Explore the Heart of the Inca Empire 5 days

The trip begins in Peru’s historic capital: Cusco, a World Heritage Site and former capital of the Inca Empire. After checking into the hotel, we recommend spending the morning resting and acclimatizing to the altitude (over 3,300 meters above sea level). Staying well hydrated and drinking traditional coca tea will help your body adapt better.

In the afternoon, the first major cultural immersion begins. Between 1:00 and 1:20 p.m., you will be picked up at the hotel to visit some of Cusco’s most emblematic sites. The first stop will be the San Pedro Market, a true hive of local life. There you can find fresh juices, traditional breads, textiles, handicrafts, and Andean spices. It is the perfect place to feel the authentic pulse of the city and observe how the people of Cusco keep their traditions alive.

Next, we will visit the Inca Museum, located in an elegant colonial building near Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. The experience is fascinating: here you can see ceramics, textiles, tools, and mummies that tell the story of the Incas and the cultures that preceded them. It is like a gateway to everything we will discover later at the archaeological sites.

The next stop will be the Qoricancha or Temple of the Sun, one of the most sacred places for the Incas. Its perfectly assembled stone walls are a testament to the incredible architectural mastery of this civilization. It is said that in Inca times it was covered with gold plates that reflected the sunlight, which gave it its name in Quechua: “Golden Enclosure.” Although much of it was destroyed to build the convent of Santo Domingo, it still retains its essence and majesty.

The tour ends at Sacsayhuamán, the imposing Inca fortress located on top of a hill with panoramic views of Cusco. Its gigantic stone blocks, carved and fitted with astonishing precision, remain an enigma as to how they were transported without modern technology. There we will also learn about the legends of the chincanas, underground tunnels that, according to tradition, connected Sacsayhuamán with the Qoricancha.

At the end of the afternoon, we will return to the hotel with a mixture of awe and respect for the history that lives in every corner of Cusco. A perfect start to connect with the heart of the Inca Empire.

The second day is dedicated to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a fertile and sacred region that was key to the agricultural, economic, and spiritual development of the Inca Empire. At 8:00 a.m., the route to four essential destinations will begin.

The first stop will be Chinchero, a traditional village famous for its textiles. There, you will have the opportunity to witness how local artisans work with alpaca and sheep wool using natural dyes and ancestral techniques that have been passed down for centuries. Seeing how they transform plants and minerals into intense colors is a unique experience that showcases the continuity of living Andean culture.

Next, we will visit the Maras Salt Mines, a natural and cultural spectacle consisting of more than 3,000 salt pools. Their white and pink hues shine under the sun, creating a breathtaking landscape. You will also learn why Maras salt is one of the most prized in the world, both for its flavor and its properties.

The third stop will be Moray, an innovative Inca agricultural center in the shape of an amphitheater with circular terraces. Here, the Incas recreated different microclimates to grow a wide variety of crops. This place reflects how science, agriculture, and spirituality were deeply intertwined in the Andean worldview.

After a buffet lunch in Urubamba, the day will conclude in Ollantaytambo, one of the last Inca villages that remains inhabited. Its cobbled streets, water channels still in use, and the imposing fortress at the top of the valley bear witness to the greatness and cultural resistance of the Incas in the face of the conquistadors.

Spending the night in Ollantaytambo will be a special experience: the murmur of the river and the mountains surrounding the village seem to guard the living history of the Sacred Valley.

The third day is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited: the visit to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. After breakfast, we will depart for the station to take the train to Aguas Calientes. The journey itself is a unique experience: the panoramic windows allow you to appreciate how the landscapes change from the Andes to the cloud forest.

From Aguas Calientes, a bus will take us to the entrance of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. There, the guided tour will begin, lasting approximately two hours. We will visit the most important areas, such as the Main Square, the Temple of the Sun, the Guardian’s House, and the agricultural terraces, in an experience that surpasses any photo or documentary.

The guide will share information about the ceremonial, astronomical, and agricultural functions of the citadel, as well as the theories that still surround its mysterious abandonment. What strikes travelers most is the perfection of the stonework and how the entire complex seems to be in absolute harmony with the mountain and the sky.

After the visit, we will return to Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) for lunch and free time. In the afternoon, we will take the train back to Ollantaytambo, where private transportation will be waiting to take us to Cusco.

The fourth day will start very early, at 5:00 a.m., with a trip to the famous Mountain of Seven Colors (Vinicunca). After a hearty breakfast in the village of Cusipata, we will continue by transport to Phulawasipata, the starting point of the hike.

The approximately one-and-a-half-hour route is demanding due to the altitude, but every step is rewarded with breathtaking scenery. During the ascent, you will be able to observe vicuñas, llamas, and alpacas in their natural habitat, a detail that adds a special charm to the experience.

Reaching the summit and contemplating the mountain in all its splendor will be a magical moment. The reddish, green, yellow, and ochre tones are due to the mineral composition of the earth, creating a landscape that is unique in the world. There, surrounded by other travelers and the cold wind of the Andes, you will understand why this destination has become one of the most sought-after in Peru.

After enjoying the views and taking unforgettable photographs, we will begin the descent to have lunch again in Cusipata before returning to Cusco in the afternoon. Although it is a physically demanding day, the experience of standing in front of one of the most impressive landscapes in Peru makes it an unforgettable memory of your trip.

The last day usually has a nostalgic feel to it. Depending on your flight schedule, you can take advantage of it to go for a light walk around Cusco, visit a museum you haven’t seen yet, or simply relax in a café facing the Plaza de Armas.

The transfer to the airport will officially end the adventure, but the feeling will be clear: the heart of the Inca Empire continues to beat strongly, and exploring it is a transformative experience.