Take a journey through Peru’s ancient Incan Empire, beginning in the old Inca capital of Cusco, a city which played an important part in Peru’s history before continuing onto the Sacred Valley of the Incas and the incredible ruins of Machu Picchu.
South America
Cusco – Realm of the Incas
5 Days, Departs daily. From NZD $1,991pp.
Tailormade Adventures
Details
Overview
Itinerary Highlights
- With its ancient archaeological sites, fascinating museums and unique Andean atmosphere, Cusco’s sights and sounds never fail to inspire all those who travel there.
- Visit the local market in the picturesque town of Pisac.
- Take a guided tour of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
- Learn about the history and heritage of the Inca people.
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Arrive in Cusco
- Day 2: Cusco City & Nearby Ruins Tour
- Day 3: Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
- Day 4: Machu Picchu Tour with Wayna Picchu Trek
- Day 5: Depart Cusco
Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary
- Include this itinerary into our Best of South America.
- Add in a 3 or 4 day trip to an Amazon lodge or even to a luxury Amazon cruise.
- Take South America's most iconic trek and hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
- Further explore Peru's many highlights with visit to the Nazca Lines, the colonial city of Arequipa and the Colca Canyon.
Travelling with Eclipse
Peace of Mind
- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1 - Cusco: Arrive in Cusco
Arrive in Cusco
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
We suggest that you take it easy today to give yourself the best opportunity to acclimatise to Cusco's altitude. This city is bursting with Andean culture and is one of the great culinary destinations of South America. It also just happens to be the gateway to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, the best-known archaeological site on this vast continent.
Day 2 - Cusco: Cusco City & Nearby Ruins Tour
Cusco City & Nearby Ruins Tour
Your comprehensive city tour in the afternoon includes the beautiful Koricancha, also known as Sun Temple, the Cathedral as well as the Fortress of Sacsayhuaman, a most remarkable Inca building, and the amphitheater of Kenko. Then you drive past Puca Pucara (no stop / no visit), a strategically located 'red fortress' that dominated the entire area before visiting Tambomachay, with its two distinctive aqueducts that to this day continue to provide clean water to the area.
Breakfast included.
Day 3 - Cusco: Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to discover the Sacred Valley of the Incas on this full day excursion. This fertile river valley was home to many important sites for the Incas, both strategic and religious. Your first stop will be the lookout Mirador de Taray, a scenic lookout point offering impressive panoramic views of the Sacred Valley.
Continue on to Pisaq where you will first visit the archaeological complex, the ruins of the fortress of Pisaq which are set high above a valley by patterned fields and rimmed by vast terracing. The stonework and panoramas at Pisac's Inca citadel are magnificent. You will visit the lower part of the complex where the agricultural area and the pre-Hispanic cemetery are located. Afterwards, visit the colourful local market and have free time to search for a souvenir or two before enjoying a typical Andean lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon visit to the fortress of Ollantaytambo where the Temple of the Sun (formed of six gigantic monoliths, whose total weight exceeds 50 tons) and the Terrace of the Ten Niches stand out.
You will be transferred to the local train station where you will catch the scenic afternoon train to Aguas Calientes. On arrival you will be escorted to your hotel by the hotel's staff. Enjoy a free evening and prepare for your early morning visit to Machu Picchu the next day.
*Option to add a night in the Sacred Valley and continue to Machu Picchu early tomorrow, giving you the opportunity to enjoy 2 visits to Machu Picchu.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Day 4 - Machu Picchu: Machu Picchu Tour
Machu Picchu Tour
Early this morning you will be greeted by your guide who will assist you onto the shuttle bus to the citadel’s entrance. For centuries, Machu Picchu remained undiscovered by the Spaniards until American explorer Hiram Bingham found it in 1911. On a guided tour, you'll experience the site's unique location and ingenious construction, making it one of the seven new wonders of the world.
Your Machu Picchu ticket (Circuit 2A Classic) provides access to the classic circuit, which encompasses both the agricultural and urban sectors of the site. Along the route, you'll encounter iconic landmarks such as the Inca quarry, the Sun Temple lookout point, the Sacred Stone, the storages known as Qolqas, the Temple of the Condor, and the Guard House.
At the proper time, walk on your own to the local train station in Aguas Calientes (close to artisanal market) and take the train back to Ollantaytambo where our local representative is waiting to transfer you to Cusco. In case you have left any luggage in the hotel in the Sacred Valley, it will be picked up on route.
Highest Elevation: 2,430m/ 7,972 ft
Lowest Elevation: 2,040m/ 6,692 ft
Approximate time of Visit: 2 hours
Please note:
• Entrance tickets to Machu Picchu must be purchased in advance. Priority will be given to issuing tickets for Circuit #2A (Classic). If no spaces are available, Circuit #2B (Lower Terrace) or Circuit #3B (Royalty Route) will be selected instead.
• If you wish to see multiple circuits during your visit, you must purchase a second entry ticket.
• If you wish to include a trek to Huayna Picchu, Machu Picchu Mountain or Huchuy Picchu, you will need an extra ticket. Please ask us.
• To see the different circuit options, please visit https://eclipsetravel.co.nz/machu-picchu-visitor-information/
Breakfast included.
Day 5 - Cusco: Depart
Depart
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Breakfast included.
Departs daily
| Season | Type | From | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026 | NZD $1,991pp | ||
| Comfort | NZD $1,991pp | Contact us | |
| Superior | NZD $2,244pp | Contact us | |
| Deluxe | NZD $3,037pp | Contact us |
- Hotel rates are based on double/twin share lead-in rooms. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.
Comfort
Cusco, Peru - Hotel Hacienda Cusco Plaza Regocijo
Machu Picchu, Peru - El Mapi Hotel
Superior
Cusco, Peru - Quinta San Blas
Machu Picchu, Peru - El Mapi Hotel
Deluxe
Cusco, Peru - Aranwa Cusco Boutique Hotel
Machu Picchu, Peru - Sumaq Hotel
What's included?
- Accommodation with private facilities
- Hotel taxes
- Entrance fees
- Tours with English speaking guides
- Transfers
- Meals as specified
What's not?
- Airfares
- Airport entrance/departure taxes
- Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Any items not mentioned as included
Important notes and additional information
- Hotel rates are based on double/twin share lead-in rooms. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: South America
The vivid sights and sounds of South America offer something for everyone. Stretching from the Caribbean to Patagonia, the variety of cultures, climates and landscapes has to be experienced firsthand to be believed. The memories you take home will leave you wanting more – we’re sure you’ll want to return again and again, just like us!
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