will then take a half hour bus ride down to your Hotel, the lovely Machu Picchu Pueblo, or enjoy the perfect location by the ruins themselves, at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.
Overnight Machu Picchu Pueblo or the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.

(Alternatively El Mapi)

Day 4

This morning you will be able to enjoy Machu Picchu almost all to yourself, as you will be able to access the site as soon as it opens, and watch the morning unfold. Machu Picchu at this time is pure magic. All day at leisure in Machu Picchu. A-la-carte lunch at the Tampu Restaurant in the Sanctuary Lodge. Afternoon return by Vistadome Train from Machu Picchu to Cuzco, journey time is approximately 3.45 hours. At the train station you will be collected and driven to your hotel.
Overnight Monasterio

(Alternatively Casa San Blas)

Day 5

Experience Cuzco with a difference! Your guide will take you to the most important sites within the Historic Centre of Cuzco, such as the Cathedral, Korikancha or Sun Temple. After the visit, you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Lima and connect to your flight home.