Experience a fresh take on the wondrous Peruvian city of Cusco as you explore and make timeless memories on this four-day Cusco City Tour. This tour offers a comprehensive exploration of the cultural and historical wonders of Cusco and Machu Picchu.
On day one, visit notable landmarks in Cusco, including the Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, and the Qoricancha Temple. Other notable attractions include the impressive Inca sites of Sacsayhuaman, Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay.
Day two begins with a trip to Pisac, where travelers will explore the Inca ruins and visit the local market. Afterward, stop at Urubamba for lunch before continuing to the Salt Mines and Moray archaeological site. The day concludes with a visit to Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress, before taking a train to Aguas Calientes.
On the third day, visitors will take a bus to Machu Picchu after breakfast to witness the breathtaking sunrise (weather permitting). After sunrise, venture on a guided tour of the ancient city and enjoy free time to explore at your own pace.
The day ends with a return to Aguas Calientes and a train ride back to Ollantaytambo. From there, a private car will transfer them back to Cusco and their hotel. The final day of the tour concludes with a transfer from the hotel to Cusco Airport, tailored to the flight schedule of each traveler. The exact timing will be coordinated with the tour office.
Cusco is ready, are you?
4-Day Cusco City Tour Details
Keep reading to discover all the essential information needed to make your Cusco City tour with Sparrow Explorer an unforgettable adventure.
Highlights of Your 4-Day Cusco City Tour
Type of Tour: Adventure, Trek, Culture, History, Journey by Car and Train.
Suitable for: Travelers who want to participate in Cusco tours while visiting the Machu Picchu Inca sites by train and car with a hike of Rainbow Mountain.
Difficulty: Considering the various sites visited during this Cusco tour, it is advised to adhere to the safety rating of each attraction of this Cusco City tour, such as the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Consideration: AVAILABLE ALL YEAR.
Helpful Information About Our Cusco City Tours:
- Vehicles with all the SAFE TRAVEL protocols.
- Above all, your safety is our top priority, and we take every precaution necessary.
- Hotel accommodation provided (3 or 4 stars) in Aguas Calientes (Inti Punku Machu Picchu or similar).
- Tours of Cusco and surrounding areas are available for everybody visiting Machu Picchu via the Sacred Valley.
- Take many photos while driving through the Sacred Valley and visiting several archaeological sites.
- Your belongings will be safely transported by car and train.
- Enjoy a fantastic sunrise at Machu Picchu early on day three.
- Observe and delight in the flowers and birds of Machu Picchu as you hike a shortcut trail to the holy city.
- Pack wisely and remember insect repellent, as there are many mosquitoes in the lost city of the Incas (Machu Picchu).
- Visit the wonders included in tours from Cusco, such as the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, in just 3 days.
- Overnight stay in a hotel the night before traveling to Machu Picchu.
- Visit the incredible Maras Salt Mines and the Moray Archaeological Site.
- We are a team of local staff using natural resources.
- As a local company, we practice sustainable responsibility.
- You will have a briefing by your professional tour guide the night before your trek in our office or at your hotel.
Top Tip: For a slightly different, tailored adventure, book a Sacred Valley tour, which allows a more intimate visit to the ancient landmark.
Our 4-Day Cusco City Tour Itinerary
Ever wondered what to do in Cusco? Well, it’s time to set out and discover the captivating destination on a four-day adventure that is unlike any you’ve experienced before. Below is a detailed breakdown of what to expect on one of Sparrow Explorer’s Cusco excursions.
Day 1: Transfer In – Cusco City Tour
On the first day of your Cusco tour, start with a pick-up from your hotel at 13:00. You will be taken to Cusco’s Plaza de Armas, where you will visit the famous cathedral. Afterward, you will proceed to the Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun, where you can observe the blend of Inca culture and Catholicism.
From there, you will walk down to Avenida El Sol and take a car to the Inka site of Sacsayhuaman. Your guide will explain the history and construction of this impressive site. The tour will then continue to Q’enqo, Puca Pucara, and Tambomachay before returning to Cusco, either at the main square or your hotel, depending on your preference.
Day 2: Cusco – Pisac – Moray – Ollantaytambo – Aguas Calientes
The second day of your city tour of Cusco begins with an early pick-up from your hotel at 07:00. You will be driven to Pisac, where you will explore the Inca ruins and have an opportunity to visit the local market.
Next, you will stop at Urubamba for lunch before continuing to the Salt Mines and Moray archaeological site, the Andean farming laboratory.
The tour will proceed to Ollantaytambo, an Inca fortress built with pink granite rocks. After the tour, you will head to the train station to catch a train to Aguas Calientes, the town near Machu Picchu. In Aguas Calientes, you will have dinner at a restaurant and spend the night.
Day 3: Aguas Calientes — Machu Picchu — Cusco City
This day begins early with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a day trip from Cusco to Machu Picchu. If the weather permits, you will have the opportunity to witness the sunrise. Upon arrival, your guide will provide a two-hour tour of the Machu Picchu site, highlighting its history and significance.
After the guided tour, you will have free time to explore the site on your own. Your guide will provide your bus ticket back to Aguas Calientes, where you will meet and receive your train tickets. You will then take the train to Ollantaytambo, where a private car will be waiting to transfer you back to Cusco and your hotel.
Day 4: Transfer Out Of Cusco City
On the final day of the tour, you will check out of your hotel in Cusco. The tour will conclude with a transfer from your hotel to Cusco Airport, timed according to your flight schedule. The exact departure time will be coordinated with the tour office, ensuring a smooth and timely transfer.
As your trip to Cusco, Peru, comes to a close, you can reminisce about the rich history, stunning landscapes, and captivating culture you experienced along the Inca Trail, which took you through the heart of the Inca Empire.
What’s Included in Your Cusco City Tour
- Transportation: Transportation for the entire tour of Cusco City and day trips from Cusco is included from the start to the end of the tour. This includes hotel pickup and dropoff, transfers from Cusco Airport, bus transportation from Cusco to all Sacred Valley tours, and the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town). Bus tickets from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu and train tickets from Ollantaytambo are also included. Final transfers from the Cusco Train Office to your hotel are also included.
- Professional Tour Guides: Our tour guides are all trilingual university graduates and can speak Spanish, English, and Quechua. Each of our tour guides is a local citizen of Cusco who grew up in and around the area with a wealth of knowledge. They are a free-spirited, joyful group of professionals eager to share everything they know about ancestral traditions.
- Briefing & Entrance Fees: The night before your Cusco City tour begins, our tour guides will give you a briefing at our offices or your hotel. During this debrief, you will also be given all the information needed regarding entrance fees and safety regulations of the various attractions in Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
- Food, Water, & Meals: Our professional chefs prepare all our meals according to your dietary requirements. It is your responsibility to inform us of any allergies or nutritional needs. Our chefs use only the best healthy and organic ingredients, and daily breakfast and snacks are included. Please note that vegetarian food options are available at no extra cost.
- Accommodation: Your accommodation for your three-night stay during our Cusco City tour is included. You will stay in either a three- or four-star property for the duration of the tour, including your overnight stay in Aguas Calientes.
- Equipment: Sparrow Explorer is proud to provide you with the best equipment to make your trip a safe and comfortable experience. Our equipment includes an oxygen tank and a First Aid Kit for altitude and safety concerns.
What’s Not Included in Your Cusco City Tour:
- Extra Snacks & Meals: Snacks to enjoy during your tour outside of normal mealtimes are not included, as are daily lunch and dinner.
- Tips & Gratuities: Tips and gratuities for drivers and tour guides are not included in your final price. You are responsible for these at your own discretion, and our entire team greatly appreciates any courtesy.
- Travel Insurance: We highly recommend travel insurance to all of our travelers. Unfortunately, we do not provide travel insurance, and you can participate in our tours whether you have insurance or not.
Top Tip: Explore Machu Picchu in a different way and venture out on this epic Machu Picchu by Train tour.
Helpful Information for Your 4-Day Cusco City Tour
Before booking your 4-day Cusco City tour, you must keep a few critical bits of information in mind.
Altitude Sickness
It’s common to start wondering about altitude sickness if you’re considering coming to Peru, especially to Cusco. However, it’s easy to overcome this problem. A simple remedy is to spend a few days in Cusco while drinking plenty of water and coca tea.
However, if you are concerned about altitude sickness, these are common symptoms to look out for:
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Tingling
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Vomiting
If you have any problems, contact our company or a doctor who can help you. But these symptoms are usually going to be temporary. However, sometimes our customers require medication, so we suggest you have an (acetazolamide or dexamethasone) and come a few days before to Cusco.
Weather
The weather in the Andes is generally unpredictable, so we suggest our customers be ready for a rainy or sunny day. However, we advise that you bring any waterproof clothing as this will significantly benefit on rainy days.
First Aid Kit
All of our mountain guides have first aid kits and receive extensive training in first aid in the mountains. Every year, they receive classes from doctors who treat the most frequent problems, such as diarrhea, cuts, headaches, scrapes, etc. At the same time, they have an oxygen tank should the need arise. However, bringing your first aid kit for the trek is also recommended.
Travel Insurance
It is always a good idea to have travel insurance for your tour or trek, especially if you are planning to travel for a few weeks or more than one month. Our tours do not include travel insurance, which is why we highly recommend getting insurance before leaving for Peru.
Travel insurance is essential if an emergency arises or if you have a severe illness. However, you can still book this tour if you do not have travel insurance.
Environmental Impact
This company is a travel agency that protects our environment. We’re a sustainability-focused company that uses biodegradable packaging for meals, and we also consider the leave-no-trace principles on all our tours. This way, we reduce our impact on the planet and help lessen the effects of global warming.
Community
Our staff, guides, and drivers are the most important people in our lives. Of course, this means their families and communities, which everybody feels so proud of, are also part of our family. Thanks to their knowledge about our culture, we can learn more about our ancestors, their traditions, behaviors, customs, and more.
However, our job is to help them with books, computers, buildings, and the most essential points: teaching everybody how vital our culture is and protecting everything left by our ancestors. We believe in “Love just the things that you know.”. However, we must keep teaching them to maintain their behaviors and customs to preserve and conserve the impressive culture of the Inca.
